Chapter 8: The Devil's come to play

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Warning: mentions of death, corpses and abuse.

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Taehyung wasn't having a great day.

No.

Nothing was going right.

He had been lying awake the entire night, trying to pinpoint Geomjeongbaem and its notorious criminal mastermind- Shin, while desperately trying to rid himself of the new sets of nightmares that kept him from falling asleep.

Sure- sleep deprivation, made Taehyung hella grumpy.... but there was nothing more frustrating than to walk in and realise, your only lead to the case had wound up dead, with a classic drift-off-goodbye down Han River like some Viking ceremonial funeral- except without the boat or flowers or any of that glam.

Taehyung sighed, looking at the swollen up corpse, lying cold on the metal table with a white sheet hiding away his genitals.

The Amateur.

The body atleast seemed a day or two old- hardly recognizable anymore, with the swollen tissues and blackened blotches splayed all over his body.

His damp hair was murky brown, like pork broth in color, no longer harboring the vibrant light brown shade.

No longer vibrant.

He laid there cold.

Hong JooChan.

20

Taehyung exhaled, closing the file and slowly tuning in back to Jin who was letting them on in the forensic details.

"...and the signs of abuse is quite evident- his left side is entirely in pieces- pelvis structure broken- left femur is snapped clean and his knee is completely shattered- dont even talk about his feet, its probably a bone soup in there." Jin grimaced with a suggestive rolls of his eyebrows.

"Our amateur was tortured to death- probably with some.. uh.. heavy weight object... like a slab of concrete being repeatedly rammed into half of his side."

"And the strangulation" Taehyung mumbled, his hands folded over his chest, as the clocks in his brain began ticking.

"Yep." Jin popped his lips, walking around the table "Guy had the worst luck in the century. Went to steal- but accidently murdered someone- then got rolled down into play-dough probably by some pissed maniac mafia leader and choked till his throat collapsed within for a double-tap to hell." Jin exhaled, teetering on his feet looking at the corpse on the table "and then tossed into Han River."

"Right" Taehyung licked his lips and clicking his tongue.

"Also- like I said, there's traces of concrete and metal in his wounds, but it'll be hard to acquire the exact composition, the water logged system pays no advantage here." Jin shrugged.

"Looks like I'll have to get back searching through dealers. They'd have an idea on Geomjeongbaem." Taehyung said, placing his hands on his waist.

He wasnt feeling hopeful with having to locate JooChan's car and the supplier of his gun- a classic CZ-75 with a 9×19mm caliber, that was carried by thousands within the city.

The odds weren't great- but Taehyung didn't have much choice... to get to Geomjeongbaem- he'd have to find JooChan's details. And the suspect, never being enrolled into the system- it was hard to find anything about the boy, other than his name from the facial recognition cams and the rough estimation of his age, from the forensic details.

It was going to be a long day again... Taehyung could feel it.

But just then, the doors opened and Hope walked in.

Literally.

"We got a hit. Down in Jamsi-gil's alley we've recovered JooChan's car. All in perfect condition, the plate was missing, but the unit located it discarded around the area." Hoseok said, handing some files over to Taehyung, who briskly grabbed it and flipped through the sheets.

"Did you trace it down?" Taehyung asked, trying to find anything related to a Shin.

"Yeah- a second-hand car dealer. The car was apparently registered 2 years ago. Nothing related to Geomjeongbaem though" Jihyo interjected, crossing her arms over her chest.

Taehyung hummed in response as he scanned the papers.

"Wow... he looks pretty bad" Hoseok mumbled glancing at the corpse.

"Uh huh. Reminds me of the wantons you tried making at home" Jin added looking at the Jihyo who openly glared at him with her jaw agapw

"What? Dead guys cant talk Jihyo. He cant wake up and say that he's offended" Jin snorted.

Jihyo rolled her eyes in annoyance "You're impossible"

"Mmhmm" Jin grinned.

"Alright guys- back to work." Taehyung finally spoke, looking up.

"Sure, but where's your partner?" Jin asked propping his hand on the edge of the metal table- making Hoseok grimace, a little uncomfortable. Jin had his gloves on- but that didn't stop the slight nauseating roll in Hoseok's stomach.

Taehyung paused, clicking his tongue.

He sighed.

Right.

He had a partner.

********

Jimin wasn't really great with words- yeah, he definitely was snappy and sarcastic with a dark sense of humor, but he wasn't golden with conversations in general.

He didn't really have the skills to get his point across without having to use seduction or threats or his dear knife, Mortem in that case.

He wasn't as skillful as the Devil when it came to talking- no... Jungkook was the best at it. He was absolutely livid with his work of art of endless yapping to get out of trouble- rather than having to use his powers- which he would occasionally, if it was absolutely necessary.

And by his powers- Jimin didnt mean some measly manipulatory mind trick. No... the Devil always has had his cards hidden and having already seen the other side of Jungkook- Jimin knew his place... far below the Devil.

Well on the other hand, the male couldn't voice his thoughts or put his emotions together- truth be told... he didn't have emotions.

None of them did.

Heartless demon in its purest form and Jimin was not lost at the idea.

Infact he drank to it, the bitter alcohol coursing down his throat like the Holy Styx.

Jimin snorted, a lazy smile on his lips.

He was a servant.

A soldier.

A protector.

The torturer.

But then the title was stripped away- when he left the pits of hell.

Jungkook was strict with his rules and Jimin wasn't one to disobey or step over his boundaries. He was indebted to the Devil afterall, for letting him join him to the mortal realm- so he had to obey... and he didnt mind on the most, but oh well-

Mortal realm, meant no more killing or torturing to death.

That was Jungkook's rule.

Sure, he allowed punishing. Jungkook would leap into the perpetrator's mind and mess them up there, while Jimin was allowed hand-to-hand combat and..  breaking bones, in extreme cases.. bug he wasnt allowed to take a life.

It sounded ridiculous.

The torturer of hell, settling down to a set of rules.

But Jimin had to obey- so he let Mortem stay untainted for centuries, void of anymore bloodshed or screams of pure agony.

It saddened him- to see his little Mortem not being put to any use, but he still sharpened it everyday- if in any case an oppurtunity would have to rise.

And by an oppurtunity he meant a potential threat to the Devil.

Dont take Jimin wrong, it wasnt like he was begging for something to happen to the Devil (he was. He was still pretty pissed about the banishment into the Void) but then even if something had to rise, Jimin was sure- they wouldnt escape.

Not because they could-

No...

They'd be dead before they'd imagine that.

Maybe Jimin was a little too overprotective. But in a world filled with alcohol, sex, drugs and crimes- Jungkook was his only ally.

The only person to ever get close to him.

And if Jungkook were to be in danger- Jimin without a doubt, would raise hell with his own hands.

He had sworn to that.

Protector, Servant, Ally, Friend, whatnot.

Jimin had sworn to serve till his skin would ashen and soul would dissipate.

He was loyal to Jungkook.

Taking another swig of the bitter alcohol, he placed the glass back onto the counter.

His ears perked up a little- hearing faint footsteps.

And he clicked his tongue, noticing the oddly familiar figure from his peripheral view.

"I see you're back- how does those ribs feel?" Jimin chuckled, running the tip of his index finger around the rim of his glass.

"Just fine." Taehyung bit back, his voice gravely and deep showing his lack of enthusiasm. "Is Jungkook here?"

"You picked the wrong elevator." Jimin piped up swirling on the counter stool- turning to face the Detective.

"The one to your right takes it two levels up- you'll see him there" Jimin said pointing at a particular wall.

Taehyung hummed in response, not wanting to waste anymore seconds with the deranged pink haired male's presence.

The Detective, quickly swiped the card across the digital pad attached to the wall. Jungkook had given him the key card a week, if he had to visit his penthouse.

"You may want to close your eyes and ears Princess. It's hella loud up there" Jimin jutted in, a wolfish grin on his lips as the elevator doors receded cutting of Taehyung's view.

Taehyung grit his teeth- he didnt like Jimin.

He sighed, looking up at the digital panel, showing the elevator was moving upwards.

He didnt know what Jimin meant with his words- and he definietly wasn't prepared for it, as the doors slid open.

Music and laughter filled his ears- freezing Taehyung in his spot.

It wasn't the music or chivalrous laughter filling the air that stunned him- it was the half naked bodies walking around the penthouse.

The Detective walked in, glancing at a group of girls making out with each other and he quickly averted his eyes- but that didnt prove to be any better.

The whole place reeked of alcohol and sex- if that even made any sense.

What the fuck

It looked like a strip club.

Taehyung grimaced, his eyes searching through the dimly lit apartment to find the Armani Crackhead.

He looked at the couch, only to find two people getting at it-

Right.

Taehyung was never gonna sit on that couch ever again.

He was already sweating- not because he was aroused or some shit- Taehyung was pissed and frustrated. He didnt like this atmosphere even a bit.

He jolted when he felt a hand feel him up on his sides as a figure passed by him and Taehyung swiftly turned to spot a male in a leather corset, his tan skin revealing through the seducing material and a shameless provocative smirk on his lips.

Taehyung screwed his lips shut and turned away from the stranger, not wanting anything to do with him and proceeded with his search to find Jungkook.

Okay- Taehyung was beyond pissed now.

His tongue poking in his inside cheek- as he waded across, avoiding people on his path.

He stepped into the hallway, a row of cheers perking his ears up.

Taehyung stepped into the brightly lit room, his frown deepening but he wasnt really surprised.

"Jungkook! Jungkook! Jungkook! Jungk-" The cheers rolled and Taehyung stood there, watching with a hint of disgust and exhaustion.

There, he was- his supposed partner kneeling down on the bed, with his thighs spread and calves flat against the mattress. His head trained up, and his lips wrapped up around the rim of a vodka bottle that was propped between the thighs of a woman- who was standing in front of him.

It was obscene.

Kind of nauseating.

But Taehyung didn't judge (he did. A lot infact) and waited for the male to acknowledge his presence.

While Jungkook chugged down the whole bottle as the cheers kept rolling, the woman in the bikini ecstatic, as the male removed the bottle that was jutted between her slender smooth thighs, his touch sensual.

With his signature smirk, Jungkook stood up- gripping the empty bottle proudly in his hands.

He threw his hands up like some Athenian victory warrior and the cheers roared louder.

"And we PARTAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!" He yelled, his pearly whites all in display.

Taehyung sighed.

This wasnt going to work.

Rolling his eyes, Taehyung turned on his heels preparing to leave, but then he heard it.

"Detective Kim?"

Great.

Taehyung pursed his lips and slowly turned to face the male, who was approaching towards him.

He kept his gaze locked with Jungkook's- not because this was some rip off of Fifty shades of grey.... but rather because he didn't want his gaze to drift lower down to Jungkook's exposed chest and abdomen, only to be teased and mocked by the raventte later on.

"Are you here for the party?" Jungkook asked, his tone cheery and his eyed glinting with mischief.

"Work." Taehyung replied, without batting an eyelid.

"Oh- now?" Jungkook asked, pursing his lips.

"Yeah.. now. But it seems like you're busy so I will-"

"I'm not busy. Let's go." Jungkook said walking ahead, only for Taehyung to grab him by his elbow.

"Sure. But wear some damned clothes first" Taehyung clicked his tongue, walking past the raventte.

Jungkook grinned, watching Taehyung's figure disappearing out of the door.

The Devil looked down his sculpted abdomen and then back at the door.

"Always full of surprises..." Jungkook chuckled, turning on his heels.

******

"Aw c'mon we just started-" a woman whined, a pout on her lush lips as she pleaded the now-fully clothed man to stay back with them for some more time.

"Sorry ladies and gentlemen... but... uh I've got work." Jungkook smiled apologetically, teetering back to where Taehyung was standing.

"Is there somewhere private we can talk?" Taehyung asked with all seriousness.

"Ooh.. I didnt peg you for that kind of guy Detective Kim" Jungkook grinned, whistling lowly.

"Jungkook." Taehyung warned.

"Right- right... serious mode on. No more jokes. Got it-" Jungkook quickly added, with an unapologetic smile.

"This way- my office stays locked during these parties.." Jungkook said, shuffling down the hallway

Taehyung quietly followed, keeping his gaze away from the scenes occurring in the living room.

Punching in a code, Jungkook opened the door, stepping to the side as he let Taehyung walk in first.

The Detective looked around the grey-black-themed office. It wasn't huge- but it seemed pretty luxurious.

"Hong JooChan- roughly 20. That's our Amateur killer from the Oh file." Taehyung said, handing over the file to Jungkook, who promptly took it and flipped through pages.

".. he was found dead down in Han River this morning. Cause of death is strangulation- but his body was paralyzed before that, with his spine being tweaked from his entire left side being crushed. Autopsy reports show that he has been dead for over two days, before being tossed into the river."

"Sheesh" Jungkook mumbled as his only response.

"Anything else?" Jungkook asked, looking up from the file.

"Nothing yet. We found his car- but it was traced back to a regular second-hand car dealer. Nothing related to Shin or Geomjeongbaem" Taehyung sighed, crossing his arms.

"Its like Geomjeongbaem and Shin are ghosts... everyone's heard of them- but nobody has seen them. Its ridiculous." Taehyung scoffed.

"Well... if you don't see it- it doesn't mean it doesn't exist." Jungkook shrugged.

Taehyung squinted his eyes with confusion "that's just absurd. If we don't see it- it doesn't exist Jungkook. And it's not about Geomjeongbaem- I know it exists, but I'm just saying... I mean, if it didn't we wouldnt have had two bodies down in the forensics."

Jungkook scoffed "there are things you dont see- but they exist.."

"Like?" Taehyung deadpanned.

"You know- demons.. angels-" Jungkook shrugged.

"Right. You're the Devil- I forgot" Taehyung added sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Hey- I am the Devil alright?" Jungkook scoffed, offended.

"Dont go all Catholic on me now-" Taehyung snorted with disbelief.

"In far from going all Catholic for devilsakes" Jungkook rolled his eyes.

"Why is it hard for you to believe?" Jungkook jutted, cocking his head to the side.

Taehyung paused.

Why is it hard for you to believe?

Why is it hard for you to believe?!

he's dead.

Why is it hard for you to believe?!!

He's dead.

It wouldn't have happened if you had believed.

He's Dead.

"Detective Kim?"

Taehyung snapped out of his trance, sucking in a sharp breath- a shiver running down his spine.

"Are you alright Detective Kim?" Jungkook's voice filled inside his head and the male looked up, his eyes meeting the raventte's.

They gleamed like one of the darkest nights.

"Detective Kim?" Jungkook repeated a lot more calmly this time, but his tone was evidently laced with worry.

Taehyung blinked few times, snapping completely out of his train of hidden memories.

"Yeah.. I just- zoned out a bit." Taehyung mumbled, lowering his gaze.

"Um.. so yeah JooChan's gun-" Taehyung paused looking up at Jungkook, his voice collapsing in his throat.

Jungkook didn't say anything- but Taehyung could feel the shallow tingling in his skin, as if something was trying to get inside him. His blood gushing- his heart palpitating against his rib cage.

"Are you alright... Detective Kim?" Jungkook asked again, his voice low.

Taehyung subtly gulped.

It felt like Jungkook knew that he was lying.

Like he could see right through him.

Taehyung curled his fingers into a fist. "Yeah.. I'm fine." He blinked away quickly- tearing his gaze from Jungkook's.

But much to his relief- he was saved by a cheery tone that walked in right at the moment.

"Jungkookie~ oh- are you busy?" The blonde girl paused in her steps. She was strapped into some fancy lacy bra and a side-cut revealing skirt.

"Ah Miyeon, I am working right now." Jungkook smiled at the woman.

"Aww" Miyeon pouted, her bottom lips pushed forward as her gaze flickered to the other male in the room.

"Ah- wait a minute- aren't you Detective Kim Taehyung?!" She gasped lightly with a grin on her lips.

Taehyung looked up, humming softly in response.

"Ohmygod- I... am a huge fan of yours. I'm Kim Miyeon, nice to meet you!" The girl strode ahead, her fingers twisted into a clamp and a wide smile on her lips.

"Yeah- nice to see you too" Taehyung mumbled monotonously and the girl squealed a bit.

"Ohmygod. I cant believe I'm meeting you. You are such a legend- I have read each and every documentary of all of your cases and I'm blown away. Like- ohmygod. I never thought I'd actually meet you-" Miyeon rambled, her excitement knowing no bounds.

"Um thanks?" Taehyung mumbled, a little flustered and overwhelmed with the compliments.

"I've even written fiction on you- like... I am such a huge fan and your admiration to serve for justice has inspired me so much on life..." Miyeon clasped her hands, her eyes a little teary.

"You're so beautiful..." the girl paused with her teary eyes, silence following her words.

"Arrest me officer."

"Okay- that's enough interaction" Jungkook interjected with a forced smile as he stepped infront of Taehyung, blocking his view and wrapped his arm around Miyeon's waist.

"He does not like the life of a party and he wouldn't like to waste any more time. Right Detective Kim?" Jungkook added, lightly pushing the girl back before Taehyung could even reply.

"B-But I haven't asked an autog-"

"You'll get if later."

"But I just- wait is that JooChan?"

Taehyung's eyes widened and Jungkook stopped with his attempt of showing the girl the exit.

Taehyung grabbed the paper from the desk and strode closer to the woman.

"You know JooChan?" Taehyung asked, his tone serious- adrenaline gushing through him.

Jungkook released Miyeon as she stepped towards Taehyung and took the paper in her hands. A little intimidated and overwhelmed with Taehyung's gaze and focus on her.

"Yeah- I mean.. I didn't know know him. Like.. we werent friends or anything. I just hooked up with him once- I saw him mostly in Cho's Tacos diner." Miyeon shrugged, her cheeks dusted pink.

"Anything else that you can remember? Family? Friends? Who he worked for? Or where he worked at? Anything?" Taehyung asked quickly.

"Uh.. well I have no idea about his personal life- but uh.. he did mention something about a construction site- construction company in... Eonji-gil. He said he had a road-roller named AK-47" Miyeon giggled "he's pretty stupid..."

"Yeah... and dead" Jungkook added.

"Wait what?" Miyeon looked at Jungkook, a little horrified.

Road roller.

JooChan's entire left side of the lower region was crushed.

Rolled into a play dough.

Shit.

Taehyung looked up, licking his lips.

"Thanks-" Taehyung muttered quickly, curtly nodding at Miyeon, whose lips erupted into a huge dreamy smile

Taehyung rushed out of the door, leaving Jungkook who simply sighed.

"Uh.. well- gotta go" Jungkook mumbled watching Miyeon stick on cloud9.

"Yeah.." she replied, her conscious elsewhere and eyes far away.

Shaking his head, Jungkook skipped his way out of his office to join the Detective.

******

"Alright Hoseok." Taehyung said, hanging up on the phone.

"So we sit here? What about all the action?" Jungkook huffed.

"No, you're sitting here. I'm heading in" Taehyung said, unbuckling his seat belt.

"What?! No-" Jungkook protested.

"Jungkook- you are supposed to stay away from the action. You're not a police officer- you're just a consultant." Taehyung mumbled, checking his gun..

"But what if something happens to you?" Jungkook added, his eyes wide watching Taehyung open the door and step out of the vehicle.

Taehyung pursed his lips as he leaned inside the car

"that's cute- but I dont want you ending up dead" Taehyung said with a plain sarcastic smile, slamming the door shut before Jungkook could reply.

"But Detective Kim! I'm your partner-" Jungkook sighed watching the male disappear behind the corner of the compound.

This is ridiculous.

Jungkook clicked his tongue.

Jungkook raked his fingers through his hair, pulling the dark locks back.

But I don't want you ending up dead.

Jungkook sighed.

"If only you knew I cant die" Jungkook mumbled- his eyes glimmering a little.

Humming to himself, Jungkook opened the door and walked out of the vehicle- stretching his limbs a bit.

Whistling lowly, Jungkook walked into the Construction site- avoiding the Detective's trail and stepping into the opposite direction.

An eeiry smile made it's way on his lips.

Oh he could hear it- the screams... the agony... he could hear the whispers of every sin committed on the grounds.

And then he could hear it- a cluster of heartbeats.

He could smell the stench of smoke and cheap alcohol with the metallic taste of blood drifting in the air.

His whistle echoed back to him, bouncing off the walls of the abandoned building, like a creepy tune just as same as the ones in horror movies.

It added to the flavour, just like how the Devil liked it.

He heard shuffling and shushing noises- but Jungkook didnt stop, walking in the direction. His shoes clicked against the floor and his whistle continued beaming off the walls.

"What the hell is that?!Listen-" A gruff voice yelled.

Jungkook smirked, his hands shoved into his pockets as he walked into the light and twelve pairs of eyes looking straight at him- with astonishment and slight fear.

The place looked filthy- empty bottles lying around and a table set up with a bunch of cards thrown down on it.

Gambling.

"Who the fuck are you?!" A man yelled, striding forward, his fingers wrapped around a knife.

"Oh hello there- " Jungkook smiled "I see you've got a little bit of a game going on there"

"What the fuc-" the man snapped, swinging his knife at the Devil, only for him to catch his arm swiftly.

Jungkook peeked underneath, to look at the man, his grin unwavering as his grip tightened on the man's arm.

Jungkook grinned visciously- flakes of red popping up in his dark raven irises, as he locked the man's arm- eliciting a painful Yelp from the man.

"But now the Devil's come to play"

The arm snapped, the bones crunching, followed by an agony filled scream-

Slowly but surely, more bone snapped through, replacing the mournful silence with shrieks of despair and pain.

And Jungkook felt absolutely livid.

_______

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Author's Note:

Sup yalllllll

Dem bois dubbing Animated movies gave me life yesterday-

And It's my Queen Hwasa's birthday today and I'm all emo.

Anyway,

I'm having a zoom call in exactly 10 minutes lol I'm typing this as fast as I can right now lmao.

Thanks for the views and votes y'all. Ilysfm.

Take care♡

Stay safe from Rona.

Love,
Jaye.