The tension in the air was palpable as Hae-rin stood with Jang Uk and Dang-gu in the Songrim courtyard. The unsettling rumors of strange disturbances had spread, and the group was preparing for a mission into the forest. Hae-rin's hand rested on the hilt of her sword, her mind already racing through the possibilities.

"Are we really doing this?" she asked, glancing at Dang-gu.

Dang-gu grinned, his usual excitement showing through. "Of course. We can't let Seo Yul have all the fun, can we? We've got to see what's going on around Songrim. This could be the adventure of the season."

"Just remember," Jang Uk added, adjusting his cloak.

"We're not out here for fun. We need answers."

Hae-rin shot him a knowing look. "Since when have we ever done anything without fun being involved?"

Jang Uk smirked, though his eyes remained sharp. "The stakes are high. Let's not forget that."

With a shared nod, the group moved through the quiet streets, finally stepping out into the forest. The evening sky had faded into twilight, and the moonlight filtered through the trees. It didn't take long for them to reach the edge of the woods where Seo Yul was waiting.

He stood motionless, scanning the ground, his expression unreadable. As they approached, his gaze flicked to them, his lips parting slightly.

"You're here," he said, his voice steady.

Hae-rin tilted her head.

"Was there ever any doubt?" Seo Yul gave a small nod.

"I'm just surprised you're all on time."

"Doesn't happen often," Dang-gu joked, but his voice dropped to a serious tone as he scanned the forest.

"What's the situation?"

"Tracks," Seo Yul said, pointing to the ground.

"There's something—or someone—moving near Songrim. Something dangerous."

Hae-rin stepped forward, kneeling to study the prints.

"These aren't just animal tracks. They're too deliberate." Jang Uk crossed his arms, his jaw tense.

"So we're dealing with someone who knows what they're doing." Hae-rin stood up.

"Let's find them before they find us."

They all fell into their usual rhythm, moving in silence through the dense forest. The occasional rustling of leaves or distant animal calls was the only sound breaking the quiet. Hae-rin's senses were on high alert, and she could feel the weight of Seo Yul's presence beside her, steady and unyielding.

After what seemed like hours of trekking through the underbrush, the tracks became clearer. Suddenly, Seo Yul stopped. He knelt, placing a hand on the ground, his eyes narrowing as he studied something intently.

"What is it?" Hae-rin asked, stepping closer.

"Someone's been here recently," Seo Yul replied, his voice lower than usual.

"And they're not far."

Dang-gu straightened up, his voice eager. "So we're getting close?"

Seo Yul didn't respond immediately. He stood and motioned for them to move.

"Stay quiet. Don't let them hear us."

The group pressed on, every step carefully calculated. It was strange—almost too quiet. Hae-rin felt her heart beat faster, her instincts telling her something was wrong. As they moved deeper into the woods, a strange, almost unnatural stillness surrounded them. No birds. No animals. Just silence.

Jang Uk's voice broke the tension.

"We're being watched."

Hae-rin's hand instinctively went to her sword, but before she could speak, a shape appeared in the mist ahead. It was cloaked, the figure tall and ominous, standing motionless just beyond their sight.

Seo Yul raised a hand, signaling for the others to halt. The figure didn't move.

"Who are you?" Seo Yul called out, his voice firm, commanding.

"Step into the light."

The figure didn't respond. Instead, a cold laugh echoed from the shadows.

"So, Songrim sends its warriors. How amusing."

"Not here to amuse anyone," Jang Uk said, stepping forward.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

The figure took a slow step forward, the mist swirling around it, and in that moment, Hae-rin could feel the dangerous presence surrounding them. The air seemed to thicken, the pulse of magic faint but unmistakable.

"I am a messenger," the figure replied, its voice low and gravelly.

"A reminder. You think Songrim is safe, but you are wrong."

Seo Yul's expression tightened. "A reminder of what?"

The figure laughed again, the sound sending chills down Hae-rin's spine.

"Of the darkness that lies beyond your walls. You may think you are the strongest, but there are forces that even Songrim cannot control."

"We've dealt with dark forces before," Dang-gu said, his voice defiant.

"So you're a messenger. Who sent you?"

The figure tilted its head, its eyes gleaming in the dim light. "That is not for you to know."

With a sudden movement, the figure raised its hand, and the mist around them thickened. Hae-rin's heart raced as the air grew heavy, suffocating, and the energy in the atmosphere twisted into something dark and malicious.

"Get ready," Seo Yul whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Stay close."

Before anyone could react, the figure lunged, a burst of dark energy exploding toward them. Seo Yul acted in an instant, raising his hand to create a protective barrier that deflected the attack. The force of the blow shook the ground, sending a tremor through the air.Hae-rin was already moving, her sword drawn as she stepped forward, her gaze locked on the figure.

"Enough games."

The figure smirked, its face half-hidden by the hood.

"You think you can stop what's coming?"

"I know we can," Hae-rin replied, her voice steady, but the urgency in her tone was undeniable. "You're not going to leave here unscathed."

Seo Yul's eyes flicked to her, his expression unreadable, but something in his gaze lingered. "Hae-rin—"

"We deal with this first," she interrupted, her focus unwavering.

"Then we talk."

With a swift motion, she charged forward, her sword gleaming under the moonlight. The figure raised its hand again, but Hae-rin was faster. She struck, forcing the figure to retreat with a hiss of pain.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with an eerie calm, the figure spoke again.

"This is not the end. It's only the beginning."

And with that, it vanished into the mist, leaving them in an uneasy stillness.Seo Yul turned to Hae-rin, his voice low but edged with concern.

"That was too easy."

"Too easy?" Hae-rin raised an eyebrow.

"You wanted more?"

Dang-gu stepped forward, grinning despite the tension. "At least we know we're on the right track."

Jang Uk, however, wasn't so certain. "This is only the beginning. We need to be ready for whatever comes next.

Hae-rin's gaze locked with Seo Yul's. She didn't need to say anything. They all knew the truth. The night had only just begun.