The mountain air was crisp and cold as the team approached the hidden hub. The GPS led them to a narrow dirt path, barely wide enough for their van. Towering trees loomed on either side, their branches casting eerie shadows in the moonlight.
Seojin gestured for Jiwon to stop the van. "We go on foot from here. If we drive closer, they'll hear us."
They stepped out into the night, their breaths visible in the frigid air. Armed and ready, they moved cautiously along the path, their senses on high alert.
The trees parted to reveal a sprawling compound nestled against the mountain. Floodlights illuminated the area, and armed guards patrolled the perimeter. High fences topped with barbed wire encircled the hub, and surveillance cameras scanned the grounds.
"Fortified is an understatement," Dojin muttered, lowering his binoculars.
Seojin studied the layout carefully. "They've got blind spots near the north fence. If we time it right, we can slip through when the patrol shifts."
"Once we're inside, what's the plan?" Minji asked.
"We find their command center," Seojin replied. "The files mentioned something called 'Project Red Horizon.' If we can uncover what it is, we'll have leverage."
The team waited for the right moment, then moved swiftly toward the north fence. Using wire cutters, Jiwon created an opening, and they slipped inside undetected.
The compound was a maze of warehouses, barracks, and guard towers. The team moved in pairs—Seojin with Jiwon, and Dojin with Minji—using hand signals to communicate.
Seojin led her group toward the largest building in the compound, which she suspected was the command center. They ducked into the shadows as a patrol passed by, holding their breath until the guards were out of sight.
Seojin and Jiwon entered the building, their footsteps silent on the polished floor. They found themselves in a control room filled with monitors, computers, and filing cabinets.
"Start downloading everything," Seojin whispered, handing Jiwon a USB drive.
While Jiwon worked on the computers, Seojin rifled through the cabinets. She found maps, schematics, and documents labeled "Red Horizon." Her heart raced as she realized the scope of the operation.
"This isn't just about Korea," she said quietly. "They're planning a coordinated attack across multiple countries."
Jiwon's face paled as he scanned the files. "It's worse than we thought. They're targeting critical infrastructure—power grids, communication networks, even hospitals. If this goes through…"
"It'll be chaos," Seojin finished grimly.
Meanwhile, Dojin and Minji explored a nearby warehouse. Inside, they found rows of crates filled with weapons, explosives, and chemical containers.
"Seojin was right," Dojin said, opening a crate. "This is enough firepower to start a war."
Minji's eyes fell on a series of blueprints spread out on a table. "Look at this," she said, pointing to a diagram. "These are plans for a drone strike. They've mapped out major cities."
"This isn't just a hub," Dojin said. "It's a war room."
Just as both teams were piecing together the Phoenix's plans, an alarm blared throughout the compound. Red lights flashed, and the sound of boots echoed in the distance.
"They know we're here," Jiwon said, his voice tense.
"Finish the download," Seojin ordered. "We're not leaving without this data."
In the warehouse, Dojin and Minji scrambled to hide as guards swarmed the area. Dojin pulled Minji behind a stack of crates, signaling for her to stay quiet.
"This was too easy," Dojin whispered. "They wanted us to come here."
As Seojin and Jiwon prepared to leave the command center, the monitors suddenly flickered to life. The same shadowy figure from the previous video appeared on the screen.
"Welcome to my domain," the Architect said, their distorted voice oozing with malice. "Did you really think you could infiltrate my sanctuary unnoticed? You're predictable, Seojin. Always so determined, so righteous. But you're playing a game you cannot win."
The Architect's silhouette leaned closer. "You've seen the scale of my operation. You know what's at stake. But the question remains—are you willing to sacrifice everything to stop me?"
The screen went dark, and the sound of heavy footsteps grew louder.
Seojin and Jiwon burst out of the command center, their weapons drawn. Guards surrounded the area, and gunfire erupted as the two teams fought their way toward the extraction point.
Minji threw a smoke grenade to create a diversion, while Dojin provided cover fire. Seojin led the charge, her focus razor-sharp despite the chaos.
"We need to split up!" Seojin shouted. "They can't catch us all!"
Reluctantly, the team divided, each pair taking a different route through the compound.
After a harrowing chase, Seojin and Jiwon managed to reach the rendezvous point. Minutes later, Dojin and Minji arrived, their clothes torn and faces grim.
"We barely made it," Minji said, collapsing onto the ground.
"But we got what we came for," Seojin said, holding up the USB drive. "Now we know what we're dealing with."
Jiwon nodded, though his expression was grim. "But the Architect knows we're coming. They're not going to make this easy."
End of Chapter 43