**Arc 2: Chapter 24 – A Spark of Resistance**
Jae-min stared at the documents spread across his desk, each piece of evidence painting a vivid picture of Lionheart Corporation's shady dealings. His heartbeat drummed a steady rhythm, the weight of his next move pressing on him like a boulder.
Elyra lounged nearby, examining her nails with an air of disinterest. "You've got the arsenal, but do you have the guts to pull the trigger?"
"I don't need guts," Jae-min replied without looking up. "I need strategy."
Elyra rolled her eyes. "Tomato, tomahto. You know what I mean."
He ignored her. His mind was already working, assembling the next steps like pieces of a puzzle. The files Yumi had uncovered were damning—bribes, blackmail, illegal acquisitions. It was everything they needed to start chipping away at Lionheart's empire.
The first step was getting these into the right hands.
---
The next morning, Jae-min called So-ra to his apartment. She arrived in her usual polished state, a notebook in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other.
"You sounded serious on the phone," she said, setting the cup down on the counter.
"I am," Jae-min said, pushing the documents toward her. "Take a look."
So-ra's brows furrowed as she flipped through the pages. By the time she finished, her lips were set in a tight line.
"This is... explosive," she said, her voice low. "If we leak this, Lionheart will be forced into damage control, but they won't go down without a fight."
"I know," Jae-min said. "That's why we need to be smart about this. We can't just post this online and hope it sticks. We need allies—journalists, influencers, anyone with a platform."
So-ra tapped her pen against her notebook, her eyes thoughtful. "I might know someone. An old college friend of mine runs an independent news outlet. They're small, but they're reputable. If we give this to them, they'll make sure it gets the attention it deserves."
"Perfect," Jae-min said. "Reach out to them. The sooner we move, the better."
---
That evening, Jae-min met with Yumi at a quiet park near her office. She looked nervous, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her jacket.
"Did So-ra agree to help?" she asked as she sat down beside him.
"She did," Jae-min said. "She's contacting a journalist she trusts. We're moving forward."
Yumi nodded, but her expression remained troubled. "I've been thinking... What happens if this blows up in our faces? Lionheart isn't just a company. They have connections—powerful ones."
Jae-min reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're not alone in this, Yumi. So-ra's friend is solid, and we're building a network. Lionheart can't silence everyone."
She looked at him, her eyes searching his face. "You're really willing to risk everything for this, aren't you?"
"I don't have a choice," Jae-min said simply. "Lionheart's already taken too much from too many people. It's time someone fought back."
Yumi smiled faintly, a spark of determination replacing her fear. "Alright. Let's do this."
---
By the end of the week, So-ra had secured a meeting with her journalist friend, Min-ji, the editor-in-chief of *Truthline Daily.* They met in a dimly lit café, the hum of conversation providing a layer of anonymity.
Min-ji was a sharp-eyed woman in her late twenties, her no-nonsense demeanor evident from the moment she sat down. "So-ra says you have something big," she said, cutting straight to the point.
Jae-min slid a USB drive across the table. "Everything you need is on there. Emails, financial records, internal memos. It's all real."
Min-ji plugged the drive into her laptop, scanning the files with practiced efficiency. Her expression shifted from curiosity to shock as she read.
"This... this is huge," she said, her voice hushed. "If this is legit, Lionheart's entire operation could crumble."
"It is legit," Jae-min said firmly. "But we need to be careful. If Lionheart catches wind of this before we're ready, they'll bury us."
Min-ji nodded. "Understood. I'll get my team on this right away. We'll cross-check everything and start drafting the story. You'll hear from me soon."
As Min-ji left, Jae-min felt a flicker of hope. For the first time, it felt like they were making progress.
---
That night, Elyra appeared as Jae-min was preparing for bed. She perched on the edge of his desk, her expression uncharacteristically serious.
"You're playing a dangerous game, you know," she said.
"I'm aware," Jae-min replied, not looking up.
"Just remember," she continued, her voice softer, "I'm here to help you. No matter what happens."
Jae-min glanced at her, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. "Thanks, Elyra."
She grinned, her usual mischievousness returning. "Don't get all sappy on me now. You've got a war to win."
Jae-min chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I do."
As he lay down to sleep, his mind raced with thoughts of the battles ahead. But for the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope. The fight was just beginning, and he was ready.