Chapter 28: The Unseen Hand

The night was colder than Seojin had anticipated, as if the air itself was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. The safehouse had become more than just a base of operations—it was now a place where every member of the team carried their own burdens. Seojin stood by the window, staring out into the distance, her thoughts a tangled mess of anger, confusion, and an unshakable determination.

Kyungmin walked into the room, his footsteps soft but deliberate. "We've finished the initial planning for the Busan mission," he said, his voice quiet but serious. "Dojin's already working on getting us access to the facility's perimeter. We'll need to move fast once we're in."

Seojin nodded, her mind not fully in the conversation. "How much time do we have before the tests begin?"

"Less than 48 hours," Kyungmin replied, his eyes scanning her face. "We don't have much time."

"I know," Seojin said, her tone distant. She turned toward him, her gaze finally meeting his. "I can't shake the feeling that something else is going on. The Phoenix—they're too quiet. It's almost like they're waiting for us to make a move."

Kyungmin frowned. "You think they know we're coming?"

"Possibly," Seojin said, her brow furrowing. "It's too perfect—like they're allowing us to get closer, only to trap us when we least expect it. But why?"

Before Kyungmin could respond, a sudden knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Jiwon appeared in the doorway, a grim expression on his face.

"We've got company," he said.

Seojin stood up, a sense of unease settling in her chest. "Who is it?"

"A visitor," Jiwon replied, his voice terse. "An old acquaintance of yours. He's been looking for you."

Seojin's heart skipped a beat. There was only one person she could think of who would show up uninvited—and it wasn't someone she wanted to see right now.

She followed Jiwon into the main room, where a man sat casually at the table, a smirk on his lips as he watched her approach. His features were sharp, his eyes calculating, but it was his presence that always unnerved her.

"Long time, no see," the man said, his voice smooth but cold.

"Donghae," Seojin said, her voice icy as she took a step forward. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Donghae stood up, his eyes flicking to Kyungmin and Jiwon before returning to Seojin. "I could ask you the same thing, but I think we both know the answer." He tilted his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're playing in the big leagues now, Seojin. The Phoenix, Inferno, all of it."

Seojin's pulse quickened. Donghae was a former associate of her father—a man who had always been one step ahead of her. She'd lost track of him years ago, but he was back now, and it wasn't for a friendly reunion.

"What do you want?" she demanded, her tone sharp.

"Let's just say I'm here to offer a little advice," Donghae said, his smirk widening. "You're getting in too deep, Seojin. The Phoenix isn't just a criminal organization—it's a whole system. And you, my dear, are a part of it whether you like it or not."

"Cut to the chase," Kyungmin said, stepping forward. "What do you know about Inferno?"

Donghae's gaze shifted to Kyungmin, assessing him before returning to Seojin. "I know more than you think. I know about the testing site in Busan, and I know what you're planning. But I'm afraid your little mission isn't going to go as smoothly as you hope."

Seojin narrowed her eyes. "Why would you help us?"

Donghae chuckled softly. "Help you? I'm not helping you, Seojin. I'm warning you." He paused, his eyes gleaming with something darker. "The Phoenix already knows you're coming for them. And they've set a trap."

The tension in the room thickened. Seojin could feel the weight of Donghae's words pressing on her chest. If what he was saying was true, their mission in Busan would be a suicide mission. She could already hear the gears turning in her mind, calculating their next steps.

"So, what's your game here?" Seojin asked, keeping her voice steady despite the growing uncertainty. "Are you here to stop us or steer us in the wrong direction?"

Donghae smiled, but it wasn't a comforting smile. "You'll figure it out eventually. But remember, Seojin, the truth is never as simple as you want it to be. And sometimes, the only way to survive in this world is to play the game."

Seojin clenched her fists. "I don't play games."

Donghae's smile widened. "You will, sooner or later."

As Donghae left the safehouse, the tension didn't dissipate. In fact, it seemed to grow even thicker. Seojin's mind raced with the possibilities, her thoughts turning over Donghae's warning. He wasn't known for his honesty, but there was something in his words that made her uneasy.

Kyungmin turned to her, his expression serious. "What are we going to do now?"

Seojin exhaled slowly, her eyes flicking to the screen that displayed the coordinates for the Busan facility. "We go ahead with the plan. But we prepare for a fight we weren't expecting."

Jiwon nodded. "We'll be ready."

"Keep your eyes open," Seojin added, her gaze hardening. "The Phoenix might be expecting us, but they don't know how far we're willing to go."

End of Chapter 28