Seojin stood before the Council of Nine, her heart pounding beneath her calm exterior. The six men and women before her wielded power that could destroy governments, control economies, and erase lives with a single order.
And she had just told them, "I want to help you win."
Chairman Song, an older man with piercing eyes and an aura of authority, leaned forward. "Bold words, Detective Han."
Seojin kept her expression neutral. "I don't believe in fighting losing battles. The Phoenix has failed to eliminate me multiple times. If I were in your position, I'd want to know why."
The room was silent.
Then—her father chuckled.
"You always were a strategist," he mused. "But strategy is meaningless without loyalty."
Seojin met his gaze, her voice sharp. "And you think loyalty is earned by force?"
Chairman Song smirked. "Loyalty is earned through results. So tell us, Detective Han… how do you propose we win?"
Seojin took a slow breath. This was it. She had seconds to convince them.
"I've spent years dismantling corruption from the outside," she said. "And I've learned one thing—your biggest weakness is your own paranoia. You keep your power decentralized, thinking it makes you stronger. But in reality, it leaves you vulnerable."
One of the Council members scoffed. "You think you understand how we operate?"
Seojin's lips curled slightly. "I understand that you have enemies within your own ranks. I understand that my father's loyalty has been questioned. And I understand that if you want total control, you need someone who can eliminate threats before they happen."
Her words hit.
She saw the flicker of doubt in their expressions.
They knew she was right.
Chairman Song exchanged a glance with her father before turning back to her. "Interesting. But words are cheap. If you truly want to help us…"
He leaned forward, his eyes dark.
"…kill Director Choi."
Seojin's pulse spiked.
She kept her face calm, but inside, her mind was racing.
They wanted proof. They wanted her to execute Choi—the man who had saved her life.
This was a test.
And if she failed, she was dead.
Her father's gaze was unreadable. He knew this would force her to make a choice.
Seojin forced a slow smirk. "Choi's already a dead man. Tell me where to find him, and I'll finish what you couldn't."
Chairman Song smiled.
"Then let's begin."
Back at the safe house, Seojin stormed inside, her fists clenched.
Choi, who had been casually leaning against the wall, raised an eyebrow. "Judging by your face, I'm guessing your little meeting didn't go as planned."
Seojin turned to him, her voice sharp. "They want me to kill you."
Choi chuckled. "Well, that's hardly a surprise."
Minji, who had been resting on the couch, sat up straighter. "Wait—what?"
Seojin exhaled, pacing. "They need proof of my loyalty. They want me to bring them Choi's head."
Kade muttered a curse. "So we're screwed."
Choi smirked. "Not necessarily."
Seojin shot him a glare. "This isn't funny."
Choi shrugged. "Actually, it's perfect. We make them think you killed me."
Minji frowned. "And how do we do that?"
Choi's smirk widened. "We give them a body."
Seojin's eyes narrowed. "You want to fake your own death?"
Choi's grin didn't falter. "Unless you have a better idea."
Seojin exhaled sharply. It was risky. But if they pulled it off, she'd gain the Council's trust—and they could strike from the inside.
"Fine," she said. "Let's make it convincing."
Choi tilted his head. "I thought you'd never ask."
Two nights later, Seojin stood in an abandoned warehouse, surrounded by Phoenix operatives.
A lifeless body lay at her feet.
Blood pooled across the concrete floor, seeping into the cracks. The face was unrecognizable—mutilated beyond recognition.
The Phoenix commander, a ruthless enforcer named Kang, stared at the corpse before shifting his gaze to Seojin. "You did this?"
Seojin wiped the fake blood from her hands, her expression blank. "He didn't go down easy."
Kang studied her before pulling out his phone. Moments later, the call connected.
"Sir," Kang said. "It's done."
Seojin's stomach twisted as she heard her father's voice on the other end.
"Good," he said. "Bring her in."
Kang hung up and gave her a nod. "Welcome to the Council."
Seojin forced a smirk, but inside, she felt like she had just sold her soul.
Because now, she was one step closer.
To the truth.
To her mother.
And to the Council's destruction.
End of Chapter 83