Chapter 10: Shadows of the Past
Seojin's hands trembled as she crouched by the tree line, scanning the distant horizon. The sounds of gunfire from the cabin had stopped minutes ago, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake. Her chest tightened as she replayed Detective Oh's final words in her mind: "Get to the rendezvous point. I'll hold them off."
Jiwon's hand on her shoulder brought her back to the present. "We need to move," he said softly, his voice laced with urgency. "Oh would want us to survive. Standing here won't help him."
Seojin swallowed hard and nodded. Her instincts screamed at her to turn back, but logic prevailed. If the syndicate caught them now, everything they'd fought for would be lost.
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The rendezvous point was an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Its rusted exterior and shattered windows gave it a haunting appearance, but Seojin knew its decrepit state made it the perfect hideout.
Jiwon checked the perimeter before signaling Seojin to enter. Inside, the air was damp and musty, the only light coming from the moon filtering through broken panels in the roof.
"Do you think he made it?" Jiwon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Seojin didn't answer. Her eyes were locked on the door, her heart pounding with a mix of hope and dread. Minutes felt like hours as they waited in silence, every creak and groan of the warehouse putting them on edge.
Finally, the door swung open, and Detective Oh stumbled inside, bloodied but alive. He leaned heavily against the wall, his face pale and drenched in sweat.
"They'll be back," he rasped. "We don't have much time."
---
As Oh caught his breath, he pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket and handed it to Seojin. "I found this in their files," he said, his voice strained. "It's a list of their top allies. Judges, politicians, even high-ranking officers. They're everywhere."
Seojin unfolded the paper, her stomach twisting as she read the names. These weren't just allies—they were the power behind the syndicate's untouchable status.
"This changes everything," Jiwon said, his voice grim. "We're not just fighting criminals. We're up against the entire system."
Seojin's jaw tightened. "Then we hit them where it hurts. We expose this list to the public."
Oh shook his head. "It's not that simple. Most of these people have the resources to spin the narrative in their favor. If you go public without solid proof, you'll be discredited—or worse."
"Then we gather proof," Seojin said firmly. "We track down every name on this list and connect them to the syndicate. We'll make it impossible for them to hide."
---
As they strategized, a name on the list caught Seojin's eye: *Park Kyungmin.* Her breath hitched, and a wave of cold washed over her.
Jiwon noticed her reaction. "You recognize someone?"
Seojin nodded slowly, her voice barely audible. "Park Kyungmin… he was my mentor when I first joined the force."
The room fell silent. Detective Oh's eyes narrowed. "And now he's working with the syndicate?"
"I don't know," Seojin admitted, her mind racing. "Kyungmin was a good man. He taught me everything I know about justice. If his name is on this list… there has to be an explanation."
Jiwon's expression darkened. "You can't afford to think like that, Seojin. If he's on the list, he's a target."
Seojin clenched her fists. "I need to talk to him. If there's even a chance he's innocent, I can't let this slide."
Oh interjected, his tone harsh. "You can't let personal feelings cloud your judgment. If he's guilty, confronting him could get you killed."
Seojin met his gaze, her determination unwavering. "I have to know the truth."
---
After much debate, they devised a plan. Seojin would arrange a meeting with Kyungmin under the guise of needing his help. Jiwon and Oh would stay nearby, ready to intervene if things went south.
"Are you sure about this?" Jiwon asked as Seojin prepared to leave.
"No," she admitted. "But if there's any chance Kyungmin is still the man I knew, I have to try."
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**End of Chapter 10**