"So that's how it is," she said, her cold crimson eyes blazing with fury. "I want them both dead. If not, I'll wipe out the entire Sung, even if it makes me a traitor."
"We're to blame too, of course," Dr. Jin replied, feeling the suffocating pressure of her killing intent. "But don't you think you need to relax a little?"
Why did I take this job? He thought. I don't get paid enough for this. Calmly, he lit another cigarette, though inwardly he was tense. Right now, she could kill me in an instant, and no one would know.
"I'm calm. Calm as a sleeping baby," she said, voice cold as steel. "You don't want to see me angry, Doctor—and you know that better than anyone." Her red eyes locked on him. "You're one of the few I trust with this, so listen carefully. If they're the ones who leaked my location… I'll end them."
Her killing intent exploded.
A passing nurse collapsed. Goosebumps raced across Ming Soo's body.
Dr. Jin stepped back. "I know. And I do owe you a favor. But if Sung was behind this, I wouldn't be here talking to you," he said, adjusting his coat. "They're not foolish enough to start a war with you, a war they know they can't win." His eyes shifted to Ming Soo. "A war they will never win."
She looked at Ming Soo, then slowly withdrew her aura. "Good."
She began walking toward him, paused, and said, "And I know that woman wouldn't lose to the demon slayer so easily. It doesn't add up. I'm going to find out why."
Then she left. "Mr. Jin… take care of yourself."
"I will, my lady," he replied, watching her disappear down the hallway. "If Sung won't act on this, we're doomed." He looked at the lifeless body nearby and sighed. "She's the same as me."
He bent down, lifting the body carefully. "The world's always been cruel to the powerless. We get caught in other people's wars. But where do we run when we're surrounded by giants?" He carried the body away, alone with his thoughts.
Elsewhere in the hospital.
Two floors below, Lornad and Seo Yeon climbed the stairs.
"Why did we take the stairs?" Seo Yeon asked, panting.
"I don't trust the elevators here," he said plainly.
"Why not?" she asked, leaning against the wall to catch her breath.
"I just don't. No real reason." He pushed open a room door.
"But we didn't even ask where Ming Soo is," she said as she followed him in.
"Because I already know."
The room held an old man in a hospital bed.
"This doesn't look like the right place," she murmured.
Then it happened. Lornad suddenly sensed the overwhelming killing intent from Ming Soo's aunt. It surged like a tidal wave. The old man in the room began to choke, machines beeped frantically, then fell silent.
"Oh. He's gone," Lornad said flatly, placing a hand over the old man's eyes. "Rest in peace." He turned to Seo Yeon. "We're close."
Seo Yeon fell to her knees, trembling. "I feel sick... I don't know what's happening…"
"You're just tired," Lornad said, helping her up. "We'll take the elevator this time."
He smiled slightly. "What could make her so mad?"
Ming Soo's floor.
His aunt leaned silently against the wall beside him.
"You alright, kid?" she asked.
"Why can't I see her?" Ming Soo choked, tears filling his eyes. "Is it really that bad? Is she really... gone?"
His aunt embraced him.
"She's not even here," she whispered gently. "You know that."
He pulled away. "Was she really killed?"
She hesitated, then gave a quiet nod. "Yes."
"Why?" he asked, his voice small.
"There are people in this world," she said, looking at him with sincerity, "far more cruel than you realize."
Ming Soo went quiet.
A moment later, Seo Yeon rushed in and wrapped her arms around him. He hugged her tightly.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," he replied with a small smile.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It's alright."
Lornad stepped up beside the aunt.
"You holding up, kid?" he asked.
Ming Soo nodded, still smiling faintly.
"Cheer up. These things happen," Lornad said, placing an arm over his shoulder. "You've gotta live, that's one way to honor her."
He glanced at Seo Yeon and the aunt. Ming Soo's smile grew a little more genuine.
"Ming, can I meet you and Seo Yeon at the car?" his aunt asked.
"Okay. Let's go," he said, turning to Seo Yeon.
"Bye, Auntie," Seo Yeon said with a small smile. "Bye, Mr. Lornad."
As they walked away, Seo Yeon whispered, "We're taking the elevator."
"What?" Ming Soo stuttered.
"Nothing," she replied, leaning on him.
Ming Soo's aunt stood by the window.
"Thanks," she said softly.
"For what?" Lornad asked.
"For agreeing to protect her."
"It's alright," he said, rubbing his temples. "I don't have anything better to do anyway."
She smiled.
His heart skipped a beat. He coughed to hide it. "So… do you know what really happened to her?"
"No clue," she replied, gazing out the window. "But we'll find out soon enough."