Chapter 4

10:00 AM, 152 Apgujeong-ro Street, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Seo-jun and Detective Kim find themselves in front of a fancy-looking building in the heart of Gangnam. A shiny sign announces, "Serenity Beauty Clinic – Where Children's Dreams Come True." The glass facade reflects the morning sunlight, giving it an almost ethereal appearance.

"It looks innocent enough," Seo-jun mutters, his brow furrowed as he studies the facade. "So much so that it gives me bad vibes," he adds, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Kim snorts, his typical cynical expression on. "Appearances really aren't always deceiving, rookie. Sometimes, they are exactly what they seem – a facade. Let's see what's behind that shine."

Upon entering, they are greeted by a receptionist with an overly wide, almost artificial smile. Her perfectly coiffed hair and flawless makeup seem like an extension of the place's neat aesthetic.

"Welcome to Serenity. How can I help you?" she asks in a melodious voice that sounds rehearsed.

Kim shows her badge, her brusque gesture contrasting with the refined atmosphere of the place. "Seoul Police. We need to speak to the manager."

The receptionist's smile falters for a moment, a flash of nervousness crossing her eyes. "Of course, one moment please."

As they wait, Seo-jun looks around the place with a critical eye. Pictures of smiling children adorn the walls, their perfect faces and studied poses creating an eerie atmosphere. He notices that all the pictures have a similar gleam in the children's eyes, as if they have been digitally retouched to give them a more "ideal" look.

A man in an expensive suit approaches, his smile as fake as the receptionist's. It is Dr. Lee, a man in his fifties, with perfectly coiffed graying hair and a build that suggests hours at the gym.

"I'm Dr. Lee, director of Serenity. How can I help you, officers?" His voice is soft, but there's an underlying tone of tension.

"We're investigating a series of murders," Kim says bluntly, his eyes fixed on Dr. Lee's face. "Two of the victims had connections to this place."

Dr. Lee visibly pales, his fake tan accentuating the sudden loss of color. "I don't know anything about that. We're a respectable clinic."

Seo-jun steps in, his voice calm but firm. "Did you know Park Mi-sook or Park Sung-ho?"

"I… they were clients," Lee stammers, his hands nervously adjusting his silk tie. "They brought their children in for photo shoots."

"And you never suspected anything strange?" Seo-jun presses, taking a step toward the doctor. "Nothing in their behavior that struck you as… out of place?"

Lee begins to sweat, small beads forming on his forehead. "I don't know what you're talking about. If you'll excuse me, I have patients to see."

But before he can escape, Kim stops him, her hand firm on the doctor's arm. "Not so fast, doctor. We have a search warrant."

Dr. Lee freezes, the color draining even more from his face. "This is a mistake. You have no right—"

"We have every right," Kim interrupts, his voice hard as steel. "Now, you can either cooperate voluntarily or we can do this the hard way."

Seo-jun steps closer, his voice softer but equally menacing. "Dr. Lee, we know this clinic isn't what it seems. Why don't you save us some time and tell us what's really going on here?"

The doctor looks frantically between the two detectives, beads of sweat rolling down his temples. "I… I don't…" he stammers, his confident facade crumbling quickly.

"No what, doctor?" "What?" Kim presses. "Didn't you know you were facilitating child trafficking? Or didn't you think we'd find out?"

The next few hours are a whirlwind of activity. The police search every corner of the clinic, uncovering evidence after evidence of a child trafficking ring. Seo-jun leads a team into the main office, while Kim oversees the search of the "treatment" areas.

In a locked file on Dr. Lee's desk, Seo-jun discovers a series of compromising photos. Children in suggestive poses, dressed in clothing inappropriate for their age. His stomach turns as he passes the images to the forensic technicians.

"Detective Lin," one of the officers calls, "We found something in the basement."

Going downstairs, Seo-jun comes across a hidden room filled with high-end video equipment. Screens show different areas of the clinic, including the locker rooms and "treatment" rooms.

In another room, they find detailed financial records. Transfers to offshore accounts, cash payments of exorbitant sums, all carefully documented in coded language that barely conceals the sinister nature of the transactions.

Seo-jun feels sick as he looks through the files, each page revealing a deeper level of depravity. "This is worse than we thought," he says to Kim as they gather to compare findings.

Kim nods grimly, his face a mask of disgust. "Yeah, but it doesn't seem to have a direct connection to our killer. The victims were involved in this, but the killer… it seems he just picked them out for the hell of it."

As the officers arrest Dr. Lee and his staff, Seo-jun watches the scene with a mix of emotions. On one hand, he feels a deep satisfaction at seeing this criminal network dismantled. On the other, the frustration of not being any closer to catching the Unknown Vigilante weighs on his chest.

"At least we've put an end to this," he says, more to himself than to Kim.

The older detective nods, putting a hand on Seo-jun's shoulder. "You've done a good job, rookie. These bastards won't hurt any children again."

01:32 PM, Back at the station, Seo-jun and Kim sort through the collected evidence. The office is filled with boxes of evidence, each labeled and sealed. The smell of stale coffee and paper permeates the air, mixing with the palpable tension.

"There's nothing here that leads us directly to the killer," Seo-jun says, rubbing his tired eyes. He's spent the last few hours going through documents and photos, searching for any connection to the Vigilante. "It seems the connection between the victims and the clinic was just… a coincidence."

Kim nods, leaning back in his chair with a creak. "A convenient coincidence for our killer. He chose his victims well."

Seo-jun leans back in his chair, thoughtful. His eyes wander over the whiteboard filled with photos and notes, searching for a pattern he knows must be there. "Kim, we keep coming back to the same thing." The precision of the cuts, the anatomical knowledge…

"A doctor," Kim finishes, his voice thick with realization. "You're thinking of a surgeon, right?"

Seo-jun nods, feeling a spark of excitement at the possibility of a breakthrough. "Makes sense. The skill, the access to medical information, even the ability to move without raising suspicion."

Kim rubs his chin, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "It's a good theory. What do you propose?"

"Seoul University Hospital," Seo-jun says, his voice gaining confidence as he develops the idea. "It's the largest in the city, it has the best reputation. If our killer is a top surgeon, he likely works there."

Kim smiles. "Good thinking, rookie. But we can't just storm in and accuse all surgeons of being serial killers."

Seo-jun shakes his head, his mind racing. "No, but we can start investigating." Check schedules, look for coincidences with the times of the murders, see if anyone fits the profile. We can also make up another excuse that isn't this case," he adds with a little more encouragement.

"Okay," Kim says, standing up with a grunt. "We'll make a night visit to the hospital. It'll be easier to move around without drawing too much attention."

As they plan their visit to the hospital, they both return to their respective desks. They're one step closer to their killer, but they're also facing a huge challenge. The hospital is huge, a maze of hallways and departments, and their suspect could be anyone.

7:00 PM, Detective Kim and Seo-jun prepare to leave. The office is almost empty. "Ready, rookie?" Kim asks, checking his gun with a practiced motion.

Seo-jun nods. "Ready. We're going to catch this bastard."

The digital clock on the bedside table silently changes to 5:30 AM. At that very moment, Ji-hoon's eyes open, as if an invisible alarm has gone off in his mind. There is no confusion, no drowsiness; his gaze is clear and focused from the first second.

The room, bathed in the dim light of dawn, is a study in minimalist perfection. Every object is meticulously placed, every surface spotless. Ji-hoon sits up in bed and, in one fluid motion, stands up. There is no hesitation in his movements, every action precise and deliberate, as if following an invisible script.

At 5:35 AM, Ji-hoon begins his morning exercise routine. He unrolls his yoga mat in a practiced motion and begins a series of stretches. Each posture is executed with a precision that speaks of years of practice. His breathing is controlled, each inhalation and exhalation measured with exactness.

After yoga, he moves on to a series of push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. His body moves with mechanical efficiency, each repetition identical to the last. There are no signs of fatigue or effort on his face, just intense concentration, as sweat glistens on his skin.

At 6:05 AM, Ji-hoon walks into the kitchen. With agile movements, he begins to prepare his breakfast. He takes fresh ingredients from the refrigerator: organic eggs, baby spinach, smoked salmon. His hands move deftly, chopping, mixing, and cooking nimbly.

The result is a culinary work of art: an egg white omelet with spinach and salmon, accompanied by a fresh fruit salad and a green smoothie. The presentation is impeccable, worthy of a fine dining restaurant. Ji-hoon places the plate on the dining table, along with his perfectly aligned cutlery and a folded cloth napkin.

As he eats breakfast, Ji-hoon turns on his tablet and begins to check the day's news. His eyes quickly scan the headlines, subtly searching for any mention of a found body or an ongoing investigation. There is nothing. A faint smile, barely perceptible, crosses his lips for an instant before disappearing.

His breakfast finished, at 7:05 AM, Ji-hoon begins his cleaning routine. With efficient movements, he goes through each room of the apartment. Every surface is cleaned, every object repositioned in its exact place. He uses specific products for each type of material: a special spray for the electronic screens, a pH-neutral cleaner for the marble surfaces, a polish for the brass door knobs.

At 7:30 AM, satisfied with the state of his home, Ji-hoon heads to the bathroom for his hygiene ritual. The shower is quick but thorough, every inch of his body washed with methodical precision. Then, wrapped in a towel, he stands in front of the fogged mirror and wipes it with a precise movement.

After showering, Ji-hoon unfolds a razor. The blade gleams in the bathroom light as he gently slides it across his face. There is not a single cut, not a single blemish. He finishes by applying a subtle but masculine-scented aftershave lotion.

For a moment, Ji-hoon stares at his reflection. His eyes, cold and calculating, examine every detail of his face. There is no visible emotion, only a brooding intensity in his gaze.

Ji-hoon walks into his dressing room. Every item of clothing is perfectly pressed and hung. He selects an impeccably cut dark gray suit, a starched white shirt, and a deep blue silk tie. He dresses, adjusting each piece carefully.

In front of the full-length mirror, Ji-hoon examines himself. He adjusts his tie, making sure the knot is perfectly centered. His Italian leather shoes shine with a perfect luster. There is not a wrinkle, not a hair out of place.

At 7:50 AM, Ji-hoon leaves his apartment. He takes one last look around, making sure everything is in its place. In the elevator, he meets his neighbor, Ms. Choe, an older woman who lives on the floor below.

"Good morning, Dr. Min," she says with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Ms. Choe," Ji-hoon replies with a charming smile. "I hope you're having a good morning."

"Oh, yes, thank you. You are always so polite and punctual. Another busy day at the hospital?"

"There are always lives to save," Ji-hoon replies modestly.

The conversation is cordial but superficial, and ends when they reach the ground floor. Ji-hoon bids a polite farewell and heads to the underground parking lot.

At 7:55 AM, Ji-hoon arrives at his car. Before getting in, he performs a meticulous inspection of the exterior, looking for any imperfections or damage. Satisfied, he opens the door and examines the interior with the same attention to detail.

Once inside, he adjusts the seat and mirrors. He starts the engine, listening intently to the soft purr. A slight smile of satisfaction crosses his face before he puts the car in gear.

At 8:20 AM, Ji-hoon pulls into the hospital parking lot. He walks through the halls with a confident stride, greeting colleagues and staff with a professional and friendly smile. He arrives at his office exactly 40 minutes before the start of his shift.

In his office, Ji-hoon reviews his schedule for the day. He is scheduled for a complex surgery at 9:00 AM, and begins to mentally and physically prepare for the operation. He goes over the details of the case, visualizing each step of the procedure in his mind.

At 8:45 AM, Ji-hoon leaves his office already dressed in his uniform, and heads to the surgical preparation area. He washes his hands, counting each second as he scrubs each finger, each nail, each fold of skin. Then, with the help of a nurse, he dresses in the sterile surgical suit.

As he prepares, his mind is completely focused on the task ahead. There is no trace of the killer from the night before, only the brilliant and dedicated surgeon.

At 8:59 AM, Ji-hoon prepares to enter the operating room. The surgical team greets him with obvious respect. He nods, while wearing an expression of professional concentration.

"Okay, team," he says in a clear, authoritative voice. "We have a life to save. Let's get started."

Ji-hoon and his team enter the operating room, each taking their positions as the surgery begins.