EPISSE 66 – Unveiling the Serpent's Shadow (Continued)
The dark web buzzed with Shin Hyo-jin's name, now linked to the chilling manifesto Minjae had uncovered. The team intensified their surveillance, the weight of the serial killer case pressing down on them even as the immediate threat from ZEROFACE had subsided. Shin Hyo-jin's meticulously crafted public persona now seemed like a thin veil over something truly sinister.
As night deepened, Kevin called for an end to the day's intense investigation. "Alright, team, that's enough for tonight. Everyone head home, get some rest. We'll pick this up first thing in the morning."
One by one, the CHIPER members packed up. Alex and Dohee exchanged weary nods before heading for the elevator. Micha, still cloaked in her oversized scarf, darted out of the room as soon as Minjae stood up, trying to put as much distance between them as possible. Minjae watched her go, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, before he too headed for the exit.
Guen, however, remained. She watched Kevin gather his tablet and comms unit, clearly intending to leave as well. "Kevin, wait," she said, her voice firm. "I need to talk to you. Alone."
Kevin paused, sensing the serious tone in her voice, and nodded. He closed the door to the meeting hall, the soft click echoing in the now silent room. Guen walked to the large sofa and sat down, her posture rigid, her expression tight with anger.
"It's about Minjae," she began, her voice low and sharp and described Minjae's brutal beating of the gang members,his best friend Suho and Micha's attempt to stop him. "And Micha. He threatened her, Kevin. He put a knife to her face, pushed her, and then he blackmailed her to keep quiet about it! He broke those thugs' bones, too! What he did was a crime!" Guen's voice rose with each accusation, her hands gesturing emphatically. "He's a CHIPER member, not some street thug. He's the son of a powerful political family, not a criminal! We have to stop him!"
Kevin walked over, leaning against the edge of the large meeting table, his arms crossed. "I agree, Guen. We do have to talk to him. What he did was wrong." He paused, then continued, his voice surprisingly calm. "But you know Minjae. He doesn't truly hurt someone without a major reason. He was defending Suho, his childhood friend, who was severely injured. As for Micha... he's blackmailing her, yes, but I don't think it's 'just for fun' or to genuinely hurt her. And the knife scene? You know how chill Minjae usually is, how Micha often teases him and doesn't take him seriously. He wanted to prove a point to her, that he's dangerous when pushed. He wanted to show her that he's the kind of guy nobody can control, especially not when he's angry or fighting. Micha was the only one brave enough to stand in front of him in that state."
Guen stared at him, aghast. "So, you're taking it easy?! You're making excuses for him?!"
"No, I'm not taking it easy," Kevin countered, pushing off the table and walking closer to her. "I'm just showing you the actual cause behind his actions. It doesn't excuse them, but it explains them."
"I know the cause, Kevin! But he has no right to do that to Micha! To anyone!" Guen insisted, her frustration boiling over.
Kevin sighed, stepping closer and extending a hand to her shoulder. "Okay, okay, we'll talk to him, alright?"
A sudden, soft rustle came from behind the screen partition near the far wall. Kevin's eyes narrowed, a small, knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Minjae, you don't need to hide. Come on in."
Guen's jaw dropped. She spun around, her eyes wide with shock. "Minjae?! What are you talking about, Kevin? Wasn't he going home?"
Minjae sauntered out from behind the partition, a casual smile on his face, though a hint of self-consciousness flickered in his eyes. "Sorry about that," he said, holding up his hands. "I was just... curious. You two stayed behind, and I thought maybe it was a secret CHIPER meeting. My bad for secretly listening to your conversation. But I'm glad it was about me, though. It saves me the trouble of figuring out if I'm a good guy or a bad guy."
Guen's anger flared anew. She glared at Kevin, fury in her eyes. "If you knew he was here, why didn't you tell me?!"
Kevin just laughed, a genuine, hearty sound. "Just for fun."
That was the last straw. Guen launched herself at Kevin, growling. "You cheater! You liar! I'm going to kill you!"
Kevin chuckled, expertly catching her flailing hands, holding her wrists firmly behind her back. He pinned her gently against his chest, her struggles ineffective against his strength. "Whoa, whoa, easy there, tiger!"
Still holding her, Kevin looked at Minjae. "Alright, Minjae. You heard it all. You know what you did was wrong. You need to apologize to Micha tomorrow, properly. And this kind of behavior, the threats, the excessive violence... it stops. If you need to subdue someone, you confirm they won't be a threat and you hand them over to the police, not leave them with broken bones. Understood?"
Minjae smiled, a rare, genuine softness in his eyes. "Understood, hyung. And yes, I'll apologize to Micha tomorrow. I promise."
Guen, still struggling in Kevin's grip, glared over her shoulder at Minjae. "Hey, Minjae! Don't you dare do that again, or I'll crush your head with your brother, Kevin!"
Both boys burst out laughing. Minjae, wiping a tear of mirth from his eye, managed, "Okay, okay, I will make sure not to do it again!"
"And you!" Guen snarled, twisting to try and kick Kevin. "Why would you curse my head?! I didn't do anything wrong!"
"You're calling me a liar and a cheater!" Kevin retorted playfully, holding her tighter.
"Let me go, you jerk, or I'll break your bone!" Guen threatened, then looked at Minjae. "Minjae! Tell your brother to let me go or I'll break his bone!" She paused, her voice hardening. "And you will apologize to Micha tomorrow, understand?!"
Kevin finally released her, quickly stepping back, then turned and bolted for the door, laughing maniacally. "See you tomorrow, Minjae!"
Guen, freed, shrieked and immediately took off after him, a blur of indignant fury. "Kevin! Get back here, you coward!" Her shouts echoed down the hallway as they disappeared.
Minjae, left alone in the meeting hall, shook his head, a wide, amused grin still on his face. "Crazy," he muttered. He picked up his own bag, and with the sound of Kevin and Guen's playful chase fading into the distance, he finally headed home. The CHIPER HQ fell silent, ready for another day of unraveling mysteries.
How will Micha react to Minjae's apology, and what new developments will the team uncover about Shin Hyo-jin and his chilling ideology?