3 PM, Han River Park.
Seong-ah dashed towards the railing, which separated the water from the garden, spotting Professor Sungtae standing there, gazing into the distance. The afternoon sun beat down fiercely, prompting the senior reporter to snatch her cap and hurry down to him.
"Will you jump or what?" she quipped, tapping his back.
He spun around, his face contorted with anger, then turned away again. Seong-ah couldn't suppress her amusement and burst into laughter at his furious expression.
"Stop it now! You're such a terrible actor, Professor! Hahaha," she exclaimed, doubling over in mirth.
"I tried! Your boyfriend was scared!" Sungtae retaliated, playfully hitting the scheming girl's back.
"I had no other choice... thankfully, you had already briefed me on Haneul's whereabouts just in case... We can't allow Siwoo to be framed as the culprit."
"But what if he truly is?" Sungtae queried.
"Well... we have to take that risk... even if he's merely emulating the old murderer... My only insight into the Damyang murder case comes from my mother's diary..."
"And what if he manipulates the truth, forging information from the diary?"
Seong-ah fell silent, unsure herself about Siwoo's true nature. His behavior appeared contrived, with multiple layers to his personality, leaving Seong-ah feeling as though she was barely scratching the surface.
"I'll wrest that diary from his grasp at any cost," she declared firmly.
"It won't be easy... while examining his medical records, I've discovered he's a clinical psychopath... His brain patterns deviate from those of a typical human... You must remain vigilant around him, every moment spent in his company... your life is in danger."
Seong-ah and Professor Sungtae lingered by the Han River, nibbling on their ice cream, deliberating their next moves.
...
9PM, Mayor Mansion
"Kang Chaewon! Stop making my life a living hell! The parliamentary elections are looming, and your scandals are getting exposed by the police! Do you detest this mansion so much that you're desperate to flee?" Kang Minseok thundered at his wife, who sat across from him in their bedroom, seemingly indifferent to his fury.
"Stop shouting... Those people are well-compensated to keep quiet. Your position is not in jeopardy," she retorted calmly, filing her nails.
"Do you think you're doing a commendable job of paying them off? Chaewon, it's me who's exerting pressure on the entire system to preserve both our reputations."
"Reputation? You're doing this solely to cling to your parliamentary seat..."
Kang Minseok's rage reached its peak at this remark. Losing his temper, he lunged towards his wife, seizing her neck tightly.
"What did you say? Never forget who I am... and what I'm capable of..."
Chaewon struggled to breathe as her husband's grip tightened. She slapped his hands and attempted to push him away.
"Chaewon, do you remember... Hong Yushik...?" he whispered, loosening his grip and locking eyes with her.
His wife's eyes widened at the mention of that infamous name. She covered her ears with her hands and retreated until her back met the wall behind her.
"Oh, you remember him. Then you must also recall who introduced him to you?"
"Yes. How could I forget..." Chaewon's complexion paled as she gazed at her husband.
"Well... I have dozens of individuals like him whom I can unleash to sow chaos and safeguard my power."
Chaewon shook with fear, avoiding eye contact with her menacing husband.
"What... What do you want me to do?" she stammered, managing to break free from his grasp.
"Do what you've been trained to do over the years," Minseok threatened with a malevolent glare.
Kang Chaewon nodded silently as he exited the bedroom, leaving her to grapple with her dread.
...
10 AM, Bluechip investment, Yongsan.
Hong Siwoo strolled through the office's sitting area, casting a discerning eye over the new batch of interns. He scrutinized their faces and glanced at the nameplates adorning their attire.
"Kim Hyun Joong, Kwon Nara, Huh Yunjin… Jo Yuri…" he murmured, halting at the last name. Siwoo fixed his gaze on the female employee standing before him.
"Who hired you?" he inquired sharply.
"Your… your secretary, sir," she replied nervously.
"Ah, I see… I recall now. You have an exceptional academic record. Welcome to BlueChip, everyone, except for you…" Siwoo pointed directly at the employee named Yuri. "You will need to change your name."
"Sorry… sir?" she faltered.
"You must adopt a different name. Choose any nickname you prefer. You cannot continue working here with that name," he stated firmly.
The secretary hurried over to her irate boss. "Sir, I'll look into it. Please, relax. Miss Yoon is waiting for you in the lobby."
"Tell her to come into my office," Siwoo instructed before departing from the desk area after his interrogation.
Yoon Seong-ah entered the spacious, empty cabin, carefully observing every detail of the room. There were minimal furnishings—a medium-sized metal desk, a sofa set, and a wooden cupboard filled with files—in the plain, white-painted space. A large glass window behind the desk served as the only emergency exit, though impractical given the room's location on the 17th floor of the tower.
"Wanna get pushed out of that window?" a deep male voice echoed suddenly.
Startled, Seong-ah turned to find Hong Siwoo standing behind her. "Ah... Haha... you certainly have a unique way of speaking, don't you?" she remarked, quickly moving away from the window.
Siwoo approached her, looming over her with an intense gaze. "Because I'm not normal. Want to see my brain scans? Yoon Seong-ah, I'm a clinical psychopath."
"And what caused you to become this way?" she inquired.
"Shall we peruse your mother's diary?" Siwoo dodged her question and headed toward his desk.
Observing his peculiar behavior, Seong-ah followed him and settled onto the couch. "Were you responsible for Jeong Suhyeon's murder?" she asked bluntly.
Ignoring her question once more, Siwoo continued flipping through the diary. "Let's see... Page 56, May 15th, 2012," he read aloud. "Myeongdo Orphanage is thriving... Today, we received a generous charity donation of 2 million won. Such a kind-hearted soul, Park Heejin-nim. Anyways, why is my head hurting these days? Could the past cytoma be returning? How could I leave my love Siwoo and Seong-ah alone in this cruel world…"
"Stop. Read from a different page," Seong-ah interjected.
"Why? Can't bear to hear about your mother's illness?" Siwoo teased, unfazed by her discomfort. "Or perhaps you're uneasy hearing your father's name from my lips?"
"Neither. Don't waste time on what I already know," she retorted.
"Fine," Siwoo shrugged, continuing to read from another page. "June 19th, 2012... I'm frightened... I sense an ominous presence around my house... Should I file a complaint? I don't want this money... I don't need this house... I don't want to owe anything to that bastard…"
"That bastard?" Seong-ah inquired, halting the narration.
"She didn't want to owe anything to him—house, money… do you not understand who that bastard is?" Siwoo challenged.
"Kang Minseok," Seong-ah concluded.
"Correct," Siwoo confirmed.
Seong-ah continued her analysis, "But why was he aiding her? And why was she frightened just two months after receiving the donation? Did Park Heejin involve her in something?"
"Hmm, that's for you to investigate," Siwoo replied cryptically, leaning in closer to her and closing the diary.
"Why are you closing it?" Seong-ah asked, taken aback.
"It's 10:30 AM. I told you, only 30 minutes each day," Siwoo reminded her.
"But you've only been reading for 10 minutes," Seong-ah protested, flustered.
"So?" Siwoo raised an eyebrow, silently daring her to argue.
Knowing it was futile to dispute with someone like Siwoo, Seong-ah grabbed her bag and made her way to the door. "I hope you haven't bugged me with any secret cameras," she quipped as she reached for the doorknob.
"Who knows…" Siwoo's sudden remark caused her to pause, turning back to face him with a suspicious smile.
Siwoo stood there, smirking, as he watched her exit his cabin, her slender figure disappearing down the hallway.
...
5 PM, National Intelligence Center
Shin Yesul stealthily slipped into the police station, her blue hoodie pulled over her head and a black mask concealing her face. Making her way to the missing items section, she approached the desk where a lady police officer was stationed.
"Excuse me… I'm looking for a camera… I have the receipts here… Leica Q2 reporter model…" she explained, handing over the receipts to the officer. The officer regarded Yesul with suspicion and requested her identity proof, which the young girl promptly provided.
"Miss Yesul, we do have your camera, but you'll need to wait for our senior detective to arrive," the officer informed her.
"Why? I can explain everything in writing. Please, just give me the camera. I have an urgent assignment to cover," Yesul pleaded.
"Miss, you'll have to wait. The camera is currently with him."
"What? Didn't you just say it was here?"
"You can wait in the citizen's corner. He'll be here soon," the officer insisted.
Frustrated by the encounter with the senior detective from the previous day, Yesul stormed out of the police station. However, as she descended the staircase, she collided with a tall man ascending.
"Ahhh!!! Fuck it!!" she exclaimed as she fell to the floor.
"Watch your language, kid," a calm voice resonated in the empty staircase.
Yesul looked up to see Kim Haneul standing above her.
"Ahjussi??! Give… give my camera back to me now!!" she demanded.
"Stop yelling, kiddo! I have better cameras at my place. I'm not stealing it from you," he reassured her, offering a hand to help her up. "Follow me."
With no other choice, Yesul begrudgingly followed the eccentric old man, stomping her feet all the way to his office. Haneul closed the door behind them as they entered his personal workspace.
"Now, tell me. Every little detail captured in your camera," he instructed.
"There are hundreds of photographs saved in there. Which ones do you need? Please be more specific, Ahjussi," Yesul replied.
"Yoon Seong-ah, Hong Siwoo, a mysterious veiled woman inside his house, and the Mayor's Mansion. I've examined all those pictures, and it's clear you've been on this case for quite some time now," Haneul remarked, reviewing the contents of Yesul's camera.
Yesul remained silent for a moment, caught off guard by Haneul's direct approach. Although she anticipated him inspecting her camera, being asked for information so straightforwardly was unexpected.
"Well... it's a long story... where should I begin?" she replied, taking a seat at the desk.
"Let's start with someone close—Yoon Seong-ah. You obviously know her as she's a senior in your industry, but why were you following her?" Haneul inquired, settling into his chair and taking a sip of coffee.
"It was purely coincidental. I was in the midst of my usual celebrity exposé filming in Hannam-dong when Seong-ah sunbaenim entered Hong Siwoo's residence under suspicious circumstances. That's what prompted my investigation," Yesul explained, recounting the events that led her to this case and how she became increasingly involved after researching it online. She recognized that the Damyang murder mystery could be a significant breakthrough for her YouTube channel and could potentially bring her international fame.
"So, as of now, you know that Yoon Seong-ah and Hong Siwoo are harboring a secret, leading to frequent meetings between them. Additionally, Siwoo is acquainted with an unidentified veiled woman, who was also seen leaving Seong-ah's apartment. However, Seong-ah seems unaware of the connection between Siwoo and the woman. What about the incidents at the Mayor's Mansion?" Haneul continued.
"They're embroiled in an entirely separate drama within that hell of a house," Yesul scoffed, rolling her eyes and reclining in her chair.
"I'm quite interested in their political intrigue," Haneul chuckled.
"Political? Call it melodrama, thriller, or revenge tale…"
"Just give me a summary."
"Ahjussi, you must have investigated Kang Chaewon's illegal drug activities numerous times, right? Ever wonder why she was never caught red-handed?"
"Obviously, because of Kang Minseok. He has the power to erase all evidence," Haneul replied.
"Not only that, but he's involved in the business himself! In the eyes of the law, he's a righteous politician brought down by his own wife. But in reality... the true mastermind behind the drug operation is him! Mayor Kang Minseok!" Yesul declared emphatically, slamming her hand on the desk.
"And how can you be so sure?" Haneul questioned skeptically.
"I recorded a private conversation between him and Kang Chaewon, where he confessed everything! He even mentioned the name of the Damyang serial killer!" Yesul exclaimed.
"What? Do you have the recording now?" Haneul asked urgently.
"Yes, it's on my phone."
"Play it for me."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Return my camera first!"
"Shin Yesul! This is a serious matter; don't act so immaturely," Haneul scolded.
"Fine, if you think I'm immature," Yesul retorted, snatching the camera from his hand and attempting to leave the office. However, as she turned to open the door, Haneul quickly seized her backpack and guided her back to the chair, blocking both armrests with his firm hands. He fixed her with a stern gaze, causing her to feel nervous and glance down at her knees.
"Don't try to be clever, kiddo. You're sitting in front of a senior detective with a presidential merit," he warned.
"Stop boasting," Yesul muttered.
"Play that recording, now," Haneul demanded.
Shin Yesul blinked shyly at him, her heart racing in front of the imposing officer. She rummaged through her bag and retrieved her secondary cell phone, reserved solely for filming and recording purposes.
"Here, listen to it."
The recording of a lengthy conversation between Kang Chaewon and her husband echoed in the cabin. It was evident that Chaewon was merely a pawn in Minseok's game, and no one had been able to penetrate his facade of innocence for years.
"Chaewon, do you remember… Hong Yushik…?"
Haneul, who had been listening intently, leaning back in his chair, stood up suddenly at the mention of 'Hong Yushik' as if struck by lightning.
"That's the name… of…" Yesul attempted to speak but was interrupted by Haneul, who immediately dialed a number and contacted Minjae, currently investigating the murder of Jo Yuri, a prostitute, in Busan.
"Minjae, what was the name you mentioned last night? The regular customer who visited Jo Yuri?" Haneul asked as soon as Minjae picked up.
"Hong Yushik... why? Have you found any leads related to him?" Minjae inquired.
"Minjae-yah… I need you to delve deeper into Hong Yushik. What was his relationship with Yuri, and... was Yuri's abandoned son, in fact, Yushik's biological son?" Haneul instructed.
After relaying his instructions, Haneul ended the call and turned his gaze back to Yesul, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Yesul-ssi... you're truly remarkable. How on earth did you manage to record this conversation? Do you realize the significance of this audio clip to our investigation? We finally have a potential suspect's name!" Haneul exclaimed, shaking her shoulders in excitement.
Shin Yesul gazed at him with admiration, knowing that this officer was about to break her heart but finding herself inexplicably drawn to him during their second encounter.
...
12 AM, Seoul Forest Park
The forest lay enveloped in pitch-black darkness, akin to a moonless night. Streetlights had succumbed to a rare power outage in Seoul. The rustle of leaves falling echoed through the eerie silence, intensified by the chill wind. In the deep woods, a faint sound of footsteps alerted the forest officers patrolling in their Jeep nearby.
"Do you hear that sound?" one officer asked his partner.
"Yes, sir. Someone is moving within the core zone of the forest. We must investigate," the other officer responded.
They redirected their jeep towards the core zone, its headlights piercing through the darkness as they ventured deeper. The sound grew more pronounced, as if the person had started running upon noticing the approaching vehicle.
"Hey!!! Who's there?!! Stop right there or I'll shoot!" the officer shouted at the mysterious figure, his back illuminated by the headlights.
"I said STOP!" the officer reiterated, exiting the jeep as the figure momentarily paused.
Approaching cautiously with his gun drawn, the officer commanded, "Face me!"
The figure turned, revealing a ghastly visage. The officer's heart sank at the sight of the pale, blood-stained man with disheveled hair and blood-dripping mouth. His hands bore crimson scratches from his self-inflicted wounds.
"You… you… aaaahhhhh…" the officer screamed in terror as the man's horrifying appearance registered.
"SIR!! Get in the car!!!" his partner yelled from behind. As the officer turned to flee, the sinister man grabbed him from behind and slit his throat with a knife. In a desperate attempt to defend themselves, the other officer fired shots at the assailant, sending the forest into chaos with birds scattering and wild animals fleeing.
With a malevolent gleam in his eyes, the bloody man vanished into the woods, leaving the officers in a state of panic and helplessness. Within minutes, the Forest Park was swarmed with police cars, initiating a search for the elusive assailant.
"Kim Haneul, it's been a month since we assigned this case to you. What progress have you made? Nothing? That bloody psychopath is claiming innocent lives, and now he's attacking our officers? I want a detailed report on your findings since last month!" the deputy police commissioner berated Haneul and his team.
"Yes, sir!" Haneul responded, saluting his superior.
"Senior, we've collected blood samples and torn fabric pieces," the forensics team reported emerging from the woods.
Haneul, with furrowed brows, walked with the forensic experts, discussing the attacker's appearance as described by the victim officer admitted to the hospital.
"Hong Yushik… is it him? No… given the timeline, he'd be a old fossil by now... and according to the victim's description, the attacker was middle-aged. Wait... could this be the same person from that underground room? Who... who are you... we can't play this game of cat and mouse forever… I swear, this is the last time you'll escape me…" Haneul pondered as he examined the fabric samples, a nagging familiarity tugging at his memory. Something clicked, and he hastily dialed a number on his phone, receiving no answer. He tried another number.
"Hey, Seong-ah… Is Hangyul with you? No? Where is he? He's not picking up my calls. Can you check on him?" Haneul's thoughts raced, his veins pulsating with urgency.
His phone rang, displaying a call from Yoon Seong-ah.
"Haneul, can you please tell me what's going on? Lee Hangyul is missing from his apartment…" she queried.
"Just stay calm. I'll meet you tomorrow. Don't worry about Hangyul; I'll find him soon," Haneul reassured her, abruptly ending the call as he sensed a presence behind him. He turned to find Lee Hangyul standing there, his expression vacant, eyes dark and empty.
"Lee Hangyul!!! What are you doing here at this hour???" Haneul exclaimed, his confusion mounting.
Hangyul remained silent, offering no response. Clad in office attire, his demeanor seemed detached, as if he had arrived directly from work. Haneul's bewilderment deepened as he struggled to comprehend Hangyul's sudden appearance at the crime scene.
Unfazed, Hangyul returned to his car without a word, prompting Haneul to cuff him under suspicion of involvement in the criminal activities.
"You can't walk away so easily. You're my suspect, and I'm arresting you for suspicious behavior at the crime scene," Haneul declared, his mind swirling with unanswered questions and mounting uncertainties.
As Kim Haneul led Lee Hangyul away in handcuffs, the forest whispered secrets known only to its shadowed depths. The search for the elusive assailant continued, each clue leading to more questions than answers, creating a messed up jigsaw puzzle...