12AM, National Intelligence Center, Seoul
A clutter of reports adorned the desk, papers fluttering behind the desk one by one. In the dimly lit library, Kim Haneul sat amidst the chaos of numerous case studies, a pair of spectacles perched on his nose and his hair falling over his forehead. Despite his position as a senior detective, his casual attire of a brown hoodie and track pants made him appear much younger, resembling a university student cramming the night before exams. A single study lamp flickered in the enclosed space, casting shadows across the room. Suddenly, a glass of grape juice appeared before his eyes, startling him from his concentration. It was his assistant Minjae, standing beside him. Haneul shook his head and pushed the glass away, but Minjae persisted, holding his hand firmly.
"Hyung, please. It's been six hours since you locked yourself in this library. A glass of juice won't hurt," Minjae pleaded, concern evident in his voice. Despite the formalities of senior and junior, in private moments like these, Minjae saw Haneul as an older brother who had supported him through difficult times.
"I can't eat or sleep until I find at least one lead to the murderer. He's caused enough havoc, and we can't risk any more lives," Haneul insisted.
"Please, for me," Minjae urged.
Feeling the weight of Minjae's worry, Haneul relented and took a sip of the juice. Minjae sat down beside him, surveying the reports spread across the table.
"Haven't you gone through these reports countless times already? Why review them again?" Minjae questioned.
"I have a feeling we're overlooking something. A small detail," Haneul replied, sifting through the documents once more. Minjae assisted him in organizing the papers they had already read. As the night wore on, Minjae succumbed to exhaustion, falling asleep amidst the papers strewn on the floor. However, Haneul remained determined in his search.
"Minjae! Wake up! How did we miss this detail? It was right in front of us the whole time!" Haneul exclaimed, excitement coursing through him as he made a discovery.
"What... What is it?" Minjae asked groggily, startled awake by Haneul's outburst.
"The murder of Jo Yuri, a young prostitute from Busan. It occurred nine years before the first murder in the Damyang serial killings," Haneul explained.
"Was she killed in the same manner?" Minjae inquired.
"No, it was even more brutal. Her body was found dismembered, with her heart missing. Additionally, her son disappeared suddenly," Haneul revealed.
"And the case remained unsolved for three decades?" Minjae asked in astonishment.
"Do you think our system would bother to pursue justice for a prostitute's murder? Her soul must have been relieved that her body was spared from the lust of men," Haneul remarked bitterly.
Minjae lapsed into silence, pondering Haneul's intense commentary on the case. After a moment, Haneul spoke again.
"And what about her son? He must still be alive, somewhere out there. He's the key to finding the murderer, the only witness to the crime," Haneul declared.
After a brief pause, the senior detective sprang into action.
"Minjae, let's go. We need to contact the Busan police station and inquire about the brothel where Jo Yuri was killed. We also need details on her missing son," Haneul instructed, his determination palpable as they prepared to pursue this new lead.
"And what about Jeong Suhyeon's case? Are you going to the place we suspect of storing the hearts from the murders... alone?" Minjae asked, concern etched in his voice.
"Yes, I'll go alone. It's unofficial, so we can't issue a search warrant for that location. In the meantime, you head to Busan and gather more information about Yuri and her son," Haneul replied, giving Minjae's shoulder a reassuring pat.
With a handful of reports in hand, Haneul left the library, carrying the secret he had kept hidden from headquarters with the help of a forensic doctor and Professor Sungtae. Now, as dawn approached, he embarked alone on the most perilous journey of his career, heading towards the most dangerous place he had ever encountered.
...
6 AM, Hongdae
The first rays of the rising sun bathed Hongdae in golden light, stirring the town from its slumber to embrace a new day. While one part of the town bustled with the usual hustle and bustle of daily life, the other half, hidden within dark alleys untouched by sunlight, remained shrouded in silence.
A pair of white sneakers whispered through the maze of wooden carton boxes, their silent steps weaving through the darkness of a desolate room. The camera hung from a brown belt cinched around high-waisted skinny blue jeans, the slim frame navigating effortlessly through narrow spaces to the heart of the pitch-black chamber. The only beacon of light was a flashlight clutched in small hands.
"Tsk…",A soft curse escaped as the sneakers brushed against an iron rod lying on the uneven ground, its silent protest echoing in the cramped space. With hair tied in a high ponytail swaying behind her, she pushed forward through the long banjiha
(Banjiha : a semi-basement flat)
, the flashlight clenched between her teeth as she wielded the camera to capture the grim scene before her. The putrid stench of decay hung heavy in the stagnant air, seeping from the dark corners of the room where no light dared to tread. A small, rusted window offered little relief, its frame corroded with age and neglect.
Her steps faltered as her foot connected with a plastic bag, the stiff contents within sending a shiver down her spine. Hastily snapping pictures, she turned to leave the hellish confines of the room. But as she retraced her steps to the entrance, a sudden grip tightened around her sneaker, freezing her in place. Heart pounding, she reacted swiftly, freeing her leg and abandoning her shoe in a desperate bid to escape. Yet, the door had been locked from the outside, sealing her fate within the suffocating darkness.
Dragged back into the depths of the apartment by a looming figure, her screams were swallowed by the oppressive silence, leaving her trapped in a nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape.
Kim Haneul navigated the labyrinthine alleys of Hongdae, opting to ride a bike for his unofficial investigation. Parking his bike near the weathered apartment building, he ventured inside to inquire about a photograph of a window.
Clutching the only lead he had—a mysterious photograph of the window sent anonymously to his KakaoTalk two nights prior—Haneul couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. Initially puzzled by the cryptic image, he had scrutinized it on his PC screen, eventually discerning that it depicted a window from the underground apartment. Despite his uncertainty about the sender's intentions, the presence of blood stains faintly visible in the photograph added an unsettling layer to the mystery.
Teaming up with Professor Sungtae, they had enhanced the photograph, revealing the gruesome details hidden within. Though Minjae and the professor expressed reservations about engaging with an unknown sender on KakaoTalk, Haneul remained convinced that someone outside was pulling the strings, guiding him towards the truth.
Now, standing before the imposing facade of the apartment building, Haneul pondered his next move, determined to uncover the secrets lurking within the basement apartment.
The window in the photograph mirrored the one before him, its glass pane obscured by rusty iron grilles. As Haneul traced his fingers over the cool surface, he noted the eerie resemblance between the image and reality—save for the absence of blood stains on the plain white wall.
After a moment's contemplation, Haneul made his way to the front door, rapping his knuckles against it in vain. With no response forthcoming, he braced himself and drew his revolver, fitted with a silencer. A single shot shattered the silence as the bullet pierced the electronic lock, causing the metal door to swing open.
With silent steps, Haneul crossed the threshold into the dimly lit interior. His hand fumbled for the switchboard in the darkness until he located it, flicking on the lone LED bulb suspended from the ceiling. The room flooded with light, revealing a scene of disarray—wooden crates strewn about, metal rods scattered haphazardly, and black polythene bags lying motionless on the uneven floor.
Moving deeper into the space, Haneul entered what appeared to be a kitchen, now repurposed as a makeshift arsenal. Sharp blades and screwdrivers gleamed in the faint light, arranged with unsettling precision. He treaded carefully, mindful not to disturb the array of weapons that could easily be wielded for nefarious purposes.
A soft, muffled sound pierced the silence, emanating from the last darkened room. Haneul's senses sharpened as he approached, bracing himself for whatever awaited him beyond the closed door.Haneul, on high alert, secured his grip on his revolver and activated his Bluetooth earpiece.
"Entering," he relayed calmly, informing Professor Sungtae, who was stationed nearby with a team of three trusted officers ready to provide backup at a moment's notice.
With swift precision, Haneul turned the door knob and stepped inside, his hand poised to draw his flashlight from the pocket of his overcoat. Gripping his revolver tightly, he cautiously advanced into the darkened room, casting wary glances over his shoulder to guard against any potential threats from behind.
The fetid stench of rotting meat assaulted his senses, threatening to induce nausea. Despite his discomfort, Haneul pressed on, scouring the room for a source of light or ventilation to no avail. His gaze fell upon the window above the wall, identical to the one captured in the photograph.
A faint sound of distress reached his ears, prompting him to issue swift commands to his waiting colleagues. Moments later, they were en route to his location.
Navigating through a sea of polythene bags, he could feel the stiff, rotten organs at his feet, everything grossed the fuck out of him. Haneul ventured deeper into the room until his flashlight illuminated a figure amidst the darkness. Shock washed over him as he realized it was a young girl, trapped amidst the clutter.
"Get here. Now," he instructed tersely into his earpiece, prompting his team to hasten their approach.
Wading through the morass of bags, Haneul knelt beside the captive girl and carefully removed the tape binding her, determined to uncover the truth behind her plight.
With the tape removed, the captive girl wasted no time in issuing a frantic warning.
"LOOK BEHIND!!!" she screamed, her voice filled with urgency. Before Haneul could react, a sharp blow from an iron rod struck his head, sending a wave of dizziness coursing through him, the foul smell made him spit out the blood. Despite the pain and disorientation, he managed to maintain his grip on his revolver and instinctively fired a shot at the blurry figure looming before him. His aim proved true, as the bullet struck the assailant's shoulder, causing them to recoil in pain and retreat.
"He's running away!" the girl exclaimed, her voice echoing in Haneul's ears as he struggled to regain his bearings amidst the darkness and the noxious odor.
"He won't get far," Haneul replied through gritted teeth, his mouth tasting of blood.
The girl, whose firm hands had dragged him to safe room earlier, now poured water over his face from her bottle, offering some relief.
"Your team will be here soon. Let's hold on a little longer," she reassured him, her voice calm despite the chaos.
Before long, Professor Sungtae burst into the room with a contingent of officers in tow.
"Kim Haneul!" the professor called out in concern as he approached.
"He couldn't handle the stench of those rotten human hearts," the young girl explained, recognizing her uncle amid the commotion.
Sungtae's expression turned to one of surprise. "Yesul-ah? What are you doing here?"
"I'll explain later. Right now, we need to get your detective some fresh air," Yesul replied urgently.
Haneul, still leaning against the wall for support, interjected, "No, I'm fine... Just some water, please."
As Sungtae handed him the water bottle, Haneul took a few sips to ease his parched throat.
"Professor, did you bring any lights?" Haneul inquired, his mind already turning to the next steps of the investigation.
"Yes, the officers are working on it inside," Sungtae confirmed.
"And what about the attacker? I managed to wound him with a gunshot," Haneul pressed, his gaze flicking between his companions.
But to his surprise, there was no sign of the assailant when Sungtae's team arrived.
"I told you he was getting away!" Yesul exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice.
"Professor, why is your niece shouting so loudly?" Haneul remarked with a faint smile, grateful for her intervention.
"I saved your life, Ajhussi!! You can't even bear my loud voice??"
(Ajhussi - Mister; a term used to address older korean man)
"Stop it, Yesul... We're in the middle of an investigation here, and you owe me an explanation for today. Stay here; you're coming back home with me," Professor Sungtae admonished, gently pulling on her ears.
"Sir, we've turned on the lights. Take a look inside," a cop called from the last room.
Kim Haneul dashed inside, followed by the professor and a young girl. The grisly scene that greeted them sent shivers down their spines. Human organs, including hearts, lay scattered around the room, some wrapped in polythene bags. The blood-stained walls seemed to scream of pain and agony, a testament to the horrors that had unfolded within those walls. Haneul couldn't help but imagine the countless screams of the victims who had fallen prey to this psychopathic serial killer. His head spun at the sight of the dissected human hearts piled in a corner of the room.
"Such a heartless jerk. No wonder he's called a psychopathic serial killer," Yesul remarked, her voice tinged with disgust as she surveyed the room, capturing images with her camera.
"This is a crime scene, not your Instagram attraction. You can't take pictures here!" Haneul snapped, snatching the camera from her hands.
"Ajhussi, you can't just take a camera from a journalist. I'm here to gather reports for my channel," Yesul protested, defending her actions.
"What kind of channel do you work for, exactly? Some silly YouTube channel where you expose celebrity dating scandals?" Haneul retorted, his gaze cold as he leaned closer to her. "Behave yourself, kiddo, while I'm still being nice to you."
"Who are you calling a 'kiddo'? I'm legally an adult, 23 years old! Anyway, give back my camera," Yesul demanded, her defiance evident in her tone.
"You can collect it from the Intelligence Center, after providing an appropriate explanation for your suspicious activity in a crime scene, or else I'll take down your channel for spreading malicious rumors and exploiting the careers of idols and actors," Haneul stated firmly, holding the camera in one hand and tucking his revolver back into his belt. He locked eyes with the young girl, who returned his gaze with equal intensity.
Professor Sungtae, observing from a distance, sensed the tension between them and intervened to prevent any further conflict. "Let's focus on the scene before us, Haneul. Are you planning to report this to headquarters?"
"Yes, I'll inform headquarters today. We've unlocked the storage camp of that murderer. Unfortunately, we failed to capture the suspect. Keep track of patients from nearby clinics and hospitals. If he wants to survive, he'll need treatment for his wound. The bullets used today are coated with a deadly poison," Haneul replied, pushing back the hair obscuring his forehead with his fingers before turning to leave the room.
As Haneul exited, Yesul realized he had taken her camera with him and dashed after him. "Ahjussi! Wait! Give me my camera back!" she pleaded.
Professor Sungtae sighed, watching his niece's antics. Yesul, panting heavily outside, resolved, "You'll return the camera to me yourself, once you check the pictures inside. You thought I didn't know about your soft spot for Miss Senior Reporter," she muttered with a smirk.
...
10 AM, Phoenix Tower
Lee Hangyul sat in his rotating chair, surveying his personal cabin with a sense of detachment. Despite its opulence, everything felt distant and unfamiliar to him. He had already endured two shareholder meetings since early morning and had a packed schedule for the rest of the day. Hangyul couldn't shake the feeling that inheriting the family business was never his desire. He longed to dedicate his life to art, to find peace in creativity. However, fate had other plans, thrusting the entire Phoenix empire into his hands upon his grandmother's passing. The weight of responsibility left him restless, uneasy in his formal suit, uncomfortable in his own skin.
A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, prompting him to straighten up and adopt a cold demeanor. Yet, as the door opened and the familiar face stepped inside, Hangyul's tense shoulders relaxed, and he let out a sigh of relief.
"Seong-ah, how did you..." Hangyul began, rising from his chair to approach the familiar figure that had entered his cabin.
"Why? Can't I interview the new heir of the Phoenix Group... hmm?" Seong-ah interjected, halting Hangyul's advance, mindful of the professional setting they were in.
Hangyul's shy smile betrayed his awe as he gazed at the stunning woman before him. Seong-ah was dressed in her classic journalist attire, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail, with delicate strands framing her face. The light makeup accentuated her features, and a hint of maroon lipstick adorned her lips. Hangyul couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, a sight he had never seen before.
"Stop staring at me with those vicious eyes!! Just say I look good and get to the point," Seong-ah exclaimed, feeling embarrassed by Hangyul's intense gaze.
"Why would you come here, Seong-ah... looking like this? You didn't contact me for 2 days straight, making me think that it was the end of our short-term dating... and now, you appear in front of me... like this?" Hangyul questioned, his tone tinged with a mix of confusion and concern.
"Ahhh?? We didn't even date properly yet, why would I break up so suddenly? I was... just busy... dealing with my own things... and you were already occupied with the takeover and shareholder meetings..." Seong-ah defended herself, trying to brush off his worries.
"All those things are not even important... you... you are the most important person to me..." Hangyul confessed earnestly, his eyes reflecting his genuine feelings.
"Don't be an emotional fool, Hangyul. Your grandmother has passed on this responsibility into your hands; you can't just downgrade and compare it with a person you just met a few months ago," Seong-ah retorted sharply, emphasizing the gravity of Hangyul's new role.
"That person is the one I love the most..." Hangyul insisted, his voice firm with conviction.
"Stop. Let's not discuss it here. I don't want you to have any unnecessary rumors until you get a hold of the board of directors," Seong-ah intervened, her tone firm and resolute.
Hangyul's excited expression faltered at her blunt statement. He already knew that Seong-ah was not someone who would sugarcoat her words or emotions. She was a fiercely practical and independent journalist, known for her icy demeanor. Despite her tough exterior, Hangyul couldn't deny his love for her. He felt a deep connection with Seong-ah, one that he couldn't fully explain but desired with all his heart and soul – he wanted them to be inseparable.
"So, Mr. Lee Hangyul, let's start the interview," the journalist said, setting up her laptop.
"Huhh… yeah… let's begin…" Hangyul replied, taking a seat opposite her on the leather couch.
The questionnaire progressed for about twenty minutes. After recording all the responses, Seong-ah packed up her belongings into her bag.
Hangyul, seated with his legs spread wide, observed her every movement, his gaze unwavering.
"We need to talk, Hangyul… but not here… I need to tell you something important…" Seong-ah spoke up, her tone serious.
"You lost your opportunity, Miss Seong-ah," Hangyul stated abruptly, rising from his seat and heading towards the door of the cabin.
Yoon Seong-ah stood there dumbfounded, her expression blank as she tried to comprehend what had just transpired.
Had Hangyul left her alone with that remark at the end? What was the reason behind it? Was he upset with her? Had she unintentionally offended him? Questions swirled in her mind, her heart racing at the mere thought of him being angry with her. But why did it matter so much? She could always clarify things later... couldn't she?
Taking a few steps towards the glass door, Seong-ah attempted to push it open. To her surprise, the door was pushed from the outside, and Hangyul stepped back into the room, his gaze penetrating.
She recognized that feeling – the same she had experienced during their first encounter in that abandoned building. Back then, his hazel eyes had stared into her soul with a sense of menace. But now, in this moment, she found herself strangely drawn to his gaze, as if craving the intensity of his presence for days...
"Feeling bad?" Hangyul asked, his tone softer now.
"Sorry… if I was rude earlier…" Seong-ah apologized, feeling a pang of guilt.
"I like you being rude to me, just never say I can't compare your importance with this inherited business," Hangyul replied, his voice tinged with sincerity.
Seong-ah nodded in response, finding herself momentarily speechless in front of Hangyul's imposing presence.
What is wrong with me? Why can't I speak up to this fool?? Have I really… fallen… for him… she wondered silently, her thoughts swirling.
Suddenly, she felt Hangyul's hands creeping up her waist, pulling her closer to him.
"Hangyul… we should… stop… someone might see us…" Seong-ah whispered, her voice barely audible as he leaned in closer.
"Look around you Seong… blinds are closed…" he whispered back, his breath warm inside the crook of her collar bones as he inhaled her woody perfume.
Seong-ah couldn't resist any longer, succumbing to the irresistible allure of her man as he seduced her relentlessly. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, surrendering herself to Hangyul's passionate advances. His teeth grazed the flesh near her collarbone, sending shivers down her spine. Her jacket slipped halfway off, revealing her arms and the neckline of her blouse.
Her hair, previously tied in a loose ponytail, now fell softly as Hangyul held it gently in his grasp. Their lips met in a feverish kiss, each touch igniting a fire within them. Hangyul's desire consumed him, clouding his thoughts as he yearned for his lover to be close to him, inseparable.
Their kiss lingered, growing more intense with each passing moment. Seong-ah found herself seated on Hangyul's desk, her legs parted as he stood between them. With fervent touches, he caressed her bosom, eliciting soft gasps of pleasure as he ate her lips crazily. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as they lost themselves in each other.
The passion between them threatened to ignite into a wildfire, but the repeated knocks on the door finally penetrated their haze, breaking the spell they were under.
Lee Hangyul, got away from his woman, picking her up and placing down on the floor. He helped her to fix the broken strip of her blouse, and pulled up the jacket over her arms, also fixing her dishevelled hair.
He gently assisted Seong-ah, ensuring she was properly composed before allowing the employee to enter. As the two visitors from the Intelligence Center were ushered in, Seong-ah's soft murmur of "Kim Haneul..." caught Hangyul's attention, standing close enough to hear her.
Once the visitors were inside, Kim Haneul greeted Seong-ah with a chuckle, drawing an uncomfortable silence from her. Professor Sungtae's disapproving gaze towards Seong-ah only added to the tension in the room.
Kim Haneul broke the ice by initiating the conversation, "Well, Hangyul… we're here to report you on Jeong Suhyeon's murder case"
"Yeah, tell me."
"Do you have any idea that there is a basement apartment owned by your mother, Park Heejin?"
"No, anyways I don't remember anything from the past… but we can always find out the documents of her ownership…"
"We've already found the registration papers dated to 2015, but the weirdest part of the story is that… it is used as the storage room for all mutilated organs from the Damyang murder case."
"Why would mom own such a place? Or she didn't even know what was happening there??"Hangyul's panic was palpable
The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, with Hangyul and Seong-ah both grappling with the implications of this shocking discovery.
"I feel the same. Someone was using that place without her knowledge. By the way… Are you aware of a person named Hong Siwoo?"
"Who is that?"
"Well… after our enquiry it was found that he has been registered as Park Heejin's adopted son, whom she has transferred all her shares… about 25%..."
Seong-ah tried to remain neutral faced, at the mention of Hong Siwoo, but the sudden revelation of him being an adopted son of Park Heejin… the confusion on her face was vivid enough to be detected by her childhood friend sitting across from her…
"You seem quite confused, Seong-ah, do you know him?"
"He is one of the rich charity donors in Myeongdo orphanage.", she replied nonchalantly.
Kim Haneul knew that she was lying, but to make it more fun for himself, he decided to get along with her lies.
"Nothing more?"
"Yes."
Lee Hangyul interrupted their conversation with his puzzled question, "But Haneul, what do both these things have to do with grandmother's murder?"
"Hangyul, the 25% shares were transferred under only one condition… until Phoenix group is heirless, with no chairman… Those shares won't be owned by Hong Siwoo. So, the needle of suspicion automatically turns towards him"
Seong-ah, who remained silent during this series of revelations, decided to intervene their discussion trying not to lead the investigation towards Siwoo as he was the key to finding the truth of her parent's murder and maybe even the psychopathic killer from Damyang.
"Phoenix group is not heirless now, Lee Hangyul is here to claim the business," she said, looking at Hangyul.
"He has not claimed it 'yet', and for a person who has killed over ten people… do you think it's difficult to pluck out Lee Hangyul?" the senior detective remarked.
"That's a crazy-ass statement, Haneul-ssi. You can't straight away frame someone as a killer. You're just suspecting him, and after meeting him a few times in the past, I don't feel that he could be the serial killer… like he's just 27-28 years old… so he definitely can't be the Damyang murderer…"
"Feelings don't work in investigation, Miss Yoon Seong-ah, written proofs do," Professor Sungtae stopped her from speaking further, and he continued, "And about being a suspect… weren't you the one declaring Lee Hangyul as the murderer although he was 'just' the suspect in your parent's murder case?"
"Professor?? Hong Siwoo is a CEO of a reputable company like BlueChip…"
"A psychopathic murderer could be anyone… a businessman… a mayor… or even a president… Please stay out of this case if you're not going to help in any way and keep misleading it," the professor insisted.
"Professor?? Why are you so angry at me??!! We have been working together since the start of this investigation… what happened? Just because now I'm dating Lee Hangyul?"
"You're dating the main suspect of your parent's murder case, Seong-ah!! Do you understand how forbidden it is?"
"Professor… Professor… let's calm down a bit… you both can discuss personal matters outside our investigation schedule," Kim Haneul intervened, holding Professor Sungtae's hand as he was about to get up from his seat.
"Leave me out of this investigation for today, Haneul…," Professor Sungtae said, removing his hand and walking out of the cabin frantically. Yoon Seong-ah got up from the sofa and ran after the angry professor, calling out, "Professor!!! Wait!!!"
"Seong-ah??!!" Lee Hangyul called after the running woman, but his calls did not reach her ears as she hurried out of the cabin to follow the professor.
"Don't worry, Hangyul… They'll resolve their misunderstandings soon… Their friendship… or should I say their father-daughter bond goes long back since Seong-ah took her first steps in Seoul," Kim Haneul reassured his friend, patting him on the shoulder to calm down his growing anxiety. He sensed that Hangyul had become protective of Seong-ah and was beginning to develop an emotional dependency on her. All he could hope for was Seong-ah reciprocating the same feelings for his dear friend.
...
7 PM, Namyangju
After a tumultuous day filled with emotions, Seong-ah disembarked at the bus stop in Namyangju. She ascended the staircase to her building with heavy steps, her heels in one hand and her laptop bag in the other. Her complexion, once vibrant, now appeared pale and weary, betraying the toll the day had taken on her. The weight of her thirties seemed to settle upon her, causing her knees to weaken with each step. Finally, she reached the door of her flat and entered the electronic lock code.
Inside, she noticed a parcel hanging on the door, accompanied by a note,
"Eat well and rest. See you soon
Hangyul"
A small smile tugged at her lips as she read his thoughtful message. Despite life's challenges, she found solace in having someone to lean on, someone who understood her struggles, and shared the same fate as hers.
However, her attention was soon drawn to a faint, fidgeting sound emanating from the opposite flat. Curiosity piqued, she placed the parcel in the kitchen and ventured outside her door to investigate. There, she spotted a mysterious figure—a woman—standing at the end of the hallway, frantically rummaging through her purse. The woman concealed her face with a large hat, her eyes betraying a sense of panic as she continued her search.
Seong-ah approached the unfamiliar woman cautiously, intrigued by her presence in the building. "Excuse me? Are you looking for your keys?" she called out,
"...",
Undeterred, Seong-ah continued toward the woman until she stood beside her.
"Are you a new tenant? Did you not receive keys from the security?" Seong-ah inquired, trying to assist.
"No… I… I had my keys… I can't find them now…", the lady spoke in a broken manner as she turned around revealing her face.
"What is your name?"
"Park Sujin"
"Could you show me your identity proof?"
"Are you the owner of this apartment?"
"No, but I must see a proof before helping you to open the flat"
"Here", the lady slipped a driving licence into the senior reporter's hand, turning around towards her.
As Seong-ah scrutinized the ID,
"54-year-old? Ohh… you look quite young and pretty for your age…",she couldn't help but remark on the woman's youthful appearance. With confirmation, Seong-ah invited her to wait inside while she retrieved spare keys.
"Let's open the door. Wait here, and I'll bring the keys. Would you like to come inside?" Seong-ah offered, leading the way into her apartment.
"Yes, sure," the lady replied, following Seong-ah into the house.
"Have a seat. You can drink water from that bottle. Sorry, it might look like a group of teenagers lives here, with this mess," Seong-ah chuckled as she retrieved the spare keys for room no. 507.
The lady glanced at a family photo on the wall and pointed, "That photo…"
"Oh, those are my parents," Seong-ah explained.
"You live with them?"
"No, they passed away a decade ago."
"Oh, sorry to hear that…"
"It's fine! Anyway, here are your keys. I'm actually the oldest resident here, so I keep the spare keys. I guess the society committee trusts me because I'm a reporter," Seong-ah said, realizing she might be sharing too much.
"Well, can I ask about that scar on your face?" she inquired further noticing the dried vertical scar on the lady's face.
"It's nothing much. I fell down from the staircase of my house and hit the iron grill near my eye. That was a long time ago," the lady replied.
"Yeah, I can tell it was a long time ago. Let's go out and open your door," Seong-ah said quickly, heading out.
Meanwhile, Park Heejin, disguised as Sujin, lingered in Seong-ah's apartment, studying the family portrait. Recognizing the faces, she murmured to herself, "That's right… it's you… Kim Hana and Yoon Siwoo."
Exiting the apartment, Heejin thanked Seong-ah for her kindness.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Yoon Seong-ah, a senior reporter from CBS News. It's nice to have a neighbor on this empty floor. You can simply call security over the intercom if you need anything or encounter any issues," Seong-ah smiled, bidding her new neighbor goodnight, unaware that the woman was none other than Lee Hangyul's mother.
Returning to her apartment, Seong-ah sat on the couch and opened the food delivery of jjampong noodle soup and kimchi that Hangyul had ordered for her. As she slurped the noodles, she dialed a number on her cellphone.
"Hya Jung Bomin! How many times have I told you not to disappear?! I had to do all the reporting by myself today! What's the use of having an assistant?!" she shouted over the phone.
Well… Bomin was definitely not a dumbhead… as the news which he reported to his senior was something she would never even think of as a dream.
"What the hell are you doing in Busan?"
"All i can tell you now… is... stay alert… your life is at risk… see you tomorrow at our secret spot."
Jung Bomin's voice quivered over the call before abruptly hanging up, leaving Seong-ah in a state of confusion and nervousness.
The foreshadowing of dangers made her restless, Seong-ah looked at her family portrait and whispered, "Don't worry, I will survive. I won't die, Omma… Appa… I've promised to avenge your murder. I will find that psychopath at any cost."