The voice outside remained silent for a moment, as though waiting for her to understand something unspoken. Minsu's breath came in short, quick bursts as she steadied herself, knowing that the next steps would be crucial.
Hyowon's hand was still gripping his knife, his posture alert. He leaned closer to Minsu, his voice barely a whisper. "If they want us to dig, it means they're trying to bait us into something."
Minsu nodded, but inside, her thoughts were swirling in a chaotic storm. What was this person playing at? And why her? Why now? There had to be a reason why everything pointed back to her.
With a slow, deliberate motion, she stepped toward the door. "We need to know who you are. What do you want from us?"
The voice outside didn't answer immediately. The air around them felt thick with tension, and the silence stretched far too long. It wasn't until Minsu began to feel the weight of uncertainty sink deeper that the voice responded once more, low and threatening.
"You'll find out soon enough," the voice said, almost like a promise, "but remember this—there's always a cost for truth, Minsu."
The cryptic words sent a shiver down her spine. What did that even mean? The cost of truth? She glanced over at Hyowon, whose eyes flicked toward her, his expression unreadable.
Minsu steeled herself, forcing the fear to the back of her mind. She couldn't afford to lose control now. "Why are you here? What do you want with me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the rising panic inside her.
A pause. Then the voice answered, more menacing this time.
"You're not just a lost girl, Minsu. You're part of something much bigger. And once you start digging, there's no turning back."
Minsu swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. She wasn't sure whether she was being warned or threatened, but the cryptic messages made it clear that she was caught in something far more dangerous than she had anticipated. She had thought her search for her aunt was just about closure. But now, it was becoming a tangled web that might pull her into its center.
Hyowon moved closer to her, his voice barely audible. "We need to make a choice now," he murmured. "Stay here and wait, or follow them and face whatever it is they want."
Minsu hesitated. Her mind raced, running through all the possible options. If they stayed, they might be cornered. If they left, they'd be stepping deeper into the unknown. Neither was a safe choice. But one thing was clear: they couldn't just sit idle.
Her eyes met Hyowon's. "We follow them."
Hyowon nodded, his expression hardening. "Then we move quickly and quietly. They might still be watching."
Without another word, he moved toward the window, peering out cautiously. Minsu followed, her heart pounding in her chest. The night was darker than before, the trees looming like silent sentinels around them.
"Ready?" Hyowon whispered.
Minsu took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Let's go."
They slipped out of the shrine, their footsteps muffled against the soft earth. The night air was cold, biting against her skin as they moved through the trees, each step heavier than the last. Minsu couldn't shake the feeling that something was out there, watching them, waiting.
Suddenly, Hyowon stopped, holding his hand up. "Someone's ahead."
Minsu's breath caught in her throat. The air around them seemed to thrum with tension. They crouched low, moving silently, trying to blend into the shadows.
Ahead of them, a figure emerged from the darkness, cloaked in shadow. Minsu's heart pounded as she recognized the silhouette.
It was the same person from earlier—the one who had whispered her name.
"Who are you?" Minsu demanded, her voice sharp and unwavering.
The figure didn't answer. Instead, it stepped closer, the eerie silence around them amplifying every step.
Then, in a voice that sent chills down Minsu's spine, the figure spoke.
"You're here to find the truth, but you will never be ready for it."
The words hit Minsu like a blow, and for the first time, doubt flickered within her. Was she truly prepared for what lay ahead? What if the truth was more than she could handle?
The figure moved again, disappearing into the darkness, leaving only the echo of its cryptic words behind.