Crimson Threads || Soonhoon

Once

The city seemed quieter than usual as Jihoon exited the warehouse, but his mind buzzed with new revelations. Soonyoung’s cryptic warning clung to him, the weight of it heavy on his shoulders. He didn’t trust anyone completely—least of all Soonyoung—but there was something in the mafia boss’s tone tonight that couldn’t be ignored.

Still, Jihoon couldn’t let anyone think he was rattled. Not his allies, and certainly not his enemies. He was the one pulling the strings, after all. Everyone was playing his game, whether they knew it or not. Including Soonyoung.

As he slipped back onto his motorcycle, Jihoon’s thoughts shifted back to the mission. A trap, Soonyoung had said. It didn’t matter. Jihoon would still carry out his task. But now, he would have to change his approach. He pulled out his phone and, with a few swift taps, sent a message to his underground team.

"Activate Plan B. We’re moving ahead."

Jihoon’s hands tightened around the handlebars as he sped through the streets, weaving through traffic with an almost careless precision. He liked being in control, knowing every move was his to dictate. And right now, he had the upper hand.

---

An hour later, Jihoon stood outside an exclusive underground club, the type of place where deals were made in dark corners and fortunes were lost over a single drink. The kind of place Jihoon knew like the back of his hand. Inside, a man waited for him—a key figure in tonight's mission. He was supposed to be Jihoon’s target, but now Jihoon had something far more interesting in mind.

Walking past the bouncers with ease, Jihoon made his way through the smoke-filled interior. The club pulsed with the low thrum of music, neon lights casting shadows across the patrons who whispered and schemed in every corner. Jihoon spotted his target at a table near the back—slicked-back hair, a dark suit that screamed wealth and arrogance, and a smirk that Jihoon wanted to wipe off his face.

He made his approach, slipping into the seat across from the man without waiting for an invitation. His target raised an eyebrow but didn’t flinch, clearly unimpressed by the younger man’s intrusion.

"So," Jihoon began, his voice calm but laced with authority, "I hear you’ve been looking for me."

The man chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Woozi, right? Heard a lot about you. Didn’t expect you to show up so boldly."

"I don’t waste time," Jihoon said, eyes locking with the man’s. "You’re either here to help or get in the way. So, which is it?"

The man leaned forward, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "I’m here to make an offer. Something that might interest a guy like you."

Jihoon let a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. He was about to turn the entire conversation on its head, but his opponent didn’t know it yet. "I’m listening."

The man took a sip of his drink before continuing, clearly relishing in the theatrics of the moment. "You’re skilled. I’ve seen your work. I could use someone like you on my team. There’s more money and power in it for you than whatever you’re doing now."

Jihoon raised an eyebrow. "You think I’m looking for a job?"

The man’s grin widened, clearly mistaking Jihoon’s calm demeanor for interest. "I think you’re smart enough to know when a good opportunity knocks."

Jihoon leaned in closer, his expression sharpening like a blade. "You think I’m someone you can buy?" His voice was still soft, but the venom in it was unmistakable. "You think I haven’t planned every second of this meeting before I even stepped in here?"

The man’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Everyone’s got a price, kid."

Jihoon smiled—a cold, calculated smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "You’re right. And tonight, yours is a little too low for my taste."

In a fluid motion, Jihoon pulled out a sleek, silver gun and pressed it gently against the man’s knee beneath the table, completely concealed by the shadows and noise around them. The man froze, his expression shifting from smug to panicked in an instant.

"Now," Jihoon continued, his voice never losing its casual tone, "you’re going to tell me everything you know about the trap you set for me. And if I like what I hear, you might just walk out of here with both legs intact."

The man’s eyes widened in fear, and Jihoon could see him processing the situation, the gears in his head spinning frantically as he realized just how outplayed he was. Jihoon gave him a few seconds to sweat before pressing the barrel harder against his leg.

"I don’t have all night," Jihoon added, his smile widening. "Start talking."

"I—I didn’t know it was you!" the man stammered, his cocky facade crumbling under the pressure. "I swear! I was just told to bait you, to make sure you got involved. The setup wasn’t my idea!"

"Who told you?" Jihoon asked, his tone darkening.

"It was—" The man hesitated, clearly terrified of what would happen next. "It was a higher-up. I don’t know his name, but he’s connected. Big-time. He’s the one pulling all the strings, not me. I’m just the middleman."

Jihoon studied him for a moment, assessing the truth in his words. Then, with a swift motion, he pulled the gun away, letting the man breathe again.

"Good," Jihoon said, leaning back in his chair. "Now get out of my sight before I change my mind."

The man didn’t need to be told twice. He stumbled out of his seat, hurrying toward the exit as fast as his legs could carry him, leaving Jihoon alone at the table.

Jihoon took a deep breath, letting the tension in his body melt away. He was one step closer to unraveling this mess. And the best part? No one even realized that he had been the one controlling the game all along.

A familiar buzz interrupted his thoughts. Pulling out his phone, he saw a message from Soonyoung.

How was the meeting? 😘

Jihoon rolled his eyes, pocketing the phone without responding. Of course, Soonyoung had been watching. He always was.

But Jihoon didn’t mind. After all, he was the mastermind. And Soonyoung was just another piece in his intricate puzzle.

---
-Rix