Ch 19: Shadows in the Dark

Unraveling the Mystery

The Jeon estate was silent, but the tension in the air was heavy.

Taehyung sat on the couch, his fingers curled into fists. The images of himself—captured, analyzed, and studied—lingered in his mind like a haunting presence.

Jungkook stood by the window, eyes sharp as he scanned the night. Jungguk sat cross-legged on the floor, flicking a knife between his fingers, while Jae-hyun typed away on his laptop, his gaze focused.

The Crimson Fang.

A powerful underground force that had set their sights on Taehyung.

"Specter is not just an alias," Jae-hyun said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of unease beneath it. "It’s an organization."

Jungkook turned his head. "How do you know?"

Jae-hyun leaned back in his chair, adjusting his glasses. "They don’t just put out bounties—they specialize in capturing and experimenting on people with abilities." He turned the laptop around, showing files filled with encrypted names and numbers. "I found old records. They’ve been hunting gifted individuals for years."

Taehyung’s stomach twisted. "Experiments?"

Jae-hyun nodded. "Illegal testing. Augmentations. Forced obedience."

Jungguk let out a low whistle. "So basically, they’re a bunch of sick bastards playing mad scientist?"

Jae-hyun’s jaw tightened. "Yes."

Jungkook crossed his arms. "And they want Taehyung alive."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Taehyung exhaled, trying to keep his composure. "They won’t get me."

Jungkook’s gaze softened for a second before turning cold again. "Damn right they won’t."

Jungguk stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, enough doom and gloom. We should focus on what matters—hunting them before they hunt us."

Taehyung nodded. "I want in."

Jungkook sighed, rubbing his temples. "Taehyung—"

"No," Taehyung interrupted. "You said I shouldn’t go anywhere alone. Fine. But I’m not going to sit back and let you do everything while I hide." His gaze was fierce. "This is my fight too."

Jae-hyun adjusted his glasses. "He’s right. The more he knows, the safer he’ll be."

Jungguk grinned. "Besides, it’ll be fun having him on the field."

Jungkook sighed again. "Fine. But we do this my way."

Taehyung smirked. "Deal."

A Visit to the Underground

The Jeon brothers didn’t just control the military and business world. They had deep ties to the underworld.

Jungguk led the way into an exclusive club hidden beneath the city. The air was thick with smoke and expensive alcohol, the sound of jazz music playing in the background.

They weren’t here to party.

They were here for information.

Jungguk approached a man sitting in a dimly lit booth. "Well, well, if it isn’t our old friend, Lee Minho."

The man tensed. "Jungguk."

Jae-hyun sat down across from him, placing a file on the table. "Tell us everything you know about the Crimson Fang."

Minho’s expression turned wary. "You’re messing with dangerous people."

Jungkook leaned in, his voice low. "And you know what happens to people who waste my time."

Minho swallowed hard. "Alright. The Crimson Fang operates in cells. No one knows who their leader is, but they have a central lab somewhere outside the city. It’s rumored they’ve already captured others like your boy." He nodded toward Taehyung.

Taehyung’s hands clenched.

"Where is this lab?" Jae-hyun asked.

Minho hesitated.

Jungguk smiled. "You really want to make me ask twice?"

Minho exhaled sharply. "Fine. I’ll send you the coordinates."

Jungkook stood up. "Good choice."

The Storm Approaches

Back at the estate, Taehyung studied the map Jae-hyun had pulled up.

The lab was hidden in an abandoned industrial complex.

Jae-hyun looked at the screen. "If Specter really has been experimenting on gifted people, we might not just be fighting humans."

Jungkook’s eyes darkened. "Then we kill whatever they throw at us."

Jungguk grinned. "I like the sound of that."