The episode begins with Gu Gang-Mo, a visibly distressed man seeking refuge from an unknown threat. As he locks himself in a room, his actions suggest something sinister is pursuing him. The appearance of a doppelganger claiming to be him raises further questions. However, a tragic incident occurs before Gang-Mo can find answers, leaving his mother devastated by his apparent suicide.

Meanwhile, another key character, Gu San-Yeong, is caught in the midst of a voice-phishing scheme with her mother, Yoon Gyeong-Mun. Despite their hope for justice, corruption allows offenders to escape the consequences. Struggling financially and concealing their difficulties from the landlady, San-Yeong takes on extra work to make ends meet.

While visiting an old house, Gyeong-Mun unveils a hidden truth about San-Yeong’s father, leading them to pay their respects. San-Yeong receives a mysterious item from her grandmother in this unfamiliar setting—a partially burnt red hair ribbon. Touching the ribbon triggers unsettling visions, but Gyeong-Mun insists on leaving without an explanation.

San-Yeong encounters Yeom Hae-Sang, a man interested in her late father, and becomes aware of her peculiar shadow. Despite her scepticism, Hae-Sang believes in the existence of spirits and warns San-Yeong about the impending danger surrounding her. The encounter leaves her contemplating the possibility that her actions may have dire consequences for those she dislikes.

Meanwhile, a detective named Seo Mun-Chun and Hae-Sang share a connection rooted in the unsolved death of Hae-Sang’s mother. Their separate quests for truth bring them closer to the enigmatic forces at play. At the same time, San-Yeong’s friend, Baek Se-Mi, experiences strange occurrences in her new rental home, leading to doubts about the existence of ghosts.

As San-Yeong investigates the boys who invaded her privacy, she stumbles upon a dark secret involving a deceased boy named Jung Hyun-Woo. Hae-Sang and Mun-Chun collaborate to uncover the truth behind Hyun-Woo’s suicide and his vengeful spirit’s haunting. The episode culminates in a chilling confrontation with the ghostly presence that confirms San-Yeong’s connection to the supernatural.

With its gripping storyline, The Growing Shadow Within offers a thrilling introduction to Revenant. The strong performances by Kim Tae-Ri and Oh Jung-Se enhance the sense of mystery and intrigue. The episode’s cliffhanger ending, as San-Yeong comes face-to-face with a ghostly presence, leaves viewers eager for more. The upcoming episodes promise to delve deeper into the supernatural elements and the consequences of San-Yeong’s connection to the spirit world.