" A mercenary soldier, age twenty-eight, served in the ROKA for more than eight years; he left the Korean army as a major, and to increase his profit, he became what I mentioned before, mercenary."

"What's his fuel? I need to know his weak point; it will be easier that way."

"His son"

"I'm listening, Oppa."

"The man got married at twenty-four, he had a family, he was happy to say the less, but, you know, life has some cruel ways sometimes; he lost his wife in a car accident, doctors were barely able to save the unborn child. However, the son came out being unhealthy from his mom's womb due to cardiac deficiency, the illness requires money, the child is constantly hospitalized, and that's our pressure point."

" I see, good enough for a motive; you met him?"

" My man did; we followed his steps closely; I have more than enough details about his daily activities for the meeting; I think it will be better for both of us to attend it; you know me, I don't like drama, listening to his stories from Jimin already made me feel depressed, I'm sorry, but I won't meet him without you."

The echo of the loud music was loud enough to feel its vibration in the walls; although she was used to that kind of lifestyle, tonight was a bit different, she was tired, and her mind was disturbed, to put it mildly.

Listening to Seokjin's explanation about the details of the lad made her realize once more how much money can be a source of power; However, she grew up learning that sad truth, learning about another person's struggles due to their meager income wasn't a pleasurable tale to listen to, not in her current mood.

Pity, she felt.

However, she knew that some people are only tamed once their pressure points are brought to light, a selfish and sad way of thinking, but it was a real one that shouldn't oversee.

Profit came first, always.

"Arrange a date, Oppa; I don't want to make our VIPS wait for more, everyone is already excited about the event, not to mention Jeguk Group already found the one, and we cannot lose the bait, not this time."

The girls next to Seokjin were driving his attention away, continuously touching his thighs. His chest was exposed to the half thanks to their fast hands that opened his shirt, not to mention the continuous attempt to crush their lips on his, which was, at a certain point, sitting on her nerves; she needed his total concentration. Still, their quick escorts wanted that attention for their selves.

They couldn't be blamed, though; he had the looks and the power, a filthy rich man with a model-like figure and fantastic taste in fashion; such an exquisite catch came only once in a time; they needed to make sure to be the ones warming up his bed tonight.

Katarina's patience, though, was running out. However, she didn't want to take it on her Oppa, to which she bored respect and brotherhood kind of feelings; she decided to maintain her usual collected demeanor while still expressing the lack of satisfaction and disappointment in her employees couldn't as it seemed to differentiate between tough talks and fun time.

Shoving her hand into her purse, she reached for her phone, dialed the site manager's number, and requested his presence in the room quickly.

" What's with the lousy recruitment Mr. Kwon? I expected better from you; I won't speak further; I think you got my stance just right, haven't you?"

" My apologies Miss Park; I will take necessary measures."

Seokjin mused at the scene taking place in front of his eyes; laying back his head on the headrest of the leather couch; he watched with interest the robust character of Katarina; he always admired her, in fact, at a point in his life, he loved her, if not for the marriage that took place with Min-ho he could have made his move toward her.

Sometimes he deeply regretted the loss of such a woman in his life; he knew they could have an unbreakable empire together, not to mention that their character clicked together very well, which could have led to a successful marriage.

Too late, though.

Seokjin married after Katarina's marriage, only one year after. Such a deep love he had for her, huh? But the man couldn't be blamed; his family needed to have control over Hong's family; the father of his wife was an aspiring politician that was at that time running for mayor; the marriage started as an agreement, but being a gentleman to his wife made her fall for him, it took him little time to start having some feelings for her too. Therefore, his marriage, globally speaking, was successful.

But those feelings were indeed not love, and he knew.

"Katarina, sometimes you need to take it easy, don't bother yourself with trivial matters."

"I won't have to if your attention was still on our project, don't worry, oppa, I will bring better girls; I care about your joy, you know me."

She was a person who knew when to have fun and when to restrain herself completely; that time was for sure the correct time to put on an act, the second option.

The deal was getting closer to the time limit, like a thickening bomb.

After facing a massive loss to Jeguk Group in the last time bait, she couldn't risk it again, as the loss involved wasn't only money; it was credibility.

Nearing her glass of whiskey to her lips, she sipped on the cold liquid, trying to come out with a solid plan to gain the lad Seokjin found; she knew that he was her last card, and at that, a card that needed to be successful, at all costs.

"Oppa, bring me enough details about the child's illness; I would like to have a full report by tomorrow for the meeting; I will let you know about its date."

"you're cooking something, aren't you? But honey, the story is easy, don't worry about it much."

"The last time we said that only betrayal we faced, let's not let our guards down, better safe than regretful Oppa, let's go by the book this time,  I will handle it, just provide me with information, and don't worry about his drama, I'll handle it instead."

Although money wasn't the main motive behind their project, power was, and what bets money better than power? Katarina knew precisely what the latter meant in her world; it was maybe way more important than the few dollars she would gain from the whole project; thus, she had no option besides playing her cards the right way.

It was the match of the century, well, definitely not a game you will watch while lying down on your living room couch while sipping some cola and chewing your popcorn; it was a giant ring, a ring only people with enough power could attend and muse to.

The adrenaline rush, maybe, or the high excitation from the event was the reason behind such games; in their world, sometimes, such kind of stress relieving events was better than just a holiday somewhere, a fancy night out, or even binge-shopping; it was the action and the grasp of dominance and power they required. Thus, such games started taking place in very ancient times.

Cultures such as Romans brought first to light those kinds of rings, getting involved emperors and high officials, betting on people like our nowadays horse races, with only a slight difference, the losing horse could be killed.

It will definitely be killed.

Incorporating some modifications to the Roman style, our world started knowing different phenomena called Free Fights, which have also known changes in Katarina's world, making it slightly more exciting and with more action.

The project was worth twenty million dollars, which was the prize of the winner, not to mention the free pass to some deals that Katarina had more interest in than the prize itself; she knew that such a free pass would bring huge gains, resulting in insuring her position, making it way more robust, which will also lead to keeping her enemies at bay for a long time. Perhaps also to generations to come.

Entering her company in her signature style, all in black, oversized trousers, a black shirt open exposing her beautiful cleavage until mid-way, and a large vest.

Her high stiletto was making enough noise to grab the attention of the employees standing around, making them bow to her respectfully, not caring much about her surroundings; being in deep thought, her guard pressed the button in the significant lift, up to the fifteenth floor where her office was located.

Waiting for her, there was Taehyung and his brother, that was for sure not very excited about meeting each other; however, they were both summoned; they knew for sure that she avoided invoking them together in the same place whenever the situation allowed, however, that situation for their unfortunate luck required them both at the same home and the same time.

Such a sad instance for them.

"Good morning, gentlemen."

"Hi Katarina, let's directly dig in; I have some matters to tend to."

" You want to drink something, Oppa?"

"I already had my coffee, asked him"

" I had mine too, Miss Park; we can proceed directly to gain our time."

Not minding the older man's words, she made her way to the mini-bar, grabbing a hangover drink for him; it was written on his face that he was suffering from an intense headache from the last night's long party, and after the party, of course.

"Here's for you, oppa; let's start now."

" Miss Park, I have done my research about the subject; I think it would be safer to tell him the truth from the beginning; it will make us avoid backlashes."

"What are you talking about, Kim Taehyung? You want her to tell him so he can run away. Are you in your right mind"

"It's okay, oppa; for some reason, this man never guessed wrong, continue on Taehyung; I would like to hear further explanations."

" In the files in front of you, pictures showing his bravery; it was back at the time when he served in ROKA, so if he had shown that much for a country that didn't  help him not even in a single way, he would do his best definitely for his son, its a matter of fact."

" I like your point, as always."

"Oppa, what about my request?"

"Jimin will be here in a few; he has everything settled to your liking; discuss further with him and proceed with your plan; I will take my leave for now."

"Oppa, we're still not over here, don't be edgy; it's business."

She knew that Seokjin wouldn't be particularly happy with Taehyung's presence and also his incorporation into the plan altogether, but she knew better how much of a practical man he was; she knew how much help he would be for her projects; she couldn't give up on him only to please Seokjin, albeit his feelings were vital for her.

Breaking the silence in the office that followed her remark, the phone rang, announcing the arrival of Jimin by her secretary; it was indeed the right timing.

Park Jimin is one of the most trusted men working under Seokjin; he was fierce and dangerous, to say the less. Still, this way of his was also the reason behind all the successful missions he had accomplished so far, proofing his usefulness to Seokjin in a brilliant way.

" Hi Jimin-ssi, please take a seat. Would you like to drink something?"

"I'm okay, Miss Park; thank you for offering; I hope you're doing well?"

"Thank you for asking Jimin-ssi; so I hear you have something for me?"

" I do indeed; here is the USB; it contains everything you requested."

" Thank you, if you don't have any previous engagements, I would like you to assist Taehyung in his next mission; I don't think your boss will refuse, aren't you oppa?"

" Whatever you need, Katarina.

Do as requested, Park Jimin, and report thoroughly."

"Sure, I'll be on standby then, have a wonderful day."

Katarina's plan was simple yet clever; she had the child in her grasp, and knowing everything about his medical report, she knew for sure what would be her next step.

The young father's struggles came profitable to her stance; in addition to Taehyung's report on the lad's behavior, she knew that one meeting would be more than sufficient to get him around her finger.

Merciless.

Seokjin was busy arranging the meeting; he had no intention whatsoever of getting himself entangled with the man, so we can say he supervised the appointment mission, while Jimin convinced in his cunning ways the young man, luring him to the cage awaiting ahead.

The lad's options were not many; in fact, there were only two options for him after Katarina had landed eyes on him, or maybe Seokjin? In all cases, the idea of having him grew bigger on her head, leaving our young man with limited choices that would be leading almost in the same direction, either he accepts the offer, which will allow his son to get a comfortable life, or he could be on the stupid side, choosing to refuse it altogether, ending his life abruptly, leaving his son behind. The choice was his in the end.

Katarina opted for her villa, located on the outskirts of Seoul, as a meeting point; she couldn't risk her office being stained or exposed. Also, Seokjin was in favor for her choice.

The villa was heavily guarded, with men standing in almost every corner, with their black uniforms and heavy gear; in the hands of each of them, there was a heavy Ares Shrike 5.56, a protection necessity, it seems like, in the end, the people inside were important figures, who have many enemies out there waiting for their chances to sweep them up. Especially with the upcoming deal.

"Oppa, you heard from Jimin?"

" He will be here within the next half an hour he said"

She evaluated her options for the umpteenth time; she was restless, to say the less, but it was only suitable for her to be the way she was, million we are talking about, billions even; however, her exterior behavior showed the exact opposite, a very calm demeanor, and collected figure, hiding her true feelings was one of her strong points, no one could argue on that.

Not too long after, Jimin was escorted inside by one of the guards; she sighed in relief, not letting it be seen by her partner or his man; looking toward Jimin, she flashed him a beautiful smile, a victorious one that seemed like complementing on the job of the mentioned man, he knew precisely what that smirk means.

Following Jimin, a tall man was wearing an all-black suit, skipping on the necktie altogether; his biceps were being squeezed inside the suit's vest, and his collarbone was almost visible from the open buttons unclosed on his shirt.

Although his style wasn't polished, it suited him just right, adding a very delicate yet masculine touch to his handsome face.

Beautiful.

The man was not like a typical ex-military lad; his face could suit more an actor or a model if not for the visible scar on his neck, which he seemed unbothered about.

Jimin presented the man to Seokjin; following the handshake, he led toward Katarina; he reached out for a handshake, but Katarina seemed frozen.

A different demeanor she had never shown before, almost scaring Seokjin about her, she stood silent, her eyes locked on the big doe-like eyes of the man standing in front of her; she couldn't be blamed; he was dashing, to say the less.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Park; Jeon Jungkook is my name."

ROKA: Republic of Korea Army

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The third chapter is out; it is a bit long, though.

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