Chapter 322 The Cleaver (9)
"His diary is full of junk!" Jina groans. "What the hell is this?"
"He's been writing weird poetry," Jiwoon mutters. They're in the precinct, reading through three years worth diary journals written by Mu Chansub. His agency had sent them the content from his apartment but there are around fifty diaries, each filled with very depressing poems. Jina, Jiwoon and Hobin are reading them to find any clues to his murder.
"The darkness is engulfing me," Hobin recites. "And I'm falling into the deep trench, unfeeling and lonely."
He looks up and adds, "This guy used poetry to cope with some kinda loss."
"But what's the loss?" Jina frowns. "He was successful, he had fans and he was about to be signed by a Hollywood agency. Even his co-workers said that they don't know why he was so sad in his private life."
"He wasn't always like this," Jiwoon says. She points at a journal entry.
"Look at this. He used to write about the things he saw around him. This isn't a poem but just his observations and feelings!"
"The sun is shining a little too brightly today," Hobin reads. "I feel that it'll be a good day. My manager told me that I'm gonna start a new job with a famous person but he won't take any names."
"And this one here…" Jina points at another entry. "He seems happy. It says, 'I went to Tilsty today. They have a beautiful ruby necklace which I bought for her. Will she like it?"
"Ruby necklace for her?" Hobin frowns. "Did he mention this girl's name anywhere?"
"Let's find out," Jiwoon sighs. They painstakingly go through every journal entry, marking the parts where Chansub had mentioned a girl but he didn't take any names. However, he described her in terms of her personality and also, they got an idea of her looks which they can submit to a sketch artist.
"We'll have to dig out his schedule from four years ago," Hobin states. "I'm sure that she's a celebrity or a famous person at least."
"How can you be so sure, Doctor Ohm?" Jiwoon asks.
"Celebrities always have to be careful of what they write," he explains. "If she was a random person he was dating, then he'd have named her. Since he didn't name her, it's highly likely that the girl was a celebrity. If the diary's content ever got exposed, it might create a scandal for them both. After all, their contract prevents them from dating."
"I think so too," Jina nods. "Jiwoon, what's the update on the mausoleum case?"
"Her body went missing," Jiwoon replies. "The guard said that he saw the corpse rising from its coffin and walking away. He was so scared that he couldn't even react."
"The Brethren stole Younha's body for a reason," Jina mutters. "What are they planning with it?"
Hobin is silent, wondering the same thing. The demon who stole Younha's body must have a motive. Otherwise, why will it choose her?
"Let's divide the team then," Jina goes on. "Jiwoon, you will investigate the mausoleum case and I will investigate the Cleaver."
"Understood boss."
"I'll submit this to the sketch team," Jina adds. "They might be able to make a portrait from the description. Hopefully, someone might be able to recognize her. I'll ask Jaebum to do another check at Chansub's apartment."
"And I'll read the diaries again to figure out when his depression started," Hobin nods.
Ring! Ring!
Jiwoon's phone starts to ring. It's Ilhoon.
"Yes, Ilhoon?" She says. "Did you find anything?"
"Someone broke into Younha's apartment!" He reveals. "They stole a few things from there."
"I'm on my way!"
She hangs up the phone and turns to the other two. "Someone stole things from Younha's apartment. I have to go."
"Get going then!" Jina tells her. Jiwoon nods and rushes off, leaving the duo behind. Jina turns to Hobin.
"Are you alright?" she asks him. "Is the…the demon inside you still active?"
"He wants me to give up my body to him," Hobin grits. "But I keep refusing. I can't let it take over my mind."
He takes a deep breath and says, "There's something else as well."
"What is it?"
"My old psychiatrist is in town," he reveals. "But he's not meeting up with me yet. I'm sure he's hiding from me."
…
In the middle of the lavish mansion, the Lady is sitting on a couch. She is observing the girl in front of her. The stench of chemical mixed with balm is reeking off her and the girl is pale, very pale as if deathly. Her long hair has been preserved but is starting to fall off and soon, she will become bald if she is not embalmed with chemicals.
"You need to shower and stay in a cool place," the Lady says. "Otherwise, your secret will be out."
The girl lets out a musical laugh and sits on the couch. Despite her pale skin, she is undoubtedly very beautiful. Even in death, her figure is well maintained. Her obsession with her beauty transcends life and death which only makes the Lady curious if the strange girl had some kind of contract with a demon.
"This girl…" the girl says pointing at herself. "I hear she was a celebrity! I wonder if she had a lot of fans."
"If they recognize you, you will be exposed!" the Lady snarls.
"Not if I kill them first," the girl says with a sly smile. "They don't call me Cleaver for nothing!"
"Don't get in our way!" The Lady snaps at her. "Keep the half-blood and the Priestess busy. We'll need to keep them occupied until we get our hands on that child. Thankfully, I have a backup ready."
"The half-blood has been quite fun to play with!" The Cleaver laughs, her voice sinister. "I think I'll enjoy tormenting him even more."
"He's no longer the weak little boy whom you nearly derailed," The Lady states. "He's stronger and in more control of his powers. Plus, he's got the Hwang's backing him up. Hwang Junho is no plaything. He's got enough knowledge to get rid of any demon he wants! And-"
Pat! Pat!
They are startled when they hear footsteps approaching them. Upon seeing the new person entering, The Lady immediately bows.
"Master Bomi!" She calls him with respect. Bomi, the exorcist, steps out of the shadows to address them.
"Hwang Junho won't be a problem," Bomi says in a calm tone. "He's too old now. I've known him for years and have been observing him. Every exorcism takes a toll on his health. He doesn't have enough powers to carry out a powerful exorcism like taking out our Lord."
"Do you mean to say that…" the Lady begins. Cleaver looks from Bomi to the Lady, wondering what's going on.
"Hwang Junho's next exorcism will be his last," Bomi grins. "It'll kill him."