The Algorithm Of Deceit

Chapter Fifteen

The door creaked open, and a man in uniform strode in, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes bore into her, assessing, calculating. The insignia on his uniform identified him as Lieutenant-colonel Seo Min-jae.

She had read about him—a strict old man in the intelligence division, known for his sharp instincts and ruthless interrogation methods.

This was bad.

“Lieutenant Kang Soo-ah,” he said, his tone carefully neutral. “You’ve been unconscious for two days.”

Two days.

Ji-hyun swallowed hard. That meant they had time to question her, to verify her identity.

She masked her emotions, letting out a ragged breath as if struggling to gather herself. “W-Where am I?”

“You’re at the 3rd Military Base Medical Unit,” Min-jae replied. “You collapsed at the entrance covered in wounds. The guards reported your condition, and you were rushed here. You’re lucky to be alive.”

Lucky.

Ji-hyun almost scoffed at the word. Nothing about this was luck.

She allowed herself to look vulnerable, her lips trembling as she turned her gaze downward. “I… I thought I was dead.” Her voice was weak, hesitant, laced with just the right amount of trauma and exhaustion.

Min-jae didn’t react. He studied her carefully, waiting.

She clenched the sheets, her fingers trembling. “I was captured,” she whispered, voice breaking just slightly. “Our unit was ambushed. I—I don’t remember how long I was there… They—” She let the words choke her, forcing her body to tremble.

It was all calculated—the way she clenched her jaw as if forcing back tears, the way she averted her gaze like someone battling shame and fear.

Min-jae finally spoke, his voice softer but still cautious. “Who were your captors?”

Ji-hyun forced a shuddering breath. “They were mercenaries… I don’t know who hired them, but they—” She paused, gripping her stomach as if the memory physically hurt. “They killed my team.”

Min-jae’s sharp gaze flickered.

“And yet, you survived.”

Ji-hyun looked away, as if the thought of her survival brought guilt. “I—I don’t know why. I was the highest-ranking officer in my unit. Maybe they thought I was worth more alive. They kept me locked up, moved me from one place to another. I lost track of time.”

A silence stretched between them.

Min-jae leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable. “And how did you escape?”

Ji-hyun hesitated.

She had anticipated this question, but her answer had to be perfect. Believable, but vague enough to avoid further questioning.

“I got lucky.” She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “There was an attack. I don’t know who did it, but the camp was in chaos. I took my chance and ran. Stole some clothes from a dead soldier. Walked for days. I don’t even know how I made it back.”

Min-jae’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if analyzing every word.

Then, after a long pause, he nodded.

“Your records confirm that you were declared missing in action months ago. If what you’re saying is true, then this is a serious matter.”

Ji-hyun remained silent, waiting.

“You’ll be debriefed once you’re stable. Until then, rest.”