The seventh night

1. Witness

08:47 PM

[Monday, March 9, 2020, just before closing time at a small cafe in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul]

Raindrops were lightly tapping on the windowpane.

Inside the cafe, now that all the customers had left, only soft music and the sound of the coffee machine being wiped remained.

Hyejeong checked the clock on the wall while wiping the table with a dishcloth.

이혜정

Can we wrap it up now?

점장

huh.

점장

You just need to put the signboard in and throw away the trash.

The part-timer who had changed clothes first looked at the heavy trash bag and approached Hyejeong.

아르바이트생

Hyejeong, I'm sorry, but could you take out the trash for me too?

아르바이트생

I'm late for my appointment today.

Hyejeong looked down at the trash bag for a moment.

There were two envelopes, and it was even raining outside.

I wanted to refuse, but seeing the other person's nervous expression, I eventually nodded.

이혜정

huh.

이혜정

I'll throw it away.

아르바이트생

really?

아르바이트생

thank you.

아르바이트생

I'll do it next time.

이혜정

are you okay.

이혜정

Be careful on your way.

The part-timer hurriedly left the cafe.

The store manager sighed and looked at Hyejeong.

점장

You couldn't refuse again, could you?

이혜정

I told you I was late for the appointment.

점장

That friend asked you for help last week too, saying they had plans.

이혜정

But I can just go a little late.

점장

You'll always end up losing out if you keep doing that.

Hyejeong smiled faintly instead of answering.

이혜정

I'm fine.

The manager shook his head as if giving up on saying something more.

점장

okay.

점장

Make sure to lock the door before you go.

점장

It's raining heavily, so I'm taking a taxi.

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

Please go in carefully.

At 9 p.m., even the manager left the cafe.

Left alone, Hyejeong took off her apron and held two trash bags in both hands.

Then the cell phone screen turned on.

Battery 8%.

While looking for a charger, Hyejeong remembered that the power bank she had already put in her bag was dead.

이혜정

ah......

이혜정

Why am I acting like this today?

*

09:12 PM

[Alley behind the cafe]

Hyejeong locked the cafe door and opened her umbrella.

As the wind blew fiercely, rainwater splashed under the umbrella.

Hyejeong, who was about to throw away the trash and head out to the main road, discovered a construction notice installed at the entrance of the alley.

Pedestrian access control due to road repair work.

The path I usually used was blocked by a metal fence.

Hyejeong turned on the map on her mobile phone.

The remaining battery was 5%.

To get to the nearest bus stop, I had to go around the closed hotel building.

However, the map indicated that passing through the hotel's underground parking lot would cut the time by about half.

Hyejeong looked at the dark hotel building.

The sign lights were off, and a banner reading 'Temporarily Closed' hung at the entrance.

However, the vehicle passageway leading down to the underground parking lot was not blocked.

이혜정

Should I just go back......

A bus arrival notification appeared on the mobile phone screen.

The bus before the last one arrives in 11 minutes.

Hyejeong bit her lip.

My living expenses this month were tight to take a taxi.

If I took the long way around, there was a high chance I would miss the bus.

Eventually, Hyejeong folded her umbrella and headed toward the entrance of the underground parking lot.

이혜정

Because you just have to pass.

As I went deeper underground, the sound of the rain faded away.

Instead, the sound of Hyejeong's sneakers stepping on the wet floor echoed loudly in the parking lot.

Splish. Splish.

Hyejeong unconsciously quickened her pace.

*

09:19 PM

[Abandoned Hotel Underground Parking Lot B2 Zone]

The moment Hyejeong passed through Zone B2, car headlights turned on in the distance.

Startled, Hyejeong hid behind a pillar.

Two black vans were parked facing each other.

Six men dressed in black were standing around the car.

One of the men opened a silver bag.

Inside, there was tightly bound cash.

Hyejeong's eyes opened wide.

남자 1

It's different from the promised amount.

남자 2

The rest will be handed over once the ledger verification is complete.

남자 1

How can we believe that?

남자 2

This isn't a situation where you can just believe it or not.

남자 2

My girlfriend already smelled it.

Hyejeong held her breath.

'girl friend?'

At first, I thought it was an ordinary word.

However, the men's demeanor did not seem like they were talking about someone's romantic partner.

남자 1

Do you think those women will be able to get in here?

남자 2

Don't underestimate Kim So-jeong.

남자 2

She never lets go of her prey once she bites it.

A man handed over a black briefcase.

At that moment, a vibration rang out from inside Hyejeong's bag.

Wooooong-.

Hyejeong's face turned pale.

It was a call sent by the cafe manager.

The men's conversation stopped all at once.

남자 1

What did you just say?

Hyejeong turned off her cell phone with trembling hands.

However, it was already too late.

A man turned on a flashlight and approached the pillar.

남자 3

Is anyone there?

Hyejeong covered her mouth.

The light got closer and closer.

One step.

Two steps.

The moment the flashlight beam grazed the edge of the pillar, Hyejeong turned to the other side and started running.

남자 3

who is this!

남자 1

Catch it!

*

09:22 PM

[Abandoned Hotel Underground Parking Lot B2~B3 Connecting Passage]

Hyejeong ran like crazy.

The sound of several footsteps followed from behind.

남자 3

Stop!

이혜정

help!

Hyejeong's voice echoed in the empty parking lot, but no answer came back.

I ran following the sign that said "Exit," but there was a chain hanging in front of the stairs.

이혜정

No, why......

Hyejeong changed direction and ran again.

Just then, a briefcase placed in front was kicked by someone's foot and slid to the floor.

As the bag opened, paper and a black notebook spilled out.

Hyejeong stepped on a notebook and lost her balance.

thud-!

My knee hit the floor.

이혜정

ah......

Hyejeong was about to grab her aching knee when she heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Instinctively, I picked up the black notebook that had fallen on the floor and stood up.

남자 3

Stop right there!

Hyejeong put her notebook in her bag and hid herself between nearby cars.

I turned on my cell phone and tried to press the emergency button, but only a low battery message appeared on the screen.

At that moment, someone grabbed Hyejeong's bag strap.

이혜정

Please let go!

The man roughly pulled Hyejeong.

남자 3

What did you hear?

이혜정

I couldn't hear anything.

이혜정

I really just passed by.

남자 3

Give me the bag.

이혜정

no, I do not want!

The man grabbed Hyejeong's wrist and twisted it.

Hyejeong grimaced in pain but did not let go of the bag.

남자 3

Hand it over while I'm being nice.

이혜정

Please save me......

The sound of another car engine was heard from a distance.

The man turned his head.

A black sedan was speeding into the parking lot.

The vehicle braked suddenly, blocking the men's escape route.

The car door opened.

*

09:25 PM

[Abandoned Hotel Underground Parking Lot B2 Central Zone]

The first person to get out of the car was a tall woman.

Sojeong, wearing a long black coat, walked slowly across the rain-covered ground.

After that, Yerin and Little Rain spread out to both sides.

Keun Eunbi stood next to the vehicle holding a tablet, and Yuna looked around the entrances.

Yewon watched the situation with the car door open.

김소정

Let go of my hand.

The man who grabbed Hyejeong laughed.

남자 3

I didn't expect Kim So-jung to come in person.

김소정

Don't make me say it twice.

Sojeong's voice was not loud.

Nevertheless, the air inside the parking lot froze in an instant.

The man pulled Hyejeong toward him.

남자 3

If you come closer, start from the neck—

Before she could even finish speaking, Yerin snatched the man's wrist.

정예린

Isn't using a person as a shield too cowardly?

Yerin lightly twisted the man's arm.

The man's body fell straight to the floor.

남자 3

evil!

As Hyejeong staggered after being released, Sojeong quickly grabbed her waist and stopped her.

김소정

are you okay?

A strange woman who had appeared before him was looking at him worriedly.

Hyejeong just nodded, unable to give a proper answer.

이혜정

I, I......

김소정

Don't say anything.

김소정

Breathe first.

Sojeong sent Hyejeong behind her.

Small rain stepped forward and looked down at the fallen man.

황은비

Sister, what about the rest?

김소정

Just enough so as not to get hurt.

황은비

That was the hardest part.

Little Rain raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

김예원

Little rain, don't rain too hard.

황은비

You can just treat it yourself.

김예원

I didn't take on the medical role with that in mind.

The other men took out their weapons.

Yuna looked around and spoke calmly.

최유나

Sojeong unnie, three more people are coming down from the right aisle.

정은비

Sister, I locked the west shutter.

정은비

There is no police radio transmission yet.

정예린

Big Eunbi, where is the CCTV?

정은비

I've already set the loop video.

정은비

For the next 12 minutes, no one outside will know what happens here.

정예린

As expected, it's fast.

정은비

Please save the compliments for after it's over.

정은비

My hands are shaking right now.

Even as she said that, Keun Eun-bi did not take her eyes off the tablet.

Sojeong turned to look at Hyejeong.

김소정

Yewon.

김예원

Yes, older sister.

김소정

Put that kid in the car.

Yewon approached Hyejeong and held out her hand.

김예원

Can you walk?

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

But those people......

김예원

The older sisters will take care of it.

이혜정

Shouldn't you report this to the police?

Yewon's expression stiffened for a moment.

김예원

It gets more complicated when the police come.

이혜정

What is that......

Suddenly, the sound of metal falling to the floor was heard.

Small rain snatched the iron pipe from the man's hand and threw it far away.

황은비

Yewon, hurry up and get on!

김예원

okay.

Yewon put her arm around Hyejeong's shoulder and led her toward the vehicle.

Hyejeong looked back just before getting into the car.

Sojeong was surrounded by several people, but she did not waver at all.

Rather, he was calm, like someone reading the opponent's movements.

Sojeong and Hyejeong's eyes met for a moment.

김소정

It's okay, just look ahead.

Strangely enough, at that one word, Hyejeong's trembling stopped a little.

*

09:36 PM

[Interior of a black sedan at the exit of an abandoned hotel's underground parking lot]

Hyejeong sat in the back seat and looked down at her wrist.

A clear red mark remained where he had been captured.

Yewon took out the first-aid kit and applied a cold compress to Hyejeong's wrist.

김예원

Does it hurt a lot?

이혜정

are you okay.

김예원

It doesn't look okay.

이혜정

But I hope no one was hurt because of me.

Yewon looked at Hyejeong's face without answering.

김예원

Even in this situation, you're worrying about us first?

이혜정

You saved me, didn't you?

Keun Eunbi, who was sitting in the front seat, turned her head.

정은비

What's your name?

이혜정

I'm Lee Hye-jeong.

정은비

How old are you?

이혜정

I'm twenty.

정은비

You're young.

최유나

You look young to Sojeong too.

정은비

Yuna, is that important right now?

최유나

You asked first.

Keun Eunbi pouted slightly and then looked at Hyejeong again.

정은비

Hyejeong, did you hear what those people were talking about?

Hyejeong could not readily answer.

이혜정

I'm not sure.

이혜정

I talked about money and ledgers......

최유나

cog?

Yuna immediately turned her head.

이혜정

yes.

이혜정

And my girlfriend is coming......

The inside of the car became quiet.

Keun-bi and Yuna briefly exchanged glances.

이혜정

Is your girlfriend by any chance?

At that moment, the passenger door opened.

Sojeong got into the car.

김소정

that's right.

Hyejeong looked at Sojeong.

There was dust on the sleeves of Sojeong's coat, but he appeared to have no injuries.

이혜정

What on earth is a girlfriend?

김소정

Things you don't need to know right now.

이혜정

Where are you taking me?

김소정

A safe place.

이혜정

Can't I go home?

김소정

no.

Hyejeong's face hardened at the firm answer.

이혜정

why?

Sojeong met Hyejeong's gaze through the rearview mirror.

김소정

Because those people saw your face.

이혜정

Still, my family is waiting.

이혜정

I should at least contact you

정은비

Your phone is off, right?

정은비

I'll charge it for you.

김소정

no.

김소정

Don't turn it on yet.

정은비

It's because of location tracking, right?

김소정

huh.

Hyejeong became even more anxious.

이혜정

wait a minute.

이혜정

I thank you for saving me, but isn't taking me away like this also kidnapping?

Yerin, sitting in the driver's seat, burst into laughter.

정예린

You speak well.

김소정

Yerina.

정예린

sorry.

정예린

But that's true.

Yerin looked at Hyejeong in the rearview mirror.

정예린

Hyejeong, we don't intend to keep you around for long either.

정예린

I will let you in once I confirm who saw you and how far the information has spread.

이혜정

How can I believe that?

Yerin's smile faded for a moment.

Sojeong answered quietly.

김소정

You don't have to believe it.

이혜정

yes?

김소정

Survival comes first right now.

*

10:08 PM

[In front of my girlfriend's secret hideout on the outskirts of Seoul]

The vehicle stopped in front of a two-story detached house surrounded by a high wall.

Hyejeong got out of the car and looked around.

It looked like an ordinary house, but the front gate had a keypad lock and several small cameras.

Small rain followed behind and looked at Hyejeong's bag.

황은비

Give me the bag.

Hyejeong hugged the bag to her chest.

이혜정

why?

황은비

Because I have to check.

이혜정

It's my stuff.

황은비

You don't know what you brought out.

이혜정

I didn't bring anything.

황은비

How can you believe that?

As Hyejeong fell silent, Yewon lightly grabbed Little Rain's arm.

김예원

Little Rain, you were scared.

황은비

You can't just not check because you're scared.

김예원

Please speak a little more gently.

황은비

I said it gently.

김예원

that is?

Keun Eunbi stepped in between the two.

정은비

Little Rain, go inside for now.

정은비

You're getting wet.

황은비

Yes, older sister.

Yuna tilted the umbrella for Hyejeong.

최유나

Go in slowly.

최유나

You hurt your knee too, right?

이혜정

are you okay.

최유나

If you keep saying you're fine, we won't know what to do for you.

Hyejeong looked up at Yuna.

There was no hint of urging in the calm voice.

Hyejeong nodded slightly.

이혜정

It hurts a little.

최유나

okay.

최유나

You just need to say it like that.

Sojeong, who was standing in front of the entrance, turned around.

김소정

Come on in, everyone.

*

10:21 PM

[Girlfriend's Secret Hideout 1st Floor Conference Room]

Hyejeong and six people sat facing each other across a long table.

In front of Hyejeong lay the warm water that Yewon had brought.

Sojeong sat in the center opposite the table and looked at Hyejeong.

김소정

Tell me from the beginning.

김소정

Why did you come into the hotel?

이혜정

I was just taking a shortcut to catch the bus.

황은비

A closed-down hotel is a shortcut?

이혜정

It showed up that way on the map.

황은비

What about the mobile phone?

이혜정

The power is off.

황은비

Of all times, at the transaction time, of all times, the power went off, and of all times, I passed by that spot?

이혜정

I didn't know it would turn out like this either.

Hyejeong's voice trembled slightly.

Yerin looked at the light rain.

정예린

Little Rain, don't push me too hard.

황은비

But Yerin unnie, it's too strange to call it a coincidence.

김소정

stop.

Little Rain closed his mouth.

Sojeong reached out her hand toward Hyejeong.

김소정

Give me the bag.

Hyejeong hesitated for a moment, then placed the bag on the table.

When Sojeong opened her bag, a wallet, a pouch, a small umbrella, and a cafe uniform came out one after another.

And a black notebook fell from the very bottom of the bag.

Thump.

Everyone's expressions hardened.

Hyejeong also looked at the notebook with surprised eyes.

이혜정

Why is that......

Yuna stood up from her seat.

최유나

Sojeong unnie.

Keun Eun-bi checked the silver pattern engraved on the notebook cover and took a deep breath.

정은비

This is the White Night ledger.

Little Rain immediately looked at Hyejeong.

황은비

As expected, he brought something out.

이혜정

no.

이혜정

I was running away and fell to the ground, so without realizing it......

Sojeong picked up the black ledger.

Sojeong's gaze turned cold as she opened the first page.

Between the densely packed numbers and dates, the names of the businesses my girlfriend runs were written.

And on the last line, a short sentence was left in red letters.

March 13, girlfriend removed.

A heavy silence fell over the conference room.

Yerin slowly wiped the smile off her face.

정예린

There are four days left.

정은비

Sojeong unnie, if this is true, our position is already-

Suddenly, the lights in the entire hideout went out.

bang-!

The sound of something banging on the gate was heard from outside.

Soon after, a sharp security alarm rang out.

Alarm sound: External intrusion detected. External intrusion detected.

Small Rain and Yewon stood up from their seats at the same time.

황은비

Did you follow me already?

최유나

The lights going out wasn't just a simple power outage.

Keun Eunbi turned on the tablet, but only a red error message repeated on the screen.

정은비

The security system was hacked.

정예린

Sojeong unnie, I'll check outside.

김소정

Don't go alone.

김소정

Go with the light rain.

황은비

yes.

Sojeong put the black ledger inside her coat and approached Hyejeong.

Hyejeong looked up at Sojeong without even being able to get up from the chair.

이혜정

Did you come because of me?

Sojeong did not answer.

Instead, he took Hyejeong's hand and helped her up.

이혜정

If my sisters are in danger because of me, I'll leave.

김소정

What are you talking about?

이혜정

Those people are looking for me.

이혜정

So, I-

김소정

If you go out, you will die.

Hyejeong's mouth closed.

Sojeong spoke firmly without letting go of Hyejeong's hand.

김소정

Don't take a single step away from me.

The sound of glass breaking was heard from outside.

As Hyejeong's hand trembled slightly, Sojeong held it even tighter.

김소정

Hyejeong.

Hyejeong lifted her head.

김소정

From now on, just listen to what I say.

The gentleness that had been visible in Sojeong's eyes just moments ago had vanished.

The boss of the organization that dominates the nights of Seoul was standing there.

김소정

No matter what happens, I will save you.

1. Witness