THE END GAME - SQUID GAME

Chapter 53

The next morning, the team regrouped in the main room of their safehouse. The air was thick with determination as they reviewed the intel gathered the night before. Seok-min had uncovered several suspicious financial transactions leading to shell companies in Southeast Asia. Ji-hyun had mapped out potential supply routes, narrowing down likely destinations for the weapons shipments.

But it was Minseo's lead that caught everyone's attention.

"Kim Sung-ho is listed as a key operator in one of these facilities," she said, pointing to a location marked on the map. "It's a smaller hub, but it's crucial to their operations. If we take him out, we'll disrupt their network—and I'll finally get answers."

Jun-ho studied the map, nodding slowly. "It's risky, but it's worth it. If we hit this place, we'll not only get Sung-ho, but we might also uncover more intel about their hierarchy."

"What's the plan?" Ji-hyun asked, leaning forward.

"We'll split into two teams," Jun-ho said. "Minseo and I will infiltrate the hub and go after Sung-ho directly. Ji-hyun and Seok-min, you'll set up an overwatch position to provide cover and monitor any reinforcements."

The team spent the day preparing for the mission. Seok-min fine-tuned the sniper rifle he had salvaged, while Ji-hyun worked on a portable comms system to keep everyone connected.

Minseo sharpened her knives, her movements methodical and almost meditative. Jun-ho watched her from across the room, his brow furrowed in thought.

"You seem focused," he said, approaching her.

"This isn't just another mission for me," she replied without looking up. "It's personal."

"I know," Jun-ho said. "But don't let that cloud your judgment. We need you sharp and in control."

Minseo finally looked at him, her expression unreadable. "I'm always in control."

Jun-ho didn't press further. He knew better than to question her resolve.

Under the cover of night, the team approached the facility. It was located on the outskirts of a desolate industrial zone, surrounded by high fences and patrolled by armed guards.

Ji-hyun and Seok-min took up their positions on a nearby hill, setting up the sniper scope and comms relay.

"Eyes on the target," Seok-min said through the earpiece. "Guards are light, but there's movement inside the main building. Be careful."

"Copy that," Jun-ho replied.

He and Minseo slipped through a gap in the fence, their movements silent and precise. They navigated through the shadows, avoiding patrols and security cameras.

Minseo's heart pounded in her chest, not from fear, but from the anticipation of finally confronting Sung-ho.

Inside the main building, they found a series of offices and storage rooms. Jun-ho signaled for Minseo to stay back as he peeked around a corner.

"Two guards outside the door," he whispered.

"I've got this," Minseo said, her voice steady.

Before Jun-ho could protest, she moved. In a blur of motion, she took down the first guard with a swift strike to his throat and incapacitated the second with a blow to the head.

Jun-ho raised an eyebrow. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

Minseo smirked. "You couldn't if you tried."

They entered the room to find Kim Sung-ho sitting at a desk, surrounded by monitors displaying security feeds. He looked up, startled, but quickly masked his fear with a sneer.

"Well, well," he said, leaning back in his chair. "If it isn't the ghost from the games."

Minseo's eyes narrowed. "You remember me."

"Hard to forget someone who left such a trail of bodies," Sung-ho replied.

She stepped closer, her knife glinting in the dim light. "Then you know why I'm here."

Jun-ho closed the door, his weapon trained on Sung-ho. "You're going to tell us everything you know about the games—the organizers, the funding, the locations. Start talking."

Sung-ho chuckled. "You think I'm afraid of you? You're nothing but pests to them. Kill me, and they'll replace me by morning."

Minseo slammed her knife into the desk, inches from his hand. "You don't understand. I don't need you alive—I just need you to talk."

For the first time, fear flickered in Sung-ho's eyes.

"All right, all right," he said. "There's a central hub, but it's not on the mainland. It's offshore, heavily guarded. You'll never get close without—"

The sound of gunfire erupted outside, cutting him off.

"Reinforcements," Ji-hyun's voice crackled over the comms. "They're coming in hot. You need to move, now!"

Jun-ho grabbed a USB drive from the desk, plugging it into one of the monitors. "Stall them," he said to Minseo. "I need more time."

Minseo turned back to Sung-ho, her knife hovering dangerously close to his throat. "You're coming with us. If you're lying, I'll make you wish I'd killed you here."

With Sung-ho in tow, Minseo and Jun-ho fought their way out of the building. Ji-hyun and Seok-min provided covering fire, picking off guards as the team sprinted toward the extraction point.

"Get in the van!" Seok-min shouted, reloading his rifle.

They piled into the vehicle, bullets ricocheting off the metal as Seok-min floored the gas pedal.

Minseo turned to Sung-ho, who was trembling in the back seat. "You're going to lead us to that hub," she said coldly.

He nodded, his bravado shattered.

Jun-ho glanced at her, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes. "We're one step closer," he said.

Minseo didn't reply. She was already thinking ahead, her mind racing with possibilities—and the revenge that awaited her.