The night was eerily quiet as Seojin and her team positioned themselves near the National Security Headquarters. The massive building loomed before them, its sleek, glass exterior reflecting the city lights. Inside, layers of security awaited them—armed guards, surveillance systems, biometric scanners.
But they had no choice.
The Phoenix's bioweapon was inside. If they failed, thousands—if not millions—would die.
Seojin exhaled slowly, steadying her nerves. No room for failure.
"Everyone ready?" she whispered into her earpiece.
"Set," Jiwon responded from the van, parked a block away. "I'll disable external cameras in thirty seconds."
"Waiting on you," Minji whispered from her position near the back entrance.
Dojin, crouched beside Seojin, nodded. "Let's do this."
Hyunwoo, standing slightly apart from the team, adjusted his gloves. His expression was unreadable.
"This way," he murmured, motioning them forward.
Seojin didn't like following his lead, but right now, she had to.
Phase One: The Entry
Jiwon's voice crackled in their earpieces. "Cameras disabled. You have two minutes before the backup system kicks in."
That was their cue.
Minji sprinted to the back door, attaching a hacking device to the keypad. The seconds ticked by agonizingly slow until—click. The lock disengaged.
"We're in," she whispered.
Seojin and the others slipped inside. The air was crisp with artificial cooling, the hum of security systems filling the silence.
Hyunwoo led them down a corridor, his movements precise. "Security patrols this hallway every three minutes. Move fast."
They reached a stairwell and descended to the restricted floors. But as they rounded the corner—
"Stop," Hyunwoo hissed, pulling Seojin back just as a security guard turned the corner.
The team pressed against the walls, hearts pounding.
The guard's footsteps echoed as he moved closer.
Seojin held her breath. Please don't look this way.
The guard paused, glancing at the dimly lit hallway—then continued walking.
Seojin exhaled. Too close.
They pressed forward.
Phase Two: The Mainframe Room
Hyunwoo swiped an access card at a metal door. The red light blinked green.
Inside was the mainframe—a massive, glass-encased server unit humming with data.
Jiwon had briefed them earlier: they needed to install an override device that would disrupt the Phoenix's control over the bioweapon's release system.
Minji set up the device while Seojin and Dojin kept watch.
"Two minutes to activation," Minji whispered.
Seojin turned to Hyunwoo. "You said this was the most secure floor. Where are the guards?"
Hyunwoo's expression darkened. "Something's wrong."
As if on cue, an alarm blared.
Dojin cursed. "They know we're here."
Jiwon's frantic voice came through the earpiece. "Someone triggered security—guards are headed your way. You have sixty seconds before lockdown!"
Minji's fingers flew over the keyboard. "Almost there!"
Gunshots echoed from down the hall.
"They're coming," Hyunwoo muttered. "We need an escape plan."
Seojin clenched her jaw. No way were they leaving without finishing the job.
"Thirty seconds!" Minji called.
Seojin turned to Dojin. "Cover the door. Hold them off."
Dojin nodded, pulling out his weapon.
The pounding of footsteps grew louder.
Then—
"Done!" Minji yanked out the override device. "System's disrupted! The bioweapon release is disabled!"
Seojin grabbed Minji's wrist. "Move! Now!"
They bolted out of the room just as armed guards swarmed in. Gunfire erupted, bullets ricocheting off metal walls.
Dojin fired back, covering their retreat.
"Exit route?" Seojin barked into her earpiece.
Jiwon's response was immediate. "Emergency stairwell, left side. Move now!"
Phase Three: The Escape
The team sprinted toward the stairwell, bullets flying behind them.
Dojin shoved a crate down the hall, momentarily slowing the guards.
Hyunwoo grabbed a smoke grenade from his belt, pulling the pin and tossing it behind them. A thick cloud filled the corridor.
Seojin took the lead, her heart hammering. They burst through the emergency stairwell door, racing down the steps.
Jiwon's voice cut in. "Street-level exit is clear, but you have less than a minute before reinforcements arrive!"
Seojin cursed under her breath.
Suddenly—
A shot rang out.
Hyunwoo stumbled.
Seojin turned in horror as blood bloomed across his side.
He clutched the wound, staggering.
"Go," he gritted out.
Seojin hesitated.
Dojin grabbed her arm. "No time! We have to move!"
She cursed but pushed forward. Hyunwoo followed, his pace faltering.
They reached the exit just as Jiwon pulled up in the van.
The team piled in, slamming the door shut.
Tires screeched as Jiwon sped off.
Gunfire followed them down the street, but they were already gone.
Aftermath
The safe house was silent. Hyunwoo sat on the couch, blood soaking through his shirt. Minji worked quickly, treating the wound.
Seojin paced. The mission had been a success—the Phoenix's plan was disrupted. But the real battle was far from over.
Hyunwoo's voice broke the silence.
"They won't stop." His gaze met Seojin's, determined despite the pain. "This was just the beginning."
Seojin clenched her fists.
Then they'd be ready.
End of Chapter 51
Thoughts for Readers:
Do you think Hyunwoo will survive his injury?
Was it the right decision to trust him, or did Seojin make a mistake?
Sneak Peek for Chapter 52:
The Phoenix retaliates. A new threat emerges, forcing Seojin and her team to make an impossible choice. Meanwhile, Hyunwoo's secrets begin to unravel—revealing something that changes everything.