A/N: Hey there~ So I'm still not over Mystic Messenger and hopelessly in love with Seven. I just couldn't keep myself from writing this, all these feelings inside me need to go somewhere haha. Never wrote a story containing a self-invented main character before, but hey practice makes perfect. Feel free to treat this as a reader insert though, I don't mind :) I'm cross-posting this on AO3 btw. Anyhow, enjoy the show and leave a review if you liked it ~
Disclaimer: Mystic Messenger belongs to Cheritz.
Constellations
Prologue
Unexpected Staycation
It was a warm, summer evening and the sun sent her last rays on the bustling streets of Seoul, enveloping the scenery in a stunning orange light. A soft breeze ruffled lush green treetops, bringing relief to the pedestrians who had been enduring an immovable wall of scorching heat during the day. Office workers rushed home to their families, students hurried to meet with friends and the elderly watched the younger generation from creaky park benches in amusement. Waiters were complaining about the crowd of customers competing for a table, stray cats were lurking in the corners, preying on leftovers, and Mei Cheon felt genuinely relaxed for the first time in years.
She had never really been on vacation before.
Complete freedom was foreign to the detective since her occasional free weekend was usually compromised by some freak in a clown costume, who decided it was fun to murder people with an axe. Granted, that particular case was rather exotic, yet not entirely uncommon in the homicide department. She was usually dealing with family feuds over inheritance money that took a murder-y turn.
After two years, Mei had come to terms with the fact that getting a day off solely depended on whether a frustrated wife decided to kill her cheating husband on a weekend, or had mercy on the young detective and picked a Wednesday instead.
Therefore, it was surprising that her boss suddenly gave her two weeks off, arguing that he wouldn't let her into the office even if she begged on her knees. Chief Park was a kind, elderly man, but Mei had the suspicion her vacation was more of a compulsory holiday than a reward for hard work. The agency was incredibly efficient and aided the police on a regular basis, but they were severely understaffed and the recent series of kidnappings they were investigating didn't exactly lighten their work load.
As excited as she was, Mei didn't know what to do with her time. She had made a bucket list before, so going with that was an option. Visiting the amusement park a few kilometers out of town was on said list. The last time she'd been there was to apprehend the rampaging clown mascot and the detective obviously didn't have the time for a roller coaster ride back then.
Brushing a strand of chocolate hair behind her ear, the cheerful woman walked towards the train station with a spring in her step. She had decided to spend the rest of her evening in a new Italian restaurant downtown. She hummed a happy tune and her lips pulled into a smile as she scrolled through her Twitter feed.
One of her more cheeky colleagues—Min-Jun Hak—had posted a picture from yesterday's case.
A business tycoon's family jewels had been stolen. Of course, their client had been frantic to find the missing crown he had inherited from his grandmother, thinking that the thief must've been a particular brand of nasty, but in the end, his six-year-old son had been the culprit. He had refused to hand it over and decided to play an elaborate game of hide and seek with his dad—Home Alone style.
The picture showed a severely pissed off business man scolding his grinning son and two detectives, who were doing their best to remain professional at the sight of their client. In a rare display of untidyness, his tailored suit was covered in feathers, burn marks and colourful sprinkles. He looked like an angry chicken. Of course, Min-Jun wasn't allowed to spread this on social media, but her mischievous friend had privatized the picture.
Mei closed the app after leaving a comment under 'the angry chicken disaster' and reluctantly checked her emails.
Much to her dismay, her inbox was flooded with spam since she always forgot to turn notifications off when creating new accounts. It was a dream come true for every social media website that had her email address and could sell it to advertisement companies. The amount of mails used to be manageable thanks to the agency's computer whiz—Haneul Pan. Everything was fine and well until—in a brilliant moment of total genius—the brunette woman had decided to make her email public on an online dating website.
A round of applause for Mei Cheon.
Well, in her defense she had been drunk and lonely. Min-Jun had sworn on the website's credibility and after seven glasses of white wine, Mei had thought it couldn't hurt to try. Wrong. The hangover next morning hadn't been the only painful annoyance as her inbox was buried beneath an avalanche of messages from interested bachelors with ambiguous profile pictures, trying to get in her pants. When she tried to delete her account, the detective found that she couldn't since the website enforced mafia style policies—once you're in, you're in.
It was apparently run by the Al Capone of the online dating world.
No amount of begging could convince Haneul to get her out of this mess. The programmer found her situation hilarious and made it his personal mission to drop as many cheesy pickup-lines in her presence as he could. Mei swore if she received one more message filled with hearts and a blatant invitation to have sex, she'd go find the owner of the website. After figuring out the best way to hide his body, of course.
On second thought, she'll just send him a sternly worded email.
A quiet chime from her phone interrupted her thoughts, deep blue eyes searching for the reason behind the noise. A new mail from an unknown sender popped up on her screen and she was about to ignore it, like the annoying neighbour who always demanded that she turned her music down. However, it didn't come from the dating site, which made her curious, so she pressed a delicate finger on the icon to open it.
Mystic Messenger App: Invitation 08:37PM
Are you bored with your current life? Are you searching for fun and excitement? Then look no further—our app is filled with pure entertainment, the ultimate combination of joy and fun. A paradise, a sweet fantasy for ladies. If you're interested, please click on the link below to download the app.
(Click Link)
She wondered which poor soul was forced to write this advertisement and whether their boss had held them at gunpoint. Enthusiastic words aside, they sounded as dead-inside as the workers in a fast food chain.
Well, she definitely wasn't bored with her life, but she didn't have anything better to do either.
Of course, Mei knew the risks that came from clicking links in suspicious emails. It was common knowledge that you're opening yourself up to trojans and other nasty viruses. She didn't have to be a detective to know that this method—it was called phishing—was used by hackers to gain access to your information. If shit hit the fan with her not-so-empty bank account and this was actually an illegal app, they'd have to investigate and remove it anyways. It was a sacrifice she was willing to make for the greater good of the gullible online community.
Mei would always choose risking her own security in exchange for an innocent person's safety.
It was her humble duty as a public servant. She wasn't suicidal, rather she possessed boundless optimism, and lived by her personal philosphy of do good and good will come to you. She had realized long ago that it wasn't God or Buddha or another deity that saved lifes. People saved people. You could worship the holy ketchup bottle for all she cared, but that didn't change the truth. Instead of praying to a figure floating on a cloud with a halo and an ethereal smiled, she put her faith in people, her cowokers and herself ... which is the reason she tapped her finger on the link despire the alarmbell that rang insistently in her head.
Surprisingly, shit didn't hit the fan and an innocent looking messenger app appeared on her homescreen.
Well, this was anticlimactic.
It required a username and a password to login. Mei entered her initials and a random string of letters, hoping the app would let her in despite not having an account. It worked and soon after rows of green coding—equations and numbers too fast for her to decipher—rushed across her screen. Frantically, the detective smashed the home button on her phone, but it wouldn't respond. Oh, this way bad. Really bad.
Unknown: … Hello …?
Almost magically, a chatroom appeared above the code and she wasn't the only one logged in. Was this a person or a computer? Well, there was only one way to find out.
MC: ?
Unknown: Can you see this?
MC: Yeah.
Mei doubted a person or robot who called themselves 'Unknown' would give out their name willingly. She'd have to play her cards well and wait for an opportunity to find out what was going on.
Unknown: Finally connected. Thank God.
Unknown: It's not everyday you get to see a text from a stranger.
MC: Mysterious~ Are you a person or a robot?
Unknown: I'm not a robot!
MC: Bzzzzzzzt. Wrong answer!
MC: That's what a robot would say (~￣▽￣)~
Unknown: A person. I'm a person!
Unknown: I'm not sure how to prove it to you though;;
MC: Ding, ding, ding.
MC: We have a winner. Hurray it's a human ヾ(´▽｀*)ﾉ
There was a slight pause, either they didn't appreciate her humor or were typing quite a long reply. She'd take screenshots of the conversation just to be on the safe side.
Unknown: Look, I'm a bit flustered myself. I found a smartphone at the subway station, but all it had was this messenger app. I want to find the owner, but I don't see any contact info or call records … All I see is an address and important looking numbers saved in notes.
MC: You should hand it over to the lost and found at the subway station or to the police. They'll find the owner for sure. No need to worry~
Unknown: I would, but I'm currently abroad. I've been sending messages with this app, but nobody replied.
Unknown: I'd go to this address myself, but …
MC: An address?
Unknown: Yes, there is a Korean address and a long number. I think it's a password.
Unknown: Do you mind going to the address?
Unknown: I know you're surprised to have someone suddenly pop up and ask you a favour like this, but I'd appreciate it if you could help.
If Mei wasn't used to scenarios like this in her line of work, she'd have refused instantly. She wasn't naive enough to get herself kidnapped by strangers and into a human trafficking ring. The mysterious owner of the phone, if this person was to be trusted, sounded suspicious enough to alert her instincts. Mobs were too cautious to leave important information laying around, but this smartphone could be her one time chance to uncover a secret criminal organization.
MC: Why should I help you? Right now, you're still stranger danger in my books ╮(─▽─)╭
Unknown: Because you're the only clue I have. I've been trying to find the owner of this phone, but I didn't find any clues until now.
Unknown: I'd really like to find them.
Unknown: Then God will be happy.
MC: God? What does God have to do with this? (・_・)
Unknown: Oh! Sorry I didn't mention it before. I'm religious.
Unknown: Nevermind what I said. I'm sorry if I weirded you out (_ _|||)
MC: Don't worry, I'm not judging~
Unknown: Can you please help me? I'll make it up to you if I get back to Korea.
MC: Oh~ you shouldn't have said that.
MC: I demand ten thousand buckets of chocolate chip ice cream as sacrifice for my good deeds (≖ᴗ≖)
Unknown: … I'll see what I can do? Though ten thousand is a bit much;;
Unknown: I wouldn't mind getting compensated with ice cream for my work either.
MC: I see you are a person of culture as well.
MC: Sweet tooth people unite ( •̀◡• ́)ﻭ✧
Unknown: Anyway the address, it's a really safe place and if you feel unsafe you can turn around. I know the area. It's developed.
Unknown: Please?
MC: Everything for ice cream. It's way too hot outside. I'm dying (_ _|||)
MC: I'm leaving right away if it feels sketchy though.
Unknown: You trust me.
Unknown: Thank you! (･◡･๑)
MC: Trust is kind of a strong word, buddy;;
Unknown: Wait a sec, I'll send you the address.
Unknown: Found it.
Unknown: [ .coordinates]
The detective had to give it to them, they were fast. Their typing speed was off the charts, making her wonder whether they were actually using a phone.
Sighing in apprehension, Mei clicked on the link that would lead her towards a world of regret. The location was on the other side of town, not even close to the Italian restaurant she had planned to spend her evening in. Vacation or not, work always seemed to follow her wherever she went. She consoled herself with the thought that at least her life was an adventure and she'd prefer her job over working in a crammed office cubicle any day.
Rocking from side to side thanks to the train's movements, the young woman gazed out of the window and contemplated her poor life choices as buildings and streets passed by. Nervously, she fumbled with her smartphone and played with the plastic, white cat ears on its case. Deciding that she was too young to die and it was better to be safe than sorry, Mei pulled up the most recent conversation she had with her partner.
Kyung Hyeon was a brilliant detective and a determined woman, who didn't shy away from yelling at her on a daily basis. Mei deserved most of it—especially when she was forced to spend the day cooped up in the office, writing reports instead of working a case. After a couple of hours, Min-Jun's and her boredom usually reached its max, which never boded well for the rest of the agency. Safe to say, pranks coming from a chemist and a private eye often ended in chaos and long lectures from Kyu, threatening them with more paper work.
Still, they trusted each other with their lives.
Mei: Hey there, partner in crime (´ ▽ ` )ﾉ
Mei:… or not-crime.
Mei:I know I'm on vacation and everything, but one thing led to another and if you don't hear from me until midnight please track my phone and save me~
Kyu: Leave it to you to find a way to annoy me even when you're supposed to be on vacation. What the hell did you get yourself into this time?!
Mei: Aw~ You sound worried, Sherlock. Don't get upset yet, it's nothing serious … I think.
Kyu: Of course, I'm worried. It's you we're talking about.
Mei: I'm not that bad!
Kyu: Tell. Me. Now.
Mei: I got phishedヾ(-∀・*)
Kyu: That's nothing to be proud of, Watson. Get your ass over here now, so Haneul can secure your bank account.
Mei: Thanks! You're the best partner ever! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
Kyu: Tbh I'm kinda hesitant to help you, if you loose all your money you might actually learn a lesson from this.
Mei: So mean (・ᗝ・；)
Kyu: You deserve it. When will you be here?
Kyu: ...
Kyu: Answer, goddammit.
Mei: Tell my sister that I love her. She can have my stuff, except for that neon blue fidget spinner. Min called dibs.
Kyu: You're not gonna arrive here in a coffin, so stop writing your will down in a text message of all things (눈_눈)
Mei: I want everyone to wear animal costumes at my funeral and play Highway to Hell. I'll haunt you for the rest of your life if you don't.
Kyu: Be serious for a minute and tell me what's going on.
Mei: I'm going on an adventure that may or may not have a permanent ending.
Kyu: If you make me investigate your death, I'll bring you back to life just to kill you again.
Mei: Sry that's my stop. Gotta check this out. Talk to you later~
Mei: … hopefully.
Kyu: Hey, where are you going?!
Kyu: щ(ಠ益ಠщ)
Mei felt a pang of guilt in her stomach for making her partner worry, but there was no reason to assume the worst yet and she didn't feel like giving the agency false alarm. She'd talk to the owner of the phone, who would be delighted to hear that it was in relatively safe hands and ready to be returned, and then go home. Still, the young detective felt better knowing that her friends were only one call away should things go south.
Unknown hadn't lied about the location, the neighbourhood was developed and rather luxurious. Gone were the loud traffic noises and masses of tourists who pushed themselves from one famous attraction to the other. Instead, Mei found rows of middle-class buildings lined with big birch tress. There wasn't even a speck of trash in sight—really not even one empty can of soda—and the freshly painted apartment complex towered over her.
Mei had the feeling of being watched as soon as she entered the building, making her pull her favorite black leather jacket tighter around her body. Black ankle boots clacked on the polished marble floor as the detective headed towards the elevator. In her peripheral vision, she spotted security cameras in every corner of the room.
Well, at least her death would be documented. Nice.
Unknown: Are you there?^^
Unknown: See. Nothing strange.
Hold on. They shouldn't be able to tell where she was unless they were tracking her movements. It was starting to give her the creeps, but she was determined to talk to the owner of the phone. Typing a quick response to Unknown that yes, she was indeed at the location and no, nothing strange happened but that didn't mean it wouldn't, Mei examined the door in front of her.
Unknown: Is there a password lock on the door?
MC: Yes.
Unknown: I'll send you the digits. Try it.
Unknown: [07090311 ]
MC: What happened to ringing the doorbell like a normal person? I'm not down for a B&E.
Unknown: Of course, sorry I was just so excited to find the owner. Ring the doorbell.
MC: Yeah … I will.
Mei rang the doorbell a couple of times, not really sure whether she wanted someone to answer or not. She knew the basics in a few martial arts, but if push came to shove and she was out-numbered, there wasn't much she could do on her own. Nobody answered the door and she was getting frustrated.
MC: They're not home, nobody is answering the door (￣︶￣;)
Unknown: Try the password.
MC: Fiiiiiiine.
Quickly, the young detective entered the string of numbers into the small padlock next to the door. The little red light on the panel turned green and with a click, the door opened a fraction.
MC: Open sesame~ the door has opened!
Unknown: Good. Why don't you go inside?
MC: We've been over this, my dear mysterious pal. I can't just enter a stanger's house.
Unknown: You can just leave a note, I'll give you my info. If something happens, you can show my messages.
MC: Tell that to the people who will throw me in jail _(┐「ε:)_
Unknown: …
MC: Sheesh, you're pushy.
Unknown: ...
MC: Fine, I'll go ( •̀_• ́)ﻭ✧
Mei carefully pushed the door open and set down her pastel blue backpack, fumbling for a scrap of paper and a pen. Cursing her lack of organization, she jumped back on her feet to look for something to write on in the room. Surely, the owner had a block of office notes and a pen she could borrow.
While the detective was looking for a stationary telephone—because people tended to keep sticky notes close to them—she noticed the layer of dust that covered every surface in the apartment. Whoever lived here either had awful cleaning habits or hasn't been home for quite a while. Judging by the amount of dust and the sparse decorations, which didn't give any hints about the owner whatsoever, a while might actually be a couple of years.
Willing to share her observations with her mysterious partner in crime, Mei opened the messenger.
Unknown: Th
Unknown: ank
Unknown: you.
[Unknown has left the chatroom.]
She only caught the glimmer of a response before her screen went blank. Okay, maybe this was enough adventure for one evening. It was time to get the hell out of here. Before the brunette could call her partner though, the screen came back to life again much like Frankenstein's monster, displaying rows of code. She didn't even have time to blink when it suddenly threw her into another conversation.
[MC has entered the chatroom.]
To Be Continued