The call came in just as the station settled into its usual rhythm.
Phones rang across different desks, keyboards clicked steadily, and low conversations moved through the air without urgency. It was another working day, structured and predictable on the surface, even if the weight of the Ghost Eyes case still lingered beneath everything.
Kang Min stood near the investigation board, reviewing notes that had already been read multiple times. Ara sat at the table, flipping through reports, while Bong Soo leaned back in his chair, scanning printed documents with a tired expression. Tae Jun was present as usual, seated neatly, going through files with quiet attention.
Su Young remained at her workstation, typing, her eyes focused on the screen as she sorted through data that had not yet led anywhere significant.
The atmosphere was steady.
Until it changed.
One of the junior officers rushed in, his steps quick, his breathing slightly uneven.
"Sir."
Kang Min turned immediately.
"What is it?"
"There's been another body found."
The room stilled.
"Location?" Kang Min asked.
"Residential area," the officer replied. "Near the victim's house."
Kang Min didn't wait.
"Let's move."
Chairs shifted, files were left open, and within seconds the team was already heading out.
Only Su Young remained behind.
"I'll stay and pull up details," she said without looking away from her screen.
Kang Min nodded once.
"Send everything you find."
They were already moving.
The urgency returned.
The kind they knew too well.
When they arrived at the location, the scene was already secured.
Police tape surrounded the area. A small crowd had gathered at a distance, whispering, watching, trying to understand what had happened.
The body lay just a few meters away from the victim's residence.
Kang Min stepped closer, his expression unreadable.
Ara followed beside him.
Bong Soo scanned the surroundings.
Tae Jun walked with them, observing everything with careful attention.
The victim was male.
Mid-fifties.
Well-dressed, even in death.
No visible injury.
No signs of resistance.
The position of the body was arranged.
Too deliberate.
Too familiar.
Kang Min crouched slightly, studying the details.
Ara stood on the opposite side, her eyes moving across the scene.
Bong Soo spoke first.
"No struggle."
Ara nodded.
"Clean."
Tae Jun stepped closer, his voice calm.
"This matches the previous cases."
Kang Min didn't respond immediately.
He was focused on the body.
The stillness.
The absence of disruption.
Everything about it pointed in one direction.
"This is him," Ara said quietly.
Kang Min stood up.
"Yes."
Another victim.
The forensic team arrived shortly after.
The doctor approached, her expression serious but composed.
She crouched beside the body, beginning her initial observations.
"Same pattern," she said after a moment. "No external trauma. No signs of forced contact."
She glanced at Kang Min.
"I'll confirm after the autopsy."
Kang Min nodded.
"Understood."
The body was carefully prepared for transport.
As they worked, Tae Jun spoke again.
"A public location close to his residence," he said. "That suggests confidence."
Bong Soo glanced at him.
"Or routine."
Ara added,
"He was comfortable here."
Kang Min looked toward the house.
"Let's get his background."
They didn't stay long after that.
Once the body was taken, the scene documented, and initial observations completed, the team returned to the station.
Back at the station, Su Young was already working.
Multiple windows were open on her screen.
Data, records, personal details.
She didn't look up when they entered.
"I have information," she said.
Kang Min walked over.
"Go ahead."
"Name: Han Seok Jin," she began. "Age: fifty-three."
Her fingers moved across the keyboard as she continued.
"Occupation: lawyer."
Ara stepped closer.
"Firm?"
"Haedong & Park Legal Partners," Su Young replied.
She clicked through another file.
"He's been with the firm for twenty-eight years."
Bong Soo raised his brows slightly.
"That's long."
Su Young nodded.
"He's married. Two children."
Kang Min listened carefully.
"No criminal record?"
"None," she said. "Clean history."
Ara crossed her arms slightly.
"Same as the others."
Tae Jun added,
"Stable profile. No obvious reason."
Su Young continued,
"I'm pulling his recent activities."
Kang Min nodded.
"Keep going."
The forensic team returned not long after.
The doctor entered the room, removing her gloves as she approached.
"We've completed the initial analysis."
Kang Min turned to her.
"Findings?"
She spoke clearly.
"Consistent with previous cases."
Ara stepped closer.
"No resistance?"
"None," the doctor confirmed. "No defensive wounds, no signs of physical struggle."
Bong Soo frowned slightly.
"Same method?"
"We believe so," she said. "Neurological shutdown again."
Kang Min's gaze sharpened.
"Cause?"
"Still unclear," she replied. "But it's precise."
She paused briefly.
"This wasn't random."
No one disagreed.
The doctor continued,
"We'll proceed with full autopsy and send the detailed report."
Kang Min nodded.
"Thank you."
She left shortly after.
The team returned to their board.
Another photo was added.
Another victim.
Another piece of the same puzzle.
Ara stepped back, looking at the board.
"Nine."
Bong Soo let out a quiet breath.
"He's not slowing down."
Tae Jun studied the arrangement.
"The selection still looks intentional."
Kang Min remained silent.
Su Young spoke from her desk.
"I'm still checking his records."
Ara nodded.
"Look deeper."
As the discussion continued, Ara stepped away quietly.
No one stopped her.
She moved toward the hallway, then into the restroom.
The door closed behind her.
She reached for her phone.
Typed quickly.
Are you busy?
The reply came almost immediately.
Not really.
Ara typed again.
New victim.
There was a short delay.
Then:
Details?
Lawyer. Fifty-three.
Another pause.
Then:
I'll check from my side.
Ara added one more message.
Visit the family.
The response came.
Okay.
Ara put her phone away.
Took a breath.
Then returned.
Back in the investigation room, the discussion continued.
Different opinions.
Different angles.
None of them leading anywhere concrete.
Bong Soo pointed at the board.
"There's still no direct link."
Ara spoke calmly.
"There has to be."
Tae Jun added,
"We're missing something."
Kang Min didn't speak.
He was watching.
Listening.
Processing.
Time passed.
Nothing solid.
Nothing new.
The same frustration began to build again.
Then Su Young spoke.
"Wait."
The room went still.
She leaned closer to her screen.
Her expression shifted.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
Something had clicked.
Her fingers moved faster now.
She opened another file.
Cross-checked.
Compared.
Her eyes scanned rapidly.
Then she stopped.
Her expression changed completely.
She looked up.
At Kang Min.
And said nothing.