The glow of the laptop screen cast faint shadows across the safehouse as Dojin's fingers flew over the keyboard. The tension in the room was palpable as the team gathered around him. The flash drive from Jiho Logistics sat in the port, a key to their next lead—if they could crack it.
Seojin paced behind him, her mind racing. Every passing second felt like an eternity. They had risked everything to get this, and failure wasn't an option.
"Anything?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"Almost there," Dojin muttered. "The encryption's tough, but it's nothing I haven't seen before. Just… give me a minute."
Jiwon leaned back against the wall, arms crossed. "Let's hope this isn't another dead end. We can't afford any more wild goose chases."
"It won't be," Seojin said, her tone resolute. "This is the closest we've been to the Phoenix. There has to be something."
---
Dojin's eyes lit up as the screen changed. "Got it!"
Everyone crowded closer as the files opened, revealing a series of documents and spreadsheets. Names, locations, and transactions scrolled past, but one word stood out, highlighted in bold at the top of the first document: **Inferno**.
"Inferno?" Kyungmin asked, frowning. "What is that?"
"A codename, probably," Seojin replied, scanning the files. "It's mentioned multiple times. Whatever it is, it's big."
Jiwon pointed to a list of dates. "Look here. These match the timeline of the Phoenix's recent moves. Weapons shipments, money transfers… all tied to this *Inferno*."
Dojin opened another file, his expression growing grim. "This one's a blueprint. Looks like… a facility? Underground, judging by the layout."
Seojin leaned in, her eyes narrowing. "Where is it?"
"Coordinates are here," Dojin said, clicking through the metadata. "It's in Gangwon Province. Remote. Hidden."
Kyungmin sighed. "Of course it's in the middle of nowhere. Why make it easy for us?"
---
Seojin straightened, her mind already forming a plan. "This isn't just a facility. It's a hub. Look at the scale of this operation—if we hit it, we could cripple the Phoenix's network."
"But we'll be walking into the lion's den," Jiwon said. "If they catch wind of us coming, we're dead."
"That's why we don't give them the chance," Seojin said firmly. "We move fast and hit hard. Dojin, how long will it take to analyze the rest of these files?"
"A few hours, maybe less," he replied. "I'll prioritize anything related to security protocols and personnel."
"Good. Do it," Seojin said. "Kyungmin, Jiwon—start prepping the gear. We leave at first light."
---
The team worked through the night, each member focused on their task. Dojin dissected the files, pulling out key details about the facility: its layout, guard rotations, and possible vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, Kyungmin and Jiwon packed weapons, explosives, and communication equipment, double-checking every detail.
Seojin sat apart from the others, her eyes fixed on the map in front of her. The location was remote, surrounded by dense forest and rugged terrain. Perfect for an ambush—and perfect for a trap.
Her thoughts drifted to Kang. His smirk, his taunts… everything about him screamed overconfidence. But was it just arrogance, or was there something else? A deeper play they hadn't seen yet?
"We'll find out soon enough," she murmured to herself.
---
As the hours passed, the team settled into a tense rhythm. Kyungmin approached Seojin, two cups of coffee in hand. "You should take a break," he said, offering her one.
She accepted it with a nod, her gaze softening slightly. "Thanks."
Kyungmin sat beside her, glancing at the map. "You think this will end it?"
"No," Seojin admitted. "But it'll get us closer. We're chipping away at their foundation. Sooner or later, it'll crumble."
Kyungmin took a sip of his coffee, his expression thoughtful. "You've always been like this. Focused. Determined. But sometimes… it's okay to let someone else carry the weight."
Seojin gave him a faint smile. "I'll let you know when that day comes."
---
By dawn, the team was ready. Dojin handed Seojin a small tablet loaded with the facility's schematics and key details. "Everything we know is in here. I'll guide you from the van, but once you're inside, it's on you."
"We'll manage," Seojin said, her voice steady. "Just make sure you're ready to pull us out if things go south."
"Always," Dojin replied, though his eyes betrayed his worry.
As they loaded into the van, the weight of the mission pressed down on them. This wasn't just another lead. This was a direct strike at the heart of the Phoenix's operation. Success could change everything—but failure could cost them their lives.
---
**End of Chapter 21**