The silence that followed was almost deafening. The guards left the room, and the electric locks clicked shut behind them. Daegun, now alone with Jin, seemed more cautious than ever. He crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly in expectation.
Jin stared at him for a long moment before slowly rising, breaking the unspoken protocol that required him to remain seated. Jin's movements weren't threatening, but there was something unsettling about them, as if he were deliberately challenging the unspoken rules governing every interaction. He took a few steps around the room, running his fingers lightly along the cold metallic walls.
"You know," he began softly, "the government likes to think it controls everything. But that's just an illusion. The things they don't understand… the things they can't explain… they prefer to ignore."
Daegun clenched his jaw. He didn't appreciate the condescending tone.
"Do you even hear yourself? You've said nothing concrete. Words, just words."
Jin turned back to him, his expression serious, almost stern.
"Very well. You want something concrete? Let's talk about Seorim."
The name hit its mark. A flicker of surprise crossed Daegun's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Seorim?" he repeated, feigning ignorance. "Just another town. Why bring it up?"
Jin leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them.
"Don't play games with me, Daegun. I know your department has already identified anomalies in the area. Unusual electromagnetic activity. Radio interference. And that stele, recently discovered but carefully hidden from the public. You know what I'm talking about."
Daegun remained impassive, but internally, his mind was racing. How could this man know about that? These details were classified at the highest level. He chose to stay defensive.
"You've done your homework," he replied coldly. "But that doesn't prove anything. Anyone with good connections could get those details. You'll need to do better than that."
Jin sighed, as if expecting that response. He stepped back a few paces, raising a hand to his temple.
"Very well. Let me show you something."
He closed his eyes briefly, then reopened them, his irises shimmering with a supernatural glow. The room seemed to grow colder, as though an invisible presence had entered it. Daegun felt a shiver run down his spine but maintained his composure.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice slightly more tense.
"I'm going into your mind," Jin replied, his voice almost a whisper. "Not all of it, just enough to prove I'm not lying."
Before Daegun could react, a strange sensation washed over him. A soft but insistent pressure, like an invisible hand rummaging through the depths of his thoughts. Blurred images flashed in his mind: confidential meetings, classified documents, whispered conversations in secure rooms.
Then, suddenly, a clear image. A map of Seorim, with red-marked zones. Annotations. A digital file on the recently discovered stele.
Daegun abruptly stepped back, one hand to his head as if to ward off the intrusion.
"Get out!" he growled, his voice louder than he intended.
Jin blinked, the supernatural glow in his eyes fading. He stepped back, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.
"Calm down. It was just a glimpse. I didn't see anything compromising."
Daegun stared at him, breathing heavily. His blood was boiling. No one, not even an awakened, had the right to invade his mind like that. But at the same time, he couldn't deny what he had just experienced.
"You…" he began, then stopped. "You have no idea what you've just done."
Jin shrugged, resuming his relaxed tone.
"Maybe. But now you know I'm telling the truth. I know your secrets, Daegun. Not all of them, of course. But enough to know you're in danger."
Daegun clenched his fists but said nothing. Jin took the opportunity to drive his point home.
"Your government underestimates you. They see you as replaceable. But I see your potential. You could be much more than just a pawn in their game."
"And what exactly are you proposing?" Daegun asked, his voice cold once more.
"A collaboration," Jin replied, an enigmatic smile on his lips. "You give me the information I need, and in return, I help you navigate the chaos that's coming. Because believe me, what's coming is beyond anything you can imagine."
Daegun remained silent for a long moment, analyzing every word, every movement from Jin. He knew this man was dangerous, unpredictable. But he also knew he was telling the truth. The reports about the steles, the meteorites, the anomalies… everything pointed to an impending catastrophe.
"If I do this," he finally said, "it'll be on my terms. I don't work for you. I work with you. And if you betray me, I'll eliminate you."
Jin inclined his head, as if in respect.
"A fair deal. So, let's begin, Daegun. Tell me about Seorim."