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prologue

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── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

Snow drifted from rooftop to rooftop, blanketing the city in a layer of pristine white.

It was Christmas Eve.

The streets were alive with warmth despite the bitter cold. People hurried home after long shifts, eager to reunite with their families. Shopkeepers pulled down their shutters one by one. Market vendors packed away the last of their goods. Cars disappeared into the evening, their taillights fading like distant stars beneath the falling snow.

Everywhere I looked, people carried something meant for someone they loved.

Paper bags filled with gifts.

Bouquets wrapped in ribbon.

Boxes of cakes and pastries.

Turkeys for family dinners.

Presents carefully hidden beneath coats.

The city glowed with laughter and Christmas lights, completely oblivious to the crime unfolding beneath its festive disguise.

While families prepared for celebration, we prepared for war.

Scattered throughout the crowd, my team blended seamlessly among the civilians. To an outsider, we were nothing more than strangers going about our evening.

In reality, every member was in position.

Because tonight was the night we would kidnap the heir of Shin Organization.

"I've got eyes on the target. He's closing in."

The voice crackled through my earpiece.

"How's everything looking, Cipher?" someone asked.

A few seconds of silence followed.

Then—

"Give me a moment..."

The rapid tapping of keys echoed faintly through the comms.

"...and we're in. Security cameras are now under my control. You're clear to proceed, Ouji."

A small smirk tugged at my lips.

Reliable as always.

I adjusted my coat and stepped forward, disappearing into the flow of pedestrians.

Nobody paid attention.

Nobody ever did.

"Are you sure you don't want help, Ouji-hyung?" another voice asked. "You know, just in case."

My gaze swept across the crowded street.

And then I saw him.

The infamous heir.

The sole successor to the Shin Organization.

For years, our organizations had torn each other apart from the shadows. Every negotiation had failed. Every truce had collapsed.

This was our chance.

"No."

My voice came out cold and steady.

"Damn. Alright, I was just asking."

Before anyone could continue, another voice cut through the channel.

"Target is moving toward Shadow and... fucking Pinkie Pie."

Immediately, every distraction vanished.

The laughter around me faded.

The Christmas music playing from nearby stores became background noise.

All that mattered was the figure walking ahead.

The heir was completely unaware.

Completely vulnerable.

And completely ours.

I slipped my hands into my pockets and followed.

The snow continued to fall.

Tonight, this war would finally come to an end.

I fixed my gaze on the target's back and took another step forward.

Hello, heir.

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── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

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