Hye Jin wandered through the dimly lit streets, her senses heightened. She could hear faint murmurs of the city, the occasional laughter from passing strangers, and the hum of cars fading into the distance. Her thoughts were a tangled web of plans, each strand leading to her next "artwork." Her focus was now on Jung Soo Hyuk.
He was a man who moved in shadows, concealing his secrets under a charming smile and a polished exterior. But Hye Jin had seen through him. She had studied his patterns, followed his trail of lies, and uncovered the layers of deceit he wove so skillfully.
As she walked, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Seo Jun.
Seo Jun: "Thinking about you. Let's meet soon."
Hye Jin's lips curled into a faint smile. Fool, she thought. She had plans for Seo Jun, but not yet. For now, her focus was on Soo Hyuk.
The following day, Hye Jin casually strolled into the university's art studio. Her demeanor was calm, almost serene, as she worked on a new painting. The room smelled of turpentine and oil paint, a scent that felt like home to her.
Her brushstrokes were deliberate, blending dark hues into a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece. Hidden in the painting's depths was a subtle depiction of Soo Hyuk, his face distorted into something monstrous. It was a secret only she would notice—a prelude to what was coming.
---
Jung Soo Hyuk's Trail
That evening, Hye Jin followed Soo Hyuk to an underground gambling den. She remained inconspicuous, blending into the crowd of patrons. Her eyes never left him as he laughed and joked with his companions, masking the darkness beneath his charm.
As he left the den, Hye Jin trailed behind him, her steps silent and calculated. He walked through a narrow alley, the dim glow of a flickering street lamp casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Kim byung hoo paused, sensing something. He turned, his eyes scanning the alley, but there was no one there. Hye Jin had already melted into the darkness, watching him from the shadows. Her pulse quickened, but her movements were steady.
She had chosen her spot—a secluded corner where the light barely reached. As byung hoo continued walking, she stepped out, her blade gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice laced with irritation.
Hye Jin said nothing. She tilted her head, her lips curling into a sinister smile as she stepped closer.
---
The First Strike
Before the man could react, Hye Jin lunged forward with terrifying precision, plunging a syringe into his neck. His Struggles Ceased almost instantly, his body collapsing like a puppet with it's string cut.
When he regained consciousness, the faint, rhythmic sound of wood being cut greeted his ears. His eyes fluttered open, blurry at first, and then focused on the dimly lit room . The air was COLD, and a faint metallic scent lingered. He tried to move but quickly realised he was bound tightly to a chair, his wrists and ankles digging painfully into the ropes. He struggled, his voice Muffled by plaster across his mouth.
Hye Jin stood in the corner, holding a saw. The eerie grin on her face froze him with fear. She noticed his movements and turned towards him, her expression shifting into mock surprise.
"Oh YOU AWAKE," She said, setting the saw aside and walking towards him. " DO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING"?
He nooded frantically, desperate to speak.
Hye Jin smriked, leaning down and slowly peeling the plaster from his mouth.
"Who are you? Why are you doing this to me ?" He stammered , his voice trembling. I'll pay your money! Call your boss --- I'll talk to him right now. Please let me go!"
At this, Hye Jin brust into laughter, the sound echoing in the confined space. "DO YOU THINK I'M A DEBT COLLECTER?" She asked, her tone dripping with amusement.
He looked at her incredulously. "A...Women?" He chuckled weakly, his disbelief momentarily overriding his fear.
The laughter sent a flash of anger through Hye Jin. Her smile vanished, replaced by a chilling glare. She grabbed a blade from the table beside her and with controlled precision, made a SMALL CUT ACROSS HIS CHEEK. Blood trickled down, and he screamed in pain.
"YES I'M A WOMEN," She said Coldly, slapping him hard across the other cheek.
He flinched his breath hitching from the pain. "Why are you doing this ? Is it because of my girlfriend, se young? You're her friend, right ? Is that Why ? Look, I'm sorry! I'll breakup with her. I'll leave her alone --- just let me go !"
Hye Jin titled her head, amusement flickering her eyes. "Do I Look like some justice warrior to you? Here to punish cheaters or save your girlfriend?" She sneered. "No, you idiot. Look around you. Why are you so annoying.....just like your face?"
He kept talking, trying to reason with her, but she cut him off with a low, eerie whisper. "SHHHH YOU'RE RUINING THE MOMENT."
He glared at her, emboldened by desperation. "You're only lucky because you tied me up. Untie me, and let's see what happens. A women like you can't do anything!".
Hye Jin raised her eyebrows, a sinister Smile curling on her lips. "Oh? So that's What you think?"
She said softly..."FINE .. LET'S MAKE THIS MORE... CHALLENGING.."
She leaned forward, untying his restraints one by one. We'll FIGHT.... WHOEVER WINS GETS TO DECIDE THE OTHER'S FATE....DEAL?"
He Nodded, staggering to his feet, his eyes glinting with false confidence..
The fight was short but brutal. Hye Jin Moved with calculated grace, her blade flashing in the dim light. With a quick slash, she cut deep into his calf, sending him crumbling to the floor. Before he could recover, she slashed his ankle, severing the tendon. He screamed, collapsing in a pool of his own blood.
"PATHETIC," She Muttered, trying him back to the chair as he writhed in agony.
She stood over him, her face alight with sadistic glee. "You'll live on in my art," she whispered, picking up the shoes he had bought for his girlfriend.
She positioned the heel of one shoe against the dorsum of his foot and pressed down hard. Blood oozed from the wound, flowing freely. Hye Jin dipped her finger into the warm liquid, marveling at its texture.
"I Love the warmth," she murmured, Smearing the blood across his trembling hand . "SEE ? YOU CAN FEEL IT TOO"....
He sobbed, Begging For mercy, but Hye Jin was lost in her world.
"Do you want to see your art?" She asked, her voice unnervingly cheerful. "Let Me Explain."
She pulled out a sketch and held it up his face . It was a crude , haunting diagram of his body, Positioned grotesquely with the shoes forming part of the design.
"YOU MADE ME SO LONG," She said, her tone shifting to something darker. "THAT'S WHY YOU DESERVE THIS.."
As she meticulously prepared the final touches of her "ART," He lost all his strength , slumping in the chair, drenched in his Own blood. She clicked a picture of him, capturing the raw despair etched on his face.
"YOU'RE PERFECT", She Whispered, her voice soft with satisfaction.
Carrying the lifeless body, she carefully in the table that she made for him and then LEAST BUT NOT LEAST THE FINAL AND THE BEST PART HYEJIN SAYS AND THEN SHE TAKES HER BLACK STEEL ROSE AND CREATED HER SIGNATURE.....And then she carefully arranged him in the courtyard of his courtyard of his apartment complex, positioning him exactly as she had envisioned. The shoes were prominently displayed, blood pooling around them in macabre statement...
As she walked away,she glanced back at her masterpiece, a cruel smile playing on her lips. The camera in her hand clicked Once more, preserving in the scene forever..
For Hye Jin, this was not the end ---- it was merely the BEGINNING OF HER LEGACY As an Artist of Despair...
_____