𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎

𝑨 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈

                SUNG HANBIN

I leaned against the hood of my car, the cold metal grounding me as I glanced at my watch. The student's intel was precise-names, locations, and timing. Soobin wouldn't walk out of this one.

The warehouse loomed ahead, a shadow against the moonlit sky. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I answered without checking. "What's the update?"

Jiwoong's steady voice came through. "Gunwook and I are at the east entrance. Gyuvin's covering the back. Soobin just arrived-he's inside."

"And his men?"

"Four, armed. Small-time dealers, nothing we can't handle."

I smirked. "Stay sharp. This ends tonight."

The line went dead. Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I stepped into the shadows, my footsteps silent against the pavement. The chill in the air felt sharper tonight, as if it sensed the blood that would soon stain the ground.

Jiwoong met me at the corner, his tall frame blending into the darkness. "He's counting money and unloading product," he murmured, nodding toward the warehouse. "Arrogant bastard doesn't even know we're here."

"Good." I adjusted the knife at my side, the weight of it familiar and comforting. "Let's keep it that way."

Inside, the dim light cast long shadows across the crates and equipment. The stench of damp concrete mixed with the chemical tang of Soobin's poison. I stayed hidden, observing as he barked orders to his men, his voice grating against my ears.

"Faster! We don't have all night!" he snapped, his beady eyes scanning the room.

I stepped forward, my boots striking the floor with deliberate force. The sound echoed, drawing every pair of eyes toward me.

"Soobin," I called, my voice calm but laced with venom.

He froze, his sneer quickly replaced by a wary glare. "Sung Hanbin," he spat, taking a step back. His hand hovered near the gun at his side.

"Surprised to see me?" I asked, my smirk cold and calculated. "You shouldn't be. You knew this was coming."

His men moved to surround me, but Jiwoong and Gunwook emerged from the shadows, their weapons drawn. "I wouldn't," Jiwoong warned, his voice low and threatening.

Gyuvin slipped in behind them, blocking their escape. "Looks like your little game is over," he said, his usual playfulness replaced by deadly seriousness.

Soobin's lip curled in defiance. "You think I'll go down that easily?"

I stepped closer, pulling out my knife. The blade caught the faint light, glinting like the promise of death. "No," I said softly. "I don't."

He lunged at me, drawing his gun, but I was faster. My knife sliced through the air, carving a line across his arm. The gun clattered to the floor as he screamed, clutching his wound.

"You've poisoned enough lives," I said, kicking the gun away. "Now it's time to end yours."

Soobin staggered back, his eyes wide with fear. "You wouldn't-"

"Wouldn't I?" I interrupted, grabbing him by the collar. I slammed him against a crate, my knife pressing against his throat. "Do you know how many families you've destroyed? How many lives you've ruined?"

His breaths came in short gasps, his face pale. "Hanbin, please-"

"Begging won't save you," I growled, my grip tightening. The tip of the blade bit into his skin, a thin line of blood trailing down his neck.