The doors to the warehouse fly open with a bang, and a figure strides in, flanked by a squad of heavily armed and armored bodyguards. The butler, dressed in an impeccable suit despite the chaos, moves with a calmness that belies the situation. His eyes sweep over the scene, taking in the bound figures and Choi's smug grin before settling on Min-Ho, his loyalty to his employer unwavering despite the betrayal.
"Choi," the butler says, his voice a low rumble. "I trust you have everything under control?"
Choi stands, straightening his tie with a smug smile. "But of course, Sir," he says, gesturing to the bound figures with a flourish of his hand. "A small setback with the merchandise, but it's all been handled."
The butler's gaze moves to Soo Young, then to Mi-Jin and Eun-Ji. His eyes are cold, calculating. "And these are the ones who have been causing trouble?"
Choi nods eagerly. "Yes, Sir. They're the ones who've been disrupting our operations. But we've got them now. They won't be a problem anymore."
The butler steps closer, his expression unreadable. He stops in front of Soo Young, his eyes lingering on her bruised face. For a moment, something flickers in his gaze, a hint of...something. But it's gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced with the cold indifference of a man who has seen too much.
"Let's get this over with," he says, his voice clipped and precise. "Choi, I want them prepped for delivery."
Choi's smile widens, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He nods to the guards, who move to unbind Soo Young and Mi-Jin. They're dragged to their feet, the knives of the guards pressing into their backs. Soo Young's legs feel like jelly, the drugs still clouding her senses, but she refuses to show weakness.
A syringe is produced, the liquid within it shimmering with a sinister promise. Choi holds it up, his grin widening as he watches the horror dawn on their faces. "A little something to ensure your cooperation," he says, his voice a hiss.
Mi-Jin's eyes narrow, and she spits at Choi, her voice a low growl. "You'll never win," she says, her words slurred but her intent clear. "We'll always fight back."
Choi's smile widens, his gold tooth flashing in the stark light. "We'll see about that," he says, gesturing for the guard to proceed. The syringe's cold touch against Soo Young's skin sends a bolt of terror through her, and she tries to jerk away. But the guard's grip is like iron, and she feels the sting of the needle piercing her skin, the liquid fire spreading through her veins.
Mi-Jin and Eun-Ji are next, their defiance unwavering as the drug takes hold. The world around them slows, the edges of their vision blurring into a narcotic haze. They're forced into a line, the cold steel of their shackles a grim reminder of their fate. The butler watches from a distance, his expression unreadable as the guards prepare the next phase of their ordeal.
Soo Young feels the sting of the needle again, the cold liquid seeping into her body. Her legs give out, and she droops against the pipe, the only thing keeping her upright. The drug is different this time, not the same sedative that had claimed her earlier. It burns through her veins, igniting a new kind of fear. Her thoughts swirl, trying to make sense of the chaos. What is this? What have they done?
The world spins around her, and she barely notices when the guards remove the bindings from her wrists and ankles. They're all sluggishly brought before the butler, who regards them with a steely gaze. His hand reaches into his pocket, and he pulls out a phone, dialing a number with a calm efficiency that sends a fresh wave of dread crashing through Soo Young's fuzzy consciousness. He speaks into the phone, his voice low and measured, a stark contrast to the chaos in her mind.
"Boss," he says, "we have a situation." His eyes never leave them, as if daring them to make a move. Soo Young tries to focus, to listen for clues about their location or their captor's plans, but the words are a jumble, slipping through the fog like water through her fingers.
The butler nods, his expression unreadable. He ends the call and turns back to them, his gaze cold and unflinching. "You've caused quite a stir," he says, his voice a soft purr. "But you're not the first, and you certainly won't be the last." He gestures to Choi, who steps forward, the knife glinting in his hand.
Choi's smile is a twisted grin as he approaches Soo Young, his eyes glinting with malicious intent. "Let's get you ready," he says, his voice a sick parody of kindness. The knife is cold against her skin as he slices through the fabric of her dress, leaving it in tatters around her. She tries to scream, to fight, but the drug has taken away her voice, leaving her with nothing but the roar of terror in her ears.
Mi-Jin's eyes are wide with anger, her breaths coming in harsh gasps. Despite her own predicament, she tries to struggle against her bindings, to no avail. "You son of a bitch," she spits at Choi, her voice slurred but her meaning clear. "You won't get away with this."
Choi's smile only widens as he turns to Eun-Ji, whose eyes are glazed with fear and pain. He takes his time, savoring the moment as he slices through her clothes with the knife. The fabric falls away, exposing her bruised and trembling body. She whimpers, trying to shrink away from his touch, but he only laughs.
Mi-Jin's eyes are on fire, her whole body taut with rage. Despite the drugs clouding her senses, she manages to pull at her restraints, the leather biting into her skin. Her dress, once a symbol of their seductive plan, now lies in shreds at her feet. The cold steel of the knife presses into her skin, and she feels the fabric of her dress give way. Choi's eyes light up with excitement as he peels back the layers of her clothing, exposing her to the frigid air and the leering gazes of the guards.
.
Eun-Ji, still reeling from the pain of her recent assault, watches through a haze of fear as Choi approaches her. She tries to brace herself for the inevitable, her body trembling in anticipation of his touch. The sound of fabric tearing echoes through the warehouse as he slices through her clothing, leaving her bare and vulnerable before these monsters. Her eyes dart to Soo Young and Mi-Jin, finding a spark of defiance in their glazed stares.
Mi-Jin's rage is a living entity, pulsing with every beat of her heart. She grits her teeth, the only outward sign of the fury building within her. The drug may have taken her body, but it couldn't claim her spirit. Choi's hands are rough on her skin as he peels away the layers of her dress, leaving her in nothing but her underwear. The coldness of the room is a stark contrast to the heat of her anger, fueling her determination to fight back.
Eun-Ji's eyes never leave Choi's, her own fear a silent scream in the vast warehouse. The fabric of her clothes is torn away, leaving her exposed and trembling. But amidst the horror, she finds a flicker of resolve. Her eyes meet Mi-Jin's, and she sees the same fire burning within her. They are not alone in this nightmare; they are united in their will to survive, to fight.
Choi turns to Min-Ho with a sneer, his voice a chilling whisper. "And you," he says, his hand tracing the line of Min-Ho's jaw. "You thought you could play us all for fools?"
Min-Ho's eyes are glassy with the drug, but the anger in them is unmistakable. He tries to shake his head, the movement barely perceptible. "You're the fool," he manages to croak out, his voice a harsh rasp.
Choi's smile turns into a sneer as he raises the knife to Min-Ho's throat. "We'll see about that," he says, his grip on the weapon firm. He leans in, the cold steel pressing against Min-Ho's skin, and Soo Young can almost feel the heat of the blade. Her heart is racing, her mind a whirlwind of fear and desperation.
The butler's eyes narrow, and he checks his watch. "We don't have all night," he says, his voice a harsh snap that cuts through the tension. "Choi, hurry up."
Choi's smile never falters as he glances over his shoulder. "Yes, Sir," he says, his tone dripping with forced respect. He turns back to Min-Ho, the knife hovering dangerously close to his throat. Soo Young's heart is a wild drum in her chest, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
With a swift, brutal movement, Choi slices the blade across Min-Ho's throat. The sound of flesh parting is like a gunshot in the tense silence, the crimson arc of blood spraying across the floor. Soo Young's eyes widen in horror, a scream trapped in her throat as she watches the life drain from her friend's eyes. His body goes slack, the pipe he was leaning against the only thing keeping him upright.
The butler's expression doesn't change, his cold gaze flicking to the guards. "Clean that up," he says, his voice a bored monotone. The guards jump into action, one of them dragging Min-Ho's lifeless form away as the others move to contain the spilled blood.
Choi's grin falters for a moment, his eyes lingering on the fallen PI before he nods to his men. "Take them to the van," he says, his voice a little too bright, trying to regain control of the situation. Soo Young's mind is racing, trying to process the horror she's just witnessed. Min-Ho, who'd fought alongside them, who'd been her rock, was gone. The rage inside her builds, a fiery beacon in the fog of the drugs.
The guards haul them to their feet, their grips painful on her bruised arms. They're dragged out of the warehouse, the cold night air a slap to the face, and thrown into the back of a van. The doors slam shut with a finality that sends a shiver down her spine. The engine roars to life, the vibrations echoing through the metal walls. Soo Young's mind is racing, trying to think of a way out, a way to warn Jung-Ho and the others.
The butler's voice is a calm, cold command. "Blindfold them." Soo Young feels the rough fabric against her face, the world going dark. Panic claws at her, the van's movement making her stomach churn. The knots are tied tight, the darkness absolute. She can hear Mi-Jin's muffled protests, Eun-Ji's whimpers.
The engine's roar is the only constant in a world that has gone mad. The van jolts and swerves, the grip of the guards keeping them from tumbling. The smell of fear is palpable, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. Soo Young's thoughts are a blur, racing through every possible scenario, every possible escape. But the drugs cloud her mind, making coherent thought a distant dream.
The van comes to an abrupt halt, the suddenness of it jolting Soo Young back to reality. The doors slide open, and the cold night air rushes in, a stark contrast to the stuffy warmth inside. She's dragged out, the gravel biting into her bare feet as the guards' firm grips keep her upright. She tries to struggle, but the drug's grip on her body is too strong. The only thing she's aware of is the searing anger in her chest, the need for vengeance burning brighter than the pain.
Mi-Jin and Eun-Ji are pulled out behind her, their bare feet stumbling in the dark. The cold air is a slap across their exposed skin, a cruel reminder of their vulnerability. The guards are efficient, their movements swift and brutal as they lead the three of them up a short flight of stairs and into what seems like a different world.
The villa is a stark contrast to the grimy warehouse they've just left. The floors are marble, the air thick with the scent of expensive cologne and fresh flowers. The walls are adorned with fine art, the kind that seems to whisper of wealth and power. Soo Young's rage is a living, breathing entity within her, pulsing with every step she takes across the cold, gleaming surface.
Butler's voice echoes through the vast space, the words a blur of malice and anticipation. The guards lead them through a maze of corridors, the only sound their ragged breaths and the clack of their heels on the marble. Soo Young's mind is a tornado of anger and fear, her thoughts a jumble of disjointed images and plans for escape. But the drugs hold her in a vice grip, leaving her movements sluggish and uncoordinated.
They're brought into a large room, the grandeur of the villa's decor giving way to something more sinister. The walls are lined with screens, showing live feeds from various locations around the city. Choi moves to a desk, his eyes flickering over the monitors with a greedy hunger. "Welcome," he says, his voice a taunt. "To the heart of our little operation."
Soo Young's heart races, her eyes darting around the room, searching for a way out, for any sign of Jung-Ho or a clue to their whereabouts. The butler remains silent, his presence a looming specter of control. Mi-Jin and Eun-Ji are brought in, their blindfolds removed, and the horror on their faces mirrors Soo Young's own. They're forced to stand before a wall-sized map, pins marking various locations like a macabre game of strategy.
Choi moves to a button on the desk, his finger hovering. "You see, girls," he says, his tone eerily jovial, "we're playing a much larger game than you could ever imagine." He presses the button, and a section of the wall slides open, revealing a hidden elevator. "But don't worry," he adds with a sneer, "you'll get to be a part of it."
The guards push them towards the elevator, the cold steel doors closing with a final, ominous thud. The descent feels like an eternity, the weight of the impending fate pressing down on them. Soo Young's mind races, trying to piece together a plan, a way to warn Jung-Ho and the others. But the drugs still have their hold on her, and her thoughts are as scattered as the shreds of her dress.
When the elevator finally opens, they're greeted by a starkly lit corridor, the walls lined with steel doors. Each one seems to hold its own nightmare, and Soo Young can't help but wonder what's behind each one. They're shoved into a cell, the butler's footsteps echoing down the hallway as he leaves them alone with their fear. The room is cold and bare, with only a single bed and a chair that looks more like a torture device than a piece of furniture.
The three of them huddle together, their shivering bodies a silent testament to their shared trauma. The fabric of their underwear and bras offers little protection against the icy air, and their bruises and cuts throb with every heartbeat. They're forced to face the stark reality of their situation: they're in the belly of the beast, and their captors are monsters with no intention of letting them go.