The dimly lit storage room was filled with tension, the air thick with distrust. Seojin's gun was still in her hand, pointed just slightly lower than Hyunwoo's chest. Her team stood behind her, their faces etched with a mixture of anger and confusion.
"You have two minutes, Hyunwoo," Seojin said coldly. "If you can't convince me why we shouldn't just take you down right now, you're on your own."
Hyunwoo didn't flinch. He raised his hands slightly, his movements slow and deliberate, his gaze unwavering.
"I don't expect you to trust me," he began. "But you know the Phoenix better than anyone. You've seen what they're capable of. Do you really think you can stop them without knowing the full picture?"
Seojin's jaw tightened, her finger hovering over the trigger. "Start talking."
Hyunwoo stepped closer, lowering his voice. "The bioweapon in those crates—it's not just a one-time attack. It's designed for widespread contamination. Once deployed, it will spread like wildfire through the water supply. The target isn't just one city—it's the entire country."
Minji's eyes widened. "They're planning mass destruction?"
"Control," Hyunwoo corrected. "The Phoenix doesn't just want chaos. They want leverage. If they can hold the country hostage, they can force the government to bend to their will."
Dojin crossed his arms, his skepticism evident. "And you expect us to believe you're trying to stop them out of the goodness of your heart?"
Hyunwoo's expression darkened. "I've done things I'm not proud of. Things I can't undo. But I'm not going to let them destroy innocent lives. Not if I can help it."
Seojin studied him carefully, searching for any hint of deception. His words carried weight, but his past couldn't be ignored.
"If we let you help," Seojin said slowly, "how do we know you won't betray us?"
"You don't," Hyunwoo admitted. "But think about this: while you're wasting time doubting me, the Phoenix is already putting the final pieces of their plan in place. You need someone who knows how they operate—someone on the inside."
Jiwon glanced at Seojin. "He's not wrong. Without intel, we're blind. And if what he's saying is true, we're running out of time."
Seojin let out a sharp breath, lowering her gun slightly. "Fine. But if you so much as blink wrong, I'll end this alliance myself."
Hyunwoo didn't waste time. He pulled out a flash drive from his pocket and handed it to Jiwon.
"This contains schematics for the Phoenix's bioweapon dispersal system," he explained. "Their plan hinges on an automated release sequence hidden in the National Security Headquarters' mainframe. If we can disable it, we'll buy ourselves time to destroy the bioweapon."
"And how do we access the mainframe?" Minji asked.
Hyunwoo's jaw tightened. "That's the hard part. The mainframe is in a restricted area, heavily guarded. We'll need to infiltrate the facility and plant an override device."
Dojin snorted. "Infiltrate one of the most secure buildings in the country? No big deal, right?"
"It's risky," Hyunwoo admitted. "But it's our only shot."
Back at the safe house, tensions ran high. Dojin paced the room, clearly unhappy with Seojin's decision to trust Hyunwoo.
"This is a mistake," he said. "He's playing us, and you're letting him."
"We don't have a choice," Seojin shot back. "If we don't stop the Phoenix now, it won't matter who we trust."
"You're putting all our lives on the line for someone who's lied to us before," Dojin argued.
"And I'll take full responsibility if it backfires," Seojin said firmly.
Dojin stopped pacing, his expression hardening. "I hope you're right. For all our sakes."
The team worked through the night, preparing for the mission. Jiwon modified the override device, while Minji gathered blueprints of the headquarters.
Hyunwoo briefed them on the facility's security measures, his knowledge proving invaluable. Despite their reluctance, the team couldn't deny his expertise.
As dawn approached, Seojin found herself alone with Hyunwoo on the balcony.
"Why did you save us at the warehouse?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Hyunwoo leaned against the railing, his expression unreadable. "Because I couldn't stand by and watch you die. Not when I could do something about it."
Seojin's gaze softened, but only slightly. "I still don't trust you."
"I don't expect you to," Hyunwoo said. "But I hope, in time, you'll see I'm not your enemy."
End of Chapter 50
Interactive Element
Thoughts for Readers:
Would you have trusted Hyunwoo in Seojin's place, or would you have chosen a different path?
Do you think the team can successfully infiltrate the National Security Headquarters without any casualties?
Sneak Peek for Chapter 51:
The infiltration begins. As Seojin and her team navigate the heavily guarded facility, they encounter unexpected obstacles that test their trust in each other—and in Hyunwoo. Will they succeed, or will the Phoenix's plan move one step closer to completion?