Questism : The Quest For Eternity

The tension inside North Gangbuk's stronghold was suffocating, an invisible weight that pressed down on every man in the room. The long table was surrounded by Sechan Kang's most trusted lieutenants, each one shifting uncomfortably in their seats, their usual bravado muted. The only sound was the faint hum of the fluorescent lights above, casting a cold, stark glow over the scene. At the head of the table sat Sechan himself, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever, though the sharpness in his eyes betrayed the wheels turning in his mind.

Spread across the long table was a large, worn map of Gangbuk, its surface scarred from years of use. Various territories were marked in red and blue ink, denoting areas under Sechan's control and those of rival gangs. Now, however, new marks had been hastily added—territories supposedly at the center of a brewing conspiracy. The rumors had been too consistent to ignore, too detailed to dismiss. Whispers of stockpiled weapons, clandestine alliances, and insurgents plotting to overthrow North Gangbuk had reached every ear, even those loyal to Sechan. And now, they were here, forcing the leadership to confront the possibility of an uprising.

Sechan's sharp gaze swept over the map as he finally broke the silence. "This information has been consistent," he began, his voice steady and measured. It was a voice that commanded attention, not through volume but through authority. "Multiple sources confirm that rival gangs are stockpiling weapons in these areas." He tapped the map with the end of a pen, his movements deliberate. "They're forming alliances. If this is true, it's a direct threat to our control."

The words hung in the air like a dark cloud. Around the table, the lieutenants exchanged uneasy glances, though none dared speak. It was Daniel, Sechan's second-in-command, who finally shattered the silence.

"Then we crush them!" Daniel barked, slamming his fist on the table with enough force to rattle the pens and papers scattered across it. His fiery personality, always simmering just below the surface, erupted in a show of frustration. "We don't need to sit here debating this like cowards! If they're planning something, we move first. Hit them hard and fast before they have a chance to regroup."

Sechan didn't react to Daniel's outburst. His sharp, calculating eyes remained fixed on the map, his expression as calm as a still lake. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet, almost cold, yet it carried an unmistakable weight. "And if it's a trap?" he asked, his tone so measured that it made Daniel hesitate. "What then? If we rush in without thinking, we'll be doing exactly what they want."

The room fell silent again, Daniel's fiery temper momentarily quenched. He clenched his fists, frustration evident in the tightness of his jaw, but he said nothing. It was a delicate balance between his burning desire to act and the respect he held for Sechan's authority.

Across the table, Uijin Gyeong finally broke the silence. The third strongest in North Gangbuk, Uijin was known for his calm, analytical approach to situations, a stark contrast to Daniel's impulsive nature. He leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes scanning the map before speaking in his usual measured tone. "The timing is suspicious," he said, his words deliberate and thoughtful. "These rumors didn't exist a week ago. They appeared too suddenly, too conveniently. It's almost as if someone wanted them to reach us."

His words carried weight, and the lieutenants murmured quietly, nodding in agreement. Uijin's calm demeanor rarely betrayed emotion, but there was a flicker of doubt in his voice this time. "But…" He glanced up at Sechan, his gaze steady. "We can't ignore them either. If there's even a chance they're true, we have to act. A delayed response could be just as dangerous."

Sechan nodded slowly, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp. He was already calculating the possibilities, weighing the risks and rewards with the precision of a chess master. As much as he trusted his own judgment, he couldn't ignore the growing unease among his men. Paranoia was a virus, and in Gangbuk, it could spread faster than wildfire.

"We'll investigate," Sechan said finally, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "Daniel, Uijin, take a team and verify the intel. I want eyes on the ground. If there's any truth to these rumors, deal with it accordingly. If not…" His gaze hardened, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked at Daniel. "We'll know it's a trap, and we'll know who set it."

Daniel's frustration gave way to a smirk, his fiery nature reigniting at the prospect of action. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as he pushed it back. "Finally," he said, his voice brimming with anticipation. "Let's see how tough these so-called rebels really are."

But across the table, Uijin remained seated, his calm demeanor unshaken. His sharp eyes flicked toward Sechan, and though he said nothing, his silence spoke volumes. He wasn't as eager to charge into battle as Daniel was. He preferred to move carefully, deliberately. And in the back of his mind, an unsettling thought lingered: What if this wasn't just a trap? What if this was something worse—something they hadn't even considered yet?

Sechan watched the two of them carefully, noting the stark contrast between Daniel's fiery impatience and Uijin's cool rationality. It was a balance he had relied on for years, but now, even he couldn't ignore the growing tension between them. He turned his gaze back to the map, his expression hardening as he steeled himself for what was to come.

"This isn't just about the rumors," Sechan said quietly, more to himself than to anyone else. "Someone is testing us. They want to see how we'll react."

He leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "And we'll show them exactly what happens when you challenge North Gangbuk."

The room remained tense, the weight of Sechan's words settling over the lieutenants like a shroud. Outside, the streets of Gangbuk were alive with whispers of rebellion, but inside the stronghold, one thing was clear: the game had begun, and Sechan Kang wasn't about to lose.

But in the shadows, Yun Jo waited, his trap already in motion. This was exactly what he wanted. And as Sechan's forces prepared to move, Yun Jo was already several steps ahead, watching and waiting as his web of deception tightened around them