T/W - mild-talks about killing.

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"One"

"Two"

"Three"

The words echoed in the hall and as the agents shot bullets right through the target. Five of them concentrating only over their target as they shot the bullet, their hands over the gun as they pulled the trigger back and targeted again.

The 100 metre distance shooting between the agents and their targets was nothing compared to their past exam of 1 kilometre running. Them sitting in the center of the ground specially made for such tough practices, the other candidates surrounding them in a directions from a good 200 metre distance. The agents aimed again at the target, their ear wear tightly constricting the fumbling outer sounds.

"Daebak (It's Amazing)," Shin-ho muttered as she saw her best friend shooting bullets by bullets faster than other agents present. Her best friend was the only girl in the group of top five. The only who has completed three missions in a year among their troop. She gazed at them amazed, standing infront of the wired boundary.

"That's it," The agents heard the speaker screeching loudly, stopping the moment they heard the sound.

Park Shin-Han, nodded his head towards the man who was screeching of the loudspeaker as he looked down from the top building they were in, to check and watch the final part of the agents. Shin-Han being the senior agent of the group and the main trusty of the branch left the room and descended towards the agents, his steps adequate enough to make other gasp over the authority the posh man was giving out. His dark short hair sticked to each other as if glued together, the specs over the bridge of his nose looking emiting dominance ae he came infromt of his top five agents.

"Agents" His voice boomed, making Shin-ho lose her balance but she was lucky enough as her boyfriend, Hae-Sik, caught her by arm before she could embarrass herself more. She looked at the person towards the center, her head bowed down in embarrassment.

Shin-Han looked at every person present before clearing his throat and as he stood in the middle of the the ground.

"Today was the last day of your training. Now, you all will be send to be famous businessmen as their lead bodyguards. You know what you have to do after that, you five are the best of our candidates and I, personally prefer you all to do the mission better. Our work lays on your hand," Han-shin said, and the five candidates nodded their head.

He smirked and started his walk towards the 1st candidate, it was time to check what his bests could do.

"Introduce yourself," he asked the 1st candidate who nodded his head and took of his helmet.

"Yang In-Su, Candidate 1, Black Belt Taekwondo," In-Su bowed his head to which the elder man nodded and looked at the young man infront of him.

Yan In-Su was just as was mentioned the day he joined. The once young in twenties kid now in his young thirties, an English professor in university by profession and multilingual.

Shin-han walked ahead, looking forward to choose the team leader for his team, they all now being way better what they were years ago.

"Lee Tae-Hyun, Candidate 2, Red Belt Taekwondo and Blue Belt Hapkido," Tae-Hyun spoke, his helmet still on, as he bowed his head towards his senior.

Lee Tae-Hyun had served last two years in military, which probably made him look more mature and unapproachable. The guy was doing yet well in his mid-thirties which is a admirable result coming off from a cancer surviver and well known chef.

No wonder, Han-shin is impressed from the man he was seen growing up.

"Choi Young-Jae, Candidate 3, Blue belt Taekwondo and Green belt Tang Soo Do," Young-Jae shouted, his voice shrill enough for other students to freak out.

Choi Young-Jae, a professional Tang Soo Do coach, the guy in his last twenties has helped enough the branch by teaching the newcomers and thus proving himself.

Shaking his head Han-shin walked towards the 4th candidate.

"Gwan Ju-Won, Candidate 4, Master black belt Tang Soo Do," Ju-Won said confidently takimg his helmet off, his brown hair cascading in front of his spectacles.

Gwan Ju-Won had yet suprsied Shin-Han. Who could have guessed the nerd student who in his entire school time had never touched any thing than book would come as a professional hacker. He was proud of the young man who he himself has taught personally.

"Lee Mi-Hee, Candidate 5, Coral Belt Jiu-Jitsu," Mi-Hee spoke, her voice determined as raised her head to look at Shin-Han's eyes before bowing.

The most intriguing candidate of all. Lee Mi-Hee or her real name Mihika, sole heiress of a big business in a foreign country staying in South Korea for her responsibilities. A special appointed doctor working under the top security and search branch of country for reason unknown to the world.

Shin-Han nodded at her, a chuckle leaving his mouth seeing the young girl's courage. He then looked towards the agent teacher who was looking at him after taking up the targets and nodded his head, before walking towards the exit.

"Not my father trying to scare the day lights of my best friend," Shin-ho muttered as she saw her father walking away. Her hand in process to leave her boyfriend's hold and to give a good lecture to the girl who was wearing helmet in the warm sun. She walked over to her best friend and stood infront of her.

"Ma'am, please remove your helmet and sit for a while before we leave and please eat this. We have to go for work and here you are, not eating a bite for God knows what reason," the taller girl mentioned forwarding a water bottle and a triangular shaped packet.

Mi-Hee looked at her bestie and shook her head, chuckling at the girl who glared at her, it nearly felt her eyes were blazing in the sun. She removed her helmet with a groan, her curly black hair stuffed in a bun.

She took the bottle and gulped the water in a go before breathing a sigh of relief and then taking the kimbap her present had offered her. Hunger and her are friends now but yet, this silly girl never fails to remind her how toxic her friendship with hunger is.

"Agents! A last talk," The main teacher, Choi Woo-Bin shouted calling up the five candidates.

Mi-Hee looked at her bestie with a sorrowful look as she glanced at the half eating snack, keeping the heavy helmet in her friend's hand, she walked towards the center ignoring the people who were drooling over her food.

"Sir!" She shouted and then bowed along with the other agents.

"I am glad that all of you have reached this position after much practice and hard work. Your team will now be called Jeoju meaning curse " a curse for the sinners" and the leader of this team will be In-Su, you all have to follow his order from the missions now. Extra information will be provided you through emails. We hope you will do your best in your work and now you are dismissed," Woo-Bin announced.

All the agents bowed again infront of their teach before going in other directions. It was a rule of this branch, you are friends with your partners after the work but inside you all are mere strangers. No one is aiming to be best from another one but just trying to overcome their own obstacles. Everyone is supposed to fight themselves, your team mates are the people you are needed to be co-working with and if otherwise, the whole team will be removed,

Shin-Ho chased towards Mi-Hee who stood in the center still eating her Kimbap as she tried to comprehend what happened minutes ago. It was not a new fact to her that she was not chosen as the leader because the work here doesn't require competitiveness and she is not supposed to fight for it. But the fact, that now she would be allowed to practice here anymore, the place she has spend her last ten years was churing her stomach. She hated it.

"Here, wear this. And take this outfit out from, you know it's not okay to wear this hot attire in this weather," Shin-Ho said to her bestie after making her wear a hat to protect from the sun. The attire which was black thick shirt and jumpers sticking to the young girl's frame.

"Here you girls are. I had to run back from the room to here because of this kangaroo girlfriend I have ," Hae-Sik perked between the besties. He received a good blow on his arm enough to make it hurt form his girlfriend while he grinned at her, becuase he knew it was his fault this time.

"Did Something happened for you to search for us?" Mi-Hee asked after she finished chewing her snack. Her hand instantly reaching towards her shirt which was sticking to her now.

"Oh shit! Yes, let's go fast, it's an emergency," he announced looking at his girlfriend and her best friend to which both of them nodded their heads and followed the boy.

_________

"What's the problem?" Mi-Hee asked the nurse as the put her id straight, Shin-ho and Hae-Sik both by her side.

Located in the countryside of the Daegu district, the Dalbich Hospital was rather a small hospital with efficient supplies being still it's location being close to highways and main roads did no ease to the doctor who worked overtime in the hospital.

"Dr. Lee, there is a patient with acute appendicitis in bed number four waiting since last two hours in the ER but it seems like none of the doctors are free till now," Nurse Jin responded checking the desk.

"Call Nurse An and Nurse Kim and them prepare the operation theatre for appendectomy, we will perform a laparoscopy. Meanwhile, I will go and see the patient, mention in the desk that Dr. Lee is main doctor with Dr. Yang Hae-Sik as her first assistant and Dr. Park Shin-ho as her anesthesiologist," Mi-hee ordered and walked towards the ER.

She nodded her head towards her fellow juniors and bowed towards her seniors on her way towards the Emergency room. Her eyes narrowing slightly everytime, it was a first time she was performing surgery in this hospital. She took a deep breath before opening the door, her hands cold as ever as she walked towards the bed number four.

"Dr. Lee Mi-Hee I will be in-charge of your surgery, patient," she spoke, her words straight forward yet filled with warmth, as she continued checking the iv and vitals of the patient.

"Name - Naisha Joshi Ahuja, Age - 28 years," Lee-Moon said as he continued reading the condition and diagnosis till now.

"Patient, I will be pressing your stomach, please respond to me when it will pain," Mi-Hee spoke fluently in English as pressed the patient's stomach.

"Ah" she heard Naisha screamed and moved her hand towards the right side of the stomach.

"Ahh.. please," Naisha murmured trying to curl herself in a ball.

Mi-Hee left her side and walked towards the desktop to check the reports. Her eyes scanning each and every words and recognizing the similar x-rays that she had studied for past years and operated over. There was nothing abnormal with the patient and even the vitals were stable, it made her ever calm knowing that the patient will be cured foem her pain soon.

"Dr. Lee, the OT is ready," Nurse An, a strict and sharp woman in her early forties announced, her eyes ranking over the patient and then towards Mi-Hee whose eyes were fixed on the reports. Her black hair in bob cut bouncing as she spoke moving her head.

"Okay, ask the patient's guardian for the sign and shift her to the OT," she replied back as she looked at her first and then over the nurse who nodded her head and walked away to call for assistance in moving the patient.

"Let's go," Mi-hee murmured near her first who shook his head affirmatively. They both strolled out from the ER towards the changing room.

Mi-hee changed her clothes putting on the green surgical attire when her eyes collided with a picture kept hidden in her locker. She took the picture out safely and caressed it gently.

"Dad and Avi, see where I am right now. I hope you both are happy in your worlds while I am here trying to be in mine. It has been a while since I talked with both of you and listened to your words, wish me luck please. Your wishes means the world to me," she whispered, her heart filling with agony which her eyes made impossible to show.

"I got a call from Shin-Ho, the anesthesia has started," Hae-Sik screamed knocking the door.

"Yeah, go ahead. I am coming," Mi-hee responded quickly putting the picture and other articles inside her locker.

She walked outside the door and swiftly ran towards OT becuase she knew it was not her time to feel the pain but to relieve the pain of people who has come to her. Helping them is her main motto in life and rest can be seen after that.

Entering the OT, she washed and sanitized her hand. Before entering inside, her both hands up till the area washed.

As she walked, Nurse Kim gave her a clean tissue by which she wiped her hand before standing infront of her first, with their patient in the center ready for the operation.

"How are the vitals?" Lee Moon inquired.

"Stable now and while the operation, I will take care of it," Shin-ho replied checking the machines.

"Let's start the Operation," Mi-hee announced.

♟

"Jeoju team.. Jeoju team.. Headquarters speaking,"

Yang In-Su sighed hearing the call from wireless walkey-talky, it has not been an hour since he was appointed as the team leader and it seemed like they already had a mission for them.

He just came home and was thinking to read a book and relax while eating ramyeon but he is getting the gut feeling his plans are going to be postponed.

In-Su walked over to walkey-talkey and picked it up with his right hand, his left hand holding the book he was about to read.

"Yes Jeoju Team leader Yang In-Su, speaking,"

"Leader, we have a mission for you. The FingerLoss Case, the case study are all provided in the email. We need the clues, immediately," Said the person from other side, their voice coming out in hush.

In-Su was about to reply when he heard the disconnected ring from the device making him chuckle in anger before placing the device harshly over the desk.

He was irritated by task teams, they had no decency to atleast describe what they need in detail. What was his supposed to do? Ask his team to collect just data, his team knew better than that and trained to work better than that.

Pacing in circles in his room, In-Su took his tablet and checked his email to atleast understand the case. He read the first line and took out his mini-notepad along with a pen before sitting on the chair.

The FingerLoss Case

Guilty person is killing people and taking their one finger with them.

Kills - 3
Witness - 1

1st kill - 5th of this month - body found outside a small mortal - thumb missing
2nd kill - 12th of this month - body found outside a local hospital - index finger missing
3rd kill - 19th of this month - body found inside the disabled washroom of countryside restaurant - ring finger missing

Today's date - 22.XX.XXXX

In-Su started noting down the details and happenings of the case. He knew this was bad but much worse could happen if he is correct in understanding what the series of the killing date meant.

He quickly opened the "X" app over his phone and connected his group.

"I want you all in the head basement of my house in 30 minutes," he send the voice note.

He knew, he had to rush down to the basement early before them and connect the cameras and board.

Taking a chicken sausage stick in his hand, he ran towards the basement.

♟

"Is she alright?" A man in his early thirties asked, looking at his wife who was carried outside the surgery room towards the ICU.

"You?" Mi-Hee questioned looking at man, as she took out her mask.

"I am Rivaan, this patient's guardian," Rivaan said rubbing his sweating hands in anxiety as he pointed at Naisha. Mi-hee nodded her hand and gave him a light smile.

"Well, the surgery went good. We are keeping her ICU for monitoring purpose otherwise she is out of danger," she replied, her eyes clouded with exhaustion.

It was becoming quite painful for her to work without food. She immediately regretted her choice of not eating something other than kimbap her best friend gave her.

"Thank you so much," Rivaan whispered, his eyes now moist with tears. Mi-hee nodded her head slightly towards him and walked away from the guardian.

It was too awkward for her, to talk with patients depending the type of job is supposed to do. Had it been her old self, that girl would have talked easily and comforted the guy but how she could, when she knows that the fear one feels seeing their loved ones in pain is something one should handle themselves.

It helps them to cope up with it easily as taking advice from people who has never experienced what the person is feeling will be down the drain. The warm and sugar coated words doesn't helps the way, the warm hands of your loved does.

Mi-Hee nodded at the staffs as was about to go to his room when her phone vibrated.

Cussing, she unlocked the phone. As guessed, It was about the first mission and she knew she is not going to get a chance to meet him for a while.

Maybe this was they call karma, she didn't comforted the guardian and here, she has no one to be comforted by.

Taking a deep breath, Mi-Hee messaged to her best friend saying she is leaving early before she started walking outside the building.

♟

Words - 3,050

The first chapter was quite intense yet confusing. Right?

The ODL readers might have guessed, but yes- this "The Naisha." Her book will be written soon.

I loved the way it came out, and about the arts forms.
The qualifications each agent has is in some of the famous Korean martial art forms. They have a good qualified training.

Kimbap here means the triangular one.