Chapter 14: The Code Within
The dim glow of a computer screen illuminated Han Dojin's face as his fingers flew across the keyboard. The safehouse where Jiwon and Kyungmin waited was silent, save for the soft hum of the laptop and Dojin's muttered curses. Seojin's text confirming her escape had been a relief, but they all knew time was slipping through their fingers like sand.
"This encryption is insane," Dojin muttered, his brow furrowed. "Whoever designed this didn't just want to hide information—they wanted to bury it."
"Can you crack it?" Jiwon asked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Of course," Dojin said, though his tone lacked confidence. "But it's going to take time, and every second we spend is a second the syndicate could find us."
"Then work faster," Jiwon snapped, his nerves frayed from the events of the night.
Dojin shot him a glare but said nothing, his focus returning to the screen.
---
Hours later, the door to the safehouse creaked open, and Seojin stepped inside. She looked exhausted, her clothes torn and her face smudged with dirt, but her eyes were as sharp as ever.
"Any progress?" she asked, collapsing onto the nearest chair.
"We're working on it," Jiwon said. "How did you get away?"
Seojin smirked faintly. "Let's just say the syndicate underestimated me. For now."
Her gaze shifted to Kyungmin, who sat silently in the corner. "How are you holding up?"
Kyungmin shrugged. "I'm alive, thanks to you. But I know they won't stop until I'm dead."
"They'll regret underestimating us too," Seojin said firmly.
---
Just as the tension in the room reached its peak, Dojin let out a triumphant shout. "I'm in!"
Everyone rushed to the laptop as a series of folders appeared on the screen. Names, transaction records, offshore accounts—evidence that could expose the syndicate's network in its entirety.
"This is it," Jiwon said, his voice filled with awe. "This could bring them down."
"It's enough to cause damage," Seojin said cautiously, scanning the files. "But the syndicate won't just roll over. They'll fight back harder than ever."
Dojin clicked on one of the files, and a list of names appeared. Seojin's breath caught in her throat as she recognized several of them—high-ranking officials, business tycoons, even law enforcement officers.
"They've bought half the city," she muttered.
"And this isn't even the full list," Dojin said grimly. "There are encrypted subfolders here I haven't cracked yet."
---
Before they could celebrate, a loud bang echoed through the safehouse, followed by the sound of heavy boots on the stairs.
"They've found us!" Kyungmin said, panic rising in his voice.
Seojin grabbed her gun, her instincts kicking in. "Get the drive and go!"
"What about you?" Jiwon asked, his eyes wide.
"I'll hold them off," Seojin said. "Dojin, is there another exit?"
"There's a back door," Dojin said, hastily stuffing the laptop and flash drive into a bag.
"Take Kyungmin and Jiwon with you," Seojin ordered.
"I'm not leaving you again," Jiwon argued.
"You'll only slow me down," Seojin said sharply. "Go, now!"
---
As the others escaped through the back door, Seojin positioned herself near the entrance, her gun aimed at the doorway. The first operative burst in, and Seojin fired without hesitation, taking him down.
More followed, their weapons blazing. Seojin ducked behind a table, returning fire with precision. Her movements were calculated, each shot aimed to buy time for the others.
But the syndicate had sent their best. Seojin knew she couldn't hold them off forever.
---
Just as the situation seemed hopeless, a familiar voice called out from the shadows.
"Need a hand?"
Seojin turned to see a tall, imposing figure step into the fray. It was Detective Kang, an old acquaintance who had once worked a major case with her.
"What are you doing here?" Seojin demanded, even as she fired another shot.
"Let's just say I've been keeping an eye on you," Kang replied, drawing his own weapon and taking down two operatives with ease.
Together, they managed to push the attackers back, forcing them to retreat.
---
When the dust settled, Seojin and Kang stood amidst the wreckage of the safehouse, both breathing heavily.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do," Kang said, holstering his gun.
"Later," Seojin replied. "Right now, we need to regroup."
Kang nodded, his expression serious. "If the syndicate's involved, you'll need all the help you can get."
Seojin glanced at him, a small spark of hope lighting in her chest. For the first time in days, she didn't feel entirely alone in this fight.
---
**End of Chapter 14**