Daegun abruptly rose from his chair, walking toward the one-way mirror in the room. He ran a hand over its surface, as if double-checking that no one was watching them. Then he slowly turned back to Jin, arms crossed, his gaze piercing.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Jin Kang Soo. You may not fully understand what you're getting yourself into."
"Oh, I understand perfectly," Jin replied with a sly smile. "You're stuck between superiors who see you as a tool and subordinates who are waiting for you to slip up. And in the middle of it all, you're facing a threat that goes beyond anything you've been trained for. You need me."
"That's where you're wrong," Daegun shot back, stepping toward the table with a defiant glint in his eyes. "What you call threats, we've been handling them for decades. Awakened like you, dissidents, conspirators… we know how to neutralize them."
Jin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"Neutralize? Is that what you said about the Kovalia incident, when their agents infiltrated your systems for months without anyone noticing?"
Daegun grimaced. The reminder of that historical failure was a low blow.
"You've got a big mouth, I'll give you that. But words alone won't earn my trust. You want me to collaborate with you? Then prove to me you know what you're talking about. Why is Seorim so important? Why should I risk my career—my life—for you?"
Jin grew serious, leaning against the edge of the table.
"Seorim is a key location. The stele you discovered and tried to hide isn't just an artifact. It's a catalyst. If a meteorite crashes in that region, it will activate something beyond your control. An ancient energy, far beyond your tools and theories. And trust me, you don't want to be there when it happens."
Daegun narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing every word Jin spoke for any hint of deception.
"And you? You know how to handle this… energy?"
"Not yet," Jin admitted, raising a hand as if to calm the tension. "But I know one thing: if the government continues treating this like a simple natural phenomenon, you're heading straight for disaster. I can help you get answers. But for that, I need your cooperation."
Daegun remained silent for a moment, then dropped back into his chair.
"Let's say I believe you. Let's say you're right. What exactly do you want from me?"
"Discretion, for starters," Jin replied. "Spread false information: that the meteorite will land directly on Seorim. This will shift your resources to the region and create an opening elsewhere. In the meantime, I'll ensure the stele's true properties are deciphered and prevent a catastrophe."
Daegun straightened, pointing an accusatory finger at Jin.
"You want to manipulate government resources to cover your own goals? And what if I refuse?"
Jin smiled, a cold glint in his eyes.
"Then you'll keep playing the role of the loyal little agent until everything collapses around you. When your superiors realize what's really happening, it will be too late, and you'll be the first to pay the price. You know how this system works, Daegun. They'll find a scapegoat, and it'll be you."
Daegun clenched his jaw. He hated to admit it, but Jin was right. The government never forgave failure.
"Fine," he said at last, his tone icy. "I'll give you what you want. But don't misunderstand me, Jin Kang Soo. If you cross me, if you betray me…"
"Yes, yes, I know," Jin interrupted with a mocking smile. "You'll kill me. Lucky for you, I'm a man of my word."
Daegun stood, pressed a hidden button under the table, and the door opened. Two agents entered immediately, their wary eyes fixed on Jin.
"We're done here," Daegun announced. "Release him."
The agents hesitated, but a wave of Daegun's hand convinced them. Jin was escorted out of the room, his enigmatic smile still plastered on his face.
Daegun remained alone, his thoughts racing. He knew he had just crossed a line. If Jin was right, he might have just allied himself with a man who could change the course of history. But if he was wrong…
Daegun turned away from the mirror, murmuring to himself:
"We'll see just how far you'll go, Jin Kang Soo."