Chapter 273 - Comeback (33): Locked Target

The bright light was shining proudly as it illuminated the entire stage. Even from a distance, he could feel its strong focus on him. The stage. The chants. The lights. Everything which belonged to him was merely steps away. Months had passed since he had seen it up close or felt the thrill of being under the spotlight. 

His ears were blocking out all the sounds and his eyes saw nothing but the bright white light in front of him. The smug confidence he had was replaced by a new feeling: enthusiasm. He did not feel any nervousness nor an ounce of fear. He wanted to climb on that stage. It was his home and was calling for him. For a moment, he forgot why he had left this home of his.

"KJ! KJ! KJ!"

The fans shouted for him. They yearned to see him again and would do anything to get a glimpse of him. Their souls were thirsty for his songs, waiting for their beloved idol to rise again. At that moment, he knew that it would be the performance of a lifetime.

With strong determination in the love he had received over the past ten years, he stepped towards his beloved stage.

….

The hitman carefully positioned himself. Through the rifle's peeping glass, he could see the close up of the stage. He was wandering around to find the perfect spot to shoot at. His target was only a few steps away from the stage, still approaching it. As he searched for the perfect shot, his mind wandered back to the conversation he had with Ash Park…

"Shoot him as soon as he comes near the stage," Ash had ordered.

The hitman was observing him carefully. There was no sign of remorse nor any compassion for the man who treated him like family.

"Are you sure?" the hitman asked. "You're about to kill someone you had spent many years with. Aren't you going to regret it?"

Ash's lips curved to form a cryptic smile. "I let go of that regret the moment I had joined EXOTIC," he said quietly. "My years with him means nothing to me. It was merely a stepping stone to get what is rightfully mine. With his death, I'll have it all."

The hitman was not sure what to think of Ash Park. What was he? Was he really okay with this job? Did he really wish for someone's death like this?

"Don't fail me," Ash had said. It was not a request. It was a warning.

"I won't," the hitman assured him. "I never miss my targets."

��.

Ash was watching the show on the TV in his living room. He was quietly sipping wine as he watched 7A fail massively on their first debut show. He had expected Nida to fail anyway. Unlike him, she did not know how to mask her arrogance. The very basic rule of being an idol is to make sure you share the same equation with your group members. It could not be a one man show if you want to succeed.

But to him, they were mere pawns to get through the security. He knew Abyss would lay out a tough security plan but there were always loopholes. With thousands of fans and visitors, it would be impossible to keep an eye everywhere. The hitman had already informed him that he was at the spot. All he had to do was wait.

The audience on the TV was shouting KJ's name loudly. They were eager to see the Nation's Idol perform again. Soon, their slogans would turn to cries of pain.

"What will you do today, KJ?" he wondered.

….

KJ stood backstage, his eyes closed. He played a very big gamble and it was the riskiest one he had ever taken. Even though Mirae was skeptical, he had the utmost confidence in his trump card. If there was one thing he had always counted on, was the love of his fans.

All he knew was one thing: the Cartel could never harm him as long as he was standing on that stage.

….

Sua's team tried to maneuver through the narrow passage. 

"Hurry up guys!" she shouted at the group ahead who were blocking the tunnel. "We've got only three minutes!"

"Move it!" Jinri ordered the group behind her as she led them to the spot. She and her friends had discovered this particular spot last summer when they climbed up to the upper deck which was abandoned after a construction accident. They had seen EXOTIC perform live from there without worrying about crowds and also managed to take some viral photos. If the attacker was hiding there, then he was in for a lot of trouble for busting their hiding spot.

They quickly clamored on, fully determined to protect their idol.

….

The hitman saw his target approaching the stage. Kwon Jiwon had finally ascended, standing under the spotlight. He walked towards the middle to take his position.

"Time to say goodbye," he muttered as he aimed at his target.

….

KJ was on that stage, much to the deafening applause of the audience. He looked around, trying to capture the memory in his mind. They were there for him. His fans were still supporting him. From the corner of his eye, he saw the hopeful face of his wife, standing right next to the stage, watching him. She held the lightstick of his fanclub.

Mirae was shouting something at him but her voice was also being blocked out by his ears. All he wanted to do was sing his heart out.

….

The target was locked. He was standing right in the middle of the rifle's aim. There would be no show that night. Only a bloodbath.

His finger was closing in on the trigger, slowly counting the seconds. 

Five...four...three...two...one…

CRASH!

Startled, the hitman turned around only to be tackled to the ground by several people. Someone snatched the rifle from him and whacked his head with its back. 

Dizzy by the sudden attack, he dazedly looked up to see a group of teenagers. They were holding sticks, shoes, hammers and whatever weapon they could find. The gang was towering above the world class hitman, full of menace and disgust. 

"Got you, you son of a bitch!" Sua declared. "Jesters! Attack!"