Back at the safe house, the team gathered around Jiwon's laptop, the tension thick in the air. The USB drive they had risked everything to retrieve was now plugged in, its contents slowly unraveling a web of deceit, danger, and secrets.
Seojin stood behind Jiwon, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She hated this part—the waiting. She could feel the weight of her team's expectations, their hope that this one clue would finally give them the edge they needed against the Phoenix.
"Almost done," Jiwon muttered, typing furiously. The files were heavily encrypted, but he was making progress. "There's a folder here labeled 'Leadership.' This might be what we're looking for."
"Pull it up," Seojin said, her voice sharper than intended.
Jiwon clicked on the folder, and a series of profiles appeared on the screen. Each one was accompanied by a photo, a name, and a brief description of their role within the Phoenix.
As the team scanned the profiles, one image froze Seojin in her tracks. It was a man in his mid-forties, his face stern but familiar. The name beneath the photo read: Park Hyunwoo – Chief Strategist.
Seojin's breath caught in her throat. "It can't be…"
Minji leaned in, her brow furrowed. "Who is he? Do you know him?"
Seojin's hands clenched into fists. "Hyunwoo was my mentor at the academy. He taught me everything I know about being a detective."
Dojin's eyes narrowed. "And now he's the Chief Strategist for a criminal organization? That's one hell of a career change."
Seojin shook her head, her mind racing. "He was one of the most honorable people I knew. He believed in justice, in protecting the innocent. This doesn't make any sense."
Jiwon opened another file linked to Hyunwoo's profile. It contained records of his movements, transactions, and communications over the past five years.
"It looks like he disappeared from the force about six years ago," Jiwon said. "Officially, he retired due to health issues, but unofficially… it looks like he went off the grid."
"Why would he do that?" Minji asked.
Seojin stared at the screen, her mind flashing back to her time at the academy. Hyunwoo had been a strict but fair mentor, always pushing her to be her best. But he'd also been secretive, rarely talking about his personal life.
"I don't know," Seojin admitted. "But if he's part of the Phoenix, there has to be a reason."
The revelation sent shockwaves through the team. Dojin, ever the skeptic, didn't bother hiding his suspicion. "What if he's the Architect?" he suggested. "He knows you, Seojin. He could be playing us."
"That's impossible," Seojin snapped, her voice edged with anger. "Hyunwoo wouldn't do something like this."
"People change," Dojin shot back. "You said it yourself—he disappeared. Who knows what he's been up to all these years?"
"Enough," Jiwon said, stepping in to diffuse the tension. "We don't have enough information to make assumptions. Let's focus on the facts."
Seojin took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "You're right. We need to find him and get answers."
As they continued combing through the files, Jiwon uncovered an address linked to Hyunwoo. It was a remote location on the outskirts of Seoul—a private property registered under a fake name.
"This might be where he's hiding," Jiwon said.
"Or it could be a trap," Dojin pointed out.
"Either way, we need to check it out," Seojin said firmly. "If there's even a chance we can get answers, we have to take it."
The team spent the next few hours preparing for the mission. They loaded their weapons, reviewed the layout of the property, and planned their approach.
Seojin felt a mix of emotions—anger, confusion, and a sliver of hope. If Hyunwoo truly was involved with the Phoenix, she needed to know why. But part of her clung to the belief that this was all a mistake, that there was another explanation.
As they gathered at the door, ready to leave, Dojin placed a hand on Seojin's shoulder. "If this goes south, don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."
"I won't," Seojin said, her voice steady.
The drive to the property was tense. The team spoke little, each of them focused on the task ahead. When they arrived, they parked the car a safe distance away and approached on foot.
The property was surrounded by a high fence, with a single building at its center. The lights were on, but the area was eerily quiet.
"This feels too easy," Minji whispered.
"Stay sharp," Seojin said.
End of Chapter 44