𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 || 𝐭𝐚𝐞𝐤𝐨𝐨𝐤 ✓

EP11: The captivating victim

Jungkook carefully observed the crime scene, feeling a chill run down his spine as he took in the gruesome sight before him.

The young woman's body lay motionless, her face wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, as the flies buzzed around her twisted neck and deep, jagged cuts. It was an unsettling sight to see, one that would haunt him long after the investigation was over.

The officers in charge of the training ground did their best to maintain order, urging the other young officer cadets who had surrounded the crime scene, to return to their rooms and give Jungkook the space he needed to carry out his investigation smoothly, which he was quite grateful for. They understood the significance of the case and the importance of solving it swiftly, so they dragged their feet back to their rooms, away from the scene.

Approaching the body, Jungkook's eyes darted from the twisted neck to the deep cuts, trying to piece together the puzzle that lay before him. It was very clear to him that this was not a mere crime of opportunity or a result of a personal grudge.

No, this was a senseless act of violence; a life taken just for the sake of killing.

Seeking more information about the victim, Jungkook turned to a middle-aged officer from the training ground. "What's her name? Can you tell me something about her?"

His voice was filled with grief as the officer spoke, "Her name was Su Mi Kim. She was a sweet and friendly girl. Shy, too. It's a tragedy. I'm not discriminating by saying this, but she was also the most beautiful girl in our training center and the boys would be after her all the time."

Jungkook nodded, jotting down the officer's words in his notebook. He knew that every detail, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could hold the key to solving the case.
With a solemn determination, he resumed his investigation, photographing the body and everything else that caught his attention.

As he collected evidence, a thought tugged at the corners of Jungkook's mind. This crime scene lacked the abundance of evidence compared to the previous crime scene at the end of the city.
The last murder had been gruesome, leaving a trail of clues behind. But this one was different; a strangulation with additional cuts on the victim's body. It was as if the killer had changed his modus operandi, complicating the investigation. He wasn't even sure if it's the same killer or someone else.

"Could it be possible it's the same killer?"

Just as Jungkook pondered the shift in the killer's tactics, an officer interrupted his thoughts. "She wouldn't have been dead if we hadn't given the cadets a two-day leave," the officer revealed. "Usually, they're confined to their rooms by 9 pm and are not allowed to come out until the next morning, but last night, they were free to roam wherever they wanted to."

Realization dawned on Jungkook's face. The killer had taken advantage of the cadets' leave, knowing they would be scattered around the training ground, some visiting family and others enjoying their precious freedom. It was a vulnerable time, and the killer seized the opportunity to strike.

But what puzzled Jungkook was why the killer chose Su Mi Kim specifically. She had been described as friendly and well-liked, with no apparent enemies.

Could it be that the killer had some personal connection to her?

Or was it merely a twisted coincidence?

"I will be coming back to investigate and question the cadets on my next visit. Don't let anyone go to their homes until and unless I finish with my investigation."

"Yes, sir. I will not let anyone leave and will call the ones who have already left for home."

Determined to find answers, Jungkook focused intently on gathering every possible piece of evidence. He knew that the key to unlocking the dark secrets of this case lay hidden within the confines of the training ground.