Three years ago, my father, a detective, was killed.
Before he even had the chance to uncover anything, he was shot dead by the Boss, a man who controlled numerous assassins.
If only he had worked with other detectives, if only he had conducted an official investigation instead of acting alone—he wouldn’t have died such an empty death.
But this is all I know.
I have no idea who the Boss really is, why my father was so obsessed with finding him, or why he chose to investigate the case alone in secrecy.
My father’s death was ruled as a suicide, and no matter how many detectives I sought out, none of them were willing to properly take on his case.
They all had the same excuse—they were too busy.
— Detective, three years ago…
— That case has already been closed. There’s no point in bringing it up now.
— But he was your colleague. How can you be so indifferent? Just one more time…
— Please leave. Look around. We’re busy. Now go.
— My father’s case matters too. How can you detectives be so heartless?
— …Step outside with me for a moment.
The detective suddenly called me outside.
It seemed like he had something to say, so despite the unease I felt, I followed him, holding onto a small shred of hope.
— Stop coming here. We didn’t want to end it this way either. It’s not that we don’t care, but Detective Ha was investigating alone. We don’t have any information, and there’s nothing we can do to help.
— So, in the end, there’s no one who will properly uncover the truth behind my father’s death.
— …That’s right. I’m sorry.
— I understand. Thank you for your time.
That day, I made up my mind.
I would uncover the truth myself.
I was more than old enough to understand now, and it was only right that I solve this myself.
I would prove that my father’s death was not a suicide, but a murder.
Too much time had passed, but this was the only thing I could do—for my late father and for my mother, who lay in a hospital bed.
- Ha…
But where could I even begin?
I had no information.
All I knew were two things: the Boss and his assassins.
If anyone asked why I didn’t report this to the police, the answer was simple—they wouldn’t investigate anyway.
They were too busy, and no one would dig into a case that was already five years old.
Ding!
A sudden text appeared on my phone from an unknown number.
💬 Don’t try to find out anything. Don’t do anything. If you don’t want to get hurt.
The message hadn’t come from a restricted number, which was strange.
It didn’t feel like something the Boss would say.
Then… it had to be one of his assassins.
But what was even more confusing was the intent behind the message.
"Don’t do anything if you don’t want to get hurt."
Was this person warning me?
Or was it a threat?
I had no idea.
But if I wanted more information, I had to contact this person.
I had already made up my mind—there was nothing left to fear.
I typed a reply.
💬 Who are you?
A response came almost immediately.
💬 That’s another thing you shouldn’t try to find out. Go home. Now.
My eyes froze on the message.
That’s when I realized—
This person was watching me. Right now.
I immediately dialed the number.
Rrrrrr… Rrrrrr…
The ringing continued twice before the call connected.
Even though my heart was pounding slightly, I was determined.
This had already begun, and I was going to see it through.
📞 You’re watching me right now, aren’t you? If you are, let’s talk face to face.
📞 Are you really in a position to be so confident? Do you even know who I am?
📞 Well… you’re not the Boss, that’s for sure. Probably just an assassin. Stop talking and meet me.
📞 If I really am an assassin, then you do realize how dangerous this is for you?
📞 I know, but…
📞 I sent you an address. If you really want to meet, come alone.
The call ended.
I checked the address and immediately headed there, moving discreetly.
I had no idea if I was about to walk straight into the Boss’s hideout or if I would be killed the moment I arrived.
But none of that mattered.
"What the…? It’s just a normal house."
The address led me to an ordinary-looking house, no different from any other on the street.
As I stood at the door, it opened automatically.
I cautiously stepped inside, only for another door—an elevator—to open automatically as well.
The elevator took me underground, revealing a completely different space.
"You found your way here, huh?"
"You… you’re the one who texted me?"
"Yeah, that’s me. What, are you scared?"
"What? Of course not."
"So, why did you want to meet me?"
"Are you… going to kill me?"
"Who knows."
"Are you really an assassin?"
"Yeah."
"Then… take me to the Boss."
"Hah… Hayeju, you really have no fear, do you? Why are you suddenly so passionate about this after five years?"
"Because now I’m old enough to solve it. I will uncover the truth. So take me to the Boss."
"You’ll die."
"Then I’ll kill him first."
"…You’re insane. No one—not me, not anyone—can beat the Boss. And you think you can kill him?"
"So… you’re just another person who won’t help me."
I turned and pressed the elevator button, but the doors didn’t open.
Then, a different voice spoke from behind me.
"That door is one you’ll never be able to open."
Unlike the assassin, this person spoke politely and kindly.
I turned, slightly startled by the unexpected newcomer.
"Hello, I’m J. I’m a hacker, by the way. That door? Only K and I can open it. It’s fingerprint-locked."
"Why are you explaining everything? Anyway, if you’re giving up, I’ll open the door for you."
"Give up? I’ll find another way myself."
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"
"…"
I didn’t have an answer.
I had no plan.
"Open the door."
Even so, I refused to let this K guy see my frustration.
And then—
"You want to find the Boss, right? Then why don’t you become an assassin too?"
His tempting words slipped right through my pride, pulling me in.