Chapter 29: She Is Gone

Chin and Taewoo's conversation was joined by Mark. Mark inquired about their friend Elly, "I can't see your friend Elly here. Didn't she get the invitation?"

Chin, still holding her coffee cup, replied, "I believe she's still here, but she might be wearing a mask, so I can't find her."

Mark took out three black masks from his coat pocket and offered them, saying, "I bought these yesterday, and look, it proved to be useful." He handed one to Chin and the other to Taewoo.

Taewoo declined, "I don't need your mask. I bought one for me and Chin; it's in my car; I'll bring it."

Mark stopped him, saying, "Mr. Detective, don't be afraid im not offering you drugs? I'm just giving you a mask. I know you don't trust me and might think there's some hidden agenda behind it. But believe me, I've told you my intentions outside the hall , they are totally pure. I just bought three by coincidence, and you leaving yours in the car was also a coincidence."

Chin took both masks from Mark's hands and then gave one to Taewoo, saying, "Taewoo, take this. I believe there will be nothing special behind wearing these masks. The party is going to be over in the next two hours, so you only have to endure it for two hours."

As they talked a woman wearing a red mask joined them, she immediately took Taewoo's hand. Her voice sounded like Hazel's, and indeed, it was Hazel. She greeted them, "Hello, everyone. Thank God I saw you guys before applying my mask, or I wouldn't be able to identify you all. Nice to meet you all."

Taewoo appeared comfortable with Hazel's hand on his elbow, but Chin seemed uncomfortable and decided to leave, saying, "I think I have to meet someone. You guys should carry on your conversation."

As she walked towards another corner of the hall, she accidentally bumped into Mrs. Jack, who was wearing a white fur mask. Chin had seen her without the mask earlier and recognized her by her dress.

Chin greeted her, "Oh, Mrs. Jack, I was thinking about you."

Mrs. Jack recognized Chin by her voice and complimented her, "Oh, Chin, it's you. You're looking gorgeous in this dress. Wait, I think it's the first time you're wearing a dress like this, right?"

Chin smiled, confirming, "Yeah, this is the first time I'm wearing a dress like this. Mrs. Jack, I want to talk about something important with you."

Mrs. Jack looked into Chin's eyes, and Chin expressed her doubts, "You never told me that your sister and brother-in-law also died in that incident that took place 21 years ago, and that you are somehow also related to the map."

Mrs. Jack replied with a slightly shaking tone, "Chin, I think there is a misunderstanding, but I will clear it as soon as possible. Believe me, I didn't have any bad thoughts about you or your mom. I just wanted to help you. But wait, I want to give you something as well."

She took out the diary of Chin's mother from her bag and handed it to Chin, admitting her mistake, "Take this back. There was nothing readable in this book through which I could get a clue about Devil or the map. The pages that seemed important were all lost due to the glue, and some lines of the diary were also transformed. I believe it's my mistake that I wasn't able to take good care of your mom's precious last gift for you. I'm really sorry, Chin. But I'm investigating the case of who did that. As soon as I know more, I'll call you. Besides the investigation, I'll also clear your mind about me because I think an air of misunderstanding has developed between us."

Chin replied with a sense of maturity while looking at the white furs overshadowing the beautiful eyes of Mrs. Jack, "I believe you, Mrs. Jack, and I believe you did nothing intentionally."

While they were talking, Mark and Taewoo stood in the same corner, but Hazel was not with them. Mark clinked his glass against Taewoo's and took a sip, saying, "I think Devil is here as well."

Taewoo replied in his signature tone, "Why are you thinking when you're damn sure that Devil is here?"

Mark looked at Taewoo and asked, "So you've seen him. Aren't you going to take any steps?"

Taewoo responded, "Actually, I think I've cleared my point of view related to Devil, so right now, I don't have to take any action."

Mark tried to divert Taewoo's attention from Devil while looking at Chin and said, "Isn't she looking pretty? I bet you haven't told her this."

Taewoo moved his head from left to right, as if trying to say no without speaking.

Mark sighed and continued, "Seriously, man? It's like she fell in love with a jerk who doesn't even know how to compliment a girl. I'm trying to tell her every second that she looks good, but she makes me feel like my words don't matter to her. Don't you think you shouldn't be so cold-hearted, even if you are with her for the sake of the map? And even if you don't like her, don't forget that she loves you, and you are a man too. I don't think there will be any man in this world who can't compliment a pretty lady."

Taewoo took a sip from his glass and replied, "I think everything has a better time to express, and sometimes, some things don't need an expression. If a person truly likes you, they can see that appreciation in your eyes. You don't need to waste your words."

Mark passed a smirk and stated, "I don't think a woman's mind can process such Shakespearean things. They just need a compliment. Women are simple. They don't like complicated mysteries and psychology to get a compliment on how they're looking."

Taewoo looked at Mark with widened eyes and said, "And I think men have a lot of things to think about other than why they don't compliment a woman."

Mark cleared his throat and replied, "I was just curious, nothing else. By the way, did you buy this dress for her? She looks different."

Taewoo responded, "I wanted her to look different, for a reason". Mark then asked:"So, what do you think is the prey of Devil in today's party, do you know?" He nodded at Mark's question.

Before answering, Taewoo quickly stepped towards the direction where Chin was standing. Mark tried to process what was happening, and soon he realized the answer to his question. A person was standing on the balcony of the hall, pointing a sniper rifle towards Chin. But before he could press the trigger, Taewoo rushed towards Chin and moved her out of the way. They both fell to the floor, and immediately after that, there was a loud gunshot.

Mark quickly looked at the balcony, but the person was gone. Then he saw the place where the shot had been fired. Luckily, at that moment, Taewoo had been able to drag Chin away from the spot where the sniper was targeting. Chin was still on the floor, while Taewoo stood up and rushed back to the place where the person had been shot.

It turned out to be Taewoo's aunt, Mrs. Jack, who got shot instead of Chin. After processing what was happening, everyone started running and rushing towards the main door. Women were shouting, pushing each other, and acting selfishly. They all wanted to leave the hall, not caring about what was in their way, as if there was a bomb inside.

Mark saw Taewoo in such a state for the first time. He looked like a lifeless man struggling to breathe while holding back tears. The hall was empty, but there were only three people left inside: Mark, Taewoo, and Hazel, along with the dead body of Mrs. Jack. Hazel rushed towards Taewoo to support him, as he looked like he might collapse at any moment. Meanwhile, Mark was looking at the spot where Taewoo had pushed Chin, but now it was empty, with only a handbag and a diary that Chin had been holding. Before Taewoo could say anything about his aunt, Mark drew his attention towards Chin and urgently asked, "Taewoo, where is Chin?"