checkmate. | pi hanwool

Chapter 06

Then, finally, their gazes met.

For the first time, she got a clear look at his face.

His dark hair was slightly messy, his lips pressed into a firm line. His eyes—sharp and focused—held no trace of hesitation.

He had just saved her.

Gaeun swallowed, her voice quieter than usual as she muttered, "...Thanks."

The guy gave her a single nod—quick, efficient—before shifting his attention back to the fight.

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The once chaotic basement is now quiet—except for the pained groans of the thugs sprawled across the cold concrete floor. Some were clutching their ribs, others gripping bruised limbs, their bodies too battered to stand.

It was over.

Gaeun exhaled sharply, her muscles aching from the fight.

Gamin wasted no time rushing over to them, his worried gaze darting between her and Ms. Lee.

"Are you guys okay?" he asked softly, his voice a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded minutes ago. His eyes flickered across Gaeun’s form, searching for any sign of injury.

"Did you get injured—" A sudden thud cut him off. Followed by the sharp shatter of glass.

Gamin’s body stiffened as the noise echoed through the basement. Slowly, all of them turned toward the source of the sound.

Behind Gamin, Hyunwoo was on the floor, grunting in pain. And standing over him, crouched with a crowbar in his grip, was the guy in the Yusung windbreaker.

The jagged remains of a shattered glass bottle lay near Hyunwoo, reflecting the dim light of the parking lot.

The guy’s voice was eerily calm as he picked up the crowbar from the floor. "I heard you know about that case."

His movements were slow, calculated—a predator closing in on its prey.

"We can’t end things this way, then."

Hyunwoo’s eyes widened as he scrambled backward, his palms pressing against the ground. "What are you saying, you fucker?!" he spat, his voice laced with panic.

The latter didn’t respond.

Instead, he swung the crowbar—

Hyunwoo screamed as the metal bar slammed into his leg, sending a sharp jolt of pain through his body.

"AARGH! YOU BASTARD!"

Ms. Lee gasped. "Geonyeop, please. Stop!" she pleaded.

But he didn’t stop.

Instead, he grabbed Hyunwoo by the collar, pressing him flat against the cold ground.

"Try to remember." His voice was lower now, his knuckles white from the force of his grip. "You must’ve heard something because you’re Pi Hanwool’s underling."

Gaeun’s brow furrowed.

Pi Hanwool?

What was he talking about?

Hyunwoo thrashed against him, his face contorted in pain. "I don’t know! Fuck!" he yelled.

Geonyeop’s grip didn’t loosen. Instead, his gaze flickered to the crowbar in his hand.

"You opened Ms. Lee’s door with this, huh?"

Hyunwoo froze.

Gaeun’s stomach twisted.