𝙻𝚄𝙽𝙰 [ 𝙰 L𝚎𝚎 K𝚗𝚘𝚠 Story ]

36~Betrayal

Seonghwa sat on the cold, hard floor of the dimly lit room, his posture tense as he leaned against the wall, his hands resting on his knees. The room was stark, its bare walls and the oppressive silence contributing to a growing sense of despair that wrapped around him like a shroud.

His gaze was fixed on the floor, but his mind was a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts. The question that dominated his thoughts was one he couldn't shake: How had Yeona been captured? The answer eluded him, slipping through his mental grasp like sand through his fingers.

Yeona was a force to be reckoned with, a powerful being whose strength was far beyond what anyone from Seth's clan should be capable of subduing. Seonghwa was acutely aware of this; it was a fact he held close to his heart. Yu-ri, despite her role, was an unlikely candidate to have captured Yeona. If it had been Yu-ri alone, Yeona would have torn her apart effortlessly. And Mark, with his spineless demeanor, was even less likely to have had any part in it. The very thought was laughable—Mark wouldn't dare to face someone as formidable as Yeona.

No, the situation was far more complex than it seemed. The pieces didn't fit, and the more Seonghwa pondered, the more the uncertainty gnawed at him. There had to be another force at play, a hidden player or a deeper strategy behind this unexpected turn of events.

He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind and focus. The cool, damp air of the room was a stark contrast to the burning frustration and fear that gripped him. He needed to regain his composure, to think clearly and strategically.

As he sat in the oppressive silence, Seonghwa's thoughts turned to what he knew of Seth's tactics. Seth was cunning, and this situation was a testament to his ability to manipulate and strategize. It was clear that Seonghwa was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

Seonghwa's fists tightened into hard knots, the tension in his knuckles a physical manifestation of his frustration. The idea of an unseen, possibly more dangerous force behind Yeona's capture gnawed at him, unsettling his usually sharp focus. Each possibility that flitted through his mind was darker and more disheartening than the last. The certainty he once had in staying ahead of his enemies was now obscured by a fog of doubt and confusion.

The echoing footsteps outside the door grew louder, each step a haunting reminder of the precariousness of his situation. The door groaned as it swung open, revealing Mark's insufferable grin. The sight of him was like a sour note in an otherwise silent symphony, aggravating Seonghwa further.

Mark sauntered in with an air of smug satisfaction, his every movement a deliberate taunt. His eyes glinted with a confidence that grated on Seonghwa's nerves, and that infuriating smirk only deepened Seonghwa's irritation. Mark was clearly relishing this moment, the discomfort and helplessness it caused Seonghwa.

He paused directly in front of Seonghwa, his posture rigid and his expression a mask of triumph. "You really thought you could take Yeona from me?" Mark's voice was dripping with condescension, each word carefully enunciated to maximize its effect.

Seonghwa's patience, already frayed, snapped. The urge to lash out was almost overwhelming, but he managed to keep his composure, the rage seething just beneath the surface. His voice came out as a low, controlled growl, barely masking the fury. "I don't have the time to tear you apart right now, so do me a favor, and leave."

Mark's laugh echoed through the small, stark room, a wild, mocking sound that grated against Seonghwa's frayed nerves. It was a laugh that spoke of twisted delight, of a dark, twisted triumph that pushed Seonghwa to the edge of his patience. Without a second thought, Seonghwa reached out and grabbed Mark by the collar, yanking him close. Their faces were mere inches apart, and for a fleeting moment, Seonghwa saw a flash of genuine fear in Mark's eyes—a brief, telltale glimmer before it was quickly masked by his infuriating smirk.