Min-seo laced her fingers together, her knuckles white. "Indeed," she replied, her expression thoughtful, studying his face. "And it seems we have a fight on our hands, a big one."
Dae-hyun stepped closer, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "A fight we will win," Dae-hyun stated, his voice firm, brimming with a quiet confidence that only she seemed to elicit. "But first, we need the children. This affects them most of all."
He activated the comms again, this time contacting each of his older children at their respective dormitories and apartments. "Joon-ho, So-hee, Soo-jin, Tae-min, Ji-hoon," he said, his voice commanding, the tone of a leader accustomed to being obeyed. "Return home immediately. We have a family matter to discuss. And bring your suitcases. You'll need them."
The next morning, the Kang residence, usually a picture of serene order, buzzed with an unusual flurry of activity. Servants scurried about, hastily packing suitcases and loading them into waiting vehicles. The older children, their expressions a mixture of confusion and concern, had arrived as instructed, their youthful faces etched with apprehension. Kang Min-seo, composed but with a glint of steel in her eyes, stood in main hall, surrounded by a collection of overstuffed suitcases.
"Mother, what is happening?" Joon-ho, the eldest, a serious young man with his father's sharp features, asked, his brow furrowed in worry. He was usually so composed, but the hurried summons and his father's uncharacteristic tone had clearly rattled him.
"We are going to America," Min-seo replied, her voice calm but firm, cutting through the rising anxieties. "To your grandfather's home."
A collective gasp filled the room. The children exchanged startled glances, their confusion deepening. "America?" So-hee, the artistic one, her hair dyed a vibrant shade of blue, asked, her voice incredulous. "But why? What about my art program?"
"We will explain everything once we arrive," Min-seo said, her tone leaving no room for argument. She knew this move was a disruption to their lives, a major upheaval, but the urgency of the situation left her little choice. "Now, please ensure everything is packed and ready. The flight leaves soon. And try to be quiet, we don't want to wake your little brother."
Kang Dae-hyun, meanwhile, stood by the window of Min-ah's room, his gaze fixed on the sleeping form of his youngest son. he was curled up under a mountain of blankets, his face serene and innocent. He felt a pang of guilt, knowing that this sudden move would undoubtedly disrupt her life as well. "he doesn't care," he muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of weary amusement. "he's probably dreaming of unicorns and rainbows."
Min-seo, having overheard him, turned to him, her expression softening. She understood his conflicted feelings, his desire to protect his children from the unpleasant realities of their family's complicated dynamics. "he is only five, Dae-hyun," she said, her voice gentle. "he will understand when he is older."
Then she turned back to the older children, her expression becoming stern, her voice regaining its edge. "I packed your belongings myself," she said, her voice laced with a hint of warning, her eyes scanning their faces, searching for any signs of rebellion. "And I found… certain items in your rooms that require explanation. I expect written reports detailing their origins and purpose. By the end of the flight."
"Reports?" Ji-hoon squeaked, his voice betraying his anxiety. He nervously adjusted his glasses, his gaze darting around the room, seeking any sign of escape, any glimmer of hope. The thought of documenting his transgression, of admitting his guilt in black and white, was almost unbearable. His transgression, a volume of forbidden magic theory so complex it made his head hurt, felt less like a crime of passion and more like an act of self-torture now.
"Yes, reports," Min-seo confirmed, her tone leaving no room for argument, no space for negotiation. Her expression was a mask of controlled disapproval, her eyes radiating a chilling intensity. "I will review them on the flight. And let me assure you, I expect complete honesty. Any attempt to deceive me will be met with… appropriate consequences."
A collective "Okay" echoed through the room, each child mentally preparing a carefully crafted explanation for their discovered contraband. They knew better than to argue with their mother when she was in this mood. Arguing was like wrestling a hydra: for every head you chopped off, two more grew back. It was far better to feign obedience, to buy time, and to hope that their carefully constructed justifications would be enough to appease the dragon.
With their baggage loaded – both the physical suitcases and the metaphorical baggage of secrets – and their secrets secured (for now), the Kang family boarded their private jet, the sleek aircraft gleaming in the afternoon sun. The interior was a sanctuary of luxury: plush leather seats, polished mahogany, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems. But the opulent surroundings did little to ease the tension that permeated the cabin. As the jet lifted smoothly into the sky, leaving the familiar skyline of Seoul behind, each child retreated into themselves, grappling with the impending inquisition.
Meanwhile, back at the World Hunter Association headquarters, a flurry of activity followed the Kang family's departure. The news of their unscheduled trip to America had sent ripples of concern throughout the organization. The Kang family, with their immense power and influence, was a key player in the global fight against supernatural threats. Any sudden, unexplained movement was cause for concern.
Reports of their flight to America were relayed to the Korean branch with utmost urgency, and promptly escalated to CEO Thorne, who was in the middle of a tense meeting with representatives from the Vampire Council. The flickering holographic images of the pale, aristocratic vampires seemed to solidify the growing unease within the headquarters.
"They are going to America," Director Park reported, his voice tight with anticipation, his eyes glued to the tracking screen that displayed the Kang family's jet soaring over the Pacific. "It seems they are seeking counsel from the previous head of the Kang family."
Thorne, a man of sharp intellect and meticulous planning, paused, his brow furrowing. The room fell silent, even the vampires sensed the shift in atmosphere. He dismissed his current preoccupation with a wave of his hand. The vampires bowed and their images vanished.
"Interesting," Thorne mused, his voice laced with intrigue, his fingers drumming a silent rhythm on the polished table. "This could complicate matters. Their father, Kang Dae-hyun, retired years ago, relinquishing his position to his daughter, Min-seo. The fact that they're seeking his counsel suggests the situation is more delicate than we initially anticipated."
He patched through a call to the other branch heads, his voice calm and measured, masking the calculations swirling in his mind. "It appears the Kang family is consulting with their patriarch," he stated. "This may necessitate a shift in our approach. Prepare for contingency protocols Gamma and Delta." He paused, his eyes hardening. "And ensure that a discreet surveillance team is deployed to monitor their activities in the United States. I want to know everything."
The holographic faces of the branch heads flickered into existence, their expressions ranging from stoic contemplation to barely concealed apprehension. Each knew the implications of Thorne's words. Contingency protocols Gamma and Delta were reserved for situations involving significant threats or unpredictable variables. The Kang family, it seemed, had just been elevated to the status of a potential wild card.
"The previous head is a man of… efficiency," the head of the Russian branch remarked, his voice laced with a hint of caution, his eyes narrowed in thought. "He is known for his pragmatic decisions. Ruthless, some might say."
"Indeed," Thorne agreed. "Dae-hyun is a pragmatist above all else. He values strength and loyalty. I am confident that he will see the logic in our proposal. He will recognize the necessity of… streamlining the Kang family's ranks."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "The F-rank hunter, Kang Tae-joon, is, let's face it, a liability. He weakens the family's overall strength and makes them vulnerable. Dae-hyun will see that. He will understand that eliminating this weakness is essential for the family's survival."
Director Park, eager to curry favor with his superior, chimed in with unwavering confidence. "He will throw the F-rank out himself and accept our proposal. The Kang family will be stronger, more united, and more willing to cooperate with the Association. It's the logical choice."
Thorne merely nodded, his expression unreadable. He knew that Dae-hyun was a man of logic, but he also knew that family ties ran deep, especially within the Kang clan. The situation was a delicate balancing act, a game of chess where one wrong move could have catastrophic consequences.