The sun hung low over the bustling city of Seoul, casting long shadows across the campus of Yonsei University. The air was thick with the promise of summer, the scent of blooming flowers mingling with the distant hum of city life.

Twelve students, bound by friendship and the shared burden of impending adulthood, gathered around a shaded picnic table in the campus quad. This was their sanctuary, a place where they could laugh, dream, and plan their final summer break before graduating.

Kim Namjoon leaned back on his bench, his tall frame relaxed as he scanned the group with a thoughtful smile. "So, what’s the plan for this summer, guys? Any wild adventures before we dive into the real world?"

Beside him, Kim Seokjin, ever the eldest and the voice of reason, chuckled. "You mean aside from avoiding our theses and pretending we’re still carefree freshmen?"

Laughter rippled through the group. Seokjin’s pragmatism was a grounding force among them, a sharp contrast to Namjoon’s philosophical musings.

Min Yoongi, the quiet thinker, adjusted his cap and glanced at his best friend, Jung Hoseok. "We could do a road trip. Just hit the open road with no destination in mind."

"Or," Park Jimin interjected, his voice bubbling with excitement, "we could explore that old abandoned building near Namsan Tower. You know, the one everyone says is haunted?"

Kim Taehyung shivered dramatically. "No thanks. I don’t need ghosts ruining my summer."

"Come on, Taehyung," Jeon Jungkook teased, nudging him with his elbow. "Where’s your sense of adventure?"

Before Taehyung could retort, a newcomer approached the group, holding something in her hands. Ah Reum, the quiet, enigmatic member of their crew, set a small, ornate box on the table. Its surface was etched with intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer in the fading light.

"What’s this?" Namjoon asked, leaning forward.

Ah Reum shrugged. "Found it in my grandfather’s attic. Thought it looked interesting."

A murmur of curiosity swept through the group. "Open it," Eun Kyung Hi urged, her eyes wide with anticipation.

With a nod from Ah Reum, Yoongi carefully lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in velvet, was a deck of cards and a small booklet. "Looks like some kind of game," Yoongi said, pulling out the booklet and flipping through its pages.

Jungkook grabbed one of the cards. "It’s got instructions on it. 'Mission: Sneak into the school library after dark and leave a note on the librarian’s desk.' Sounds like a dare game."

"Sweet," Jimin grinned. "I’m always up for a challenge."

As the group huddled closer, reading the various missions and debating their next move, a sense of excitement buzzed in the air. The game seemed harmless, a perfect way to inject some thrill into their last summer as students.

"How about we make it interesting?" Hoseok suggested. "We play this game all summer. Whoever completes the most missions wins."

"And what do they win?" Kim Jaeyi asked, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

"The title of an ultimate daredevil," Seokjin proclaimed, lifting an imaginary trophy. "And bragging rights for life."

The idea was met with a chorus of cheers and laughter. It was decided that they would start the game the following night. Each of them would draw a card, complete their mission, and gather again to share their stories.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky turned a dusky purple, the group dispersed, each member heading home with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation. None of them noticed the faint glow emanating from the box or the way the intricate patterns seemed to shift and pulse with a life of their own.

Jaeyi lingered a moment longer, her gaze fixed on the box. A shadow of doubt flickered across her face, but she shook it off. It was just a game, after all. What harm could it do?

As she turned to leave, she nearly bumped into Jungkook, who had been watching her with a concerned look.

"Hey, Jaeyi," he said softly, "Are you okay?"

Jaeyi smiled, touched by his concern. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous about this game, I guess."

Jungkook nodded, his eyes warm and reassuring. "Me too. But it’s going to be fun, right? Just like old times."

"Right," Jaeyi agreed, feeling a flutter of warmth in her chest. They had always been close, but lately, she saw him a little differently than usual. He is one of the few people in the group whom she had known since childhood. She had seen him grow into a gentleman from a naughty kid who would play pranks and make her cry. The transition had caused her to look at him as someone who could be more than a friend.

As they walked away, Jungkook’s thoughts lingered on Jaeyi. The way her eyes lit up when she was excited, the way she bit her lip when she was nervous. He had always cared for her deeply, but those feelings have intensified.

As the night settled in, the twelve friends drifted into dreams filled with adventure and camaraderie, unaware that they had just taken the first step into a game that would change their lives forever.

Later that night, as Jaeyi lay in bed, her phone buzzed with a message from Jungkook: "Good luck with your mission tomorrow. Let’s make this summer unforgettable."

She smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. Little did she know that the game would not only test their bravery but also their hearts and trust in one another.

The game had begun, and the stakes were higher than they could have ever imagined.

//

I have decided to start writing this book again. This is a very difficult genre for me to write so if you think I can improve somewhere please feel free to give me suggestions. I am not sure how often I will update but since I have my summer break going on right now I will try completing this book.