Life always gives us two choices: continue even if it's hard, or quit.
But I always prefer continue.
Because once you press the "quit" button--- the game's over.
"Thanks, boys--my energy level's full," I said, sliding my black glasses down with a cocky half-bow. One leg hooked into the doorway because, well, drama works best with balance.
"Yo yo, Rainism, yeah!" they chanted.
"Go make Soakjin regret his decisions!"
I left the base in a suit that could kill a mood and a grin that could start a war.
I already knew where Soakjin was by tracking his phone. Pretending otherwise? Just flowers to decorate the stage-- a little act so he wouldn't suspect me.
I strapped on my lenses, adjusted the voice modulator, checked the gun where the sun didn't hit, and sprinted out of the main door with my team trailing behind like an awkward constellation.
The city felt different at that hour--- cold lights like eyes waiting to blink. Somewhere between the runway and the ambulance sirens, my smile hardened into a blade.
I was a spy-- headman of the South-- so I ran like the wind.
That Soakjin was just too demanding… He was the kind of man who wanted everything done now.
Everything seemed fine, only tense--- so I stayed chill, even in a hurry.
It was the start of winter vacation, and the roads were a chaos of honking cars and steaming exhaust.
I checked my watch. Twenty minutes, if I could find a taxi.
Or I could just move like Spider-Man and save the drama.
My glasses fogged up from the cold, making it hard to see.
That's probably why I didn't notice someone sprinting straight toward me until-- bang!-- he slammed right into me.
"Ah-- watch it, bro!" I yelled, not stopping. "I'm already five minutes late!"
"Maybe it should be you," the man said.
That voice.
Familiar. Too familiar.
I blinked and turned back--- but he was already gone.
Before my mind could chase the thought, I sent a mini drone after him. He felt… strange.
"Taxi!" I waved one down. "Royal Blue Careline Hospital, main branch. Fifteen minutes. Use the shortcuts."
The driver nodded. I jumped in, fingers twisting the drone control. My pulse thudded as I watched the faint signal trail.
That voice-- it was like a ghost brushing my ear. I wanted to know, but if I looked deeper now, I might find something I wasn't ready for.
Not even five minutes in, the traffic jam turned the road into a graveyard of brake lights. Everyone heading to relatives or tourist spots for vacation. Even the shortcuts were clogged.
I tapped my thigh impatiently. The mission and that voice… they're both going to be the death of me.
"Sir, I don't think I can get you there in time," the driver said with a tired sigh.
I nodded, understanding. "Then I'll run."
He started to drive off without taking the fare, but I stopped him and pressed the money into his hand.
He looked drained, like his thoughts were miles away.
"Sir, you--" he began.
"I know," I said, cutting in with a half-smile. "But listen---every human's born for a reason. Don't give up before you've seen how your story ends."
Those words came out of nowhere. Because someone once said them to me—and it saved my life.
Before I could think more, my phone buzzed.
Soakjin's voice cut through the air like a snapped wire.
"Where are you?!"
"Sir---what's wrong?"
"He's--- they'll--- kill---m---!!!"
The line cut out mid-scream. Then came a sharp crack---like a phone smashed against a wall.
For a moment, the world went silent.
Then my body moved before my brain. Mission mode. No jokes. No theatrics. Just focus.
I was supposed to kill that man later. Professional detachment, clean job, no emotions.
But right now--- he was my target and my charge.
The one person I had to keep alive.
What the hell, Soakjin? Who's after you now? Weren't those little power games of yours enough?
I pulled up his location--- north of the hospital. Without thinking, I sprinted through the jammed street, jumping onto car roofs, grabbing my digital ropes to swing between buildings.
I called my team.
"Yes, Sir Rain?"
"Quickly—tell our local spies to block the area around Soakjin's location. Someone's kidnapped him!"
"Roger! Should we send air support?"
"No. I'm close. Keep it quiet. Nobody---not Soakjin, not the public---can know my identity. I'll appear as his bodyguard, as planned."
"Understood."
I leapt from one rooftop to another, safety belt snapping around my waist.
Height doesn't scare me anymore. Not after all the times I've met death and laughed first.
Peeking down from a tall building, I spotted a black van moving fast along an empty back road. That route was usually used by drug runners. Suspicious enough.
Then--I froze.
A hand slapped against the van's window. Then slid down, lifeless.
My phone buzzed again.
"Sir, where are you?"
"Red Rose Road. Abandoned block 34. Rooftop, Building A45."
"Do you see a black van?"
"Yes. Following it now."
Then I saw another--same model, same plates. My smile vanished.
"Two vans! Which one's the kidnappers? I can't just grab a random one!"
"Stay calm, sir. Our men are identifying. Follow whichever feels more suspicious. We'll guide you."
"Got it."
I followed my instincts.
"Sir---you're right. The other van belongs to another gang. They were tailing Soakjin's van."
"Then split up. You take them. I'll go after Soakjin's."
"Roger."
I landed right on top of the van, metal creaking beneath me.
"WHAT THE—?! WHO IS THAT?!" the driver shouted.
"WHERE DID HE COME FROM?!"
For a second, I caught a glimpse through the windshield---Soakjin, half-conscious, mouth gagged, eyes wild.
The van swerved out of control, skidding toward a wall.
I jumped off, throwing a safety airbag ahead of it. The impact puffed up with a heavy whump, stopping the crash.
Before the smoke settled, I rolled a gas canister across the road.
Thick fog burst out, swallowing everything.
"Who's there?!"
"Show yourself!"
I stayed silent and fired.
One, two, three men down---unconscious before they could scream. But the rest fought back. A bullet grazed my arm. I hissed, clutching it tight. Pain burned hot but shallow---no major hit. I could still move.
"Boys, manage the rest," I whispered into my mic.
"Yes, sir."
My men swarmed the scene silently. I slipped behind the van, peeking inside. Soakjin was slumped on the seat, wrists bound, breathing uneven.
Without a word, one of my men unlocked the door. I slid in beside him.
"Finally found you," I murmured.
"GET THEM! THEY TOOK THE VAN!" someone shouted behind us.
But I'd already taken the wheel, tires screeching as we sped into the fog. My men stayed behind to deal with the leftovers.
Chapter 7 (Spoiler)
"I thought… you couldn't find me," he muttered, voice fading. "How did you…?"
He was half-drugged, but his fingers still clutched my collar. I tried to pull his hand off---but he didn't let go.
"Sir… you're not in your senses. Just rest. I'll drive you home."
He swallowed hard, eyes still locked on me. Then, with a faint smirk, he licked his dry lips.
The car was heavy with tension, fog thick outside the windows.
"You're my bodyguard," he whispered hoarsely. "Shouldn't you… guard me from the cold too?"
The air froze.
His eyes unfocused--- that same flicker I'd seen before.
The air turned sharp, heavy, familiar.
I didn't need a second to know what was happening.
I exhaled quietly, biting back a knowing smirk.
"Oh no," I murmured. "Not again."