The Conquest (Underworld 5) SH

2: Jihoon Played Us

As Jihoon exited the command center, the weight of the situation hung in the air, but it didn't burden him. On the contrary, it exhilarated him. Every step he took was calculated, every decision a move in the intricate game he was orchestrating. He was the conductor, and the world around him moved to the rhythm of his will.

Back in the CBI headquarters, Soonyoung and Jiya were poring over their latest intelligence reports, their confidence bolstered by the recent string of arrests. The names and faces of the apprehended smugglers were pinned up on the board, each one a victory in their eyes, a step closer to dismantling the Midnight gang.

"Jihoon's smart, but we're smarter," Soonyoung declared, leaning back in his chair, a smug grin spreading across his face. "We've got him backed into a corner, and he doesn't even know it."

Jiya nodded in agreement, her focus unwavering as she analyzed the data. "At this rate, it's only a matter of time before we have enough evidence to bring the entire organization down. Jihoon will have nowhere to hide."

But beneath their confidence, Jihoon's trap was slowly closing in. Every piece of intelligence they were receiving, every arrest they made, had been carefully orchestrated by Jihoon himself. He was feeding them exactly what they wanted, luring them deeper into the web he had spun.

Meanwhile, back at the Midnight mansion, Jihoon's presence had caused a ripple of tension among the members of the gang. Everyone knew that when Jihoon was on the move, something major was about to happen.

Jihoon entered the grand hall of the mansion, where several of the gang's key members were gathered, waiting for his arrival. The room fell silent as he approached, all eyes turning to him, sensing the gravity of the moment.

Seungcheol, leaning casually against the wall, straightened up, his eyes narrowing as he studied Jihoon's expression. "What's the situation?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

Jihoon met his gaze, his face an unreadable mask. "Soonyoung and Jiya think they're closing in on us. They've made a few arrests, and they're getting bolder by the day."

Seungcheol scoffed, his arms crossing over his chest. "Soonyoung's always been overconfident. He's walking into his own downfall, isn't he?"

A cold smile played on Jihoon's lips as he nodded. "Exactly. Everything is going according to plan. I've been leading them by the nose, letting them think they're getting closer, when in reality, they're just tightening the noose around their own necks."

Jeonghan, who had been lounging on a nearby couch, looked up with a mischievous smirk. "And when do you plan on pulling the trigger? I can't wait to see the look on their faces when they realize they've been played."

Jihoon's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "Soon. Very soon. I want them to feel the weight of their mistakes. I want them to see how futile their efforts were from the beginning. When they're at their most vulnerable, that's when we'll strike."

The room buzzed with a low murmur of approval, the members of the gang exchanging glances filled with anticipation. They had always known Jihoon to be a master strategist, but this time, they could sense that something different was at play—something far more lethal.

"Make sure everyone is ready," Jihoon continued, his voice firm and commanding. "When the time comes, we'll need to move quickly and decisively. We're not just going to dismantle their operation—we're going to crush it. They won't even know what hit them."

Wonwoo, who had joined the gathering, nodded in agreement. "I've already started tightening the surveillance. Soonyoung and Jiya won't be able to make a move without us knowing."