Tangeled in shadows | Min Yoongi

Chapter 3: The Calm After the Storm

Yoona stormed out of the warehouse, her heart racing and adrenaline still coursing through her veins. She had come so close—so damn close—to finally avenging her family's honor. But instead, she found herself standing face-to-face with the very man she had vowed to destroy, pinned down and outmatched.

As she navigated the dark alleyways of Seoul, frustration bubbled inside her. How had she miscalculated so badly? Her entire plan had been executed flawlessly, and yet, in the end, she had been the one to walk away empty-handed.

The memory of Yoongi's mocking smirk sent a fresh wave of anger through her. You'll try. The words echoed in her mind like a taunt. She had underestimated him, and he had played her like a fool.

As she reached a secluded corner of the city, she paused, leaning against a wall, her breath coming in heavy gasps. She felt the cool metal of the knife still tucked away at her side, a reminder of the fight she hadn't finished. But it was more than that; it was a symbol of her determination.

"He let me go," she muttered under her breath, disbelief mingling with anger. Why?

------

Across the city, Min Yoongi leaned back in his office chair, the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the window. He had seen Yoona's fierce spirit firsthand, and it intrigued him more than he cared to admit. The encounter had been electric, a clash of wills that stirred something within him—a dangerous curiosity.

His men had reported back that the ambush had been nearly perfect. They had been caught off guard, but Yoongi's instincts had kicked in just in time. He had anticipated the potential for betrayal, and it had saved him. Yet, instead of killing her, he had chosen to let her walk away.

"Why didn't you kill her?" Namjoon asked, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. He had been watching the interaction closely, his brow furrowed with concern.

Yoongi shrugged, his expression unreadable. "She's not a simple threat. She's smart, ambitious. There's potential there."

"Potential?" Namjoon raised an eyebrow. "She tried to kill you."

"Exactly." Yoongi leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "This isn't just about eliminating rivals. It's about knowing when to let them live. Yoona could be useful—if she can channel that fire into something constructive."

Namjoon frowned, unconvinced. "Or she could come back stronger, more determined to take you down."

A ghost of a smile tugged at Yoongi's lips. "Let her try. She's good, but I'm better."

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. There was a thrill in the danger of it all, and Yoongi relished it. He had always respected strength, and Yoona's audacity stirred something unexpected within him. She reminded him of himself, driven by ambition and fueled by the need for power.

"And if she comes after you again?" Namjoon pressed, still wary.

"Then I'll deal with it." Yoongi's tone was firm. "But for now, I want to see what she does next. I want her to think she has a chance."

-----

The dim light of the apartment flickered as Yoona paced the small living room, her frustration palpable. Jisoo sat on the worn couch, her arms crossed, watching her with a worried expression. The room felt too small, the walls closing in as Yoona wrestled with the events of the previous night.

"Why would he let me go?" Yoona muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. She paused, staring out the window at the city skyline. "He had me. He could've ended it right there."