Ji-Hoon shielded Maya from the hail of bullets.
"Protecting you," Ji-Hoon repeated.
Maya's eyes flashed.
"Don't trust me?" Maya asked.
Ji-Hoon's hesitation grew.
Suddenly, Yoo-Jin dragged Seung-Hyun to safety.
"Seung-Hyun, we must escape," Yoo-Jin urged.
Seung-Hyun resisted.
"Ji-Hoon!" Seung-Hyun shouted.
Ji-Hoon's heart wrenched.
"I'll get him!" Victor yelled.
Victor charged into the fray.
Gunshots echoed.
Bodies fell.
Ji-Hoon's world blurred.
Detective Jameson arrived.
"Freeze! Everyone!" Jameson ordered.
The shootout ceased.
Ji-Hoon assessed the damage.
Maya's eyes locked onto Ji-Hoon.
"Thank you," Maya whispered.
Ji-Hoon's distrust lingered.
"Who are you, really?" Ji-Hoon asked.
Maya's expression faltered.
"Victor, what do you know?" Jameson asked.
Victor's eyes darted.
"Alex Chen's plan..." Victor started.
Jameson's gaze narrowed.
"Continue."
Victor hesitated.
"Alex Chen seeks control..." Victor whispered.
Jameson's expression turned grim.
"We'll stop him."
Detective Jameson's eyes narrowed.
"Seung-Hyun, what's your connection to Alex Chen?" Jameson asked.
Seung-Hyun's expression turned cold.
"Personal vendetta."
Jameson's gaze lingered.
"I see."
Yoo-Jin watched.
"Detective Jameson is hiding something."
Ji-Hoon's unease grew.
"Who can I trust?" Ji-Hoon wondered.
Suddenly:
A mysterious text arrived.
"Meet me at the old warehouse."
Ji-Hoon's phone buzzed.
"Meet me at the old warehouse."
No sender name.
Ji-Hoon's instincts screamed caution.
"Who is this?" Ji-Hoon texted back.
Silence.
Detective Jameson noticed Ji-Hoon's unease.
"Problem?" Jameson asked.
Ji-Hoon hesitated.
"Mysterious text."
Jameson's eyes narrowed.
"Show me."
Ji-Hoon handed over his phone.
Jameson's expression turned grim.
"This is Alex Chen's MO."
Seung-Hyun's eyes locked onto Ji-Hoon.
"Don't go," Seung-Hyun warned.
Ji-Hoon's resolve strengthened.
"I have to know."
As Ji-Hoon prepared to leave:
Yoo-Jin whispered.
"Be careful, Ji-Hoon."
Maya's eyes flashed.
"I'll come with you."
Ji-Hoon's distrust lingered.
"Why?" Ji-Hoon asked.
Maya's expression softened.
"I owe you."
The warehouse loomed.
Darkness shrouded the area.
Ji-Hoon approached cautiously.
A figure emerged.
"Welcome, Ji-Hoon."
Familiar voice.
Ji-Hoon's heart racing.
"Who are you?" Ji-Hoon demanded.
The figure stepped forward.
Ji-Hoon's world froze.
The figure's identity stunned Ji-Hoon.
"Eric?" Ji-Hoon whispered.
Eric's eyes turned cold.
"I've been playing both sides."
Ji-Hoon's trust shattered.
"Why?" Ji-Hoon asked.
Eric's smile twisted.
"Survival."
Suddenly:
Gunshots echoed.
Ji-Hoon dove for cover.
Eric vanished.