The night had fully claimed the world.
Silence stretched endlessly in every direction—thick, unnatural, almost suffocating. Not a single leaf dared to rustle. It was as if the very air held its breath… waiting.
In the heart of a vast, forest-encircled clearing, two lonely tents stood beneath the dark sky—fragile against the weight of the unknown surrounding them.
Inside one of them, Keifer stirred restlessly.
Half-asleep, his voice broke through the silence in faint, uneven whispers.
"Haru… I… I needed to tell you something… can you hear me…?"
His words faded into nothing.
In the next moment—his body gave in, collapsing into stillness.
Sumin let out a quiet sigh, glancing at him.
"This boy… honestly. Just sleep already."
Then, softer now, almost thoughtful—
"Haru… you should rest too. At dawn, we move again. Our journey doesn't wait."
Haru nodded silently, giving in to the exhaustion pulling at his limbs. He lay down without another word.
One by one, the night claimed them.
Sumin shifted, settling into the narrow space between them. The tension in his chest hadn't left… not completely.
If only morning comes quickly…
If only we can finish what we started…
The thought lingered, heavy and uncertain.
And then, slowly… even he drifted into sleep.
But the silence outside—
…it didn't feel like peace.
The first light of dawn slowly crept across the silent clearing, brushing against the tents as the world began to wake…
Far away—beyond the forests, beyond the shadows—those same rays touched the cold stone walls of the castle.
But unlike the calm of the wilderness… something within those walls was already stirring.
"Everything is in order now, I assume?"
Mr. Hoseok's voice cut through the stillness as his gaze moved across the guards.
"Yes, sir. Everything is secure," one of them replied firmly.
"Hm…"
His eyes slowly drifted toward the treasure room door, lingering there just a moment longer than necessary.
"And that area?" he asked quietly. "No disturbances?"
"None at all, sir. Security is tight. You don't need to worry."
For a brief second, Hoseok said nothing.
Then, with a small nod, he turned away.
"Good. I'll be taking my leave."
But instead of heading out, his steps carried him deeper into the castle… toward a place few dared to enter without reason.
Mr. Kim's library.
The door, as always, stood slightly open. Inside, Mr. Kim was already there—standing near the far shelves, completely absorbed in a book, as if the outside world did not exist.
Hoseok stepped closer.
But before he could announce himself…
Something caught his eye.
His gaze dropped sharply to the floor—
…and his breath hitched.
Dark stains. Drops of blood.
Dry.
Old—but not that old.
Without thinking, he lowered himself, his fingers hovering just above the marks as if afraid they might still be warm.
"…How is this possible…?"
A flicker of unease crossed his face as his eyes slowly lifted toward Mr. Kim.
At that exact moment—
Mr. Kim turned.
"Oh—Mr. Hoseok?" he said, almost casually. "What brings you here… after so long?"
His tone was calm.
"Oh—nothing serious," Mr. Hoseok said lightly, masking his thoughts. "I was just passing by… thought I might borrow a book."
But as his eyes adjusted to the room again—
He noticed it.
A bandage… wrapped tightly around Mr. Kim's hand.
His gaze narrowed slightly.
"…What happened to your hand, Kim?" he asked, his tone casual—but his eyes were anything but.
Mr. Kim glanced down at it, as if only just remembering.
"Well, it's—"
Before he could finish, the door suddenly creaked open.
A man hurried inside.
"Sir, it's time to change your bandage," the helper said, his voice laced with guilt. "I'm really sorry… this is all because of me."
Mr. Kim sighed softly, almost amused.
"How many times will you apologize?" he said. "I told you—it wasn't your fault."
Then, as if nothing unusual had happened, he turned back with a polite smile.
"Come, Hoseok. Sit."
He pulled a chair forward for him.
Hoseok didn't move immediately.
His eyes flickered once more—
to the bandage…
to the dried blood on the floor…
and back to Kim.
"…Go on," Kim continued calmly, as if explaining something trivial. "I ordered a number of books yesterday. He was bringing them in, in a bit of a hurry… and we collided."
A small pause.
"That's all. Just a minor injury. "Alright… if you say so," Hoseok replied, his voice steady now.
The helper carefully finished wrapping the bandage and stepped back.
"Thank you, sir," he murmured, before quietly leaving the room.
The door closed with a soft click.
Silence returned.
A little too quickly.
Mr. Kim turned back, as if nothing at all had happened.
"So then… what kind of book are you in the mood for today?"
Hoseok exhaled softly, finally stepping forward into the room.
"Something you think suits my taste," he said, his eyes lingering on Kim for just a second longer than necessary. "You're the one who always chooses for me anyway… I don't know much about books."
A faint smile appeared on Kim's lips.
"Is that so?"
He turned, walking toward the towering shelves—his fingers gliding across the spines as if he knew each one by heart.
For a moment, only the sound of his footsteps filled the room.
Then—he stopped.
Pulled out a single book.
"This one," he said, handing it over.
Hoseok took it slowly. "This book already seems interesting just from the outside," Mr. Hoseok said, turning it slightly in his hands.
"Yes… it is," Mr. Kim replied calmly. "And for you, my friend, it will be quite beneficial."
Hoseok's gaze lifted slightly.
"How so?"
"Because," Kim continued, "it tells the story of a detective—someone who solves the most complex mysteries using sharp thinking, observation, and logic. There's much you can learn from it."
Hoseok nodded slowly, his fingers tightening almost unconsciously around the book.
I'm sorry, my friend… he thought silently.
I don't know why… but after seeing the blood… and your bandaged hand… I let my mind wander into suspicion…
His expression softened for just a moment.
"…Hoseok?"
Kim's voice pulled him back.
Hoseok blinked, quickly returning his attention.
"…Oh—nothing," he said lightly. "Just thinking."
"Can I tell you something, Hoseok?" Mr. Kim asked, his voice softer now… almost careful.
Hoseok looked up, sensing a subtle change in tone.
"…Of course," he replied, his expression steady. "What is it?"
For a brief moment, the room seemed to grow quieter than before.
Even the air felt… still.