Seo Yewon pressed two fingers to her earpiece, slowing mid-step. The soft motion was enough for Jin to adjust his stance, already reading the shift in her posture. He didn't speak, just waited, blade still sheathed at his side, breath held.
There was a pause as she listened. A slight furrow appeared between her brows.
Then she said, "Repeat that."
Another few seconds. A fainter tone now in her voice.
"Send it. Now."
She looked at Jin as she lowered her hand. "My scout found something. One of the districts on the far edge of the city, he says Gugwe-mok was headed that way but suddenly diverted. No sign of vines, no roots. No damage."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "It avoided it?"
"Completely." Seo turned on her heel. "Come on. He's opening a ring to our location. We're going in."
Before Jin could ask another question, the golden shimmer sparked into life a few feet ahead, a ring wide enough to fit a small car, its edge rippling like sunlight across water.
Seo didn't wait.
