Chapter 2: Suspect Number One

One might have expected that all suspicion would naturally fall on Nam, following the classic detective trope: The culprit is always the first to return to the crime scene.

But fortunately for Nam, the prime suspect at the moment was Nguyen Nhat Vuong, a student from class 11D, the same class as Nam, simply because he arrived at the scene right after him.

To students who thrived on sensational gossip, Vuong had too many logical motives to be the perpetrator. Before Hoang Anh Tuan set foot in this school, Vuong was the undisputed heartthrob among male students.

Last year, with his 188cm height and broad shoulders, Vuong was the ideal image of masculinity—admired by the boys and swooned over by the girls.

Yet, in just a month since the new school year began, his throne had been usurped by Hoang Anh Tuan. Tuan possessed a delicate, almost fragile beauty, exuding a refined charm that starkly contrasted Vuong's muscular build. Compared to the new star of the school, Vuong's impressive physique suddenly seemed crude—almost gorilla-like.

No one had ever witnessed any open hostility between the two boys. There was no solid evidence of an underlying rivalry for popularity. However, their respective fan groups had done a great job of destroying any chance of peace between them. With every small disagreement, TikTok live streams would be filled with fans from both sides bashing each other.

Unfortunately for Vuong, his fan club was larger—and much louder—on social media, making him seem like a bully constantly picking on younger students.

"So, did you see Vuong doing anything suspicious when he arrived at the scene, Duong Son Nam?"

Vo Viet Dzung from class 11B, better known as Dzung the Nerd, lowered his voice dramatically, imitating a professional detective.

"I've already told everything to the police during their questioning. And just call me Nam, you don't need to say my full name like that."

Nam recalled that day when the local police questioned him under the supervision of his landlady, who acted as his legal guardian since Nam was only 17 years old.

By law, any questioning of a minor had to take place in a comfortable, supervised environment. Nam's landlady, authorized by his parents, played the role of a guardian so well that she politely but firmly dismissed the officers within an hour, cutting the interrogation short.

"Vuong called the police instead of an ambulance, right? Only the killer would know for sure if the victim was already dead! That makes him the most suspicious person!"

Dzung the Nerd adjusted his glasses, perfectly mimicking the famous manga detective he idolized, before delivering his bold conclusion.

"You're too obsessed with Detective Conan!" Nam sighed. "I think anyone who saw that scene would immediately know that the victim had no chance of survival."

Nam's face paled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. The horrifying image of Hoang Anh Tuan's hollowed-out chest, his lifeless body lying in a pool of blood, flashed in Nam's mind again.

"Hmph. I think you're covering for Vuong. Are you his accomplice, Nam?"

Dzung the Nerd leaned in dangerously close, making Nam even more anxious. His stomach churned; his breakfast threatened to escape through his throat.

"If you want answers, why not just ask me directly?"

A cold, sharp voice cut through the interrogation.

"Why are you asking Nam? The guy threw up all over the crime scene and then fainted. He doesn't remember a damn thing."

Vuong had appeared behind them—without a sound.

He leaned in, staring straight into Dzung the Nerd's eyes with a chilling, deathly gaze.

Nam had never seen Vuong look this terrifying before.