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After Story 176

Guessing the right one out of three. It was perhaps an answer that one could guess through coincidence or intuition.

However, Changsik showed no hesitation as he chose someone. It was as though he could really prove that he could see a number that signified someones number of murders.

Daecheol took Changsik outside the police station.

Did you really see it?

I wish I didnt see it instead.

You couldnt see anything from the others, but you could see a 1 from that woman?

Yes.

Geez, thats crazy.

It sounds absurd, doesnt it?

If you were in my shoes, would you believe it if I said I can see something like that?

If I couldnt see something like this, then I wouldve treated it as nonsense.

Im feeling exactly like that right now. But what can I do? I said Ill try believing in you.

It wasnt something he could just end after just one check. Even ma.s.s-produced items undergo numerous checks under the guise of quality a.s.surance, so there was no way he could believe what was practically supernatural with just one test.

I went to the court numerous times, Changsik said.

The court? Why?

So that I can look into it. Just a month ago, I didnt know what the numbers signified. Everyone had a zero after all. So, I just considered myself as having a rather peculiar disability and didnt even tell other people about it. Even if I did, people would look at me strangely, like you did.

Two men in uniform entered the police station. Changsik chased those people with his eyes and spoke,

That was when I coincidentally found out. My friends and I attended a trial together, and I saw the number 1 on the shoulder of the defendant. It was a murder case.

So you found out what the numbers meant.

At first, I denied it. I thought that it must be a coincidence and that there was no meaning to the numbers. Thats why I kept attending court trials of murder cases.

Were there numbers on other criminals as well?

Changsik nodded before shaking his head. That was a vague expression of whether he saw it or not.

There were two people who were being tried for murder, and they even admitted to it, but they had a zero on their shoulders. In other cases, I could see a clear number on the defendant, but two people had a zero.

Thats not that good. If you get a zero even if they committed murder, that means its useless.

It was just two people, and the rest were right.

You see, the importance of law is not sending a hundred criminals to prison, but to save one innocent man. Theres no one who will believe your eyes, but if the reliability of your eyes is questionable, then even I cant help you.

I know, thats why Im frustrated to death. If I couldnt see anything, I could at least pretend that I dont know, but what can I do? I see it. I see those numbers!

Changsik shouted before walking outside the premises of the station. The pa.s.sersby looked at Changsik before walking past again.

Daecheol grabbed his own hair. Ever since he was young, he stayed away from horror movies with ghosts.

When he happened to come across one, he would yawn before eventually falling asleep. They were just too childish.

He knew from a young age that a punch flying toward his face was much scarier than ghosts that dont even exist.

I must be crazy.

Daecheol ran and grabbed Changsik. He didnt chase after even his girlfriend when they broke up, but today, he chased after a college boy twice.

You said checking, right? That youve had those eyes for all your life, and if you checked it, then you shouldve come to some kind of conclusion, right?

You said it was unreliable though.

It definitely is not reliable, so lets check it again together. Are you a stuck-up old man or something? Also, you arent the only one who can get angry. I can get angry too.

Changsik drooped his shoulders and looked at the floor.

Daecheol felt bitter. He was a kid who could see strange things, and even his sister went missing on top of that, so he must be feeling chaotic.

Just as he thought up to that point,

Oh, I almost forgot. This is the thing that bothered me the most when we talked at the caf.

Changsik raised his head without a word, seemingly not having the energy to respond at all. While Daecheol found it pitiful, there was something he had to hear from Changsiks mouth.

The fact that your sister went missing, and the fact that you can see murder counts. How are these two related? If they arent related, there is no way you would act so sensitively. Hey, you. Look at me in the eyes. Youre thinking that your sister isnt missing, but murdered, right?

Because if not, nothing would explain why the college boy in front of him was angry. Changsiks droopy face started trembling. Daecheol instantly realized that anxiety and sadness were shaking Changsiks body up and down.

Detective. What do I do about my sister? I want to believe that shes alive, I know that I shouldnt be thinking like this, but

Maybe he was teetering on the edge. Daeceol put on a bitter expression and patted Changsik who looked like he was about to collapse.

Ill listen to you. Ill listen to everything so dont cry.

* * *

From 4 to 5?

Changsik repeated what he said to Daecheol, who was frowning.

You said that it was the number of murders with your own mouth, right?

Yes.

If not, there was no other reason for the number to increase. The fact that 4 became 5 meant that he had done it again: killing someone else.

If what you say is true, you know that its a serious problem, right?

Yes.

Then you shouldve filed a report right aw..

Daecheol shouted before blinking his eyes a couple times and sighing.

Report. This was the first thing that came to his mind.

He wanted to do it. He wanted to file a report more than anyone else. However, he was treated like a lunatic when he brought up the matter of numbers to the policeman who was in charge of filing missing reports. He already saw the response from the police. Why would he bother reporting?

I think my neighbor killed five people, so investigate him. Would you investigate a person and issue a warrant and all that just based on what I said?

If a warrant could be so easily issued just because of a personal report, then everyone who earned some hate wouldve been reported already.

What do you think would happen if I say the proof is a number that only I can see?

Fine. I misspoke. At least Im listening to you. I know these days people dont like the cops, but were all doing our best, so dont hate us too much.

Daecheol took out a notepad. He started writing something down.

First of all, we cant ignore the timing overlap. Your sister going missing and the number on your neighbor increasing it would be for the best if there are no relations.h.i.+ps between these two incidents, but

Daecheol trailed off. Changsik kept his mouth shut.

If these two incidents were that of cause and effect, it would signify the death of his sister. Just imagining him made his heart beat uncontrollably faster and gave him the urge to vomit.

You havent seen this man recently?

I havent.

Dont you know anything? If youre neighbors, you must have run into each other a few times.

We were at most close enough to say h.e.l.lo. Like normal people.

How old is he?

Around the early thirties.

His physique?

Better than me. Hes not as buff as you, but he can be considered healthy. He does look quite chubby in some parts, but he looked like he would be athletic.

You dont know his job, do you?

I dont, but Ive never seen him wear a suit. The time of day I met him was different every time too. If hes a salaryman, theres no way he would be at home at 4 oclock.

He might be unemployed then.

Im not sure.

Whats his personality like?

Hes very amicable. He greets me first, and he looked so kind that I couldnt think of him as a murderer. That was why I kept thinking when I verified the number. Did such a person really commit murder? Is this number really related to murder?

Daecheol stopped writing.

Do you know what the serial killers that were caught until now had in common?

I dont.

Its that they look like good people. Those who profit from going around showing themselves off as criminals are only the mafia. The ones who commit deliberate murder generally dont look the part on the outside. They look neat, polite, and kind. They know that their att.i.tudes are what puts their targets guard down and what makes them safe.

Daecheol looked more detective-like than ever. Changsik could feel some kind of strong dogma, as well as some unknown sadness.

The fact that he listened to the absurd story without considering him a lunatic also seemed to be for some personal reason rather than the sense of duty as a police officer. Changsik could only estimate that the college girl from five years ago was the reason.

What he could say for sure, was that he finally met an ally.

It doesn't look like the man next door has moved?

No. I checked his mailbox on the first floor and the bill that was there disappeared. It means he took it.

But he doesnt come back home?

He might have come throughout the night, but for now, I cant hear the sound of the door while Im awake.

You werent watching him all the time, were you?

For the past week, I keep listening for sounds from his house.

But youre in college. What about cla.s.ses?

Changsik smiled bitterly.

I dont know. Im thinking I should take the semester off.

Its your problem, so I cant say anything easily, but you should really go to college. This whole ordeal might be irrelevant. You know what I mean, right?

I do think that, but I cant get any studies done like this right now.

True. Anyway, think carefully. The matter of your sister is important, but you should also take care of your own life. Only then will she not feel sorry. Its a pain if family members suddenly feel like they owe a debt to each other.

Thank you.

For what?

For listening to me and telling me all this.

Daecheol brushed up his hair with his hand.

You didnt tell your parents about this, did you?

I havent. You see, I went to the hospital when I said I could see numbers when I was young. I cant remember anything else, but I do remember moms worried face back then. So thats why I didnt say anything.

Good. From now on, tell me everything. Ill help you as much as possible. But you know that I have work to do, right? Im a detective so I have quite a lot to do. I cant focus all my resources on this.

Yes, Im aware of that.

Daecheol closed the notepad.

For now, forget about the man next door. Even if you do see him, dont make anything obvious and act like usual. If your eyes are true, this is no joke.

Ill do that.

Also, your eyes. Im going to make some time to check them a few more times. After that, well have to find out the reason why even some murders have a zero.

You really believe me?

Dont make me repeat myself. Im trying to believe you, but Im not fully trusting you.

Daecheol stood up as he put his phone against his ear.

For now, Ill be leaving. Dont do anything strange and stay still. If something happens, call me through the number Im giving you. Oh, do you have a phone?

I do

Thats good.

Daecheol wrote down a number before leaving.

* * *

Should I walk like this and stop here?

Yes, I think thatll be for the best, Maru said to the approaching Gangwhan.

The morning shoot at the set was over, and now they had to shoot outside in a residential district in the middle of the night. Shooting in this kind of place would result in complaints even if the TV station gained permission beforehand, so the best thing was to shoot and leave as quickly as possible.

I saw you doing pretty well with Hojoon-hyung.

Hes very good. I just hopped on the ride.

That sounds like itll be all my fault if this doesnt look good. Im clearly way too twisted, arent I?

You heard that right. Im placing full faith in you.

A dog barking from one of the apartments became quiet. At the same time, the lights were turned on. The production crew got into position and the actors also got ready.

Alright, then. Lets do this as quickly as possible.

The shoot began with producer Chas words.