With Sehun and RM's help, Y/N carefully set Xiumin down at the entrance. RM, knowing he could move faster, took Xiumin onto his back and carried him swiftly toward the clinic room. Sehun, meanwhile, moved quickly to find Jin, his expression filled with urgency.

Inside the clinic room, RM gently laid Xiumin on a bed. His breathing had slowed, becoming more stable, and his pulse seemed to return to normal. Y/N reached for a nearby cup of water, offering it to him, and Xiumin drank deeply, the motion slow but steady.

As they waited, Jin, Sehun, Suga, and Taehyung arrived at the clinic, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity. Jin immediately moved toward Xiumin, his training kicking in as he prepared to tend to the wound. He grabbed a clean cloth, soaking it in water, and began to carefully clean the injury on Xiumin's forehead.

Y/N sat quietly, her gaze fixed on Xiumin, but her mind raced. The tension in the room was palpable, and her body trembled slightly. She felt the weight of the silence pressing on her. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to know-about Xiumin, about the others-but she held back, swallowing hard as she fought the urge to speak. Her thoughts swirled, the desire to ask about what had happened weighing heavily on her chest. She shifted in her seat, unable to sit still.

As Jin worked on Xiumin, Y/N took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within her. She had to let Xiumin speak first, to tell them the story in his own time. Her own questions, her worries about everyone, would have to wait. But it was hard. It was so hard to stay silent when everything inside her was screaming to know what had happened.

She glanced at the others, their eyes all fixed on Xiumin. There was no need to rush him. Not yet. But as she waited, her heart pounded in her chest, and she couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to change.

Finally, as Jin carefully bandaged Xiumin's head wound, the room fell into a suffocating silence. Everyone watched as Xiumin's eyes hesitantly met Y/N's. For a fleeting moment, she held his gaze, the unspoken questions and fury swirling within her fiery stare. He swallowed hard, guilt evident on his face.

He knew she wanted answers. She deserved answers. But the weight of the ambush, the chaos, and the losses still loomed heavy over him. He lowered his gaze, unable to hold hers any longer, and took a deep, shaky breath before speaking.

"We got ambushed," he began, his voice strained with exhaustion. "They were waiting for us. Organized, ruthless... We were outnumbered. I didn't know who they were at first, but there was one-Kang Joon." He hesitated, his throat tightening. "Hyungsik might know him. That name... it stood out."

At the mention of Kang Joon, the atmosphere shifted. The tension in the room thickened like a suffocating fog. Everyone stiffened, their expressions darkening. They all knew the name. He wasn't just anyone-he was the very reason they'd left this place in the first place. Y/N had made the call to move, believing Kang Joon would attack them here. But he had outsmarted them, ambushing them where they were most vulnerable.

The realization hit Y/N like a punch to the gut. He hadn't planned to attack the camp. He had planned to ambush them. And he hadn't just taken her people; he'd taken them because they were the ones she cared for most. He knew exactly how to weaken her, to use her friends as leverage.

Her mind spiraled as she stood frozen in place, replaying every decision she'd made, every plan she thought would keep them safe. The others exchanged glances, silently acknowledging what was clear to them: Y/N was blaming herself.

Xiumin's voice broke the silence again, shaking slightly as he continued. "In the chaos... two survivors didn't make it." His voice caught, and he looked down, guilt weighing heavily on him. "I tried to help. I swear I did. But it was hopeless. We were surrounded, outmatched. I... I barely got away."

He looked up at her again, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry. I thought we had a chance, but now... they have everyone. I couldn't do anything."

The room was silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Y/N's hands clenched at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. Her chest felt tight, her breath shallow. She had made the call to leave, thinking it would keep everyone safe. But Kang Joon had played her, forcing her into a move that had cost them dearly.

Her thoughts were chaotic. Why didn't I think of this? I should have known. I should have planned better. How could I let this happen?

The others could see it clearly-the guilt, the blame. Sehun shifted uneasily, his jaw tightening as he stepped forward, but he stopped short, unsure of how to reach her in this moment.

She took a deep, steadying breath, forcing herself to stand taller. The storm of emotions churned within her-guilt, anger, frustration-but none of them ruled her now. Her features shifted, smoothing into a cool mask of focus.

Her brows furrowed, not in pain or regret, but thought. Her dark gaze swept over the room-lingering on each person, the bloodstains, and near the door. It wasn't guilt or rage they saw in her expression anymore-it was something sharper. Calculating. Determined.

The atmosphere shifted, the tension in the air crackling like the calm before a storm. Jin paused mid-motion as he bandaged Xiumin's wound, his fingers hovering briefly. His lips pressed into a thin line, and after a moment, he straightened, giving a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Leaning against the wall, Suga tilted his head, his arms crossed as he studied her face. He caught every detail-the tightening of her jaw, the way her fingers flexed subtly at her sides, the hard focus in her eyes. His lips twitched into a faint smirk, more a recognition than amusement. "Huh," he muttered, almost to himself.

Sehun, closest to her, tilted his head, his sharp eyes narrowing. He'd seen her in every state-guilt, anger, despair-but this was different. His gaze flickered to her hands, poised but relaxed, to the way her eyes scanned the room as though already piecing together their next move.

RM and Taehyung exchanged a glance from the far side of the room. RM's brow furrowed slightly in thought, while Taehyung's lips curved into a knowing smile, his head tilting as if to say, There she is.

Without a word spoken, the realization settled over them all. The guilt had burned away, the anger had cooled into lethal precision, and the frustration had been discarded entirely. The atmosphere around her wasn't heavy with regret anymore-it was charged, purposeful, and brimming with quiet resolve.

Jin's gaze flicked down to the bloodied bandage in his hand, then back to Y/N. He nodded silently, a subtle acknowledgment of what was clear to them all. Suga leaned further into the wall, his smirk faintly widening. Taehyung folded his arms, his grin growing sharper. Even Sehun gave a slight nod, recognizing the shift.

Y/N didn't look at them as she finally moved. Her voice cut through the silence, low and calm but edged with steel. "Come to the backyard," she said, already heading for the door. "Gather everyone. We don't have time to waste."

As the door closed behind her, the group exchanged glances. They didn't need to speak; the understanding was mutual. Y/N was no longer burdened by what had happened-her focus was already on what needed to be done. Kang Joon had no idea what was coming.

---

The others filtered into the backyard, each carrying the weight of urgency in their steps. As they approached the table, the sight of Y/N hunched over the maps, her eyes scanning every inch with meticulous precision, gave them a sense of purpose. The dim light from the lamp illuminated her focused expression, casting shadows across the spread-out maps.

She didn't look up immediately, still absorbed in her work. It was clear that she had already thought through their next move, the plan taking shape in her mind. When the last of the group arrived, she lifted her head, her eyes locking with each of them in turn.

"Minho," Y/N began, her voice unwavering, "you, Kai, Jungkook, Xiumin, and Hoseok are going to lead every single survivor left in the camp-11 in total-to Bang Chan's base. Minho, you're the only one who knows where it is besides me, and I can't go, so it's on you to get them there safely."

Minho nodded, understanding the gravity of the mission. "We'll get them there."

"We can't leave them here," Y/N continued, her gaze hardening. "If Kang Joon's people come here, we're risking too much. At first light, you're leaving with two horses, enough rations for the journey, and make sure to keep breaks short. Get there as fast as you can."

She paused, letting the urgency of the plan sink in.

"Once you arrive, tell Bang Chan that I need a favor-keep these survivors in his base. They are now his responsibility, and I want some of his people to help with the backup plan. You'll also need to inform him of the situation here. Bang Chan knows some of you, so there won't be any tension. By evening, you should retreat with his group members on horses to cover the area quickly and make your way to Kang Joon's base."

Jungkook, unable to hold back a question, asked, "How are we supposed to find his base?"

Y/N turned to him, her eyes steady. "Wait. You'll know soon enough."

Turning her attention to the next set of people, Y/N motioned to Sehun, Taehyung, and RM. "You three, along with Xiumin, are going to find Kang Joon's base and gather intel. You need to be back before the first rays of morning light. Xiumin needs to leave with Minho at dawn, so gather as much information as possible-strategic locations, defenses, anything that might give us an advantage."

She paused, her voice firm. "Stay as far as possible from the base. If you come across any hills, climb to the top and observe. If you're near a town, find a tall building to scout from. Don't engage, don't get spotted. Just gather the intel we need."

Xiumin gave a short nod, acknowledging the weight of the mission. "We'll be careful, Y/N."

Y/N's gaze swept over the room, her tone now decisive. "You four are leaving now. Gear up. I'll arrange the essentials for your mission. The rest of you, keep watch. If anyone makes a move outside the camp, take them down. No chances. If you think you can catch them, do it-if they're too far, shoot them from a distance. We can't afford to let anyone get away with information."

With that, the group dispersed, each person moving quickly to prepare for their respective tasks. Sehun, Taehyung, RM, and Xiumin headed to gear up for their mission while Y/N swiftly left, disappearing into the shadows of the camp. She was already on her way to make the final arrangements, her focus entirely on the task at hand.

Everyone was in motion, the weight of their responsibilities hanging heavy in the air. They knew what was at stake, and there was no room for failure.

---

The atmosphere in Kang Joon's base was tense, the air thick with uncertainty. The survivors, all freshly captured, were locked in a dimly lit room, sitting in strained silence. Hyungsik's eyes were hard as he leaned against the cold stone wall, his arms bound tightly behind his back. His mind raced, trying to find any chance of escape, but the reality was grim: they had been caught just hours ago, and their chances of escaping now seemed slim.

Lee JongSuk and IU sat close together. IU, five months pregnant, rested her hand protectively over her belly. Lee JongSuk's gaze never left her, concern and protectiveness etched on his features. He knew how dangerous things had become, and he wasn't going to let anything happen to her or their unborn child.

Jiwoo, looking exhausted and strained, had her arms wrapped tightly around Haru. Haru, sensing the tension in the room, stayed close to her mother, her small face showing a mixture of confusion and fear. Jiwoo's heart ached as she held her daughter, trying to comfort her as best as she could in such a horrible situation. Every instinct in her screamed to protect Haru, but right now, all they could do was wait.

Suho, D.O., Kris Wu, Chen and Baekhyun were sitting nearby, exchanging quiet whispers. They had been caught just hours ago, the harsh reality settling in. They had been taken by Kang Joon's men after a failed escape attempt. They were prisoners now, vulnerable, without any weapons or resources. The weight of the situation was clear to all of them: their only hope was to stay alive long enough to figure out a way out.

Saans, who had been eerily quiet, glanced at his surroundings with a careful eye. He knew exactly who Kang Joon was. He had been the one to hold Kang Joon captive with Y/N just three months ago. Now, Saans found himself in the same position, bound and at the mercy of the man he had once kept prisoner. The irony wasn't lost on him. It had only been four days since Kang Joon had escaped, and now they were the ones trapped.

Kang Joon, however, wasn't concerned with any of the survivors in this room. To him, they were merely pawns in a much larger game. The only person who truly mattered to him was Y/N. All these people-Hyungsik, Saans, Lee JongSuk, IU, Jiwoo, and the rest-they were nothing more than pieces to lure Y/N in. Kang Joon's main focus was getting back at Y/N for what she had done to him, and he would use anyone and anything to achieve that goal.

Meanwhile, Kang Joon sat in his office, his mind consumed by the idea of revenge. The last few days had been a blur of planning and escaping, aided by his loyal followers. But now that he had his enemies-Y/N's people-captured, his focus was fixed entirely on her. He didn't care about the others in the room. They were just leverage.

The guards in the base were keeping an eye on the prisoners, ensuring they couldn't escape. They weren't being harsh, but it was clear that the survivors weren't allowed any freedom. Kang Joon had no plans for kindness. His only goal was to break Y/N, to show her that she couldn't escape the consequences of crossing him.

Saans, however, knew better. The silence in the room was only temporary. He could feel the tension, and he knew that sooner or later, an opportunity for escape would arise. His focus was on waiting for that moment-anything to get a message to Y/N. He wasn't going to let them all rot in this hellhole. He knew too much about Kang Joon, and he was prepared to use whatever knowledge he had to turn the tables.

But for now, the survivors had no choice but to stay silent, stay hidden, and endure the waiting game. Time was running out, and they had to remain united and vigilant, waiting for the right moment to strike.

---

As Suho signaled to Hyungsik and Saans to come closer, a subtle tension filled the air. He glanced around quickly, ensuring Kang Joon's men weren't watching too closely, before speaking in a low, steady voice.

"Xiumin... he's not with us," Suho murmured. His gaze shifted toward the guards, his words deliberate. "He must've escaped before they brought us in."

Saans' expression shifted as the realization hit him. He turned to Hyungsik, who was piecing it together as well. "We didn't see him from the start," Hyungsik whispered. "He slipped away before we even got here."

Suho nodded, his face grim. "He's already gone. They didn't know where he was, but they're keeping us together for a reason. They know it's Y/N they're after."

The air shifted, the tension easing ever so slightly as the weight of Suho's words settled in. Xiumin had escaped, and there was no way he was running aimlessly through the wilderness. He was heading straight for Y/N. That meant there was a real possibility for a rescue, a way out, even in the middle of Kang Joon's stronghold.

Hyungsik exchanged a look with Saans, his eyes sharp with resolve. "We need to stay sharp. If Xiumin's going to Y/N, we can't let Kang Joon's men suspect anything. Not yet."

Saans' jaw tightened, nodding. "We gather what we can, stay under their radar. But the moment we get an opportunity, we'll move."

Nearby, Lee JongSuk, IU, and Jiwoo were listening, each one trying to remain composed. But the relief was undeniable. Jiwoo, still clutching Haru, tightened her grip on her hand, feeling the weight of hope return. IU, pregnant and tired, allowed herself a brief breath of relief. The tension in their bodies eased slightly.

Xiumin was on his way to Y/N. The thought settled in, and with it came an undeniable sense of hope. They weren't as lost as they had thought. They were waiting, trusting in Y/N to come through.

And Kang Joon's men had no idea that the survivors were no longer the same broken group they once were. Their spirits were still intact, and now, Xiumin had given them the hope they needed to make their move.

They didn't have to wait much longer. Y/N and others would come. They had faith.

---

As the morning sun began to rise, the group assembled in the main hall of clinic, a heavy silence hanging over them. Y/N stood at the head of the table, her sharp gaze scanning each person in the room-Suga, Jin, Jimin, Jungkook, Minho, Hoseok, and the remaining EXO members. Sehun, RM, Taehyung, and Xiumin stood to the side, their expressions grim from the night's reconnaissance.

RM stepped forward, placing a hand-drawn map on the table. The rough sketch of Kang Joon's base caught everyone's attention. As he pointed to key details, his calm, steady voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

"The base is just outside the city," RM began, his tone firm. "It's surrounded by reinforced concrete walls about 8 to 10 feet high, with barbed wire along the top. There are three warehouses arranged in a triangle. The middle one is the largest, and that's where they're holding our people. We observed movement inside, but it was limited, likely to avoid drawing attention."

Sehun leaned forward, his finger tracing the perimeter on the map. "The terrain around the base gives us some advantages. There's a dense forest to the north-west, which offers solid cover, and hills on the north-east side. The hills give us a clear view of the compound, but they're more exposed. If we're careful, we can use both to our benefit."

Taehyung chimed in, "There are two watchtowers-one at the north corner and another at the south. Each has armed guards on rotation, and the patrols move around the base every fifteen minutes. The guards are disciplined, but the patterns are predictable. They use flashlights at night, which makes sneaking in nearly impossible under their line of sight."

Xiumin picked up where Taehyung left off. "They've got three trucks-two large, one small-and a few motorcycles parked near the east entrance. The vehicles look operational and are likely used for supply runs and transporting captives. We didn't see anything to suggest they're armored, but we couldn't get close enough to confirm."

Jimin furrowed his brows as he studied the map. "What about the captives? You're certain they're in the middle warehouse?"

Sehun nodded. "Positive. The guards outside that building were more heavily armed and alert compared to the others. We saw shadows moving inside-there's no doubt they're holding people there."

Suga crossed his arms, his tone sharp. "Any weak points we can exploit? Blind spots in their defenses?"

RM tapped the western side of the map, near the forest. "The forest leads close to the rear of the middle warehouse. It's heavily shaded and provides good cover, but we'd still