The group looked at each other in disbelief. They had no idea who was behind this sinister game or what their intentions were.

They were scared and confused, but they knew they had to find a way out and rescue Ni-ki. Jay then saw a hammer lying in the corner of the room. He took the hammer and tried to break the chains.

He first went to Heeseung and put all his pressure on the hammer trying to break the chains, after several attempts he succeeded and Heeseung let out a sigh of relief, and then both of them helped others to break their chains.

After they were free, they looked for any possible clues in the room. The metallic voice echoed with a chilling laugh, its tone dark and foreboding, 

"Well done setting yourself free, shall we start the game now, so you can see your friend? HIHIHIHIHIHHIHIHIHIH~ Search the papers, little seekers, for buried secrets and forgotten sins. The truth you seek lies within the shadows of history... hehehe..."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the voice's words bearing down on them. They knew they had to proceed cautiously if they wanted to find Ni-ki and escape this twisted ordeal. 

Turning their attention to the scattered papers and documents strewn about the room, they began to sift through them, their nerves frayed with each passing moment.

"This must be it," Sunghoon exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement and trepidation. "The key to unlocking the truth about Crown Lake's darkest secrets."

As Sunghoon carefully examined the parchment, his eyes widened as he deciphered the cryptic phrases etched upon its surface. The words seemed to dance before him, teasing him with their hidden meanings.

"The whispers of the past echo in the halls," he read aloud, his voice barely above a whisper. "Seek the shadows where secrets dwell."

Sunghoon's excitement was palpable as he continued to unravel the enigmatic puzzle before them.

"In the heart of darkness, lies the key to unlocking the truth," he proclaimed, his voice trembling with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Heeseung and Jungwon exchanged knowing glances, their expressions reflecting a mixture of fear and determination.

The dim light from the flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere of mystery and danger. 

"We must press on," Heeseung declared, his voice unwavering despite the palpable uncertainty that loomed over them.

Jay and Jake nodded in agreement, their eyes darting around the room as they scoured every nook and cranny for any sign of the hidden passage. 

Sunoo's heart raced in his chest as he listened intently to Sunghoon's words, the weight of their precarious situation pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. Every creak and whisper in the ancient chamber seemed to echo with foreboding significance.

He scanned the room, searching for any sign of the shadows Sunghoon spoke of, his mind racing with the infinite possibilities of what lay ahead.

Suddenly, Jieun's sharp eyes fell upon a dark corner of the chamber, where the faintest glimmer of light seemed to flicker and fade. 

With a sense of dread creeping over her, she approached cautiously, the floorboards groaning beneath the weight of her hesitant steps.

Her heart pounded in her chest like a frantic drum, the anticipation of what lay ahead urging her forward into the unknown.

"Guys!! There seems to be something weird in that spot. Look!" she pointed towards the area as all of them looked at the spot with shocked expressions.

The beam of sunlight seeping through a small creak quivered as they followed her towards the corner, and her breath caught in her throat as she saw what lay hidden in the darkness. 

A small alcove, barely visible in the dim light, revealed itself to her, its secrets waiting to be uncovered. "Should I look through it?" she asked, her eyes shimmering in anticipation as she gazed at the others. 

"Wait! Don't touch it just yet. There might be a trap, we don't even know this place," Jay said in a warning tone, his voice echoing off the ancient walls.

"Jay's right. We need to find a glove or something to touch it," Heeseung replied, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any sign of a suitable tool.

"Found it!!" Sunoo beamed with excitement as he discovered a dishevelled glove within the clutter.

"I'll look through, give me the glove, hyung," Jungwon said with determination as he grabbed the glove and pulled it onto his hand.

With trembling hands, he reached out and touched the wall, feeling for any sign of a hidden passage or secret compartment.

His fingers brushed against something cold and smooth, sending shivers down his spine as he gasped in disbelief, realizing what it was.

A small lever, barely noticeable in the gloom, beckoned to him, its presence both tantalizing and terrifying.

With a deep breath, he summoned his courage and reached out to pull the lever. As his fingers wrapped around the cold metal, he could feel the racing of his heart in his chest. 

With a quick tug, the lever gave way, and a low rumbling echoed through the chamber. To their surprise, the stone wall began to shift and slide, revealing a hidden passage that led deeper into the darkness. 

The group exchanged fearful glances, their apprehension growing with each passing second.

Jake broke the tense silence, his voice echoing softly in the chamber, "Do you think it's safe for us to explore this hidden passage?"

"We have to. We need to save Ni-ki at any cost, but let's be cautious," Heeseung replied with a heavy sigh, his eyes scanning the newly revealed passage.

"Jay hyung, you still have that flashlight, right?" Sunoo asked, turning to Jay, the memory of Jay tucking a flashlight into his pocket before the treasure hunt began fresh in his mind.

Jay nodded, his jaw set with determination, as they all prepared to venture into the passage.

With a sense of trepidation, the group stepped forward, the faint beam of Jay's flashlight piercing the darkness, casting eerie shadows against the stone walls.

Their fates intertwined in the unfolding mystery of Crown Lake's dark history, and as they delved deeper into the unknown, the air became heavy with anticipation and unease. What will happen now as they descend into the depths of the hidden passage?

______________________

AYE AYE AYE!!

I'm Back!! The Finals took so much of my time, that I had no time to update sadly :( 

But, since I'm on vacation rn. I decided to update today.

So here is a mini-chapter!

Enjoy my hunnies!!! 🐰🍯✨🩵