...If I tell you I became a killer for you...

...You'll see me as a killer...

...or as your lover?...

...In the shadows of the night,...

...she hunts for the truth...

...Scarlet, fierce and brave,...

...Hiding her youth...

...Once Jasmine, a name long...

...buried in the past...

...A memory set fled,...

...Yet it holds her fast...

...He watches from afar,...

...With eyes that know...

...Jeon Jungkook,...

...the man with a hidden glow...

...A fashion icon, a...

...world renowned star...

...But darker secrets bind him from afar...

...For he remembers Jasmine,...

...the girl from his past....

...A love so twisted,...

...It couldn't last....

...He wears the mask of a gentlemen's grace...

...While shadows of obsession...

...trace his face....

...To protect her, turned to night,...

...Becoming the killer that haunts...

...her sight...

...Each step she takes,...

...each clue she finds...

...He's there, lurking, controlling...

...her mind...

...With clever deceit, he plays the part...

...A victim in need, close to her heart...

...Pretending to fear the very...

...darkness he sows...

...Until in his web of lies, her love grows...

...But Scarlet is sharp,...

...her instinct is keen,...

...Soon she'll uncover what's unseen....

...The man she loves,...

...the killer she sought....

...One final truth, a battle she fought...

...For love and lies, a deadly dance,...

...Jungkook's dark romance,...

...a fatal chance...

...In the end, when the mask falls,...

...Will love conquer, or darkness...

...enthrall?...

^^^Jeon's Jasmine^^^

^^^__^^^

As the night grew colder, the wind howled through the trees like a lonely cry. Strong gusts swept across the land, shaking the branches and making the windows rattle. Some people stood by the window, watching the storm with wide eyes, feeling a strange peace in the chaos, the lightning lit up the sky, showing the clouds like torn curtains drifting above.

The thunder rolled like distant drums, deep and powerful, shaking the air with every strike.

Bright flashes of lightning lit up the faces in the dark, casting sharp shadows on the walls. Rain poured down heavily, hitting the wooden roof tiles with a loud, steady rhythm that sounded like thousands of small feet running above.

The wind slammed against the windows with force, making eerie, almost human-like wails that sent chills down the spine.

Outside, the world seemed wild and alive, but inside, hearts beat fast — some with wonder, others with fear.

Thirteen-year-old Jasmine stood frozen in horror, her feet rooted to the ground. It felt like a nightmare she wanted to end by simply blinking her eyes. Her eyes bulged as she witnessed the traumatizing scene unfolding before her.

Her gaze fixated on the lifeless body lying in a pool of blood. The once white braided hair now stained red, the knife in Jasmine's hand remained clean, but splatters of blood adorned her face and hands. Her throat was dry, her heart seemingly stopped.

Her eyes reflected shock and horror as lightning illuminated the lifeless body, causing her to gasp for air. Her gaze shifted to the man standing at a distance, holding a gun with a sinister grin on his face.

Disgust washed over Jasmine as she observed his twisted satisfaction, prompting her to step back with trembling legs.

Before the man could advance, she turned and fled upstairs, clutching the knife tightly, her mind in turmoil. Uncertain of what to do or think, she wished it was all a scripted movie scene, but the harsh reality of the situation weighed heavily on her.

 A dark reality-

She ran up to her room and quickly hid herself in a corner, an innocent mind unable to think of any way to save herself. All she knew was the game of hide and seek. She closed her mouth tightly, hiding in a dimly lit corner where the furniture almost concealed her figure.

Taking deep breaths, she tried not to make a sound, sealing her lips completely and resting her head against her knees, her body curled up, a lump in her throat.

Footsteps approached, entering the room, causing her heart to skip beats in fear. She didn't raise her head, believing that as long as she didn't look, she would remain hidden.

After a moment of silence, she thought the person had left, cautiously raising her head to check.

However, a scream escaped her mouth when she was roughly grabbed by her hair, causing her to yelp as she was pulled to her feet and dragged away from the corner that had initially felt like a safe haven. The sudden pull caused her to lose her grip on the knife, which fell from her hand.

The man harshly pushed her to the floor, prompting her to quickly crawl backward. However, he was fast enough to grab her leg and pull her towards him, hovering over her with a disgusted laugh. 

He took off his belt, remarking, "The boss told me to kill you directly, but it's so boring without a little fun."

The girl was baffled and terrified by the man's presence, her movements sealed by his grip on her biceps, restraining her on the ground.

His touch disgusted and discomforted her, causing her to grit her teeth and shout, "Don't touch me!"

Tears streamed down her red eyes as she struggled against him, but his smirk only widened, finding her helplessness arousing.

She frantically tried to free herself, her eyes scanning for something useful. Spotting a knife nearby that had slipped from her hands earlier, she seized it.

As the man forcefully grabbed her face, she swiftly plunged the knife into his neck, his eyes widening in shock. She twisted the knife to ensure he couldn't escape, but horror filled her as his blood sprayed, staining her neck, arms, and face.

Pushing the man away, she recoiled in pain, but his groans meant nothing to her. Trembling, she touched the blood on her face, trying to wipe it off, only to feel it spreading.

Panicked, she screamed, "Blood! Blood! Blood!" before fleeing the room, running downstairs in a daze, her mind reeling as if in a horror movie. 

Her foot slipped on the cold, wet floor, and she fell hard. Pain shot through her body, but it didn't matter. When she turned around, her heart stopped. There, lying still on the ground, was her grandmother. Her eyes were open, but empty. Blood spread slowly around her like a dark red blanket.

She couldn't breathe. Her hands shook. Her chest felt heavy, as if something inside her had broken. The one person who had always loved her, always protected her, was gone. Just like that.

The world felt quiet for a moment, too quiet — like time had stopped.

Tears filled her eyes, then spilled down her cheeks. Her mind screamed, but no sound came from her mouth. She wanted to scream, to cry, to wake up from this nightmare — but it was real. Too real.

She couldn't stay there. She didn't want to feel this pain. She didn't want to see the blood, the still body, the truth. Without thinking, she got up and ran.

Barefoot, she rushed out of the house into the night. The road was cold and rough under her feet, but she didn't care.

Her tears blurred everything in front of her. Cars sped by, horns blaring, but she didn't hear them. Her mind was lost, her heart numb.

All she could feel was the crushing pain, the unbearable silence, and the desperate wish to disappear.

The heavy rain poured from the sky like a waterfall, soaking her clothes, her hair, her skin—everything.

Cold drops hit her face, but she didn't care. She didn't even notice. Her feet moved on their own, slow and unsteady, dragging her through the empty streets. She felt nothing. Just a deep, empty ache in her chest.

She reached the edge of the main road, her steps unsure, her mind far away.

Then, headlights appeared—bright and blinding. A car sped toward her, tires cutting through puddles, engine roaring louder by the second.

Jasmine froze.

Her eyes locked on the car, but her body wouldn't move. Her thoughts were foggy, slow. The world felt like it was happening in slow motion. She didn't think of running. She didn't think of screaming.

She just stood there, ready—ready to let go.

But just as the car came dangerously close, her vision began to blur. Everything turned hazy, and dark shadows crept in from the corners of her eyes.

Then—suddenly—she felt a strong hand grab her arm, yanking her back with force. Her body stumbled into someone's hold. Arms wrapped around her tightly, keeping her from falling.

She couldn't think. Her heart pounded, her breath shallow. Everything around her was spinning. But through the haze, she heard a voice. It was close, shaking with worry, almost a whisper—but full of feeling.

"I'm here."

That was all she heard.

Her body gave in, the weight of everything too much. Her eyes fluttered, heavy with exhaustion and pain.

Just before they closed, she caught a glimpse of a face—only half of it. A man's face, wet from the rain, his lips trembling slightly. A small silver ring shone on the side of his mouth.

Then everything went black

Evil and goodness.

Two forces that pretend to run the world.

But nothing is ever transparent. Sometimes evil hides inside kindness, soft and smiling. Sometimes kindness dresses itself in something sharp and merciless. Strange, isn’t it?

Strange how people are judged by titles, by neat appearances, by the way they present themselves to the world. Gentle, warm, peaceful. Yet inside, they rot. They carry venom beneath their soft voices. They lurk in the safety of kindness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike in the most brutal way.

And then there are the ones society calls evil. The ones with rough edges, with rage burning in their eyes. But underneath that rage lies purity. A man who kills the rapist of his sister is called a murderer. The law marks him as a monster. The system labels him a threat. But maybe he is the only savior his family ever had. Maybe he is the only form of goodness that actually protected something worth protecting.

That is how society manipulates you. It plants rules in your mind, rules you never asked for. It tames your emotions, forces you to choose the system over the people you love. It demands sacrifices then offers nothing in return except corruption packaged as righteousness.

So the only way to break it is to fight it using its own methods.

Become what they fear. Appear cruel. Carry the label of an evil person.

And somehow, there is a dark satisfaction in knowing you no longer bend for anyone.

A satisfaction in watching someone tremble because they finally understand that you are no longer playing by their rules.

And for that, Jungkook chose to stand against the very system that claimed to protect justice.

He stopped asking for permission.

Stopped waiting for laws written by cowards to decide what was right.

He decided to do things in their own way. Not the way written in polished books. Not the way preached behind podiums. But the way that actually hurt those who deserved to be hurt.

If that makes him a murderer, so be it.

If that crowns him the night killer whispered about in fear, then let the whispers spread.

Because monsters are not born in darkness. They are carved by it.

And Jungkook was not chasing blood for pleasure. He was chasing balance.

The system called him a criminal.

The guilty called him a threat.

But somewhere, in houses that had once known only silence and grief, his name was spoken like a prayer.

He did not need the world to understand him.

He only needed it to feel him.

And if fear was the only language this world respected, then fear was exactly what he would become.

...‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚....

The streets of Seoul weren’t as safe as they once were. A quiet tension clung to the air, thick and heavy. People walked faster now, eyes darting, shoulders hunched—not just cautious, but haunted. Fear had settled deep

in their bones.

The reason? The Night Killer.

For over a month, he had been lurking in the shadows, striking with precision and vanishing without a trace. Despite media coverage and public outcry, the case remained unsolved. Panic grew with every passing night, each murder colder, more calculated than the last.

What was once a bustling city had turned into a hunting ground.The police had tried. At first, they’d fought with fire in their hearts.

But the deeper they dug, the darker the trail became. Whispers of the mafia grew louder, and the stakes grew deadlier. Officers began backing away, one by one until eventually, even the boldest among them had stepped aside.

Officer Noah had been in charge from the start. He was one of the most respected officers in the force, known for never losing a case. But this time, the silence had beaten him.

Scarlet sat quietly in the car, Leo in the driver’s seat while she occupied the passenger side in her police captain’s— a crisp white jacket with golden stripes on the shoulders showing her rank. The jacket was neatly fitted, paired with navy trousers pressed in perfect lines. A cap rested firmly on her head, its emblem shining proudly. Polished black shoes completed the look, everything about her speaks authority.

Her long black hair fell straight to her elbows, smooth and glossy, framing her face and matching the depth of her dark eyes.

With her button nose and steady, piercing gaze, she observed the scene ahead—a dead body lying on the ground, surrounded by flashing police cars and uniformed officers.

As her eyes scanned the familiar faces of her colleagues, they stopped on someone she didn’t recognize. The man stood out easily. Those sharp eyes, broad shoulders, and a presence that carried weight even without words. His vest bore the bold letters POLICE, a silent badge of duty.

Curious, Scarlet leaned slightly toward Leo. “Who is that guy? I haven’t seen him before.”

Leo followed her gaze before answering, “That’s Kim Taehyung, a newly transferred officer.”

Scarlet’s brows lifted in surprise at the name. As Leo stepped out and came around to open her door, she drew a steady breath, straightening the lines of her uniform. Under her breath, she whispered, almost as if reminding herself, “You can handle this, Scarlet. Trust yourself.”

The soft click of the car door opening broke the air, and all eyes turned toward her. Captain Scarlet stepped out, her presence enough to command attention without a single word. The crowd of officers instinctively shifted, parting to clear her path, and she moved forward with steady steps until the dead body lay before her, every detail demanding her focus.

Her eyes lingered on the body as she stepped closer, her hand instinctively reaching toward it. Leo, already anticipating her next move, slipped a pair of gloves into her palm. Sliding them on, Scarlet knelt down beside the corpse, brushing aside strands of hair from the man’s face. His eyes were wide open, frozen in terror, as though he had seen death coming.

She studied his clothes—sturdy, purposeful, nothing that resembled a common passerby. His attire carried the weight of intent, as if he had been on a mission before death claimed him.

Scarlet’s gaze shifted to the weapon. A knife was buried deep in his chest. With steady precision, she gripped the handle and pulled it free. Drops of blood speckled across her face, but she didn’t so much as flinch. Without a word, she handed the weapon to Leo, who understood immediately. He slipped the knife into a plastic evidence bag, sealing it with practiced care.

As Scarlet leaned closer to the body, something caught her eye. A faint marking at the base of his neck. Tilting his head, she revealed a tattoo, a circle with an intricate design etched into the skin. Her brows furrowed. It wasn’t random—it carried meaning.

“This tattoo was on the corpse we found before this one too.”

The voice was deep, calm, and unfamiliar. Scarlet glanced up, her eyes meeting the newly transferred officer, Taehyung.

She gave a quiet hum in acknowledgment before rising to her feet, tugging off her gloves. A slight nod to Leo was enough—he immediately crouched down to continue examining the body.

Scarlet, meanwhile, swept her gaze across the surroundings. It was an open public area, no obvious blind spots. Still, timing was everything, the murder could have been committed in those silent moments when no one was watching.

“Eve!” Scarlet’s voice cut through the air, and one of the officers hurried over.

“Details?” she asked firmly.

He bowed slightly before reporting, “We received the call about an hour ago. A civilian claimed to have stumbled upon the body and immediately alerted us.” He went on with the briefing while Scarlet’s sharp eyes remained on the scene, absorbing every angle.

When he finished, she gave a curt nod. “I’ll be heading back to the station. Gather everything, we need and bring it to my office.”

 “Yes, Captain.” Eve bowed again before returning to the others, leaving Scarlet standing tall, her presence still commanding the air around the crime scene.

...‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚....

 “This case is not going to be reopened; do you hear me?!”

 The commissioner’s voice thundered through the room as his palms slammed against the long table, the sound commanding silence. Every officer standing stiffened, their gazes dropping to the floor. The heavy air lingered until one officer cautiously spoke up.

“Sir, I’d suggest letting Captain Scarlet handle this—”

“Dare to talk back to me.”

The warning cut him off instantly, and silence took its place again. Officers exchanged wary glances, uncertain whether to speak or remain invisible.

“I will not allow—”

 The commissioner’s words died in his throat as the doors swung open. A young officer stepped in first, holding the door wide for the woman who followed.

The room seemed to still the moment she entered. Scarlet’s presence was impossible to ignore—her uniform immaculate, badges on her blazer glinting under the lights like precious metal.

Black sunglasses framed her sharp features, her long, silky hair flowing freely over her shoulders. Each click of her heels echoed across the polished floor, cutting into the silence like a blade.

She didn’t need words; her aura alone demanded obedience. Every officer in the room straightened immediately, their salute swift and precise, though she spared none of them a glance.

Scarlet’s file landed on the table with a harsh thud, startling even the commissioner. Her gaze locked on him as she spoke, voice cold and firm.

“Foremost, no one yells like that in my office. I won’t tolerate it.” Hands tucked casually into her pockets, she moved toward him, each step deliberate, her eyes never leaving his face.

“Captain Scarlet, I’m the—”

The commissioner faltered under her glare, his words shrinking in his throat. He looked away, attempting to mask his unease.

“May I know the reason for your opposition?” she asked, her tone deceptively calm.

“You know very well. This case involves the Mafia. We can’t afford this risk—”

“You’re afraid of taking risks,” she cut in sharply. His head snapped toward her, astonished by her boldness. Her lips curved in a faint smirk as she slid off her sunglasses, her eyes cutting into his like steel.

“I’m not afraid, Sir.” The way she emphasized the title made it sound more like mockery than respect.

The commissioner leaned forward, voice low. “You don’t understand. That man could tear you apart in seconds—”

Scarlet stepped closer, until barely a breath of space separated them. Her words were quiet, but her tone was sharp enough to draw blood.

“Then it’s better we end this here before we both tear each other apart. I’ve already made it clear—I will reopen this case. And that’s final.”

Her eyes didn’t waver as she held his gaze. “I’ll see who dares to stop me.”

His jaw tightened, teeth grinding in frustration. “Your bravery will leave you the second he stands before you. Mark my words.”

With that, the commissioner stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing until the door shut behind him. Scarlet’s sharp gaze swept over the remaining officers. With a subtle gesture of her hand, she dismissed them all except Leo.

They bowed respectfully before leaving. The silence that followed carried a different weight, heavier but calmer. Scarlet lowered herself into the rolling chair, resting her forearms on the table and taking off her hat

Leo stepped forward, placing a file before her. “Ma’am, these are the reports you asked for. Everying they’ve gathered so far on the case.”

Scarlet flipped the file open, scattering the papers across the table. Her dark eyes skimmed over each sheet with precise focus, while Leo stood silently at her side, waiting.

“It’s strange,” she murmured, her fingers tracing a photo, “how no one’s ever seen his face. If only we had a glimpse of his eyes—”

“According to Officer Noah,” Leo replied carefully, “he always wears a black mask, a cap, and dark glasses. That’s why no one can identify his features. And…” he paused, “…none of the bodies were ever left in the same place twice.”

Scarlet’s lips tugged into a smirk. “Smart bastard.”

“When was the last corpse found?” she asked.Leo thought for a moment before answering. “Five days ago, near xxx Street.”

Her brows furrowed. That’s near my place… how did I miss it? she thought.

“The timing of the murder?” she pressed.

“Not exact, Ma’am,” he admitted.

Scarlet leaned back slightly, humming under her breath. “I want every detail—locations, timings, patterns. Dig into it thoroughly. Am I clear, Officer Leo?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” He bowed and quickly left the room, his footsteps fading into the hallway.

Alone now, Scarlet rose from her chair and crossed to the wide glass window of her office. The city stretched before her, restless and unaware. She pulled a cigar from her pocket, fitting it between her lips, then flicked open her metallic lighter with a soft click.

The flame caught, and soon a curl of smoke swirled into the air. She inhaled deeply, her gaze sharp, her smirk colder than before.

“The game’s about to begin.”

She exhaled slowly, the smoke drifting around her like a promise of what was to come.

...‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚....

The man in the black suit sat on the balcony, a cigarette resting between his lips. Each drag filled his lungs, each puff of smoke drifting lazily into the night as though it carried away his restless thoughts. But his mind was not calm, it circled around one name, one face that refused to leave him.

A knock at the door broke his silence. His voice, deep and rough with authority, cut through the air.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and a subordinate stepped inside, bowing low. “Young Master, we’ve received word—the case has been reopened.”

He didn’t flinch at first, simply tapped the cigarette against the ashtray, scattering ash as though the matter was trivial. But then the man continued.

“Officer Scarlet has taken charge of it.”

That name. It froze his hand mid-movement, then slowly drew the faintest, most dangerous smile across his lips. He leaned back in his chair, savouring it, before pouring deep red wine into a crystal glass.

“Perfect,” he murmured, his voice like velvet dipped in steel.The subordinate lowered his head further, waiting for dismissal.

“You’ve given me good news today,” the man said, swirling the wine, the crimson liquid catching the light. “You may leave.”

Alone again, he lifted the glass and let a low, wicked laugh slip past his lips. The night air carried his words, soft yet dripping with possession.

“Can’t wait to meet you again… my Jasmine.”

...‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚....

“A new dead body was found near xxx Street. According to Officer Noah’s report, it matches the pattern of the Night Killer— no evidence left behind. The killer still roams the streets freely, leaving people afraid to walk alone at night. Will the police ever find—”

Scarlet clicked the remote, cutting the reporter’s voice mid-sentence. The silence that followed seemed heavier than the news itself.

It wasn’t the first time she had heard this story. What unsettled her wasn’t the murders, but the precision of how not a single clue was ever left behind. She exhaled slowly, setting her coffee mug down on the small table beside her couch.

Her mind wandered back through the weight of the past weeks. Work had consumed her as always—her one constant. She never spared time for herself, believing duty came before everything else.

And yet, in the quiet hours, thoughts crept in. What if I just got married, settled down? But as quickly as the thought bloomed, her resolve hardened again.

Her parents had died long ago, leaving her alone. The badge she wore wasn’t just a job; it was her purpose.

When the Night Killer case first surfaced, she had refused it as she was already buried in other responsibilities. She had handed it over to Noah, her trusted partner. But something about it had always tugged at her attention. She may have stepped back, but she never turned away completely.

Now, with the case officially reopened, she pulled out the file. Flipping through the photographs, she traced the gruesome aftermaths with a steady gaze. One by one, faces of the victims stared back at her. She uncapped a red marker and circled the same detail repeatedly—the tattoo.

She rose from the bed, gathering the pictures, and pinned them onto the board mounted against her wall. Under the dim light, the images formed a pattern. Her eyes moved across them slowly.

Every single one has the same tattoo. That’s no coincidence.

Her memory flickered to the night Noah’s computer had been hacked. Files erased in seconds. Not just the work of a killer—it was the work of someone organized. Someone with resources.

“He’s not alone,” she muttered. “He has people with him. Whoever this Night Killer is… he’s playing a game. A dangerous one.”

It was nearly midnight when Scarlet reached for the remote again, flipping through channels absently. Then she stopped.

A man appeared on the screen, standing at a podium beneath glittering lights. A smile, charming yet sharp, curved across his lips as the audience clapped.

“It’s an honour to receive this award for the fifth year in a row,”he said smoothly. “Thank you.”

The crowd roared with applause. Scarlet felt herself smiling faintly too.

Scarlet leaned back on the couch, eyes fixed on the man speaking on the screen. Jeon Jungkook, designer of company

Golden wasn’t someone she admired like a fan admires a celebrity. What drew her attention to him was different.

She had seen his rise. Scarlet respected effort more than anything, and Jungkook embodied that. His name, his success, his recognition. All of it was earned, not handed.

That was why she admired him. Not as a man on a stage with flashing lights, but as a person who fought his way up and never

backed down.

And also as the man who she met that night. She wonders if he even remembers the night they first met or not. But for her, it was engraved in her memory which was quite rare because for Scarlet it takes a lot of effort to be remembered by her.

Watching him now, smiling under the weight of applause, she allowed herself a small smile too. Not out of devotion, but out of respect.

 “Let’s meet someday, Jeon,” she murmured as one determined soul acknowledging another.

...‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚....

The next day, Scarlet stood in her office, pointing at the board as she gave instructions to Leo.

“We need this arranged here, and make sure the reports are added there too. Got it?"

“Yes, ma’am,” Leo replied, jotting down notes.“And most of all—”A sudden knock interrupted her words. Scarlet leaned back into her chair, her gaze snapping toward the door.

“Come in,” she ordered. The commissioner entered, and behind him walked a tall man in uniform. Scarlet’s sharp eyes lingered on him. His expression was unreadable, his gaze steady and cold, framed by dark hair that only deepened the intensity of his siren like eyes.

“Captain Scarlet, I hope you’re doing fine,” the commissioner said warmly.

“Yes? How can I help you?” she asked, her tone clipped but professional. The commissioner gestured to the man beside him.

 “This is Officer Taehyung. Well-qualified, newly transferred, and from today, he will be working as your partner on this case along with Officer Noah. Scarlet—” his voice softened, “—you are one of the finest officers we have, but this case is dangerous. I don’t want to risk you handling it alone.”

Scarlet gave him a brief nod. “Thank you for your concern, Commissioner.”

Her eyes shifted back to the man. The name Taehyung echoed in her head—Leo had mentioned him just yesterday.

So, this is the new transfer… she thought, studying the way he stood so still, so silent, like he was measuring every move around him.

She rose from her chair and stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. Extending her hand, she spoke firmly.

“I’m Captain Scarlet. Looking forward to working with you.”

For a moment, he only looked at her hand, then back at her face. A faint, almost reluctant smile curved on his lips before he clasped her hand.

“Nice to meet you, Captain Scarlet. I’m Kim Taehyung. Looking forward to working with you.”