Crimson Moonlight

XXXIV. Last Clue

Sunghoon and I arrived at the bookshop early in the morning, the thrill of our recent victory still buzzing in my mind. The familiar scent of old paper and leather filled the air, but the atmosphere felt heavier than usual. The librarian stood waiting for us, his expression somber as he clutched a stack of ancient texts.

"I've been up all night researching," he rasped, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. "I believe I've found the final piece of information we need."

I glanced at Sunghoon, my heart quickening with a mix of hope and anxiety. He returned my gaze, eyes filled with that unshakeable determination I admired so much. "What did you find?" he asked urgently, his voice low and steady.

The librarian carefully spread the ancient texts across the table, his fingers reverently tracing the delicate pages. "According to these writings, Valtor's power source is connected to a dark crystal, hidden deep within the catacombs beneath the city. If we can destroy it, we'll cripple his power and weaken his followers."

A surge of hope rushed through me. Could it really be this simple? "How do we get to it?" I asked, leaning forward, eager to learn what our next step would be.

The librarian sighed heavily, dark circles under his eyes. "The path is treacherous and filled with traps. But with your combined strength and abilities, I believe you have a chance."

"We don't have any time to waste then," Sunghoon said, his voice firm with resolve. He turned to me, his expression both serious and calm. "We need to prepare."

As we began gathering our supplies, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. I tried to shake it, but the weight of our mission pressed down on me. Sunghoon must have sensed it because he paused in his packing and looked over at me, that familiar soft smile playing on his lips. "Do you really think we can do this?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He stopped what he was doing and stepped closer, his gaze steady. "I do. And with you by my side, I'm more confident than ever."

My cheeks flushed at his words, and I smiled despite my nerves. "You always know just what to say."

Sunghoon reached out, pulling me into his arms. I melted into his embrace, feeling the warmth and comfort of his presence. "I mean every word, Eunchae. You've shown incredible strength and bravery. Together, we can face anything."

I rested my head against his chest, savoring the sound of his heartbeat. "I'm scared, Sunghoon. But I'm ready too."

He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "It's okay to be scared. Just remember, we're not alone in this. We have each other."

Before I could respond, the librarian cleared his throat. "I hate to break this up, but we really should get moving."

With a reluctant sigh, we broke apart and finished preparing for the journey ahead. As we stepped out into the early morning light, I felt a mixture of excitement and fear bubbling in my chest. But with Sunghoon by my side, I knew I wasn't facing this alone.

The path to the catacombs was as treacherous as the librarian had warned. Sunghoon's enhanced senses and reflexes saved us more than once, but my quick thinking proved just as valuable. Together, we navigated through the dark, winding tunnels, dodging traps and overcoming obstacles as if we'd been doing it all our lives.

Finally, we reached the heart of the catacombs, a massive chamber illuminated by a pulsing, eerie light. In the center of the room stood the dark crystal, its malevolent energy radiating through the air. Guarding it were several powerful vampires, their glowing eyes trained on us.

I glanced at Sunghoon, and our eyes locked. I saw the fierce determination in his gaze, the same look he always had when he was ready to fight. "Stay close to me," he whispered.