Chapter Thirteen: The Devil’s Bargain

Daehyun leaned back against the rusted metal column, his smirk unwavering as he regarded Taehyung.

“You want to waltz into Aegis’s den and pull her out,” Daehyun said, the mockery in his tone unmistakable. “Do you have any idea what you’re up against?”

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not here for your commentary, Daehyun. I need information. Can you help or not?”

Daehyun let out a low chuckle, the sound grating in the silence. “Always so intense, Tae. Relax. I didn’t say I wouldn’t help. But it’s going to cost you.”

Taehyung crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. “What do you want?”

Daehyun’s smirk faded, replaced by a calculating expression. “I want a way out.”

Raven, who had been silently observing the exchange, arched an eyebrow. “Out of what? You’re already out of Aegis.”

Daehyun shot her a sidelong glance. “Out of this life. Do you think I enjoy looking over my shoulder every damn day? Aegis doesn’t forget, and they don’t forgive. Sooner or later, they’ll find me, and when they do...” He mimed a gunshot to his head.

Taehyung’s expression remained unreadable. “You want me to help you disappear.”

“Exactly,” Daehyun said with a grin. “New identity, new location, the whole package. You have the resources to make that happen. And in exchange, I’ll get you what you need to find Lisa.”

Raven snorted. “And what guarantee do we have that you won’t stab us in the back the second you get what you want?”

Daehyun shrugged. “You don’t. But let’s be honest—you’re not exactly drowning in options, are you?”

Taehyung stared at Daehyun, his mind racing. He knew the man couldn’t be trusted, but he also knew Daehyun was their best chance at getting inside Aegis.

“I’ll help you disappear,” Taehyung said finally. “But not until Lisa is safe.”

Daehyun’s grin widened. “Fair enough. Now, let’s get to work.”

---

The three of them moved to the table, where Daehyun began sorting through the scattered maps and documents. He pointed to a circled location on one of the maps.

“This is where they’re holding her,” he said. “It’s an off-the-books facility in the mountains, heavily guarded and practically impenetrable.”

“Practically?” Raven asked, her tone skeptical.

“There’s always a way in,” Daehyun replied, his fingers tracing a series of marked entry points. “The trick is timing. Aegis rotates their guards and shifts every eight hours, which leaves a thirty-minute window when security is at its weakest.”

Taehyung leaned in, his focus razor-sharp. “What about surveillance?”

“State-of-the-art,” Daehyun said. “But there’s a blind spot here.” He tapped a specific point on the map. “It’s a ventilation shaft that runs beneath the facility. Small, cramped, and dangerous as hell, but it’s your best bet.”

Raven frowned. “And you just happen to know all this?”

Daehyun shot her a sly smile. “Let’s just say I’ve been keeping tabs on my former employers. Old habits die hard.”

Taehyung’s gaze didn’t waver. “What about Lisa? Do you know what condition she’s in?”

Daehyun’s smirk faltered, and for the first time, his expression turned serious. “I don’t have specifics, but if they’ve taken her, it’s because they think she’s valuable. That means she’s alive—for now.”

Taehyung’s fists clenched at his sides. The thought of Lisa suffering at Aegis’s hands was almost too much to bear.

Daehyun seemed to sense his turmoil. “Look, I get it. You’re angry, scared, desperate. But if you let those emotions control you, you’ll get yourself killed—and her too. So keep it together.”

Raven glanced between the two men, her expression unreadable. “What’s the plan, then?”

Daehyun leaned back, a glint of mischief returning to his eyes. “The plan is simple. We go in, we get Lisa, and we get out. And if anyone tries to stop us...” He pulled a knife from his belt, twirling it expertly. “Well, let’s just say I’ve been itching for some payback.”

Taehyung didn’t respond. His mind was already racing ahead, calculating every variable, every risk.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back,” he said quietly. “Even if it means trusting you.”

Daehyun’s smirk returned. “Smart choice, Tae. Now let’s see if you can keep up.”

---

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***