Dungeon Nexus: Rise of the Silent Walker

Jiho's eyes narrowed as the masked figures charged at him. The rooftop was no longer a battleground—it was a trap. Haeun fell back instinctively, but Jiho didn't hesitate. The shadows around him surged, wrapping his body like armor.

The first attacker lunged, blade aimed for Jiho's throat. He sidestepped with ease, his dagger slicing cleanly across their exposed side. The figure crumpled, but the others pressed forward. Jiho danced between them, his movements precise and unrelenting.

Haeun watched from the edge, torn between jumping in to help and staying out of his way. The rooftop was chaos—a whirlwind of steel and shadow.

"Kang Jiho!" one of the attackers snarled, swinging a heavy axe at him. Jiho ducked, letting the momentum carry the attacker off balance. With a swift motion, he drove his dagger into their back, pulling it free without a second glance.

The remaining three assailants hesitated, their confidence shaken.

"You thought this would be enough?" Jiho asked coldly, his voice cutting through the silence.

Before they could respond, Jiho lunged forward. Shadows lashed out like whips, striking one in the chest and sending them sprawling. The other two scrambled to regroup, but it was too late. Jiho was already upon them.

In moments, the rooftop fell silent, the bodies of the Silver Fang operatives strewn around him. Jiho wiped his blade clean, his breathing steady despite the carnage.

Haeun finally stepped forward, her expression a mix of awe and unease. "You didn't hold back."

"They came to kill me," Jiho replied flatly, his gaze fixed on the rooftop door. "If you hesitate, you die. Remember that."

Haeun nodded slowly, but her attention shifted as the door burst open. Another figure stepped out—a man with sharp features and piercing eyes. Unlike the others, he wasn't wearing a mask.

"You've been busy," the man said, his tone calm as he surveyed the scene.

Jiho's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

The man smiled faintly. "Han Taejin. Consider me...the one cleaning up Seo Gwan's mess."

Jiho tensed, the shadows around him flickering. "Cleaning up? Looks more like you're making a new one."

Taejin chuckled softly. "Perhaps. But unlike my predecessor, I don't make the mistake of underestimating my opponents. You've proven yourself capable, Kang Jiho. And for that, I'll make you an offer."

"Not interested," Jiho interrupted, his voice cold.

"You haven't even heard it yet," Taejin said, unfazed. "Join us. With your skills, you could thrive in Silver Fang. No more running, no more being hunted. You could stand at the pinnacle of power."

Jiho didn't respond immediately, his gaze unwavering. "If this is your idea of diplomacy, you've already failed."

Taejin sighed. "A shame. I was hoping you'd be smarter than Seo Gwan. But I suppose you'll learn the hard way." He gestured to the rooftop's edge, where another squad of masked figures had silently appeared.

Haeun's eyes widened. "Jiho—"

"I see them," Jiho said calmly, his shadows curling tighter around him.

Taejin stepped back, watching as his operatives advanced. "This isn't over, Kang Jiho. You'll regret refusing my offer."

With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving his squad behind.