Chapter 106

Clunk! Clunk!

Kang Jin boarded the subway and sneaked a glance at Choi Hocheol, the villain. The man leaned against the subway door, engrossed in his phone.

“By any chance, where are you heading?”

“Kyungwha University.”

“Kyungwha University?” Kang Jin’s question caught Choi Hocheol off guard, prompting him to glare at the nosy stranger.

“I’m searching for my next target.”

“Another…?”

“Once you’ve tasted it, there’s no going back.”

“Taste?” Kang Jin smacked his lips thoughtfully. Although Choi Hocheol used the word “taste,” it wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

‘Violence, sexual desire, sadism…

I remember attending Professor Ok’s lecture on criminal psychology before.’

“The most intense emotions that can be provoked in humans are violence, sexual desire, and sadism. Crimes involving all three of these elements simultaneously are sexual assaults. Everyone knows how reprehensible sexual assault is, so I won’t elaborate further on its evils. However, the reason why sexual assault is considered the worst crime is…because it has the highest recidivism rate.”

Sexual assault had one of the highest rates of reoffending among crimes. The reasons were simple: perpetrators often targeted vulnerable women, driven solely by personal desires rather than material gain or profit.

‘And this bastard not only indulged in sexual violence but also developed a taste for murder. There’s no way he’ll ever stop.’

“Bastard.”

As Kang Jin muttered under his breath, someone suddenly kicked him.

Tak!

Despite his growing discomfort, Kang Jin looked forward intentionally due to a deliberate nudge on his foot. A man in his thirties sitting ahead of him glared at him with irritation.

“Hey! Were you talking about me?”

Kang Jin hastily bowed his head apologetically.

“No, not at all. I’m sorry.”

“You weren’t talking about me?”

“Of course not. It’s just that something upsetting happened today, and my thoughts slipped out unintentionally. My apologies.”

The man nodded as Kang Jin continuously bowed and apologized.

“I thought you were referring to me… Sorry about that.”

As Kang Jin bowed again following the man’s apology, Choi Ho-cheol clicked his tongue disapprovingly.

“He took the bait.”

Kang Jin glanced sideways at Choi Ho-cheol, who then directed his gaze towards the suspicious individual.

“That bastard saw you. Don’t turn your head away.” Kang Jin hastily stopped himself from looking at the man as per Choi Hocheol’s instruction.

“Get off at the next stop.”

Kang Jin brought his phone to his ear following Choi Hocheol’s command.

“But I only caught someone’s gaze once?” Normally, he could talk freely with the ghost when no one was watching, but now both the man ahead and several others were observing him. Speaking casually with the ghost would seem odd under these circumstances.

“What are the chances of spotting someone you saw on the subway again while walking down the street?”

“That…you’re right.”

“Moreover, this guy managed not to leave any evidence even with hundreds of police officers chasing after him. Do you think he wouldn’t notice if someone is tailing him?”

“What about you, hyung?”

“I need to follow him closely.”

“What about me?”

“I’ll take Yongsoo with me. Once we arrive at Kyunghwa Station, call him out and get off.”

When the subway stopped at the next station, Kang Jin apologized again to the man whose foot he had stepped on earlier before disembarking.

Kang Jin glanced through the window after exiting the train. The suspect was still looking at his phone.

What should I do with that guy?

Clack-clack! Clack-clack!

As the subway pulled away, Kang Jin grabbed his head tightly.

“Should I rough him up?”

Truthfully… Kang Jin knew how to handle himself in a fight. Working alongside burly construction workers often led to physical altercations. These laborers, hardened by their harsh lives, fought just as fiercely. Consequently, Kang Jin wasn’t easily intimidated by threats or scuffles.

However, he sighed and shook his head.

“If it’s not a life-threatening situation, then there is no need to resort to violence. Besides…he’s a serial killer.”

Thinking about it now…it was somewhat scary. Based on his physique, Yongsoo didn’t seem like someone skilled at fighting, but…he had killed people before, and not just one but multiple times.

There is a significant difference between those who have taken lives versus those who haven’t. In a typical fight, most wouldn’t dare gouge their opponent’s eyes or bite off fingers.

Kang Jin pondered for a moment before organizing his thoughts.

Still, I can’t let him go unchecked. He’s currently searching for more victims… If we don’t catch him this time, the body count will only rise.

Knowing that ghosts exist and hell is real, Kang Jin understood that the wicked would face punishment even after death. However, the consequences in the afterlife differed from those experienced while alive. Moreover, what sin did the victims bear? When the villain dies, he goes to hell, where he faces unbearable torment. But…

Moreover, hell was truly horrifying. However…the punishment after death differed from the retribution during one’s life. Furthermore, victims were innocent people. Just because the perpetrator would be punished in hell upon their death didn’t mean there wouldn’t be any further problems. The issue lay with additional victims who might suffer due to this villain’s actions.

Kang Jin pondered for a moment before clicking his tongue in frustration.

“I’ve been overthinking.”

While he deliberated, the culprit could potentially commit more crimes. And if that happened…another young woman in her prime would become a victim. Kang Jin glanced down the subway tunnel as thoughts raced through his mind.

“Why is it taking so long?”

Upon reaching Kyungwha University Station, Kang Jin called out for Bae Yongsoo.

“Bae Yongsoo, Bae Yongsoo, Bae Yongsoo!”

Shhhf!

As soon as Bae Yongsoo appeared, Kang Jin addressed him.

“Where is she?”

“Follow me.”

As Bae Yongsoo hurriedly started walking, Kang Jin followed him. They entered a narrow alley filled with villas.

“It’s over there.”

Following Bae Yongsoo’s words, Kang Jin spotted Choi Hocheol hiding within the alley ahead of them.

“Hyo-cheol hyung.” Choi Hocheol hastily gestured towards his side, and Kang Jin joined him in the alley.

“Where is he?”

“Over there.” Choi Hocheol pointed to a convenience store nearby. The culprit was inside, eating ramen while observing the alley. Whenever women passed by, he would raise his cellphone.

“What is he doing?”

“He’s taking pictures.”

“Pictures?”

“Yes, photos of potential targets.”

Kang Jin squinted at the suspect upon hearing Choi Hocheol’s explanation. After watching him for a moment, she clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

“When do you think he’ll make his move?”

“Based on what I’ve seen so far, it’s narrowed down to two people.”

“Two?”

“There are only two women he checked for their home addresses,” Choi Ho-cheol explained.

Kang Jin continued observing the suspect while responding, “Isn’t taking photos of someone without permission illegal? Can’t we call the police and have him arrested?”

“It’s difficult to enforce restrictions unless the photographs taken in public places contain explicit sexual content.”

“But there must be many pictures of women on his phone, right?”

“Even if there are, none of them filed complaints themselves. And as long as he claims to be a photographer capturing street scenes with accidental candid shots of women, apologizing when confronted, the police can’t do much.”

“I see.”

“Even if we arrest him for this, he’ll be out soon.”

Kang Jin, deep in thought after observing the pervert, glanced around her surroundings.

“What’s wrong?”

“Does that guy come here every day?”

“He’s usually here at this time.”

“How long does he stay?”

“For about twenty minutes more before moving to another spot and returning again in the evening.”

“And then?”

“He watches people while eating convenience store lunch boxes and ramen.”

“Every day?”

In response to Choi Ho-cheol’s words, Kang Jin took out her phone while keeping an eye on the pervert. She started scrolling through her contacts list.

Scroll, scroll.

As she continued scrolling upward, Kang Jin eventually made a call.

“Hello?”

“Kang Jinah! Long time no see.”

Hearing the middle-aged man’s lively voice, Kang Jin responded:

“How have you been, hyung?”

“Not too well since our ace left us hanging.”

“Ace…? Are you still close with the convenience store owners near Kyungwha University?”

“Of course. We need to help each other thrive. Fighting amongst ourselves would only make things worse.”

“Do you know the owner of Villa Village’s AS Convenience Store by any chance?”

“Villa Village’s AS Convenience Store… Ah! Mr. President Kang.”

“You’re friends with him?”

“Not exactly friends, but I’ve seen him a few times during gatherings for convenience store owners. Why do you ask?”

“Can I work part-time there today?”

[Part-time job? For how long?]

“Just for today.”

[Why just one day as a part-timer?]

“The girl I like lives nearby. I want to at least see her passing by.”

[Just confess your feelings. You’re not stalking her, so why work at a convenience store just to catch a glimpse of her?]

“Please, just for today.”

[Crazy guy… Then what hours do you need?]

“From 4 PM until the night shift arrives.”

[I’ll give them a call… but it might be difficult if they already have someone lined up.]

“In that case, I won’t accept any payment for my time.”

[Well then… let me make the call first. Wait here.]

With the conversation ended, Ho-cheol observed Kang Jin closely.

“You want to go undercover?”

“What if I need more time?”

Kang Jin then scanned his surroundings before saying,

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Where’re you going?”

“To buy some food.”

With that, Kang Jin turned and hurried off somewhere.

At the AS convenience store, Kang Jin was talking with the manager.

“Well, since President Park vouches for you… But if there’s any loss, you’ll have to cover it yourself.”

“Understood.”

“And… The evening shift worker doesn’t arrive until 1 AM, so you can’t leave your post before then.”

“Yes, sir.”

The manager nodded at Kang Jin’s response.

“Do you know how to operate the cash register?”

“Of course.”

“Try scanning this.” The manager handed him a piece of gum.

Kang Jin skillfully scanned the barcode and calculated the total.

“It’s 100 won.”

Seeing this, the president took out his card and handed it over. After completing the credit card transaction, he spoke again.

“Do the accounting.”

Following his instruction, Kang Jin began to tally up the accounts. It involved counting the cash on hand and today’s sales receipts to ensure everything matched with the total revenue.

“It checks out,” said Kang Jin.

The president then stepped behind the counter, personally verified the numbers, and nodded in approval.

“Well done.”

“Yes, sir.”

After the president left the store, Kang Jin picked up a paper listing inventory quantities and started checking items against it.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m verifying stock levels.”

“We’re supposed to be undercover; do we really need to bother with that?”

“No matter what, if I agreed to work here, I’ll do my job properly.”

While Kang Jin organized and counted the items, Sung Yongsoo observed him curiously.

“So, what’s your plan?”

“He must pay for his sins.”

“How?”

In response to Bae Yongsoo’s question, Kang Jin retrieved a bag from beneath the counter.

Zip!

It was a bag from the JS convenience store.

“JS Convenience Store?”

“For committing a sin, he should face…his punishment.”

“Punishment?”

Kang Jin took out several items from the bag at Sung Yongsoo’s inquiry.

Hell of Wild Cries Lunchbox

Heavenly Honey Dew

Flaming Hot Noodles

Spring Water from Heaven

Beef Jerky

The bag contained various foods and snacks purchased from the JS convenience store.

“What’s this?”

“I’m going to feed them…to that bastard.”

“Why give food to someone who has sinned?”

“To receive payment, I must see the victims.”

“Victims?” As Bae Yongsoo observed the food, Kang Jin picked up an apple.

“If you eat this food from the afterlife, you can see ghosts.”

“Oh…” Seeing Bae Yongsoo mutter quietly, Kang Jin placed the food under the counter.

This was to prevent other customers from accidentally buying them.

“When that guy appears, please talk to him outside.”

“Understood.”

As soon as Bae Yongsoo left the store, Kang Jin resumed his role as a convenience store employee, starting to clean and restock items.