First time using my clone(2)

The tension in the air hung thick as the reception doors swung open. The infamous Woosung, one of Korea's top construction magnates, walked in with an aura that commanded respect. Flanked by two well-built bodyguards, he looked like a man who had navigated his fair share of storms. His eyes briefly assessed Lee Seung before he extended a hand, smiling in a way that didn't reach his eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lee." His voice was deep and smooth, oozing confidence.

Lee Seung shook his hand, though his own felt clammy. Anxiety coiled in his gut like a tightening knot. "You already have guards. Why would you need me?" His voice was a bit shaky, but he forced the words out, unwilling to let fear strangle him.

Woosung's smile twitched, perhaps amused by Lee Seung's apprehension. "You'll find out soon enough, Mr. Lee. Shall we?"

With no real choice, Lee Seung nodded stiffly. The five of them moved toward a sleek black SUV parked outside. As they settled in, Lee Seung couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at him. Something felt off, but he couldn't quite place what it was.

The drive was unnervingly quiet, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the occasional shuffle from the guards. Lee Seung's eyes kept darting between Woosung and his clone, trying to make sense of the situation. But before he could dwell too much on it...

Bang!

The car lurched as a deafening gunshot shattered the windshield. Lee Seung's heart skipped a beat, his breath caught in his throat. He barely managed to crane his neck forward to see five masked men blocking the road, each holding an AK-47. The air crackled with danger.

"What the hell is going on?!" Lee Seung shouted, ducking down instinctively. His eyes were wide with panic as he whipped around to glare at Woosung. "You didn't tell me about this, old man!"

Woosung remained eerily calm, his voice chillingly smooth. "Go on, do your job. I hear you're resistant to bullets."

"Who the hell told you that?!" Lee Seung yelled back, his voice trembling. This was far beyond what he signed up for.

But before he could react further, his clone sprang into action. In one fluid motion, the clone kicked the driver out of the car, took control of the wheel, and floored the gas. The SUV surged forward, ramming two of the gunmen while the other three dived out of the way.

The clone didn't stop there. Leaping out of the car like a blur, he closed in on the nearest gunman. A sickening thud echoed as the clone's fist collided with the man's jaw, sending him crumpling to the ground. The next thug barely had time to raise his weapon before his head was smashed against the bonnet, his body slumping lifelessly.

The last remaining gunman held up his gun, attempting to fire at the bastard that had beaten his comrades up, but the clone was faster. He was on him in seconds, his knuckles connecting with brutal force. The man's head snapped back before he collapsed, unconscious.

Lee Seung stood frozen in shock, staring at the carnage. He couldn't believe his eyes—his clone had just single-handedly taken down five heavily armed men. The realization hit him like a truck: this ability of his was more powerful than he ever imagined.

Woosung stepped out of the car, surveying the scene with a hint of amusement. "Impressive. I guess your 'friend' here saved us all." His words dripped with nonchalance, as if near-death encounters were just another day at the office.

Lee Seung bit back a retort. His heart was still racing, adrenaline making his hands shake. He took out his phone when it buzzed, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the notification.

[Amount: 3,000,000 won]

Woosung clapped him on the back. "Consider it a bonus. Next week, same time."

With that, Lee Seung turned and walked away, his clone following closely behind. Yet, he couldn't hide his excitement at the bonus — he was given two hundred thousand won more.

Woosung's face darkened as he watched Lee Seung disappear down the street. "Aigoo, that youngster had the nerve to yell at me. Does he even know who I am?" His voice seethed with indignation as he slammed his hand down on the bonnet, the metal creaking under the force.

One of his guards cautiously approached, sensing the rising tension. "What should we do about him, sir?"

The question seemed to pull Woosung out of his brooding thoughts. He straightened his coat, dusting off invisible specks with a calm precision that belied the menace in his voice.

"Leave him be for now. He'll learn his lesson soon enough. I'll make sure of that." The sinister edge to his tone left no doubt that he was already plotting something.

As he turned back to face the guard, he noticed the man still standing there, staring blankly as if waiting for further instructions. Irritation flashed in Woosung's eyes. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he smacked the back of the guard's head. "Are we just going to stand around here like idiots? Get another car from the industry, you fool! And make sure this one's sent to the repair shop. I don't have time to waste on this nonsense."

"Right away, sir!" The guard fumbled for his phone, scrambling to follow the order.

* * *

The ride back to his apartment was quiet, both Lee Seung and his clone deep in thought. When they finally arrived, entering, Lee Seung noticed something strange—his clone's body was glowing faintly, a soft milky-white light pulsing from within.

"What's happening to you?" Lee Seung blurted out, panic creeping back into his voice. He watched in alarm as the light intensified, the clone's form flickering like a dying flame. "You're losing your form..."