The Conquest (Underworld 5) SH

4: Yuta Is Here

Soonyoung's eyes fluttered open, the sterile white of the hospital ceiling coming into focus. The sharp smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils, and the steady beep of a heart monitor echoed softly in the room. For a moment, he was disoriented, his mind struggling to piece together what had happened. Then, the memories came flooding back—Jihoon, the ambush, the gunfire, and the pain that had exploded through his body.

He groaned softly, attempting to move, but a sharp pain shot through his side, forcing him to stay still. That's when he noticed the figure sitting beside his bed, head resting in their hands, shoulders tense with worry. It was Jiya, his loyal subordinate, who had stuck by him through thick and thin.

Hearing his movement, Jiya quickly looked up, relief flooding their features when they saw that Soonyoung was awake. "Soonyoung! Thank God, you're awake," they exclaimed, leaning closer. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I got hit by a truck," Soonyoung muttered, his voice hoarse. He winced as he tried to shift again. "What... what happened? How did I get here?"

Jiya's expression darkened slightly. "You were shot, twice. Jihoon's men ambushed us, but I managed to call for backup just in time. They got you out of there and to the hospital before it was too late."

Soonyoung's mind raced, trying to process everything. The last thing he remembered was the cold, calculating look in Jihoon's eyes as the ambush unfolded. The precision, the timing—it had all been meticulously planned. Jihoon had lured them in, made them think they were getting closer, only to spring the trap at the last possible moment.

"That bastard," Soonyoung muttered under his breath, more to himself than to Jiya. "He set us up... he knew exactly what he was doing."

Jiya nodded solemnly. "He's dangerous, Soonyoung. We knew that, but I didn't think he'd go this far. We were lucky this time, but next time..."

Soonyoung clenched his jaw, anger and frustration bubbling up inside him. "Next time, we won't let him catch us off guard. I won't let him win."

Jiya looked at him with a mixture of concern and determination. "You need to rest, Soonyoung. We can regroup and come up with a new plan, but not until you're back on your feet."

Soonyoung gritted his teeth, hating the idea of being stuck in a hospital bed while Jihoon was out there, likely planning his next move. But he knew Jiya was right. He wasn't in any shape to take Jihoon on right now, not when he could barely sit up without pain. "Fine," he finally conceded. "But as soon as I'm out of here, we're going after him. I won't let him get away with this."

Jiya nodded. "Of course. We'll make sure we're ready for him."

Soonyoung closed his eyes, trying to push past the pain and the frustration. He would get Jihoon back for this. The Midnight gang might have won this round, but the fight was far from over. And next time, Soonyoung would be the one setting the trap.

As Soonyoung and Jiya were deep in conversation, the door to the hospital room swung open with a force that made both of them look up immediately. The air in the room seemed to thicken as a man stepped in, his heels clicking ominously against the tile floor. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit, his sharp features accentuated by the cold, calculating gaze in his eyes. Behind him, an older man followed—Senior Kang, Soonyoung's boss and one of the most powerful figures in the CBI. His presence alone was enough to command respect, but it was the man in front of him who made everyone's blood run cold.

Nakamoto Yuta.

The very mention of his name was enough to make even the most seasoned officers in the headquarters straighten up and watch their step. He was known for his fierce intelligence, unyielding demeanor, and an almost terrifying level of control over any situation. No one dared to cross him, not if they valued their career—or their life.