Shadows of Truth

The small hideout that Dojin led them to was quiet and secluded, far from the bustling streets of Seoul. Jiwon, Kyungmin, and Dojin settled inside, while Seojin remained near the entrance, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. Detective Kang followed closely behind her, his presence both reassuring and unsettling.

"You've been watching me, huh?" Seojin said, breaking the tense silence between them.

Kang smirked, crossing his arms. "You're not exactly low-profile, Seojin. When someone like you gets tangled with a syndicate, it's hard not to notice."

"And yet, you chose now to intervene," Seojin replied, her tone sharp.

"I didn't have a choice. Your little showdown with the syndicate made quite the ripple in the underworld. They're tightening their hold, and I've been chasing these guys for years."

"So, what's the catch? You're not the type to jump in out of charity."

Kang leaned against the wall, his expression serious now. "The Lee syndicate killed my partner two years ago. They've been untouchable ever since. This could be my shot at taking them down, but I need your help."

Seojin studied him, her instincts warning her to stay wary. Trust was a fragile thing, especially in a fight like this.

---

Inside the hideout, Dojin had spread the decrypted files across multiple monitors. He continued working to break into the deeper levels of encryption, his fingers never stopping as he muttered to himself.

"Are you making any progress?" Jiwon asked, pacing the room anxiously.

"Progress? Sure," Dojin replied without looking up. "But every layer I crack makes me feel like we're digging into something that's way above our pay grade. There's a name in here that keeps popping up—'The Phoenix.' Ring any bells?"

Jiwon exchanged a glance with Seojin, who had just walked in.

"The Phoenix?" Seojin repeated. "That's supposed to be the codename for the head of the syndicate. No one knows who they really are."

"Well, I've got multiple references to them orchestrating major deals," Dojin said. "If we can link this to them directly, it's game over."

"Game over for them or for us?" Jiwon muttered.

---

One of the decrypted documents contained coordinates to a location just outside the city—a warehouse on the outskirts of Incheon. Dojin brought up a map, and everyone crowded around the screen.

"This is a major distribution center for the syndicate," Dojin explained. "If they're moving something big, it'll be here."

"Or it's a trap," Seojin said, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Either way, we can't ignore it," Jiwon said.

"We'll need a plan," Seojin said. "We can't just barge in there blind."

---

Late that night, the team approached the warehouse under the cover of darkness. Kang stayed close to Seojin, his gun drawn and his eyes scanning for movement.

"Remember," Seojin whispered. "We're here to gather intel, not to start a war."

The team split up to cover more ground. Jiwon and Kyungmin stayed near the perimeter while Seojin, Kang, and Dojin slipped inside. The warehouse was eerily quiet, the only sounds coming from the faint hum of machinery.

As they crept deeper into the facility, Dojin hacked into a nearby terminal, pulling up security footage and inventory logs.

"This place is a goldmine," he whispered. "They're storing weapons, cash, and something labeled 'Priority Shipment.'"

"What's the shipment?" Seojin asked.

"I don't know yet. Give me a second."

---

Before Dojin could finish, the sound of heavy boots echoed through the warehouse. Seojin's heart raced as she gestured for everyone to hide.

Operatives swarmed the area, their weapons drawn and their movements precise. It was clear they were expecting trouble.

"How did they know we'd be here?" Kang whispered.

Seojin's blood ran cold. Someone must have tipped them off. She glanced at Kang, the only new addition to their team, suspicion creeping into her mind.

"Stay focused," she whispered back, though her hand tightened around her weapon.

As the operatives fanned out, one of them spoke into a radio. "We've confirmed movement. Initiate the lockdown."

The sound of heavy doors slamming shut echoed through the warehouse.

"We're trapped," Dojin hissed.

"No," Seojin said, her mind racing. "We just need a distraction."

---

Seojin fired a single shot, shattering a nearby light and plunging the area into darkness. Chaos erupted as the operatives scrambled to locate the source.

"Go!" she hissed, leading the team through the maze of crates and machinery.

They moved quickly but carefully, avoiding detection as they made their way to an emergency exit. Kang covered their rear, his sharp eyes scanning for threats.

When they finally burst out into the night air, everyone was breathing heavily, but they were alive.

---

Back at the hideout, Seojin confronted Kang. "How did they know we'd be there?"

Kang's expression hardened. "Are you accusing me of something?"

"You showed up out of nowhere," Seojin said. "And now the syndicate is one step ahead of us. That's not a coincidence."

"You think I'd risk my life to help you just to turn you in?" Kang snapped.

"Maybe," Seojin said coldly. "Or maybe you're playing both sides."

"Enough," Jiwon said, stepping between them. "We don't have time for this. The syndicate is onto us, and we need to stay ahead of them."

Seojin glared at Kang but said nothing more. The doubt lingered in her mind, though.

---

**End of Chapter 15**