First Murder

For three days in a row, the rain just didn't seemed to stop. Due to continues rain Jiho caught a cold and looked for medicine. He rummaged through a wooden box, his eyes fell upon a sketch that caught his attention.

The face depicted in the drawing was unfamiliar to him, a complete stranger. Without dwelling too much on it, Jiho simply placed the sketch back into the wooden box. With the medicine in hand, he ventured out.

Those who once criticized the reigning monarch, claiming his rule was plagued by misfortune due to his harsh leadership, have now changed their perspective. They were expressing the belief now that he is favoured by heavenly blessings.

Jiho was busy chopping up logs to use as firewood, while In Hyuk sat on the side, carefully cleaning his sword.

"In Hyuk, lend me a hand here instead of daydreaming," Jiho called out.

In Hyuk replied "Stop calling me In Hyuk. Call me Ji Hun."

Jiho said "I like In Hyuk more. Moreover there is no one listening to us"

In Hyuk got up, sheathed his sword, and took the axe from Jiho, joining in the wood chopping .

Jiho took a break, catching his breath. He expressed happily, "All the Villagers are happy, and there is plenty of water to drink, The plants are even starting to poke out of the soil." He let out a relieved sigh, "Everything will get better now"

In Hyuk paused his wood-slicing task, took a moment to gather the dispersed pieces, and expressed, "Not much will change for the people of lower class. They will get ripped by royals as usual"

Jiho, in agreement, clicked his tongue and remarked, "You are right, People don't change that easily. It doesn't matter to royals regardless of circumstances , weather it's crises or prosperous times."

Jiho stood up and assisted In Hyuk in arranging the firewood. Observing In Hyuk's silk clothes put out, Jiho inquired, "Are you planning to go somewhere?"

In Hyuk, amidst stacking firewood, responded, "The rain has stopped, so I'm heading to the market to look for work."

Curious, Jiho ventured outside to gather more firewood and asked, What work do they offer you? They pay you quit handsomely"

In Hyuk replied casually " Just taking their luggage and working at shops to deliver things. But I work a lot and that's how I earn more money"

In Hyuk emerged wearing a sky-blue silk robe, neatly fastening his hair.

Adjusting the sleeves of his robe, he expressed, "I'll be returning late tonight, don't wait for me"

With his sword in hand, In Hyuk strode away, leaving Jiho behind as he continued gathering firewood.

***o***

Park Ga Ram was sitting in the dimly lit room of the Jangmikkot guesthouse, surrounded by the lingering scent of incense . Courtesans adorned the space, vying for his attention as he revelled in the fleeting pleasures of their company.

As the courtesans danced and flirted around him, Iseul entered the room.

Ga Ram's eyes narrowed, demanding privacy with a subtle gesture, the courtesans gracefully exited, leaving him alone with Iseul. The air in the room grew tense as Iseul knelt before Ga Ram.

In a hushed tone, Iseul began to share the grim news.

"As all of the traders were killed, no one knows about the killer. But regarding the rice, it was mysteriously distributed in one of the western Baekje Villages. In the morning, the villagers found rice sacks at their doorsteps. No one knows who did all of that"

Ga Ram, his patience wearing thin, smirked in anger.

"Are you joking with me? Such a trivial task, and yet you return with no useful information."

He reached for a cup of alcohol, and chugged down the alcohol. " Father will look down on me again" he pondered.

"Get out, I will look into it myself" Ga Ram commanded.

Determination burned in his eyes as he vowed to solve the matter personally. Iseul silently retreated.

"There were more than twenty people, it means the culprit are more than one person" Ga Ram thought.

***o***

In Hyuk strolled through the bustling market for a long time to confirm Park Ga Eun's whereabouts. He headed to Jangmikkot guesthouse where he rented a room for a night in someone else name.

The evening approached, he patiently waited for night to come. When darkness descended, the guesthouse came alive with people gathering and creating a lively, noisy ambiance.

In Hyuk room was tucked away in a distant corner. He came out to take a stroll while covering his face with embroidered fan amidst the vibrant atmosphere.

As he exited the hall, the Defence Minister, Park Ga Eun, entered with his entourage, sporting a radiant smile. In Hyuk averted his gaze, remaining motionless, clutching his fan before his face until the minister and his servants had passed by.

In Hyuk looked at him from behind in extreme anger . His smile made In Hyuk more furious.

In Hyuk heard the far-off sounds of officials warmly welcoming the Defence Minister, Park Ga Eun. He returned to his room and patiently waited for the night to grow darker. After a long time In Hyuk ordered Alcohol.

The courtesan entered the room carrying a tray of drinks, her cheerful expression lighting up the space, and her hair adorned with shiny ornaments. As she gracefully served the alcohol, In Hyuk inquired, " I would like to pay a visit to The Defence minister. I was wondering if he would be sober enough to remember me"

The courtesan met In Hyuk's gaze, his face veiled by a fan, and responded with a slightly awkward smile, "I suggest you plan your visit for tomorrow."

In Hyuk took it as a sign that he must be drunk by now.

"Just leave it there" In Hyuk asked courtesan who was pouring him alcohol. She respectfully bowed to him and exited the room, following his instructions.

In Hyuk put a veil and sneak into the kitchen. He takes a dagger from there and put the kitchen on fire. Patiently, he waited for the flames to grow before slipping out through the kitchen window.

Hiding behind some plants, In Hyuk watched the Defence minister's room. Eventually, chaos erupted as people started yelling, and the staff rushed towards the kitchen to deal with the fire. Meanwhile, all official emerged from the room. With the fire growing, it became increasingly difficult for them to extinguish it.

Park Ga Ram came in with his servants, urgently instructing everyone to empty the rooms. Shouting, he directed, "Empty the rooms!"

Swiftly, he dashed to the kitchen, where the flames were rapidly spreading, and urgently commanded, "Extinguish the fire, move quickly!"

The servants, responding promptly, began dousing the flames with water buckets.

Amidst the chaos of evacuation and firefighting, In Hyuk seized the opportunity. Exploiting the distraction, he discreetly made his way into Park Ga Eun's room, taking advantage of the commotion as everyone else focused on the urgent tasks at hand.

Park Ga Eun lay sprawled on the ground, deep in a drunken sleep.

In Hyuk, pressed for time, hurriedly approached him and swiftly drew out a dagger. Without hesitation, he drove the dagger into Ga Eun's chest, aiming for the heart.

Ga Eun's agonized scream pierced the air, but amidst the chaos, no one could listen to his cries. In Hyuk, fuelled by anger, forcefully thrust the dagger even deeper into Ga Eun's chest.

As the dagger penetrated further, In Hyuk whispered, ""It's for the people you killed with your greed" The intensity of his emotions resonated in the dimly lit room.

Park Ga Eun's chest became soaked with blood, and he started vomiting blood, struggling to breathe as his life slipped away. His head dropped to one side, eyes wide open, reflecting the agony of his painful demise.

In Hyuk pulled out the dagger, The blood sprouts out of his chest and In Hyuk face was stained.

After killing Park Ga Eun, In Hyuk discreetly exited through the back door of the guesthouse. His hands were stained with blood. Swiftly, he stride to where his horse awaited, mounted it, and hastened his journey to home. He buried the dagger on his way.

In Hyuk arrived home, he carefully tied his horse , go to beach and began to wash away the stains of blood on his clothes. It turned out there was a cut on his hand, but in his haste, he hadn't even noticed it. Hastily, he cleaned the blood off his hands as well.

After cleaning he sits down under the big tree in the darkness and take a deep sigh.

"Right, Rather than waiting for people to change it's better to remove those disgusting monsters" The fatigue from everything he had experienced that day weighed on him as he contemplated this realization.

The heavy burden of killing make him look for reasons and justify his actions as he sought deliverance from those monsters .