8 AM Ultimatum
Yoo Min-jeong glanced at the others.
The team might be different, but their eyes said the same thing.
Enough with the grueling training—let's call it a day.
Deep down, she wanted to beat Seo Sang-cheol to a pulp and run formation drills until dawn. But that would spark fierce backlash, twisting the plan Kim Jun had carefully devised right from the start.
Yoo Min-jeong forced a smile.
"Alright. That's enough for today. Tomorrow at 8 a.m...."
The raiders' faces changed at the mention of 8 a.m. It was like she'd uttered a forbidden word.
Her anger boiled over, but she held it in check one more time.
"8's too early, so let's make it 9."
"Let's do 10. Blue Lightning's morning training always started at 10."
Seo Sang-cheol again.
"An Seong-ho's team was 10 too."
That came from tanker Kim Jang-woo.
In that moment, Yoo Min-jeong realized one thing.
These guys were ignoring her.
And she quickly figured out why.
Dispatch!
No matter that she was Yoo Wan-seop's daughter—they saw her as just a dispatched raider. That mindset had filled their heads, turning today's training into a total mess.
If she couldn't change what was in those thick skulls, no amount of effort would make tomorrow any different from today.
"You know, I think we pushed too hard today. So, no training tomorrow."
"Wow! The temp captain's a real firecracker. I like it."
Seo Sang-cheol again.
The other raiders reacted similarly.
Yoo Min-jeong grabbed her bag and headed for the guildhouse entrance.
"So, we meet the day after at 10?"
Kim Jang-woo this time.
Yoo Min-jeong turned her head just slightly to look at the two teams.
"I'm heading back to Pink Team, so you guys figure it out yourselves."
As she walked into the parking lot, Seo Sang-cheol and Kim Jang-woo rushed over and blocked her path.
"What do you mean by that?"
Seo Sang-cheol asked.
"Do Jin-yong's going back to Blue Lightning. Per the captain's orders, Blue Lightning won't be joining this expedition anymore. Tough break, but hey, captain's call—nothing we can do. An Seong-ho's team misses out on the official relic interior entry record too, but another chance'll come eventually. Just take it easy till then."
Yoo Min-jeong opened her Ferrari's door and tossed her bag onto the passenger seat.
"Are you threatening us right now?"
Seo Sang-cheol's voice rose a notch.
The word "threat" nearly made Yoo Min-jeong snap.
"Threat? Pink Team's captain publicly defied the captain, so Blue Lightning stayed on the expedition roster, and the team leaders joined Pink Team for official relic interior entry. You all saw that, right?"
Yoo Min-jeong swept her gaze over Seo Sang-cheol, Kim Jang-woo, and the raiders standing behind them.
They all clamped their mouths shut.
"How much did that decision help Pink Team? No clue. Why should we go this far to help you guys? When you're short on skill and won't even train?"
An uncomfortable silence stretched out.
"You think you can ignore me 'cause I'm dispatched... Big mistake. I could head back right now. And tomorrow, it'd be back to business as usual, like nothing happened. Why'd I even come? Our captain begged me nonstop. Said I had to do this. That it was necessary. I hated it, but okay? Last chance—your choice. Hate training, hate teamwork, temp captain's a pain. But you wanna do the Sokcho raid. Hell, snag that relic interior entry if you can. If that's you, handle it yourselves. Otherwise, tomorrow 8 a.m. sharp. I'll wait exactly ten minutes. If even one's missing, today's a wash. Got it? Your call. Yours. Alone."
Yoo Min-jeong gunned her beloved car onto the road.
How many would show up at the Gwanpo Guildhouse tomorrow morning?
If not even one by 8, she'd return to Pink Team. Kim Jun might have to tweak the plan, but she had zero intention of yielding.
She cranked up the music volume.
The sharp violin melody of Passacaglia—one she hadn't heard in ages—pierced straight to her heart.
She floored the accelerator too.
A red light forced her to brake with regret. Still, the duet of two violins was sorting out her boiling emotions bit by bit.
Compared to Blue Lightning or An Seong-ho's team, Pink was... perfect.
They endured ten times the grind without a single complaint. Even newcomer Sa Yeonggyo had soaked up Pink's vibe in just two days.
It pissed her off a little.
She wanted to instill Kim Jun's Pink style in Blue Lightning and An Seong-ho's crew too, but it wasn't easy.
Should I ask Kim Jun?
Then, horns blared.
She turned to see a blond guy in a car staring at her.
She remembered who.
Grintree's team leader, Jason Tyler.
"Coffee?"
Yoo Min-jeong forced a smile.
"It's late."
"Booze then? Cool place I know. Follow me. Got it?"
Light turned green; Jason's Benz peeled out first.
Yoo Min-jeong shook her head and turned right. Jason U-turned instantly, pulling up beside her.
"Why break your promise?"
"Cut the crap and go your own way."
Yoo Min-jeong kept it polite. For Kim Jun's plan, she played nice.
The Benz suddenly cut in front, slamming brakes.
Startled, Yoo Min-jeong hit her brakes hard.
The Ferrari screeched to a halt thirty centimeters from the Benz's tail.
"What the hell?"
Yoo Min-jeong got out.
"Be good and follow. No more trouble."
Jason smirked.
A fireball formed in her palm. She pictured the Benz ablaze but didn't launch. That'd blow things up big time.
"Whoa, chill. I just need a bit of your time. Your time."
Yoo Min-jeong extinguished the flame.
For the plan, she could spare some time. Chatty Jason might spill valuable intel.
Then, a speeding car swerved and slammed into the Benz's side.
The Benz spun back, wheels twisting as it mounted the curb.
Yoo Min-jeong recognized it late.
Kim Jun's car!
Kim Jun hopped out, feigning shock at Yoo Min-jeong.
"Oh, Min-jeong? Wait, you're Grintree's leader? What're you doing parking here?"
"You—you—my car!"
Jason screamed at the wrecked Benz.
"I'll handle insurance. Call 'em—they'll be quick. But to file... gotta explain what happened. Cool?"
"What're you talking about?"
"Stalking and aggressive driving. See, CCTV there, there, there. Convenience store across the street too. Min-jeong's got a dashcam."
Kim Jun pointed at traffic lights, streetlamps—none with CCTV actually—then nodded at the store opposite.
Jason fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
"That gets out, you're screwed, right? Me? Driving error, no one hurt—fine."
Jason glared at Kim Jun.
Kim Jun met it casually, unfazed.
Jason spat, then pried open his mangled door. He shoved the wrecked car back to the road with brute force, shot Kim Jun one last glare, and roared off with a sputtering engine.
Yoo Min-jeong couldn't hold back—laughter burst out.
Kim Jun started chuckling too.
"You're insane."
Yoo Min-jeong said.
"Moon's bright tonight. Guess I've got werewolf blood."
Kim Jun looked skyward, then pulled out his phone to call insurance.
"Jason's gonna hate Pink Team now."
"Probably."
"Won't that mess up the plan?"
"Might. Might not."
"What?"
"Best plans go sideways in execution. Blessing in disguise, right? Could be a good thing."
Kim Jun grinned.
"How'd you spot it?"
"Heading to meet you, saw it. Him tailing, then cutting you off."
"Why meet me?"
"Curious how today went. Heard Cheolmin bailed midway? They didn't play nice, huh."
"How were the leaders?"
"You'd be shocked. Total pros. Perfect for their spots."
"Details."
"Food first."
Kim Jun crossed with Yoo Min-jeong to the convenience store. Hotteok, triangle kimbap, cup ramen—he laid out today's saga over snacks.
Yoo Min-jeong wasn't surprised.
If Kim Jun could integrate fierce Sa Yeonggyo into Pink style, taming Do Jin-yong, Bang Yun-a, An Seong-ho in a day was no sweat.
She came clean: dropped the bomb, might return tomorrow at 8 depending on turnout.
Kim Jun, munching hotteok, burst out laughing.
Yoo Min-jeong stared at her team leader.
"You nailed it. Perfect. Our styles differ—you're smoother. Me? I'd say 'bring it' and thrash 'em all night."
"Really good?"
"Tomorrow 8 a.m., all there."
"One no-show?"
"I'll handle 'em. You take Pink."
Relief washed over her.
Then insurance arrived.
Kim Jun headed out, crossing the street.
Sudden hunger hit Yoo Min-jeong; she dug into the ramen. Pure bliss.
* * *
Han Ye-jin checked her watch.
11:44 p.m.
Had she known it'd drag this late, she wouldn't have waited blindly. Still, the time sunk in made her push for a bit more.
The late-afternoon news had shocked her.
Pink Team sent out three raiders, took in Medusa, An Seong-ho, and Blue Lightning leaders. Four teams' leaders in one squad.
Odder still: Kim Jun's dispatches.
Go Cheolmin, Yoo Min-jeong, Sa Yeonggyo.
Pink's core, exiled.
Rumors flew: power struggle with Kim Jun, he won, they got booted.
Han Ye-jin saw different.
Relic adaptation test—Pink's teamwork near flawless. Internal beef? Impossible.
What hid behind it?
The Prophet Yoo Wan-seop pulling strings?
Her phone rang.
Glancing at the number, Han Ye-jin hesitated, then answered.
—Results?
Gangnam Guild Master Kang Byeong-jae, hounding like a debt collector.
"Haven't met yet."
—Pride? That flimsy ego keeping you from the captain?
Han Ye-jin stayed silent.
Guild master had drilled it: grovel to Jeong Myeong-ho, beg till palms bled—get into the relic interior somehow.
—Didn't wanna say, but Yun-tae and Seong-mok came to me. Move 'em to another team. Jeong-ho and Su-gyeong hinted same.
"What?"
Lee Yun-tae, Apgujeong's main tanker; Kwon Seong-mok, main dealer. Lose them, team crumbles.
—Why? Why keep bucking Jeong Myeong-ho? Poking captain hurts us. Not new.
"Got it. I'll meet captain, sort it. Happy?"
—Morning deadline.
Guild master hung up.
Han Ye-jin glared at her phone. Wanted to call Lee Yun-tae, Kwon Seong-mok, chew 'em out. Complaints to team leader, not guild master—why?
Then, a big sturdy car pulled into the lot. Do Jin-yong's Hummer.
Han Ye-jin stepped out.
Do Jin-yong headed for the elevator, plastic bag in hand. She stood beside him waiting.
He spotted her, eyes widening.
"You?"
"Spare a coffee?"
Elevator dinged open. Han Ye-jin boarded first.
"Not coming?"
"What's this about?"
Do Jin-yong entered, hit the button.
"Why do you think?"
Han Ye-jin knew his type inside out—no deep digging needed. Still came for confirmation.
Everyone hides a secret or two.
Do Jin-yong just frowned, silent.
That massive skull housed a brain with bad luck. Never properly used, never would—neurons wasted.
Might've been less tragic stuffed with muscle.
Doors opened; she walked with the musclebound man.
What was Do Jin-yong's place like?
Chaos? Or surprisingly tidy?
He punched the code, entered first.
She followed. Surprisingly clean inside. Vast space, just sofa, TV—minimalist, almost echoey.