ch 18: Hunting the hunters

The city was alive with neon lights and the distant hum of traffic, but for the jeon brothers the night was a hunting ground

Jungkook, jungguk and jae-hyun moved through the streets like shadows, each with their own purpose .

jae-hyun had already traced the bounty's origin to q hidden network deep within the underworld . It wasn't a random hit ~ someone powerful wanted taehyung captured.

Jungkook's voice come through their earpiece's "we move fast, no loose ends"

Jungkook smirked "you say that but I know you'll let me have some fun 😉"

Jae-hyun sighed "focus"

The three of them split up following different leads the city was vast but they were predators no prey could escape them

it took no effort for them to catch their prey

Jungkook's target was a middleman - a hacker who had posted the bounty on the dark web 🕸️

The man was trembling tied to a chair in an abandoned warehouse. Jungkook crouched in front of him , a knife twirling in his fingers

"I'll ask nicely once" Jungkook said voice calm "who put the bounty on Taehyung?"

The hacker gulped "I-I don't know their real name just a code - specter"

Jungkook's eyes darkened

"Specter" he echoed

The hacker nodded frantically "they paid in crypto currency - no trace"

Jungkook leaned in pressing the tip of the knife against the man's throat "wrong answer try again"

The hacker whimperd "I swear! All I know is that they are connected to a group - THE CRIMSON FANG -- they operate in shadows, but they are real and they want your boy alive"

Jungkook's grip tightened

Taehyung wasn't a random target

Someone knew about his abilities

and that meant they were dealing with more than just bounty hunters

Meanwhile jungguk had tracked down a mercenary who had already accepted the bounty

The man lay on the ground , coughing up blood , his gun kicked far from his reach

Jungguk crouched beside him grinning " now tell me who sent you"

the mercenary spat out blood "you think I'd betray them?"

Jungguk sighed "see, that's what I love about idiots like you , you think you have a choice"

With a flick of his wrist, a knife buried itself into the man's shoulder.

The mercenary howled in pain

"Oops!" jungguk said smirking "my hand slipped"

the man gasped for breath "C-Crimson fang... They said the boy is important, They want him alive"

jungguk smile faded

Alive

That meant they needed taehyung for something

And he didn't like that one bit

meanwhile jae-hyun wasn't one for unnecessary violence

His target was a data broker, someone who sold information to the highest bidder

Jae-hyun had already hacked into the man's system , stealing everything he had on bounty

As he scrolled through the files, his eyes narrowed

There were photo's of taehyung surveillance footage, note on his abilities.

Whoever was behind this wasn't just guessing-they knew what taehyung could do

jae-hyun picked up his phone and dialed Jungkook.

"we have a serious problem"

By the time the brothers returned to the estate, Taehyung was waiting.

His arms were crossed as he stood in the living room, his eyes scanning their expressions.

"You found something," he stated.

JungKook nodded. "It’s bigger than we thought."

Jae-hyun placed his tablet on the table, showing Taehyung the surveillance images.

Taehyung’s heart pounded. "They… they know about me?"

Jungguk’s playful demeanor was gone. "They know everything, sweetheart."

Taehyung swallowed hard. This wasn’t just a bounty anymore.

This was a hunt.

And he was the prey

JungKook sat down, rubbing his temples. “The Crimson Fang wants you alive. We don’t know why yet, but we’re going to find out.”

Jae-hyun spoke next. “Whoever Specter is, they have resources. This isn’t just about money—this is about power.”

Taehyung clenched his fists. “Then we need to act first.”

JungKook looked at him, expression unreadable. “You’re staying here.”

Taehyung scowled. “Like hell I am.”

Jungguk chuckled. “See, this is why I like him.”

JungKook sighed. “Taehyung, you don’t understand—”

Taehyung slammed his hand on the table. “No, you don’t understand. I’ve lived through the apocalypse. I know what’s coming. If I sit back and do nothing we're all dead"

The room fell silent.

Jae-hyun finally spoke. “Then we plan together.”

Taehyung nodded. “Exactly.”

JungKook exhaled slowly. “Fine. But from now on, you don’t go anywhere without one of us.”

Jungguk smirked. “Dibs on babysitting duty.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes. “Babysit your own damn self.”

Jae-hyun hid a small smile.

Even in the midst of danger, Taehyung was still Taehyung.

And that’s why they would protect him—no matter what.

~The war begins~

That night as the city light flickered in distance the jeon brothers and taehyung stood together

They weren't just defending themselves anymore