### Arc 4: **The Gathering Storm**
#### Chapter 6: **Kael's Countermove**
The atmosphere in Jae-min's penthouse was tense. Hana had just returned with troubling news. Her usually calm demeanor was tinged with unease, a rare sight that made everyone pay attention.
"Kael's retaliating," she announced, dropping a stack of documents on the table. "He's pivoted from defense to offense, and he's not holding back."
"What did he do?" Jae-min asked, his tone sharp.
Hana pointed at the top sheet. "He's called in a favor from the Black Vipers. They're mercenaries—highly trained, deadly, and loyal only to money. Kael's hired them to send a message."
"Let me guess," Riho said, leaning back with a smirk. "We're the message."
"More than that," Hana continued. "He's not just aiming to scare us. He's targeting our allies—business partners, informants, anyone connected to us. He wants to isolate us."
---
**The First Strike**
Before the team could fully strategize, the first blow came. A warehouse owned by one of Jae-min's business associates was set ablaze. The news spread quickly, accompanied by rumors that anyone working with Jae-min would face similar consequences.
Victor slammed his fist on the table. "He's making this personal. If we don't stop him now, people will start abandoning us out of fear."
Ayumi, ever calm, spoke up. "Panic is exactly what Kael wants. If we lose our composure, we're playing into his hands."
Jae-min nodded. "She's right. We can't let him control the narrative. Hana, how much dirt do we have on the Black Vipers?"
"Not much," she admitted. "They're ghosts. But I managed to trace their movements to a safe house in the industrial district. It's heavily guarded, but it's a lead."
Jae-min turned to Riho. "Think you can handle a little infiltration?"
Riho grinned. "Do you even have to ask?"
---
**The Infiltration**
That night, Riho and Jae-min approached the safe house. Dressed in black and moving like shadows, they avoided the perimeter guards with practiced ease. Mira, acting as their guide, provided live intel from Hana's surveillance feeds.
"Two guards at the back entrance," Mira whispered into their earpieces. "They're distracted—perfect opportunity."
Riho drew her blade, her movements silent and precise. Within seconds, the guards were neutralized. Jae-min followed her inside, their target clear: retrieve intel on Kael's plans.
The safe house was a maze of dimly lit corridors. They moved quickly but cautiously, avoiding detection until they reached a room filled with documents and computers.
"This must be it," Jae-min muttered, scanning the room.
As Riho began rifling through the papers, Mira's voice came through with urgency. "You've got company. Three guards heading your way."
"Time to improvise," Riho said with a smirk, drawing her weapons.
---
**The Fight**
The guards burst in, weapons drawn. Riho was a blur of motion, her blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. Jae-min, using his enhanced agility and strength from the system, joined the fray.
The fight was fast and brutal. Jae-min disarmed one guard with a well-placed kick, while Riho took down another with a series of rapid strikes. The last guard hesitated, but Riho's cold stare ended any thoughts of resistance.
"Let him go," Jae-min said.
Riho raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"He'll spread the word that we're not backing down," Jae-min replied. "Kael needs to know we're coming for him."
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**The Intel**
Back at the penthouse, Hana analyzed the documents they'd retrieved. Her expression grew grim as she pieced together Kael's strategy.
"He's planning a full-scale attack on one of your key operations," she said. "If he succeeds, it'll cripple us."
Jae-min leaned over her shoulder. "What's the target?"
Hana hesitated. "Your tech hub in the central district. The one funding our cyber operations."
Ayumi crossed her arms. "If he takes that out, we'll lose more than just money. We'll lose our edge."
Jae-min's jaw tightened. "Then we make our stand there. Kael wants a war? He'll get one."
---
**To Be Continued...**