Kai’s pulse quickened. The Ledger—of course, it all came back to the Ledger. But Sato wasn’t going to get it. Not now, not ever.

“I don’t have it,” Kai lied, keeping his voice as steady as possible. His eyes flickered briefly toward Minseo. She was struggling against her bindings, her wide, terrified eyes locked on him. He could feel her desperation, and it made his heart ache. But he had to stay focused. Sato was unpredictable and dangerous, and any misstep could mean Minseo’s life.

Sato’s smile faltered for just a second. “Don’t insult me, Kai. I know you have it. I’ve been watching you for weeks now. You think I didn’t see what happened to Hana? That you didn’t use it on her?”

Kai’s fists clenched at his sides. He wasn’t ready for this fight, not yet. But there was no way he could back down now. Not with Minseo’s life on the line.

“Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t,” Kai shot back, his voice dripping with defiance. “Either way, you’re not getting your hands on it.”

Sato’s expression hardened, the cold amusement draining from his eyes. “You’re making this more difficult than it needs to be. All you have to do is give me the Ledger, and this can end peacefully. You don’t want to see what happens if you refuse.”

Kai knew there was no peace to be had here. Even if he gave Sato what he wanted, there was no guarantee that Minseo would be safe. He had seen enough of Sato’s methods to know that he was ruthless—willing to manipulate, torture, or kill to get what he wanted. Kai couldn’t allow that to happen. He wouldn’t let Sato have that kind of power.

He glanced around the room, searching for anything he could use as a weapon. The place was sparse—bare walls, dusty floors, and a few broken chairs in the corner. His eyes landed on a metal pipe lying on the ground near the far wall. If he could just get close enough...

Sato noticed the shift in Kai’s stance and chuckled darkly. “You’re going to try and fight me? After everything you’ve seen me do, you still think you can take me?”

Kai didn’t respond. He simply took a slow, measured step forward, his eyes locked on Sato’s. He needed to stay calm, to keep his emotions in check. If he let anger take over, he’d make mistakes, and mistakes could get both him and Minseo killed.

Sato’s grin faded, and his eyes narrowed. “Fine. If that’s how you want it.”

Without warning, Sato lunged forward, his fist aiming straight for Kai’s face. Kai barely had time to react, ducking just in time to avoid the punch. He felt the rush of air as Sato’s fist sailed past his head, grazing his ear. Kai retaliated immediately, throwing a quick jab at Sato’s ribs, but the older man was fast—too fast. He blocked the punch effortlessly and shoved Kai back with a force that sent him stumbling.

“You’re out of your league, Kai,” Sato sneered, advancing on him again. “I trained for years in the military. Hand-to-hand combat is second nature to me.”

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Kai’s breath came in short bursts as he steadied himself, his muscles tensing for the next strike. “Yeah? Well, I’m a fast learner.”

Sato’s smirk widened. “Let’s see how fast.”

He charged again, his movements fluid and precise. Kai tried to sidestep, but Sato was already anticipating the move. His fist connected with Kai’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Pain exploded through Kai’s abdomen, and he doubled over, gasping for air.

Before he could recover, Sato grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall, his forearm pressing against Kai’s throat.

“Give me the Ledger,” Sato growled, his voice low and menacing. “You don’t have to die for this.”

Kai’s vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself to stay conscious. He couldn’t let Sato win. Not like this. Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, he drove his knee up into Sato’s stomach. The impact was solid, and Sato grunted in pain, loosening his grip just enough for Kai to slip out.

Kai staggered to his feet, clutching his throat and gasping for breath. He had to think fast. He couldn’t outmatch Sato in strength, but maybe—just maybe—he could outsmart him.

“I’m not giving you anything,” Kai rasped, his voice hoarse from the pressure on his throat. “If you want the Ledger, you’re going to have to kill me.”

Sato straightened, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. His expression was murderous now, all traces of amusement gone. “That can be arranged.”

Kai’s eyes darted toward the pipe again. He needed to get to it before Sato could land another blow. He feigned a stumble, backing up toward the far wall. Sato, sensing victory, advanced quickly, his hands clenched into fists.

Just as Sato moved in to strike, Kai made his move. He dropped to the floor, rolled to the side, and grabbed the pipe. With a swift, upward swing, he brought it down hard on Sato’s knee.

The sound of metal meeting bone was sickening, and Sato let out a pained yell, collapsing to one knee. Kai didn’t stop there. He swung the pipe again, this time aiming for Sato’s ribs. The blow connected with a solid thud, and Sato fell backward, gasping for breath.

Kai stood over him, panting, the pipe still clenched tightly in his hands. His knuckles were white, his body shaking with adrenaline. This was his chance. He could finish it now, end this once and for all. But as he raised the pipe again, ready to deliver the final blow, something stopped him.

Minseo.

Her eyes, wide and terrified, were watching him. She was pleading silently for him to stop, to not go down this path.

“Kai,” she whispered, her voice muffled through the tape.

Kai hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked down at Sato, who was coughing and groaning in pain, and then back at Minseo. He couldn’t let himself become the monster Hana wanted him to be. He wasn’t like her. He couldn’t be like her.

With a deep breath, he lowered the pipe.

“I’m not like you,” Kai said quietly, stepping back from Sato. “I won’t kill to get what I want.”

Sato laughed weakly, coughing up blood as he tried to sit up. “You think this is over, Kai? You think letting me live makes you the better person? You have no idea what’s coming.”

Kai’s grip tightened on the pipe, but he didn’t raise it again. “It’s over when I say it’s over. And right now, I’m walking out of here with Minseo. You can rot in this place for all I care.”

Sato’s eyes darkened, but he was too weakened to stop Kai. With one last glare, Kai turned his back on him and rushed over to Minseo, quickly untying her wrists and ripping the tape off her mouth.

“Kai,” Minseo gasped, her voice shaky as she threw her arms around him. “I thought you were dead.”

Kai held her tightly for a moment, his heart racing with a mix of relief and anger. “We’re getting out of here, Minseo. We’re not done yet.”

Together, they turned their backs on Sato, leaving him groaning on the floor, and headed for the door.