The air was thick with tension, and every breath Seojin took felt like it could be her last. The forest around them was eerily quiet except for the sounds of distant gunfire and the harsh breaths of her team. Their mission was at a crossroads—either they succeeded and exposed the heart of Inferno, or they became casualties in the Phoenix's larger game.
Seojin turned to Dojin, who was still hunched over, furiously typing into his laptop. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his hands trembled from the pressure. She knew that the fate of their entire operation rested on the success of this data transfer.
"Dojin," Seojin said, her voice tight, "how much longer?"
"Almost done," Dojin replied, his voice strained, eyes glued to the screen. "Just a few more seconds."
Seojin surveyed their surroundings, the sound of approaching footsteps growing louder. Phoenix operatives were closing in, and she knew they couldn't afford to waste another minute. The fact that they hadn't been overwhelmed yet was a small miracle, but miracles didn't last forever.
"Kyungmin! Jiwon!" she called out through the comms. "We need more time!"
Kyungmin's voice crackled back, full of urgency. "We're holding them off, but they've got reinforcements. We can't keep this up forever!"
Seojin's heart pounded. If they didn't act now, they would be trapped with no way out.
"Dojin, we don't have time!" Seojin said, her voice steady despite the panic building inside her. "Can you at least get us the data we need?"
Dojin's eyes darted to her, his face pale. "I'm pulling the core files now, but it's taking longer than I thought. The Phoenix has stronger defenses than I anticipated."
"Forget the defenses," Seojin snapped, crouching down beside him. "Just get us the crucial files, the ones that expose Inferno. The rest can wait."
Dojin's fingers flew across the keyboard, and Seojin held her breath. The seconds stretched like hours, each one threatening to tear them apart.
Suddenly, the sound of gunfire erupted from the distance—closer this time. Seojin's body tensed, her instincts screaming at her to move, to run, to do anything that would save them from the inevitable.
"We're out of time!" Kyungmin's voice came through the comms, frantic. "We need to fall back. Now!"
Just as Seojin was about to order a retreat, Dojin let out a quiet, relieved gasp.
"I've got it!" Dojin exclaimed. "The files are up. They'll be downloaded to the server within seconds!"
Seojin nodded, quickly grabbing the device from Dojin's hand. "Upload it to the safe house server, now."
Dojin did as instructed, his fingers moving in a blur. The tension in the air didn't lessen, but there was a spark of hope in Seojin's chest. They were about to hit the Phoenix where it hurt.
But then, just as quickly as the hope appeared, the ground beneath them seemed to tremble. A low, rumbling sound grew louder, and Seojin's heart sank.
"Seojin, look out!" Kyungmin shouted.
A barrage of gunfire rang out from the trees. Seojin barely had time to react as bullets zipped past her, one grazing her side. She spun around, taking cover behind a large rock. Her breath came in short, panicked bursts as she scanned for her team.
"Dojin, move!" Seojin yelled, pulling him to his feet as another round of bullets tore through the trees. "Now!"
Dojin stumbled, disoriented from the sudden attack. "I can't—I'm not finished uploading—"
"We don't have time!" Seojin shouted, her hand on his shoulder, propelling him forward.
Jiwon and Kyungmin appeared from the shadows, firing at the advancing Phoenix operatives. They were outnumbered, but they fought with every ounce of strength they had. Seojin knew they wouldn't last much longer. They needed to get out.
"Go!" Jiwon barked, signaling toward the narrow trail they had come through. "I'll cover you!"
Without hesitation, Seojin pulled Dojin along, her mind racing. The plan had been to infiltrate the Inferno facility, gather the data, and leave without a trace. But everything had gone wrong, and now the Phoenix was on their heels, hunting them down like animals.
A series of explosions shook the ground, the sound of distant gunfire blending with the chaos. Seojin felt her pulse race, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she sprinted forward.
She could hear the heavy footfalls of Phoenix soldiers gaining on them. They weren't just outnumbered; they were being surrounded. Seojin's heart hammered in her chest as she pulled Dojin around a bend in the forest. Every step felt like a countdown to their destruction.
"Dojin, move faster!" Seojin snapped, pushing him forward. The only thing that mattered now was survival.
And then—nothing.
The forest fell eerily silent, and Seojin's mind froze. The footsteps, the explosions, everything stopped. She glanced back over her shoulder, her breath caught in her throat.
Standing at the edge of the forest, blocking their way, was a figure she never expected to see. A face that haunted her past.
Donghae.
End of Chapter 30
Sneak Peek for Chapter 31:
In the next chapter, Seojin and her team must confront Donghae, but their encounter will reveal shocking truths about Inferno—and about Seojin's own past. With their mission in jeopardy, will they be able to escape, or is this the end of their fight?
Quiz for Readers:
What do you think Donghae's appearance means for Seojin and her team?
How do you predict the confrontation with Donghae will play out?
What are your theories about the shocking truths Seojin will uncover in the next chapter?
Let us know your thoughts!