. Pursuit of Shadows

[L]ee Ju-hee's brows furrowed as she fixed her gaze on the illuminated screen of her mobile phone. A text message from Min-ho had just arrived, revealing the location of an intriguing nightclub:

['Ju-hee Noona, Elysium Club at 23:00!']

According to his intel, this place served as a sanctuary of sort, where rival gangs put their differences aside and violence was strictly off-limits.

Letting out a weary sigh, she muttered to herself, "Well, this is going to be a long night."

Lee Ju-hee was determined not to be caught off guard by any of 'his' accomplices again. Today, her goal was clear: track and hunt down Ri Chul-moo as a warning message.

To ensure her safety, she'd decided to disguise herself as a man. She was currently wearing a black cap, and a wig of short, masculine hair to hide her true identity.

With her phone safely stored away, Lee Ju-hee crossed the busy street and approached the club, ready to blend in and carry out her intended mission without attracting any attention.

"Show me your ID!" One of the bouncers demanded to some of the people waiting in line.

The lights blinked, creating a magical glow on the dark street. Lee Ju-hee walked confidently among the partygoers, carefully observing their movements and the mysterious things they whispered to each other.

As she got closer to the entrance, the bouncers carefully checked everyone to decide if they could enter the secret place. She handed her ID to the bouncer, trying to appear calm.

Time seemed to slow down as the bouncer looked closely at her ID and examined her face. Lee Ju-hee felt a drop of sweat on her forehead, but she stayed composed, not showing her nerves.

Finally, after what felt like a very long time, the bouncer's serious expression softened, and he nodded, giving her permission to enter.

"Go ahead, enjoy your time," the bouncer declared with a hint of indifference.

Stepping inside the dimly lit nightclub, Lee Ju-hee was surrounded by loud music, colorful lights, and the mingling smells of drinks and mystery. A hint of unease traveled her body but she moved skillfully through the crowd, searching for any sign of Ri Chul-moo or his associates.

The atmosphere crackled with an underlying sense of danger. Aware of the risks she faced, Lee Ju-hee pressed on. The shadows embraced her, becoming her ally as she moved stealthily and purposefully.

Lee Ju-hee stepped further into the depths of the nightclub, her eyes scanning the dimly lit space for the nearest counter. Spotting it amidst the swirling crowd, she made her way through the maze of bodies, careful to maintain her disguise.

"What can I get you?" the bartender demanded, his voice cutting through the loud music.

Leaning against the counter, Lee Ju-hee attempted to blend in with the crowd of patrons engrossed in their own conversations.

"I'll have a whiskey on the rocks, please."

"Coming right up."

As the bartender prepared her drink, Lee Ju-hee surveyed the non-VIP section, aware of its limitations for her pursuit. She observed the room, noting the dynamics at play. The VIP area held the key she needed, but access was restricted to the well-connected or powerful.

Engaging in nearby conversations, she eavesdropped on the snippets of dialogues that floated through the air. The clinking of glasses and bursts of laughters provided a symphony of intrigue as she listened for any mention of Ri Chul-moo or the underground dealings that could lead her closer to him.

Her focus shifted when a man with brown hair, faint stubble, and glasses approached the counter.

"New around here?" he asked, placing an order for a drink, his eyes lingering on her disguised appearance.

Maintaining her poise, Ju-hee adjusted her voice, giving it a deeper tone, as she responded with a nonchalant smirk. "Yeah, just checking out the scene. You?"

The man leaned against the counter, his gaze lingering on her for a little longer. "Been coming here for a while. It's an interesting crowd tonight. Mind if I join you?"

"Sure, why not? Always good to meet new people."

The man settled next to Lee Ju-hee, their conversation flowing smoothly. She carefully gauged his demeanor, searching for any hints or connections that could aid her mission.

Turning to the man beside her, she subtly nudged with her elbow, drawing his attention. "Actually, I'm looking for someone," she confided.

The man raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And who might that be?"

"A certain individual named Ri Chul-moo," she revealed casually, swirling the whiskey in her glass.

The man casted a sidelong glance at her, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "And why would you be interested in him, stranger?"

Lee Ju-hee maintained her nonchalant demeanor as she responded, "He asked me to meet him, but I'm not sure how."

She briefly revealed a silver card with the name 'Executioner' inscribed on it, adding, "Let's just say I have a personal score to settle with him. Any information you can provide could be mutually beneficial."

A smirk formed on the man's face. "You've got guts, I'll give you that! Meet me outside in ten minutes, and we'll discuss this further. But be warned, you're stepping into dangerous territory."

With a nod of understanding, Lee Ju-hee pretended to take a sip of her drink, her intuition alerting her to an impending threat.

Once the man had disappeared from her sight, she slid the untouched glass of liquor aside and discreetly placed a few bills underneath it. With a firm grip on the handle of the hidden dagger in her oversized jacket pocket, she proceeded towards the location indicated by the man.

As she made her way, her senses remained heightened, her hand remaining nestled in her pocket, fingers brushing against the cold steel of the dagger. The anticipation grew with each step, and soon enough, she arrived at the designated spot.

Lee Ju-hee stood there, enveloped by the cool night air, her awareness sharpened to its fullest. Time seemed to crawl as she patiently waited, her eyes scanning the shadows.

The man emerged from the shadows at last, signaling for her to follow. Lee Ju-hee swiftly moved to join him, her senses alert and prepared for any threat that may arise.

"Come," he said nonchalantly, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

She didn't need to do anything, as she already sensed the tension in the air. If he had intended to catch her off guard, it was a failed attempt.

Walking down a dimly lit alley, the sound of their footsteps reverberated against the walls. The man spoke in a casual tone, expressing his admiration. "This is no place for you, ya know?!"

At his words, Lee Ju-hee's feet came to a sudden halt, a gust of wind teasing at her clothes.

"Hmm, I came aiming for the Executioner, but who would have thought I'd come across another one of the wings? Right, Shin Ji-seok? Or should I call you Vortex?"

Vortex's face contorted with a scowl at the mention of his past identity. He had discarded that name long ago, burying it deep within his memories. The fact that this stranger knew his former alias stirred something inside him—a feeling he detested.

His clenched fists betrayed the inner turmoil he felt, but he swiftly regained his composure, masking his emotions. He forcefully discarded the unlit cigarettes, a failed attempt at projecting nonchalance.

"Hah?! You're even more arrogant than I imagined! But let me make one thing clear, we're after the girl. So don't expect to walk out of here in one piece!"

With a confident snap of his fingers, Vortex signaled his allies hidden in the shadows. Five men emerged, their swaggering confidence evident as they advanced, seemingly unarmed.

The men foolishly dismissed the imminent danger Ju-hee might pose to them, unaware of the fire that burned within her.

Lee Ju-hee's gaze flickered from Vortex to his companions, her eyes filled with a steel indifference. She remained unfazed and unaffected by their bravado.

"I don't know who of us both is more arrogant? But underestimating your opponent is a grave mistake. If you stand in my way, I won't hesitate to bring you down." Lee Ju-hee declared, purposefully buying herself some time to scrutinize her enemies.

Vortex let out a sinister chuckle, his confidence unwavering, as the others closed in, assuming aggressive positions, preparing for a fight.

"We'll deal with you first, and then we'll inquire about the girl. But I doubt you'll be in any position to answer by then."

***

A/N: Officially introducing Shin Ji-seok, a.k.a Dr. Vortex: