𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 | 𝐉𝐉𝐊

CHAPTER:03

"Behind every shadowed crime, there's a faceless puppeteer, pulling strings in silence while the cops chase ghosts,

always one step too late to see who's truly in control."

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A U T H O R' S P O V

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Crime Investigation Department

The room was heavy with tension, the air thick with unspoken fears as the team gathered around the large, wooden table. Detective Lee Min-ho, a seasoned investigator with years of experience, stood at the head, his jaw clenched as he shuffled through the stack of case files. The dim lighting cast shadows on the walls, giving the space an almost ominous feel.

"Alright, everyone, listen up," Detective Lee began, his voice low and grave. "We've got a situation on our hands that's getting worse by the day. In the past two weeks, four girls have gone missing. No witnesses, no evidence left behind. And now..." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "we've found one of them."

A murmur of shock rippled through the room. Detective Park So-yeon, a young officer with a sharp mind, leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Where was she found?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with concern.

Lee set down the top file, revealing a photo that made everyone's stomachs churn. "Under the Seongsan Bridge. Her body was in a state that... well, let's just say it's something you don't forget easily."

He passed the photo around, and the officers exchanged grim looks as they took in the sight of the girl's bruised and battered form. Her once vibrant eyes were now lifeless, her skin marred with marks that spoke of the violence she had endured.

"Cause of death?" Officer Kim Jae-sung, a forensic specialist, asked, breaking the silence that had descended upon the group.

"Strangulation," Lee replied, his voice hardening. "But that's not all. The coroner's report indicates signs of prolonged abuse before death. We're dealing with someone who enjoys inflicting pain."

The room went cold, and for a moment, the only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall. Detective Park's mind raced, piecing together the fragments of the puzzle. "Any connection between the victims?" she inquired, hoping for something, anything, to break the case open.

"Not that we can see," Lee admitted, frustration evident in his tone. "Different backgrounds, different social circles, even different parts of the city. Whoever this is, they're careful. They know how to avoid leaving a trail."

Officer Choi Hyun-woo, a veteran with a knack for profiling, spoke up. "This kind of pattern... it suggests someone organized, someone who's done this before. They're not acting on impulse; this is planned."

"And that's what's disturbing," Lee added. "This isn't just about the girls who've already gone missing. We have to assume there will be more unless we stop them."

Detective Park couldn't shake the image of the girl under the bridge. She'd been someone's daughter, someone's friend. The thought of more girls meeting the same fate sent a shiver down her spine. "We need to find a link, no matter how small. There has to be something connecting these cases."

Lee nodded. "Agreed. I want everyone to go back over the files, re-interview anyone who might have seen something, even if they don't realize it. Check the security footage from the areas around the disappearances again. This person is slipping through the cracks, and we need to figure out how."