The precinct was unusually tense. A major narcotics operation was underway, and everyone knew what was at stake. Files and blueprints cluttered the planning table as officers reviewed the club's layout, identifying exits, bottlenecks, and every possible hiding spot.
"We move in twenty. Team A sweeps the ground floor. Team B hits the VIP lounges. No mistakes," the lead officer, Captain Min, instructed. His tone was clipped, his expression all business.
Ah Jeong stood near the back, arms crossed, eyes glued to the map. Her ponytail was tight, her jaw even tighter. Taejin glanced at her but said nothing. She was focused.
The mission was clear: a high-profile dealer had been seen frequenting Club Kureon, and tonight, intel confirmed he'd be there. The team had one shot to bring him in.
"Once inside, blend in. No flashy entrances," Captain Min said. "Ah Jeong, you take point on the west wing. That's where our guy was last seen."
She nodded once, firmly. "Got it."
...
Inside Club Kureon, the bass thumped through the walls like a second heartbeat. Lights flickered in a dizzying strobe, and the crowd pulsed with energy. Expensive perfume, sweat, and alcohol mixed in the air.
Ah Jeong slipped in through the rear entrance. Dressed in black jeans and a loose jacket that hid her badge and weapon, she weaved through the dancing crowd, eyes scanning faces. The earpiece in her left ear buzzed quietly with updates from the team.
"No sighting yet," Taejin whispered. "East wing's clear."
"West wing, nothing," another voice chimed in.
She pushed past a pair of influencers taking selfies. Her eyes locked on a man leaning against a wall, too tense, too alert. Bingo.
She moved casually, then picked up speed.
"Police," she said flatly, flashing her badge. "Don't move."
The man bolted.
"Suspect on the run, west wing exit!" Ah Jeong shouted, taking off after him. The music muffled her voice, but the message got through.
The suspect darted through the side exit, knocking into drunk patrons as he fled.
Outside, the night was humid. Streetlights cast long shadows as Ah Jeong pursued him into the alleyway beside the club. He was fast, but she was faster. She caught up just as he tried to scale a fence.
She grabbed his jacket and yanked him back. The two tumbled onto the pavement. He scrambled up, pulled a knife, and slashed wildly.
"You're out of your mind," she spat, dodging the blade.
He lunged again. She blocked his arm, twisted, and slammed him against the wall. The knife clattered to the ground. But in the scuffle, he managed to dig into his pocket and pull out a smaller blade.
He swung low and caught her side. Pain erupted through her ribs, but she didn't flinch.
With a roar, she drove her knee into his gut and slammed him to the ground.
Before she could cuff him, a screeching sound filled the alley.
Headlights.
A sleek black car swerved around the corner, tires screeching. It veered sharply and struck the suspect, sending him flying a few feet before he landed with a sickening thud.
Ah Jeong staggered back, clutching her side. Her ears rang. She turned to the car.
The engine cut. The door flung open.
A man stepped out, wobbling. Disoriented. He reeked of alcohol.
She approached slowly, hand still on her bleeding side.
"Excuse me, sir. Are you okay?"
He looked at her, eyes glazed. "Who the hell are you?"
"Are you drunk?"
"Get out of my face," he growled, trying to push past her.
She stepped in his way. "Sir, you're not allowed to drive under the influence."
"Do I look like I care what you think?"
She caught the strong stench of whiskey.
"I'm giving you one chance. Step aside."
Her patience snapped. She pulled out her taser and fired.
He crumpled.
...
The holding cell was cold, sterile, and dimly lit. Jin Isoo sat on the narrow bench, head pounding. His designer jacket was gone. His hair was a mess. And he had absolutely no idea what the hell was happening.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
A uniformed officer unlocked the door. "You. Let's go."
He followed groggily, stumbling into the interrogation room.
Ah Jeong sat on the other side, bandaged but composed.
She didn't greet him.
"Name."
"You seriously don't know who I am?"
"Do I look like I care?"
He scowled. "I want to speak to my lawyer."
"No one's come yet. We'll assign a public defender."
He laughed bitterly. "You can't be serious."
"You were drunk driving. You hit someone. You interfered with a police operation."
"You tased me."
"You were resisting."
He leaned back. "This is insane."
She leaned forward. "Look here, sir. I don't care if you're some chaebol's son or a K-pop idol. In here, you play by the rules. Cooperate. Or this gets a lot worse."
Isoo looked away. "Fine. Whatever."
...
At the same time, in a high-rise office across the city, Assemblyman Jin paced behind his desk. His secretary stood frozen.
"What do you mean he was arrested?"
The woman held out her tablet. A blurry photo of Isoo slumped in the back of a police car. Paparazzi had been waiting outside the club.
The Assemblyman slammed his hand on the table. "Get my lawyer on the phone. Now."
...
Back at the station, the Chief's office buzzed with tension. Ah Jeong stood in front of Chief Baek, arms stiff at her sides.
"You tased Assemblyman Jin's son."
"He broke the law."
"The Commissioner called. He's being released."
"You're letting him walk?"
"It's politics, Ah Jeong. Let it go."
"So rich kids get to play hit and run now?"
"That's enough."
The door opened. Isoo stood there, lawyer beside him.
"Detective," he said with a smirk. "Thanks for the hospitality."
Her fists clenched. She said nothing.
The lawyer spoke. "We'll be filing a complaint for excessive force."
Ah Jeong took a step forward. "I dare you."
"That's enough!" the Chief barked. "Both of you."
Isoo left with his lawyer, still grinning. Ah Jeong watched him go, a sour taste in her mouth.
Taejin found her in the hallway a few minutes later.
"You okay?"
"Ask me again when I don't feel like committing a crime."
He nodded slowly. "That bad?"
"He looked me in the eye and smirked like none of this mattered."
Taejin leaned on the wall beside her. "Welcome to politics."
She exhaled sharply, pulling off her bandage slightly to check the wound. "One day. I swear, one day..."
"Let's just get you patched up first."
She nodded, still watching the front door where Jin Isoo had walked out free. Not forever, she told herself. Not forever.