The Journal

by Music_is_Hope

Summary:

His husband find his journal and accidentally reads it.

Chapter 1: Serial Killer's Journal

'November 7th, 1990

I finally killed the bastard. The man who I had to call my Appa. The one who caused us to be here in crippling debt. The knife is still in my hand. But I don't feel any remorse, should I not feel an ounce of guilt? But the way his blood felt on my hands, I've never felt such warmth... I've never felt such at home before. I want more of this feeling! I've never felt such euphoria in my life! Is this what people call happiness? If so, then being wrong feels so right

 

'March 13th, 1990

I held myself back for as long as I could. Truly I did restrain myself. Logically, society frowns upon murders but he was aggravating me, insulting me, taunting me, testing me. He should've known better than to do that but no, he didn't learn his lesson. And now he found himself here! The life in his eyes snapped away as the rain washed away his blood from my punches. I should've prolonged his death, it would've been amazing to hear his screams! It was unfortunate I had to do it quickly. Oh, how enjoyable his screams would've been!'

 

'April 1st, 1992

I did the police a good service. Truly. I only waited 2 more years. He couldn't have gotten away with his disgusting actions but even then his death did me of no pleasure. Stupid teacher who raped all the young students never caring who they were. He just had to try his chance on me... Does he not realize this isn't my first time killing?  Clearly not. Not with his bloodied no longer attached to his body limbs saying anything. Lucky for society that's just one less horrid person rid of. Am I doing any justice? Am I some vigilante now? Regardless, each and every time the blood welcomes me home' 

 

'June 26th, 1994

Two years I held myself. I became a normal member of society, blending in with the crowd. I had forgotten how it felt to have the heat disappear from my hands. It was just a snap of my impatience. The young student was innocent, just a few years younger than me but it felt right. He bumped into me, it was only fair that he paid the consequences of his actions. The way he struggled to release himself from my grasp, the choking of his own breath as oxygen stripped away, the hope diminishing from him as he knew he would not be saved. This is what home truly felt like' 

 

'January 1st, 1995

Happy New Year to me! And what better way to start the new year than with a gift? I tried something new today, I've done stabbing, snapping necks, dismembering and strangulation. A friend of mine, a dentist who was the same kind as me gave me a gift to try. He creates art with it and wonders if I could find it too. It was a simple syringe filled with a drug. Once injected into a neck of someone, they would pass out and from there you could play. Playing with the long intestines were fun, it was like that scarf trick clowns would play where it was never-ending. With my friend's help, he got me registered for the black market as an organ harvester'

 

'August 19th, 1998

It's amazing how I've yet to be found... But I've made my way up through the ranks of the black market. I've been called The Frontman. According to word of mouth, anyone that needed an organ or even a limb, would call upon for me and making millions, and I oblige their request. It's a win-win situation! I get to kill and they pay me for it. I love, adore, and relish in what I do. It's fascinating the human anatomy, but more fun playing with their souls. Science doesn't matter when humanity involves itself. The whimpering, the begging, the praying, the screaming. All that for silence to endure at the end. 

This is art.'

 

'May 24th, 2002

One fucking slip-up! That fucking idiot! This is why I don't trust mentally incompetent people. He almost had me caught, that moron! Even his blood couldn't calm me down and now thanks to him, the police are venturing for me. More than a fucking decade, 12 years worth of hard work, 10 years as The Frontman... I will not be caught. I'm too good of a person to be caught red-handed. Everyone's blood will be mine one way or another'

 

'July 31st, 2008

Clearly, I haven't been caught. Suspicious yes but not caught. The case on me was dropped years ago, the police too incompetent to keep finding me. I'm no longer worth it. It's been a while since I last updated my journal. The thrill of murder has become routine, no longer excitement. Gone are the days when I wrote my entries, the uncontrollable rush of euphoria has dimmed. Only true genuine, unpredictable murders arouse me. Money does not even matter anymore, I have infinite. This is mainly an update to show I'm still alive'

 

'September 4th, 2013

It is with greatest displeasure to say goodbye to a good friend of mine. Gone are the free dental treatments I received from him, gone the days where we would create art together, gone the days of experimenting. He shall be missed. Devoured by his greatest creation, the young one is still alive. Perhaps it is time I take on an apprentice? I am not getting any younger and I'm sure he would be elated to know that the young one is in great hands' 

 

'October 30th, 2019

He was passionate, it had been a long time since I had seen true passion. He was with a woman, a barista that often got my own drinks wrong. She always worked during the day and I never stuck around long enough to see where she lived, too exhausting for that. But if I did, she would simply be tortured first. Flesh torn apart by a scalpel, blood pouring down like the wrong coffee she always gave me. What was supposed to be caramel would be acidic citrus for her. Then topped off with a supposed dash of salt for the burn factor. Her screams would be music to my ears. Women screaming always held near and dear to my heart, just like men whimpering were always pleasurable' 

 

'December 24th, 2022

I got married... I am married. It was perfect timing really, I had just come into his life as he grieved and mourned the loss of something or someone. I made his world better again, believable again. He could see light once more... And it's never looked more beautiful. For the longest time I've enjoyed it disappearing but today, I want to cherish it, hold it, and keep it burning alive for as long as he lives. No one, no nothing can take that away, only I will! But I shall not...

My husband is beautiful'

 

'February 13th, 2025 

He is confused, questioning, and suspicious. A case has been reopened to the public again, my case to be specific. It's only been a few weeks since my last murder, since my harvest, my last paycheque. As far as my husband knows, I've inherited my wealth through generations, inheritance. I've told him we never had to work again in our lives but he is stubborn.  It was a shame that my regular customer got murdered. But now it seems like he is investigating me, connecting the dots. I can not let that happen! I adore him too much to be put down like a rabid dog.

Should he know, he will die.'

 

He felt his blood run cold as he finished the recent journal entry, it was written yesterday. He hadn't meant to open the journal. He thought nothing of it until he accidentally dropped it and the pages opened. But now he feared for his life, today was Valentine's Day, a special day for the two of them, they were cuddling together watching a foreign rom-com! How could his husband be a serial killer!? 

"Aegiya? Are you okay?" 

He hadn't even heard him come into their bedroom as he twisted around still holding the journal. Immediately the air became tense as his husband realized what he was holding. His face darkened, gone the gentle smile and replaced was something more sinister.

"Oh? What did you find?" 

His husband slowly approached, awaiting an answer that would determine his fate...

Chapter 2: Pretending to Li(v)e

His breath was captured, grasped away by the darkness of his eyes. He had to come up with an excuse. It was a dumb one, but at least it was fast. 

"I dropped my list book. I was just reviewing what I had to do tomorrow. " 

Even though the eyes said they didn't fully believe him, his husband let it slide, not wanting anything to ruin this special day. 

"I'll leave you to it, I'm going to start and melt the chocolate for our fruits. Once you're done, pick out the next movie, okay, aegiya?" 

His emotions... changed just in the blink of an eye. Gone was the darkness, and back was the light. He let a small smile back onto his face as he simply nodded, watching as his husband quickly walked away before putting his journal back in the proper place it fell from. 

They had been together for 6 years, and not once did he ever feel something was off with his husband. He was the epitome of perfection in his eyes. But there he was, looking domestic in the kitchen as he cut up the strawberries while occasionally stirring the chocolate, making sure it didn't burn for them. 

How could his husband be a serial killer? And a harvester for the black market? Was the weekly money truly inheritance? With that sum amount, it made more sense to kill. But what would happen to him? Sure, he managed to get away this one time, but what about the next time he gets caught? Would he survive then? 

Shaking away the thoughts that dared to loom over, just for tonight. Tonight, he could continue to pretend he was madly in love as he was all those 6 years. Tonight, he could choose another stupid movie and look at him when a kissing scene arises. 

Tonight, he will pretend. 

・❥・

"Hyung Detective, you asked to see me?" 

It never got old. Even the ones that had been here long and the ones that had just joined the precinct found it adorable. 

Hwang Junho could never get the hang of whether or not it was his older brother requesting to see him or Detective Hwang, so he often referred to the older one as both and Hwang Inho always corrected him. 

"For once, it is both. I am requesting a favour of you on behalf of the chief"

Hwang Inho was raging. He should've been able to take this case himself. It would have made his life a lot easier, but no! His chief just had to give it to his little brother, for it was 'simple' for a newly appointed detective like him. 

The Frontman case, which was dropped decades ago, had been reopened thanks to the murder of infamous trillionaire Oh Il-Nam. He was old. He could've been brushed off as nature running its course and bringing him home, but of course, that wasn't the case. Someone just had to break into his million-dollar mansion and kill him. 

The last anyone had heard of The Frontman was back in 2002, the same year when the name arose. When the investigation over the one murderer, a mentally unstable man was found dead, and the only lead it had was that The Frontman had done it, but with no other evidence, it was just a name.  

A name that now may cost him...

"This is a case that had been dropped. Some may even say closed in 2002, as it lacked evidence. But with the murder of that trillionaire, the name someone called The Frontman had been seen again. Chief has suspicions that this Frontman is the one behind Oh Il-Nam's death. He says it should be a fairly simple case for you to solve, especially with technology to our advantage. The chief wants you to take over it. "

He could see a flame ignite in his brothers' eyes, with determination, he felt bad for asking, especially as this was the first case given to him by the chief himself... 

"I'll do it, Detective Hwang!" 

He couldn't. Not when his younger brother was ready to prove himself, and perhaps it would be for the best. It would be a better situation for when the time comes. 

An understanding, perhaps even resignation. 

"You also had something to request of me? You said that it was both a precinct and a family issue. "

"Ah, about that..." 

He was supposed to ask for the case himself, what was he going to say now?

And it was just as if the gods came to answer, a very familiar ding buzzed through his phone. 

Naekkeo Gihun ~ Hi! So there's an issue at the house... It was not my fault! Least, I don't think it was, but the kitchen faucet just exploded on me, and I can't seem to stop the water... HELP!

"I have to work overtime tonight. Do you mind going to our house to help my husband fix a piping problem? It appears our kitchen faucet has quote on quote, exploded, according to my husband"

Annoyance laced his face as Hwang Inho could not believe this was happening to him right now, but that only made it amusing for Junho. 

"Have fun with overtime, I'll head over to help Gihun Hyung right now that I'm off the clock," 

First, his case was taken away from him and now his house was flooding... 

But once his brother had officially left the building, Inho started searching. Just because he wasn't exclusively on the case himself didn't mean he couldn't help "find" information for him.

As he dug through years of files, The Frontman's name only appeared once. And only once during that murder case. He was impressed, and information had been well hidden. It would be impossible for Junho to find out. 

・❥・

He could hear Gihun panicking as he approached the door to his brother's home. He remembered all those years ago when Inho first introduced Gihun to the family. It came as a surprise. Nobody expected him to get together with a man, especially only after a year of his now-deceased girlfriend. It was devastating to find out she had been murdered. 

Knowing the code, Junho waltzed right in to step in water. He was thankful that he always brought a small handy box for emergencies in his vehicle. The entire kitchen and living room were covered in towels that were seeping through as Gihun was drenched from attempting to block the faucet with his body. 

"Gihun Hyung! I've come to save you!" 

He, no doubt, looked ridiculous. He was wearing light pink boxers, one of Inho's blue shirts that were oversized on him, his fluffy burgundy hair now covering his eyes as they became straight and, of course, was soaking wet. 

As the good brother-in-law, Hwang Junho took a picture of him for blackmail reasons, then immediately pulled out a wrench to loosen up the pipe to slow the flow of water. It worked as eventually it stopped, and Gihun collapsed to the wet floor, exhausted from trying to fight the h2o that tried to drown him. 

"Hwang Junho... I should've married you instead. You're my lifesaver!" 

"Don't let your husband hear you say that. I only came cause he was working overtime tonight. " 

Gihun had no shame anymore. This was his family as he let out a whine, an obvious complaint for a lack of a husband. 

"Now, while I would love to keep you company, I only came to rescue a damsel in distress. I have a date tonight, and I would like to get ready for it. " 

"A date? Who are you going out with? Did you finally ask out that girl you liked?"

This was one of the reasons why Junho adored Gihun after getting comfortable with him. He could never tell his brother any of this. It's too stiff and formal with him. Gihun is more relaxed, teasing, and an open book. 

"No blackmail for you! Have fun cleaning up all this water!" 

As the door shut, Gihun wished his husband was here. 

But he didn't show until Gihun felt a dip in their bed when he came home late.

・❥・

'February 15th, 2025 

He must know, I saw him holding my journal, and yet he lied, pretended, tried to deceive me. He feared me, terror clearly displayed in his eyes. It was intriguing to see such emotion on him. I wonder how I would kill him. Definitely not strangulation, too simple. I could always leave him alive. I still have the recipe from those cannibals I used to visit when my friend was still alive. Their leg ramen was always delicious... Perhaps a slow carve of his heart would do the trick. Yes, I could keep his blood in a precious vial for me to wear and his heart perfectly preserved on a shelf. 

Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves, while his death would bring me tremendous joy... For now, I'll keep an eye on him. It would not bode well for our relationship should he have truly read this, uncover who I truly am'

 

Notes:

To be continued?

Chapter 3: He Must Die

They kept pretending everything was normal. Neither brought it up but there was always a cloud of fear lingering in the house. It hurt them both, the only time of peace was when they were both gone. When they woke up the next day alive. The timer was on, and the sand was slowly falling from its hourglass. 

February 25th, 2025 

It has been ten days since he found out, ten days of continuing to be alive. Will he be the first-ever victim that is free? There is fear surrounding him, subtle but I notice. I can see him, I know how to read him. I've picked up on all of his little signs since the beginning of our relationship, he is afraid but brave. So, so brave it is hilarious. I'm surprised that he doesn't know either.

・❥・

"Hyung Detective?" 

Ten days since his younger brother was on this case and he made very little progress, it was concerning how this Frontman easily covered his tracks. A person whose name hasn't been shown in decades and was a killer? How many more deaths did he kill that were related to other murder cases? 

"The chief is starting to get a bit concerned about your progress. Is it not as simple as it was made to be?" 

This was his opportunity, if Junho is willing to give up this case and hand it over to Inho, he could out an end to The Frontman. But if he didn't, how could he continue to live? 

"The Frontman has never been heard of until now. The case that was closed decades ago, the only reason why we knew it was The Frontman was simply because the deceased had written it on his hand prior to his death. It seemed like he knew that The Frontman would come after him but other than that, there is no other connecting dots. 

As for current evidence, we are currently tracking his IP address. His location is unknown as he uses a different VPN. The trillionaire had him as a saved contact and they messaged quite frequently. From what we have deciphered, Il-Nam was a customer of his, a regular one at that. The Frontman is, supposedly, a well-known harvester for the black market, regularly selling anything from organs to limbs. But he also does hit requests every now and then depending on what the customer is asking. 

But we believe it wasn't The Frontman who had killed him" 

Ignoring the last statement, Inho pressed on. 

"Hit requests?"

"Depending on the price, The Frontman will kill whoever the customer wants dead. It is not often based on the messages from Il-Nam but it appears he has done more than just murder and take people's body parts but that is all for now. We're trying to achieve who they are from a distance. Since they have managed to hide for this long, I do not dare risk our officers until I am certain of who they are" 

Inho's heart banged against his chest, Junho was far more capable than he anticipated him to be. The long ten days of waiting was simply because they haven't found out where The Frontman was. 

"What will you do until then?" 

Junho looked hesitant, a look that Inho hated with a dear passion. But he braved himself and shut his office door, ensuring that there was complete privacy for him and his older brother, no doubt not wanting to be overheard. 

Sitting down at the chair across from Inho's pristine desk, it was risky what he was about to say. 

"I was thinking of sending a message to The Frontman himself under the guise that I'm a desperate father needing a heart for my ill daughter, catch him person." 

Hwang Inho couldn't control himself. There was no way in hell that Junho was catching The Frontman, he was not risking it!

"No. Absolutely not. That is a dumb idea. You don't even know who he is! No, I'd rather wait for you to find the address then confront in person. He is a serial killer Junho and I am not willing to put my younger brother's life at stake" 

He knew he was acting erratic, uncomposed, afraid, he could see the concern in Junho's face. Knowing he would lose this argument, Junho let him have his way. If only it were to soothe his mind. 

"Alright hyung, if you're that worried. I won't follow through with my plan. I promise. What's for dinner tonight?" 

Normality transcended once more as the lighter topic arose. 

"Gihun is cooking bulgogi with rice" 

・❥・

Gihun was happily cooking away in the kitchen, he was lucky that it was an off day from his work. He loves interacting with his customers, chatting away with them as he made their coffee. He adored being a barista, the warm atmosphere, the regulars that came in... He couldn't ever imagine being an office worker like Inho, to a degree. 

But other than working, he loved feeding his family and so when hearing that Junho was coming over for dinner, it was the perfect time for interrogation! The meat was almost done as he heard the front door unlock, since the faucet fiasco, Gihun was dying to hear how Junho's date went. 

"We're home my favourite hyung!" 

Junho always made sure to rub it in Inho's face that Gihun was the preferred brother, even if Gihun was older than Inho himself. 

"Don't stand there at the door, dinner is almost ready!" 

What was there to ever truly worry about? He wouldn't die today, he didn't die yesterday and he is most certain as hell that he won't die tomorrow! 

With the two brothers taking their seats, and all of the tension from work lifted off of their shoulders, Gihun's cooking always brought peace and comfort. It was home after all. 

"So how was work today?" 

And thus the idea was born. 

"Hyung, remind me, you're older than Inho right? Yes. Okay, Detective Hyung put me on this case. He was either still in school or had just graduated when it came out but have you ever heard of The Frontman?" 

The tension was back again as Inho snapped to his brother, what good would asking Gihun be!?

He thought for a minute before shaking his head. Just as he thought.

"I think I vaguely, very vaguely recall that name? Might've heard it on the news way back then but I'm not familiar with it at all, no. I assume you're looking for him, her, they?" 

Disappointed Junho was but then again, the name only did come up once back then... 

"The trillionaire that died recently supposedly kept a contact saved and the police at the beginning believed that this Frontman was the one to murder him but the more we look into it, the less likely it seems to be. Theories among the team have it that The Frontman is a serial killer. I was just wondering if you perhaps had any idea, if the news or any old newspaper said anything back then.

Either way, I thought I'd ask anyway. Dinner is delicious!" 

It was truly a miracle that they couldn't hear the heart pounding. 

For as the night drew to a close, Junho had received a message. 

'Detective Junho, we have managed to find an address. We sent you the link, suggestion amongst the team would be to go tonight before it gets blocked again' 

"Everything okay Junho? That message must be serious?" 

"Our team managed a breakthrough, there is a lead on the Frontman" 

The pulses had spiked, a horrifying realization settling. 

"I already told you no, you are not going after The Frontman!" 

"I agree with Inho, if he is a supposed serial killer like you said, you should not go. Send a team instead, more hands are better than one" 

"I already promised hyung earlier that I wouldn't go, and I intend to keep that promise. All I'm going to do is have them dispatch a group of officers to find The Frontman" 

'I'll be there later tonight'

・❥・

It was late at night. Darkness he always embraced, it was easier than accepting the late. 

His husband had successfully been drugged, he will sleep through the night and into the late morning. It was a Saturday after all, perfectly reasonable. 

Junho had snuck out, he knew exactly where he was going. He didn't want to do this but he had to. No one could ever know and he knew too much to continue living. 

He had reached his location before Junho made it, knowing the shortcut to get there. He proposed he had 15 minutes before the young officer arrived, it was perfect for the man who slipped into the unlocked door of the car he hid on the hill. 

"Did you have to kill him?" 

"He wasn't following the rules... I gave him a chance but he refused. Now look where that got you. The name under investigation" 

"And the uterus?" 

"The Bookkeeper has it, still fresh for another week. Potential for another buyer. All I brought was the money that the dead man was going to pay" 

He used to do things all exclusively by himself but he couldn't do this forever, not when he had groomed two of his own much younger pets to continue his work. Like loyal dogs they were always awaiting their masters command. 

"What is he doing right now?" 

"Dealing with the eyeball dealer again" 

"And you?" 

"I am meeting up with that woman who wants to use your hit service to, see if her deal is good enough for you" 

"Thank you Recruiter. You're free to go" 

But the recruiter didn't leave, not just yet. He was always curious.

"Who are you killing tonight?" 

"Hwang Junho. He's learnt too much" 

It was... it should've been devasting to say aloud but he couldn't hide the excitement!

"Such a shame, I quite enjoyed hearing about him. I was hoping to even meet him one day, ah! Could I deal the starting blow?" 

He could see the car approaching in the distance, Junho is determined. 

"What's the harm? You're already here, too late to back out now" 

It was a dark alley, it even made Junho a bit scared. The buildings surrounding it were all abandoned. Trashed and destroyed. There was no sound, no owls chirping, no sounds of cars driving by, just the eerie whistle of the wind. The team said they found out where The Frontman was and the only way to know was to search. 

With a taser in one hand and a flashlight in the other, Junho cursed himself. How he wished that he could carry a firearm like those in the West, only SWAT and Riot Control Officers were allowed to have them and he was neither. He could only hope should The Frontman be here, that he wouldn't kill. 

The Frontman and Recruiter slipped away, they were familiar with this area. It was a common place for The Frontman to be. Hence the beginning of the investigation when The Recruiter killed Il-Nam, they had thrown away the connecting phone to here. Technology is too advanced these days. 

Fear continued to spike in Junho the longer he ventured. He was certain that The Frontman was teasing him. Watching from a distance hidden away like the coward he was. If only that fear didn't blind him when he reached the top of the alleyway, he surely would've heard the wind pick up as a metal briefcase swung over him. 

As promised, The Frontman allowed The Recruiter to have the first blow as he watched from an opening of one of his dealing hideouts. 

His immense training as a police officer helped him in this moment. Hwang Junho was no ordinary person after all. Even though he was dizzy, he still managed to turn around with impressive speed as he looked up to the person fixing himself. 

"Go Sanghoon?" 

With a smile that fully didn't reach his eyes, he almost felt bad for the man on the ground. 

"Hello Hwang Junho, surprised to see me?" 

It was tearing his heart apart. The man he was seeing, he was The Frontman? 

"You're, you are the serial killer?" 

Mirth filled his eyes as his smile grew more feral, he was hungry, ready to devour and break open the flesh. 

"The serial killer? Jagi, I am A serial killer. It is unfortunate that circumstances led us here but you, my precious dear happen to know too much. So alas, I am pained to say you must die, I did quite like you" 

Junho could barely comprehend it, the late reaction in blocking himself as the briefcase swung once more on him. Effectively causing him to slide on the harsh concrete, a massive scrape formed on his face as blood drew. 

"You are stupid. A lone police officer showing to this location, you can barely fight me its so adorable!" 

Rather than the briefcase, The recruiter opted for physical violence this time. Bringing down someone to the normal pests that they were was often his favourite pastime. The Recruiter swung his leg to him, how he managed to avoid blood on his pristine suit always amazed The Frontman. 

But he had his fun, it was time for his turn after all. 

"Go Sanghoon. You're The Frontman?" 

Hearing the footsteps approaching, The Recruiter relented his foot off of the very dizzy young detective. Depriving him of oxygen was too, too easy. He was excited to see what The Frontman would do. 

"He's The Recruiter" 

And just like that, a familiar face he loved turned to black. 

・❥・

February 26th, 2025

He was a good man, such unfortunate circumstances that he had to go. I made it simple. An easy out for him, snap of his neck was all it took. Not my favourite method but the quickest. He will be devasted once he finds out but that's okay. I'm here to soothe him, it was after all The Frontman who had killed him and not me. I'm surprised he personally knew The Recruiter, whoever he associates with is none of my business. Perhaps I should've let The Recruiter murder him... It wouldn't have been as tragic. And I love a good tragedy.  

 

Notes:

To be continued?

Chapter 4: Shattered and Rebuilt

'March 1st, 2025

He is devasted. I am surprised it took the officers this long to realize that he had been murdered and disposed of already. Hearing the news just completely, utterly broke him. I have never heard such a pleasant scream. Others have begged, pleaded and screamed terrified but this... his heart-wrenching screams brought pleasure I've never known before. Had I known sounds like this could escape his mouth I would've disposed of those close to him a long time ago'

 

'March 5th, 2025

They told him to take 2 weeks off. They found the severed limbs I scattered across the city but had no traces of it lingering back to me. He wanted a beautiful casket for him, Hwang Junho but his body was too deformed for that. He has to settle for ashes just like all those others that were desperate. The funeral is in a few days, I wonder how strong he will be for it? Someone will surely break him if I don't get to him first'

 

'March 10th, 2025

How can someone truly be this pathetic? He never leaves the bed, refuses food that I make for him, cries all day and night until his natural state knocks him out, and I have to carry him into the washroom just to give him a bath. I must simply kill him. He is just going to be another one that is gone from the population whether young or old. At least it makes doing my job much easier'

 

'March 14th, 2025 

He stopped. No more crying, no more passing out, eating slowly once again. Life has still been stripped from his eyes, I wish to keep it that way for a while. He has no one to rely on but me, I will bring back life for I married him for the passion and determination he had. I hoped to render him broken, to make him a part of me. He would be divine in stunning stained crimson 

 

My husband is no longer beautiful'

 

'March 16th, 2025

He went back to work before the 2 weeks were even up. He had 2 days left but I agree with his statements. He could not continue to keep rotting. "Hwang Junho" wouldn't want that. These past 2 weeks were perfect for me. I took care of him (no matter how stubborn he is being) and my business. People were truly desperate and they were willing to pay no matter the cost. Should it be money or a dead body. When will he learn?'

 

'March 19th, 2025

He's becoming determined again. Life is creeping back into those eyes. 

He's angry. 

He leaves early morning and comes back home late at night, he is suspicious of me. He is plotting something against me, the rage in his eyes tells me. He looks like he wants to kill me, his eyes linger towards and on the kitchen knives much longer than one should be. Does he wish to stab me? Perhaps he wonders what blood feels like when it is not his own bleeding?'

 

'March 25th, 2025

We lost another customer. A group, or a team they would call themselves. It is perfect for society to deem so-called thugs as hazards, never realizing the true monsters that walk amongst them. They were weak, a 10 team lost against 3... I allowed The Recruiter and The Bookkeeper to keep the money, only a god knows how much I have, I don't even need it but it helps my empire and reputation'

 

'March 29th, 2025 

The Bookkeeper has made me aware, not that I truly needed it. My husband follows me. He thinks he is being smooth with it. Unfortunately for him, I have many more decades of experience than he ever would and ever has. I've been free for this long for a reason. The Recruiter and Bookkeeper keep an eye out on me like loyal sons serving their father. In a sense, which I am. I will be alive.

For two can keep a secret as long as one of us is dead'

 

'April 5th, 2025 

Our game of charade has gone on for a long time. I know he is not broken but he has yet to play his next move. I can see it in him, he is waiting. He is either waiting for something, or someone... He is waiting for me. He continues to decipher me, analyze me, and scan me for anything broken. I am, after all, just a human being with "feelings"'

 

'April 7th, 2025 

I caught him again. I know for certain he has read my entries. Surely he's figured out my pattern? I don't write for fun. I write after every deal, every purchase, every sell, every murder. It helps keep track of my time. Morals don't exist in time. He knows I was the one behind Hwang Junho yet his composure, patience, and willpower is strong. His desire to fight and win is high. His passionate eyes are ignited and its finally directed to me at last'

 

'April 10th, 2025 

Yongsan District, 769 Street 13 Ave. 

Back Alleyway

1:30 AM 

I'll meet you there darling ♡'

 

 

The recent entry was written today. His husband knew that he was reading his journal. He knew that he was planning something against him, trying to gather evidence but always coming up flat. He even tried finding this Recruiter and Bookkeeper but they never seemed to exist. 

His husband knew that he was going to confront him tonight, he already made a plan. So with nothing left to lose, he grabbed the gun he had hidden from his husband, if he was going to die, he was sure as hell not going down without a fight! 

His husband is The Frontman after all. 

 

Notes:

To be continued

Chapter 5: The Frontman

Notes:

I'll be making a one-shot telling the story of how The Recruiter (Go Sanghoon) and The Bookkeeper (Yoon Jongwoo - Strangers From Hell) got involved with The Frontman

It was to be expected: A dark alleyway with only faint streetlights illuminating from a distance. The clouds cast shadows as they hid the moonlight. Despite wearing warm shoes, the pavement felt like ice. The air was cold, tense, and lingered with fear. 

He approached the alleyway, slowly inspecting his surroundings as he made his way up the incline, one hand constantly on the gun, ready to draw, the other curled into a fist, prepared to strike. 

It was silent. 

He was silence. 

The only sounds that broke it were the quiet footsteps he had gotten used to hearing at every moment. The rhythmic pattern told him his husband had been waiting, expecting.  But he did not jump out just yet. 

"You came as promised"

Rage surfaced through every corner of his body, he trembled, voice displaying the hurt of his betrayal.

"You left a date"

The Frontman was amused.

Charades are now gone as they fully revealed their true selves

"I did, didn't I? Tell me aegiya, how did you feel when you first read my journal?"

"Shut up! I know everything. I know what you are. I know what you've done."

"You should know. But that doesn't answer my question... How did it make you feel knowing that your husband was the one behind everything? Do you feel shame? Betrayed? Lost even?" 

The Frontman has still yet to come out. So he quickly double-checked his gun, whipping it out for any sort of attacks, waiting.

"You killed him... You killed Junho! And God knows how many others. You destroyed me!"

His trembling wouldn't stop. His whole body is wracked with fear and even a feeling he has tried to burn within him. 

He still loves his husband. 

"I never destroyed you aegiya. You destroyed yourself. Everything was perfect. Well calculated and fabricated, we could've had the perfect life but you just had to read my journal and I should've known that someone like you, a person with a heart of gold would be shattered by my obsidian heart" 

His words, they shouldn't have pierced them but all he said was the truth. He allowed every entry to destroy him. He couldn't be with a man who murders constantly, an organ harvester so how could he fall for one! 

His body betrayed him, knees felt the ice of the pavement as he collapsed. His hands still on the gun as they shook vehemently, tears escaping his caged eyes as the darkness shifted around him. 

He finally stepped out of the shadows. 

He dressed up as he always did when meeting with potential clients. A black leather jacket, black trousers, black dress shoes. All black for convenience of hiding splattered blood. 

With a hand in his pocket, there was no sign of life in his eyes. To him, his unfortunate husband will just be another fly buzzing in his face until squashed into two or more pieces. There was no emotion on his face, he stepped out as if he was casually meeting someone and not his devasted lover. 

For all those that he had and will continue to kill, he knew he could not let him live much longer. With speed he had never known, he leapt off of the ground. Gun forgotten as he wrapped his hands around his husband's neck. 

He didn't stagger, he kept breathing normally, and he didn't bother to even try to fight back. All he did was stare at the rage-infused eyes that burned into the dead ones. 

He could feel the oxygen depriving from him, it was a lovely sensation as dizziness started to cloud his vision. He couldn't help but grin. 

"You plan on strangling me to death?" 

The grip only tightened as his husband snarled down at him. But truly, he was so fucking stupid! Did he think he was the only one that came prepared!? Before he even knew it, he felt a stab.

The Frontman was prepared for anything.

He moved quickly, but before he could process the first stab, there was another one, higher up this time, closer to his ribs than his hips. Then another on the other on his shoulder, and he stabbed once more on his stomach whilst the free hand gripped the hands around his neck, yanking them off as he staggered back, processing the blood that dripped onto him. 

"You bastard!" 

The Frontman dropped his knife. 

"It's only fair, you brought a gun" 

A gun he never shot. 

He lunged, closing the distance in an instant, his hand slamming into the face that was once held gentle, loyal devotion. True to his words, he wasn't going down without a fight and he planned on bringing The Frontman down with him.

A whirlwind of limbs, fists colliding with flesh, the crunch of bone against bone. Every strike filled with rage, grief, and years of love. He fought desperately, but The Frontman fought with precision. Every move was calculated as if he'd already played this fight out in his mind a hundred times before.

The Frontman is strong. 

He was losing. 

A knee to the ribs sent him staggering back. With the amount of bruises and blood he has lost, it was a futile battle.  A hand clenched around his throat, slamming him against the cold concrete wall. He struggled, gasping for breath, fingers clawing at the iron grip that held him still.

"We could've had it all. Our beautiful marriage, our friends envying us. We were perfect, why did you have to throw it all away?" 

He had to know before he lost it all. 

"Did you ever love me?" 

And there it was, the gentle smile that he always loved back on his face only this time he could see how instant it was, he pretended. 

"No"

It was all an act... 

"You were fascinating. The day I saw you spoke passionately with that woman you dated, I knew I wanted more. I've never seen someone so animated, shine brighter than the buildings I've burned. Your heart raged against your cage so... happily. I wanted to carve it out and display it to the world. 

I knew I had to make you mine and I did" 

Then such gentleness he had forgotten. The Frontman leaned in, his soft lips against his dry ones. He had his eyes closed and with life slipping away, he in turn could pretend for a moment.

A ruthless yet tender goodbye. 

A sharp pain. Hot, biting, deep. He barely registered the gunshot that had slipped between his ribs right under his heart, until the warmth of his own blood bloomed across his clothes once more. How or when his husband pulled out a gun will forever be unknown. His vision blurred, the world tilting. His body sagged against his husband's grip.

His breath hitched, choking on something on tears that freely fell. His hands, weak and shaking, grasped at the front of his husband's black coat. Eyes wide, unblinking, staring into the face of the man he once loved, carving all features of the one he loved with all of his heart into his memories. 

The Frontman held him close, intimate as they used to every night when going to bed. 

"Shh. You'll be alright, it's just death"

He owed it to his husband after all. 

"It's like going to sleep, a heaven will be waiting for you"

And he will be in hell. 

As the life drained from his beautiful eyes, The Frontman felt nothing. Brushing damp hair from his husband's face, he wheezed out one last message 

"I hate you" 

 

・❥・

 

The Frontman stood for an hour looking down at the one he married. 

The one he had killed. 

Then as if he made his decision, he grabbed the knife he discarded before their fight. Cutting through the layer of fabric that clung onto the cold body until his pale chest was exposed. He had declared to displaying his husband's heart to the world, why turn back on his words now? 

Muscle memory kicked in as he carved away layers of skin, muscle, tissues, fat... The usual events of being a harvester for decades. He reached and clawed until he saw the beautiful burgundy. 

Quiet knowing footsteps approached from behind as The Bookkeeper leant down to The Frontman, embalming liquid already in the vase he kept years ago for this perfect moment. It was the first and only time he ever kept a piece of his kill. 

He only ever wanted a piece of his husband.

"May he find peace. It's quite a shame he had to go, he was adorable" 

The Recruiter was right. 

 

・❥・

 

'April 11th, 2025 

His death was beautiful. I'll never find another just as amazing. 

May heaven find you Hwang Inho'

 

Notes:

Surprised? Thanks for reading!

Notes:

To be continued?

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of The Journal