Phantom Legion

CHAPTER 16: WHISPERS OF WARNING

Jin stepped into the conference room, unease swirling in his stomach like a tempest. These meetings had always felt like a gauntlet he had to run through, filled with judgmental eyes that rarely saw beyond his soft, nurturing demeanor. Sitting down in a chair near the door, he kept his gaze low, feeling small amidst the sea of authoritative figures surrounding the long, polished table. The room was stark and minimalist, echoing the agency's austere atmosphere, with cold, fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow over everything.

As he settled in, Jin took a moment to glance around at the other leaders, each representing their respective teams. Some were engaged in hushed discussions, their faces set in serious lines, while others reclined in their chairs, exuding boredom. A few cast him sideways glances, their expressions lacking warmth, reinforcing the weight of their indifference that pressed down on him like a physical shroud.

The sound of footsteps heralded Chief Bang's arrival, his presence immediately commanding attention. The meeting commenced with a review of recent missions—a meticulous breakdown of each team's successes and setbacks. Jin listened intently, his pen scratching against the notepad as he took notes, soaking in the details of discussions that flowed from one topic to another. Each leader presented their updates, boasting about achievements while reluctantly acknowledging shortcomings. Jin remained mostly silent, content to absorb the information and observe the dynamics at play, a reluctant witness to the complex interplay of ambition and rivalry.

A sigh of relief escaped him when Chief Bang finally announced that the meeting was over. The rush of anticipation at the thought of returning to his brothers surged within him, mingled with hope that they had saved him some breakfast. He saluted the Chief and started to make his exit, but a voice called out from the back of the room.

"Agent Kim!"

Jin hesitated, unsure if the call was directed at him. A fleeting thought crossed his mind to ignore it and escape, but curiosity compelled him to turn around. A man he didn't recognize approached, exuding an air of authority that made Jin instinctively tense. He appeared to be around Jin's age and likely a leader from another base, as Jin hadn't seen him around before.Two things struck Jin as he assessed the newcomer: first, the stark absence of part of the man's ear—the lower chunk missing as if it had been severed in some unseen battle. The sight made Jin's stomach churn, forcing him to avert his gaze and focus on the man's face instead. The second thing was the intensity of the man's eyes, which burned with a strangely violent fire. It was as if a storm of anger raged just beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment.

"Are you Agent Kim?" the man asked, his tone flat but laced with an undercurrent of tension.Jin swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "Yes," he replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Can I help you?"

The man regarded him with an unreadable expression, and for a moment, the air between them thickened, charged with unspoken words and unseen challenges.

"I heard Kim Namjoon has joined your team," the man said, his tone dripping with disdain and warning. The way he pronounced Namjoon's name left a bitter taste in Jin's mouth, a mixture of irritation and concern. He fought to keep his emotions in check, the weight of the man's gaze pressing down on him.

"I'm sorry, but team information isn't meant to be shared," Jin replied, his voice steady but cautious. "That's a rule of the agency. I assume you're aware of that."