Serial Murders

(City S Outskirts , Country O)

"I don't think so I can do this anymore."

A cop looks at his senior officer after the latter announces his decision. "Officer Seong," he interjected, " why would you say that ,sir;? You are one of our bests. If you can't solve this, I don't know who can.."

Seong smiles and replies, " Relax Justin. This city needs a change and I know just the person for that."

(6 months earlier, Town I PD , Country O)

"Cancel the FIR and release our men . Or face the consequences," a thug warns the lady inspector

.

Before the inspector can say anything, someone grabbed the thug by the back of his head and smacked it on the inspector's table. The other thugs look around to see a 5'8 guy with black hair and black eyes and a strong muscular build.

The other thug tries to turn around but before he can do that, he gets punched in ribs . The man grabs his neck and throws him behind. The thug is sent flying across the Inspector's office and he collapses with his head hitting the wall.

The man , then addresses the room.

"I am Taeyang Jiho, Sub Inspector, Crime Branch , Town I"

He casually attacks other thugs, beating them up brutally and kicking them out of the police station.

"This kind of stunts shouldn't be tolerated and won't be tolerated from now on."

The lady inspector smiles and acknowledges her new deputy, who stands tall, determined to bring down the crime rates in his region.

(Present day, Town I , Country O)

The rising sun cast its gentle rays upon the rooftop where Jihoo, drenched in sweat, completed his rigorous workout. "101, 102, 103..." he counted, pushing through his 150th push-up of the fourth set. After finishing, he settled into a meditative pose, chanting softly as the first light of dawn enveloped him.

Nearby, his cousin, Ji A, waited patiently by the rooftop door. As Jihoo concluded his meditation and stretched, he noticed her. "Good morning, Ji A," he greeted her.

"Morning, Jihoo. Done with your exercise?" she replied.

Jihoo nodded. "Mom said breakfast will be ready soon. Quick, take a shower, get ready, and come down," Ji A instructed.

"Yeah, I'll be ready in 15 minutes," Jihoo confirmed.

True to his word, Jihoo quickly showered and dressed before heading downstairs. His mother greeted him cheerfully, "Good morning, sweetie."

"Good morning, mom," Jihoo replied.

With a smile, she said, "Go get your sister, Joon Hae. Breakfast is almost ready." Jihoo nodded and jogged towards Joon Hae's room.

He found Ji A already there, trying to coax Joon Hae out of bed. "C'mon, Joon, you really can't stay in bed this long. You have to see the outside world!" Ji A pleaded.

Joon Hae, buried under her blanket, mumbled, "Go away, Unni. I don't want breakfast."

Jihoo tapped Ji A's shoulder. "Lemme take care of this," he offered. Ji A nodded and headed to the dining table.

Jihoo sat by Joon Hae's bed. "My beloved little sister, good morning. Wake up," he said gently.

"I don't want to, Oppa. Please..." Joon Hae protested.

"If you wake up now, I will take you to the beach," Jihoo enticed. Joon Hae's eyes shot open. "Promise?" she asked.

Jihoo nodded, and Joon Hae immediately hugged him. "Thank you so much, Oppa! You are the best!" she exclaimed, then got up and walked to the bathroom.

As Jihoo made his way to the dining room, his aunt, Yu Jin, greeted him. "Good morning, Jihoo," she said.

"Morning, aunt," Jihoo replied with a smile. She served him two sandwiches. "Thank you, aunt," he said, taking the plate.

After finishing his breakfast, Jihoo went to Joon Hae. "Be ready. We will go to the beach today evening," he reminded her.

Joon Hae thanked him cheerfully, and Jihoo then left for work

Town I PD, Town I

Inspector Jihoo stepped into the familiar hustle of the Domain Headquarters. "Good morning, sir," a police officer greeted him.

Jihoo smiled. "Morning, Min Ho hyeong. How are you?"

"Great, sir. How are you, sir?" Min Ho replied.

"Good, good," Jihoo confirmed.

Min Ho then delivered the news. "Sir, you've received a transfer order to City S due to a difficult case that even Officer Seong Yang couldn't solve. You'll be leaving tomorrow."

Jihoo's brow furrowed, not in surprise, but in a familiar grim line. He had indeed reviewed the preliminary reports of the Green Mountains murders a few weeks prior, a series of cases that had been circulating through various departments, hinting at their complexity. "Officer Seong couldn't solve it, eh?" he mused, the question more a confirmation than an inquiry. "What case is it?"

"Sir, it's about some brutal murders in the Green Mountains in City S," Min Ho explained, his voice dropping slightly. "They've been happening for months now, and there are no clear leads. The patterns are… unsettling."

Jihoo nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face. He remembered the inconsistencies in the victims' profiles, the seemingly random locations, and the chilling lack of forensic evidence. This wasn't just difficult; it was an enigma. "So, you're in charge until I officially get back, okay?" he said, his tone shifting to one of decisive command, his mind already beginning to map out the initial steps for the transfer.

Min Ho gave a firm nod in response, understanding the weight of the responsibility now resting on his shoulders. Jihoo's gaze drifted briefly towards his office, a sense of anticipation mixing with the usual morning routine. City S was calling, and a complex puzzle awaited him – one he had already begun to piece together in his mind.

Later in Hae Household,

Jihoo sat at the table with his mother, Ji A, and a beaming Joon Hae, who was still bubbling about the promised beach trip.

"Mom, Ji A, Joon Hae," Jihoo began, his voice a little more serious than usual, "I've received a transfer order to City S."

His mother's cheerful expression faltered slightly. "City S? But... for how long, sweetie?"

"It's for a difficult case, Mom," Jihoo explained gently. "Some murders in the Green Mountains. I'll be leaving tomorrow."

Joon Hae's excited chatter immediately ceased. Her eyes, wide with sudden disappointment, looked up at him. "Tomorrow? But... what about the beach, Oppa?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Jihoo reached over and patted her hand. "We'll still go, Joon Hae. I promise. Just not right away. This case... it's important. I need to go." He saw the understanding dawn in Ji A's eyes, while his mother still looked concerned, her gaze lingering on him. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken thoughts of sudden change and the demands of his challenging profession.

But it wasn't just Jiho who had an unexpected announcement, his cousin Ji A had one too.

Just moments after Jihoo's announcement, as the initial surprise began to settle, Ji A, who had been quietly fidgeting, spoke up. "Actually, Jihoo," she started, a small, excited tremor in her voice, "I have something to tell you too. Remember that internship opportunity at the publishing house in City S I applied for?"

Jihoo looked at her, his expression still a little weighty from his own news. "Yes? Did you hear back?"

"I did," she confirmed, her smile now beaming. "They offered me the position! It's an amazing chance to work on their new literary fiction series. And... the start date is next week." She paused, a hopeful glint in her eye. "So, if it's alright, I was thinking... since you're going to City S anyway, maybe I could travel with you? It would save on separate travel arrangements, and it's quite a coincidence, isn't it?"

Jihoo considered her words. The thought of having a familiar face in a new city, especially with the weight of the case ahead, brought a small measure of comfort. "That's fantastic news, Ji A! Congratulations!" he said, a genuine smile finally breaking through his earlier solemnity. "And yes, of course. It makes perfect sense. We can travel together. It'll be good to have you there."

Ji A's face lit up completely. "Thank you, Oppa! This is perfect!" The unexpected turn of events, a shared journey to a new city, seemed to lighten the impending departure for both of them.

Next morning, Town I Junction Railway station

The hum of the train to City S filled the air as Jihoo watched the familiar landscape slowly disappear, replaced by sprawling urbanity. Ji A was beside him, engrossed in a book, occasionally glancing out the window. His mind, however, was already racing through the new city and the demanding task ahead.

City S. Here we go. The Green Mountains murders. He’d studied those preliminary reports until they were etched into his mind – the baffling lack of motive, the ritualistic precision, the way the victims were left. Officer Seong Yang, a good man, hadn’t been able to crack it. That only underscored the severity of the challenge. This is going to be tough, he mused, a familiar thrill of the chase mixing with a heavy sense of responsibility.

Then, his thoughts drifted to the people he knew there. Minsu. His best friend since they were kids. Jihoo pictured Minsu's infectious laugh, the easygoing nature that had led him from a law career to running a cozy café. 'I'll definitely need to stop by for some decent coffee, and a break from all this', he thought, a small, genuine smile touching his lips.

The smile faded, replaced by a slight clench in his jaw as Sumin came to mind. Ugh, Sumin. The thought of his ex-girlfriend was an unwelcome intrusion. Their breakup had been anything but amicable, leaving a bitter taste whenever her name surfaced. 'Just my luck if I run into her'. He hoped to avoid her entirely, preferring to focus solely on the case.

Finally, his mind settled on Kanaya. His therapist. He'd started online sessions with her a few months back, and her insights had been invaluable in navigating the pressures of his job. At least I can see her in person now, he mused, finding a quiet sense of relief. The constant mental chess of a murder investigation could be draining, and Kanaya was a vital anchor.

He glanced at Ji A, peacefully reading beside him. Her sudden move to City S, a genuine coincidence for her career, felt like a small, unexpected blessing. It was good to have a familiar face, even if the city itself held a complicated mix of professional duty and personal connections – some he looked forward to, and one he definitely did not. The train continued its steady rhythm, pulling him deeper into City S, and into the unfolding complexities of his new life.

He looked down at a bracelet, a simple hand woven one, a gift from his younger sister, Joon, thinking about his new life in City S

"Thinking about how you will meet Sumin?"

Ji A's question broke Jiho's thoughts. He clenched his jaw as the name hit a raw nerve. He looked at his cousin and says in a calm but a cold tone , " Don't ever speak of that name.."

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