The air around the secluded property was thick with tension as the team crouched behind a cluster of bushes, surveying the building ahead. The house stood eerily silent, its windows glowing faintly in the moonlight.
"Cameras on the corners," Dojin whispered, pointing out the blinking red lights. "And motion sensors near the door."
"Hyunwoo always did love his security," Seojin muttered, a mix of anger and nostalgia in her tone.
Minji glanced at her. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"
"I don't have a choice," Seojin replied, her jaw tight. "I need answers."
Jiwon bypassed the motion sensors while Dojin disabled the cameras. Within minutes, the team was inside, their weapons drawn as they moved through the dimly lit house.
It was surprisingly sparse, with only a few pieces of furniture and no personal touches. It didn't feel lived in—it felt like a staging ground.
"There's no one here," Minji whispered.
Seojin held up her hand, signaling for silence. She noticed a faint noise—a low hum coming from behind a closed door at the end of the hallway.
She nodded to the team, and they moved toward the door.
Inside the room, Hyunwoo sat at a desk, typing on a laptop. He didn't flinch as the team burst in, their weapons aimed at him.
"Well, this is unexpected," Hyunwoo said, his voice calm. He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap. "Seojin. It's been a while."
"Don't move," Dojin barked, stepping forward.
Hyunwoo raised an eyebrow. "I'm unarmed. No need for theatrics."
Seojin stepped closer, her gun trained on him. "Hyunwoo… what are you doing here? Why are you working with the Phoenix?"
Hyunwoo's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Straight to the point, as always. I suppose I owe you an explanation."
Hyunwoo leaned forward, his eyes locking with Seojin's. "The Phoenix isn't what you think it is. It's not just a criminal organization—it's a safeguard."
"A safeguard?" Jiwon asked, incredulous.
"The world is teetering on the edge of chaos," Hyunwoo continued. "Governments are corrupt, corporations are greedy, and innocent people are caught in the crossfire. The Phoenix exists to disrupt the systems that oppress the masses."
"You're trying to justify terrorism?" Seojin snapped.
"Terrorism?" Hyunwoo shook his head. "No, Seojin. It's liberation. The Phoenix is targeting those in power—those who profit from the suffering of others. Sometimes drastic measures are necessary to bring about real change."
Seojin felt a surge of anger. "And what about the innocent lives caught in your crossfire? What about the people who've been hurt because of the Phoenix's actions?"
Hyunwoo's gaze softened. "Collateral damage is never easy, but it's a reality of war. You, of all people, should understand that."
"This isn't war," Seojin said, her voice trembling. "It's murder."
Hyunwoo sighed. "You're still seeing things in black and white. The world doesn't work that way, Seojin. Sometimes, you have to make sacrifices for the greater good."
"Don't lecture me about sacrifices," Seojin shot back. "You abandoned everything—your principles, your honor. How could you do this?"
Hyunwoo's expression darkened. "You think I wanted this? You think I didn't fight against it? But when I saw how broken the system was—how powerless I was to change it from the inside—I realized I had to take another path."
"And that path led you here?" Seojin demanded. "To this?"
Hyunwoo stood, his calm demeanor replaced with cold determination. "You don't understand yet, but you will. The Phoenix is bigger than you, me, or anyone else. And whether you like it or not, you're already part of it."
"What are you talking about?" Seojin asked, her heart pounding.
Hyunwoo smirked. "You'll see soon enough."
Before Seojin could press him further, a loud beeping sound filled the room. Hyunwoo glanced at his watch. "You should leave. This place is about to become very inhospitable."
"What did you do?" Dojin growled, stepping forward.
Hyunwoo gave him a cryptic smile. "Goodbye, Seojin. Stay safe."
Without another word, he pressed a button on his watch, and a hidden door slid open behind him. He disappeared into the darkness just as the house began to shake.
"Bomb!" Jiwon shouted.
"Move!" Seojin yelled, leading the team out of the building as alarms blared.
They sprinted through the forest as explosions ripped through the property, the heat and force of the blasts propelling them forward.
The team made it back to their car, breathless and shaken. They watched as the property went up in flames, the fire lighting up the night sky.
"He let us go," Minji said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why?" Jiwon asked.
Seojin stared at the burning ruins, her mind racing. "Because he wants us to keep digging. He thinks we'll come to the same conclusion he did."
"Will we?" Dojin asked.
Seojin didn't answer.
End of Chapter 45
Quiz for Readers:
Do you believe Hyunwoo's justification for working with the Phoenix?
a) Yes, he's trying to fix a broken system.
b) No, his actions are inexcusable.
c) I'm not sure yet—there's more to uncover.
What do you think Hyunwoo meant by saying Seojin is already part of the Phoenix?
Sneak Peek for Chapter 46:
As the team analyzes their encounter with Hyunwoo, they uncover a hidden message in the files—a clue that leads them to the next phase of the Phoenix's plan. Meanwhile, Seojin struggles with her growing doubts about the mission and her own beliefs.