The Duo » yoonmin [FF]

FIFTY-TWO

THE RAIN CONTINUES to hammer against the building as Namjoon, Yoongi, and Jimin move up the staircase, their steps silent but purposeful. Namjoon presses two fingers to his earpiece, checking in with Team B. "Booter, report." Seokjin's voice comes through, calm but firm. "Everything secure. Bullseye is still moving to his vantage point. Two minutes tops before he's set."

"Copy that." Namjoon glances back at Yoongi and Jimin. "Stay focused. We need to hurry up." Jimin nods, his grip tightening on his knife. His heartbeat was loud in his ears, but he pushes the sound away, focusing on their objective. Somewhere above them their colleagues were waiting, and every second counted.

The three of them continue upward, the damp air inside the stairwell heavy with the smell of mildew and rust. According to their rough estimate, there were still three or four floors left before they reached the top. They didn't know what awaited them, but they were ready for anything—or so they hoped.

Namjoon suddenly raised a fist, signaling them to stop. Steps. The sound is faint but growing louder, echoing off the concrete walls. Jimin strains his ears. Four, maybe five people. Namjoon leans in close and whispered. "Incoming. Silent takedown. No noise."

The three of them shift into position. Yoongi's knives gleam faintly in the dim light, Jimin and Namjoon readying themselves with hand-to-hand combat in mind.

As the gang members rounded the corner, Yoongi was the first to strike. Moving like the viper he was named after, he darts forward, slashing across one man's throat before he could even react. The second man barely had time to turn before Yoongi pushed his second blade into his chest, silencing him instantly.

Jimin took the third, ducking under the man's wild swing and driving his knife up into his ribs. The gang member chokes on his own breath before collapsing. Namjoon moved in on the remaining two with precision. The first fell to a sharp elbow to the temple, and the second went down with a quick, silent chokehold, his body slumping against the wall.

The fight was over in seconds, the only sounds the soft thuds of bodies hitting the floor.

Namjoon nods to his team, his expression grim. "Good work. Keep moving."

The three of them continue their way, checking each room they passed. Most were empty, their peeling walls and broken furniture a proof to the building's abandonment. But there was no sign of their colleagues.

As they reached the next floor, another group of three block their path. This time, the gang members were more alert, their weapons at the ready.
Yoongi gestures silently, signaling the plan. They would split and take the men down silently.
Yoongi struck first again, slicing through the throat of the nearest man before he could turn. His movements were so fluid that it seemed the enemy didn't even realize he was dead until he collapsed.

Namjoon took the second, his massive frame a blur of power and precision. A sharp blow to the back of the neck sent the man crumpling silently to the floor.

Jimin approached the third from behind, wrapping an arm around his throat in a tight hold. The man struggled, his hands clawing at Jimin's arm, but the younger officer held firm, squeezing until the man went limp.

Namjoon quickly scanned the area to ensure they were clear, then motioned for them to keep moving.

Finally, they reach the last floor. The tension is suffocating, the air thick with the smell of damp and sweat. Namjoon motions for Yoongi to scout ahead. Yoongi peeks around the corner, then pulled back quickly. He raises his hand, showing ten fingers, then five more. Fifteen men.

Jimin feels a knot tighten in his stomach. Fifteen against three. The odds were impossible.

Namjoon presses his earpiece. "Bullseye, status?" Taehyung's calm voice came through. "In position. I've got eyes on the leader. Waiting for your signal." "Hold your fire until I say. I need him alive," Namjoon replies.