The boat cut through the dark waters, the only sound the steady rhythm of the engine as Seojin stared out across the waves. The island was close now—barely visible in the distance, its outline dark against the night sky. A small, isolated place that had once served as a sanctuary for her father. Now, it would be the place where everything would change.
Kade stood at the helm, his eyes scanning the horizon. Minji sat beside Seojin, her face grim but resolute.
"This is it," Seojin muttered under her breath, her hands clenched at her sides.
Minji glanced at her, her voice quiet. "You don't have to do this alone, you know."
Seojin nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. This wasn't just about the island—it was about everything that had happened before. Her father's disappearance, her mother's betrayal, and the alliance that had been pulling the strings all along. Finding her father was the only way to fully understand the depths of this twisted conspiracy—and to put an end to it once and for all.
Kade cut the engine as they reached the shore, the boat gliding silently onto the rocky beach. Seojin stood, her feet steady on the ground as she grabbed her bag.
"We'll make this quick," Kade said, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the beach for any signs of danger.
Seojin didn't respond. She was too focused on the steps ahead.
The island was as desolate as it appeared from the boat. There were no signs of life—just a thick forest that stretched deep into the heart of the island, and the crumbling remains of what seemed like an old, abandoned facility. Her father had always been a private man, and this place had been his refuge.
The path leading into the forest was overgrown, but Seojin pressed forward. She could feel the weight of history pressing down on her, the shadows of the past lurking in the dense foliage. The further they went, the more oppressive the air seemed. Every step felt like an unraveling of her past—of her identity.
Minji stayed close, her hand ready on her weapon. "Keep your guard up," she warned.
Seojin nodded. "If my father's still here… or if he left anything behind, it'll be in that facility."
The path led them to an old gate, its rusted bars sagging under the weight of time. The entrance to the facility was almost hidden, barely noticeable under layers of vines and debris. Seojin pulled at the gate, wincing as it creaked loudly in protest.
They entered the abandoned compound, the air growing heavier with each step they took. The walls of the facility were lined with what looked like old military equipment—computers, monitors, and documents strewn around in disarray.
"This place is a mess," Kade muttered, his voice low. "Looks like it's been untouched for years."
Seojin's heart raced. This was it. Her father's hidden legacy.
They moved deeper into the building, searching room by room. The further they went, the more it became clear that this wasn't just a hideout—it was a stronghold.
In the center of the facility was a large office, filled with books, files, and a massive desk. As Seojin approached the desk, she noticed something that made her blood run cold: a series of photographs laid out in a row.
The first was a picture of her father, standing next to a younger Seojin, both smiling in a way that seemed too normal. The next few photos showed her father with Zhao Wei and several other high-ranking members of the alliance, all gathered in what appeared to be a meeting room.
Seojin's hand trembled as she reached for the last photo. It showed her father sitting at a table, a strange device in front of him. The caption beneath it read: "The beginning of Project Nocturne."
Her father had been part of something far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.
Then, her eyes landed on something else—an old journal, its pages yellowed with age. She flipped it open, scanning the words quickly, but one line caught her eye:
"The system is already in place. Seojin is the key. We must ensure she plays her part in Project Nocturne."
Seojin's heart skipped a beat. Her mother wasn't the only one manipulating her. Her father had known all along that she would be the final key to their plans.
The journal fell from her hands, the sound echoing through the empty room. Her mind was reeling with the implications—her entire life had been orchestrated, from the moment she was born. She was the weapon they had been waiting for.
Suddenly, the door behind them slammed open with a deafening crash. Seojin spun around, her gun in hand, only to find a familiar figure standing in the doorway.
It was Zhao Wei.
"So, you found my little treasure," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "How typical of you, Seojin. Always seeking the truth."
Kade stepped forward, his gun raised. "Stay back, Zhao Wei."
Seojin felt her hands shake. She had prepared for this moment, but seeing him here, standing before her, felt like a cold punch to the gut.
Zhao Wei's gaze flicked to the journal on the floor, then back at Seojin. "I see you've learned the truth. How disappointing." He stepped into the room, his eyes narrowing. "You should have joined us, Seojin. Your father's vision was always about control—but you're too weak to understand that."
Seojin took a deep breath, the rage building in her chest. "You won't win, Zhao Wei. This ends here."
Zhao Wei chuckled darkly. "You still think you have a choice?" His eyes flicked to the walls, where monitors blinked to life, revealing the faces of several key members of the alliance. They were watching them.
Seojin's gaze sharpened. They were everywhere.
Kade's voice was steady. "You're not getting away with this. We'll stop you."
Zhao Wei smirked. "We'll see about that."
But Seojin's mind was already racing. The walls were closing in, and they had no backup. But there was one card left to play—the system her father had built.
Seojin turned to Kade and Minji. "We need to take out the mainframe. It's the only way to stop them."
Minji nodded, her face determined. "Let's do it."
Seojin stared down Zhao Wei. "You think you've already won? You don't know what I'm capable of."
Zhao Wei's smirk faltered, just for a moment.
Seojin knew this would be their final fight—and she would either win, or everything they fought for would be lost forever.
End of Chapter 109