Hyungie plaything {Jikook}

38

"Food fills their bellies; souls fill mine. I feast on what others cannot see, the dark forces that keep me alive."

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Minjun walked through the village, lost in his thoughts. He absentmindedly held onto a bracelet that had glowed bright red the night before. Now, it was just dull and lifeless against his skin.

He thought about Jungkook, wondering why the bracelet wasn't reacting as it should have. Confused, he pushed those thoughts aside. He had other things to focus on and needed answers.

His pace slowed as he noticed a large crowd gathered around a tent, murmuring nervously. Curiosity drew him closer. When he stepped inside, the sight before him made his stomach drop.

In the middle of the tent, a woman's body lay twisted and burnt, making it impossible to recognize her. Her skin was blackened and melted, as if some terrible power had surged through her from within. The smell of burnt flesh hung heavy in the air.

Minjun swallowed hard, scanning the faces around him. Fear was evident in everyone's eyes. These villagers understood ancient rituals and the dark forces at play in their land, but this-this was different. It was something they couldn't comprehend.

"She was Saraha," a woman stepped forward, her voice trembling as she noticed Minjun. "She came to us only a few days ago. She was an outsider."

"Outsider?" Minjun echoed, furrowing his brow. He noticed the woman wore modern clothes-jeans and a black jacket. "What was she doing here?"

"We don't know," the woman replied, shaking her head. "She just appeared one morning, looking lost. She felt different, not like us."

"Different how?" Minjun asked, intrigued.

"She spoke in a way I've never heard. And her eyes... there was a sadness in them," she whispered, her voice almost breaking.

"Did she say where she came from?" Minjun pressed, hoping for a clue.

"No," the woman answered. "Only that she was searching for something important."

Minjun's thoughts raced. What could have brought her to their village? They rarely welcomed outsiders, and even then, it was only for business, and barely tolerated. Why was she here now?

Just then, the crowd parted, and Beomhan walked in, his heavy footsteps echoing inside the tent. The crowd fell silent as he looked around, his sharp gaze landing on Minjun.

"What are you doing here?" Beomhan asked, his tone stern.

Minjun took a deep breath. "I needed to see this for myself," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "Who was she? What could have done this to her?"

Beomhan studied the horrible sight before him, his breath catching in his throat. After a pause, he exhaled sharply. "This is unlike anything we've faced before."

"It definitely feels strange," Minjun said, a frown deepening on his face.

He slightly raised his wrist to show the bracelet that had once glowed with a vivid, fiery red. "It was shining last night," he murmured, almost to himself. "So bright... right in front of the outsider."

Beomhan's expression shifted, tension tightening his features. "And now?"

"Now?" Minjun shook his head, his confusion evident. "It's lifeless. No glow, no warmth. I can't understand what's happening." He looked at Beomhan, hoping for answers. "Did you sense or notice anything unusual last night?"