Episode 8 of "The Judge from Hell" kicks off with the haunting aftermath of discovering blood in the alley, igniting a flurry of concern among the Villa residents. They convene, united in their resolve to pray fervently for Soyeong's safety, a gesture that Mando embraces wholeheartedly, while Bitna's reluctance is palpable, and Mija remains distant, her stance colored by Bitna's involvement.
The following dawn brings a somber briefing for the police, where Daon's team seethes with frustration upon learning of their sidelining. Acknowledging their emotional entanglement, the Chief wisely assigns them to alternative tasks, leaving Daon to cling to optimism, driven by a relentless determination to unravel the mystery. He seeks solace in Dahui's embrace, a shattered soul in need of comfort, and in her arms, he receives a pivotal clue: a dossier on the serial killer, concealed from him by Soyeong. Now, the weight of responsibility rests heavily on his shoulders, and he vows to uncover the truth, for Soyeong's sake.
Outside, Daon grapples with his emotions, the envelope clutched tightly in his hand. As dawn fades into night, he confronts a subdued Bitna, her usual wit replaced by a rare vulnerability. Tempted to use the mirror's power to glimpse Soyeong's fate, Bitna resists, choosing instead to focus on the KO Food case that loomed large in their previous encounter.
Rumors swirl around Mr. Won, painting him as a gambling addict who exploited the strike for financial gain. These are but malicious whispers, and Daon uncovers a witness, Jongsu, willing to testify against the CEO's false image. However, Jongsu's tardiness and subsequent capitulation to the gambling narrative reveal a sinister payoff. Daon pursues him, encountering a man on the brink of hysteria, his apologies echoing through the night. Bitna, taking Jongsu at his word, even discusses the art of manipulating evidence with Jae-gul's family over dinner, where the fragility of truth under the influence of money is a recurring theme.
Later, at the store, Arong's revelation to Bitna shakes the foundations: she's uncovered the sole survivor of serial killer J—none other than Daon himself. This is Arong's cunning ploy to provoke an emotional response from Bitna, but she remains stoic, her poker face intact. However, when Daon confronts her later, his words of encouragement for her upcoming sentencing of the CEO betray a deeper understanding of her strategy.
Bitna's hand is revealed in her sentencing: one year imprisonment, two years' probation, and 40 hours of community service—a calculated move that leaves the family pleading in vain. Though slightly shaken, Bitna maintains her composure, her resolve unwavering as she exits to confront Chief Na at the station. The onslaught of malicious online comments and phone calls fails to deter her, as she stands firm in the face of adversity.
Amidst the overwhelming stress and her recent withdrawal from chemotherapy, Yugyeong, Mr. Won's beloved daughter, finds herself admitted to the hospital's hallowed halls. The physician's words echo with a somber warning, urging Mrs. Won to brace for the impending storm as Yugyeong's condition hangs precariously in the balance. Yet, against all odds, Yugyeong awakens, her vital signs inexplicably flourishing as if by divine intervention. The doctor, awestruck, attributes it to nothing short of a miracle, further revealing that an enigmatic benefactor has stepped forward to shoulder the financial burden of her treatment, shrouded in anonymity. Little do they know, the Hell Clean-up Crew stands as her silent guardian angel.
As the night descends, Wonjoong's phone rings, igniting a fiery trail set by Bitna and her infernal roulette of destruction, aimed squarely at their nefarious CEO. The Violent Crimes unit is tasked with his protection, yet Wonjoong manages to evade their watchful eyes, lured by a mischievous voice over the line, enticing him to a fairground rendezvous.
Daon, privy to Bitna's sinister intentions, confronts her as she slips into the shadows from her apartment. His heart heavy, he pleads with her to abandon her vengeful path, vowing to restrain her with the iron fist of the law only as a last resort. But Bitna, her own pain etched in every word, flips the script, reminding him of the serial killer who stole his family's lives, now beyond the reach of justice. She begs for his aid in her own twisted quest for closure. Daon, steadfast in his refusal, embraces her one last time before their paths diverge.
Bitna's game with Wonjoong escalates into a nightmarish spectacle, summoning the very demons of Hell to harry him through the amusement park's brightly lit labyrinth. The climax unfolds atop the towering Ferris wheel, where she finally reduces him to a quivering wreck, her Hell Blade piercing his flesh, branding him with a fateful mark. Her satisfaction is palpable as another soul prepares to embark on its eternal journey into the abyss.
But fate has a mischievous twist in store. Daon, who had slyly planted a tracker during their heartfelt embrace, stands as a silent witness, capturing every gruesome detail on his device. Bitna, realizing her actions have been exposed, seethes with fury, demanding the phone's surrender. Instead, Daon unleashes a flurry of sulfur powder, an ancient trick that binds demonic forces in icy stillness for hours, allowing him to apprehend her without mercy. Thus, justice, though twisted and unconventional, finds its way in the chaotic dance between light and darkness.
Eunseop's piercing call shattered the tranquility, a harbinger of dire news—Soyeong had been found. Without hesitation, Daon bolted, leaving Bitna tethered helplessly to the Ferris wheel's embrace. Racing towards the gruesome scene, he confronted a twisted tableau of violence, where Soyeong lay lifeless, the sinister symbol of the killer—a looming 'J' etched into the ground beside her. A chilling parallel to the horrors of his past, where Soyeong was the first to arrive, finding him cowering in fear, his family's bloodied echoes still ringing. She pledged then, to become a formidable detective, vowing to bring the perpetrator to justice.
In the stark present, Bitna wrenched herself free from her bonds, only to confront Daon's tormented gaze upon his return. He violently hurled his phone to the ground, shattering it into a million pieces, his fury fueled by the sight of Soyeong's demise. His fingers stained crimson, he offered the remnants to Bitna, his body trembling with rage. She, with ease, reduced the phone to fragments, their eyes locked in a solemn promise.
Daon's voice rang out, filled with unyielding determination—he wanted her to hunt down and obliterate 'J', vowing to let her tear him apart if need be. He offered his own life as collateral, unfazed by the prospect of damnation, promising to submit to her vengeance. Bitna smiled, accepting the weight of his words, yet as she strode away, tears unexpectedly streamed down her cheeks.
Justitia, stunned by this unexpected display of emotion, turned her gaze towards Daon, who witnessed the tears firsthand. The moment hung heavy with a complex tapestry of grief, rage, and unspoken bonds, as the duo stood poised on the precipice of a deadly pursuit.
