The air in the room was thick with tension as Seojin stared at Zhao Wei, his words still echoing in her mind. The weight of the world—her world—seemed to hang in the balance, as if every decision she made now would shape the future.
Zhao Wei's smirk was infuriating, as though he knew something Seojin didn't. As though he knew his victory was inevitable.
"You really think you can change the world, Seojin?" he taunted. "You don't even know who you're up against."
Seojin's gaze hardened. "I know exactly who you are, Zhao Wei. And I won't let you turn the world into your playground."
Minji stepped forward, her eyes full of fire. "We've already stopped the Council. What makes you think you can do better?"
Zhao Wei's expression turned dark. "You're underestimating the power of the factions waiting in the shadows. They've been watching you, Seojin. They knew this day would come. And now that the Council is gone, they're ready to take over."
Seojin clenched her fists. "So, you're telling me there are others just like you, waiting to fill the vacuum?"
Zhao Wei nodded. "Much more than you realize."
Seojin's mind raced. The Council had been bad enough, but now she was faced with a world of hidden enemies—factions who had operated in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to seize power.
She felt betrayed all over again.
Her entire life had been shaped by lies, by manipulation. But it wasn't just her mother's betrayal that had destroyed her world. Now, there were even more players—bigger, more dangerous ones, and she had just walked straight into their trap.
Kade's voice was low, grim. "We're not backing down. We'll take them all down, one by one."
Minji nodded in agreement. "We've come too far to let them win now."
Seojin's gaze never left Zhao Wei. "What do you want from us?"
His smile remained, but there was something far more calculating behind it now. "It's simple, really. You're going to help us take over. You've already proven yourself to be invaluable. Your ability to destroy the Council's system? It's something we could use. You're going to help us take control of the world."
Seojin's eyes flashed with fury. "I'd rather die than help you."
Zhao Wei's smile faded. "You can try to run, but there's nowhere left for you to go, Seojin. We're everywhere. You're already a part of this world."
Zhao Wei turned his back to them, pacing toward the far wall where another large screen flickered to life. He glanced over his shoulder, his tone almost casual now. "I've already planned our first move. We'll start by taking out the most important players—the governments, the military. The key figures who might resist the new world order we're building."
Seojin's heart skipped a beat. "What are you saying?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Zhao Wei chuckled darkly. "In fact, I think you might enjoy being a part of the change we're bringing."
The screen revealed images of various world leaders—men and women in positions of immense power, all connected to a global network. Zhao Wei's fingers danced over the screen, highlighting targets across the world.
Minji's eyes narrowed. "You're planning to take out entire governments?"
"Of course," Zhao Wei said with a shrug. "It's the only way to ensure our control remains intact."
Kade clenched his fists. "You're insane. This isn't a revolution—it's oppression."
Zhao Wei's eyes sparkled. "It's a necessary evil. You'll see, Kade. This is the future. The future where chaos no longer reigns, and we lead with control."
Seojin felt a wave of nausea wash over her. This wasn't what she wanted for the world. This wasn't what she fought for.
Zhao Wei turned back to them, his face now serious. "But I'm not the only one who's been watching you."
Seojin froze. "What are you talking about?"
Zhao Wei's lips curled. "The real power behind the scenes is much bigger than even I am. There are other factions out there, ones you don't even know about. And they've been waiting for someone to take control."
Seojin took a step back. "What do you mean by that?"
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small device. As he pressed a button, the screen flashed once again. This time, instead of images of world leaders, a new face appeared—a familiar face.
Seojin's heart dropped. It was her mother.
She was no longer a victim, no longer under the Council's control. Instead, she was speaking to the camera with the same calm, calculating expression that Seojin had come to despise.
"This is just the beginning," her mother's voice echoed. "Zhao Wei and I have been working together for a long time. And now, we are taking the world into our hands."
Seojin's knees buckled. Her world, which had already been shattered, now felt as if it were collapsing in on itself again.
Her mother wasn't just an enemy—she was part of a bigger plot, a hidden alliance that had been pulling the strings from the very beginning.
Kade clenched his jaw. "You've been working with her this whole time?"
Zhao Wei's grin returned. "You think you could fight me without her? Seojin is the key to our success. She's the one who will help us bring about the final stage of this plan. And once she's on our side, we'll have everything."
Minji stepped forward, her fists clenched in fury. "No. We won't help you."
Zhao Wei's gaze darkened. "You will. Or you'll regret it."
Seojin's hand tightened on the gun she held. She had to make a choice—fight back or let the world slip further into the hands of those who would destroy everything she had fought for.
There was no going back.
End of Chapter 107