At the entrance of Dying Night, numerous police cars and ambulances were haphazardly parked.

Inside, blood-soaked patients continued to pour in without end.

“Ughhh…”

“Aah! S-slow down…”

The scene was rapidly coming under control.

As Shin Haesu took down the central figure, the other officers who had joined the operation followed suit and actively subdued the rest.

Even so, the number of casualties was high, and many gangsters had to be taken to the hospital rather than the police station.

Fortunately, not a single police officer had suffered severe injuries or lost their life.

Only Haesu knew the past where one officer had originally died.

Haesu had five or six slashing wounds on both shoulders and a deep gash on his thigh from a hand axe.

The thigh wound had come from recklessly trying to save a police officer who had died in a previous reset.

As he was receiving treatment, a detective from the Violent Crimes Division, whom he had seen before, approached him.

Despite being slightly short, the man exuded a sharp aura with his sturdy muscles. It was Detective Oh Kang-seok. He, too, had his hands and shoulders wrapped tightly in bandages.

“Sergeant Shin?”

“Yes, good work today.”

“We owe you a lot. You're… the physical therapist, right?”

Hearing the nickname he had almost forgotten, Haesu scratched his head, recalling the past.

“Ah… yeah, the gangsters used to call me that.”

“I knew it. I heard rumors and always thought your arrest style was impressive. I even wanted to work with you. How did you end up requesting the precinct station?”

“Hmm…”

Typically, officers in the detective division transfer to administrative positions or support roles when they become too old for fieldwork. Since Haesu was still young, Kang-seok assumed there must have been a reason for his transfer.

Haesu hadn’t voluntarily applied for the precinct, nor had he expected such a question, so he couldn't respond immediately.

“Ah, if it’s hard to answer, don’t worry about it. But it’s a shame. A talent like you not being in the Violent Crimes Division… Do you have any thoughts about coming back?”

Haesu remained silent for a moment before answering in a low voice.

“If the opportunity arises…”

“Huh…?”

Oh Kang-seok sensed something off in Haesu’s response. If he was waiting for an opportunity, it meant he had missed one before. That would mean he hadn’t left voluntarily—he had been pushed out.

Kang-seok nodded firmly.

“Bad guys… aren’t just out on the streets. You’re working hard. Would you mind if our team occasionally calls for support?”

Sharp.

Haesu glanced at Officer Lim before pulling out a business card from his pocket and handing it over. Kang-seok did the same, giving his card to Haesu.

Oh Kang-seok, Detective, Violent Crimes Division 1

“Feel free to reach out.”

“Of course! Take care.”

Haesu knew the difference. For the precinct officers, the job ended when they handed over the suspects to the police station. But for the detectives, it was only the beginning. They still had to investigate the circumstances behind the gang fight, assess damages, and prepare reports—a mountain of work lay ahead.

‘At times like this, the precinct seems easier.’

Even if the job itself was hectic, at least the shifts had set start and end times.

After finishing his treatment, Haesu left the emergency room to head home. Outside, Officer Lim, now in casual clothes, was waiting for him.

“Officer Lim, why are you here?”

“I was waiting for you, Sergeant Shin. You don’t have a car. I’ll give you a ride.”

Since she wasn’t injured, she had returned to the precinct to drop off her patrol car and then brought her own vehicle.

“Hmm, alright. Thank you.”

He could have taken a taxi, but it wouldn’t be polite to refuse someone who had waited for him.

As they drove in silence, Lim Shia finally spoke.

“Following you around, Sergeant Shin…”

Haesu glanced at her. Her gaze was filled with emotion.

“It makes me feel a real sense of duty. As a police officer, it’s embarrassing to admit, but… I never really had that before.”

Haesu mulled over her words before responding.

“That’s normal. I was the same way. When people say they have a strong sense of duty and justice during police interviews, nine times out of ten, it’s a lie. The more you see how many bad people exist in this world, the more you witness helpless victims, the more that sense of duty grows.”

“So it’s not something you’re born with, but something you develop… Still, some people probably never get it.”

Haesu suddenly thought of Dong Namcheol. That guy probably tossed his sense of duty into the trash a long time ago.

“People like that… should quit being cops. They’re a waste of space in this job.”

“Ah, um…”

There was a sharp edge of anger in Haesu’s words. Lim Shia had intended to argue but chose to stay quiet.

At the Violent Crimes Division in Gangjin, the station was packed with gangsters, half of their bodies covered in animal tattoos.

“Sit up straight, you bastard!”

“Hey, don’t hit my head! I’ll get dumber!”

“Detective, we’re really innocent, you know? If someone comes at you with a knife, are you just supposed to stand there and get stabbed?”

“Where’s our Kkangsae? Is Kkangsae still alive?”

“Detective, I will cooperate fully with the investigation.”

The full story of the Dying Night gang fight was as follows:

The Hook Gang—a new organization founded by a notorious Chinese underground knife expert who had moved to Korea—had no limits. Unlike other gangs that maintained certain lines, they engaged in everything from drugs and prostitution to organ trafficking, expanding their power ruthlessly.

Eventually, they encroached on the Kangsoi Gang’s territory. Dying Night was run by Madame Kim, the girlfriend of Kangsoi Gang’s boss, Kang Dolsoi.

Being part of a powerful gang in Gangjin, she scoffed at the Hook Gang.

—Where did these cheap thugs crawl out from? You reek of garbage. Get lost.

Enraged by her mockery and disdain, the Hook Gang slaughtered all Kangsoi Gang members stationed at Dying Night. Then, they kidnapped Madame Kim, harvested her organs, and dumped her hollowed-out corpse in a trash bin in front of the Kangsoi Gang’s headquarters.

When Kang Dolsoi found her body, he lost his mind. He immediately declared war and launched an attack on Dying Night during a Hook Gang gathering.

As a result, Kang Dolsoi now lay in the ICU.

He wheezed heavily through a respirator.

He had suffered two stab wounds to the lungs, one to the neck, and over ten more across his body. The fact that he was still alive was a miracle.

With trembling fingers, he scrawled a message in the detective’s notebook.

[Catch those bastards. No matter what.]

The taxi driver and the ambulance collision case was handled by Gangjin City's Traffic Division.

The black boxes of both vehicles were compared, and the taxi driver was found guilty of fraud, violating the Special Act on Insurance Fraud Prevention, obstruction of business, and attempted extortion. His taxi license was revoked, and he was fined 8 million won.

Shin Haesu compensated 3 million won for the repair costs of both the patrol car and the taxi.

The knife fight incident at Dying Night, which resulted in eight deaths, made the front page of the news.

Haesu, having earned honorable wounds, was granted a special three-day leave.

So, after a long time, he was at home in the afternoon, watching the news while lifting a large bite of ramen with his chopsticks.

Ring, ring, ring.

[Violent Crimes Unit 1, Lieutenant Oh Kang-seok]

Just as he was about to put the ramen into his mouth, he let out a small sigh, stopped, and answered the call.

“This is Shin Haesu.”

“Yes, Sergeant Shin! This is Oh Kang-seok. How’s your condition?”

“I’m fully recovered.”

“Oh ho, that’s not human recovery speed, but anyway, did you see the news? Despite the high number of casualties, the police response was praised.”

“That’s a relief. The police were injured as well. If they were criticized just because there were many deaths, that would be unfair.”

“You talk as if it’s someone else’s business. Your name, Sergeant Shin Haesu, has been specifically emphasized in the commendation report. The team leader also agreed.”

“That’s unnecessary, but thank you.”

“You have no greed at all. You should take credit where it's due. Even if power and money aren’t your goals, having recognition helps when you need to get things done.”

It was advice that gave him much to think about. Haesu nodded slightly.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Haha, no problem. I’ll see you again sometime. Take care!”

“Yes, take care.”

He was a bold and hearty man.

The Violent Crimes Unit at his previous station had good people, but not necessarily skilled officers. Haesu was the only one who could take the lead in overpowering criminals.

However, at yesterday’s scene, Oh Kang-seok was different. His techniques were not only safe but also outstanding, to the point where even Haesu felt there was something to learn.

Haesu wondered what it would be like to work with him as a team. Just as he was about to lift a large bite of ramen to his mouth again—

Ring, ring, ring.

[Asset Manager, Director Gu Se-ju]

Haesu paused, debating for a moment. But soon, he set down his chopsticks and answered the call. The previous hit-and-run case still weighed on his mind.

“Yes, Director Gu.”

“President Shin! How have you been? I need to go somewhere with you. When are you available?”

“Is it urgent?”

“Yes, it’s somewhat urgent. I heard from a friend working at the headquarters of Daehan Bank that a hacker stole 30,000 customer records. And your information was among them. Have you received any messages from them yet?”

“No.”

“They’re slow to handle these things. Anyway, with just the data, they can’t do much, but if they get access to your phone, they could hack into your accounts and transfer money. We need to go to the bank. You have to reissue your OTP, security card, and accounts.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll go alone.”

“No, let’s go together. You need to assert yourself properly so they handle your accounts with care. You’re a VVIP, after all.”

“Alright.”

“Shall I come to your house?”

“No, let’s meet at the bank.”

“Alright, see you there!”

After ending the call, Haesu looked at his ramen. It had bloated into something resembling udon noodles. When he picked up a bite, it fell apart like tofu.

Smacking his lips, he set down his chopsticks and got dressed.

Daehan Bank, Eastern Branch.

Bank employee Kim Eun-mi was having lunch outside, eating bibimbap while watching the news.

“-...The knife fight at Dying Night was between two gang organizations...”

She couldn’t take her eyes off the police officers shown in the news. And it was all because of that blind date.

“That arrogant jerk, acting like he’s too good for me...”

Eun-mi slammed her spoon down irritably.

“Ugh, I lost my appetite.”

“What? You finished almost all of it. You’ve only got three rice grains left.”

Her colleagues chuckled, but Eun-mi’s face remained stiff. It was the first time she had been rejected, which only made her more obsessed.

“He has no money and doesn’t even make much...”

With these thoughts in mind, she returned to the bank, only to see a familiar pair of shoulders sitting in the waiting area.

There were more than ten people waiting, but those broad, assertive shoulders were unmistakable.

She glanced once, then again, her eyes widening.

“Oh my God.”

“Eun-mi, what’s wrong?”

“That guy… the one from my blind date… Unbelievable.”

She sounded incredulous, but the corners of her lips curled up.

“Wait, that gangster-looking guy is your blind date? Did he come looking for you? No way!”

“I know, right? Ugh, men are so pushy.”

“Oh, you sly fox. See? Looks do matter. Go talk to him.”

With her confidence soaring, Eun-mi waved off her colleagues and strutted toward Shin Haesu with the most poised expression she could muster.

“Excuse me. How did you know I work here? Did you ask Lim Shia? You shouldn’t just show up at my workplace like this.”

Her tone was cold, but her eyes weren’t.

Haesu, recognizing Eun-mi, widened his eyes in surprise. He remembered that she worked at Daehan Bank, but he had completely forgotten about her existence.

“Hello. Fancy meeting you here.”

“Hah. What’s with this act? What brings you here, customer?”

“Oh, I’m just waiting for someone.”

At that, Eun-mi couldn’t hold back her laughter. Covering her mouth, she giggled before responding.

“Yeah, yeah, sure. But I have nothing to say to you. If you really want to talk, then after—”

At that moment, a man walked in abruptly.

“President Shin! Have you been waiting long? Sorry, the traffic was bad.”

“No, I just arrived.”

Eun-mi’s eyes widened. The man addressing Haesu as “President” was someone she had seen many times before.

He was an asset manager, known for handling only wealthy clients.

‘Why is he…? Did I completely misunderstand?’

As she was grappling with this realization, things escalated further when the bank branch manager approached.

“Hello. I’m Woo Jin-hak, the manager of the Eastern Branch. It’s an honor to meet a Royal Customer from our branch.”

‘Huh?’

It was one thing for the manager to personally greet him, but calling him a Royal Customer? That meant he was a VVIP with assets exceeding 10 billion won.

She didn’t want to believe it. She knew his financial situation and job, so she had to deny it.

It must be directed at the asset manager.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

However, contrary to Eun-mi’s expectations, it was Haesu who shook the branch manager’s hand.