Scene 1: The Silence Before the Storm
Jo's mansion was heavy with tension. The high, chill chandelier overhead gave a harsh, unnatural light to the elaborate room, where each surface glimmered with a spotless polish—a sharp contrast to the brutality that was soon to come.
Lee, Jin, Arya, Selene, and Dante were strapped to metal chairs, their wrists bound hard behind their backs. The heavy ropes bit into their skin, causing bruises.
Jo leaned back in his leather chair, stirring his glass of red wine. His eyes blazed with unspoken anger.
He drew out a deep breath. "Do you know what you've done?"
Jin clenched his teeth but said nothing. Lee glared at the ground, his breathing labored. Arya, despite being hurt, still had defiance in her eyes.
Jo laughed harshly. "I had a crucial arms deal with Apex. Billions of profit. But thanks to you…" His face darkened. "That deal is reduced to ashes."
He drank a sip from his wine before putting it down with a calculated clink.
Then he gestured for his secretary, Paiasan.
"Show them the consequences."
Scene 2: The First Strike
Two of Jo's guards moved forward. They grabbed Selene first.
Her violet eyes went wide with fear. "No—no, wait!"
One guard slapped her across the cheek with the back of his pistol. Blood flew onto the floor.
Arya bucked wildly in her chair. "YOU BASTARD—"
Another guard punched Arya's stomach.
Arya gulped in a lungful of air, pain lancing through her ribs. Jin struggled against his restraints, his teeth grinding in rage.
Jo leaned forward, his eyes on them. "You thought you could come into my city, play games with my business, and just leave?" He waved a lazy hand. "Go on."
The guards took Dante next.
One of them pulled out a knife. They began slicing into Dante's arm—slow, labored.
Dante screamed hoarsely as blood flowed down his skin, soaking his ripped shirt.
Selene wept, struggling. "STOP IT! PLEASE!
Jo leaned forward. "Do you realize what happens when individuals defy me?"
Lee balled his fists behind him. He was desperate to scream, to battle, but was powerless.
Jin's body quivered with anger. "You'll regret this," he snarled.
Jo smiled. "Oh? And who will restrain me?"
Scene 3: Arya's Breaking Point
Jo finally rose from his chair, readjusting his pricey suit. He approached Arya, kneeling down beside her.
"You're rather strong, aren't you?" He ran a finger down her bruised cheek. "But how strong do you think you'll be… when I begin to shatter the people you love?"
Arya growled. "I'll kill you."
Jo laughed. "Not if I kill you first."
He moved away, and before anyone could stop him, one of the guards snatched a metal rod from the fire.
It radiated a dull red from its heat.
"No—" Lee groaned, fighting.
The guard pushed it against Arya's shoulder.
Arya's scream filled the room.
Lee and Jin struggled against their ties. Selene was weeping. Dante had turned white due to blood loss.
Jo spun back to Jin and Lee, a smug smile on his mouth. "Now, are you ready to listen?"
Lee panted, his heart pounding against his chest.
Jin, his face twisted with anger and helplessness, bent his head. "What do you want?"
Jo smiled. "Ah, now we're talking."
Scene 4: The Devil's Bargain
Jo sat back and folded his legs. "You will work for me. You don't have a parent and you three are skilled at fighting, All of you. You will do assassinations, manage my dirty business, and protect my empire from harm."
Arya, by gritted teeth, growled, "We'll never—"
Jo lazily lifted a finger. "One more word, and I'll have them cut Dante's fingers off."
Selene let out a desperate, broken sob.
Jin's breathing was ragged. He looked at Dante, at Selene—then at Arya and Lee. They were all beaten, bleeding.
They had no choice.
Jin lifted his head, defeat in his eyes.
"…We accept."
Jo's smile widened. He turned to Lee. "And you?"
Lee hesitated. He wanted to fight. But he knew—if he refused, Arya would suffer even more.
"…We'll do it."
Jo clapped his hands together. "Wonderful."
He stood up, adjusting his sleeves. "Welcome to my family."
The guards untied them, but they were too weak to fight back.
Jo turned to Paiasan. "Get them cleaned up. They start their first mission tomorrow."
And just like that, they were no longer free.