The shadow behind her

The morning air in Seoul was cold and quiet.

Inside Pravy Group headquarters, the staff moved quickly. Phones rang, elevators opened and closed, and security teams prepared for the day’s assignments.

But today felt different.

Because Han Seo-Yeon had just been assigned to the boss’s personal team.

That meant one thing.

She would now be working directly with Kang Min-Jae.

And everyone knew how rare that was.

Seo-Yeon stood outside the top-floor office, adjusting her black jacket. She took a calm breath before knocking.

"Come in."

She opened the door.

Kang Min-Jae sat behind his desk, already reviewing files. He looked up briefly when she entered.

"You're early."

"I prefer being early, boss."

Min-Jae nodded slightly.

"Good."

He handed her a file.

"Your new assignment."

Seo-Yeon opened it carefully.

"Business trip?"

"Yes. Busan."

Seo-Yeon looked up.

"When?"

"Today."

She blinked slightly but quickly nodded.

"Understood."

Min-Jae stood up, grabbing his coat.

"We leave in thirty minutes."

Seo-Yeon followed him out.

Her first mission as his personal guard.

Thirty minutes later, they were inside a black SUV heading toward the airport.

Seo-Yeon sat beside the driver, quietly watching the road. Min-Jae sat in the back, reviewing documents.

After a few minutes, Min-Jae spoke.

"You noticed the car yesterday."

"Yes."

"How?"

Seo-Yeon hesitated.

"Experience."

Min-Jae watched her through the mirror.

"You keep your answers short."

"I don't talk much."

Min-Jae gave a faint nod.

Silence returned.

But Seo-Yeon could feel something.

Min-Jae didn’t trust easily.

And he was watching her.

At the airport, security moved quickly. Pravy Group had already arranged everything.

Within minutes, they boarded a private flight.

Seo-Yeon stood near the door, watching carefully.

Min-Jae glanced at her.

"You can sit."

"I'm fine."

"You'll get tired."

"I'm used to it."

Min-Jae didn’t argue.

Instead, he returned to his documents.

But again, he found himself noticing her.

She stayed alert.

She noticed everything.

She never relaxed.

And that meant only one thing.

She had lived a dangerous life before.

Two hours later, they landed in Busan.

The sea breeze greeted them as they exited the airport.

A second security team joined them.

Ji-Hoon walked over.

"Boss, the meeting location is ready."

Min-Jae nodded.

Seo-Yeon followed closely as they entered another SUV.

The drive took thirty minutes.

Soon, they arrived at a luxury hotel near the coast.

Seo-Yeon scanned the building carefully.

Too many windows.

Multiple exits.

Crowded entrance.

She quietly memorized everything.

Inside, the meeting was already prepared.

Several businessmen sat around the table.

Min-Jae took his seat calmly.

Seo-Yeon stood behind him.

The meeting began.

Everything seemed normal.

Until Seo-Yeon noticed something.

One of the staff members moved nervously.

Her eyes narrowed.

She watched carefully.

The man placed drinks on the table.

But his hands trembled.

Seo-Yeon stepped forward slightly.

The man reached toward Min-Jae.

Seo-Yeon grabbed his wrist instantly.

The tray fell.

A small device dropped to the floor.

Everyone froze.

Security rushed in.

The man tried to run.

Seo-Yeon blocked his path and pinned him down.

Within seconds, he was restrained.

The room filled with whispers.

Min-Jae looked at the device.

"A tracker."

Ji-Hoon frowned.

"They were trying to track your location."

Min-Jae’s expression turned cold.

"Take him away."

Seo-Yeon stepped back quietly.

Min-Jae glanced at her.

"You noticed again."

"Yes."

"You saved the meeting."

Seo-Yeon bowed slightly.

"It's my job."

But Min-Jae knew something.

She wasn’t just doing her job.

She was protecting him personally.

After the meeting, they returned to the hotel.

Min-Jae stood by the window, looking at the ocean.

Seo-Yeon stood near the door.

After a moment, Min-Jae spoke.

"You’re not an ordinary recruit."

Seo-Yeon remained silent.

"You move like someone trained for years."

She didn’t respond.

Min-Jae turned toward her.

"Who trained you?"

Silence filled the room.

Finally, Seo-Yeon answered softly.

"My brother."

Min-Jae raised an eyebrow.

"He was security?"

"No."

She hesitated.

"He was... military."

Min-Jae studied her expression.

"And now?"

Seo-Yeon looked away slightly.

"He's gone."

Min-Jae didn’t ask further.

But he understood.

There was pain behind her calm eyes.

That evening, Seo-Yeon walked through the hallway.

Her phone vibrated.

She stopped.

Unknown number.

She answered quietly.

"Hello."

A deep voice spoke.

"So... you joined Pravy Group."

Seo-Yeon’s eyes widened slightly.

"Who is this?"

"You forgot me already?"

Her expression hardened.

"You shouldn't have come here."

Seo-Yeon’s grip tightened.

"What do you want?"

"Leave the boss."

Her voice turned cold.

"No."

The man chuckled softly.

"Then things will get dangerous."

The call ended.

Seo-Yeon stood silently.

Her past had just followed her.

Later that night, Min-Jae stepped outside the hotel balcony.

He noticed Seo-Yeon standing nearby.

"You should rest."

"I'm fine."

"You never rest."

"I'm used to it."

Min-Jae looked at her carefully.

"You look worried."

She hesitated.

"It's nothing."

Min-Jae didn’t believe her.

But before he could speak—

A loud sound echoed.

A shot.

Seo-Yeon reacted instantly.

She pulled Min-Jae down.

Glass shattered behind them.

Another shot.

Security rushed in.

Chaos filled the hallway.

Seo-Yeon stayed calm.

"Sniper."

Min-Jae looked at her.

"You’re sure?"

"Yes."

Security teams searched immediately.

But the shooter had already escaped.

Silence slowly returned.

Min-Jae stood up slowly.

"You predicted danger."

Seo-Yeon didn’t respond.

Because she knew something.

This wasn’t random.

Someone was targeting Min-Jae.

And that someone…

Might be connected to her past.

Far away, inside a dark car, a man smiled.

"She's protecting him well."

He looked at a photo.

Seo-Yeon.

"Let's see how long you can protect the Pravy Boss."

The car disappeared into the night.

Back at the hotel, Seo-Yeon stood outside Min-Jae’s room.

She stayed alert.

She wouldn’t let anything happen.

Not again.

Because protecting the Pravy Boss…

Was no longer just her mission.

It had become personal.

And somewhere in the darkness…

The real enemy was getting closer.

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