The ninth episode of The Price of Concession begins with a poignant flashback to the summer of 2019, where Mo Eun/Kang So-hae finds herself working tirelessly at a refugee camp in Thailand. Her exhaustion only intensifies when she receives a message from So-mang, introducing her to a new friend: Hui-yeong. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressure on her and her colleagues increases, leaving So-hae unable to call So-mang as soon as she receives the message.
Later, So-hae succumbs to illness and is quarantined. As she awakens, her phone is flooded with unread notifications, a chilling video and messages announcing the demise of her sister and father. So-hae is shattered beyond words, yet her return home is denied due to COVID restrictions. Amidst her turmoil, she injures herself while her friend desperately tries to assist her recovery.
In prison, Hui-yeong attempts to take her own life, but the guards are swift to intervene. Although she suffers a severe leg injury that even the prison doctor is ill-equipped to handle, Officer Eom reluctantly allows Mo Eun to assist in her treatment. In a makeshift medical facility within the prison's walls, Hui-yeong is stabilized. Due to Mo Eun's quick thinking and emergency treatment, Officer Eom is compelled to accompany her to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the police descend upon Yun-su's home, and Dong-hun and his associate, Mr. Hwang, discover that Yun-su had engaged in a scuffle and recovered the knife, camera, and clothes she used on the night she attempted to harm Se-hun. Dong-hun continues his investigation into Yun-su's past and searches Jeong-gu's office as well.
Jeong-gu receives a call from Yun-su, urging him to contact Mo Eun and seek her help. Unfortunately for Dong-hun, he overhears the conversation and realizes that Yun-su must be nearby. A frantic search ensues but Yun-su manages to evade capture.
Finally, Young-in arrives at the hospital and confronts Mo Eun in private. The news of her identity has leaked, and Young-in demands to know why she didn't tell him the truth from the beginning. He then relays Yun-su's request. In response, Mo Eun asks him to convey that she is mistaken about something.
Mo Eun then requests to freshen up in the shower, while Yun-su is seen indulging in a meal within. It turns out that Mo Eun had caught her sneaking into the shower area a few minutes ago. As Yun-su inquires about the true culprit behind Se-hun's demise, Mo Eun describes the gruesome image she received, though she admits to being clueless about its sender. Yun-su urges her to be cautious as she exits the shower area.
However, upon leaving the shower, Mo Eun changes her mind and makes a dash for it, pursued by the guards. Meanwhile, Yun-su slips out of the building, dressed in a patient's attire. After a lengthy search, Officer Eom locates Mo Eun and is about to cuff her when Mr Ko knocks her unconscious. They engage in a fierce battle, which ends with Mr Ko stabbing Mo Eun with a pair of scissors.
The scene then shifts to an emergency call, where a woman pleads for assistance. The episode concludes with Yun-su sneaking around Mr Ko's abode, her mission undaunted and her determination unwavering.
