From a deserted island with murderous intent
Chapter 1. Mysterious Death (2)
Seulgi met me through a friend's introduction.
That friend was none other than my editor in charge, Moon Jun-hwi.
Junhwi is a career man who has been working at a publishing company for nearly 10 years.
He is a man who always dresses impeccably in a suit like a British aristocrat, walks with his shoulders back and confidence. No matter what happens.
We've known each other for roughly three years. We're the same age.
It was about two months ago that Junhwi brought up the topic of women before the manuscript.
It was probably the day it was announced that the rainy season had begun in Jeju Island.
준휘
I met an amazing woman.
Junhwi spoke quite seriously.
준휘
Do you know Kang Seulgi, the freelance writer?
I answered that I didn't know. It is common to not even know a business partner's name, so there was no way I would know that freelance writer.
According to Junhwi, Kang Seulgi ended up publishing a book, and he happened to be present at a meeting to discuss the matter, after which they became close.
준휘
"Short and super cute."
지훈
"okay?"
It was very rare for Junhwi to talk about women.
지훈
"Since you're recommending her, I'd like to meet her."
준휘
Yeah. This time it's done right.
Junhwi said with a smile.
I wasn't sincere, and neither was Junhwi.
I took it as a light joke and soon forgot about it.
However, a few weeks later, I met Kang Seul-gi.
She happened to be at the bar that Junhwi and I had entered.
She was with a fat female painter who was holding a solo exhibition in Ginza.
Kang Seul-gi was definitely a decent woman.
He looked less than 165 centimeters tall, and the black jacket suited his pale face well.
She, who was sitting at the counter, recognized Junhwi and raised her hand slightly to gesture.
After chatting casually with her, Junhwi introduced me.
As expected, she didn't know my name either. Even though I told her I was a mystery writer, she hesitated and simply nodded lightly. Most people react this way.
After that, we talked at that store for a very long time.
Even now, thinking about it, it’s strange how we got along so perfectly.
After chatting for a while, I walked her home and went home.
Three days later, I called and suggested we have a meal together.
It was because she was a really decent woman.
Perhaps feeling the same way, she agreed without hesitation.
슬기
"What is the appeal of mystery novels?"
After entering the restaurant and placing my order, I was quenching my thirst with the white wine the waiter had brought when she asked. Without giving it much thought, I simply shook my head.
슬기
Are you saying you don't know?
지훈
"If I knew that, I would have become more famous. What do you think about that?"
슬기
"Isn't the charm of a fictional story?"
슬기
There are many instances in real-life events where black and white are not clearly defined. The boundary between good and evil is ambiguous. Therefore, while we can raise issues, reaching a clear conclusion is impossible.
슬기
"It is always just a part of something much bigger. In that sense, a novel possesses a complete structure. A novel is a structure. And isn't the mystery novel the field within that structure where one can devote the most effort?"
지훈
Maybe.
지훈
Have you ever struggled at the boundary between good and evil?
슬기
Of course there is.
She twisted her lips slightly. Seeing her like that, I wondered if such a thing had really happened.
지훈
Do you use that kind of thing too?
슬기
I use it.
슬기
However, there are many cases where I couldn't complete it.
지훈
Why?
슬기
Well... for this and that reason.
She seemed a little upset, but she immediately regained her warm and affectionate expression and this time began to talk about the painting.
After that, we started dating.