Unevitable | Ryeji |

Chapter 45: Into the Abyss

Ryujin's POV:

It's been a few weeks since we murdered the President. The chaos that followed has finally begun to settle, but my mind hasn't. I'm sitting in my room, the silence wrapping around me, yet my thoughts are anything but calm. I've been thinking-about my parents, the truth behind their connection to the President, and the deeper secrets they kept from me.

What unsettles me the most is the fact that they still have my sister. I don't even know where to begin searching for her. The thought of her being alive, trapped somewhere in the hands of people who once controlled everything from the shadows, gnaws at me. Every puzzle piece leads back to them-the President, the ones behind him, and my family's involvement in it all.

I never asked for this life, but it seems like I was always meant to be a part of it. If I don't find her soon, I fear what they'll do to her... or if she even remembers me.

And then, there's Chan.

I can't shake the feeling that he's been watching me closely, more than I'd like. He's too interested in my life, asking questions he has no business asking, showing up at odd moments. It's like he's trying to piece things together. He pretends to be casual, but I can see through him. The way his eyes linger when I talk, the way he's always around at the worst possible times.

Does he know more than he's letting on? Is he working with someone? I've tried to keep him at a distance, but it's becoming harder to do without raising suspicion. The last thing I need is another person prying into my life, especially now that everything is hanging by a thread.

I can't decide whether he's a threat, or if he's just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Either way, he's becoming a problem I'll need to deal with soon.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sudden ringing of my phone. I glance at the screen and see Winter's name flashing. My heart skips a beat-she wouldn't be calling unless it was urgent. I answer, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Winter?"

Her voice comes through, slightly breathless but clear. "Ryujin, I found out where your sister is."

My heart stops. I sit up straighter, gripping the phone tighter. "What? Where is she?"

There's a pause, like she's hesitating, and my mind races with possibilities. Is she safe? What condition is she in?

"I'll send you the location," Winter says, her tone serious. "But you need to be careful. The people holding her... they're more dangerous than we thought. This might not be as simple as a rescue."

I close my eyes, trying to process what she's saying. The relief of finally having a lead is overshadowed by the weight of Winter's warning. My sister is alive, but getting her back could cost me everything.

"I'll do whatever it takes," I say, my voice low. "Just send me the details."

Winter promises to send the information and hangs up. As I stare at the phone, my chest tightens with a mix of dread and determination. This could be the moment that changes everything.

I don't waste any time. As soon as Winter hangs up, I move quickly, sending a message to the rest of the group. Hyunjin, Niki, Han and Chaeryeong need to know what's going on. We're in this together, and they'll understand how important this is-not just for me, but for everything we've been working towards.

Fam 👽

I found her. Winter just called. She has the location of my sister. We need to move fast.

I hit send, my fingers shaking slightly. The weight of what's about to happen is starting to sink in, but there's no time to hesitate. I can't let her stay with them any longer. I feel my phone buzz almost instantly with responses from Hyunjin and Niki-both ready to act, no questions asked. I know they'd do the same if it were their family.