Min Jae stood under the flickering glow of a rusted streetlamp, the cold night air biting through his thin jacket. Rain drizzled onto the cracked pavement, pooling into the uneven crevices of the desolate warehouse district. His mind buzzed with the revelations of the night—the conspirators' whispers, Yoo Mira’s connection, and the undeniable truth that his past was entwined with the power struggles of the present.

He clenched his fists, feeling the ghostly echo of the Heavenly Demon’s strength simmering beneath his skin. He had spent centuries as the peak existence of the martial world, yet here he was, struggling in a modern city where battles were waged not only with fists but with technology, influence, and secrets buried beneath layers of deception.

His phone vibrated. The encrypted app flashed a new message: “If you want answers, come alone. 3 AM. Mapo Bridge.”

Min Jae exhaled, watching his breath dissipate into the cold night. He had no reason to trust the sender, but at this point, he had no choice. Every step forward peeled away the veil of secrecy, drawing him closer to those who sought to control the shadows. He had played their game long enough. Now, it was time to turn the board upside down.

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MAPO BRIDGE – 3:00 AM

The Han River stretched out below, its surface dark and endless, mirroring the Seoul skyline that flickered against the rain-soaked horizon. Min Jae approached the center of the bridge, his steps soundless against the slick pavement. The city’s hum felt distant, swallowed by the rhythmic lapping of water against the pillars beneath him.

A lone figure leaned against the railing, face hidden under the hood of a black coat. Min Jae slowed his pace, his instincts sharpening. There were no enforcers, no snipers, no telltale signs of an ambush—yet experience had taught him that danger often came in subtler forms.

“You came.” The voice was soft, feminine, yet carried the weight of someone who had long abandoned innocence.

Min Jae studied her carefully. The hood obscured her features, but the way she carried herself—calm, confident—spoke of someone used to dealing in high-stakes affairs.

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“You’re the one who sent the message,” he said, his voice even. “Why?”

The woman turned slightly, letting the dim glow of a streetlight illuminate her face. She was young, maybe mid-twenties, with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce through the fog of deception.

“You’re looking for Yoo Mira.”

Min Jae’s eyes narrowed. “You know where she is?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “I know what she’s involved in. What you’re stepping into… it’s bigger than just her.”

He folded his arms. “I don’t have time for riddles.”

She sighed, glancing down at the water below before meeting his gaze again. “There’s an organization. A hidden force that controls the financial and technological elite in Korea. They’re not a company. They’re not a government agency. They exist between the cracks of society, moving pieces where they see fit.”

Min Jae remained silent, letting her words sink in.

“They call themselves The Ascendants.”

A flicker of recognition surged through him. The name tugged at something deep in his memories, something long buried beneath the weight of centuries.

“They operate in shadows, ensuring those with power stay in power. Yoo Mira… she’s working for them.”

His jaw tightened. The thought of her conspiring with an organization like this sent a ripple of something close to betrayal through him. He had been prepared for the idea that she had become another pawn in the grander game, but to willingly align herself with those who manipulated the fate of others?

No. There had to be more to it.

“Why are you telling me this?” he asked.

The woman pulled out a small USB drive and placed it on the cold metal railing. “Because you’re not the only one who wants to bring them down.”

Min Jae stared at the drive. “And what’s on this?”

“Proof. Files, encrypted communications, project details. A glimpse into the kind of influence they wield.”

He picked it up, turning it between his fingers. “What’s your stake in this?”

For the first time, she hesitated. Then, in a voice tinged with bitterness, she said, “They took someone from me. Someone who refused to be a pawn. I want to burn them to the ground.”

Min Jae looked at her for a long moment. She had the eyes of someone who had already lost too much. He knew that look all too well.

“You have a name?”

She smirked slightly. “Just call me Hana.”

Hana turned, walking away without another word. Min Jae watched her disappear into the misty glow of the streetlights before glancing at the USB in his palm.

The game had changed.

He wasn’t just chasing Yoo Mira anymore.

He was stepping into a war.