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୨⎯ jia ⎯୧

a guard leads me through hallways. my fingers twitch slightly at my sides, not out of nervousness, but out of anticipation.

this is it.

as the elevator opens, i step into a grand, lounge where power hangs thick in the air like cigar smoke.

golden masks. men in the finest suits, holding glasses of the most expensive liquor. the symbols on their masks all different - deer, owl, wolf.

and then there's me.

the tiger.

their heads turn, their gazes lingering. of course, they stare. they're all old men, used to their own kind. and then there's me - young, female, and something they clearly didn't expect.

then, the first man makes his move.

he steps forward, wearing a golden wolf mask, his suit clean, his presence radiating wealth.

"you're new," he observes, his voice smooth but laced with curiosity.

i meet his gaze through the mask, unwavering. "i'm here on mr. lee's behalf."

the air shifts. recognition flickers in their postures. my father's name still holds weight here.

"ah," the wolf chuckles, swirling his drink. "mr. lee. we were wondering why he hadn't arrived yet."

i tilt my head slightly. "he's been... preoccupied. but don't worry, i'll be handling his affairs personally."

a few of the men exchange glances, intrigued.

"bold," another voice chimes in, this time from an owl-masked man lounging by the bar. "but let's see if you can handle what comes next."

the wolf takes a step closer, as if assessing me. "and tell me, tiger... do you know what you're about to witness?"

i don't blink. "i do."

a low hum of amusement echoes through the room.

they think this is a game. they think i'm some fragile thing stepping into a world i don't belong in.

let them think that.

because soon, they'll realize - i didn't come here to be underestimated. i came here to win.

suddenly he appears.

he doesn't wear gold like the rest of us. instead, he's dressed almost head to toe in all black, a sleek, gray coat framing his tall, broad figure. his mask - matte black with sharp, angular features - makes him look almost inhuman.

the frontman. that must be him.

his gaze wanderes the room, slow. and then ... he sees me.

i don't know why i notice it. maybe it's the way his head tilts just the slightest bit, or the way his body hesitates for a fraction of a second before moving on.

but i feel it.

of course, he's surprised. a woman, standing among a room full of old men? yeah, that must be shocking for him.

douchebag.

but i don't look away. i hold my ground, watching him just as closely as he watches me.

after a moment, he finally moves, stepping to the center of the room. when he speaks, his voice is deep, calm, and completely unreadable.

"welcome," he says. "as the frontman i'll be hosting this event once again. as always, we begin with the first game: red light, green light."

a few murmurs pass through the room, but no one interrupts.