Enigma of Darkness//Vkook

A resolute determination

Jin looked at Namjoon in surprise as he informed him that his brother was waiting for him in the room. Jin had left for work early and hadn't seen anyone at home. This happened almost all the time, as they each had their own schedules, and meeting together was reserved for special occasions. 

Jin frowned and quickly left the conference hall where they had been. "Why didn’t you inform me earlier?" Jin asked.

Namjoon answered politely, "Second young master asked me not to."

Jin sighed. "Did you ask him if he needed anything or if he was in trouble?"

Namjoon nodded. "He said there’s nothing like that. He’s just here to meet you."

Jin’s frown deepened as he considered the situation. He entered his room and found Taehyung sitting calmly, reading a magazine. Jin walked up to him and sat next to him on the sofa. 

"How are you? Did everything go well at the dinner? Do you need something? Are you in some trouble?" Jin asked nervously, watching Taehyung, who calmly closed the magazine and put it aside.

Taehyung looked at Jin for a moment, appreciating how, despite his heavy workload, his brother always valued family and showed concern for even the smallest matters. "I'm not in trouble. The dinner went well, and I'm just here to meet you. I want to talk to you about something if you're free now."

Jin frowned slightly and glanced at Namjoon. The assistant quickly nodded. "Understood," he said and left the room to take care of his boss's schedule.

Once they were alone, Taehyung and Jin began their conversation. After about an hour, Taehyung left the office. He checked his mobile and made a call to Yeon.

Yeon picks up the phone. His voice is laced with amusement as Taehyung inquires about their meeting location. "I never expected you to be so wilful. It's good that you’re different from your brother.

Hmmm...about the meeting, I see you like to write about the past a lot in your articles, and I happen to be in a place that trades in relics. Join me here—if you manage to be on time, then we shall talk." Yeon disconnects the call, leaving Taehyung to decipher the cryptic message.

Taehyung's eyes widen as he realizes the location: the Reliquary. This antique store is notorious for its annual auction, a clandestine event where officials and autocrats' families gather. Ostensibly, they come to acquire rare artifacts, but beneath the surface, it’s a hotspot for dark dealings and power plays.

The Reliquary, once a reputable establishment founded by a great researcher and scholar, has evolved under his descendants. While the store's primary purpose of preserving history remains, the auction has taken on a more sinister edge. 

Here, wealth and influence are flaunted, and the staff—composed of highly trained and formidable alphas—enforce the strict rules with ruthless efficiency. One wrong move, and they wouldn't hesitate to break a neck.

Taehyung knows he must tread carefully. This isn’t just a meeting; it’s a high-stakes game where any misstep could be fatal.

Taehyung glances around and spots a nearby café. With only two hours left before the auction starts, he knows he has to act fast. The Reliquary only allows entry to those registered on their digital guest list, and Taehyung needs to find a way onto it.

Entering the gaming café, he's greeted by the sound of teenagers shouting, howling, and furiously clicking their keys. The air is thick with the strong pheromones of youth and the energy of the games.