The van sped down the empty highway, the scent of smoke and blood thick in the air. Minji lay on the floor, her breathing shallow, her face pale. Kade drove like a man possessed, hands gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Seojin pressed a cloth against Minji's wound, trying to slow the bleeding. "Stay with me," she whispered. "We're almost there."
Minji forced a weak smirk. "You always say that."
Seojin swallowed hard. Minji was losing too much blood. They needed a doctor. Fast.
But where could they go? The Phoenix had agents in every hospital. The Council controlled the police, the government—everything.
Then there was Choi.
Seojin glanced up, locking eyes with him. He sat in the back of the van, arms crossed, watching her. His expression was unreadable, but she knew better than to trust him.
"You had a plan," she said, her voice sharp. "You didn't just come to that estate for fun."
Choi tilted his head. "I always have a plan."
Kade growled from the driver's seat. "That's not an answer."
Choi smirked. "You're right. But here's one—if you want to save your friend, you'll take my help."
Seojin narrowed her eyes. "And what's your price?"
Choi's expression darkened. "We finish this war."
Silence fell over the van.
Seojin exhaled slowly. A deal with Choi was like a deal with the devil. But Minji's blood was still warm under her hands.
She didn't have a choice.
"Where do we go?"
Choi smiled. "I know a place."
The safe house was tucked away in the mountains, far from the city, far from Phoenix eyes. A retired surgeon—an old contact of Choi's—worked in secrecy there, tending to people who couldn't go to hospitals.
They reached the hideout just before dawn. Seojin barely waited for the van to stop before helping Kade carry Minji inside.
The doctor, an older woman with sharp eyes, wasted no time. "Put her down," she ordered, already grabbing her equipment.
Seojin stood frozen as the woman worked, stitching Minji's wound, checking for internal damage.
Minutes stretched into hours.
Then, finally—
"She'll live," the doctor said, wiping her hands. "She needs rest. And she's lucky—any deeper, and she wouldn't have made it."
Seojin's knees nearly buckled. Relief washed over her, but she shoved it down. There was no time to rest.
She turned to Choi. "Talk."
Choi leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "The Council is in chaos."
Seojin raised an eyebrow. "Because of us?"
Choi chuckled. "Partially. But also because your father played his hand too soon. The rest of the Council doesn't trust him. Some of them want him gone."
Seojin frowned. "You're saying there's a split in the Council?"
Choi nodded. "And that's our opportunity. If we push the right buttons, we can turn them against each other."
Kade scoffed. "And how do you suggest we do that?"
Choi's smile turned sharp. "We make them believe your father is playing both sides."
Seojin's stomach twisted. "You want to make my father a traitor to his own people."
Choi shrugged. "He betrayed you first."
Seojin exhaled. He's not wrong.
Her father had lied. Had used her. Had nearly killed Minji.
He deserved whatever was coming to him.
But something about this plan felt too easy.
Choi noticed her hesitation. "What's the problem, Seojin? You're not getting soft, are you?"
Seojin's glare could have burned through steel. "No. I just don't trust you."
Choi smirked. "Good. Then we understand each other."
Hours passed, and Minji finally stirred. Seojin sat by her side, watching as her eyes fluttered open.
"You look terrible," Minji muttered.
Seojin huffed out a laugh. "So do you."
Minji winced. "What's the plan?"
Seojin's smile faded. "We take down my father."
Minji studied her face. "And?"
Seojin's hands curled into fists. "And I end this war."
Minji nodded slowly. "Then let's make sure it hurts."
End of Chapter 79