Let the world burn

21

The van doors slammed shut behind them. Ryujin kicked the first door open, smoke and light spilling into the hallway. Grenades bounced off the walls and blew up everywhere. The building shook, dust and debris flying. Screams cut through the chaos, guys dropping left and right. Ryujin didn't even think—she just moved, rolling forward, her rifle tearing through the first wave. Pure reflex. Pure rage.

Mina stayed close behind, calm and deadly. Every shot she took hit exactly where it needed to—knees, shoulders, chest—one hit, and the guy was done. Tzuyu circled wide, checking corners and blind spots, her ammo belt jingling as she handed Ryujin fresh magazines without her even asking. They were unstoppable.

Smoke, blood, and gunpowder filled the air. The second floor opened up, and more guys came running, guns raised. Ryujin ducked, fired, rolled. Her rifle clicked empty, and Tzuyu instantly slid her another one. Mina kept picking off anyone trying to flank them.

Every floor was like peeling a nightmare apart. Stairs, hallways, storage rooms—Ryujin stormed through, tossing grenades, smoke choking the guys inside. Every door revealed stunned faces, some bleeding, some frozen, some just shocked. She didn't stop. Not for a second.

By the third floor, her body was screaming. Bullet grazes on her arm, a deep hit in her leg, blood soaking her clothes. Still, she didn't stop. Mina and Tzuyu covered every angle. Any guy who tried to run got taken out fast—Mina precise, Tzuyu grabbing or disarming anyone who got too close.

The final floor—where Yeji was—was almost empty. Only one injured guy ran down the hall, screaming about the boss. Ryujin didn't even hesitate. Shotgun up—boom! He went down mid-step, blood everywhere. She kicked the boss's door open and charged in.

The room was soundproofed, so Yeji didn't even hear anything from outside. Ryujin froze for a second. The boss was on top of Yeji, her clothes ripped a little—not hurt, but enough to make Ryujin see red. Every guard in the room went down—shotgun, fists, kicks.

The boss froze, fear creeping in. Ryujin raised her gun to his forehead—click. Empty. Click, click. Still nothing.

He smirked and pointed his gun at her. Too far to kick it away. But Yeji, shaking but strong, swatted it aside. Finally, it was Ryujin's turn.

The fight got personal. Ryujin pinned him down, punching and kicking without holding back. He pressed her wound, making her scream, but she smashed her fist into his nose. He went black for a moment. Ryujin locked him in a chokehold, cutting off his air. Pain and rage burned through her chest. Everything around her slowed.

Then she noticed Yeji staggering to her side, weak from the drugs, clutching her bloody body. "Ryujin... please, stop... I love you..." Her voice cracked, tears streaking down her face. Slowly, the bloodlust in Ryujin's eyes started to fade. She blinked, really looked at her.

And then she froze. The blood on Yeji's clothes and skin hit her like a wall. Her chest tightened. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" she whispered, panting and trembling, voice barely above a whisper.

Yeji laughed and cried at the same time, shaky but smiling. "It's yours, silly..." she croaked. Seeing her alive, even with all the blood, finally broke the fury inside Ryujin.

The adrenaline faded. Ryujin collapsed into Yeji's arms. She could hear Mina and Tzuyu yelling from the hallway, but all she could see was Yeji. Her eyes slowly closed, feeling safe for the first time in forever.

Vincenzo's guys poured in, taking control. The boss was on the floor, bloody, barely breathing. Ryujin, Yeji, Mina, and Tzuyu would go to the hospital. Everyone who hurt Yeji was already gone, and the rage that had taken over Ryujin finally let go.