Lines Blurred, Traces Found (Published Under Ukiyoto Publishing)

Chapter 3: The Syndicate's Web

The Syndicate's Web

Just as Hyunjie and Vince were about to head back to their car's parking spot, nearby residents started a commotion after hearing gunshots. The agents exchanged glances and decided to head straight to the source of the noise. "Hyunjie, you need to get out of here," Vince said. "Get back in the car, hurry up!"

As Vince dashed towards his fellow agents, Hyunjie hurriedly made her way back to his car. Just as she was nearing it, a vehicle screeched to a halt in front of her. The occupants emerged, brandishing a firearm and donning black masks that obscured their identities. With chaos unfolding around her, she instinctively joined the fleeing crowd. Uncertain of the masked men's intentions, she considered the possibility that they could be affiliated with the syndicate.

She was trying to escape the crowd of people around her when, out of nowhere, someone grabbed her arms, catching her off guard. Before she knew it, she was yanked away from the crowd, struggling to break free from the man's grip. It turned out to be Eros, trying to pull her out of the chaos. "Let me go!" Hyunjie fought against the situation, but by the time they reached the car, it was already too late. Eros pushed Hyunjie into the passenger seat, while he took his place behind the wheel. "Who are you?!" Hyunjie expressed her surprise, though a hint of fear and apprehension lingered within her.

Eros removed his cap and fixed his gaze on Hyunjie, but he stayed silent. It was one of those moments where fate brought them together out of the blue. He fired up the engine and drove off, leaving the spot behind. "I'm asking you! Who the hell are you?!" Hyunjie's voice rose.

"You have to be careful, Hyunjie. I know your life is in danger, and that's what you should know," he said to Hyunjie's surprise. "You need to trust me, okay? I can help you if you come with me."

"What are you talking about?!" Hyunjie said. "And how did you know my name?"

Eros' gaze flicked to the rear view mirror, checking for potential followers. "I've been watching you. I know about your brother's murder, and I just want to try to keep you safe."

"No, I don't believe in you," Hyunjie said. "Put me down right now."

"I can't, Hyunjie."

"Put me down! I don't need your help!" Eros let out a sigh and brought the car to a halt. As Hyunjie reached for the door handle, Eros gently caught her arm and said, "We'll be seeing each other soon, Hyunjie. Next time, you have to come with me, whether you want to or not." Hyunjie totally brushed off what the guy was saying and hopped out of the car. She stood there until he drove away, and as soon as the car was out of sight, she took off running to find Vince.

As she strolled along, a car approached, and it was Vince, calling out to her to hop in. "What happened to you? I was really worried about how you were doing," Vince said with concern.

"A stranger caught hold of me; I have no idea who he is, but he brought up my brother's death," she said.

Vince made a slight grimace. He wanted to glance at Hyunjie, but his attention needed to stay on the road. "What? What did he do to you?"

She mentioned, "He's trying to gain my trust and persuade me to join him. It's really unsettling. I constantly feel like someone is observing me from a distance, and he admitted that he's been keeping an eye on me."

"Be careful who you trust, Hyunjie. You're not on the mission yet, and you're just getting started. My fellow agents managed to apprehend someone, but I sent them back to headquarters first because I was still searching for you." They've returned now, and they have a member of the criminal group that attacked the town earlier in detention. "What's the latest? I'm relieved to hear that none of you were injured," the director remarked.

"There was a disturbance earlier in the town, Director," Vince began. The only option available is to launch an attack against them. We exchanged gunfire, and some of them were wounded but still escaped. The person we caught in the encounter earlier is in detection."

"We've got the interrogation covered for that one, Director," Agent Lincoln mentioned. The director simply nodded in response without saying a word.

Vince and Hyunjie finally got a moment to chill, but they quickly dove back into their earlier conversation. "What's up? Didn't you mention you were cooking up something?" Vince asked. Hyunjie just gave him a look and stayed quiet. "I'm just curious; we can chat about it if you want to brainstorm."