The van roared through the empty streets, weaving through alleyways to avoid detection. The city lights flickered past, but inside, silence reigned.
Seojin leaned back, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The police department was in ruins. Chief Kang was dead. And the only lead they had—a hidden list that could expose the Phoenix's connections—was lost with him.
Hyunwoo spoke first, his voice tight. "What now? We have nothing."
Jinho, sitting across from Seojin, exhaled. "Not nothing."
She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Jinho hesitated, then pulled out his phone. He tapped a few times before turning the screen toward them.
A name flashed across it.
Kai.
Minji gasped. "Wait. Kai? As in… the hacker Kai?"
Seojin frowned. "Explain."
Jinho shifted. "Kai used to work for the Phoenix. He was one of their best hackers, but he disappeared years ago. If there's anyone who might know where the list is, it's him."
Dojin crossed his arms. "And why would he help us?"
Jinho's voice was grim. "Because the Phoenix tried to kill him too."
They arrived at a rundown apartment complex on the outskirts of the city. Broken streetlights cast long shadows across the graffiti-covered walls.
Jinho led the way, his movements cautious.
"This is a bad idea," Hyunwoo muttered.
Seojin ignored him, her hand resting on her holster. She didn't trust Jinho completely—but right now, they had no other options.
They climbed three flights of stairs before stopping at a rusted door. Jinho knocked twice. Then three times. Then once.
A long silence followed.
Then—click.
The door cracked open, revealing a dark room.
A low voice spoke from within. "You have five seconds to convince me not to shoot."
Seojin stepped inside, scanning the room. A single monitor flickered against the darkness, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
And in the corner, holding a gun, was Kai.
He looked younger than she expected, no older than late twenties, but his eyes were sharp, calculating.
Jinho raised his hands. "We need your help."
Kai scoffed. "That's funny. The last time someone said that, I nearly died."
Seojin took a step forward. "The Phoenix is erasing evidence. Chief Kang is dead. They're after something called 'the list.' We need to find it before they do."
Kai's expression remained unreadable.
Then, he smirked. "And what makes you think I'd help you?"
Hyunwoo tensed. "Because if the Phoenix wipes out the list, you're next."
Kai's smirk faltered.
For the first time, hesitation flickered in his eyes.
Seojin pressed on. "You were one of their best hackers. You know how they operate. Help us find the list, and we can finally destroy them."
Kai leaned against the desk, his fingers tapping against the wood.
Finally, he sighed. "Alright. But if I do this, I want something in return."
Dojin raised an eyebrow. "Here we go."
Kai's gaze locked onto Seojin. "I want protection. A new identity. And a way out of this country when it's over."
Seojin studied him. He was desperate. But he was also their best chance.
"Deal," she said.
Kai grinned. "Then let's get to work."
Kai's fingers flew across the keyboard as streams of code filled the screen.
"They don't keep their real secrets on normal servers," he explained. "The list—if it exists—is buried deep within an encrypted network. But I know where to look."
Minutes passed in tense silence.
Then—Kai froze.
"…Shit."
Seojin leaned forward. "What?"
Kai's face was pale. "They knew someone would come looking for the list."
The screen changed. A red warning flashed:
INTRUDER DETECTED. TRACKING LOCATION.
A chilling realization hit Seojin.
"They set a trap."
Before anyone could react—
The lights outside went out.
Minji's voice was sharp. "We need to go. NOW."
A second later, gunfire erupted from outside.
The Phoenix had found them.
End of Chapter 57