The world seemed to slow as Seojin's eyes scanned the tablet's screen. The data Dojin had risked everything to retrieve revealed far more than she had anticipated. Her hand trembled as she scrolled through the files, each one more damning than the last.
"Seojin?" Jiwon's voice cut through the haze. "What does it say?"
She hesitated, the weight of the information pressing down on her like a physical force. Finally, she spoke, her voice low and grim.
"It's worse than we thought. The Phoenix isn't just smuggling weapons—they're developing bioweapons. And their first target… is the Seoul Metro."
Jiwon's jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists. "How much time do we have?"
"Forty-eight hours," Dojin said, pointing to a countdown embedded in one of the files. "They've already started the final phase. If we don't stop them, the entire city will be at risk."
The group sat in the cramped safehouse, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Seojin paced back and forth, her mind racing as she considered their next move.
"We have two choices," she began, her tone sharp. "We go public with this information and hope someone in the government takes action—or we handle it ourselves."
Jiwon leaned forward, his expression grim. "Going public isn't an option. The Phoenix has too many people in their pocket. By the time anyone does anything, it'll be too late."
"Then we go in," Seojin said, determination hardening her voice. "We find their lab, destroy the bioweapons, and take down their operation from the inside."
Dojin's eyes widened. "That's suicide! Their main lab is a fortress. If we're caught…"
"We won't be," Seojin interrupted. "We've come too far to back down now."
Jiwon nodded. "I'm with you. Let's end this."
Dojin hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes. But when he looked at Seojin, he saw the unshakable resolve in her gaze. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "Fine. But we'll need a solid plan—and backup."
Seojin's phone buzzed, breaking the tense silence. She glanced at the screen and frowned. It was an encrypted message from an unknown sender.
She opened it, her eyes narrowing as she read:
"You're not alone. The Phoenix has enemies. Meet me at the old shipyard at midnight. Come alone."
Jiwon peered over her shoulder. "Do you think it's a trap?"
"Probably," Seojin admitted. "But we don't have many options. If there's even a chance they're telling the truth, we have to check it out."
"Then I'm coming with you," Jiwon said firmly.
"No," Seojin replied. "If it's a setup, I don't want them getting all of us. Stay here and work on the plan with Dojin. I'll handle this."
Jiwon looked like he wanted to argue, but the steely resolve in Seojin's eyes silenced him.
The old shipyard was a desolate, eerie place, the rusted remains of abandoned ships casting long shadows under the dim moonlight. Seojin moved cautiously, her gun drawn, every nerve on edge.
A figure stepped out of the shadows, their face obscured by a hood.
"You're Seojin," the person said, their voice low and distorted.
"And you are?" she asked, her gun trained on them.
"A friend," they replied. "Someone who wants the Phoenix gone as much as you do."
"Prove it," Seojin demanded.
The figure held up a flash drive. "This contains blueprints of their lab and the locations of their security checkpoints. It's the only way you'll get in undetected."
"Why should I trust you?"
The figure hesitated before pulling back their hood, revealing a young woman with striking features and sharp eyes.
"My name is Minji," she said. "I used to work for the Phoenix. I know their operation inside and out—and I know how to destroy it."
Seojin studied Minji carefully, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious. But Minji's desperation seemed genuine, and her knowledge could be invaluable.
"If you're lying…" Seojin began.
"I'm not," Minji interrupted. "I want revenge. The Phoenix destroyed my family. Helping you is the only way to make them pay."
Seojin lowered her gun slightly. "Then we have a common goal. But if you betray me, I won't hesitate to end you."
Minji nodded. "Fair enough. Let's take them down."
End of Chapter 36