Join V(Kim Tae-hung), a skilled archer and avid reader, as he discovers an ancient book in his grandparents' village. The book, filled with mysterious symbols and forgotten stories, leads him on a journey of time travel and romance. As V unravels th...
Na-Rae tilted her head, her face etched with confusion. "What? Why are you guys so shocked?"
Jimin, Yuna, and Soojin looked on, equally puzzled, while Minho, suppressing his laughter, started edging toward the door. Jungkook, trying to keep his composure, took Mi-Rae's hand. "Let's go, everyone. And as for your question..." he smirked, nodding toward Tae. "Tae can explain that one."
Flustered, Tae quickly tossed a random item at Jungkook, only to realize it was a same book. As Jungkook caught it, a folded piece of paper slipped out and floated to the ground. It was the map they'd been searching for.
Everyone stared in stunned silence, the playful mood instantly shifting as they realized what they were holding.
Jungkook unfolded the map, spreading it out carefully on the table as everyone gathered around, their eyes glued to the intricate, faded details sketched across the parchment. The markings, though worn with time, hinted at a path leading somewhere distant—perhaps perilous.
Tae leaned in, examining the symbols on the edges of the map. "These aren't just random marks. They look like coordinates or symbols. Maybe they're meant to guide us through specific places... or even times."
Na-Rae's eyes flickered with realization as she fingered the delicate hairpin she wore, its design etched with patterns similar to those on the map. "Maybe my hairpin is connected to this map somehow," she suggested thoughtfully. "Could it be a key?"
Tae shook his head, concerned. "We can't risk rushing into this. Until your father shares something about the palace—its secrets, or any possible traps hidden in its depths—we might be walking into serious danger."
Mi-Rae leaned closer, her expression shifting to one of urgency. "If this map leads to the stone, we can't let my uncle or Ji Bu-In find it first. If they get their hands on that kind of power, we might not be able to stop them."Na-Rae took a deep breath, nodding in agreement. "I'll ask him tomorrow," she said firmly. "But I'll need to act normal, or he might suspect something. If he senses we're on to him, he could withhold any information about the palace."
The group exchanged determined glances, the weight of their mission settling heavily over them. Unspoken but understood, they knew this map was the key—not only to the stone but also to unraveling the dark alliance between Mi-Rae's uncle and Ji Bu-In.
Jungkook inhaled deeply, his eyes set with resolve. "Then after Na-Rae speaks with her father, we'll head to the first marked location."
Na-Rae and Soojin stood, preparing to leave. With a final nod to the group, they slipped away to the palace, leaving Mi-Rae with Yuna for safety.
After a while Minho, Jimin, Tae, and Jungkook decided to return to their usual routines, careful not to raise suspicion. They each returned to their positions around the palace grounds, blending back into their roles. Each move felt heavier, though, as they thought of the coming days. The stakes were higher than ever.
Mi-Rae remained with Yuna, studying the book and map with Yuna, her mind racing with the potential risks they were facing.
As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue across the palace grounds, Tae finished his duties for the day. He paused at the gates he turned to them.
"I'll be late tonight," Tae announced with a mischievous grin, the glint in his eyes revealing a hidden agenda.
Jungkook, ever perceptive, caught the slight shift in Tae's tone. A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "You seem to have something interesting planned," he remarked with a playful smirk, eyes glinting mischievously.
Minho, standing across them, suppressed a smile, a knowing look crossing his face. "Guess we won't see you till late then.
Jimin, who had been quiet up until now, looked at the group with a furrowed brow. His usual calm demeanor faltered for a brief moment, his confusion evident. "What's going on? Why the sudden change in plans?" he asked, his voice unsure.
Tae, glancing over at Jimin with a slight raise of his brow, spoke softly, his voice tinged with a teasing edge. "Sometimes, Jimin, not everything has to be explained. Some things are better left to the imagination."
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