The SUV continued to cut through the night, the city lights dimming in the rearview mirror. Seojin sat in tense silence, her thoughts spiraling. Kade's confession lingered in her mind, weighing her down. Could she really trust him? Was he truly on their side, or was he playing a dangerous game of his own?
She stole a glance at him, his expression focused as he drove. His grip on the wheel was tight, but he wasn't looking at her—he wasn't giving anything away.
The weight of their mission felt heavier than ever.
Dojin shifted in the back seat, his eyes narrowing as he glanced out the window. "How much further to our destination?"
"We're almost there," Kade replied, his voice low.
Minji, sitting beside him, glanced at her watch. "We're cutting it close. The Phoenix won't take long to realize we're not where they expect us."
Kade nodded. "I know."
The air in the SUV grew thick with tension. Seojin's fingers tightened around her gun, the anticipation building. They were on their way to infiltrate the heart of the Phoenix's operation—a hidden facility where they were believed to be conducting experiments and controlling the most powerful people in the country.
And Seojin wasn't about to let it all slip away.
The SUV pulled off the main road and into a dense forest area, far from prying eyes. The facility was hidden beneath layers of security, its location known only to a select few. As they parked behind a row of trees, the dense fog of the early morning began to settle over them. The whole area felt like it was shrouded in secrecy.
Seojin got out first, scanning the perimeter. The air was cold, but it wasn't the chill of the morning mist that sent a shiver down her spine—it was the palpable sense that something was wrong.
"Stay alert," Seojin whispered to her team, her voice low and serious.
Kade led them through a narrow path between the trees, his movements smooth and calculated. He knew the area well—perhaps too well.
As they neared the entrance to the underground facility, Seojin's stomach tightened. There was an eerie silence, a sense of stillness that felt unnatural.
They reached a hidden hatch in the ground, camouflaged by overgrown grass and vines. Kade crouched down and motioned for the team to follow.
"This is it," he said, pulling open the hatch with ease.
Seojin hesitated before stepping down into the dark hole, her instincts screaming. The deeper they went, the less sure she felt.
The passageway was narrow, and the air smelled of damp earth and decay. But at the end of the tunnel, a faint light flickered. The hum of machinery echoed, the sound almost comforting in its familiarity.
As they moved deeper, Seojin's senses heightened. Something was off.
"Something doesn't feel right," she whispered to Minji.
Minji nodded, her gun drawn. "Agreed. We're being watched."
And then it happened—an explosive sound echoed through the hallway, followed by a shrill alarm.
"Trap!" Kade shouted.
Before anyone could react, armed guards appeared, surrounding them from both ends of the passage.
"Stay down!" Seojin ordered, her body instinctively moving into position.
They fought back with precision, but the guards were relentless, moving swiftly to pin them down. Seojin managed to take out two of them before she was forced to dive behind a wall to avoid the oncoming gunfire.
But then, just as the fight seemed to reach a standstill, the doors at the far end of the hallway opened, and a familiar face stepped out.
Seojin's heart skipped a beat.
It was Director Choi—and he was holding a gun aimed directly at Kade.
"Did you really think you could just walk in here and take everything from us?" Choi's voice was cold, mocking.
Seojin's mind raced. Kade had led them into this. But how much had he really known?
"Choi," Seojin said, her voice steady despite the anger bubbling inside her. "You'll never get away with this. The list—it's just the beginning. We're going to bring down everything you've built."
Choi's smile was cruel. "The list? It's irrelevant. The Phoenix isn't about a piece of paper—it's about control. We've already won."
Seojin felt a cold shiver at his words. They weren't just after power—they were playing a much deeper game.
Kade stepped forward, his hands raised slightly. "It's over, Choi. You've lost."
Choi's eyes flicked to Kade, and for a moment, Seojin saw a flicker of recognition. But then Choi's gaze hardened. "You think I didn't know about your little betrayal? You're the one who's lost, Kade."
Before Seojin could react, Choi's men rushed forward, pulling Kade to the ground.
"Take him," Choi ordered coldly. "We'll deal with him later."
Seojin's pulse raced. This was their chance to end this once and for all—but it was slipping away fast.
"Move!" Seojin shouted, pushing forward.
She managed to get a shot off, taking down two guards in quick succession, but there were too many. They were trapped, cornered in the middle of the Phoenix's fortress, and every second felt like they were running out of time.
Then, in the midst of the chaos, something unexpected happened.
A loud, deafening explosion shook the ground beneath them.
The lights flickered, and the sound of gunfire stopped suddenly.
Seojin blinked in confusion, and before anyone could speak, the walls of the facility began to collapse.
End of Chapter 66