Episode 14 – Carved Warnings and Crossed Lines
Night at the Seoul Metropolitan Forensic Lab was usually cold, humming with fluorescent lights and quiet metal tables. But tonight, Guen Park stood frozen, breath caught in her throat.
On the steel table lay what had once been a man — or what was left of him. The torso was butchered, limbs severed at careful angles, as though done by someone with surgical knowledge. But worse was what had been carved into the chest, ragged and deep:
> Leave the Circle alone, or she dies.
The words seared into flesh. For a second, Guen saw her own face behind those letters, felt cold steel at her throat.
"Dr. Park?" a junior technician whispered. "Should… should we call security?"
Guen swallowed, voice tighter than wire. "No. I'll handle this. Thank you."
When the room emptied, she dropped her mask, shaking. Her hand flew to the comm hidden at her waist.
> Kevin… we have a message. And it's for me.
---
✦ Anger in marble and glass
At Han River Holdings, Kevin Kim was in his office — floor-to-ceiling windows framing Seoul's glittering skyline. But his reflection in the glass looked carved from stone.
"Whoever did this," he rasped into the comm, "they die."
Alex's voice crackled back. "Kev, careful. This means we're closer to the Circle than they're comfortable with."
Dohee added, calm but urgent, "We need the body transferred to our HQ before official police see it. Guen, can you arrange that?"
Guen forced breath into her lungs. "Yes," she managed. "But hurry."
---
✦ Minjae's shadows and Miran's trembling
In a neon-soaked alley near Hongdae, Minjae threw his head back, sweat-slick hair clinging to his brow. His fists dripped blood — not his.
A gangster from a rival crew lay groaning at his feet. Minjae stepped closer, boot pressing against the man's ribs. "Who paid you to follow me?"
The man spat blood, eyes defiant.
Minjae's grin turned cold. "Wrong answer."
His punch cracked the air — and the man folded, unconscious.
Behind him, Miran stood frozen, eyes wide. She'd been waiting to deliver new lab results to Minjae — never expecting to see the calm, flirty boy turn into this savage creature.
Minjae wiped his knuckles on a handkerchief, turning to her. "Boo," he teased.
She flinched back, hugging the folder to her chest.
"Relax, kitten," he drawled, stepping closer. "Not going to break you. Yet."
Tears welled up in Miran's eyes, and she turned to run.
But his hand shot out, gripping her wrist. "Where's my report?" he demanded.
She choked, voice breaking. "H-here…"
Minjae took it, eyes scanning the pages — then tossed it aside, stepping into her space. "Why so scared? You see what happens to people who cross me?"
Her lips trembled. "I-I didn't—"
He leaned down, breath hot on her ear. "Good. Remember that."
She squeezed her eyes shut, a tear slipping free. His hand hovered by her cheek, as if to wipe it — then dropped.
Without another word, he stalked off, leaving Miran shaking in the alley, hugging herself against the night.
---
✦ Between scalpels and shadows
Back at CHIPER HQ, Guen placed latex-gloved hands on the butchered corpse. Her mind switched to doctor mode: measure, document, cut. But her heart wouldn't stop pounding: It could be me next. Or Kevin.
Kevin appeared at the door, suit jacket discarded, sleeves rolled, eyes darker than night.
"I shouldn't have let you near this case," he rasped.
Her voice cracked. "Then who, Kevin? This is my job. Just like yours."
His jaw clenched. "I know."
He stepped closer. For a moment, she thought he'd touch her. Instead, his hand hovered near hers, then fell.
"Be careful," he whispered, softer than breath.
---
✦ Circles tighten
Dohee pieced connections on the board: victims, dates, bank transfers. Alex's fingers flew across keys, data streaming like water.
"This victim," Alex muttered, "was a fixer for dirty politicians. And guess who called his phone before he died?"
Dohee frowned. "Who?"
"Assemblyman Park — the same man who donated to that charity gala."
Dohee's gaze sharpened. "That means the Circle is rooted in politics deeper than we thought."
Alex's voice dropped. "And Guen just cut open the Circle's warning."
---
✦ Kevin's double life
Hours later, Kevin entered the boardroom at Han River Holdings. A dozen executives waited, stiff with anticipation.
"Apologies," Kevin announced, mask of the cold CEO slipping back on. "Urgent family matter."
He delivered numbers, gave orders, crushed dissent with ice-calm words — all while half his mind stayed on Guen.
As the meeting ended, Kevin's phone buzzed with a new message from Minjae:
> Need you at the ring tonight. We have a lead.
---
✦ Ring of fists and fire
At Minjae's underground boxing club, sweat and blood mingled on concrete floors. Kevin arrived, tie loosened, face set.
Minjae leaned on the ropes, bruised knuckles glinting under harsh light.
"Got info from my guy," Minjae panted. "The Circle hired someone to 'deliver a message'… and it wasn't supposed to end with just a body."
Kevin's fists clenched. "Meaning?"
Minjae's gaze met his, unusually serious. "Meaning Guen's still on the list."
The air felt knife-sharp between them.
---
✦ Stolen moments and hidden hearts
Back at HQ, Dohee set legal files down, rubbing her temples. Alex approached, hesitant.
"Rest a little," he urged.
She shook her head. "We don't have time, Alex."
"You can't pour from an empty cup," he countered, softer now.
She managed a tired smile. "And you?"
"Can't sleep anyway," he admitted.
Their gazes locked, something unspoken burning between them.
Alex's hand brushed hers. For a heartbeat, the world shrank to two people and a soft, almost-kiss that never quite happened.
---
✦ A promise at dawn
Near dawn, Guen left the lab, exhaustion hollowing her eyes. Outside, Kevin waited by his car.
"Why are you here?" she asked, voice brittle.
"To take you home," he answered simply.
She hesitated, then slid into the passenger seat.
As Seoul's first light rose over quiet streets, Kevin's hand lay on the gearshift, hers inches away. Neither spoke.
At a red light, he murmured, "I won't let them hurt you."
She turned, meeting his gaze. "I know," she whispered.
For a second, the world felt almost safe.