Unknown
You're the one who killed Jeongin.
Arkhan broke into a cold sweat as he read the new message from Unknown. How could anyone else know about this besides himself, Sandy, and Levan?
"Could it really be one of them? But who... and why?"
Arkhan suspected that Unknown was seeking revenge for Jeongin's death. But he had already checked his friends' backgrounds, and none of them had any known connection to Jeongin—not as a friend or even an acquaintance.
"Jeongin was in Chris's circle… maybe I should ask him. Maybe I missed something."
Closing his notebook, Arkhan left his room and headed to the terrace, where he found Jio pacing nervously.
"Ji, what's up with you?" Arkhan asked.
"Nero's late getting home. I'm scared the same thing that happened to Joan is gonna happen again," Jio said, worried.
Arkhan checked his phone. It was already 7 p.m.
"Did Nero say why he'd be late?" Arkhan asked.
"He said he was studying at Junghwan's place, but he's not answering my calls," Jio replied.
"All right, I'll go check."
Arkhan headed to the living room, where two of his friends were hanging out.
"Levan, Sandy, come with me for a bit," he said.
"Okay," Levan responded.
Sena glanced over as Arkhan grabbed the car keys from a drawer.
"What, I'm not invited?" Sena asked.
"Nope. You're dead weight," Arkhan joked.
"You're the dead weight! We were having a chill convo, and now you're dragging Levan and Sandy off and leaving me behind," Sena protested.
"Sorry, I've got something to take care of with them. Just lock the door, okay?" Arkhan said.
"Yeah, whatever," Sena replied begrudgingly.
*****
Arkhan parked in front of Junghwan's house. He and his friends got out and knocked. Junghwan opened the door shortly after.
"Whoa, what brings you guys here?" Junghwan asked.
"We're here to pick up Nero," Sandy said.
"Pick up? Nero didn't come to my house," Junghwan replied.
"But he said he was coming here to study after school," Levan said, confused.
"Nope. He went straight home after school," Junghwan said.
"Are you sure he didn't stop by first?" Sandy asked.
"Nope. Why would I lie?" Junghwan paused, thinking. "Although… at school earlier, I saw him reading a journal. He said it was his and Joan's. If I'm not wrong, Joan was your friend who passed away recently, right? So maybe he went to her grave."
"Oh… I see. Thanks for the info, Junghwan," Arkhan said.
"No problem."
The three quickly said goodbye and headed to the cemetery.
After a short drive, they arrived. A bouquet of flowers sat neatly atop Joan's grave.
"Looks like Nero really did come here," Levan said.
"So where is he now? I asked Jio, and he said Nero still hasn't come home," Sandy said.
Arkhan stared at the bouquet, deep in thought.
"None of us has a connection to Jeongin, yet Unknown keeps sending threats that hint at revenge for his death."
Sandy looked at Arkhan. "I think I know what you're thinking."
"Yeah. Let's check there," Arkhan replied.
Levan looked confused. "Check where? Can you two read each other's minds or something?"
Sandy shot Levan a look. "To the house at the forest's edge. Jeongin's old place."
It didn't take long to get there. They stepped inside the house cautiously.
The interior was surprisingly neat and clean, with the furniture still properly arranged.
"This is supposed to be an abandoned house?" Levan asked.
"Seeing it this clean, you're really asking that?" Sandy scoffed.
"But the owner's dead," Levan pointed out.
"Maybe someone else bought the place," Arkhan replied.
Not far from where they stood, a strong burnt smell lingered in the air. They followed it.
It led to the fireplace in the living room. Inside, remnants of burned items lay scattered—shards, ash, and charred debris. Firewood sat in the dead hearth, topped with ash.
Behind the couch, Arkhan noticed a scorched bag. It was Nero's, along with other belongings of his, nearly turned to ash.
"Khan, there's a piece of school uniform fabric in this ash," Sandy said.
"D-don't tell me… Nero was the one burned here…"
The three of them stared at one another in disbelief.