The air inside the hospital room was thick with tension. Jae Ahn lay on the bed, his body weak from the poison, but his mind sharper than ever. His fingers traced the edge of the document he had received—the one about bone marrow transplantation.
"Why was this sent to me?"
His thoughts were interrupted when Jongsuk and Do Hwan entered the room. The two had spent hours analyzing Young Chul's staged accident, and their expressions showed their frustration.
Do Hwan sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "The body they found… it's not him."
Jae Ahn closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. He had already suspected as much. "So, he's still out there."
Jongsuk folded his arms. "And worse, he planned this. He wanted us to think he was dead."
Just then, somewhere far away, a woman stepped off a plane. She clutched her phone tightly, the screen displaying a familiar video—the same one Jae Ahn had received.
Her eyes darkened as she whispered, "After all these years, I've returned. I won't leave things unfinished this time."
She turned toward the city, determination in her every step. "First, I need to find Jae Ahn."
---
A Missing File – The Hunt Begins
At a hidden location, the cold fluorescent lights of a laboratory flickered. The tension in the air was suffocating. A man in a white coat slammed his hands on the desk, glaring at Young Chul.
"Where is the original file of Jae Ahn's brother?" the doctor demanded. "And who sent that video to him?"
Young Chul narrowed his eyes. "I didn't send it. Why would I?" His voice was calm but laced with irritation.
The doctor scowled. "Then that means someone else knows. We're not the only ones in this."
From the shadows, another voice spoke.
"We have to find that person before Jae Ahn does," Hye-jin said, her tone unreadable.
Young Chul clenched his jaw. Things were slipping out of his control. He had spent years weaving this web, ensuring the truth remained buried. But now, it was unraveling faster than he could contain it.
---
The Message – A Midnight Meeting
Jae Ahn couldn't shake the weight of Young Chul's words.
"Do you think I killed your brother? Or did you kill your brother yourself?"
His fingers curled into fists. Something was missing. Something huge.
His gaze drifted back to the documents.
"The bone marrow transplantation…" he murmured.
Do Hwan leaned closer. "Did you notice the address?" He pointed to the bottom of the paper. "This is the same clinic we went to earlier. The one connected to the bracelet."
A chill ran down Jae Ahn's spine.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
"If you really want to know, come to the clinic's basement at midnight."
Jongsuk tensed. "It's a trap."
Do Hwan frowned. "We can't let you go alone."
Jae Ahn exhaled slowly. "I don't care. This has gone too deep. I need to see the truth with my own eyes."
Jongsuk crossed his arms. "Then we're coming with you."
Jae Ahn gave a small, determined nod. "Then let's end this."
---
Midnight – The Truth Awaits
The clinic was eerily silent when the three arrived. The lights flickered weakly, casting long, haunting shadows.
They made their way down a dimly lit hallway, stopping in front of a door marked "RESTRICTED".
Jae Ahn hesitated only for a second before pushing it open.
Inside, the room was filled with scattered papers, broken cabinets, and overturned chairs—as if someone had left in a hurry.
Medical reports. Research files. Old photographs.
And then—
A name written over and over on the wall.
Jae Ahn's Brother.
Jae Ahn's breath hitched. His hands trembled as he picked up one of the documents.
"Subject 042 – Bone Marrow Compatibility Test: Success."
His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
Do Hwan whispered, "Jae Ahn… what is this?"
Then—
A voice echoed behind them.
"I see you finally made it."
They spun around.
Standing in the doorway, a gun in his hand, was Young Chul.
A slow, sinister smile spread across his lips.
"Are you ready for the truth?"
Jongsuk clenched his fists. Do Hwan instinctively stepped in front of Jae Ahn.
Young Chul took a step forward, his grip tightening on the gun. "I have to admit, I didn't think you'd make it this far. But I suppose you are your brother's shadow after all."
Jae Ahn's voice was steady, but his mind raced. "What do you mean?"
Young Chul smirked. "I mean… your brother's death wasn't what you thought it was."
Jae Ahn's blood ran cold.
Then—
A sharp crack echoed through the room.
Young Chul's body jerked forward before collapsing onto the ground.
Behind him stood a woman, a metal pipe in her hands.
She lowered the weapon and exhaled. Then, she turned to face them.
A soft, knowing smile played on her lips.
"Finally," she said, "we meet."
Jae Ahn blinked, stunned. "Who…?"
The woman tilted her head. "Seo Hye-jin. And before you ask—no, I don't have all the answers." She glanced down at Young Chul's unconscious form. "But I do have something important. And you're going to want to hear it."
Jae Ahn's grip on the paper in his hands tightened. His heart pounded.
Hye-jin's gaze darkened.
"The truth behind your brother's death… it's much worse than you think."
---
End of Chapter eight