Chapter Text
“I’m going to die.”
“Stop being dramatic, Woo. We rested, like, ten minutes ago.”
“I’m serious, San. I can’t breathe.”
San looked at his boyfriend with a gentle smile and a hint of annoyance. “All right, all right. Let’s take another break.” He set his backpack down on the soft moss, followed by Wooyoung.
“I swear, this is the last time I agree to hike with you.” Wooyoung sprawled on the ground, pretending to be more tired than he was. “The things I do for you.”
“It’s because you love me,” San teased, sitting next to him and stroking his dark hair, which he had allowed to grow longer lately.
“That I do.” Wooyoung smiled up at San. And how could he not love him? San was everything he had ever dreamed of; he was gentle and kind to him, always supportive of what he did. San also was really handsome, with his pretty smile he could make Wooyoung’s stomach erupt in butterflies, but he too was capable of making him weak in the knees with one look. However, more importantly, San was his soulmate, his other half. They had found each other at university 4 years ago, and since then, they had never left each other’s side. They fell in love quickly and deeply. Wooyoung knew that San was the only person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
They sat down for a moment, taking in the surrounding peacefulness. The forest looked stunning, sunlight creating patterns on the ground. Birds chirped, the only sound breaking the quiet.
Time seemed to slow down, leaving behind their usual worries. They felt like they were merging with the forest, their hearts beating to the same rhythm. They were in no hurry, just enjoying each other’s presence. San held Wooyoung’s hand, their fingers laced together. A soft breeze played with the leaves, making shadows dance on their skin.
“See?” Wooyoung sighed contentedly. “This is nice. This is what we should’ve done instead of hiking. Just sit here, holding hands, basking in nature like an old couple.”
San huffed a laugh. “You were the one who wanted to take the scenic route.”
“And I regret it deeply.”
San smiled at him fondly. “Ready to keep going?”
Wooyoung shook his head and grinned. He got up and then settled on San’s lap, making him raise an eyebrow in surprise. But his surprise turned into a smile as he saw the spark in Wooyoung’s eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but Wooyoung silenced him with a kiss.
The kiss was sweet, a gentle touch of their lips. Wooyoung’s heart raced as he felt San’s warm breath on his skin. He wrapped his arms around San’s neck and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. San responded eagerly, his tongue tracing Wooyoung’s lower lip. Wooyoung opened his mouth, and San explored him, moaning softly. They kissed for a long time, savoring each other’s taste and touch. When they finally pulled away, they were both breathless and smiling.
“Much better,” Wooyoung said after they separated and with another peck on San’s lips, he stood up. “Okay, how much longer are we… What’s that?”
San put on his backpack, ready to continue hiking, but he stopped at Wooyoung’s question. San followed his gaze and saw a cabin in a clearing, not far from where they had rested. He frowned, puzzled. “How did we miss that?”
The cabin stood in the clearing like it had been forgotten by time. The wood was rotting, parts of the roof sagging as if about to cave in. Ivy crawled up the walls, half-consuming the structure. The chimney was cracked, its bricks crumbling, and the windows were nothing but grime-covered glass, some shattered entirely.
The front door hung loosely on its hinges, swaying slightly with the breeze. The entire place looked abandoned, yet there was something off about it. Like it was waiting.
San felt a shiver run down his spine. Wooyoung felt a surge of curiosity.
“We should go and check it out!” he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed San’s hand and pulled him towards the cabin.
San planted his shoes firmly on the ground, stopping his boyfriend. “We absolutely should not.”
“Come on, babe, don’t be such a scaredy-cat. It’ll be fun!” Wooyoung coaxed him, but San still looked doubtful. Wooyoung sighed dramatically, then shifted tactics, taking both of San’s hands in his. “Just a quick look. Two minutes. One minute, even.” He leaned closer, lower lip jutting out just slightly.
San sighed. He didn’t like the idea one bit, but he knew he couldn’t say no to Wooyoung when he looked at him like that. He also knew how much Wooyoung loved this kind of stuff. And he seemed so eager to explore… Besides, it was an old cabin. What was the worst that could happen?
“Fine, but only for a little bit,” he finally agreed, making Wooyoung smile even brighter.
“You’re the best!” he kissed San’s cheek and then resumed his walk towards the cabin, San’s hand in his.
As they approached, San’s unease deepened. The closer they got, the colder the air seemed to feel, despite the warm summer afternoon. He told himself it was just nerves, but something about the way the trees seemed to lean toward the cabin made his skin prickle.
San’s heart began to beat a little faster, his senses on high alert. He couldn’t shake the sensation that they were being watched.
“This is so cool!” Wooyoung said while looking through the broken windows, “There’s stuff still inside. We should look around.” he looked back at San with a big smile, but the look on his boyfriend’s face indicated that he was not as enthusiastic.
“What? No, absolutely not. Woo, it looks so unstable, we will hurt ourselves.” San shook his head, but Wooyoung once again pulled the puppy eyes on him. “Okay, okay, stop manipulating me, god.” he sighed and rolled his eyes, Wooyoung only giggled at that and then pushed open the door.
The temperature inside was worse. The musty air was thick, clinging to their skin, and San could feel the weight of the silence.
He tightened his grip on Wooyoung’s hand.
In front of them, there was a set of stairs that had a fragile look to them. San would not let Wooyoung step on it, even if he begged. On the left side, there was a room that was supposed to be the living room. Yet, it had no apparent sign of being a living space. The sofa, the table, and the fireplace were all covered in a thick layer of dust. San noticed cobwebs in all corners. He hoped they wouldn’t get bitten by a venomous spider, of all things.
“Look at all this stuff, it’s like a time capsule.” Wooyoung let go of his hand and wandered toward a shelf lined with yellowed books and rusted trinkets. He picked up a small porcelain figure, wiping off the dust. “Think it’s cursed?”
San shot him a glare. “Put that down.”
Wooyoung grinned, but set it back anyway. “Fine, fine.”
San walked toward the far end of the room, where an old fireplace stood, its bricks blackened with soot. A single picture frame sat on the mantle, the image inside faded beyond recognition.
“Why do you think whoever lived here left everything behind?” Wooyoung asked.
“I don’t know, but it can’t be a good reason.” San’s unease began to manifest as words. “Woo, we should go,” he muttered, glancing over his shoulder. “What if someone actually lives here?”
Wooyoung scoffed. “In this dump? Yeah, sure, babe. Maybe they’ll invite us in for tea.” He joked, but San gave him a glare for that comment, so he continued, “this place has probably been abandoned for years. Come on, let’s check out the kitchen.” Wooyoung’s excitement remained unabated, his enthusiasm a stark contrast to San’s doubts.
The kitchen looked abandoned, covered in dust. The once-bright walls had faded, and broken plates filled the sink.
“Oh, look at this.” Wooyoung said, after opening a cupboard and pulling out an old bottle of what looked to be some kind of liquor.
San gasped. “Wooyoung, don’t touch that! You don’t know what’s in there!”
Wooyoung grinned and popped the cork. “Only one way to find out.” He took a sip and made a face. “Ugh, this tastes awful.”
San snatched the bottle from him and put it back in the cupboard. “Are you insane!?” he scolded, “What if it is poisoned or something? You can’t be so reckless, Woo!”
Wooyoung laughed and wrapped his arms around San’s waist. “Don’t worry, I’m fine, not poisoned,” he reassured, “and you’re so cute when you’re angry.”
San tried to stay mad, but he couldn’t help but melt into his boyfriend’s embrace. “You’re impossible,” he muttered.
Wooyoung kissed him softly on the lips. “But you love me anyway.” He kissed him again, deeper this time. San kissed him back, forgetting for a moment where they were and what they were doing.
But then he heard a loud creak from what seemed to be below them.
He pulled away from Wooyoung and looked down.
“Did you hear that?” he whispered.
Wooyoung frowned. “Hear what?”
Another creak, followed by a thud.
Something was under the house.
“Okay, that’s enough. We’re getting out of here right now.” San grabbed Wooyoung’s hand again, pulling him towards the door.
“Sannie, it probably was a rat or some other animal.” Wooyoung tried to calm his boyfriend down, as he seemed pretty freaked out.
“I don’t care what it was, and we’re not staying here to find out either.” They reached the door, but when he tried to open it, it wouldn’t budge. “What the fuck? It won’t open!” San exclaimed, rattling the door knob. It didn’t make sense, the door looked so fragile when they first entered. He was officially panicking.
“Baby, calm down, let me try.”
As they struggled with the door, neither of them noticed the shadow seeping through the cracks in the floor, inching closer. The room dimmed, the light fading into an unnatural emptiness.
Then, the air shifted.
San felt it first. A sudden coldness curling around his ankles. His breath hitched.
“Wooyoung…” His voice barely rose above a whisper.
Wooyoung didn’t answer. He was staring at the floor.
San followed his gaze.
The shadow moved.
It twisted and writhed, stretching across the wooden planks like a living thing. Watching. Waiting.
San’s pulse pounded in his ears. He grabbed Wooyoung’s wrist, but his fingers felt numb. They had to move.
Then, the eyes appeared.
Bright red, gleaming in the darkness. A grin stretched unnaturally wide beneath them. Too sharp, too knowing, too hungry.
San and Wooyoung tried to scream, but the sound never came.
The shadow surged forward.
The darkness swallowed them whole.
The forest fell silent. The birds chirped, leaves rustled, and the world continued as if nothing had happened.
YOUNG COUPLE DECLARED MISSING AFTER NOT RETURNING FROM HIKE IN THE FOREST
Reported by: Choi Jongho. Monday, July 2nd, 2023
The tranquil woods that once held the promise of adventure and exploration have turned into a source of concern as local authorities intensify their search for Choi San and Jung Wooyoung, both vibrant twenty-four-year-olds whose disappearance has cast a shadow over the tight-knit community. The young couple embarked on a hiking trip into the heart of the dense forest area last Saturday, yet their failure to reemerge has ignited a race against time to uncover the truth behind their sudden vanishing act.
The alarm was raised by their best friend, Song Mingi, who grew concerned when the couple did not make contact after the expected time of their return. Following the report, a comprehensive search and rescue operation was launched by the police, involving K9 units and search teams.
Despite the determined efforts, no concrete leads or clues were found, apart from the discovery of their backpacks near an abandoned cabin in the forest. Authorities suspect the couple may have simply lost their way, and no evidence of foul play has been found.
As the search enters its third day, friends and family members anxiously await any information on the whereabouts of the missing couple. The sudden and unexplained disappearance has left the local community deeply concerned, and efforts to locate the young hikers continue round the clock.
Officials are urging anyone with potential information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. The police hotline has been made available for tips and leads regarding the disappearance of Choi San and Jung Wooyoung.
The authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth behind the disappearance and bringing the young couple back to safety. Local residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities or findings that may aid in the ongoing search efforts.
Mingi didn’t think the police were doing a bad job of searching for his best friends, but he was desperate. San and Wooyoung had been missing for three painful days, with only their abandoned backpacks as evidence. Despite thoroughly searching the cabin, the officers seemed to think this was irrelevant. Mingi had a different idea, though. He had a feeling that something was wrong at the cabin, even when he went there with the police. Deep inside he knew there was more to it. A vague sense that something wasn’t quite right niggled at him, lurking just beneath the surface.
It was time to take matters into his own hands. Mingi knew sneaking into the forest would be no easy task. The police closed the entrance and kept watch for trespassers all day and night. There probably were more police officers inside the forest doing patrol, but that’s why Mingi waited until nightfall. Blending into the shadows would be easier, even with his imposing stature and silver hair.
Dressed in black, he approached the barricade cautiously, each step deliberate. The rustling leaves beneath his feet sounded deafening in the silence, but he forced himself to stay calm, keeping his breathing steady. Just ahead, an officer stood near the entrance, flashlight in hand, scanning the area. Mingi ducked behind a trash can, heart hammering, eyes darting for an opening.
A discarded soda can caught his attention. Perfect. He picked it up, weighing it in his palm, then tossed it toward the opposite direction. The loud rattle was enough to snap the officer’s focus away, and the second he turned, Mingi moved. He squeezed between the barricade and the nearest tree, slipping through the gap, then took off.
Once inside the forest, Mingi slowed down again, pausing for a moment to regain his breath. The deeper he went, the darker it became. The thick canopy swallowed most of the moonlight, twisting shadows into strange, shifting shapes. What little light filtered through made the plants look unnatural, their outlines sharp against the forest floor. The air felt heavier here, thick and still, as if something unseen was watching.
Mingi pressed on, refusing to let the unease slow him down. For San. For Wooyoung.
The forest was anything but silent. An owl hooted somewhere in the distance, crickets chirped in the undergrowth, and small creatures rustled in the bushes. But even with the sounds of life surrounding him, something felt off. His senses were on high alert, picking up every noise, every shift in the wind, every crunch of dead leaves beneath his feet.
Far ahead, beams of light flickered through the trees, police patrols sweeping the area. He slowed his pace, keeping low, careful not to make a sound. He had come too far to be caught now.
After what felt like hours, the cabin came into view.
It stood in the clearing, half-swallowed by the dark, its warped wood and shattered windows casting jagged shadows in the moonlight. The first time he had seen it, with the police, it had made him uneasy. Now, alone in the middle of the night, that feeling had sharpened into something worse. The air felt thicker, pressing down on him like a weight. His skin prickled, his instincts screaming at him to turn back.
He stared at the cabin, wondering what to do next. Movement caught his eyes, it was something behind the broken windows on the first floor. His heart started beating faster. He thought it could be an animal, but he couldn’t shake the idea that it might be one of his friends.
"Sannie? Woo?" he called out for them, his voice catching in his throat. He took a few cautious steps toward the cabin, his heart pounding.
Silence. Then, a faint whisper.
"Mingi…"
His pulse spiked. He knew better than to trust something that sounded too perfect, but… what if it really was them? He spun around, searching for the source, but saw no one.
“Guys? Are you there?” He raised his voice slightly this time, careful not to attract the nearby officers’ attention. His voice held a higher pitch, an involuntary reaction to the surge of adrenaline that coursed through his veins.
And then, a response, whispered like a fragile echo, yet unmistakably clear.
“Mingi… We’re here…”
There was no doubt that it came from the cabin, but at the same time Mingi felt like the whispers were inside his head. A tingling sensation crawled along his skin, as if unseen fingers brushed against him. Mingi’s thoughts swirled, torn between staying or bolting out of there without looking back.
“Mingi… Come closer…”
In between the trees, a subtle change in the atmosphere caught Mingi’s attention, sending a shiver down his spine. The air felt strange, as if something was there that he couldn’t see. It made him uneasy. The temperature plummeted, the biting cold seeping through his jacket and causing him to shiver involuntarily.
As if awakened by some malevolent force, the cabin took on a more sinister aura. It pulsed with an energy that both lured Mingi closer and set off internal alarm bells, warning him to stay away. He looked at the windows again. There was a figure there, it was dark and stood out against the old cabin.
“Wooyoung is that you?” Mingi’s voice wavered, carrying a mix of hope and uncertainty. He squinted, attempting to discern the figure’s features. “San?”
In response, the figure raised its head, the movement deliberate and unsettling. A chilling realization gripped Mingi, this was neither San nor Wooyoung. The eyes stood out the most - they were intense crimson, like blazing laser beams. A shiver cascaded down Mingi’s spine as he took in the unsettling sight.
And then there was the smile, a grotesque distortion that stretched across the figure’s face in a manner that defied the natural limits of human expression. Mingi’s veins filled with dread when he saw the terrifying face.
Another figure appeared from the shadows, echoing the presence of the first. Mingi’s heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of fear and disbelief coursing through his veins.
His eyes darted between the two figures, a growing sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach.
“Who… Who are you?” Mingi’s voice shook, barely heard over the night sounds of the forest. His mind raced, grappling with the impossible reality that unfolded before him.
The cabin door opened, making a loud noise that echoed through the quiet. The sound reverberated like a ghostly howl, sending a shiver down Mingi’s spine. The figures remained in the windows, their unsettling presence making it seem like they were watching with unknown intentions.
“Mingi… Mingi…” The voices were quiet at first, but now they chanted his name urgently. It seemed to come from everywhere.
His pulse pounded in his ears. He turned, forcing himself to move, forcing himself to leave.
He didn’t stop running until he was out of the trees.
Hongjoong’s hair was falling out, and not just because of his recent decision to bleach half of it. The state of the agency, “Seek The Answer,” had been far from stellar lately, and that was putting it mildly.
As he sat at his desk, head in his hands, Hongjoong couldn’t shake off the persistent stress that had taken root in his mind. The last case had been almost a month ago, and their funds were draining fast. Bills were piling up, and the pressure to keep the agency afloat weighed heavily on his shoulders.
The rent for the small apartment he shared with the rest of his team was due in a week, and Hongjoong really didn’t know what to do. Yunho had already suggested asking for a loan from his family, but Hongjoong couldn’t bring himself to accept that option. He felt responsible for them in a way, as if he had lured them into his Paranormal Investigation business, even though they had joined willingly, all three of them.
But still, Hongjoong felt guilty because he knew they could be successful in other ways, using their hard-earned degrees, for example. Unlike them, Hongjoong didn’t have one of those. “What a failure of a son!” He could still hear his mother’s voice, screaming at him as if the day he told her he was dropping out of his engineering studies had been only yesterday.
That day had marked a turning point in his life, a decision to pursue his own path and follow his passion for the unexplained and the supernatural. But now, with the agency’s future hanging in the balance, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had made the right choice or if he had doomed them all to a life of uncertainty and financial struggle.
The door creaked open, and Hongjoong didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Of course, it was Seonghwa. Who else would come checking on him this early?
“Did you spend the whole night awake again?” His voice was tinged with disappointment when he asked, and that only made Hongjoong feel worse. He hated worrying his friends, especially Seonghwa.
“I feel like you already know the answer to that,” he replied, finally lifting his head to look at him. Even at this early hour, he looked as beautiful as always, he was already dressed for the day, and his long black hair was styled as usual, the thin blond highlights framing his face perfectly. Hongjoong’s heart skipped a beat. He was so screwed.
Seonghwa’s expression softened as he stepped further into the room, his concern evident in his eyes. “Joong, we’re all going through a tough time. You don’t have to carry this burden on your own, you know?”
Hongjoong kept his gaze on the floor. “I kind of do though, don’t I?” His fingers curled around the fabric of his sleeve. “I started this. I convinced all of you to follow me into this mess. And now we’re barely keeping the lights on.”
Seonghwa moved closer, taking a seat beside him. He placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You didn’t drag us into anything,” He said softly. “We chose this.” His thumb brushed gently over Hongjoong’s shoulder, it was meant to be a comforting gesture, and it worked, but at the same time he felt the characteristic heat of a blush spreading across his cheeks. “We’re a team, Joong. We’ll figure this out together.”
A small, grateful smile tugged at the corners of Hongjoong’s lips. “Thanks, Hwa. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Hongjoong finally met his gaze, and in that moment, the unspoken emotions between them hung heavy in the air. What he had said had so much truth, he couldn't do any of this without having Seonghwa by his side. Hongjoong hoped that Seonghwa could see in his eyes the depth of his feelings without the need for words. He had no idea what to say, anyway. Because, God, Seonghwa was close. Closer than he should be. And for a second—just a second—he let himself wonder what would happen if he just leaned in, just a little.
"Joong, I..." Seonghwa began, but before he could continue, they were abruptly interrupted.
"Hyung!"
Yeosang's deep voice resounded in the corridor, and then he appeared in Hongjoong's doorway with a sense of urgency. His gaze shifted between the two, sensing the unspoken tension. "Oh. Am I intruding on something?"
"Hwa was just saying..." Hongjoong began.
"No, Sangie, it was nothing," Seonghwa cut in smoothly, standing up. "Did something happen?"
"Yeah. Someone left a voicemail." Yeosang explained, casting an apologetic glance at Hongjoong. "You’ll both want to hear this."
"Really?" Hongjoong jumped up, talk with Seonghwa momentarily pushed aside. He strode toward their office, a cramped room housing their paperwork, research materials, and their dedicated "business phone," a retired cellphone repurposed exclusively for Seek The Answer. It was all part of Seonghwa's organized approach. Yunho was already there, phone in hand, waiting for them.
"Let's hear it," Hongjoong urged Yunho to play it.
"Oh Yunho, dear, how are you? Did you sleep well?" he complained sarcastically.
Hongjoong rolled his eyes. "You can tell us all about your sweet dreams after we've listened, okay?"
Yunho rolled his eyes but then simply tapped on the play button and the message crackled to life, a voice filled with desperation and a hint of uncertainty. It was a man's voice, trembling and agitated, like he had been running.
"Um- hi. I- I don’t even know if this number is legit, but if you get this, please, I need help."
A shaky breath. A pause. Then:
"My name is Song Mingi. You might’ve seen the news. My best friends, San and Wooyoung, they- they went missing a few days ago. The cops aren’t doing shit. I went to check the cabin myself tonight because… I don’t know, I just knew something was wrong." They all turned to Yeosang, who was already looking up details on his phone.
A rustle, like he shifted the phone. His voice dropped lower.
"I was right."
Another breath. This one sounds uneven.
"Something’s there. I don’t know what the hell I saw, but it wasn’t-" He cut himself off, swallowing hard. "It knew my name. I’ve never been near that place before, not until the cops brought me, but it still-" Another sharp inhale. Seonghwa's eyes widened in shock. "I barely got out."
They all knew that particular fact was an indication of something dark and dangerous. Hongjoong exchanged a quick glance with Seonghwa, their shared concern mirrored in their eyes. They listened intently as Mingi's voice continued.
"I don’t know what to do. I can’t find them, I don’t even know if-" He stops himself again. "Please. Just call me back."
Once the voicemail ended, the room fell into a heavy silence. The gravity of the situation hung in the air, and the team exchanged anxious glances. Hongjoong could see the concern in his teammates’ eyes, but despite that his face lit up with a renewed sense of purpose.
“We’re taking the case,” Hongjoong said immediately.
Seonghwa shot him a sharp look. “Joong, you just heard the voicemail. The entity knew his name.”
Hongjoong hesitated for a split second. Yeah, that was bad. But he couldn’t back down now. “I know, I know, but we don’t have another option. We…”
Seonghwa interrupted, his concern deepening. “Joong, this isn’t just a ghost.” Seonghwa’s voice was quieter now, uncertain. “This is something demonic.” He hesitated, then admitted, “I don’t know if I can protect you from that.”
Once again, Seonghwa was doubting himself, and Hongjoong hated it.
No, Seonghwa wasn’t his grandmother, a psychic with decades of experience. But he was damn good, and Hongjoong had seen it firsthand. He could sense things no one else could. That was invaluable to the team. And yet, Seonghwa never seemed to believe it.
Hongjoong leaned against the table, arms crossed. “Look, Hwa. I get it. This sounds dangerous, and it probably is.” His voice was steady, but there was an edge of uncertainty underneath. “But we can’t ignore this.” He exhaled, forcing himself to say it plainly. “We need this.”
Seonghwa didn’t respond right away.
Hongjoong hesitated, then let his voice drop slightly. “And you’ve improved, you know. A lot.” He shrugged, playing it off, but his words were careful. “Maybe you should start believing it.”
For a second, Seonghwa just looked at him.
Then, before Hongjoong could panic over whether that was too much, Yunho snorted from the other side of the room.
“Okay, but cheesiness aside, Hongjoong’s right,” Yunho cut in, smirking as he tossed a flashlight into the gear bag. “We’ve faced worse and lived. This’ll be fine.”
Hongjoong shot him a glare, but Seonghwa’s lips twitched slightly, almost a smile.
Finally, Seonghwa sighed, running a hand through his hair. His shoulders relaxed just a fraction. “I appreciate it, guys.” It was directed to all of them, but he was looking at Hongjoong. He felt his pulse quicken. One day he'll pull himself together, but today wasn't that day. “We've faced some tough stuff together." He looked around at the team now, a hint of a smile touching his lips. "Okay, let's do this. But we need to be cautious, more than ever."
Yunho nodded, his playful demeanor shifting into a more serious one. "Agreed. We'll stick together and watch each other's backs."
Yeosang, still scrolling through his phone, finally spoke up. “I’ve been looking into the cabin’s history.” He hesitated before continuing, eyes flicking to Hongjoong. “It’s not just San and Wooyoung. People have gone missing there before.”
Hongjoong ran a hand through his hair. This was real. They had a case. One that could be their most dangerous yet. He took a deep breath, shoving down his nerves. “Alright. You guys gather everything we’ll need. I’ll call Mingi back.”
No one argued. Instead, the team immediately fell into motion as Hongjoong stepped out of the office, dialing Mingi’s number. Yunho and Yeosang headed toward the supply shelves while Seonghwa went to check their protective charms.
Yunho sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping the EMF meter on and off with a frown. “If this thing glitches again, I’m not going back in there to check the wiring.”
“Then maybe check it now instead of complaining,” Yeosang muttered, eyes still glued to his phone screen. He scrolled through an old forum post, his brows furrowed. “The cabin’s in a bad spot. Rough terrain, no real trails leading to it. We should be prepared for a tough walk.”
Yunho groaned. “Great. Just what I wanted, an impromptu leg workout and a potential demon encounter.”
Seonghwa, standing by the table, threaded his fingers through a chain of silver amulets, checking each one. He held one up, letting the dim light reflect off it. “I don’t know how strong these will be if we’re dealing with something demonic,” he admitted, voice quieter than usual. “But it’s better than nothing.”
Yunho glanced up from the equipment bag. “Better than nothing? That’s reassuring, Hwa.”
Yeosang finally looked up, unimpressed. “Would you rather go in unprotected?”
Yunho scoffed. “Hell no. I like all my limbs where they are, thanks.”
Seonghwa handed out the amulets, his fingers brushing over the metal as if in silent prayer. “Just be careful,” he murmured.
Yunho took his and gave Seonghwa a playful nudge. “You worry too much.”
Seonghwa just shot him a look that said you don’t worry enough.
Hongjoong approached them as he hung up after talking with Mingi, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. “Alright, listen up,” Hongjoong said, voice firm. “We go in, find San and Wooyoung, and get them out. If things go south, we leave. No case is worth dying for.”
Seonghwa nodded and added, "And remember, trust your instincts. If something feels off, don't hesitate to speak up."
Everyone voiced their agreement, so Hongjoong clapped his hands once, ending the conversation. “Alright, let’s go. I told Mingi we’d meet him at the diner near the forest.”
They filed out of the office, their usual banter replaced with silent determination.
The case had officially begun.