Trait Absorption Hunter Hunter Episode 72
72. Doubt
“Phew… … .”
As soon as the relatives left, Min Do-jun put out the fire.
Because I controlled the size, there was not even a little bit of soot inside the house.
‘You have to scare them like this for them to listen.’
Most people think of hunters as celebrities who make a lot of money.
However, hunters are beings that transcend humans.
People are forgetting that fact.
‘The Hunter may seem like a hero now, but that only applies when he is on the same side as the enemy.’
Min Do-jun knows because he experienced it.
What disasters will occur when the hunters turn against their enemies.
‘Anyway, my relatives might come visit again next time.’
If I were to become known as an A-class hunter in the future, my relatives might bother me again.
Because they are people who have no pride or fear in front of money.
What was most uncomfortable was that he knew my home address and could come to me at any time.
‘Should I sell my house?’
The house is my parents’ only legacy.
I really don’t want to sell it, but I felt the need to sell it for the sake of my relatives.
‘I should get a car while I’m at it. It’s a hassle to call a taxi every time.’
Min Do-jun turned on his smartphone and thought about where to move to.
* * *
Kim Sang-yeop, head of the Hunter Association’s criminal investigation department, was looking at several photos.
Photos showing the victims’ injuries.
They all have an X mark on their chest.
‘It’s clear that it’s the same guy’s doing since the markings are consistent… … .’
The problem was that there was no clue to identify the culprit.
‘There is no commonality between the victims. They include not only ordinary people but also hunters.’
Recently, hunters named Kang Cheol-gyu and Jo Gyu-chan died, leaving behind an X mark.
‘Jo Gyu-chan was found in the mountains near the ossuary. But they say other hunters were killed in a nearby alley.’
Kim Sang-yeop looked at another photo that was placed next to him.
The photo showed a rather shocking, headless corpse.
The incident where four hunters were beheaded in an alley near the ossuary.
‘One of them was found petrified.’
Although it was discovered as a pile of stones, when the pieces were put together, it was clear that it was a person.
‘It’s clear that the culprit is a wizard since he used the petrification skill.’
The success rate of the petrification skill increases with magic power.
Because of this, no one other than wizards could use it.
‘Judging by the clean cut of the severed neck, it was probably killed with a sharp magic such as Wind Blade.’
Although there was no X mark on the victims’ chests, Kim Sang-yeop also suspected that this was the work of a serial killer.
‘The time of Cho Kyu-chan’s death and the time of their death are similar. Furthermore, the locations are very close.’
At that time, the subordinate who had been assigned to investigate returned.
“Did you bring it?”
“Yes, I have compiled a list as you suggested.”
Kim Sang-yeop opened his eyes wide as he looked at the list his subordinate had handed him.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Of course. I’m on my way back after checking the CCTV.”
“At that time, the only hunter who visited the ossuary was a hunter named Min Do-jun?”
“There are a few more, but they are all under level 100, so I excluded them because I judged it impossible to kill the victims who are practically close to level 800. For reference, Hunter Min Do-jun was level 666 at the time.”
There is a columbarium near the place where the decapitated hunters and the bodies of Jo Gyu-chan were found.
Since it was a nearby place, we investigated to see if there was a hunter who had visited at the time, and it turned out to be a hunter named Min Do-jun.
“But this hunter named Min Do-jun is also low level, right?”
“Yes. But after looking into it, I found out that this hunter is currently level 1,350.”
“Already? How many months has it been since the incident happened?”
“That means I’m pretty strong for my level. I’ve even defeated bosses on my own, and I’ve even received offers to join several guilds. I’ve turned them all down, though.”
“I guess that means he has the power to commit a crime.”
“Yes. I don’t know if I could fight four hunters nearing level 800 and one hunter at level 1,000 by myself.”
“It might be possible if we took them by surprise.”
In any case, it was clear that it had the power to kill.
“What is Hunter Min Do-jun’s occupation? Is he a magician?”
“I’m a magician.”
“A magician? So you’re a warrior who also uses magic?”
“That’s right. It may be less powerful than a wizard, but the chances of success for the petrification spell are still not zero.”
If he was just a simple warrior, then I wouldn’t know, but since he even uses magic, my suspicions have increased.
‘The reason the cut section was so clean might be because it was cut with a sword. The same goes for the X mark.’
I felt like he was the most likely suspect among all the suspects I’ve looked into recently.
“The problem is motivation.”
“I investigated, but there was no real connection with the victims.”
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“hmm…….”
Kim Sang-yeop was lost in thought.
“Are we overreacting? We could have simply stopped by the charnel house on the anniversary of the death.”
“Still, I think it’s worth looking into.”
“hmm.”
Because there were so few clues, we had to dig into even the smallest suspicions.
“Okay. I think it would be good to dig this up first. Then I’ll contact Hunter Min Do-jun and ask if we can meet, so you collect all the information related to Min Do-jun and put it on my desk.”
“all right.”
After a while, Kim Sang-yeop went outside, carrying his coat and documents, as if his appointment with Min Do-jun had been set.
Seeing that, the rookie investigator called his senior.
“Senior, where is the team leader going like that?”
“There was an incident that happened near the ossuary a few months ago.”
“The incident where hunters were beheaded in the alley and killed with X marks on the mountain?”
“Oh, we haven’t been able to find the culprit because we didn’t have any clues, but a suspicious suspect has appeared. I’m going to meet that suspect.”
“It turns out that the two cases are related to the same perpetrator?”
“That’s not it, but since it happened at the same time, I guess we should consider it the same crime.”
“If the culprit is right, then we’ll be catching a serial killer who hasn’t been caught until now?”
“That’s right. If they find out who the culprit is, it’ll be all over the newspaper.”
“Wow, if I really catch it, it’ll be a jackpot.”
Although he was an admirable rookie investigator, his senior didn’t notice the change in his expression for a moment.
* * *
Min Do-jun, who had been feeling unwell since his relatives visited, had to face another obstacle.
It was because of the call I received from the association an hour ago.
‘You’re coming to my house?’
The content was about whether the Criminal Investigation Department could visit for investigation purposes.
Of course I told him he could come, but I couldn’t feel good about the thought of being suspected.
‘Well, that was expected.’
Didn’t you ever expect a day like this to come?
‘It must be because of the incident where Bang Dae-sik’s gang killed Jo Gyu-chan near the ossuary.’
If there is any trace left, it is only at that time.
Perhaps he traced himself by investigating visitors to the ossuary.
‘There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just circumstantial evidence anyway. Just being near the incident doesn’t necessarily mean you can identify him as the culprit.’
Min Do-jun, who had guessed that they had been chasing him with the intention of grabbing at straws, felt relieved.
Finally the doorbell rang and the Criminal Investigation Department came.
“Hello, I am Kim Sang-yeop, team leader of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Korean Hunters Association. May I come in for a moment?”
“Yes, please come in.”
Min Do-jun guided him to the sofa.
“There’s nothing to drink at home… … Would you like some water?”
“No. It’s enough that you took the survey. I have a few questions for you. Is that okay?”
“Yes, please do.”
Kim Sang-yeop then asked about something he had been curious about.
As expected, it was about the ossuary incident.
“You visited the columbarium on April 24th, right?”
“yes.”
“May I ask what the purpose of your visit is?”
“My parents are laid to rest. That day was the anniversary of their death.”
“Have you been murdered?”
“yes.”
At that moment, Kim Sang-yeop’s intuition was triggered.
‘Revenge? So the hunters… … .’
But it was a wrong feeling.
“He was killed by a monster five years ago.”
“Ah… … That’s too bad.”
Kim Sang-yeop, who had an awkward expression, asked another question.
“Do you remember when you entered and left the ossuary that day?”
“I don’t know the exact time, but I went in around 4 o’clock and came out around 8 o’clock.”
Kim Sang-yeop looked through the materials he had brought and confirmed that Min Do-jun’s words were not a lie.
“Did you come straight home then?”
“yes.”
“It seems like you don’t have your own car. What did you use to come here?”
“I came by taxi.”
Min Do-jun told the truth.
Except that he committed murder.
‘hmm…….’
In fact, Kim Sang-yeop didn’t come to ask about Min Do-jun’s alibi.
‘Your alibi is sufficient. There’s nothing more to ask.’
The real reason he visited was to see Min Do-jun’s reaction.
If he is the culprit, there will be at least some weakness in his facial expression or speech.
but.
‘There is no hesitation in answering and it is natural.’
Kim Sang-yeop couldn’t find anything unnatural in Min Do-jun’s expressions and actions.
“Did you hear anything like a scream when you came out of the ossuary?”
“Uh… … A scream? I didn’t hear anything like that.”
Kim Sang-yeop felt gloomy at the expression and tone of voice that seemed to say he had really never heard of it.
‘If this person is the real culprit, he’s a worthy actor… … .’
I couldn’t get a hint from his expression, but it wasn’t time to give up yet.
‘You’re answering questions well, but you’re not asking questions.’
Anyone who is not the culprit should have questions about the case.
But the suspect in front of me didn’t show any curiosity.
As if you already know everything.
‘If you don’t ask until the end, I guess I should suspect you of being the culprit.’
But, frighteningly, Min Do-jun asked.
“But what brought you all the way to my house?”
‘… … Did I get it wrong?’
Kim Sang-yeop answered while sighing inwardly.
“There was a murder near the ossuary.”
“You are doubting me… …?”
“Oh, that’s not necessarily true.”
Kim Sang-yeop stood up from his seat as if he had nothing more to ask.
“Thank you for taking the survey. Okay.”
Only after Kim Sang-yeop left was Min Do-jun able to catch his breath.
‘Fortunately, it seems the suspicions have been dispelled.’
At the end, Kim Sang-yeop had a look of resignation on his face.
‘Maybe he came to see me off and was disappointed when he found out I wasn’t.’
Min Do-jun’s crimes cannot be revealed based on circumstantial evidence alone.
It was somewhat reassuring, but Min Do-jun didn’t know.
There was one more person left who doubted himself.
