THE END GAME - SQUID GAME

Chapter 59

The storm passed, leaving the forest shrouded in mist. The team gathered in the main room of the safehouse, their voices hushed as they reviewed the map spread across the table. Jun-ho sat with a hand resting on his side, his injury still fresh but his focus sharp. Minseo stood at his side, her usual stoic demeanor intact, though her presence felt steadier now—a silent acknowledgment of the breakthrough they had shared.

Ji-hyun tapped the map with her finger. "We're here," she said, pointing to a small dot in the middle of the forest. "The island's main base is here." She gestured to the northern coast, where a fortress loomed over the water.

Seok-min frowned. "That base is heavily guarded. Even if we manage to get close, we won't survive a direct assault."

Minseo crossed her arms. "We're not looking for a fight. We're looking for intel—proof of what they're doing here."

"And how do you suggest we get it?" Seok-min asked.

Jun-ho leaned forward, his voice steady despite the pain. "We infiltrate. Use the supply routes to sneak in. They're expecting resistance, not subtlety."

Ji-hyun nodded slowly. "Supply routes could work. They bring in shipments every few days. If we can intercept one, we could get inside unnoticed."

"What about the drones?" Seok-min asked. "We barely escaped them last time."

"I can handle the drones," Jun-ho said. "Their patrols follow a pattern. We'll wait for the blind spots."

"And once we're in?" Ji-hyun asked.

"We locate their control center," Minseo said. "Everything—files, recordings, evidence—it'll be stored there. We extract it and get out before they know we're there."

Seok-min looked skeptical. "That's a lot of 'ifs.'"

"It's the best shot we have," Jun-ho said firmly. "Unless you have a better idea?"

Seok-min sighed but didn't argue.

The team spent the next few hours gathering supplies and reviewing the plan. Ji-hyun worked on modifying their gear to blend in with the island workers, while Seok-min and Minseo mapped out the best routes to the base.

Minseo kept glancing at Jun-ho, noting how he winced whenever he moved. She pulled him aside as Ji-hyun and Seok-min argued over the drones' blind spots.

"You're not ready for this," she said quietly.

Jun-ho raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously trying to bench me?"

"You're injured," she said, her tone sharper than she intended. "You'll slow us down."

"I'm fine," he insisted.

"You're not," she snapped, her voice rising. "If you get hurt again, we won't be able to—" She cut herself off, realizing her words were tinged with something more than frustration.

Jun-ho studied her, a small smile playing on his lips. "You're worried about me."

"Don't be ridiculous," she muttered, turning away.

"Minseo." He reached out, his hand brushing her arm. She froze but didn't pull away.

"I'm going," he said softly but firmly. "Not because I want to be a hero, but because I'm the best chance we have of getting through this. You know that."

She closed her eyes for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if you slow us down, I'll carry you out myself."

"I'd expect nothing less," he said, his grin returning.

Two nights later, the team crouched in the shadows of the forest, watching as a supply truck rumbled down the dirt path toward the base.

Ji-hyun signaled, and Seok-min stepped onto the road, dressed in a stolen uniform. The truck slowed, and the driver rolled down the window, grumbling something about the late hour.

Before he could react, Minseo was at the passenger side, her knife glinting in the moonlight. "Out," she ordered.

The driver hesitated, then scrambled out of the truck as Ji-hyun tied his hands and gagged him.

"Quickly," Jun-ho said, climbing into the back of the truck with a wince.

Minseo gave him a warning look. "You're pushing it."

"I'm fine," he said, though the strain in his voice said otherwise.

The team piled into the truck, Ji-hyun taking the driver's seat. The vehicle rolled forward, blending seamlessly with the other shipments heading toward the base.

The truck passed through the gates without incident, the guards giving only a cursory glance at the manifest. Ji-hyun parked near the supply depot, and the team slipped out, blending into the shadows.

Jun-ho checked his watch. "We've got thirty minutes before the next patrol sweep. Let's move."

They navigated the maze-like corridors of the base, sticking to the plan. Minseo took point, her movements silent and precise.

When they reached the control center, Seok-min hacked into the door panel while the others kept watch. The lock clicked open, and the team slipped inside.

The room was filled with monitors, files, and hard drives—evidence of the horrors the island concealed.

"This is it," Jun-ho said, moving to the nearest terminal. He began downloading files onto a portable drive, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

"Hurry," Minseo said, her eyes scanning the hallway.

As the files transferred, Ji-hyun's voice came over the comms. "We've got movement. Guards are heading your way."

"We need more time," Jun-ho said.

"You've got two minutes," Minseo said, her grip tightening on her knife.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, and Seok-min cursed under his breath. "They're coming."

Minseo locked eyes with Jun-ho. "Stay here. Finish the transfer. I'll handle this."

"Minseo—"

"Do it," she said, her voice leaving no room for argument.

She slipped out of the room, disappearing into the shadows just as the guards arrived.