A Thousand Faces (Soon to be Published)

Chapter 1

In the heart of downtown Seoul, at a busy intersection,

the 9 o'clock news displayed on a large screen nestled between high-rise buildings.

Breaking News Alert: The identity of the notorious scammer who deceived the entire nation has finally been discovered. The swindler, exposed through an anonymous tip, has been confirmed as an unregistered 35-year-old male. Currently, the police are swiftly conducting an investigation.

A man with disheveled hair partially covering his face was prominently displayed on the screen.

In the bustling crowd, Han Junwoo, his hat pulled low, slowly lifted his head.

"Why does it have to be that picture?"

Junwoo blankly stared at the screen. He clicked his tongue in clear annoyance.

"I never expected to become a national sensation like this.

'I'm exhausted. I think I'll go home and relax.'"

In the distance, the police station came into sight. Junwoo stretched, casually slid his hand into his pocket, and effortlessly blended into the crowd.

***

30 years ago.

"Hey, kid, did something shiny just roll over here?"

It was Go Ilnam, a member of the most notorious scam ring in Korea known as Boogeymen.

He's in big trouble right now.

It was a parent event held at a daycare famous for enrolling only children from chaebol families.

Go Ilnam sneaked in with a plan. He managed to swap a real diamond ring with a fake one at the event where a specific parent was present.

However, a problem arose at that moment.

The ring accidentally dropped and rolled toward a child.

"Spill it. Did you pick it up?"

However, the child in front remained tight-lipped, wearing a face that seemed oblivious.

Under continued questioning, the child huddled further, lowering his head with an expression of fear.

Already irritated by the fact that this little kid had been staring at him intently since earlier, Ilnam couldn't shake off the suspicion.

"I don't know... I didn't see anything."

The kid had this totally unfair expression of innocence on his face.

Shortly after, as if expressing confusion about why this was happening to him, the kid started squirming.

It wasn't just a typical child's lie; it went beyond a mere attempt to avoid trouble.

It seemed like this kid genuinely didn't know anything.

It wasn't as if he was caught red-handed with the ring, and it was pretty perplexing.

"Where on earth did it go..."

Ilnam scratched his head. He meticulously continued searching the surroundings again.

The commotion grew louder nearby.

People were gradually gathering one by one.

Among them, some parents might be hurrying over to comfort the teary-eyed kids from afar.

Ilnam had to make a swift exit; it could cause trouble if this kid spilled the beans that he was searching for something.

At that moment, Ilnam turned his body towards the door.