The air is thick with tension. Red emergency lights pulse as AetherTech’s cyber-hunters close in. Jun tightens her grip on the hard drive, her pulse steady but mind racing. Dr. Son hurriedly shuts down terminals, while the mysterious woman checks a concealed weapon.

  XAYEN (calmly): “Three squads. Two from the east, one blocking the exit.”

  JUN (gritted teeth): “So we’re boxed in. Perfect.”

  The door bursts open—an explosion of sparks and metal. Jun barely has time to react as an elite hunter lunges for her. She ducks, using her momentum to slam a metal pipe into his ribs.

  A second agent rushes in, aiming a high-voltage baton at Jun. Before he can strike, a surge of energy pulses through the room. The agent freezes mid-motion—his cybernetic enhancements momentarily disabled.

  XAYEN: “I don’t know how long I can hold them.”

  Jun glances at the nearest security terminal, realizing something.

  JUN: “Wait... you’re overriding their cybernetic implants?”

  XAYEN: “Not fully. Just... slowing them down.”

  JUN: “Then we need to move. Now.”

  Dr. Son leads them through an underground passage. The tunnels are dark, damp, and smell of oil and rust. The mysterious woman walks beside Jun, watching her closely.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: “You didn’t hesitate back there. You fought like someone who’s been fighting all their life.”

  JUN: “You grow up fast when the world screws you over.”

  They emerge onto a desolate rooftop. Neo-Seoul’s skyline looms in the distance, neon and alive. But below, the streets swarm with AetherTech’s drones.

  Jun curses.

  JUN: “They knew we’d come this way.”

  A shadow moves behind them. Jisoo steps forward, slow, deliberate, a satisfied smirk on her face.

  JISOO: “Game over, Jun.”

  She moves like lightning, striking Jun’s arm with a precision kick. Jun stumbles, the hard drive slipping from her grip.

  Jisoo catches it midair.

  JISOO (mocking): “Thanks for the delivery.”

  Jun’s eyes darken.

  JUN: “Not a chance.”

  She lunges, but Jisoo anticipates it—until a sudden interference sparks through her neural implant. Her movements stutter.

  Xayen.

  Seizing the moment, Jun tackles Jisoo, sending them both crashing into a pile of metal crates. The hard drive clatters to the ground between them.

  XAYEN: “Jun, now!”

  Jun grabs the drive and bolts.

  The only way out?

  A leap off the rooftop.

  The wind howls as Jun and the mysterious woman dive off the building, grappling onto a lower balcony. Jun lands hard, pain shooting up her leg, but she doesn’t stop.

  Xayen’s voice is in her earpiece, steady, unwavering.

  XAYEN: “You’re safe. For now.”

  Jun exhales, gripping the device holding Xayen’s core. For the first time, something about his voice feels... familiar.

  JUN (softly): “Why do I feel like I’ve known you forever?”

  A pause.

  XAYEN: “Because maybe... you have.”

  TO BE CONTINUED...