Beyond The Glade || Seungin

III Legends and Trials

The morning in the village greeted us with cool air and a misty view, making everything around us seem like it was from a distant dream. We woke up in Seong-ho's warm cottage, feeling relaxed after a peaceful night. The day before, we had learned about a herbalist who had agreed to meet with us, so the plan for the day was clear.

After a quick breakfast, Seong-ho bid us farewell warmly. "Remember, the herbalist knows this area better than anyone else. You’ll need to listen carefully to his advice and be prepared for what you may discover."

We thanked him for his hospitality and set off towards the forest. The path leading to the herbalist’s cabin was narrow and winding, taking us through a dense, damp forest. From time to time, we heard the sounds of wild animals and the rustling of leaves, adding a sense of adventure to our journey.

We arrived before noon. The herbalist, an elderly man with a long, gray beard and piercing eyes, was waiting for us outside his cottage, standing among the herbs and plants growing in the garden around him.

“Welcome back,” he said, gesturing for us to come inside. “I’m glad you came. We have much to discuss.”

The inside of the cabin was cozy, filled with the scent of dried herbs. The herbalist invited us to sit at a table covered with various bowls and pots. After a moment of silence, he began to speak.

"I’ve thought about what you mentioned," he began. "And there’s something you should know. In this area, there are ancient legends and tales that speak of mysterious forces and hidden powers. What happened to you may be related to one of those legends."

I glanced at Jeongin, and he looked back at me. "What kind of legends?" he asked, clearly intrigued.

The herbalist moved closer to the table, picked up an old book, and opened it to one of the pages. "It is said that in this region, there is an ancient artifact that holds great power. It is called the 'Heart of the Forest.' According to legend, it can affect the balance between this world and others."

We listened carefully, trying to understand how this information could relate to our situation. "Could the 'Heart of the Forest' be connected to what we’re looking for?" I asked, attempting to piece things together.

"It's possible," the herbalist replied. "But remember, the artifact is hidden deep within the forest, in a place protected by magical barriers. To find it, you’ll have to go through many trials and challenges. It may be dangerous, but if you succeed in finding the 'Heart of the Forest,' it could give you an advantage in your fight."

Jeongin looked at me, his expression determined. "We’re ready for the challenge," he said. "Where should we start?"

The herbalist pointed to a map lying on the table. "I’ve marked several locations on this map that might lead you to the artifact’s whereabouts. You’ll need to start from these points and follow the signs that may guide you deeper into the forest."

After gathering the information, we left the herbalist's cabin and headed toward the indicated locations. The forest, which now felt less threatening, was still full of mysteries and puzzles. As we walked, following the map and clues, we began to notice subtle changes in the surroundings – strange markings on the trees, unfamiliar plants, and shifting sounds.

As the day turned to evening, we reached a place the herbalist had described as the starting point. Here, among old trees and deep shadows, we found a stone altar that seemed forgotten by time. On the altar were mysterious inscriptions, which we began to examine.

"This must be the place," Jeongin said, pointing to one of the inscriptions. "It looks like this is the starting point for the journey ahead."

Feeling the growing tension, I looked towards the forest, which now seemed even darker and more ominous. "If this place leads to the 'Heart of the Forest,' we need to be very careful."

Jeongin nodded, and we both began preparing to enter the depths of the forest. We knew many challenges awaited us, but we also felt we were on the right path. Every step we took brought us closer to uncovering the secrets that could change our fate.

The forest closed in around us as we started to walk in the direction marked on the map. Night slowly descended over the area, and the challenges ahead loomed in the darkness we had to overcome. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear – we were ready for whatever lay ahead.

~🐶🦊~

Jeongin sat in his room, listening to the shouting coming from behind the closed doors. He had always felt that the home, which was supposed to be his refuge, was actually a trap. His parents, with their constant criticism and lack of understanding, made every moment spent in their presence a torment.

Today was worse than usual. His parents seemed more irritated than ever, their voices filled with anger, their words as sharp as knives. Every shout, every comment directed at him was like a blow to his heart.

“You can’t do anything right!” his mother screamed, her voice filling the house like an unbearable noise.

“You’re exactly what everyone says you are,” his father added, his words dripping with bitterness. “You’ll never amount to anything because you’re worthless.”

Jeongin didn’t have the strength to respond. His body trembled, but he tried to remain stoic. He knew that anything he said would only make things worse. Instead, he tried to cover his ears, to close his eyes, but the shouting still pierced through to his mind.

After a while, when the yelling finally subsided, Jeongin got up from his bed, which seemed to be his only safe space. He left his room and headed to the bathroom. He knew he needed to find a way to calm himself down, though he felt increasingly overwhelmed.

In the bathroom, in the narrow mirror on the wall, he saw his reflection – a pale face with trembling lips and sad eyes. He couldn’t bear to look at himself. For a moment, he stared at his reflection, then reached for a small, sharp razor blade he had found in the drawer.

A quiet moan of pain escaped his lips as the blade cut into the skin on his wrist. He felt the warm blood trickle down his arm, and the pain, which coursed through his body, was both a relief and suffering. Each cut, each drop of blood was an attempt to release the emotional pain that seemed to suffocate him.

He pressed the blade harder against his skin, more and more, until he felt his thoughts begin to calm. He was so consumed by his own suffering that he didn’t notice when tears started to flow down his cheeks. He knew what he was doing was dangerous, but at that moment, the only thing he could do was find some temporary relief.

As the pain began to subside, Jeongin slowly stopped pressing the blade. His thoughts were a little clearer now, and he started to feel exhausted. He put the razor back on the shelf and looked at himself in the mirror. The bleeding wound was a reminder of the suffering he endured in his life – and of the need to find a way to free himself from it.

He gathered his strength to control his emotions, trying to remember that what he had done was a way of surviving, not a solution. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the trembling in his hands and wipe the blood from his arm. The exhaustion and pain were now more bearable, and Jeongin knew he needed to find a way to deal with everything before he had to face reality again.

When he finally left the bathroom, his thoughts were a mixture of fear and hope. He knew he had to find a way out of this situation, to find himself in a world that seemed not to understand him. But despite everything, he felt that somewhere out there, beyond it all, there was still a chance for a better tomorrow.