The next day.
Youth Construction
Zack leaned against a chair. "Good work. I get it, more or less. In the end, you couldn't find out what they were doing wrong?"
Daniel sat down, leaning forward with his face propped against his palm. "Right. I met someone who might know, but things went south and I had to get out. Did you guys find anything?"
Zack sighed. "Looks like Jace is having a hard time. I visited Kouji too, but he said he didn't want to deal with the Workers anymore."
Daniel nodded. "I mean, he doesn't have a real reason to help us. The Workers' First Affiliate... I never imagined it'd be this hard to get through. They're on a completely different level from the previous affiliates."
Zack nodded. "Daniel Park, no matter how I look at this, it seems..." He stopped as Daniel's body suddenly collapsed.
Zack rushed to him. "Daniel Park?!" He laid Daniel across his lap. "What's wrong? Get yourself together! Right—mouth-to-mouth! I'm going to kiss you, Daniel!"
---
Meanwhile, after losing consciousness, Daniel woke in his second body—the one captured by the Workers during the Third Affiliate incident. "I woke up! But how? This body's drugged by Park Jinyoung. It shouldn't be able to wake up yet! Anyway, this is my chance. I have to figure out where I am, quickly. When I wake up in my other body, I'll come back and get this one!"
Daniel tried removing the straps. As he strained harder, he accidentally bent his neck back. His eyes widened. "What the fuck—you scared me!"
Samuel, also bound by Jinyoung Park, was in an awkward position. Seeing Daniel wake, he startled. "Huh? AHHHHH!"
Daniel screamed back. "AHHHHH!"
They both stopped.
Daniel asked urgently, "What the hell, Samuel Seo! What happened to Intelli? And why are you on the ground like that?"
Samuel shouted back, "What's wrong with you, Daniel Park? You're finally up? Seems like the drugs finally wore off."
"We're sober now?"
Samuel smiled grimly. "We were all knocked out from Park Jinyoung's experiments. Then suddenly, he stopped. Something must have happened to that geezer."
Daniel froze. "No way." He understood—it was because of yesterday. He'd met Jinyoung Park, but the man seemed mentally impaired, unable to remember anything. Daniel's questions must have triggered his condition.
"How do we escape?!"
Samuel shrugged. "I tried everything. Nothing worked. Thanks to my failed attempts, security got even stricter."
"You already failed?!" Daniel continued, "Then at least tell me what you saw! I could get help if I know that!"
Cold sweat dripped down Samuel's face. "Stop talking nonsense... Whatever. I'll tell you."
---
Seoul Police Headquarters
Commissioner Jang stared at the USB drive on his desk. It had arrived anonymously that morning—no fingerprints, no return address.
The contents were devastating.
Evidence. All pointing to the killer responsible for Chairman Choi's death.
His assistant knocked. "Sir, the press is demanding answers. The public wants justice for Chairman Choi."
Commissioner Jang stood. "Schedule a press conference. Tell them we'll have the perpetrator in custody within seventy-two hours."
"Can we guarantee that, sir?"
"We have to. The city's on edge. If we don't act fast, there'll be riots."
---
Press Conference Room – Two Hours Later
The room buzzed with anticipation. Cameras lined the back wall, their red recording lights already glowing. Reporters filled every seat, notebooks open, recorders positioned on the podium.
Commissioner Jang entered through the side door, his expression grave. The murmur died instantly.
He approached the microphone, adjusted it slightly, and surveyed the crowd. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I'll make a brief statement, then take questions."
He cleared his throat. "This morning, Seoul Metropolitan Police received credible evidence regarding the murder of Chairman Charles Choi of HNH Group. After thorough review by our investigative team, we have identified a primary suspect. I can confirm that we will have this individual in custody within seventy-two hours."
Hands shot up immediately. Voices overlapped.
"Commissioner! Commissioner!"
Jang pointed to a reporter in the front row.
Kim Sora from Seoul Daily stood up. "Commissioner Jang, can you identify the suspect?"
"Not at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and premature disclosure could compromise our ability to make the arrest."
Another reporter stood without being called. "Commissioner, the public has a right to know! Chairman Choi was one of the most influential figures in South Korea. His death has shaken the entire business community. Are we talking about organized crime? A rival corporation?"
Commissioner Jang's jaw tightened. "I understand the public's concern. However, I will not jeopardize this investigation by releasing details prematurely. What I can say is that the evidence is substantial and irrefutable."
"Is the suspect dangerous?" someone shouted from the middle of the room.
"We're treating this individual as extremely dangerous. We're coordinating with multiple agencies to ensure a safe apprehension."
A veteran reporter near the back stood. "Park Minho, National Broadcasting. Commissioner, there are rumors that this evidence was delivered anonymously. Can you confirm?"
Silence hung in the air. Commissioner Jang's expression didn't change, but his pause spoke volumes.
"The source of the evidence doesn't diminish its validity. We've verified every piece of information independently."
"But it was anonymous, wasn't it?" Park Minho pressed. "Isn't it convenient that someone just handed you a solved case? How do we know this isn't a setup? A scapegoat?"
Murmurs rippled through the room. Other reporters leaned forward.
Commissioner Jang's voice hardened. "Our forensics team has verified the authenticity of the evidence. This isn't speculation—it's fact. The person responsible for Chairman Choi's death will face justice."
"What about rival organisations?" a young reporter called out. "There are theories that a rival organization might have been involved. Does your suspect have ties to any of them?"
"I cannot comment on ongoing investigations into other organizations."
"Is it true that HNH Group's executives have been pressuring your department?" another voice demanded.
"This department operates independently. We don't bow to pressure from any entity, corporate or otherwise."
Kim Sora stood again. "Commissioner, you've promised an arrest in seventy-two hours. That's a very specific timeframe. What happens if you can't deliver?"
Commissioner Jang met her eyes. "We will deliver. The people of Seoul deserve justice. Chairman Choi's family deserves justice. And they will have it."
He stepped back from the podium. "That's all for now. We'll provide updates as the situation develops."
"Commissioner, wait—"
"One more question—"
"Commissioner!"
But Jang was already moving toward the exit, his assistant close behind. As the door closed behind them, the room erupted into chaos—reporters shouting questions to empty air, camera flashes still popping.
In the hallway, his assistant spoke quietly. "Sir, that was risky. If we don't deliver—"
"We will," Commissioner Jang said firmly. "I've staked my career on it. We have no choice but to succeed."
---
Unknown Location
A pink-haired man—James Lee—watched the news broadcast with satisfaction. The police chief's promise scrolled across the bottom of the screen.
"Seventy-two hours," he murmured. "Right on schedule."
His phone buzzed. A simple message: Assemblyman Gibok Jang has assured that Yongho Party will be backing you.
James Lee smiled wider.
---
The Junkyard
Rust and decay surrounded the lone figure. Pitch-black eyes with white irises reflected on the phone's screen.
Charles Choi's final message played again: Retrieve it.
Gun Park deleted the message.
He threw the phone aside.
Around him, scrapped cars formed mountains of twisted metal.
Gun lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. The smoke disappeared into the night.
"Was it worth it?"