Darkhound: Enthroned in Shadows

[I]n a dimly lit warehouse, the figure of a stunning young 'man' with short, shiny black hair and captivating blue eyes sat atop a pile of unmoving bodies. Some were lifeless, others desperately clinging to life, and a few remained unconscious and motionless.

The scene was horrifying, a clear testament to the devastating power of this person.

Yet, this 'man' was actually hiding a secret—the true identity concealed beneath the disguise was that of a woman, skilled at cross-dressing as a man to keep her true self hidden.

As she surveyed the chilling aftermath of her intense battle, her gaze focused on the shadows that lurked around.

"Why are you doing this, huh?" The voice of her most awaited guest echoed through the surrounding darkness, dripping with arrogance and sarcasm.

He was being dragged towards her by a man who bore a striking resemblance to her. They looked so similar that they could easily be mistaken for twins. But in reality, he was a cousin from her mother's side of the family.

Her cousin delivered a swift kick to the back of the man's legs, causing him to fall to his knees in front of her.

The man protested with an impatient snort, struggling to break free from the tight restraints encircling his wrists. Yet, his efforts were in vain. "It was four years ago! How are we expected to remember the woman we were paid to fuck?!"

Her gaze bore a piercing intensity, slicing through the mayhem surrounding her.

Wearing a cold, sly smirk, she responded to the man kneeling before her in a calm yet chilling tone, "Oh? A mere task for some quick money, was it? Is that truly how you see it?"

The haze of dust suddenly dissipated, revealing a grim scene—motionless bodies strewn across the floor, surrounded by pools of blood.

"We did as we were told!" he nearly snapped, but the sight of such a carnage left him visibly disturbed. "Why am I the one you seek revenge on when he was the one who ordered it all, huh?"

With an air of nonchalance, her piercing blue eyes narrowed as memories flooded her mind, unraveling the tangled web of animosity that bound her to these men.

Four years ago, it was this very group that had abducted her on her way back to campus. At first, their motives had been unclear, and she soon discovered she was not their only victim. Yet, as they drugged her, subjected her to torture, and defiled her repeatedly, it became painfully evident what they desired, what they were doing.

With a bitter taste in her mouth, she spat, her words laced with venom. "Tell me, who is 'he'?"

"Hah?! You can't expect me to reveal that! They would kill me if they found out I spilled the secret!"

A subtle twitch of her brows accompanied the narrowing of her eyes, sharpening her already fierce glare. "But if you don't, rest assured, I will be the one to end your life!"

Rising from her perch atop of the lifeless bodies, she approached him with purpose. "You saw my capabilities, didn't you? Do you honestly believe you have any chance against me?"

The underlying menace in her voice sent shivers down his spine. He realized he was utterly outmatched. That 'man' was a true monster.

"If I do, will you release me?" he pleaded, his voice holding a hint of negotiation.

With an indifferent shrug, she replied, "Who knows? You can always try!"

Quivering at the sight of the dagger she had seemingly pulled out of nowhere, he stammered in desperation, "I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything! The request came from someone named Jin-ho!"

"That's not enough!" she retorted sharply.

The information he provided was far from helpful. Since the nickname Jin-ho was quite common in Seoul, it only made the situation more uncertain and didn't provide any meaningful progress in solving the problem.

"The name he goes by is Jin-ho Yoo, and his code name is Reaper!" he blurted out.

She paused, her curiosity piqued. "Code name? So, he's some sort of clandestine assassin?"

"I have absolutely no clue! Th-these guys! They're way beyond our league, not the kind of people we should be messing with!" he stuttered, his fear evident.

As the weight of this revelation settled upon her, she mulled over the implications of Yoo Jin-ho being referred to as Reaper. It hinted at a sinister persona and a formidable skill set. A dangerous figure indeed.

Her mind raced with the possibilities of the encounter that lay ahead. If she intended to confront Reaper and unravel the mysteries surrounding her past, she would need to prepare herself mentally and physically.

Grim determination etched across her face as she turned her attention back to the trembling man before her.

"You've provided some valuable information," she acknowledged, her voice firm and resolute. "That's fortunate!"

His eyes widened with a mixture of relief and trepidation, a flicker of hope that he might just escape unharmed. However, before he could fully comprehend his fate, she abruptly lunged at him, delivering a swift and forceful kick to his shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Realizing her intentions, her cousin wisely refrained from intervening, understanding the need for retribution.

Finally, her combat-booted foot found its mark, landing squarely between his legs, targeting his groin. With an eerie determination, she declared in a deadly tone, "Your callous disregard for the suffering you inflicted upon 'her' reveals your irredeemable nature. Scum like you have no place in society!"

With that, she launched a brutal attack on him, mercilessly stomping and inflicting more pain on his already afflicted groin. His cries of agony only fueled her determination as she relentlessly continued her assault, ensuring he experienced the full extent of the consequences for his monstrous deeds. Her cousin, quickly stepped in, firmly restraining him to prevent any chance of escape or struggle.

"Thanks, Min-ho," she gratefully and firmly acknowledged his assistance, appreciating his unwavering support in their quest of eliminating such trash. However, a sinister idea began to take hold of her mind. "You know what? Maybe chopping it off would be a more suitable punishment after all!"

As she realized her plan, a twisted smirk appeared on her face. She flipped the dagger in her hand, its shiny edge catching the dim light. Positioning herself over the defenseless man, she was ready to carry out her brutal act.

The man's eyes widened with fear. "Please, show mercy!" he begged, his voice shaking. "I'll do anything you want, just spare me!"

But mercy was a foreign concept to her now. Revenge had taken over her heart completely. She moved closer, crouched down, effectively blocking his legs and rendering him helpless. The frigid touch of the blade grazed against his quivering skin as she unfastened his pants. Though he attempted to struggle, his feeble efforts were in vain, restrained by the firm grip of her loyal accomplice, Min-ho.

Her voice was filled with sadistic satisfaction as she whispered, "Mercy? Sorry, but that ship has sailed already!"

Without a moment's hesitation, she unleashed a forceful strike, severing the man's manhood that she had just managed to free from its restraints. The act carried a bone-chilling finality. A piercing scream shattered the silence, filling the empty warehouse with a symphony of agony that reverberated through the air.

Her eyes gleamed with triumph and vindication. This was her payback, her way of reclaiming her dignity and ensuring justice was served. She watched as her tormentor writhed in agony, the physical manifestation of the pain he had inflicted on others.

Standing amidst the bodies and pools of blood, a surge of newfound strength coursed through her.

The transformation was complete now. No longer a victim, she emerged as a vengeful force, fueled by the fires of retribution.

Eventually, the man's screams subsided, replaced by an unsettling silence that hung in the air. Weakened by the loss of blood, he seemed to have slip into unconsciousness, his voice silenced for the moment. Setting aside the dagger, she turned her gaze to Min-ho, her cousin and ally.

Their eyes locked, communicating a mutual understanding that needed no words.

"So, what's the plan to dispose of the evidence?" she asked, a hint of malice grazing her eyes.

A mischievous grin spread across his face as he replied, "We're gonna blow it all sky-high!"

Her own lips curled into a low smirk as she inquired, "Do you need any assistance with that?"

He chuckled, but shook his head in disapproval. "No need! I've already made arrangements! I'll make sure this place goes out in a blaze they won't forget."

Letting out a sigh, she stated, "You're becoming more and more unhinged, you know?"

"Hey, at least I didn't chop off someone's dick!"

"Min-ho!" she admonished him, her tone tinged with reproach.

"Okay, okay! Just go wait for me in the car. I'll join you once I finish up here."

"Fine," she replied with an emotionless tone, pivoting away and striding towards the entrance. "Make it quick."

Acknowledging her cousin's request, she headed towards the car, shaking her head at his audacity. As she walked, she couldn't help but wonder what other unpredictable antics awaited them on this path to revenge.

Reaching the destined location, a deafening explosion shattered the air behind her. Startled, she spun around, her eyes widening at the sight of the warehouse consumed by raging flames and billowing smoke. Emerging from the chaotic scene, her cousin approached with an unmistakable air of satisfaction, having successfully razed the place to the ground.

"So, we've finally got a lead on the guy who framed you," Min-ho declared, his tone serious as he closed the distance.

Leaning against the car, exhaustion seeping into her bones, she mustered her remaining strength and stated firmly, "Just the name. That's all we have."

"Perfect timing indeed! Since we're going back to Seoul anyway, I have someone in mind who might just help uncover the identity of this enigmatic figure," he declared pensively.

Nodding in understanding, a glimmer of anticipation flickered in her eyes. "I see. The pieces are slowly starting to come together now."

A small smirk graced her lips as she gazed at the flames engulfing the warehouse, their smoke rising ominously.

"This is just the beginning," she affirmed with conviction after a slight pause.

Yes, it was the beginning of her relentless pursuit of revenge. Yoo Jin-ho, bearer of code name Reaper, would soon face the consequences of his actions.

***

A/N: Officially introducing the Cousin, Park Min-ho: