The mountain air was thin, biting. The journey had taken hours, and Seojin's legs ached with exhaustion, but the adrenaline kept her sharp. Kade had led them to a remote military base in the mountains, one that the Phoenix had used as a central archive. No maps showed its location, and no public records existed.
It was hidden in plain sight—an old base abandoned by the government years ago, now repurposed as a Phoenix stronghold.
"We're here," Kade said, his voice low.
Seojin's eyes scanned the perimeter. The place was fortified—tall, steel fences lined with barbed wire, guard towers at every corner, and searchlights sweeping across the grounds. The walls looked impregnable, the building inside like a fortress of steel and concrete.
"This is insane," Dojin muttered. "How are we supposed to get in?"
Kade turned to him, unfazed. "I told you. We go through the tunnels."
"Tunnels?" Seojin echoed.
"They were built during the Cold War," Kade explained, glancing back toward the entrance. "The original facility had underground access points. I know where they are."
Seojin narrowed her eyes. "And how exactly do you know that?"
Kade met her gaze, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his lips. "Let's just say I've been inside before. The Phoenix doesn't just recruit people—they make sure they know the entire layout."
Seojin wasn't entirely convinced, but they didn't have time for doubts. The Phoenix was already onto them, and they had to move quickly.
"You have the map?" Seojin asked, her voice steady.
"Right here." Kade pulled out a small, weathered piece of paper, unfolded it, and handed it to Seojin.
She glanced over it. The tunnels were extensive, stretching beneath the facility and leading up into the main archive building. There was one problem—getting to the entrance. The nearest tunnel access was on the far side of the compound, right under the noses of the guards.
"We'll need to make it across undetected," Kade said, his eyes scanning the distance. "The Phoenix has patrols everywhere. If they see us, it's over."
They moved like shadows, sticking close to the walls of the mountain base. The trees provided minimal cover, but it was enough to conceal their movements as they made their way toward the tunnel entrance.
Seojin's heart raced as they approached a guard tower. Her breath was shallow, and she had to force herself to stay calm.
"Stay low," Kade whispered, as he led them past the tower, staying out of the sweep of the searchlight.
The sound of boots on gravel echoed nearby.
Seojin's stomach clenched. They couldn't afford to be seen now.
They crouched behind a pile of crates, watching as a patrol of Phoenix operatives passed by. They were armed, their eyes scanning the area.
"Wait for it," Kade murmured.
The patrol moved past, oblivious to their presence. Seojin exhaled slowly, her body still tense.
Once they were clear, Kade gestured toward a large steel door half-hidden beneath the ground. "The entrance is here. Let's go."
The tunnel entrance was dark and narrow, the air musty and thick with dust. Seojin's flashlight illuminated the rusty metal stairs that led down into the abyss.
The team followed Kade into the dark depths of the underground network. The tunnel was long, lined with pipes and wires, with only the faint sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls.
Kade moved ahead, seemingly familiar with the route. Seojin kept her gun ready, her senses heightened.
"Stay sharp," Kade whispered. "We're not alone down here."
Suddenly, there was a faint noise in the distance—a scraping sound, like something heavy being moved.
Seojin raised a hand, signaling the team to stop. Her eyes flicked toward Kade, who held up a finger to his lips.
They moved quietly through the narrow tunnel, the sound growing louder. Seojin's heart raced as they approached a corner.
Kade gestured for them to stop and crouch. He moved ahead cautiously, peering around the corner.
"There's a patrol," he murmured, his eyes narrowing. "We'll have to take them out quietly."
Seojin nodded. "We don't have time for a firefight. We move fast."
They crept closer, each step measured and careful. Seojin's eyes locked onto the patrol ahead—a group of four Phoenix operatives, unaware of their presence.
Kade moved first, silent as a shadow. He swiftly incapacitated the nearest guard with a swift, precise strike to the neck.
Minji followed suit, taking down another with a clean shot to the head.
Dojin dispatched the third with a chokehold, while Seojin handled the last, knocking him out with a swift blow to the back of the head.
The entire encounter took less than thirty seconds.
Seojin took a breath, looking down at the unconscious guards. "We need to keep moving."
Kade led them through the final stretch of the tunnel. The air felt heavier the deeper they went, as if the walls themselves were closing in.
Finally, they reached the entrance to the main archive. The door was heavily reinforced, a combination of steel and advanced locking mechanisms. Kade turned to Seojin.
"Give me a minute," he said, kneeling in front of the door.
Seojin kept watch. The tension in the air was thick. Every second felt like an eternity.
Finally, with a soft click, the door creaked open.
"After you," Kade said, gesturing toward the dark room beyond.
Seojin stepped inside first, followed by the rest of the team.
The room was filled with rows of filing cabinets, each one locked tight. The place smelled of old paper and dust.
Seojin felt her pulse quicken. This was it. The list was somewhere in here.
"Search the cabinets," she ordered. "We don't have much time."
End of Chapter 63