Taeyang Jiho

(2 years ago, Southern Rainforests, Country B)

A young Rudra is sparring with a younger Jiho. Jiho tries his best to block Rudra's punches, but Rudra defeats him with a palm strike to his chest. Jiho falls down and Rudra smiles. Jiho gets up and says in a frustrated tone," Dammit. I fell for the same technique again."

Rudra laughs and says," Chill out, Vaikartana (alternate name of Jiho). You did well. However, this frustration is what makes you my best student." Jiho asks," Aasaan (Teacher in ancient martial arts terms), how do I counter this technique?" Rudra smiles and says," The best way to counter a technique is to study and know about it."

Jiho says," I don't get it." Rudra says," We martial artists practice martial arts to conquer ourselves; to conquer our previous self. Humans invented neural nets after learning about adaptation and evolution. We do a task, we learn about the error, we update our way. So, if we learn some move, we learn its weakness too."

Jiho nods his head and says," Got it." Rudra says," No matter how strong or a skilled a person is, they will commit a mistake. You just have to search for it."

(Present Day, Z mall, City S, Country O)

Jihoo's eyes open, and he sees Snow crouching near him. "You almost looked peaceful. Except for the fact that you are lying in a parking lot. With an open wound on your head," she says.

Jihoo wakes up and holds his head. "What happened? Did you see anyone go?," he asks.

Snow replies," He spent some time kicking your ribs and then ran towards a car. He climbed in it and escaped." Jiho says," That guy was snooping around when we saved the mother-son duo, and I found him here as well. I asked him who he was, but he mocked and said that he was the culprit, which cannot be true. Forensic reports say that the killer is left-handed, but this guy was clearly right-handed, not even ambidextrous."

Snow says," I will notify the other units and will also give the car number." Jiho asks," How's the interrogation going?"

Snow replies," We are only halfway through. I need you to do the other half. Most of the people have mentioned the presence of a weird extra staff."

Jiho's eyes widen. He asks," Extra staff?" Snow nods and says," It's better if you talk to them."

Jihoo and Snow complete most of the interrogations.

A woman's voice at the door asks, " May I come in , officers?"

Jihoo replies , "Yes come in." He looks up to see his ex girlfriend , his past and his first love standing in front of him. For a moment , he feels delighted but soon his delight turns into disgust.

"Jihoo ," she says , "I didn't expect you to be the investigating officer in this case."

"It's Officer Jihoo or Detective Jihoo , Ms Sumin. Have a seat. Let's get to business," Jihoo replies.

Dejected by Jihoo's reply , Sumin sits on the opposite chair to Jihoo.  Jihoo asks , "You were present in this shop during the supposed time of murder right? Just tell me what you saw."

Sumin replies , "It was just the regular day at that shop. Theodore and me were shopping like we would normally do. But there was one weird thing. There was an extra staff. Like every store on this floor contains 5 helping staves but that day there were 6."

Snow says , "Nice observation. Tell me more about this extra staff."

Sumin replies , "The extra staff was quite weird. He hardly helped. He was constantly looking at his watch , talking to someone on phone and roaming near the staff room."

Snow says , "Listen to me very carefully , did you happen to catch some words from his talks? Like some terms he used repeatedly."

Sumin replies , "He was apparently talking about time and some thing to be done at that time. Also he was repeating this word Kaala."

Jihoo says , "Try remembering the exact words you heard."

Sumin replies , "As far as I remember , he said , "Kaala , is this supposed to be the time for doing the thing. And the only tool I get is an axe , right?" . This is what he said."

Jihoo says , "The murder weapon is axe. He hacked them with an axe. The staff room is probably the connection between the Gang house and Mall."

Sumin says , "That's all I know and about Theodore, he knows the same stuff. But he has a viral infection so he ..."

Jihoo says , "Call me once he gets better . I need to interrogate him too." He hands his visiting card to her.

Sumin says , "I already have your number." Jihoo says , "I changed it a long time ago."

Sumin grabs the card and leaves.

Snow says , "This finishes of the last interrogation. we have a lead. Now we can continue."

Jihoo nods. Snow says , "Can I ask you a question...I mean it's kinda personal but still now it's on my mind.....?"

Jihoo says , "Yeah . Go ahead." Snow asks , "Do you still love Sumin?"

Jihoo replies , "Imagine if your boyfriend cheats on you with a girl that you hate , a girl who always bullied and acts like you are the one at fault for not providing him the comfort. Would you still love him?"

Snow says , "No , definitely not." Jihoo says , "Just reverse the genders in the above story and that's what she did to me . I hate her."

"You still care about her though. For the opposite of love is apathy . Hate is just love gone bad."

Jihoo looks at the door to see Rudra standing there. He runs towards him and says , "Aasaan , what a pleasant surprise!!! When did you arrive here?"

Rudra replies , "Just some hours ago. Had my lunch at the place I am living in. Just thought would meet you and do the rest stuff. How are you mate?"

Jihoo replies , "I am spectacularly fine. What about you?"

Rudra replies , "As good as I can be. Are you just working on the case or just randomly interrogated your ex ?"

Jihoo replies , "I am working. Just looking for a solid lead."

He looks at Snow and says ," Snow , how about I talk to my teacher while you gather the info from the forensic team?"

Snow nods her head in agreement and leaves the room.

Jihoo turns to his teacher and says , "Aasaan , I encountered a snooper a few hours ago. He fought in a familiar manner. It seemed like Kalari but also had some techniques of Musthiyuddha  and Mallayuddha  in it. This is an unique style. Something like someone from your 'kind' would use."

Rudra asks , "What are the other leads along with that?"

Jihoo replies , "Also , one of the witnesses mentioned that he was talking to some guy named Kaala. Do you have any idea?"

Rudra says , "Kaala ... Kaala can be short of Mahakaala or Karikaala. That's what I can tell you."

Jihoo asks," Do you know who is Kaala? Is he/she a part of our organization?

Rudra replies, "Sometimes, the thing you search is right in front of you, but you are too confused to see it. Here's happy news . I will help you solve the case."

Jihoo says, "Really? That would be so helpful."

Rudra says, "Yes. The Master and the Disciple have united, so there's nothing to worry. Alright , you search for other leads and I will take your leave."

Rudra leaves.

(Jiho's apartment, Old School Road, City S)

Snow asks Jiho," Your family name sparks my curiosity. It's unique and very different from the common family names found in this country. Why is your family name 'Taeyang'?"

Jiho replies," I asked my mom this same question. She told me that it is my father's family name, and she wanted me to have it. It means 'The Sun.' "

Snow slurps her noodle soup and says," That's so cool. Jiho the Sun to the rescue." Jiho laughs. Snow asks," Why are you always associated with the Sun?"  Jiho nods his head sideways and asks," Sorry, what?" Snow says," Your family name is Taeyang which translates to the Sun and you mentioned that you were called Vaikartana by your teacher which means 'descendant of the Sun or related to the Sun.' "

Jiho replies," That I don't know." He continues to eat his rice. Jiho says," There's something weird about the murder. For one guy to kill a gang, either the guy must be a super-human or the gang must be incapacitated."

Snow nods. Jiho sighs and looks at his phone. He selects a hidden folder in his gallery and looks some personal photos. These photos include a selfie of Jiho and Snow, a photo with Jiho, Sumin, Gina, Minsu and Ji A and an unknown girl with black hair, another selfie of Jiho, an unknown boy and Rudra. Snow peeks into his phone and points towards the last selfie. She asks," Who is the third guy in here?" Jiho replies," This is my classmate and brother-like friend, Beongae Taejin. He is also named as Vajra Taejin. He was an orphan when he came to the Monastery, and he found a family like bond there."

Snow asks," Do you have any alternate names like that?"  Jiho nods and replies," Aditya Jiho." Snow raises her eyebrow and asks, " Aditya?"

(Jiho's memory , 2 years ago, Gana Monastery, Country B)

Jiho asks Rudra, "Aasaan, what is the use of this knowledge I am learning?" Rudra smiles and replies," This martial art teaches you both physical and spiritual warfare. It purifies your soul of all the impurities and heals its injuries. It teaches you to protect yourself from harm and protect innocents from danger."

Jiho nods. Rudra leads Jiho to a dark room with a single source of light. The light goes through seven focal lenses and reflects on a screen opposite to the source. Jiho asks," What is this, Aasaan?"

Rudra replies," An illustration of your inner energy flow. All forms in this Creation have energy; energy known as Prana . This energy flows through breathing lifeforms when they breathe. Living beings have focal points of energy called Chakras . As far as bipedal beings are considered, there are 7 of them. Now look at this construct, the light here represents Prana that flows through the body. The focal lenses represent the seven chakras which focus the energy. Now, this also has a philosophical meaning."

Jiho asks," What's that, Aasaan?" Rudra replies," If you focus your information through right-thinking channels, you will get correct result."

(Present day, Jiho's apartment, City S)

Jiho asks," Babe, that weird staff could be an assassin, right?" Snow raises her eyebrow and exclaims," Heh?! An assassin?!"

Snow thinks for a moment and says," Yes , a dangerous assassin by the name of Yami no Oni or Demon of Darkness was released from Country B's Central Jail. I don't know much details about him. Maybe Li'l Whale or Yeoseong Yong may know about him."

Jiho nods. He calls Li'L Whale using his mobile phone. He speaks to Li'l Whale who asks him to come and meet him person.

Jiho tells Snow," I will be back by evening. Untill then, find out more information about T gang and their recent crimes."

Snow nods and Jiho leaves.

(Cafe Nyx, City S food center)

Jiho orders coffee for himself and Li'l Whale. Whale asks," Why did you take the name Yami no Oni?" Jiho replies," I think he is the culprit behind Gang T's massacre. So, how does he work and why are you afraid?"

Whale gulps and says," Yami no Oni doesn't follow any rule at work. Most people only employ him when the situations are dire. He is what is name suggests, a demon. He is fucking unpredictable. He investigates the reason why the hirer wants to assassinate the target and if the reason shows that the hirer is wrong or guilty of a crime, he eliminates the hirer. That too in the most brutal way possible. He has a lot of money which no one knows where it came from. Many assassins say that he is son of a demon or I don't know. Even Yeoseong Yong becomes uncomfortable after hearing his name but she doesn't harm him. Many people had hired Yeoseong to counter the Dark Demon , but she simply refused to do anything to him. Infact I heard that in one such fight, he called her elder sister or something...that's all I know."

Jiho sighs and sips his coffee. He says," Is that it?" Whale nods. Jiho asks," Did T gang hire any assassins?"

 Whale replies," They don't need to....I mean didn't need to." Jiho says," Alright, Whale. Thank you very much. Also, I heard that you have a new jelly business." Whale smiles in gratitude and says," All because of the 100000 Won you sent, Taeyang."

Jiho smiles and gets up. He says," Alright, I will take your leave. If you come across any other such details, please do contact me."

Whale nods.

(Evening 8:30 pm , Cafe Nyx)

A man dressed in a black cloak and mask stands outside the cafe. He mutters a song," Na Varava Varava , unnai Toratthi Varava , Ne vedhaicha Veliya unnaku thiruppi Tharava" He stretches his arms and legs and exhales. Suddenly, his clothes change into the cafe delivery personnel clothes.

He sneaks in the cafe and puts a drug in a packed coffee and packages it for delivery. He looks at the food parcel nearby and puts a note in it.

He laughs and takes the parcel alongwith him for delivering it to the person who ordered it.

(9:00 pm , Jiho's apartment, City S)

Snow and Jiho discuss the case. Jiho says," I am pretty sure that the one who attacked me in the mall is Yami no Oni. "

Snow asks ,"What if that man was actually Kaala and .." Jihoo interrupts her , "No he isn't Kaala"

Snow asks , "How do you know that?" Jihoo replies , "The murderer was getting briefed by Kaala which means Kaala  is an even bigger entity than the murderer. He/she wouldn't simply come out , not in a dangerous situation."

A sudden knocking sound is heard . Snow attends the door. A young man says , "Ma'am , here's your parcel."

Snow asks , "You are a different guy. You are not the regular guy." The man replies , "Steven has some work so he is on a leave. I am hired as a delivery boy."

Snow asks , "What's your name?" The boy replies , "My name is Noir."

Snow replies , "Hello Noir . Thanks for your parcel."

Noir leaves.

Jiho and Snow start eating and soon finish eating. Snow notices a note in the bag and picks it up. She opens the note and reads it:

'Jiho-ni san, I hope you are well. You haven't realized that you and your girlfriend just escaped from near death. I was going to drug or poison you .....but you are like a elder brother to me and this would hurt Kaala and Akka too...so I didn't. The same hands that fed you and healed you did that to me as well. I love the spice made up of antidote to poisons. You know me ....just try to remember me. I...We are just cleaning dust and dirt here. We are destroying pests here ....in this city. You of  all people should understand. Iyam asti pidith Youdhyasya Dharmayuddha. I met your girlfriend...my to be sister in law 15 minutes ago and I gotta say nice choice. Just drop this case and live your life happily. I don't wanna hurt you and I cannot I know. That's all

Your third brother like friend,

The Dark Demon'

Jiho's eyes widen in horror and anger.

(Green Mountains, City S outskirts)

A dark figure says to the Dark Demon," It's your time to shine. Kaala wants to eliminate this gang next. The next gang is Vayusuta' s target."

The Dark Demon asks," Shakrasuta, what if Jiho-ni san attacks?"

Shakrasuta replies," Kaala said he is with us. The Master and his disciples have united but still considering how aggressive Jiho-hyeong is .........I will be there for backup. I am the Arjuna if Jiho-hyeong is Karna ."

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