Author pov

The campus was eerily quiet under the moonlight as Hye Rin and Eun Ji walked through the empty quad. Every step felt like a drumbeat, growing louder as they approached the inevitable confrontation.

Hye Rin led the way, her eyes scanning every shadow, every movement. Her knife was tucked into her jacket, her muscles coiled like a spring. Eun Ji stayed close behind, her heart pounding but her resolve unshaken.

“You don’t have to be here,” Hye Rin said quietly, not looking back.

Eun Ji’s voice was firm. “I’m exactly where I need to be.”

---

A Ghost from the Past

They stopped near the abandoned gymnasium at the edge of campus. The building loomed over them, its windows shattered and its walls covered in ivy.

“She’ll come here,” Hye Rin said, her voice steady. “She knows I’ll want the fight away from others.”

As if summoned by her words, a figure emerged from the darkness. Dressed in sleek black combat gear, Shadow moved with a predator’s grace, her mask glinting in the moonlight.

“Still predictable, Hye Rin,” Shadow said, her voice cold but familiar. She pulled off her mask, revealing a face that hadn’t changed since Hye Rin last saw her—sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and an expression that once held warmth but now only radiated detachment.

“Seo Yeon,” Hye Rin said, her voice a mixture of anger and sorrow.

Seo Yeon tilted her head. “You’ve changed. But you still have that weakness, don’t you? Always protecting the helpless.” Her gaze shifted to Eun Ji, a cruel smile curling her lips. “And who’s this? Your new… project?”

Eun Ji stepped forward, but Hye Rin held out an arm, stopping her. “Don’t,” Hye Rin warned, her voice low.

Seo Yeon chuckled. “She’s brave. I’ll give her that. Too bad bravery doesn’t mean much in the end.”

---

The Fight Begins

Without warning, Seo Yeon lunged at Hye Rin, her movements fluid and deadly. Hye Rin met her head-on, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. The sound echoed through the empty gymnasium as they moved like shadows, their years of training evident in every strike and counterstrike.

Eun Ji watched from the sidelines, her fists clenched. She wanted to help, but she knew she would only be a distraction. This was Hye Rin’s fight.

“You should’ve stayed with us,” Seo Yeon hissed, her blade narrowly missing Hye Rin’s shoulder. “We could’ve been unstoppable.”

“I’d rather die than be their puppet,” Hye Rin spat, her knife slicing through the air.

Seo Yeon smirked. “Then I guess I’ll have to oblige.”

---

A Desperate Gamble

The fight dragged on, both women moving with relentless precision. But Seo Yeon had the advantage—she was faster, stronger, and unyielding in her attack.

Hye Rin stumbled back, blood trickling from a cut on her cheek. Seo Yeon advanced, her knife poised for the final blow.

“Say goodbye, Hye Rin,” Seo Yeon said, her voice cold.

Before she could strike, Eun Ji hurled a piece of broken wood at her, the makeshift weapon striking Seo Yeon’s arm and throwing her off balance.

“Stay away from her!” Eun Ji shouted, her voice trembling but fierce.

Seo Yeon turned to her, rage flashing in her eyes. “Big mistake.”

She advanced on Eun Ji, but Hye Rin surged forward, tackling Seo Yeon to the ground. They grappled, their knives forgotten as they fought with raw, unfiltered rage.

---

  The turning point

In the struggle, Hye Rin managed to pin Seo Yeon to the ground. Her hand closed around her knife, and she pressed the blade to Seo Yeon’s throat.

“It’s over,” Hye Rin said, her voice shaking. “Walk away.”

Seo Yeon’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. For a moment, it seemed like she might yield. But then she laughed, low and bitter.

“You’ve grown soft,” Seo Yeon said. “And that will get you killed.”

With a sudden burst of strength, she threw Hye Rin off and disappeared into the shadows, her laughter echoing behind her.

---

The Aftermath

Hye Rin sat on the ground, breathing heavily. Eun Ji rushed to her side, her hands hovering uncertainly over her.

“Are you okay?” Eun Ji asked, her voice filled with worry.

Hye Rin nodded, though her body ached. “She’s gone. For now.”

Eun Ji knelt beside her, her hands finally resting on Hye Rin’s shoulders. “You could’ve been killed.”

“And so could you,” Hye Rin replied, her gaze locking onto Eun Ji’s. “Why did you step in?”

Eun Ji’s voice was firm, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Because I care about you. I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.”

Hye Rin reached up, her hand brushing against Eun Ji’s cheek. “You’re reckless, you know that?”

“And you’re stubborn,” Eun Ji said, smiling through her tears.

For a moment, the world faded away, the danger and darkness forgotten. Their gazes held, the unspoken tension between them finally breaking. Hye Rin leaned in, and Eun Ji met her halfway, their lips meeting in a kiss that was as fierce as it was tender.

When they pulled apart, Eun Ji rested her forehead against Hye Rin’s. “We’ll face her together. No matter what.”

Hye Rin nodded, her resolve stronger than ever. “Together.”

---

End of Chapter 8

Let me know when you’re ready for Chapter 9! and vote guys😘