Veil Of Shadows //Sunki FF

Chapter one: The Black Rose

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The body lay sprawled in the moonlit alley, an eerie stillness in the air as if the shadows themselves were holding their breath. The man’s face was frozen in shock, his hand clenched around a single black rose that lay atop his chest, petals dark as ink. To the untrained eye, it looked almost poetic—a lover’s flower left behind. But the few who knew the truth understood its sinister meaning.

Detective Niki Suh studied the scene, jaw tight as he examined every detail. This was the third victim in the past six months, another powerful man who had used his wealth and influence to silence his victims. All men who saw beauty as a right to be taken rather than a gift to be cherished.

And now, the city’s underground was buzzing with rumors of the "Saint of Shadows."

Each time, the killer had been precise, his actions meticulous. No DNA, no fingerprints, just a haunting final touch: a black rose. There was no known description, no eyewitness, and despite hours combing through footage, the police had yet to find a single image of the elusive murderer. No one knew what the Saint looked like or even his real name. All they had were a handful of clues that seemed to lead nowhere—just enough to tantalize and infuriate Niki with every dead end.

He ran a hand through his dark hair, frustrated, as he walked away from the body. The scent of roses lingered on the air, mingling with the faint metallic scent of blood—a strange contrast that had become familiar. He could feel the weight of his own expectations pressing on him. This case had clawed at him, gnawing at his mind and seeping into his dreams, until he found himself living and breathing the mystery of the Saint.

But there was something about tonight that felt different. A gut instinct told him he was closer than ever, that he could practically feel the killer’s shadow moving just out of reach.

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ACROSS TOWN

In the heart of Morcrest’s nightlife, Sunoo’s expression remained soft and calm as he sipped his drink, casting his gaze across the room. He was dressed simply—a loose white shirt, dark ripped jeans—yet heads turned as he moved, drawn to the gentle beauty that seemed to radiate from him. Strangers often mistook him for innocent, harmless, even fragile.

They had no idea what lurked behind his quiet smile.

He studied his surroundings with care, each face a potential lead, each glance weighed carefully. He knew his target tonight—a local businessman whose fortune had grown suspiciously in sync with the mounting accusations against him. Men like him hid behind their reputations, untouchable in the eyes of the law. Men like him… would never see it coming.

Sunoo’s gaze flickered to his watch. The thrill of his mission pulsed through him, sharpening his senses, steadying his breath. It was moments like these that reminded him why he did this, why he couldn’t let go of the darkness inside. He could feel it all—his past, his pain, his anger—swirling beneath the calm facade, ready to surface the moment he needed it.

A sudden shift in the room caught his eye. A tall figure stepped into the dim lighting, exuding an air of quiet intensity. Sunoo froze, recognizing him instantly: Detective Niki Nishimura. The man had been a looming presence in his world these past few months, relentless in his pursuit, his dedication almost admirable.

Almost.

For a moment, Sunoo’s heart raced, though he didn’t know why. He had crossed paths with Niki once before, a brief encounter where neither had spoken. He doubted Niki would recognize him, yet the detective’s gaze seemed to linger on him now, as if drawn by some unexplainable force.

Sunoo forced himself to remain calm, casting a serene smile as he continued sipping his drink. He would leave no impression, no reason for Niki to suspect him of anything other than innocence. Yet, a strange thrill ran through him at the thought of playing this game so close to his own hunter.

He glanced up, meeting Niki’s eyes briefly before looking away, hoping that the detective would dismiss him as just another beautiful face in a city filled with them.

But he could feel the detective’s gaze following him, a quiet, unspoken tension settling between them. It was a dangerous game, Sunoo knew—a game where one misstep could mean the end of everything he had built.

And yet, in the shadows, with the scent of roses still lingering, he couldn’t help but wonder how far he could push this, how close he could let Niki get before everything unraveled.

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CHAT, I'M CONSTANTLY GETTING NEW IDEAS INSTEAD OF CONTINUING NIGHTCLUB TO THE END!!!

BTW I LOVE THIS STORY SO MUCH, this chapter was short but I already loved it hihihihi.