Episode 16 of "Hunter with a Scalpel" kicks off with a haunting flashback to the tragic demise of Eun-seo, followed by a poignant scene of young Se-eun solemnly burying her and offering heartfelt prayers for her soul's peace. In the present timeline, Se-hyun confronts her father at the address he had dispatched, revealing itself as the very spot where Lee Jung-mi's remains were concealed. Jo-kyun, with atonement in his eyes, claims to be the sole soul who can comprehend Se-hyun's turmoil, urging her to accompany him.
Do they manage to rescue Se-eun from her perilous plight?
Elsewhere, the detective duo uncovers the grim murder of the ship owner, instantly grasping Jo-kyun's intended destination. Jin-woo dashes towards the location, while Jung-hyun relentlessly continues his search for Se-eun. Meanwhile, Se-eun finds herself imprisoned within the confines of a blue drum, her mind wandering back to Se-hyun's watch. Desperation drives her to press the emergency button, transmitting her location to Jung-hyun. Without a moment to spare, Jung-hyun and his team rush to her rescue, extracting her from the treacherous confines just as the danger loomed over her.
Does Se-hyun succumb to the urge to terminate her father?
Reluctant to join her father, Se-hyun consumes a potent concoction of pharmaceutical drugs she had pilfered from the hospital. Jo-kyun, worried sick, hoists her onto his back. Seizing the fleeting chance, Se-hyun injects him with an unknown substance, causing him to collapse at her feet. She declares her intent to dissect him, mirroring his cruel deeds, and initiates the grim ritual with a scalpel. However, Jin-woo's timely arrival, Bearing news of Se-eun's survival, halts her deadly actions. She subsequently approaches Jin-woo, submitting to his handcuffs without resistance.
Does Se-hyun face the justice system's wrath?
Back at the police precinct, Jung-hyun informs Se-hyun that she will stand trial for forging forensic reports but will escape charges of attempted murder. Her assault on Jo-kyun will be viewed as an act of self-defense.
Later, we witness Se-hyun visiting her mother in the hospital, where, miraculously, her mother awakens and recognizes her daughter this time. Her mother, acutely aware of Se-hyun's ordeal, reassures her that everything will eventually mend.
What becomes of Se-eun? Our narrative abruptly shifts to Jung-hyun in pursuit of Kwon Hyung-jo, who is accused of theft. Jung-hyun apprehends him and brings him to the criminal justice authorities, revealing that he collaborates with the local police rather than the crime division. Subsequently, Jung-hyun encounters Se-hyun and Se-eun, who are in the midst of purchasing a fresh school uniform for Se-eun. Intriguingly, her name tag now bears the name Seo Se-eun, a deviation from her previous identity as Yoon Se-eun.
As for Jo-kyun, his fate leads him to a prison cell, where he descends into what appears to be a state of madness. Haunted by visions of Se-hyun, he finds himself chuckling to himself in solitary confinement.
The K-drama, Hunter with a Scalpel, concludes on a poignant note. Se-hyun ventures to the location where she once buried Eun-seo and discovers a tiny plant sprouting amidst the soil. She offers a heartfelt apology, followed by a deep sense of gratitude towards Eun-seo for all that she has endured.
