Shadows of Truth

The hum of the car engine filled the silence as Seojin and Jiwon tailed the black sedan carrying Kyungmin and his captors. The city streets blurred into a haze of neon lights and dark alleys, but Seojin's focus remained razor-sharp.

"They're heading out of the city," Jiwon muttered, his eyes flicking between the road and the GPS.

"Where would they take him?" Seojin asked, gripping the dashboard.

"Someplace quiet. They won't risk interrogating him in public," Jiwon replied.

Seojin clenched her fists, her mind racing. If they didn't act fast, Kyungmin's knowledge—and his life—could be lost forever.

---

The car turned off the main road and disappeared into an abandoned industrial area. Seojin signaled Jiwon to stop the car and kill the lights.

From their vantage point, they watched as Kyungmin was dragged into an old warehouse by two armed men. The building loomed in the darkness, its broken windows and rusted walls a testament to years of neglect.

"We need to get closer," Seojin whispered, already stepping out of the car.

"Wait," Jiwon said, grabbing her arm. "We don't know how many are in there. If we go in blind, we'll get killed."

"Then what do you suggest?" Seojin shot back.

Jiwon hesitated before pulling out his phone. "Let me distract them. You sneak in and get Kyungmin."

"Distract them how?"

Jiwon gave her a small, sly grin. "Lawyers have their ways."

---

Moments later, Jiwon strode toward the warehouse entrance, his hands raised in a show of non-violence. The two guards at the door tensed, their hands hovering over their weapons.

"Relax, gentlemen," Jiwon said smoothly. "I'm here on behalf of Mr. Lee. I have a message for your boss."

The guards exchanged uncertain glances. "What message?" one of them asked.

"Only for your boss's ears," Jiwon replied, his tone firm. "Do you want to be the ones responsible for delaying it?"

After a moment's hesitation, one of the guards opened the door and motioned Jiwon inside.

Seojin, hidden in the shadows nearby, slipped past the distracted guards and into the warehouse.

---

Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit, with crates and machinery scattered haphazardly. Seojin kept low, moving silently toward the voices echoing from deeper within.

Kyungmin sat tied to a chair in the center of the room, blood trickling from a cut on his forehead. Three men loomed over him, their expressions cold and menacing.

"We know you've been keeping records," one of them said, his voice icy. "Where are they?"

Kyungmin spat blood onto the floor, defiance in his eyes. "Even if I told you, you'd kill me anyway."

"True," the man said, drawing a knife. "But we'd kill you faster if you cooperate."

Seojin's heart pounded as she assessed the situation. Three armed men, and she had only a handgun with limited ammo. Her training kicked in as she formulated a plan.

---

Seojin stepped out of the shadows, her gun aimed at the men. "Drop your weapons, now!"

The men turned in surprise, but their hesitation was brief. One reached for his gun, but Seojin fired a warning shot that grazed the ground near his feet.

"I said, drop them!" she barked.

The two other men complied, their weapons clattering to the ground. The leader, however, smirked and raised his hands slowly.

"You must be Seojin," he said calmly. "We've heard about you. Always so righteous, so predictable."

"Move away from him," Seojin ordered, ignoring his taunts.

The man took a step back but didn't seem fazed. "You can't save him. And you can't stop us."

Before Seojin could respond, the sound of footsteps behind her made her spin around. Two more men had entered, guns drawn.

---

The room exploded into chaos as Jiwon appeared, wielding a crowbar he'd grabbed from the warehouse floor. With surprising agility, he knocked one of the newcomers off balance, sending his weapon skidding across the floor.

"Seojin, now!" Jiwon shouted.

Seizing the opportunity, Seojin fired at the light fixtures above, plunging the room into darkness. Shouts and curses filled the air as the men scrambled in the confusion.

Using the cover of darkness, Seojin rushed to Kyungmin's side and cut his bindings. "Can you walk?" she whispered.

"Barely," Kyungmin replied, wincing as he stood.

"Lean on me," Seojin said, guiding him toward the exit.

Meanwhile, Jiwon fought off the remaining men with sheer determination, buying them precious time.

---

Seojin and Kyungmin stumbled out of the warehouse, the cool night air hitting them like a blessing. Moments later, Jiwon emerged, bruised but alive.

"Get in the car," Seojin ordered, helping Kyungmin into the back seat.

Jiwon slid into the driver's seat and floored the gas pedal, speeding away from the warehouse as the remaining men poured out, their shouts echoing into the night.

---

Back at the safehouse, Kyungmin handed Seojin a flash drive he'd hidden in his jacket. "Everything's on here," he said weakly. "Names, transactions, evidence tying them to the syndicate."

Seojin held the drive like it was a lifeline. "This could change everything."

"It won't be enough," Kyungmin warned. "The syndicate has too many people in their pocket. You'll need more than this to take them down."

"We'll find a way," Seojin said firmly.

---

**End of Chapter 12**