Choi San, a revered and feared mafia boss, reigns over Seoul's underworld with an iron fist, his influence extending seamlessly across both legal and illegal domains. But his empire is shaken to its core when his beloved daughter, Eun-ji, is kidnapp...
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As I navigated the empty stretches of road leading towards Seoul, my thoughts wandered back to the turbulent times with the Midnight Reapers and the unexpected call from Yeosang urging me to rejoin. It had been four long years filled with changes, and the thought of diving back into that world brought both a sense of nostalgia and apprehension. Beside me, Zi-ah's restless energy was a stark contrast to my pensive mood, her excitement palpable as she fidgeted in her seat, eagerly anticipating the reunion with Wooyoung.
Lost in my thoughts about the past and what Yeosang had said about Wooyoung's sister being alive—which sounded like just another impending disaster—I was abruptly pulled back to the present when Zi-ah cranked up the volume of the music without warning. The sudden blast of sound shattered my concentration, and my hand reacted before my brain could catch up, delivering a light slap to the back of her head.
"Ow—what are you doing, Ae-ri?" Zi-ah exclaimed, rubbing the spot I'd hit, her expression a mix of surprise and annoyance.
"You want to die?" I retorted, glaring at her as I quickly adjusted the volume down to a more reasonable level. My tone was harsher than I intended, but the sudden noise had spiked my adrenaline and frustration.
"You really should loosen up—your wife will join us there, so relax," Zi-ah said, her eyes glinting with a mischievous tease as she watched me, her words carrying that familiar blend of humor and honesty.
I shot her a look, a hint of amusement creeping in despite my lingering tension. "You seem way too happy about the fact that we're going back to the Midnight Reapers," I said, narrowing my eyes at her. "Are you craving violence, or something?"
She gave me a wide, almost devilish grin, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "Maybe I am," she said, laughing. "What can I say? A girl gets bored without a little chaos now and then. Plus, it's not just about the fights, you know that. It's about the thrill, the camaraderie... and let's be real, there's never a dull moment when you're with them."
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head at her unapologetic excitement. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Of course I know," she replied with a wink, unbothered by my mock disapproval. "Come on, Ae-ri, admit it—you missed the thrill too. There's a part of you that's excited, even if you don't want to say it out loud."
I was silent for a moment, mulling over her words as the city lights of Seoul grew brighter, casting a warm glow across the horizon. A part of me had missed it—the adrenaline, the feeling of belonging, and the way the Midnight Reapers felt like a family, despite the chaos that came with them. But there was also the weight of responsibility, of danger, and the uncertainty of what we would face, especially with Wooyoung's sister back in the picture.
"I'm not denying it," I admitted quietly, glancing sideways at Zi-ah, who was watching me with a knowing smile. "But it's not that simple. The Midnight Reapers aren't just about thrills and violence. There's loyalty and trust at stake, and I'm not walking into this without knowing the risks."
