The van sped through the darkened streets, tires screeching against the asphalt. Seojin's eyes remained fixed on the dashboard screen, where masked operatives swarmed the police department. The footage was grainy, but she could make out figures moving with deadly precision, sweeping through the building like ghosts in the night.
Her gut twisted. This wasn't a simple attack.
This was an extermination.
Minji's fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly. "What do we do? If we go in now, we're walking into a death trap."
Hyunwoo's voice was tight. "And if we don't, they'll wipe out everyone inside."
Seojin clenched her jaw. The Phoenix was erasing evidence—silencing anyone who could connect them to their real agenda.
And that meant…
"The chief," she said suddenly. "They're after Chief Kang."
Dojin frowned. "That old man? Why?"
"Because he's the only one who knows what's in the classified files we were investigating." Seojin's mind raced. "They're not just killing officers. They're erasing any link between the Phoenix and whatever the task force uncovered."
Jinho's face darkened. "Then we need to get to the chief before they do."
Minji took a sharp turn. "Buckle up. We're going in."
The police department was in chaos. Gunfire echoed through the halls, red emergency lights flashing like warning signs.
Seojin, Hyunwoo, Dojin, and Jinho moved swiftly through the side entrance, their weapons drawn.
Bodies of officers lay scattered across the floor. Some had been executed. Others had died trying to fight back.
Dojin's face hardened. "These bastards…"
Seojin kept moving, pushing back her anger. There would be time for vengeance later. Right now, they had to survive.
Jinho checked a fallen officer's radio. Static. "They've jammed communications."
Hyunwoo swore under his breath. "Of course they did."
A sudden noise—footsteps.
Seojin raised her hand. Silence.
From the main corridor, three Phoenix operatives appeared, moving toward the stairwell.
Straight to the chief's office.
Seojin gave a silent signal. Take them out quietly.
Jinho moved first, smooth and precise. He grabbed the first operative from behind, snapping his neck in one fluid motion.
Dojin caught the second one off guard, knocking him out with a well-placed strike.
Seojin took care of the third, pressing a silencer against his temple before pulling the trigger.
Hyunwoo smirked. "Efficient."
Seojin didn't reply. There was no time.
They reached the stairwell and climbed swiftly, keeping low. The sounds of fighting filled the upper floors.
Then—a scream.
It came from the chief's office.
Seojin's heart pounded. Too late?
She pushed forward, kicking open the door—
And found Chief Kang, bloodied and barely conscious, tied to a chair.
Standing over him was a Phoenix operative, gun pressed to his forehead.
His finger tightened on the trigger.
Seojin fired first.
The bullet hit its mark, the operative crumpling to the ground.
She rushed forward, untying the chief as he gasped for air. His face was pale, bruised, his lips cracked.
He tried to speak. "S-Seojin…"
"Save your strength," she urged. "We're getting you out."
Jinho kept watch by the door. "More of them are coming. We don't have long."
The chief gripped Seojin's wrist, his voice desperate. "You have to stop them… The files…"
Seojin leaned closer. "What files?"
Chief Kang struggled to stay conscious. "Not just the task force files… They're after something bigger… a list…"
Seojin's stomach dropped. "What list?"
The chief's lips trembled. "Names… Officials… Corrupt police… Politicians… People tied to the Phoenix…"
Her blood ran cold.
They weren't just erasing evidence.
They were protecting the people in power.
Dojin cursed. "You're telling me this goes all the way to the top?"
The chief nodded weakly. "If they get the list… they win."
A sudden explosion rocked the building.
Minji's panicked voice crackled in Seojin's earpiece. "Guys, they just blew up the evidence room! We need to leave NOW!"
Seojin gritted her teeth. If the Phoenix had already destroyed the evidence, that meant—
Chief Kang grabbed her arm again, his grip weak. "There's another copy… hidden…"
Seojin's eyes sharpened. "Where?"
The chief's breathing slowed. His head slumped forward.
Seojin shook him. "Chief? Where's the copy?!"
No response.
His pulse was gone.
Silence filled the room.
Jinho exhaled. "Damn it."
Seojin forced herself to swallow her grief. There was no time.
She turned to the others. "We need to move. Now."
The moment they stepped into the hallway, bullets rained down on them.
"Go, go, go!" Seojin shouted, firing back.
Dojin took out another operative while Hyunwoo provided cover. Jinho guided Seojin through a side corridor, leading them to a service exit.
The second they burst outside, Minji was waiting with the van.
"Get in!" she yelled.
They dove in just as more Phoenix operatives flooded the parking lot.
Minji slammed the gas. The tires screeched as they sped away, bullets bouncing off the reinforced exterior.
Inside the van, silence stretched between them.
Hyunwoo wiped blood from his arm. "That was a disaster."
Jinho's expression was unreadable. "Not entirely. We learned something important."
Seojin's hands curled into fists. "The list."
Dojin ran a hand through his hair. "We don't even know if it exists."
Seojin's eyes darkened. "It does. And we're going to find it before the Phoenix does."
She stared out the window as the city lights blurred past.
This wasn't just about justice anymore.
This was about bringing down the entire system.
And she wouldn't stop until she did.
End of Chapter 56