The dawn crept slowly across the skyline, its soft hues washing over the rooftop garden where Jiwoo stood, clutching the encrypted device Dr. Min had given her. The wind whispered through the leaves, carrying the scent of damp earth and memory.
"What's on this device?" Jiwoo asked, her voice fragile yet steady.
Dr. Min's gaze was calm, shadowed by years of secrecy. "Evidence," she said quietly. "Evidence of the true purpose behind Project Crimson... and those who sought to exploit it."
Jiwoo's brow furrowed. "Then why give this to me?"
Dr. Min stepped closer, her expression gentling. "Because your father trusted you to uncover the truth when no one else could. You're his legacy, Jiwoo."
Jiwoo's fingers tightened around the device. The word legacy felt heavier than any weapon.
The soft hum of Joonhyuk's laptop filled the silence as lines of code flashed across the screen. Jiwoo paced behind him, anxiety rippling through every breath.
"This encryption is advanced," Joonhyuk muttered, typing rapidly. "It'll take time."
"We need to be careful," Jiwoo replied, her tone edged with tension. "If the wrong people find out we have this—"
"They'll stop at nothing to silence us," he finished grimly. Their eyes met, unspoken fear flickering between them like static.The sterile air of the office trembled with fury. Director Han slammed the report on his desk, eyes narrowing.
"Sir," an agent began nervously, "we detected a breach in the mainframe—classified Project Crimson files were accessed."
"What?" Han stood abruptly, his voice slicing through the room. "Find out who did it. Now."
The agents froze. His glare deepened. "What are you still doing here? MOVE!"
The team scattered like frightened birds, leaving the Director alone in his rage.
Rain trickled down the windows as Jungwoo replayed the surveillance feed. His expression hardened when the image froze on Jiwoo—standing with Dr. Min.
"Dr. Min…" he whispered. "She disappeared years ago."
A long silence. Then, pulling out his phone, Jungwoo made a call. His tone was clipped and urgent."We have a problem," he said, his reflection fractured in the glass.
The laptop emitted a soft chime."They're open," Joonhyuk called out.
Jiwoo hurried over, heart hammering. Folders appeared—videos, reports, images—all bearing the same crimson insignia.
"These files…" she whispered, eyes wide. "They show unauthorized experiments—human trials under Project Crimson. My father… he tried to stop them."
Joonhyuk's voice was low, heavy. "And someone made sure he couldn't."
The room fell silent, the truth breathing between them like smoke.
🕰 Flashback — 10 Years AgoThe sound of rain against glass.A younger Jiwoo crouched outside her father's study door, listening.
"This project has gone too far!" her father's voice trembled with desperation. "We have to shut it down—it's putting lives at risk!"
Director Han's tone was cold. "You knew the risks. There's no turning back now."
"We can still bury it," her father pleaded. "We can save people—save my family."
Director Han's voice lowered, almost serpentine. "If you stop this… do you know whose family will be first to pay?"
Her father hesitated. "Whose?"
"Yours."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Her phone buzzed on the table.Unknown Number:MEET ME AT THE OLD OBSERVATORY. COME ALONE.
Joonhyuk frowned. "It could be a trap."
"I have to go," Jiwoo said, slipping her jacket on.
"Then I'm going too."
"It says come alone."
"Then I'll hide. But I'm not letting you walk into danger alone."
She paused, looked at him—and nodded. "Fine."
The old structure loomed against the moonlit sky, its glass dome fractured, like an eye that had seen too much. Jiwoo's footsteps echoed softly as she entered.
"Jiwoo."
She froze. Jungwoo stood waiting, hands raised in caution.
"Why are you here?" she asked coldly, her expression unreadable.
"To warn you," he said. "You're in danger."
"From you?" Her tone was sharp.
"No—from those who want the truth buried."
"You are one of them," Jiwoo said bitterly. "And you don't need to protect me. I already have Joonhyuk."
Jungwoo's jaw clenched. "You're falling for him."
Jiwoo's eyes flashed. "That's none of your business."
Unseen in the shadows, Joonhyuk stiffened, heart caught between pride and pain.
Before Jiwoo could turn away—
BANG.
A gunshot shattered the silence. The bullet struck the wall behind her, splintering concrete. Jungwoo grabbed her arm, pulling her behind a pillar.
"They found us," he hissed.
Jiwoo's breath trembled as the echo faded. Their eyes met—anger, fear, and an unspoken truth hanging between them.
Whatever they were before, tonight they were only two people fighting to survive.