No one kidnaps specialists by accident.
You either know exactly who you're taking…
or you don't survive long enough to regret it.
Seoul — 2:17 A.M.
Taehyung looks nothing like the rumors.
That's the first mistake people always make.
He's sitting on the steps of a closed convenience store, legs tucked in, sleeves too long for his arms, calmly sipping a carton of chocolate milk. His face is soft—pretty, almost delicate. The kind that makes strangers think harmless. The kind that makes enemies hesitate.
Across the street, a black SUV idles.
Inside it, Jeon Jungkook watches through tinted glass, fingers tapping once against his knee.
"Confirm," he says.
The man beside him checks the tablet again.
"Kim Taehyung. Age: youngest on record. Retrieval specialist. Zero official history. Linked to twelve impossible acquisitions."
Jungkook scoffs quietly.
"That?" He tilts his head. "He looks like he'd get lost in a mall."
Outside, Taehyung suddenly looks up.
Straight at the SUV.
His eyes curve into a small smile.
Jungkook stills.
"…He knows," the man whispers.
The SUV doors open.
Three men move fast.
Taehyung sighs, standing up slowly, carton still in hand.
"Wow," he says lightly. "At least let me finish my drink?"
One of them reaches for him.
The carton hits the ground.
Taehyung's knee hits the man's ribs.
The second man doesn't even get to shout—Taehyung twists his wrist, disarms him, and shoves him into the SUV door hard enough to dent metal.
Jungkook's eyebrow lifts.
"Interesting."
A taser fires.
Taehyung turns—but just a fraction too late.
His body locks, hitting the ground.
As darkness creeps in, he hears Jungkook step closer.
"See?" Jungkook murmurs, voice low, almost amused.
"Still human."
Taehyung smiles faintly, even as everything fades.
"Unfortunately for you," he whispers,
"I planned for that."
Gusu — Same Night
Wei Ying is halfway through drawing a protection sigil when the lights die.
Not flicker.
Die.
The air changes—heavy, ancient, wrong.
Wei Ying straightens slowly, fingers already slipping a talisman into his sleeve.
A blade presses against his throat.
"Don't," a calm voice warns.
Wei Ying laughs softly.
"Oh, you really shouldn't do that."
The blade doesn't move.
Lan Zhan steps into the candlelight, expression unreadable, eyes cold and assessing.
"We need you," he says.
Wei Ying tilts his head.
"Then you're doing this very badly."
Lan Zhan signals.
The sigils on the floor shatter.
Wei Ying's smile sharpens.
"…Ah. Multimillionaire resources," he muses. "You people never ask nicely."
Lan Zhan's voice doesn't change.
"You would have refused."
Wei Ying considers that.
Then he shrugs.
"True."
He raises his hands slowly.
But his eyes gleam.
Beijing — 43 Floors Up
Wu Suo Wei is hanging upside down, humming, when the floor beneath him opens.
He drops—
lands cleanly—
and comes face-to-face with Chi Cheng.
Wu Suo Wei blinks.
"Okay," he says cheerfully. "Either I'm impressed or offended."
Chi Cheng studies him like an insect pinned under glass.
"You broke into my vault."
Wu Suo Wei grins.
"You should upgrade your sensors."
Chi Cheng presses a button.
The exits seal.
Wu Suo Wei sighs.
"So this is a kidnapping."
"Yes."
"…Do I get snacks?"
Chi Cheng's mouth twitches.
The Jet — Hours Later
Taehyung wakes up first.
That's the second mistake.
He opens his eyes slowly, takes in the restraints, the unfamiliar hum of engines, the luxury interior.
Across from him:
Wei Ying, already awake, bored.
Wu Suo Wei, examining his cuffs like a puzzle.
Three doors open.
Three men enter.
Jungkook.
Lan Zhan.
Chi Cheng.
The air tightens.
Jungkook speaks first.
"You're going to retrieve something for us."
Wei Ying smiles.
"Kidnapping specialists is a bold strategy."
Wu Suo Wei nods.
"Historically unsuccessful, though."
Taehyung stays quiet.
Jungkook looks at him.
"You're young."
Taehyung finally meets his gaze.
"And you're arrogant."
Silence.
Then Taehyung adds gently,
"You really shouldn't have brought us together."
Jungkook smirks.
"Why?"
Taehyung's smile doesn't reach his eyes.
"Because now," he says softly,
"this mission already belongs to us."
The plane keeps flying.
Into forests no map names.
Into ruins the world forgot.
And none of the CEOs realize yet—
The kidnapping was the first move.
Not the winning one.