Shadows of Truth

The tension in the safehouse was palpable as Seojin paced back and forth. The warehouse raid had failed to yield anything solid, but one thing was clear: the syndicate was always one step ahead. And now, the deeper they dug into the underworld, the more dangerous it became.

"Are we just going to sit here and wait for them to come for us?" Jiwon asked, his voice laced with frustration. "We need a plan, and fast."

Seojin paused, her gaze hardening as she looked out the window. "I don't plan on waiting for them. We're going to find the Phoenix."

"The Phoenix," Dojin repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You really think it's time to chase that ghost? Every lead we have is just a dead end."

"Not this time," Seojin replied firmly. "We've gotten too close. Whoever the Phoenix is, they're at the top. If we expose them, we bring the entire syndicate down."

Seojin turned back to the group, her eyes steely. "Dojin, keep going through the files. There's something we missed. Jiwon, Kyungmin—prepare for the worst. We don't know how far their reach goes."

---

Hours passed as Dojin worked tirelessly, sifting through the encrypted data and pulling up any remaining clues. Just as Seojin was about to lose hope, Dojin called out.

"I think I found something," Dojin said, his eyes scanning the screen. "It's a name, buried in the middle of all this mess—Jin Joo Hyun."

Seojin felt a chill run down her spine. "Who is he?"

"Joo Hyun was the former head of a major financial conglomerate, but he vanished ten years ago. Rumors said he was involved in illegal activities, but nothing concrete. It's always been speculation—until now."

Seojin stepped forward, studying the screen. "Joo Hyun... if he's the Phoenix, it would explain everything. But why keep it hidden for so long? Why all the secrecy?"

"Maybe because whoever is behind the Phoenix knows what kind of power they wield," Dojin said. "And they want to keep it under wraps."

---

As the night stretched on, Seojin couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. They were too close now, and the Phoenix wasn't just a name—it was a symbol of power. Power that could destroy them all if they weren't careful.

"You're quiet," Kang said, breaking her thoughts as he walked into the room, his presence still like a shadow looming over her.

Seojin didn't trust him, but there was no denying that Kang had proven useful. His knowledge of the law enforcement world and his connections had provided valuable information. But the doubt still lingered.

"I'm just thinking," Seojin replied, her tone cold. "About what comes next."

"Next?" Kang smirked. "You're about to chase a phantom, Seojin. Are you ready for that?"

"I don't have a choice," Seojin snapped. "Do you?"

Kang didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned against the wall, his eyes studying her. "There's one thing you should know about the Phoenix," he said quietly. "You think you can expose him, but it's not that simple. Joo Hyun's influence stretches beyond what you've seen. He's got people everywhere—politicians, judges, law enforcement... even your friends."

Seojin's heart skipped a beat. "What are you saying?"

Kang paused, then gave her a knowing look. "You need to watch who you trust, Seojin. People in your inner circle might not be who they say they are."

---

Kang's words hung in the air like a heavy fog, clouding her thoughts. Seojin had always relied on her instincts, but now, those instincts were screaming at her. Who could she trust?

"Are you suggesting someone here is working for the Phoenix?" she asked, her voice low, almost a whisper.

Kang didn't answer directly but raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you should start asking yourself that question."

Before Seojin could respond, Jiwon entered the room, his face pale. "We've got a problem," he said, his voice tight with urgency. "The syndicate knows about the files. Someone must have tipped them off."

The weight of his words hit Seojin like a punch to the gut. The betrayal was closer than they thought.

"You're saying we've got a mole?" Seojin asked, her gaze sharp as she turned to Jiwon.

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Jiwon replied grimly. "We need to figure out who it is before it's too late."

Seojin glanced at Kang, then back at Jiwon. Her mind raced. Who could it be? Was it possible someone within their team had been compromised? Or was it someone from the outside—someone like Kang, who had been lurking in the shadows the entire time?

---

The team gathered around, tension thick in the air. No one spoke for a moment, each of them deep in thought, weighing the possibility of betrayal. As the minutes stretched on, Seojin couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling in her gut. Someone was playing them, but who?

"Alright," Seojin said, finally breaking the silence. "We need to flush out the mole, and we need to do it fast. Dojin, find any links between the Phoenix and the people we know. Jiwon, Kyungmin—keep your eyes open. And Kang..."

Kang raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in Seojin's tone.

"Keep your distance," she said coldly. "Until I know who I can trust, I'm not taking any chances."

---

**End of Chapter 16**

---

**Sneak Peek for Chapter 17:**

- The team works together to uncover the mole within their ranks.

- Secrets are revealed, and the true identity of the Phoenix comes to light.

- Seojin must decide who is loyal and who is not, with life or death hanging in the balance.