NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Silent Road to Ambush
The industrial site loomed in the distance as the trio advanced under the cover of night. Jiho led the way, his movements precise and silent. Haeun followed closely, her blade strapped securely to her side, while Sanghoon carried his rifle, scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement.
The air was tense, heavy with the promise of conflict. Jiho had studied every detail of the site, memorizing the guard rotations and the shipment schedule. Yet, despite his meticulous planning, the unease in his chest refused to settle.
"Are you sure about this?" Haeun whispered as they crouched behind an abandoned truck near the perimeter.
"Positive," Jiho replied without hesitation. His eyes remained fixed on the warehouse, where faint lights flickered in the windows. "We hit them fast and hard. No room for mistakes."
The First Encounter
The trio moved in tandem, slipping past the outer guards with practiced ease. Jiho's shadows slithered across the ground, extinguishing nearby lights to cloak their movements.
Inside the warehouse, the Silver Fang's operation was in full swing. Dozens of workers loaded crates into trucks, while armed guards patrolled the area. At the center of it all stood a familiar figure—Daehyun.
Jiho's jaw tightened at the sight of him. "He's here," he muttered.
Haeun's grip on her blade tightened. "What's the plan?"
Jiho's mind raced. They hadn't expected Daehyun to be present, but this was an opportunity he couldn't afford to waste. "We stick to the plan. Disable the trucks, secure the cores, and get out. If we have a shot at Daehyun, we take it."
Chaos Unleashed
The first explosion rocked the warehouse as Sanghoon's sniper round hit the fuel tank of one of the trucks. Flames erupted, throwing the workers into disarray. Jiho and Haeun seized the moment, darting into the chaos.
Jiho's shadows coiled around one of the guards, yanking him into the darkness. Haeun moved like a whirlwind, her blade cutting through the confusion with deadly precision.
Daehyun's voice rang out over the chaos. "Hold your positions! They're here!"
The Silver Fang guards rallied quickly, their weapons trained on the intruders. Jiho ducked behind a stack of crates, his mind racing. The element of surprise was gone, and now they were outnumbered.
"Haeun! Sanghoon! Fall back to the secondary position!" Jiho shouted.
A Moment of Confrontation
As Jiho retreated toward the rendezvous point, a familiar figure stepped into his path. Daehyun, his aura crackling with raw power, smirked.
"Kang Jiho," Daehyun said, his tone mocking. "You've been a thorn in my side for too long."
Jiho's shadows surged around him, their movements erratic and wild. "And you've been a plague on this city for even longer."
The two clashed, Daehyun's strikes quick and precise, while Jiho's shadows lashed out with deadly intent. The warehouse echoed with the sounds of their battle, each blow a testament to their skill and determination.
But Daehyun was prepared. His movements were calculated, his strikes designed to exploit the gaps in Jiho's defenses.
"You're talented, I'll give you that," Daehyun said as he pressed the attack. "But talent alone won't save you."
Jiho gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a way to turn the tide. He couldn't afford to lose—not here, not now.
An Unlikely Rescue
Just as Daehyun's blade arced toward Jiho, a gunshot rang out. Daehyun stumbled, a bullet grazing his shoulder.
Jiho seized the moment, his shadows surging forward to force Daehyun back. Turning, he saw Sanghoon perched on a nearby stack of crates, his rifle still aimed.
"Go!" Sanghoon shouted. "I'll cover you!"
Jiho didn't hesitate. He regrouped with Haeun, who had already secured one of the Nexus cores. Together, they made their escape, Sanghoon's covering fire keeping the Silver Fang at bay.
A Narrow Victory
By the time the trio reached the safe house, exhaustion had set in. Sanghoon slumped onto the couch, his rifle clattering to the floor. Haeun placed the Nexus core on the table, her hands trembling.
"We did it," she said, her voice shaky.
Jiho nodded, though his expression remained grim. "It's a start. But Daehyun won't let this go unanswered. He'll come for us, and when he does, we need to be ready."