**Arc 2: Chapter 26 – Shadows Strike Back**
The morning after the exposé hit the news, Jae-min woke to a relentless pounding on his front door. He scrambled out of bed, heart thundering in his chest. Elyra's voice echoed in his mind, cool and calm.
"Relax. It's not an assassin," she said lazily. "Probably So-ra."
Jae-min yanked open the door to find So-ra standing there, looking both exhilarated and nervous. She shoved her phone in his face before he could say a word.
"You need to see this," she said breathlessly.
The screen displayed a video. A suited man stood at a podium, the Lionheart logo prominently displayed behind him. Jae-min recognized him immediately—Daniel Choi, the company's COO. His tone was sharp and calculated as he addressed the press.
"This is nothing but an orchestrated smear campaign," Daniel said, his voice oozing confidence. "We will find those responsible for this misinformation, and they will face the consequences. Lionheart's integrity is unwavering, and we will not be silenced."
The video cut to a clip of Daniel handing over a thick folder to a group of police officers. The words **"Formal Investigation Launched into Smear Campaign"** scrolled across the bottom of the screen.
"They're flipping the narrative," Jae-min muttered, his stomach sinking.
"Exactly," So-ra said, stepping inside. "Lionheart's not just denying the accusations—they're going on the offensive. They've filed defamation lawsuits and reported supposed 'cybercrimes.'"
"They're trying to scare us into backing off," Jae-min said, clenching his fists.
Elyra appeared beside him, invisible to So-ra. "Told you they'd fight dirty," she said with a smirk. "What's your move, genius?"
---
Later that day, Jae-min and So-ra met with Min-ji in a secluded café. The journalist looked tired but resolute.
"We expected this," Min-ji said, sipping her coffee. "Corporations like Lionheart don't play fair. The lawsuits are just a show—they're hoping to intimidate us and discredit the evidence."
"So what do we do?" So-ra asked, glancing nervously at Jae-min.
"We double down," Min-ji said firmly. "We keep releasing new evidence, and we amplify the voices of the whistleblowers. The public's already turning against Lionheart. We just need to keep the momentum going."
Jae-min nodded. "I've got more dirt on them. We'll use it strategically—release it piece by piece to keep the pressure on."
Min-ji gave him a small, approving smile. "Good. Just be careful. Lionheart's dangerous when cornered."
---
That evening, Jae-min returned to his apartment to find Elyra lounging on his couch, flipping through channels on the TV.
"You look stressed," she said without looking up.
"Gee, I wonder why," Jae-min replied, collapsing onto the couch beside her.
Elyra smirked. "You knew this wasn't going to be easy. But you've got an edge they don't—me."
Jae-min raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting?"
Elyra's eyes glowed faintly as she leaned closer. "You've barely scratched the surface of what I can do for you. The system isn't just about money—it's about power. Let me help you level the playing field."
Jae-min hesitated. He wasn't sure what she meant, but he knew better than to dismiss her. "What are you offering?"
Elyra grinned, her teeth gleaming. "Access to their internal servers. I can make their secrets scream louder than any whistleblower ever could."
---
The next morning, Jae-min woke to find Elyra sitting at his desk, her hands glowing as she manipulated streams of data that only he could see.
"Didn't think you'd wake up so early," she said without turning around.
"What are you doing?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Getting you what you need," Elyra replied. "Lionheart's internal emails, project files, and a few other goodies. This'll make their previous scandals look like child's play."
Jae-min leaned over her shoulder, watching the data unfold. "How are you even doing this?"
Elyra winked at him. "Let's just say I have my ways. Now, do you want this or not?"
"Of course I do," Jae-min said. "But if they find out—"
"They won't," Elyra interrupted. "Not unless you tell them."
---
By midday, Jae-min had a fresh batch of evidence. He met with Min-ji again, showing her the new files. Her eyes widened as she scrolled through the data.
"This is... this is incredible," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Where did you get this?"
Jae-min hesitated for a moment before replying, "Let's just say I have a very resourceful ally."
Min-ji didn't press him. Instead, she straightened up and said, "We need to move fast. If we release this before Lionheart can counter, it'll blow their entire operation wide open."
"Do it," Jae-min said.
---
That night, Jae-min sat on his balcony, staring out at the city. He felt a strange mix of exhilaration and dread. The fight against Lionheart was escalating faster than he'd anticipated, and he knew the stakes were higher than ever.
Elyra appeared beside him, holding a bottle of wine and two glasses. "You're doing great, you know," she said, handing him a glass.
"I'm just trying to survive," Jae-min replied, taking a sip.
Elyra smirked. "Survival's overrated. You're building an empire, one blow at a time."
Jae-min couldn't help but chuckle. "You make it sound so easy."
"It's not," Elyra said, her tone serious for once. "But you're not alone. You've got me. And whether you like it or not, you're starting to make a difference."
Jae-min glanced at her, a faint smile on his lips. "Thanks, Elyra."
She raised her glass in a mock toast. "To chaos and victory."
Jae-min clinked his glass against hers. "To chaos and victory."