The blaring alarms echoed through the lab as the team ran through the dimly lit corridors. Red warning lights flashed rhythmically, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
"Keep moving!" Seojin shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. She led the group, her weapon drawn, while Jiwon covered the rear. Minji clutched her tablet tightly, trying to stay focused despite the panic threatening to overwhelm her.
"Dojin, how much time do we have before the explosives go off?" Jiwon called out.
"Five minutes, tops!" Dojin replied breathlessly. "We need to be far away when it happens, or we'll be toast!"
As they turned a corner, Seojin stopped abruptly, raising a fist to signal the group to halt. Ahead of them, a group of armed guards blocked the exit, their weapons trained on the intruders.
"Damn it," Jiwon muttered under his breath, gripping his gun.
"Split up," Seojin whispered. "Jiwon and I will distract them. Dojin, Minji—find another way out and make sure the detonator signal doesn't get interrupted."
"No!" Minji protested. "We can't split up now. It's too dangerous!"
"Just go!" Seojin barked, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, Minji and Dojin nodded and turned down a side corridor, disappearing into the shadows.
Seojin and Jiwon stepped into the open, guns raised. The guards shouted orders, demanding their surrender, but Seojin's focus was razor-sharp.
"Jiwon, on my count," she murmured.
"Got it," he replied, his finger hovering over the trigger.
"Three… two… one!"
They moved in perfect synchrony, firing at the guards and diving for cover. Bullets ricocheted off the walls as the guards retaliated, but Seojin and Jiwon's precise aim began thinning their ranks.
"We don't have time for this!" Jiwon yelled over the gunfire.
"I know!" Seojin replied. "Keep them busy—I'll find a way through!"
Meanwhile, Dojin and Minji navigated the maze-like corridors, their breaths coming in short gasps.
"We're almost there," Dojin said, glancing at his map. "The back exit is just ahead."
As they rounded the final corner, Minji suddenly stopped, her expression conflicted.
"Minji, what's wrong?" Dojin asked, confused.
She hesitated for a moment before raising her hand—and pressing a hidden button on her tablet.
A deafening clang echoed behind them as a metal gate slammed down, cutting off their escape route.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Dojin shouted, his eyes wide with shock.
"I'm sorry," Minji said, her voice trembling. "I didn't have a choice. They have my sister. If I didn't lead you here, they'd kill her."
Dojin's mind raced as he tried to process her words. "You… you betrayed us?"
Minji's hands shook as tears streamed down her face. "I didn't want to. But I had no other option."
Before Dojin could respond, armed guards appeared, their weapons trained on him.
Back at the standoff, Seojin's communicator crackled to life. "Seojin! Minji locked me out! She trapped us, and—"
The transmission was cut off abruptly, replaced by static.
"Damn it!" Seojin growled, realizing what had happened. "Minji betrayed us."
Jiwon's expression darkened. "I knew we couldn't trust her. Where is she now?"
"She's with Dojin. We need to get to them before it's too late."
The guards surrounding them were finally subdued, and the pair raced toward the last known location of their teammates.
When Seojin and Jiwon arrived, they found Dojin handcuffed and surrounded by guards. Minji stood nearby, her face a mask of guilt and despair.
"Let him go," Seojin demanded, her gun trained on the guards.
Hyunwoo stepped into view, his smug smile returning. "You're too late, Detective. Minji's already done her part. The Phoenix will live to fight another day."
Minji looked at Seojin, her voice shaking. "I'm so sorry. They threatened my family. I didn't know what else to do."
"You think they'll let your sister go?" Seojin snapped. "They'll kill her the moment you're no longer useful to them. And now you've put all of us in danger!"
Minji's resolve faltered, doubt creeping into her eyes.
Hyunwoo laughed. "Touching speech, Detective, but it's over. Surrender now, or we'll kill your friend."
Seojin's mind raced. She glanced at Jiwon, who gave a subtle nod. In one swift motion, they launched into action.
Jiwon fired at the guards, creating chaos, while Seojin tackled Hyunwoo, disarming him in a blur of movement.
"Minji!" Seojin shouted, tossing her an extra weapon. "If you want to save your sister, help us now!"
Minji hesitated for a split second before grabbing the gun and firing at the remaining guards.
The tide quickly turned, and within minutes, the team was back in control.
With the guards incapacitated, Seojin freed Dojin and handed him the detonator.
"Blow it," she ordered.
Dojin pressed the button, and a series of explosions rocked the building. The team sprinted toward the exit as the lab went up in flames.
Outside, they collapsed on the ground, gasping for air as the inferno consumed the lab behind them.
Minji stood apart from the group, her face a mixture of relief and anguish.
"I'm sorry," she said again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Seojin approached her, her expression hard. "You'll earn our forgiveness by helping us take down the rest of the Phoenix. No more lies. No more betrayals. Understood?"
Minji nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Understood."
End of Chapter 39