When they reached the west wing, Jiyeon's worst fears were realized. A crucial piece of equipment had malfunctioned, sending sparks flying and bringing work to a grinding halt. The workers stood around it, their faces pale with shock.
"What happened?" Yura demanded, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
One of the workers, a young man with wide eyes and trembling hands, stammered out an explanation. "I—I don't know, ma'am. It was working fine, and then it just... went haywire."
Jiyeon's mind raced as she surveyed the scene. This couldn't be a coincidence—not now, not when they were so close. Someone had done this, and they had done it on purpose.
"Get it fixed," Yura snapped, her voice cold as ice. "I don't care what it takes. We are not missing this deadline."
The workers sprang into action, their movements frantic as they scrambled to repair the damage. Jiyeon clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as anger surged through her. This was deliberate. Someone was trying to sabotage them again.
Yura seemed to sense her thoughts, because she turned to Jiyeon, her expression hard as steel. "We'll find out who did this," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "And when we do, they'll wish they had never crossed us."
Jiyeon nodded, her determination hardening into something colder, sharper. She wasn't going to let this stop them. They had come too far, fought too hard to be defeated now.
[1 hour, 30 minutes remaining.]
The final countdown had begun. Every second was precious, every moment a battle against time. Jiyeon threw herself into the work, her exhaustion forgotten in the face of this new threat. They would finish this, no matter what.
As the workers labored to fix the malfunction, Jiyeon moved through the site like a woman possessed. She checked every detail, overseeing every task with a relentless focus. There was no room for mistakes, no margin for error. They were racing against the clock, and they couldn't afford to lose.
Yura was a constant presence at her side, her cold efficiency a grounding force. Together, they directed the final push, their commands cutting through the chaos with a precision that left no room for doubt. They were a formidable team, unstoppable in their determination to succeed.
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Jiyeon's smile faded as the reality of their situation set in. The project was complete, but the battle was far from over. There were still enemies to face, challenges to overcome.
Jiyeon woke slowly, the remnants of exhaustion still weighing on her limbs. The familiar scent of vanilla, her own pheromones, lingered in the air, a comforting reminder of her presence in the room. She blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the blinds in her office. The world was still and quiet, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy that had consumed the past few weeks.
For a moment, she lay there, her mind drifting back to the night before. The final seconds of the countdown replayed in her memory—the tension that had gripped her entire being for what felt like an eternity had suddenly released, leaving behind a strange sense of disbelief.
"It's really over," she whispered to herself, her voice raspy from the lack of sleep. She could hardly believe it.
A soft chime interrupted her thoughts, drawing her attention to the system interface that hovered just within her line of sight. She blinked, and the system's familiar text scrolled across the screen.
[Congratulations, Jiyeon. You have successfully completed the project under immense pressure and against all odds. Your dedication and leadership have been exemplary.]
Jiyeon's heart swelled with a mixture of pride and relief as she read the words. The system had been relentless, a constant presence that pushed her to her limits, but now, it seemed almost...appreciative. She waited, sensing there was more to come.
[In recognition of your unwavering commitment and as a token of appreciation for your personal passions, a special reward has been prepared for you. Please proceed to the kitchen area to receive your reward.]
A reward? Jiyeon's curiosity was piqued. The system had never offered anything like this before. Pushing herself to sit up, she stretched her arms above her head, feeling the satisfying crack of her joints loosening. With a deep breath, she stood and made her way out of the office, her steps slow and measured as she allowed herself to savor the rare moment of calm.
The new branch site was quiet at this hour, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by an almost eerie silence. Jiyeon's footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors as she walked, her mind still trying to wrap itself around the idea of a reward. She passed by the various rooms and offices, each one a testament to the hard work and sleepless nights she and her team had endured.
Finally, she reached the kitchen area. As she pushed open the door, Jiyeon's breath caught in her throat. The sight before her was nothing short of spectacular.
The kitchen had been completely transformed. Where once there had been a standard, utilitarian space, now stood a state-of-the-art culinary haven. Gleaming stainless steel appliances lined the walls, each one the latest in cutting-edge technology. The countertops were made of pristine marble, their surfaces cool and smooth to the touch. Shelves stocked with the finest ingredients and tools were meticulously organized, ready to be used by skilled hands.
Jiyeon stepped inside, her fingers trailing along the edge of a countertop. The space was perfect—every detail, every piece of equipment, was exactly as she would have designed it herself. It was as if the system had reached into her mind and plucked out her deepest culinary desires.