the pattern

Tarun's Perspective:

Mani had opened a Pandora's box with his unsettling account of mass murders from the 1920s. The pieces of this gruesome puzzle seemed to be gradually falling into place. I couldn't ignore the nagging suspicion that these historical horrors were somehow linked to the ongoing wave of killings in Korea. The promise I had made to my mother, reassuring her that I wouldn't involve myself in dangerous matters, was beginning to fray as my obsession with these unsolved cases intensified.

While my days were consumed by the usual routine at the agency, my nights became dedicated to unraveling the mystery that kept me awake. Each evening, I'd tell my mother that I was covering for a colleague during the night shift. This little white lie allowed me to dedicate my nights to researching these disturbing cases and deep down I prayed for the truth to not unfold itself in front of my mom. I had to be extremely cautious before spitting out any facts about my whereabouts or what I was up to.

I dived into the depths of the internet, hoping to uncover even the slightest lead that might provide insight into these crimes. Unfortunately, my online search yielded no significant results. My colleagues, despite their good intentions, could offer me little in the way of leads or information. It was becoming increasingly evident that if I wanted to discover the truth, I'd need to embark on a more profound investigation and I had no clue how to do it. That is when I realized, the archives had all the files on the major crimes that had happened around the world. These were used as case studies at the academy.

I led myself to the agency's archives, a place typically locked and located in restricted access. However, as the lead investigator on this case, I was granted special privileges that allowed me to venture into this because of the case I was working on. I had been to the archives in the past, but the contents had held little interest for me. I would visit solely to gather the necessary case information, never paying much heed to the wealth of mysteries stored there. I wished I had noticed them sooner, now the doubt of the files being there kept me on my toes, but luckily I found them.

My discovery within the archives left me in awe. It was an entire section, dedicated to serial killers, murderers, mass murders, and unsolved crimes. I soon learned that a previous officer, driven by the exact same curiosity as mine for unsolved mysteries, had meticulously compiled this extensive collection of cases. Yet, despite the wealth of information contained within, it appeared that no one in the department dared to delve into these files. The reasons for this aversion remained unclear and why the academy still left these files here, but it worked to my advantage, as I had the freedom to borrow these documents without fear of anyone else laying claim to them.

The agency's library, a less visited corner, became my sanctuary. Here, I could scrutinize these files in solitude and immerse myself in the quest for clues, connections, or any discernible patterns that might exist in these cases.

1920s USA:

My journey through the archives transported me back to the 1920s in the United States, a period fraught with inexplicable horrors. During this era, a series of perplexing and gruesome events unfolded. Reports of individuals going missing, only to be discovered dead under baffling circumstances, were disturbingly common. What made these cases even more confounding was the fact that the victims were no ordinary individuals. They were mime artists who gave trophies as tokens of appreciation for helping their talents to a section of the audience. What added an extra layer of intrigue was that these events transpired across the globe, seemingly without rhyme or reason. Despite the international scope of these incidents, the culprits remained elusive, and law enforcement could never apprehend them.

The common thread connecting these disparate cases was the cause of death. Although the specific methods varied, the culprits shared a common trait: they never physically touched their victims. The primary causes of death cited included the use of naloxone, cyanide, and arsenic, often administered by spiking drinks or through the use of gas chambers. The modus operandi involved befriending the victims, sharing drinks, and subsequently poisoning their beverages or food. In some instances, victims were lured into sealed rooms, where deadly gases were released. By the time the victims realized the imminent danger, it was too late, and they succumbed to their horrifying fate. What further piqued my interest was the mime artists went missing too. There were so many loose ends that needed to be tied up, but none cared to look into these.

Among these chilling accounts, I stumbled upon reports of missing police officers who had been involved in investigating these crimes. While most of them remained safe, a select few inexplicably disappeared without a trace. Speculations ran wild; had they gotten too close to the truth? Some even believed these missing officers had met gruesome ends themselves. Maybe the reason why the investigation was always halfway, some who dared ended up meeting an unfortunate fate, while some did not even dare.

One particular newspaper article recounted a shocking discovery: the body of one of these missing police officers had been found. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the head before being subjected to this unfair fate. The revelation sent shockwaves through the department, leaving everyone in a state of dread and hesitation. This unsolved case was shrouded in darkness, and no one dared to pursue it further. Eventually, the string of murders ceased, leaving behind a legacy of unsolved mysteries and unspoken fears.

As I delved deeper into these archives, I came across notes left by another officer. He couldn't be certain, but he had a hunch that these murders might be connected to the mass murder that took place in the 1960s and the serial murders of the 1980s. The 1960s mass murders seemed to target groups of people, but the details were so unsettling that I couldn't bring myself to read further that day.

With a heavy heart and a sense of foreboding, I left the archives and returned the next day to resume my investigation. The mysteries and dark secrets concealed within these documents were impossible to ignore, and I couldn't help but believe that they held the key to understanding the present-day murders plaguing Korea.

1960s Mass Murders:

The sun had barely risen as I returned to the archives, determined to uncover the truth behind the 1960s mass murders. My research was moving into uncharted territory, and I couldn't afford to falter now. 

As I delved into the documents, it became apparent that the 1960s mass murders were not the work of a lone perpetrator but a group of individuals. The victims were not random; they were carefully selected, each with a distinct connection to the others. This was a chilling revelation that set the stage for a complex web of intrigue.

The modus operandi of the perpetrators was distinct from the mime artists of the 1920s. In the 1960s, their targets were not poisoned or exposed to lethal gases. Instead, they fell victim to a different method. The details were

 horrific and discomforting, but I had to press on.

The victims came from poor families and didn't have much education. They were chosen because of their difficult situations, which made them make a tough choice. They were tempted by the promise of money and the assurance that their families would be looked after. All they had to do was leave their homes and go work for an agency in a different country. It sounded like a good deal, but it led to a very sad and unfortunate fate for them.

After they fulfilled their purpose, they were exposed to a deadly explosion that filled the air with poison. This made it hard for them to breathe, and they eventually lost their lives, suffering terribly in the process.

The whole world watched in shock and horror as the news of these massacres spread. Those who witnessed the aftermath struggled to comprehend the level of cruelty involved. The perpetrators, clad in eerie masks, played their roles with chilling precision.

But what troubled me most was the lingering question: Why had this reign of terror come to an end? Did the killers simply tire of their malevolent game, or had they achieved some sinister purpose? As I delved further into the archives, I hoped to find answers to these questions and to uncover any connections to the present-day murders in Korea.

Serial Murders of the 1980s:

The serial murders that plagued the 1980s were another dark chapter I had to explore. These heinous crimes left a scar on the collective memory of the nation, and I couldn't ignore the possibility of their link to the broader web of mystery.

The serial killer in the 1980s targeted young women, terrorizing the city with his gruesome acts. The crimes were marked by a pattern, and the details were difficult to stomach. The killer would stalk his victims, abduct them, and subject them to unthinkable horrors. The city lived in fear, as the murderer seemed unstoppable. His ability to evade capture baffled both law enforcement and the public. 

The investigation was marked by moments of hope followed by crushing disappointment. The city's residents remained vigilant, and the streets were no longer safe. The killer's choice of victims seemed both random and deliberate, making it even more challenging to predict his next move.

The key break in the case came when the killer, for reasons unknown, suddenly ceased his reign of terror. The details surrounding his identity remained unknown, leaving the public haunted by the possibility that he might resurface.

Connecting the Dots:

As I continued my research, the threads of these chilling mysteries began to intertwine in my mind. The horrifying crimes of the 1920s, the mass murders of the 1960s, and the serial killings of the 1980s formed a sinister tapestry. The motives behind these events remained shrouded in darkness, but the connection between them became more evident with each passing day.

One evening, as I delved into the serial murders of the 1980s, I stumbled upon a crucial piece of information. It was a document that suggested that a high-ranking police officer had been conducting a secret investigation into these cases. This officer had compiled a significant amount of evidence, including witness testimonies, forensic reports, and a list of potential suspects. However, the document stopped abruptly, and there was no indication of what had become of the officer's findings.

The sudden disappearance of the officer left me with an unsettling feeling. Could he have been onto something that the higher authorities didn't want exposed? Did he get too close to uncovering the truth, prompting a cover-up? The questions multiplied, and I couldn't escape the suspicion that these unsolved cases might have ties to the present-day killings in Korea.

As the days turned into weeks, I found myself engulfed in a relentless quest for answers. I couldn't let go of the belief that the past held the key to solving the current wave of murders. My sleepless nights and the secrecy I maintained weighed heavily on my mind. I had ventured into treacherous territory, and I couldn't help but feel that the line between investigator and potential victim was growing thinner with each revelation.

On one fateful night, while immersed in the archives, I stumbled upon a series of letters written by an anonymous author. These letters offered cryptic clues and contained veiled references to the past horrors I had uncovered. It was clear that the author was not just a bystander but someone deeply involved in the sinister events that had transpired. Each letter seemed to taunt me, as if daring me to delve deeper into the darkness.

The clock was ticking, and I felt a growing urgency to uncover the truth before it was too late. The clues were there, hidden within the dusty archives and cryptic letters. My mother's words of caution echoed in my mind, but my determination to unearth the mysteries that had gripped Korea refused to waver. The past held the answers, and I was determined to unravel the chilling secrets that bound these unsolved cases across time. The fate of the victims and the future of Korea hung in the balance, and I was the only one who could connect the dots and shed light on the darkest of mysteries. However my hands were tied as I was not in Korea and neither of my cases involved the very country. I had my hands on one of the biggest drug case of the country and I had to make sure, I won't mix up this investigation into that.