REPLICA (BOOK 2)

The Red Dragon

"I can't believe you won't let me drive." Hongjoong rolled his eyes as he sat in the backseat.

"There's so many reasons." Hyunjin replied, making his way to the hideout where the Red Dragons reside. "First, Seonghwa said you need to stay completely out of sight after what happened to San and Felix. Second, you're literally four days old."

"Now why would you say it like that?"

"Damn." Jongho laughed, realizing that was technically correct. The clone had only been outside of the chamber for less than a week.

"You sure you don't want a gun, Hyunjin?" Hongjoong asked.

"I've never seen anyone worse with a firearm, trust me on that one. Let him stick to knives."

"Actually, that may come in handy."

"Why?"

"The Red Dragons prefer blades."

"That doesn't surprise me."

Hyunjin parked the car in front of the ballet studio, then hid his weapons carefully. He didn't want to pose as a threat just yet.

"Alright, let's go." Hongjoong smiled, excited to do something chaotic so soon. He knew exactly where to go so the other two followed. When he opened the door in the alleyway that lead to the basement, they were immediately impressed.

"This is so much nicer than the shithole the Underground was." Hyunjin whispered.

Traditional paintings of dragons were lit up by candles as they walked down the winding stairs. It was fascinating to see.

When they finally reached the center of the base, three women appeared with swords in their hands. Each blade was at the men's throats, determining whether they were welcome. Nothing could be seen but their eyes, making it difficult to recognize any of them.

"I'm a friend of Ryujin's." Hongjoong said, remaining calm as the tip of the sword poked further into his skin. "Kinda."

"Who are you?" One of the women asked.

"I'm Hongjoong, and that's Jongho and Hyunjin. We need your help."

"And why should we help you?" Another questioned.

"Because the Serpent Corps is trying to kill him." Hyunjin nodded his head over the captain.

"The Serpent Corps? Why would we help you against them?"

"Because you'll be paid handsomely for it if you do." Hongjoong replied. "They're after me because I'm a clone."

The three women immediately lowered their weapons, knowing all about Project REPLICA. A few drinks with a couple scientists helped them with that.

"I know you know about him. Two of you were at NOVA to keep an eye on Min Yoongi." Hyunjin interjected, although the captain really wished he hadn't.

"Are you spying on us?" The one woman in front of Hyunjin asked, holding her sword up to his neck once more.

"Are you? You're the ones that fucked my friends."

At that moment, Jongho and Hongjoong wished they went alone. They forgot Hyunjin has a mouth on him when he's under pressure. Being rude only works for Wooyoung, but the best friend never learned the same didn't apply to him.

The three Red Dragons no longer had in interest in talking. Killing the three men where they stood was their only goal.

Hongjoong knew not to bring a gun to a knife fight so he, as well as Jongho, were unarmed. Meanwhile, Hyunjin was fully prepared.

"You got any spares?" Jongho asked, dodging the sword the best he could.

"Here." By looking at the marksman, Hyunjin seemed distracted enough for his opponent to knock him to the ground. "How come you don't talk, huh? You like me?" His cocky smile dropped once he looked into her siren eyes. "God fucking damn it."

"We could use a little help, Hyunjin!" Hongjoong shouted after knocking his opponent's weapon out of her hand.

"I'm fucking busy." He quickly reached up to her mask and ripped it down to reveal her face. "Care to explain?"

"I could ask you the same thing." She replied.

"Mom would be incredibly disappointed in you."

"Quite the contrary."

"Are you gonna tell your friends to stop or do you just not care that I'm your brother?"

"Depends."

"Are you being serious?"

"I know where my loyalty lies."

"And this is why we never got along."

"You're proving my point."

"Hyunjin!" Jongho shouted, getting fed up.

"I'm busy!" He replied. "Can you also get off me? This feels disgusting and you know I have a sensitive stomach. So unless you want me to throw up on you, I suggest-"

"Holy shit, alright." She groaned, getting off of him and helping him up. "Girls, stand down."

Hongjoong looked back and forth between Hyunjin and the unmasked women, then gasped dramatically. "I can totally see it."

"Oh, the guys are gonna love this." Jongho laughed.

"Ningning, Yuna, this is my older brother." Yeji sighed. "Come on." She led everyone down a hallway, similar in design to the entrance. "Guard the door." She said to the women.

"Guard the door? Are we gonna get killed or something?" Hyunjin whined.

"And this is why she didn't want to waste her time with men." She groaned, then opened the door.

"Who?" Once he looked forward to see who was meditating peacefully, he gasped. "Mom?"

Jongho covered his mouth to stop himself from laughing. This just kept getting better and better.

"Hyunjin." She nodded, then stood up with her hands folded.

"What the hell is going on? Are you a part of the Red Dragons?"

She smiled cunningly. "I am the Red Dragon. Your sister and the rest have simply followed in my footsteps."

"Is this why you practically shut me out as a kid? You were busy doing...whatever this is?"

"I knew you were strong, I wasn't concerned."

"Shocking." Jongho mumbled.

"And who are you?" Mrs. Hwang looked to him with a burning fire in her eyes. She may not have talked to her son in a long time, but she had every intention of protecting him once he was in her presence.

"Choi Jongho."

"And you?" She asked, looking at the captain.

"Kim Hongjoong...the second."

"Mother, he's the clone." Yeji interjected. "They've asked for our help to protect him from the Serpent Corps."

"My son involved with the Serpent Corps?" Mrs. Hwang smiled, impressed how far he'd gotten on his own. "How'd you get into this line of work?"

"My partner." Hyunjin mumbled.

"Is he here as well?"

"How'd you-"

"Oh, please, I'm your mother. Do you take me for an idiot?"

"No." He frantically shook his head.

His slight fear made her smile faintly. To keep him on his toes, she quickly tossed a dagger from between her fingers and watched as her son caught it before it touched his face.

"It's in your blood, Hyunjin."

"So you'll help?"

"We will."

"Thank you." He bowed formally, having utmost respect for his mother.

"Hyunjin?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you've grown up well."