Episode 8 of "Nine Puzzles" kicks off with Cheol-jin embarking on a yacht journey in the scenic backdrop of Jeju Island. The scene transitions to him dozing peacefully in the middle of the vast, open sea, until an unexpected visitor stirs him from his slumber, causing him to jump with alarm.
Meanwhile, the Hangang police are informed about I-na's arrest. Her nonchalant and mischievous demeanor persists as she remains tight-lipped, leaving Han-saem utterly frustrated. Even Captain Yang and Chief Hyun arrive on the scene, offering their assistance, but I-na finds it peculiar that Yang is advocating for her innocence.
To everyone's surprise, Dr. Hwang and Dr. Lee are also in Jeju for Dr. Hwang's seminar on the themes of darkness and retaliation. Han-saem reaches out to them, and they arrive, hoping that I-na might open up to them. Instead, I-na merely hands the latest puzzle piece to Lee, who then passes it to Han-saem. The piece depicts a man participating in a burger-eating competition.
Han-saem again confronts Yang, inquiring why he didn't mention the puzzle at the crime scene of Reporter Lee. Yang replies that he didn't trust Han-saem due to his closeness to I-na and continues to insist that she's hiding something.
Frustrated and at his wits' end, Han-saem pleads with I-na to help him understand her motives, but she continues to act playfully. However, she eventually gives him a clue for her alibi - the taxi service. The murder occurred between 5 pm and 8 pm, and I-na had left the yacht at 5 pm. While stopped at a red light, she received the puzzle piece..
Once I-na's name is cleared from suspicion, she unveils her meticulously crafted plan to Han-saem. For too long, she has been manipulated by the killer, but now, she intends to seize control of the game. She deliberately framed herself for Cheol-jin's murder, knowing that the killer prefers her alive and unharmed for his twisted amusement. Consequently, anyone who attempted to assist her must either be the killer themselves or closely associated with them. The circle of suspicion tightens around Chief Hyun, Captain Yang, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Hwang. Han-saem mentions that he also brought Choi San along to Jeju.
Back in Seoul, I-na confronts Dr. Lee about her unexpected presence on the island. Sensing her role as a suspect, Lee plays along cunningly. I-na finds it perplexing that Lee has been so engrossed in her complex case for a decade. Lee casually responds that she sought to outperform I-na's previous therapist, Dr. Hwang, who failed to provide any significant help. As I-na prepares to leave, she sneaks into Dr. Hwang's office, seeking clues.
Meanwhile, Han-saem begins scrutinizing the suspects, starting with Captain Yang. He speaks with Yang's former partner at the Mapo precinct, uncovering a shadowy figure – a man of mystery and aloofness. During their sole drinking session, Yang abruptly left, claiming his sibling was in distress. Yet, Yang is an orphan with no siblings. It was the same night Dong-hoon was killed, and upon his return, Yang was soaked through with rain.
The stakes rise as Han-saem learns that the bar they frequented was Jinhui Bar, situated at the crossroads leading to Dong-hoon's residence. A chilling realization dawns: Yang could have taken the shortcut and arrived at Dong-hoon's before I-na.
Chief Hyun officially assembles a task force dedicated to the puzzle killer case, assigning Dong-su to lead it. I-na bEpisode 9 of "Nine Puzzles" kicks off with a bombshell dropped by Captain Yang, who confesses to the shocking murder of everyone present, prompting an immediate arrest by the stunned Han-saem. Betrayal pierces Han-saem's heart, leaving Dong-su and Hyun equally perplexed and at a complete loss. Yang vows to unveil the entire truth, but first, he insists on summoning the press. I-na, too, joins in the interrogation, demanding to know why he stood behind her after brutally slaying Dong-hoon. Yang's face registers surprise, yet he remains tight-lipped.
The task force delves into Yang's profile, uncovering a tragic past where he lost his father as a child and was subsequently abandoned by his mother. Isolated and devoid of kin, Yang's only ties lie with a mere ten individuals. His registered residence is a shelter catering to homeless orphaned young adults, casting further doubt on his apparent guilt.
Han-saem, unconvinced of Yang's guilt, questions him once more, recalling Yang's dedication as a cop and his compassionate nature. Han-saem persists until Yang finally reveals his actual abode – a motel room filled to the brim with books, photographs, and heartfelt letters from orphaned children he has sponsored. A lonely goldfish, awaiting its next meal, is also a resident of this room, explaining Yang's earlier reluctance to disclose his location.
I-na, displaying a mixture of empathy and firmness, leads a teary Han-saem to Yang's orphanage. The caretaker, who grew up alongside Yang, reveals a shy, introverted child who was toughened by the police academy yet remained generous, consistently donating to the orphanage. Yang's motive for becoming a cop, however, remains shrouded in mystery – a search for someone unknown, which the caretaker refuses to disclose. Despite this, the caretaker steadfastly asserts Yang's innocence, emphasizing his sole dedication to the children.
Han-saem leverages this information to provoke Yang, accusing one of the 21 sponsored kids as the real killer. Yang, desperate, begs Han-saem to hold the press conference, insisting that the murders will cease. The police, realizing Yang isn't the killer but is shielding the culprit, confront a daunting dilemma. Han-saem, lacking concrete evidence, releases Yang, whose alibis for each murder are impenetrable. As Yang departs, Han-saem assigns Choi San to shadow him discreetly.riefs them on the six puzzle pieces, the intricate connections between the murders, and the ominous prophecy of three more deaths to complete the grim mosaic.
After work, Han-saem and I-na share drinks, delving into the enigmatic Captain Yang and the possibility that he might be the elusive puzzle killer. Han-saem, citing his favorite film "LA Confidential," engages in playful banter with I-na, who admits she hasn't seen it. She then recounts her fateful encounter with Cheol-jin, adding another layer of complexity to their ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, I-na persists in her determination to embark on a drive with Dr. Hwang, leaving him utterly perplexed as he ponders over how she had come to learn of his existence. She delves into his past, bringing up the dark case of the abusive father murdered by his own son, a subject she knows well despite Hwang often recounting his encounters with the boy at an orphanage. Unexpectedly, Hwang becomes defensive and abruptly ends their journey by dropping I-na off.
On the outskirts of the city, Mayor Kim Mo-il and Kwon Sang-beom, a former prosecutor now serving as a consultant, engage in a hunting expedition. Kwon, an avid hunter, has struck a deal with Mayor Kim to eliminate green zones in the region to pave the way for a highway. Yang, guided by a GPS signal, arrives at the hunting site, closely followed by Choi San. However, Yang incapacitates Choi San by knocking him unconscious and seizing his gun. As he surreptitiously observes Mayor Kim and Kwon, he catches sight of the elusive puzzle killer taking aim at Kwon. In a bid to avert disaster, Yang fires a shot into the air and attempts to steer Kwon out of harm's way. However, in the midst of confusion, Kwon, mistaking Yang's intentions, shoots him.
Han-saem arrives on the scene too late, finding Yang mortally wounded. With his dying breath, Yang confesses to being the trigger behind the series of killings, insisting that the "kid" is not to blame. He acknowledges the culpability of the victims, whom he describes as horrible, yet bears the responsibility for their murders himself. He utters the names "Shindonga" and "Seo-jin" before expiring.
The puzzle killer's bullet merely grazed Kwon, who is rushed to the hospital for treatment. Mayor Kim, unharmed by the gunfire, flees the scene as chaos unfolds around him.
I-na conducts a thorough search under the name Shindonga and uncovers a corporation, an expansive apartment complex, and a magazine, all bearing the same moniker. The police officers debrief and come to the realization that Yang had equipped the killer with a tracker, which was synchronized with his phone. However, this tracker is now missing, necessitating its urgent retrieval. I-na hatches a divergent plan, deciding to披露the enigmatic puzzle case to the media. Hyun is incensed by her actions, yet she firmly believes it aligns with Yang's intentions. Furthermore, she yearns to observe the killer's reaction to this revelation.
As Han-saem stands vigilant outside Kwon's hospital room, the killer sends his puzzle piece to the news channel, igniting a flurry of activity. Han-saem dashes inside, only to be met with the perplexing sight of Kwon very much alive. The puzzle piece depicts a balloon vendor creating vibrant balloons for delighted children. The episode of "Nine Puzzles," titled Episode 9, concludes on a harrowing note as Kwon's vital signs flatten, while Han-saem remains trapped in the room, grappling with the sudden turn of events.
