Chapter 1: The Case That Wouldn't Crack

The body in a grotesque display is carefully arranged in a way that screams premeditation. Kim Hyun-soo, a high-profile corporate lawyer, had been stripped of dignity in death. His face was serene, almost peaceful, but his hands were unnaturally over his chest, each fingertip painted with a cryptic symbol. Beneath his lifeless form, a cipher was meticulously carved into the concrete of the victim—the unmistakable calling card of the Zodiac Shadow—dubbed by the media. And they couldn't find any better than the 'Zodiac Shadow,' Ari thought. How cliché.Ari crouched down beside the body, her gaze focused on the still figure of Kim Hyun-soo. The rain had left steaks of water Across his pale skin, it was the stillness of his form that sent a chill through her."Time of death," she muttered, her voice low but precise. "Based on the temperature of the body And the rigor mortis setting in, I'd say he died between 8 and 10 PM. No signs of struggle. He was likely caught off guard... or he knew his killer"Her fingers brushed over the symbols on his chest, lingering a moment before moving to the distinct, shallow puncture wounds along his neck. "The marks here," she added, her eyes narrowing, "are consistent with a needle. A fast-acting poison, maybe. Something that doesn't leave much of a trace but hits quickly."Ari's gaze shifted to the victim's hands, where the cryptic symbols were painted, each intricate stroke deliberate. She muttered, almost to herself, "The Shadow's making a statement. This wasn't just about murder. It's about control."As she rose, her eyes remained on the body, piecing together the puzzle. "It's all in the details. The timing, the symbols... the poison. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing.""Isn't that always the case with the zodiac shadow?" Han's voice broke into the moment. His gravelly tone grounded her as he moved in beside her, Ari's long-suffering partner, as he approached her side. Short and stocky with a perpetual five o'clock shadow, Han radiated a gruff warmth that balanced Ari's sharper edges. He handed her a fresh pair of gloves, hands shoved into his coat."You really think they're behind this one?""Either it's them or someone pretending to be them" muttered Detective Ari. "But this definitely fits his MO this couldn't be anybody but them it's too precise and too detailed to just be anybody there is barely any evidence.""It's like a performance," muttered Detective Han Jae-min."It's not just a performance," she said, her voice steady despite the macabre sight before her, "It's a message. The question is, who is it for?""A message to the city? The cops? Us?" Han shrugged, his breath fogging in the cold air. "Take your pick. This guy's an equal-opportunity lunatic."

Ari didn't respond immediately. Her fingers hovered over the cipher, her mind already dissecting its patterns. She was used to killers who wanted attention and craved the spotlight. But the Zodiac Shadow wasn't just seeking notoriety. This was personal—a twisted game with Ari and her team as unwilling players.

"No obvious signs of struggle," she observed, her tone clinical. "Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. They wanted us to focus on the cipher, not the victim."

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"You think Hyun-soo was choosing for a reason?" Han asked, crouching beside her."Everyone's chosen for a reason," Ari replied, standing and brushing off her gloves. "We just haven't figured out what his reason is yet."Han sighed, his expression grim. "We are going to be here all night aren't we?""Not here," Ari said, her voice firm as she turned toward the waiting car. "At the precinct. I need to go over the files again. There's something we're missing."The car ride was quiet, the only sound was the rhythmic swish of windshield wipers against the car. Ari sat behind the wheel, her mind racing with every possible outcome and every minor detail she might have missed. Every intricate scheme 'Maybe I missed something' she thought, 'there is something I'm missing'' What is it?' she asked her mind kept racing.Han's usual sarcasm was absent, replaced by a thoughtful silence as he flipped through his notes."Kim Hyun-soo," Han began, breaking the stillness. "Corporate lawyer, spotless record... at least on paper. No known enemies, no ties to anything shady. Guy's as clean as a whistle.""Nobody's that clean," Ari muttered, her voice tinged with skepticism. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. "We're missing something. The Shadow doesn't pick random victims. There's always a connection.""Maybe," Han said, leaning back against the seat. "Or maybe this one's just to mess with us. Keep us spinning our wheels."Ari's lips twitched in a faint, humorless smile. "The Zodiac Shadow doesn't just kill for fun. They're playing a game. And we're the ones holding the pieces."The precinct was alive with its usual late-night energy. Phones rang incessantly, officers hustled between desks, and the coffee machine in the corner churned out its bitter elixir for the weary.Ari pushed through the glass doors, shaking the rain from her coat. Han followed close behind, muttering about the precinct's perpetual smell of wet socks and burnt coffee."Detective Kang!"Officer Min, a fresh-faced recruit with more enthusiasm than experience, hurried toward her. "We got a tip about the Zodiac Shadow's last known movements. Someone spotted a figure matching the description near an abandoned warehouse in Gwangjin District.""That's not close to the scene," Han remarked, frowning."No," Ari said, taking the report from Min, "but it fits their MO. They're always one step ahead, leaving breadcrumbs."She moved to her desk, which was chaotic with case files, crime scene photos, and hastily scribbled notes. Ari would have loved for her files and cases to be organized, but that would be too much to ask for it was a mess, but a mess that paints a map waiting to be deciphered.Han watched her as she spread the photos, his usual humor replaced by quiet concern. "You've been running on fumes for days," he said. "When was the last time you got any real sleep?"Ari didn't look up. "I'll sleep when this case is closed."Han sighed, shaking his head. "You've been saying that for a while now."Hours later, the prank saint had quieted the frantic energy, giving way to the soft home of Florence and lights and the occasional rustle of paper. Ari sat alone at her desk, the dim glow of her desk lamp outlined her features, giving a sharp look. Her dark eyes were tired but alert, scanning the cipher for the hundredth time.She leaned back, rubbing her temples. The Zodiac Shadow; 's ciphers had always been intricate and methodical, but this one felt different. The grid-like pattern of symbols seems deliberate, almost... guiding.Her gaze drifted to the photo of the victim's wristwatch, cracked and pristine. Something about it gnawed at her. They did not match the condition of the body. It was a Detail so small it could have been missed entirely. But the Zodiac Shadow didn't make mistakes."Min!" Ari called, her voice cutting through the quietOfficer Min appeared moments later, looking bleary-eyed but alert. "Yes, Detective?""The watch," Ari said, holding up the photo. "Do we still have it in evidence?""Yes," Min replied, frowning. "Why?"Ari tapped the photo. "That crack doesn't match the injuries. Get the lab to reexamine it. I want every detail."Min nodded and hurried off. Alone again, Ari leaned forward, her pen flying across her notebook. The watch was deliberate. Just like the code.The Zodiac Shadow was guiding her toward something. And for the first time, she felt the pieces beginning to fall into place.To be continued...