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The sterile scent of the hospital room clung to the air, mingling with the faint hum of machinery. Minhyeong lay on the bed, his hands cuffed to the sides, but his posture still held an undeniable air of defiance. The flickering fluorescent lights above did little to soften the harshness of the situation, but Minhyeong, with his unruly hair and sarcastic grin, seemed unaffected.

The door creaked open, and Johnny, Chief of Security, stepped inside, his boots echoing across the cold tiles. His eyes locked on Minhyeong, but there was no warmth in his gaze. He didn't like this man, and the feeling was mutual. Still, they both knew this was business, not personal.

Johnny leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes scanning the room as if making sure nothing was out of place.

Minhyeong smirked, his voice a taunt. "Chief, what brings you here to see me? Ya miss me?"

Johnny's lips curled into a thin line. "You're the last person on earth I'd miss."

Minhyeong chuckled, the sound dark and mocking. "That's not what Mark said."

Johnny's jaw tightened, but he kept his composure. "Listen, I could get you out of here."

Minhyeong raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but didn't let his guard down. "For a price, I assume?"

Johnny didn't hesitate. "You're going to protect a hostage. A scientist. We need him alive, and we need him out of the enemy's hands."

Minhyeong's expression shifted, something flickering in his eyes. "You know I only protect myself."

Johnny didn't move an inch, but his voice dropped, more forceful now. "You protect Mark."

A sly grin tugged at Minhyeong's lips, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Mark is me, and I am in Mark... Wait, that sounds so dirty. You're not gonna laugh, Chief?"

Johnny sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, the irritation clearly mounting. "Minhyeong, I know you wanna go home. You could be free."

Minhyeong's smile faded, replaced by a bitter edge. "Ask Mark, then."

Johnny's face hardened. "Mark is the reason you're here. Why'd he wanna leave?"

Minhyeong's eyes darkened for a brief moment, his voice lowering. "I know. I KNOW. No food, no water, nowhere to sleep... That's why he turned us on."

Johnny's gaze remained steady, unflinching. "We both know this is the only way, so take the deal."

Minhyeong let out a dramatic sigh, the air of reluctance heavy in his chest, but his fingers gripped the edges of the bed, and his voice was sharp. "Fine. But you know my rules. I want every fucking rule done. No fuck-ups."

Johnny nodded, the deal settled. As he turned to leave, he cast a final glance at Minhyeong. "You don't want to disappoint us, Minhyeong. For your sake... and Mark's."

Minhyeong just leaned back against the pillow, his eyes distant for a moment before a sardonic grin spread across his face once more. "You know what they say, Chief. I'm a man of my word. But don't expect me to play nice."

With that, Johnny left the room, the door clicking shut behind him. Minhyeong stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling. It wasn't about the job. It was about freedom. And freedom had a price—he knew that better than anyone.

Minhyeong tilted his head back, the cuffs around his wrists clinking faintly against the metal bed frame. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the ceiling, his mind already moving through the possibilities. "You happy now?"

The voice that answered him was colder, darker—a low growl that seemed to vibrate the air itself. "Happy? You're gonna fuck this up, and I'm gonna be put on death row again."

Minhyeong's grin was almost too casual as he met Mark's voice with his own. "Relax. I'm tired of this place. Everyone's already under my wing. So now, we meet everyone outside, get a new crew."

Mark's response was immediate, his tone heavy with authority, a chill creeping into his words. "A crew? We made a pact that a crew would be no more."

Minhyeong's smirk widened, as if the very idea amused him. "Yeah, yeah, I remember. But what's the point of staying shackled in this godforsaken place when the whole world is out there for the taking?" He leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. "This isn't just about surviving anymore. It's about making sure we never have to deal with this prison again. A new crew is our ticket out."

Mark's voice, though layered with tension, wasn't as sharp as before. He was still calculating, still trying to rein in Minhyeong's reckless ideas. "You're underestimating the risks. A new crew? This isn't a game, Minhyeong. You want to stir up trouble again, you might not make it out alive."

Minhyeong raised a hand in mock surrender, his grin never fading. "I'm not underestimating anything. I've got the plan, and you've got the muscle. Together, we'll make sure no one stands in our way." He paused, his eyes locking with Mark's, a rare flicker of something almost... thoughtful passing between them. "You want out, don't you? This is your chance."

Mark's gaze hardened, lips pressing into a thin line. "I don't need a crew. I need my freedom. That's it."

Minhyeong shrugged, as if the entire conversation was nothing but a game to him. "Well, freedom's a whole lot easier with backup." His grin stretched wider, a dangerous gleam flashing in his eyes. "And believe me, Mark, you're gonna want backup when things get ugly."

Mark said nothing for a long moment, his mind working through the pros and cons. Then, with a soft exhale, he finally spoke. "We'll do it your way for now. But if this goes sideways, it's on you."

Minhyeong's chuckle was dark, the sound of it more of a threat than a joke. "Deal."