Chapter 1
It was a stormy, rain-lashed evening when Eun-ha, a determined journalist in her late twenties, had always been driven by an insatiable curiosity. She had short, dark brown hair often tied back in a loose ponytail, and sharp, intelligent eyes that missed nothing. Dressed in a practical, weather-worn jacket, jeans, and sturdy boots, she looked every part the investigative journalist.
sat hunched over her laptop, the soft glow of the screen illuminating her tired face. She was working on a report, her fingers rhythmically tapping the keyboard, when a sudden chime alerted her to a new email. At first, she ignored it—another anonymous tip, most likely—but something about the subject line made her pause.
“Gwangrim. The Forgotten Village.”
A chill ran down her spine. She clicked it open, her heartbeat quickening as she read:
I need you to investigate Gwangrim. I know that place has been erased from all records, but something unnatural happens there. No one who speaks of it ever returns. You are the only one who can uncover the truth. If you refuse... I know your loved ones, and I won’t hesitate to kill them.
You have until tomorrow to decide.
Love, xoxo.
Eun-ha’s breath hitched as her mouse hovered over the words loved ones. Her mind raced. Who would send this? How do they know about my family?
“No, no… this can’t happen,” she whispered, shaking her head violently. Panic clawed at her throat. With trembling hands, she grabbed her phone and dialed her editor.
“Hello?” came the familiar voice, casual yet warm.
“H-hello,” Eun-ha stammered, struggling to keep her voice steady.
Her editor immediately caught the distress in her tone. “Eun-ha? What’s wrong? You sound like you’re about to cry.”
Eun-ha inhaled shakily. “I received an anonymous email,” she said. “It’s about Gwangrim. The sender wants me to uncover the mystery, or else… or else they’ll kill my family.”
Silence. Then, her editor’s voice turned sharp. “This isn’t a joke, Eun-ha. You need to go to the police.”
“I can’t. If I do, my family—”
“No. Listen to me. You can’t go there. That place is dangerous. The last journalist who tried to investigate—”
Click.
Eun-ha had already ended the call. She stared at the email once more, determination flickering in her eyes.
“I have to.”
Next Morning…
