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The National Museum of Artifacts is known, not just nationwide, but the global entirety is aware of it being the most heavily guarded museum to exist. Based in the heart of South Korea, it is flocked by almost everyone — especially to the tourists.

The guards are handpicked among the finest of nations. Not only that, they undergo rigorous training too — to the point that assassins had experienced being guards of the museum. In every door, there is a fingerprint and eye scanner, which is why everyone who goes into the museum needed to be accompanied by a staff.

Tons of con artists have attempted to challenge its security, however, none were successful. If there were any, they never made it out of the museum alive.

Nine feet below the museum, the Ruby of the Queen lies. It was known to belong to the first Asian Royalties and is passed down from generations to generations. What makes it special? It was said that whoever possessed it will be given immortality.

Because of the countless times it was attempted to be stolen, its security was far more complex and tight. One who would enter the hallways needed to become invisible because a person's sight and touch would be detected by the cameras and sensors. Additionally, the place where it lied had the power to suck in all their oxygen, incapacitating the person.

Today, the nine assassins will attempt to steal it.

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"Is everything clear?" Yeji asked through her in-earplug. A voice then followed, "Yes. Go."

The cat-eyed assassin removed the tie in her hair, its motion going slow as the crowd surrounding her stared in awe. Sporting a gorgeous smile, the female leader charmed her way to the path leading to the Ruby of the Queen.

Growing up, Yeji was the charmer of the group — her unique eyes even became the talk of the town. Although no matter how much men made advances towards her, her heart would always be closed.

"I'm approaching the guards," she added. That was the cue for Taehyun to move nearer.

Taehyun was the hacker of the group — no, he was not one of those people who learned coding at the age of two. He learned through time. Actually, the whole group was taught how to hack but only Taehyun stood out.

As of now, his location would ruin the plan since their communication signal could only work for such distance. Hence, he had to transport to another place.

"Kai, I'm going in," Taehyun said, making Kai clutch his shotgun.

Kai was responsible for keeping lookout outside of the museum. Since they started training, Kai was the one who had great aim in terms of guns. He was highly reliable in that area.

"Coast is clear," Kai assured him. In turn, Taehyun sprinted towards the tech room, unlocking the door in the process.

Once he settled in, he immediately took control of all of the the CCTV cameras and sensors there was. Yeji could not make a move without him doing it.

"Taehyun, are you done?" Yeji did not want to make it obvious that she was anxious — especially, since she was only seconds away from the guards.

"Just a sec!" Taehyun exclaimed as his hands rummaged through the keyboards, typing every code there was. Afterwards, he was now the master of the museum's security. "Now."

As soon as Taehyun said that, Yeji flashed a teasing smile while walking towards the guards. One of them looked at her from head to toe while the other was staring at her face.

"The museum is not this way." A guard stopped her. Yeji acted confused before placing some touches to the guard here and there.

"I heard that's a great make out room in there," Yeji chuckled before casually pointing at the door they were guarding. "Do you want to try it?"

"Who the fuck are you?" Yeji turned to the other guard who was already suspicious of her. That guard signaled the staff in the tech room to run a background check on her.

Taehyun, being the master he was, had the audacity to use an online roulette to pick what backstory should he give Yeji. If only Chaeryeong could see him, she would smack her best friend.

"She's the daughter of the Chief of Staff, Han Sera," Taehyun answered. "She's allowed to go there."

"See?" Yeji scoffed before turning back to the guard she was flirting with. "So... About my proposal..."

The guard was already one word away from surrendering to the cat-eyed goddess before him. At that last touch she gave, he signaled his co-guard to open the doors and him to leave.

"That's what I like better," Yeji chuckled before wrapping her arms around the guard's neck. She took a glance at his name-tag, "Juno."

She smirked before lightly brushing her lips on the latter. Giving him a taste, she then aggressively claimed Juno's lips — going intoxicated by every passing second.

On the other hand, Yeonjun, who was only waiting for Yeji's signal, had to look away. After all, what should he feel when he hears his ex-girlfriend kissing another man? Especially since he was still madly in love with her.

Ever since they broke up, Yeji was the coldest to him — she would brush off every assistance he gave her. He only wanted to bring back their friendship but what she wanted was not aligned to his.

"I love it." Out of all the signals they could have picked, they chose that. Beomgyu and Ryujin rolled their eyes before entering the premises.

Beomgyu and Ryujin were the best in daggers among the group. However, they were constantly compared to each other — adding more fuel to their anger towards the other.

"What a plan," Ryujin groaned before putting on her mask. She clutched on her dagger as she looked at the man in front of her. "Hurry up, dipshit."

"Shut up," Beomgyu scoffed. Afterwards, he took his dagger and smoothly threw it towards the last guard waiting on the door. "Let's go, mademoiselle?"

Juno, still under Yeji's kiss, heard the slight commotion outside and shifted to turn. However, Yeji was quick to have him face in front.

Back to the cat and dog outside, Ryujin massaged her temples before making their way towards the door separating them and Yeji. Beomgyu was on lookout as he signaled Ryujin to inform their leader.

"Unnie," Ryujin said. "We're here."

Yeji pulled away from the kiss, making Juno furrow his brows out of confusion. She then planted a quick peck on the latter before knocking him down by kicking his manhood down there.

"Sucks, you're cute," Yeji whispered. She then rolled her eyes when she heard Yeonjun talk, "Yeji, hurry up!"

"It's clear now," she informed. "Taehyun, open the door."

Since the door earlier would close when needed, Ryujin and Beomgyu were locked outside. Hence, Beomgyu would have to use the finger of the guard he stabbed earlier to open the door.

"Yeonjun oppa, Chaer," Ryujin said through her in-earplug. "Coast is clear."

Yeonjun and Chaeryeong were the best in combat — one punch from them was enough to send someone sleeping for a week. Even Jungkook's hired boxers did not escape from their power.

The both of them wore their white masks. They were the ones responsible for entering the room where the Ruby of the Queen was in. And so, they had to be almost invisible.

Jungkook got their sensor-proof suits from all the connections he had. Since theirs were the most important part of the plan, they should not fail on this one.

"You ready?" Yeonjun asked the younger who nodded at him. Among the boys, Yeonjun was the one who acted most as the brother-figure to the girls — except Yeji, of course.

"Stay safe," they heard Kai say through the line.

The duo then made their path towards where Beomgyu and Ryujin were. Yeonjun even initiated a high-five with Beomgyu before following Yeji inside. Due to what happened earlier, he could not look at the girl in the eye.

"Let's go," Chaeryeong said as she slid on her gloves. They had fifteen minutes to go and they were not on the correct floor yet. "Damn, would love to be buried nine-feet under too."

"Give me five bucks and I'll do it," Ryujin chuckled before setting the three go. Only Yeji, Yeonjun, and Chaeryeong were the ones set to go to the place of the Ruby of the Queen.

Just as how they both hated, Ryujin and Beomgyu were then alone together to keep watch of the main door. They were monitoring if any civilian or staff would enter the premises.

"Stop dozing off," Beomgyu scolded Ryujin who was not even lost in her thoughts. "You volunteered for this so do your job properly."

Ryujin rolled her eyes. Yes, she volunteered for such a big role but she did not want to be stuck with her nemesis there! She would rather be the one buried nine-feet under than surviving nine seconds with Beomgyu.

Yes, they hated each other that much.

"Maybe if you stop staring at me then we'll get to do our jobs properly," Ryujin fired back. Kai rolled his eyes.

Are those two fighting again? Kai thought.

"Who says I'm staring at you?" Beomgyu raised his brow. "Are you seriously thinking I'm interested in you?"

"Who told you that?" Ryujin acted innocent. "Stop putting words on my mouth when it's actually you who is interested in me."

They were about to fight again but a familiar voice cut them off.

"What happened to do not fall in love with each other?" Yeji asked, pure authority laced in her voice. Ryujin and Beomgyu must have forgot that the whole group could hear them.

"I don't love Ryujin!" Beomgyu retorted. Ryujin shouted back, "I'm sure as heck I won't fall for this asshole either!"

Everyone except Yeji, however, begged to differ.

What was already the worst case in their plan happened.

"Someone's approaching," Kai told them. "Ryu noona, Gyu hyung, do something."

Ryujin squinted her eyes to take a good look and calculate how much time they had before the person could reach them.

"Wear the guard's uniform," Beomgyu was quick to remove the uniform of the knocked-out guards. It was fortunate that the guards had extra clothes underneath.

"We have no time," Ryujin retorted before taking her non-lethal dagger. "We have to take her down."

"Ryu, listen to me," Beomgyu was losing his patience. "We have time. Listen to me now."

However, the mistake of the group was not putting them together — but having them decide for themselves. They had conflicting personalities that their choices would either cause harm or good. No in between.

"Fuck," Beomgyu hissed before throwing the uniforms. The staff was already four feet away from them.

"Oh!" The staff greeted. "I haven't seen you both before. I thought Juno and Yuri were the ones guarding this place."

"They got relocated," Ryujin answered. "Seyoon and I are the ones who will replace them."

Beomgyu had the urge to scoff at the name Ryujin used to introduce him — the name of the guy who ditched her in a date.

"You're a girl?" The staff asked as she pointed at Ryujin who raised a brow. If only she did not have any mask, the staff would see her mouthing curses.

"Yeah?" She answered. "Got a problem?"

"No—" The staff was cut off by the familiar voice — Juno.

"Call the police!" Juno screamed from the other side of the door. "They are going to steal the Ruby!"

Ryujin immediately took out her dagger and threw it at the staff who was running away. Unfortunately, she missed.

"Fuck! Fuck!" Ryujin yelled as she followed the staff, already fading their sight. On the other hand, Beomgyu took a different approach.

"Tae..." He called. "Disrupt all signals. The staff is going to call the police."

However, it was all too late.

On the other side of the museum, Yeji was leading the two assassins towards the vault wherein the Ruby of the Queen was enclosed. Yeonjun was silently calming himself down.

"Did you enjoy the kiss back there?" He could not help but to ask the girl. Pride? That was already out of his vocabulary a long time ago.

"Yeah..." Yeji's giggle made him fume in more anger, making Chaeryeong twitch her eyes out of nervousness. "Too bad it didn't last long."

Yeji smirked when she saw Yeonjun almost losing his composure. She bet that the boy turned his fists into balls. Back to work, she then gestured Chaeryeong and Yeonjun to prepare.

"Taehyun, deactivate the sensors," she ordered. "Yeonjun and Chaeryeong are coming in."

Taehyun obeyed her orders and punched all the codes to unlock the vault. Yeonjun and Chaeryeong placed their masks since oxygen level would be at zero percent inside, unless they disable it. However, the only way to disable it was to enter inside and punch the button.

"Okay," Yeji said. "Do your thing."

Chaeryeong was the first to enter the vault — pure white decorating the hallway leading to the sensor-filled room. Due to how swift she was, she smoothly glided towards the corner. Her eyes were rapidly searching for the button.

"Red... Red... Where are you?" She muttered to herself. As she spotted what she was searching for, she immediately pressed it — allowing oxygen to enter the vault.

That was the cue for Yeonjun to follow. He smiled at the girl before making their way towards the secluded room. They stared in awe at the gigantic ruby in front of them.

"Voila..." Chaeryeong giggled. "I think I want to add that to my jewelry collection."

"I think I will surrender it to the pawnshop," Yeonjun chuckled before patting the hair of the younger. "Want to do the honors?"

"Gladly," she exclaimed with glee as she ran towards the Ruby of the Queen. "Wow..."

The Ruby sported a majestic red — a shade wherein one could not help but to notice it. It had the characteristic of making one the star of the night. Of course, Chaeryeong wanted it.

"Got 'ya," Chaeryeong took ahold of the ruby.

What made their lips part was how water slowly flooded the room.

"The police are coming!" Kai shouted at his friends. From outside, he could see the group of police card claiming their spot in front of the museum.

"Get them out there now!" This time, it was Soobin who scolded them. He was waiting at a rooftop of a place not far from them — he was in charge of being the pilot for today's mission.

Soobin is the male leader of the group — he was also authoritative like Yeji, except that he had a calmer and tamer demeanor. It was one of the reasons why Lia fell in love to which, of course, he did not know about.

"Yeji noona, can you pick up the pace?!" Beomgyu said, even with the low chance of her hearing it. Only Taehyun could communicate with her. "Taehyun! Tell them to get out there!"

"This is your fault!" Ryujin pointed at Beomgyu with her dagger. "You know you always ruin every plan! We could have knocked out that staff before!"

"I'm not the one who was stubborn earlier," Beomgyu whispered through his gritted teeth before leaving the girl alone, off his way to prepare in fighting the police.

"Just fucking stop fighting!" Taehyun was panicking. Of course, he was taking care of three locations at once.

When the police entered the premises, that was Kai's time to shine. He took a deep breath before clicking the gun, sending the police wondering who was shooting them.

"Ah!" Kai yelled when a bullet almost hit him. Starting to get angry, he sent a perfect shot on their legs.

Yes, the police could still fight back. However, they had to tend to their injured leg. Kai knew that they were wearing bulletproof vests so he was aware of what part to target.

Nevertheless, chaos ensued.

"Fucking shit," Ryujin rolled her eyes before following the boy. She took her long sword as she waited for the police to arrive.

Beomgyu now took out his specialty — archery. He did not forget to carry his bow and arrow. Among everyone, he was the best at it.

"Try not to shoot me," Beomgyu informed Ryujin before facing in front again.

"Too bad..." Ryujin whispered.

In three seconds, bullets, arrows, and daggers were exchanged. Beomgyu, living his best life, was only shooting daggers — covering Ryujin who was fighting near the police.

Even though they hate each other's guts, they could not bear ruining a plan. 

Ryujin moved like a shadow — almost no one could see her throwing daggers and stabbing the police like there was no tomorrow.

"Ryu!" Beomgyu yelled when a police was about to shoot Ryujin on her back. However, the girl was quick to duck, enabling the latter to get a good shot to take him down.

"You know, a thank you would suffice," the boy sarcastically remarked at the latter who was looking for more people to fight.

"I don't need your help," Ryujin hissed as she stabbed another officer.

Unfortunately, they were becoming powerless by the second as more police officers surrounded the place.

"The fuck..." Yeonjun cursed as the water slowly ascended. He took Chaeryeong by the hand as they ran towards the vault's door.

"Hurry up!" Yeji exclaimed. "The police is here already!"

However, the door suddenly closed.

"Shit! Shit!" Yeji lost her composure, pacing back and forth due to so much panic. "Taehyun, where the fuck are you? Open the damn door!"

Taehyun, on the other hand, was doing something else.

"Soobin hyung! Get here now!" He said through the in-earplug. The male leader took that as a cue to drive the airplane. Taehyun thought they needed an immediate escape.

Going back to the line with Yeji, he was a thousand time more panicked due to the commotion. It was hard being the only hacker in the group — all the pressure was on him.

"On it!" Taehyun's eyes widened when he saw the room already flooding with water — on the chest level of Yeonjun and Chaeryeong.

"Chaer! Hang on to my neck!" Yeonjun shouted when Chaeryeong was almost drowning. He took her by the waist before carrying her, allowing her to grab onto him.

"I... I... can't breathe..." Chaeryeong managed to mutter in between coughs. It was only seconds before Yeonjun be submerged in water too.

Hearing that, Taehyun worked twice as hard for his best friend and brother. He was already drowned in cold sweats — the plan was not supposed to go haywire. He would not let them die.

"Chaer! Hold on!" His voice was laced with so much worry and panic. "Everything's going to be okay!"

"Please... Save them..." Yeji had her hands clasped together.

Even though Yeji had a cold demeanor, her worry for her ex-boyfriend and sister was already ascending through heavens. Tears slowly rolled her face as she could only hope for someone to save them.

"There!" Taehyun punched the last letter and with that, the door opened.

In just a few minutes, Yeji, Yeonjun, and Chaeryeong met with the others who were surrounded by the police — even Kai and Taehyun were there. Oh, they were so outnumbered.

"What are we going to do?" Chaeryeong asked. Maybe they could wait in prayer?

"We have no choice," Kai answered before glaring at the police in front of them. "Either we die now or we die trying."

"You know... I love you guys," Yeonjun butted in — completely in belief that this was already their last breath.

"I'm happy to have met all of you," Taehyun flashed them a smile before holding Chaeryeong by the hand.

"At least we're together, right?" Beomgyu tried to remain optimistic before looking at Ryujin. "Ryu, maybe we can patch up before we die?"

"Oh, hell no," Ryujin looked at him weirdly. "I will hate you until I die."

"The fuck are you all so pessimistic for?" Yeji glared, even though she knew in herself that a miracle was almost impossible.

Almost.

Just the second before all hope was lost, the police officers were knocked down one by one. It was as if there was a shadow sending them to fall in each passing second.

That was Lia, the group's ace.

"Get the fuck up there and help me!" Lia shouted and that was the cue for the eight assassins to charge.

"Did you get the ruby?!" Kai was fighting beside Yeonjun who was trampling over everyone with his punches.

Yeonjun paused for a while to show the latter the ruby. He watched Kai's eyes illuminate in amazement before placing it back on his pocket.

"Back to work," he said.

On the other hand, Yeji and Chaeryeong were working together to bring down a group of officers who were charging towards them.

"Juno?" Yeji cooed and pretended to cry. "Why are you hurting me? Did I not satisfy you before?"

"Gosh, you big flirt," Chaeryeong commented before knocking Juno down — the second time he lost to a woman today.

Lia and Beomgyu were undeniably a great combination in these missions — her versatility always matched with Beomgyu's strategies ideas. Since Lia also lacked great aim, Beomgyu was the one who complimented her.

Do not get them wrong — they do not like each other that way. Lia's heart belonged to Soobin, one-sidedly. Meanwhile, Beomgyu did not have any interest in falling in love.

"Gyu, on your back!" Lia shouted as Beomgyu coolly threw a dagger behind, not bothering to look at it. Fortunately, he got the perfect shot.

"Thanks!" Beomgyu smiled before helping Lia with the men about to knock her down.

Finally, Ryujin was covering Taehyun who was busy opening the door leading to the rooftop. They were now on their way to meet Soobin.

"Let's go! Let's go!" Taehyun screamed, making his friends look at him. At last, they were now leaving this place.

The eight assassins, with Yeji in the front and Yeonjun in the back, were running towards where Soobin was.

"I'm here!" Soobin said as he laid down the helicopter on the wide space above the museum. "Look what we have here?"

He smirked when he saw two police helicopters above him. Now, it was the male leader's time to shine.

Soobin put on his mask before carrying two grenades. Afterwards, he slowly exited the helicopter — bringing more suspense to the police who had his eye on him. He was oozing with intense charisma that only Soobin could embody.

"Hasta la vista, baby," he chuckled as he threw one grenade to a helicopter and the other one on the second plane.

Like a villain in an action movie, Soobin slid on his sunglasses as he watched the explosion before his very eyes. He even had the urge to break a demonic laugh.

"Hey, Soobin!" Lia shouted. "Let's go!"

As the group settled in the helicopter, Soobin could only laugh at how pathetic the police looked while shooting down their helicopter. It would take a god for them to get caught.

"Did any of you got hurt?" Soobin asked, glancing at Taehyun first because he was his co-pilot for today.

"Chaer and Yeonjun hyung almost drowned," he answered. "We should get them checked when we get home."

"Gyu and Ryu have cuts too," Yeji said as she glanced at the two nemesis in front of her.

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After an hour, they finally landed on their house — to which they like to call the headquarters. Yeji smiled as she carried the Ruby of the Queen.

"Must be nice to have an engagement ring like this." Yeonjun's ears perked up to what Yeji said. He even took a mental note of it.

"My dear children!" Jungkook greeted them. "Are you alright?"

Chaeryeong smiled — she really looked up to Jungkook after all these time. He was not one to scold them every after mission, instead, he would be the first to ask if they were fine.

"Some of us got wounds but not that deep," Soobin replied.

Yeji smirked before handing Jungkook the Ruby of the Queen. The group watched as their so-called father stare in awe at the treasure before him.

"You all did great today," Jungkook concluded — hugging them one by one.

As if on cue, a familiar face entered the scene.

"The fuck are you doing here?" Ryujin asked, pure anger consuming her body.

Beomgyu glanced at the girl before returning his sight to the man in front of them. He was sure he saw him before. And he was sure that that man was the reason why Ryujin was always angry.

"Ryu," the man chuckled. "Is that how you greet your brother?"

Half of the group gasped — never once did one of them knew about each other's family. Most especially that Ryujin was never one to open up about hers. She was mad at them.

"Brother?" Lia muttered.

That only meant that Ryujin was the child of one of the most influential people in the country. However, one question remained: Why did Ryujin become an assassin instead?

"Fuck you, you traitor," she said through gritted teeth.

"Ryu, it's no—" The man was cut off.

Beomgyu could only stare at Ryujin who walked out. He had the urge to follow her but realized that it was absurd. After all, they hated each other.

"Not to be rude but..." Kai interfered. "Who are you?"

"I'm Leeknow," he started. "Your new client."

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Author's Note

The Ruby of the Queen and
the National Museum of
Artifacts are only fiction and
used as the supplements
in this story.