Minsu's pulse pounded in her ears as she tightened her grip on the knife inside her bag. Hyowon's body tensed beside her, his eyes locked onto the two figures.
The man in front was tall, his face partially obscured by a wide-brimmed hat. His companion behind them was shorter but carried himself with the confidence of someone who had done this before.
"Travelers?" the taller one spoke first, his voice calm but edged with something unreadable.
Hyowon stepped slightly in front of Minsu, his tone measured. "Just passing through."
The shorter man chuckled. "Unlucky, then. This path isn't safe."
Minsu swallowed, her fingers trembling against the cool blade of her knife. "We're not looking for trouble."
The taller man tilted his head. "Maybe not. But trouble has a way of finding people who ask too many questions."
Minsu stiffened. They knew.
Hyowon's expression darkened. "Who sent you?"
The man didn't answer. Instead, he took a slow step forward.
Minsu's mind raced. They couldn't fight two men in an ambush like this, not when they didn't know if more were lurking in the trees.
Hyowon spoke first, his voice low. "Run."
And then he moved—fast.
He lunged at the taller man, knocking him off balance. The moment of chaos was all Minsu needed. She turned and sprinted toward the shrine.
Branches whipped at her arms as she ran, her breaths sharp and desperate. Behind her, she heard the scuffle of Hyowon fighting, the shouts of the two men.
But she couldn't stop.
The shrine was just ahead.
If she could reach Yi Sungho first, maybe—just maybe—she could find the answers before it was too late.
Minsu's breath came in ragged gasps as she sprinted up the worn stone steps of the shrine. The ancient structure stood silent, its wooden beams weathered by time. She barely registered the intricate carvings on the doors as she shoved them open and stumbled inside.
The interior was dimly lit by the glow of candles. The scent of burning incense filled the air, thick and almost suffocating. Her eyes darted around, searching—where was Yi Sungho?
A voice cut through the stillness.
"You shouldn't have come here."
Minsu whirled around.
A man stood in the shadows, half-hidden by a pillar. His robes were simple, his posture relaxed—but his eyes held something unreadable.
"Yi Sungho?" she managed to say, her chest still rising and falling from the run.
The man didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped forward, allowing the candlelight to illuminate his face. He was older than she expected, with sharp, intelligent eyes and a calm demeanor that unsettled her more than if he had been hostile.
"I know why you're here," he finally said.
Minsu's throat went dry. "Then tell me. What happened to my aunt?"
Yi Sungho studied her for a long moment, then sighed. "You're asking the wrong question."
A chill ran down Minsu's spine. "Then what is the right question?"
Before he could answer, the doors of the shrine slammed open.
Hyowon staggered inside, his breath heavy, a fresh wound on his arm.
"They're coming," he warned, his voice urgent. "We don't have much time."
Yi Sungho remained eerily calm. "Then I suppose we should start with the truth."
He gestured for them to follow him deeper into the shrine.
And Minsu knew—whatever answers she was about to hear, there was no turning back now.
Minsu swallowed hard, her legs moving almost on their own as she followed Yi Sungho deeper into the shrine. The dim candlelight flickered, casting elongated shadows on the wooden walls. Hyowon, still breathing heavily, trailed behind her, his hand pressed against his bleeding arm.
Yi Sungho led them through a narrow corridor until they reached a small chamber at the back of the shrine. An old wooden table stood at the center, covered in scrolls and faded documents. The scent of aged paper mixed with the lingering incense, making Minsu's head feel heavy.
He gestured toward the table. "Your aunt left something behind."
Minsu's breath hitched. "She was here?"
Yi Sungho gave a slow nod. "Years ago." He reached for one of the scrolls, carefully unrolling it. The ink was faded, but Minsu could make out symbols and markings she didn't recognize.
"What is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A map," Yi Sungho said. "And a warning."
Hyowon stepped closer despite his injury, his brows furrowing. "A warning?"
Yi Sungho met his gaze. "Your aunt wasn't just an ordinary woman, Minsu. She was looking for something. And she got too close to the truth."
Minsu felt a chill crawl up her spine. "What truth?"
Yi Sungho hesitated for a moment before speaking. "The reason she disappeared… is connected to this village. And if you keep digging, you might disappear too."
Silence hung in the air.
Minsu clenched her fists. "I don't care. I need to know what happened to her."
Yi Sungho studied her, then sighed. "Then you must be prepared for what comes next."
Before Minsu could respond, a loud thud echoed from the entrance of the shrine.
Someone was here.
Hyowon grabbed her wrist, pulling her behind him. Yi Sungho quickly rolled up the scroll and tucked it away.
The doors creaked open.
A shadowed figure stepped inside.
Minsu barely had time to react before the voice rang through the shrine.
"You shouldn't be here."