Awakening

Chapter 22 : Running Away

Lee Jihye nodded solemnly, recognizing the gravity of the situation as she hastened to carry out Joonghyuk's orders. Meanwhile, Joonghyuk's mind raced with thoughts of Kim Dokja—his enigmatic companion who had managed to capture his heart in ways he never thought possible.

As preparations were made to mobilize troops and reach out to the archmages, Joonghyuk couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled over him like a suffocating blanket. He replayed their last interactions in his mind, searching for clues, for any hint of what might have driven Dokja to disappear without a trace.

But amidst the chaos of his thoughts, one thing remained clear: he couldn't afford to lose Kim Dokja, not now, not ever.

With a sense of determination burning bright within him, Joonghyuk steeled himself for the journey ahead. Whatever challenges lay in store, whatever dangers lurked in the shadows, he vowed to find Kim Dokja and bring him back safely to Olympus.

For as long as there was breath in his body, Yoo Joonghyuk would stop at nothing to reunite with that one person.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the quiet palace, Yoo Sangah sat alone in her study, poring over ancient tomes by the flickering light of a candle. Suddenly, a sharp rap at the window startled her, and she turned to see a majestic raven perched on the sill, a letter clutched tightly in its beak.

With a sense of urgency gripping her heart, Yoo Sangah rushed to open the window, allowing the raven to gracefully enter the room. With trembling hands, she took the letter from its grasp and eagerly broke the seal.

As she scanned the contents, her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Without wasting a moment, she dashed out of the room, her voice echoing through the halls as she called for Han Sooyoung.

"Han Sooyoung!" she cried, her voice ringing with urgency. "Dokja was gone! He escaped! Joonghyuk contacted us to know if he's here, but Dokja-ssi didn't even contact us since you gave him that letter!"

Han Sooyoung, who had been engrossed in her own research, looked up in alarm at Yoo Sangah's words. Her heart sank as she processed the news, her mind racing with a thousand questions and fears.

"That stupid squid," she muttered under her breath, her expression a mixture of frustration and concern. "Let's get ourselves ready. We're going to Olympus."

With a shared sense of determination, Yoo Sangah and Han Sooyoung set to work, gathering supplies and preparing for the journey ahead. Though the path before them was fraught with uncertainty and danger, they knew that they had to find Kim Dokja and bring him back, no matter the cost.

As Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah arrived at the gates of the palace in Olympus, tension hung heavy in the air. Yoo Joonghyuk stood before them, his expression guarded as he watched them approach.

Without a word, Han Sooyoung reached into her cloak and retrieved the letter, her movements sharp and deliberate. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it at Yoo Joonghyuk's feet, the paper unfolding in mid-air before landing with a soft thud at his feet.

"We don't even know what the hell that squid was up to," she spat, her voice laced with frustration. "He didn't even contact us, so your letter was the only way we could've known!"

Yoo Joonghyuk's gaze flickered briefly to the discarded letter before returning to Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah. He observed their behavior carefully, noting the genuine concern etched on their faces.

For a moment, silence descended upon them, broken only by the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. Then, with a nod of acknowledgment, Yoo Joonghyuk reached down to retrieve the letter. He knew that Han Sooyoung and Yoo Sangah spoke the truth. Kim Dokja's disappearance was shrouded in mystery, and they were all caught in its tangled web.