.....
A man in a lawyer's coat was running through the dimly lit streets of Busan. He held a leather file bag tightly under his arm, breathing heavily as his eyes darted behind him. His face was pale, his steps unsteady. But he kept going.
The street was nearly empty. Neon signs flickered from closed shops. The only sounds were the soft hum of electricity and the echo of his shoes slapping the pavement.
Then—
A motorcycle tore past him at high speed.
The rider didn't slow down. In one swift motion, he reached out and stabbed the man in the side with a knife while passing.
The lawyer gasped and staggered. Blood spread across his coat. But he didn't stop. He gritted his teeth, pressed his hand against the wound, and pushed himself forward. Step after step, clutching the file like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
His eyes flicked back again.
But nothing was there.
Until—
Another bike approached from the front.
This one didn't hesitate. The rider struck fast, another knife slicing into his chest. Just like the first, this biker didn't even look back after the attack. He was gone in seconds.
Jin blinked slowly, his face twisted in pain. His breathing was shallow, chest rising unevenly. He was lying on his side now, barely conscious. Blood pooled beneath him
But then — the two bikers returned.
They slowed as they neared him and stopped. Both removed their helmets.
One of them scoffed. "Seriously? This guy's supposed to be dangerous? I thought we'd have a real fight."
The other — Jake — walked up and knelt in front of the lawyer.
"Mr. Jin," he said calmly, "give us the file. We'll kill you painlessly."
The lawyer didn't answer. He just stared at them, blood dripping from his mouth.
Jake's partner stepped forward. "Hey, don't scare the guy, Jake. Let me talk to him."
He squatted down. Jake stood behind him.
Then—
A gunshot.
Jake dropped dead on the spot.
The second man froze, turning his head—
Another shot.
Right between the eyes.
The man collapsed.
From behind them, a third man approached quickly, tucking a silenced pistol back into his jacket. He crouched beside the lawyer and grabbed him.
"Mr. Kim Jin? Can you hear me?"
The lawyer looked up weakly. He smiled through the blood.
"Park… You came…"
Park nodded, gripping his shoulder. "I'm here. Ambulance is on the way. Just hang on."
Jin slowly shoved the file bag into Park's hands.
"I don't have time…" he said, voice cracking. "This file… explains what the Circle's been doing. Every detail…"
Park stared at the blood-soaked bag.
"Show it to my wife… my friends… and—my son."
"Your son?" Park asked, surprised. "You want him involved in this? He's just a teenager."
"He might already know something… more than you think…"
Park's expression hardened. "No. That's not happening. You want me to get your kid killed too?"
Jin held his arm tighter, forcing the words out.
"Once you look inside… you'll understand. What they've done… how deep it goes…"
Park was silent.
Jin coughed violently, more blood spilling from his mouth.
"I don't… regret anything," he said. "Even if I die now…"
He chuckled weakly. "Isn't that what they say… about dying heroes…?"
Another cough. Blood. Then silence.
His hand went limp.
Park didn't move. He clenched his fists, breathing heavily. His face was wet, but he didn't wipe it.
"I won't stop," he whispered. "Not until the Circle's wiped off the face of the earth."
He stood up quickly and ducked into the shadows.
The ambulance arrived a few moments later. The paramedics got out, checked the body, and lifted it into the van. One of them glanced around but didn't notice anything strange. They drove off.
From behind a tree, Park emerged again once the van disappeared.
He looked down at the file Jin had handed him.
"If I show myself now… they'll come after me again," he muttered.
He started walking into the night.
"To them, killing Jin ended something."
He looked ahead, grip tightening around the bag.
"But this… is where it really begins."
.....