Episode 2: Shadows at the Dock
The night smelled of salt and rust. Cargo crates loomed like silent sentinels under a sky washed silver by moonlight. Somewhere in the hush of waves against rotting pilings, a secret waited to be uncovered.
Two figures moved through the darkness: Kevin Kim in black tactical shirt and gloves, and Guen Park, dressed simply but with a forensic kit strapped over her shoulder. Their steps were quiet, measured — blades of shadow slipping between floodlights.
Behind them, a low voice crackled in Kevin's earpiece:
> "Eyes up, boss. Dock cameras are running old firmware, easy to loop — but don't stand in the same spot too long," Alex warned.
> "Copy," Kevin murmured.
> "And don't forget," Dohee added dryly from HQ, "you're trespassing. Try not to end up in handcuffs. Again."
Guen's laugh slipped free, quick and low. "He'd probably scowl at the officer until they apologized," she whispered.
Kevin shot her a sideways look. "Focus."
> "I am," she mouthed back, though the corner of her mouth twitched.
---
They reached a row of stacked containers marked Han Seung Logistics. Kevin placed a gloved hand on cool steel. The paint smelled fresh — too fresh.
> "Recently repainted," Guen noted.
> "To hide something," Kevin finished.
They walked along the line until Guen stopped, crouching. Her gloved fingers traced a dark patch at the base of a container door.
> "Chemical spill," she murmured, slipping a sample swab from her kit.
Kevin scanned the alley behind them, every muscle tight. "Move fast."
> "Relax, Beast," she teased, using his old nickname.
He almost smiled — almost.
> "Careful, Witch," he shot back, voice low.
---
Guen's swab turned pale blue. "It reacts to that sedative Miran mentioned. This container had something to do with the murder."
Kevin's eyes narrowed. "Check inside."
She nodded, pulling a small lock pick from her pocket. Years of practice turned seconds into a click — the door creaked open.
Inside: crates stacked high, unmarked. A faint chemical scent lingered, masked by paint and salt air.
> "Something's off," Guen whispered.
She stepped forward, slipping between crates. Kevin moved behind her, shoulders brushing hers in the narrow space.
---
A faint sound — footfalls outside.
Kevin grabbed Guen's wrist, pulling her against his chest. His other hand covered her mouth gently, breath warm by her ear.
> "Shh," he whispered, voice a raw scrape of danger and care.
Her heartbeat thundered. Through the crack in the door, shadows crossed the dock. Two men — security guards, talking quietly. One lit a cigarette; the orange glow burned bright in the dark.
Guen barely dared to breathe. Kevin's hand still cupped her mouth, his chest firm against her back. Heat rushed through her in confusing, unwelcome ways.
> "Move," Kevin mouthed once the men passed.
---
They stepped outside, shadows swallowing them again.
Alex's voice crackled: "Heads up, got a visitor — black sedan, tinted windows. Can't see the plates."
Kevin's jaw tightened. "Whoever it is, they're not supposed to be here."
Guen brushed dirt from her knees, heart still thudding. "We need photos."
Kevin nodded. As they circled back, Guen raised her phone to snap shots of the container markings. Kevin's gaze fell to her hands — steady despite fear. His own breath slowed.
> "You're not scared?" he murmured.
> "Terrified," she admitted. "But I'd rather know the truth."
> "Foolish Witch," he muttered — softer than before.
---
The black sedan parked near the harbor office. Two figures stepped out: one tall man in a long coat; beside him, a woman in dark clothes, face partly hidden.
Kevin froze. "That woman — isn't she the one from the anonymous tip?"
> "Looks like it," Guen whispered.
The man and woman exchanged something — a folder, thick with paper. Kevin raised his phone to capture it. But just then, the woman turned slightly, moonlight brushing her features.
Guen's breath caught. "She's… crying?"
Kevin didn't answer. His eyes were locked on the man. "I know that face. Assemblyman Kang's fixer. If he's here…"
> "Then this goes higher than we thought," Guen finished.
---
The woman turned away, wiping her eyes. The man handed her a handkerchief, then gestured angrily toward the water. Whatever he said, it made her shoulders shake.
Then — a flash of motion. The man raised his hand as if to strike her.
Guen tensed, half a step forward.
Kevin's hand caught her arm, stopping her. "No. Not yet."
> "He's going to hurt her!" she hissed.
> "And if we blow cover now, she dies anyway. Think."
She bit her lip, fighting tears of frustration.
The man's hand dropped. Instead, he pushed her toward the car. Seconds later, they both climbed in. Tires hissed over wet asphalt as the sedan disappeared.
---
Silence hung between Kevin and Guen.
> "You okay?" Kevin asked, voice low.
> "No," she admitted, shoulders shaking. "She looked so scared."
Kevin's hand rose, hesitated — then rested lightly on her shoulder. Warm, solid.
> "We'll find her," he promised.
Guen met his gaze, breath catching. In that moment, under neon glow and salt breeze, the Beast and Witch shared something raw and silent.
---
Alex's voice broke in. "Guys? You need to see this. Miran tested the sedative from the body and the spill — exact match. It was manufactured illegally, and guess where the chemical import license traces back to?"
> "Han Seung Group," Kevin guessed.
> "Bingo," Alex said grimly. "And the fixer in your photo? Ex-military, now private security head for Han Seung."
Dohee added quietly, "If the woman was crying, maybe she's a whistleblower. Or someone forced to help them."
Kevin's eyes hardened. "Either way, we're not letting this vanish."
---
They regrouped at CHIPER's headquarters before dawn.
Miran handed Guen a coffee, hands trembling slightly. Minjae sprawled in his chair, flipping a coin.
> "So, what's the play?" Minjae drawled.
> "Find the woman first," Kevin said. "She's the key. And figure out why Han Seung would murder an ex-assemblyman."
Dohee nodded. "And why the fixer would risk meeting her in person."
Guen met Kevin's gaze. "Together?"
Kevin hesitated, then nodded once. "Together."
---
As dawn broke, painting Seoul in pale gold, six shadows stood against a tide of secrets.
And somewhere in the city, a woman with tear-stained cheeks waited — her life balancing on truths CHIPER had yet to uncover.