chapter 2

The sharp crack of a gunshot shattered the night air. The wooden railing inches from his hand exploded in a spray of splinters, forcing him to jerk back. Instinctively, Eun-jae ducked, spinning toward the source of the attack. His sharp gaze landed on a shadowy figure emerging from the far side of the deck.

It was her. Layla Kim.

She stepped into the moonlight, her presence commanding and deadly. The sleek handgun in her grip was pointed directly at him, her stance steady and confident. The dark trench coat she wore billowed slightly in the wind, and her eyes burned with cold determination.

"Layla," Eun-jae growled, his jaw tightening. Of course, she's here. Kang Joon's backup. This was planned.

Layla tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a sly, taunting smile. "Miss me, Helix?" she purred, her voice like silk, but laced with venom. "You didn't think we'd let you ruin our plans so easily, did you?"

Eun-jae didn't reply. He didn't need to. His eyes darted to the gun in her hand, the way her finger rested lightly on the trigger. She's going to shoot again.

As if on cue, Layla fired, the bullet slicing through the air with lethal precision. Eun-jae moved on instinct, diving to the side and rolling as the shot whizzed past him. He came up in a crouch, his own gun trained on her, but he hesitated.

"Helix, Helix," Layla said mockingly, her tone dripping with amusement. "You know the rules. You don't shoot first. Always the gentleman."

Eun-jae's grip tightened on his gun. "I don't have time for your games, Layla. Stand down, or I'll make you."

Her laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. "Oh, I'd like to see you try."

She lunged forward without warning, closing the distance between them faster than he'd anticipated. Her movements were fluid, almost serpentine, as she aimed another strike. Eun-jae sidestepped, dodging her attack, and retaliated with a swift disarm. His hand caught her wrist, twisting just enough to make her drop the gun.

But Layla wasn't done. She spun, driving her knee toward his ribs. Eun-jae blocked the blow with his forearm, countering with a move of his own. In a flash, he swept her legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the deck.

"I don't fight women," Eun-jae said coldly, pinning her wrist to the floor as she struggled beneath him. "But you're leaving me no choice."

Layla glared up at him, her defiance unbroken. "You think you've won, Helix?" she spat. "You're too late. Joon's gone, and you're out of time."

Eun-jae's jaw tightened, his mind racing. She's stalling me. Joon's getting farther away by the second.

"Stay down," he growled, delivering a precise strike to her pressure point. Her body went limp, unconscious but unharmed.

Rising to his feet, Eun-jae didn't waste a second. He turned his attention back to the railing, his sharp eyes searching the water. Kang Joon's figure was faintly visible in the distance, nearing a smaller boat.

"Damn it," Eun-jae muttered under his breath. Without hesitation, he vaulted over the railing, plunging into the icy water below.

Nova's boat skidded to a halt beside Eun-jae, who was frantically swimming through the churning waves, his powerful strokes cutting through the icy water. The cold seemed to seep into his bones, numbing his limbs with every passing second. His heart pounded in his chest, not from exhaustion but from the adrenaline surging through him. Every thought in his mind was focused on one thing: Kang Joon.

"Sir! I got you!" Nova shouted, leaning precariously over the edge of the boat, his arm stretched out toward Eun-jae. His voice was tinged with panic, but his grip was steady as he finally caught Eun-jae's wrist and hauled him aboard.

Eun-jae collapsed onto the deck, water pooling around him as he caught his breath. His soaked clothes clung to his body, the freezing air biting into his skin. But he didn't pause for long. He pushed himself upright, his sharp eyes already locking onto the shape of Joon's retreating boat in the distance.

"Have the borders been blocked?" Eun-jae demanded, his voice cold and commanding as he brushed his wet hair out of his face.

"Yes, sir!" Nova replied, his voice rising slightly as he tried to keep pace with Eun-jae's intensity.

Eun-jae nodded curtly. He stepped forward and grabbed the wheel, his movements precise and determined. The engine roared as he pushed the boat forward, slicing through the waves like a predator closing in on its prey. He won't get far. Not with me on his tail.

On Joon's boat, the atmosphere was far from calm. Kang Joon's nerves were frayed, and his eyes darted wildly between the water ahead and the faint light of his pursuers behind. The briefcase was clutched tightly in one hand, and in the other, he held a gun, its barrel pointed at the trembling driver.

"Faster!" Joon barked, his voice sharp and filled with desperation. "If you don't move this thing, I swear I'll—"

"Please, I'm going as fast as I can!" the driver stammered, his knuckles white as he gripped the wheel.

Joon's patience snapped. He cursed under his breath and turned his gaze back toward the briefcase. The tension was too much; he couldn't just wait and hope. With trembling hands, he popped the latches and opened it.

Inside lay the Ravenclaw MK-II, a weapon of deadly elegance. It was compact but radiated menace, its sleek black finish gleaming faintly in the dim light. The weapon hummed softly as Joon lifted it, its energy core glowing a sinister red. This was no ordinary gun—it was a prototype energy cannon capable of devastating small vessels with a single shot.

Joon smirked, his grip tightening around the weapon. He turned and aimed it at Eun-jae's boat, his face twisted with a mix of fear and triumph. "Let's see you survive this, Helix!" he muttered under his breath, his finger hovering over the trigger.

On Eun-jae's boat, Nova's eyes widened in horror as he spotted the weapon. "S-Sir, that's the Ravenclaw MK-II! He's pointing it at us! We're all gonna die!"

Eun-jae's jaw tightened, his mind racing. He recognized the weapon instantly, its specs burned into his memory from countless briefings. Of course, he'd have something like that. Desperate men always reach for the biggest gun they can find.

"Stay calm," Eun-jae ordered, his voice sharp and unyielding. "Before he shoots, we'll already be out of harm's way."

Nova turned to him, panic etched on his face. "How? That thing will destroy us!"

Eun-jae's gaze stayed fixed on Joon's boat. His mind worked at lightning speed, calculating the timing, the distance, the odds. "We're going to jump. The water will shield us from the blast. The explosion will make it look like we didn't make it."

Nova's face went pale, his breath hitching. "J-Jump? Into the water? Are you serious?"

Eun-jae turned to him, his expression cold and resolute. "Do you want to survive or not? When I say jump, you jump. No hesitation."

Nova swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Understood, sir."

The hum of the Ravenclaw grew louder, the red glow intensifying as it charged. Joon's grin widened as he shouted, "Say goodbye, Helix!"

Eun-jae's eyes narrowed. His grip on the wheel tightened as he steadied the boat, preparing for the inevitable. "Alright, Nova. On my count. Three… two…"

Joon pulled the trigger, and the Ravenclaw roared to life.

"One… JUMP!" Eun-jae shouted.

Both men launched themselves into the icy water just as the energy blast struck their boat. The explosion was deafening, a blinding flash of light accompanied by a thunderous boom. Flames and debris shot into the air, the shockwave sending ripples through the water that tossed Eun-jae and Nova like rag dolls beneath the surface.

The water was a chaotic maelstrom of debris and firelight, but Eun-jae remained focused. Stay low. Keep moving. He'll think we're gone. He gestured to Nova, signaling him to swim toward the shore.

Nova hesitated for a moment, his fear evident, but he obeyed, following Eun-jae's lead. Beneath the waves, Eun-jae swam with powerful, deliberate strokes, his lungs burning but his resolve unshaken. Above them, Joon peered over the edge of his boat, scanning the wreckage with a mixture of caution and triumph.

"Got you," Joon muttered, his smirk returning.

But Eun-jae was far from finished. His mind was already calculating his next move. You're mine, Kang Joon. This ends tonight.

While Joon was leaning over the edge of his boat, scanning the flaming wreckage of Eun-jae's vessel, a smug smirk crept across his face. He squinted into the dark water, searching for any signs of movement. The explosion had been massive; there was no way anyone could have survived that.

"Finally," Joon muttered under his breath, letting out a shaky exhale. His fingers tightened around the Ravenclaw MK-II, the weapon still warm from the blast. He turned away from the edge, ready to direct the driver to make their escape, when he froze.

A faint thud reverberated through the deck.

Joon's eyes narrowed as he whirled around, his instincts screaming at him that something was wrong. His hand tightened around the briefcase as his gaze darted toward the source of the noise.

Before he could react, a shadow emerged from the edge of the boat. Eun-jae, drenched and deadly, hoisted himself onto the deck in a single fluid motion. His piercing eyes locked onto Joon, his expression as cold as the water dripping from his hair.

"What the—?" Joon stumbled back, his heart pounding.

Eun-jae didn't give him time to recover. With lightning speed, he closed the distance between them, his every movement precise and calculated. His training kicked in, his body moving on instinct honed by years of experience.

Joon raised the Ravenclaw, but Eun-jae was faster. A sharp twist of his wrist sent the weapon clattering to the deck before Joon could even aim. Joon let out a frustrated yell and swung the briefcase at Eun-jae, but the agent ducked effortlessly, his movements smooth and controlled.

Eun-jae's fist shot out, striking Joon square in the gut. The impact forced the air from Joon's lungs, doubling him over. But Eun-jae wasn't finished. Grabbing Joon by the arm, he twisted it behind his back, forcing the man to drop the briefcase.

"Give up," Eun-jae growled, his voice low and menacing.

"Never!" Joon hissed through gritted teeth, summoning all his strength to elbow Eun-jae in the ribs. The blow landed, but Eun-jae barely flinched. His grip on Joon tightened, his resolve unshaken.

Joon tried to twist free, but Eun-jae anticipated his every move. With a swift sweep of his leg, Eun-jae sent Joon sprawling to the deck. The moment Joon hit the ground, Eun-jae was on him, pinning him down with one knee while his other hand grabbed Joon's wrist, twisting it until he cried out in pain.

"You're out of options, Joon," Eun-jae said, his tone as sharp as a blade. His eyes burned with intensity, his focus unrelenting. "This ends now."

Joon thrashed beneath him, desperation fueling his attempts to break free. But Eun-jae's grip was unyielding, his strength a testament to his relentless training. Every move he made was deliberate, every strike calculated to incapacitate without unnecessary harm.

With a final, desperate surge, Joon managed to reach for a knife hidden in his boot. He swung wildly, aiming for Eun-jae's side, but the agent was already a step ahead. He caught Joon's wrist mid-swing, twisting it until the blade fell harmlessly to the deck.

"Nice try," Eun-jae muttered, his voice tinged with mockery.

In one swift motion, Eun-jae slammed the knife away with his foot and delivered a precise strike to Joon's temple. The force of the blow left Joon dazed, his body going limp beneath Eun-jae's weight.

Eun-jae straightened, breathing heavily as he looked down at the unconscious man. His heart pounded in his chest, but his expression remained calm and composed. He grabbed the briefcase, ensuring the chip was still inside, and secured it.

Nova's voice crackled through his earpiece. "Sir, are you alright? Did you get him?"

Eun-jae glanced at the unmoving Joon and smirked. "He's down. Mission accomplished."

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