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Chapter Text

In a small, quiet village, there is a legend passed down from generation to generation. The villagers believe that the shrine in the center of their village is guarded by a magical fox. However, the fox is no ordinary guardian. He was imprisoned there, serving punishment for his past sins.

The legend began in a long time ago, when a wandering monk known for his kindness arrived in a dense forest. The monk often traveled to help others and spread the teachings of wisdom. One day, as he was about to rest in the shade of a tree, a fox suddenly appeared from the bushes. The fox spoke in a sorrowful tone, begging the monk for help in finding his lost cubs in the forest. Out of pity, the monk agreed to help.

For hours, the monk searched for traces of the fox's cubs. However, all he found was a deepening and desolate forest. There was no sign of the fox cubs, not even another animal in sight. Even so, the monk did not give up. He kept walking, hoping to find a clue. However, when he turned around, he noticed something strange — the fox that had asked for his help earlier was gone.

The monk shouted for the fox, but only silence answered. Feeling worried, he decided to return to the place where he first met the fox. However, every time he tried to return, he always came back to the same place — a forest area that was unfamiliar to him. Her heart began to be filled with confusion and anxiety.

Suddenly, the sound of laughter echoed through the trees. From the shadows, a long-haired man with a dazzling face emerged. His face was so beautiful that it almost looked unreal. The man walked over with a grin on his face.

“Who are you? Are you lost here too?” asked the monk politely.

However, the man didn't answer. Instead, he laughed loudly and mocked.

Once satisfied, he said in a mocking tone, “You really are a fool. It's easy to be deceived, just like your friends before you.”

“What do you mean?” the monk asked in surprise.

“Come with me. I'll show you something,” said the man as he walked ahead of the monk.

Although hesitant, the monk followed the man. After walking for a while, they came to an open area. There, lay several corpses in clothes similar to the monk's. The view startled him.

“What have you done to them?” asked the monk in a shocked tone.

“Me? I didn't kill them. They gave their lives to me on their own. I only offered to live here with me, but it seems they were punished for breaking their own rules,” the man replied with a satisfied laugh.

“You must have done something to them!” retorted the monk sternly.

“Me? Not at all,” the man jokingly replied. “I just did this,” he added with a snap of his fingers.

The monk prepared for what might happen, but nothing did. The man frowned, then burst out laughing. “This is interesting! Apparently you're not an easy match.”

The monk began to pray, asking for protection and strength to face the creature in front of him.

“A pray will not work against me. You've been in my trap from the start,” the man said with a sly smile. Suddenly, however, he choked. His face twisted in panic, and
he felt an excruciating pain in his chest. He fell to his knees, clutching his chest. “What are you doing to me? Stop it!” he cried out in pain.

The monk continued to pray. Slowly, the man's body began to change. His long hair shortened, his beautiful face turned into a snout. In an instant, the man had turned into a fox. The fox lay weak, whimpering in pain.

“This is your punishment,” said the monk in a stern voice. “You have committed a great sin. You must serve the villagers and guard their temple. You thought yourself a holy creature, but your actions were worse than human. Your arrogance was the first sin you committed. You do not deserve to live, but I am giving you one last chance. Use it wisely. I'm sure you'll learn from your mistakes someday.”

The fox whimpered one last time before its body turned into a flash of light. The light streaked towards the village temple, where it was confined. Since then, the temple has become a center of worship for the villagers. They believe that the guardian fox not only protects them, but also redeems his sins.

This legend continues to be told from generation to generation, becoming an integral part of the history of the village where Seungkwan was born.

Chapter Text

Seungkwan was born and grew up in a small, quiet village surrounded by dense forests and lush fields. The village had one distinctive feature: an old temple in the center of the village surrounded by legends. The temple was known as the home of a guardian fox imprisoned for his past sins. Although the story had been passed down for generations, for Seungkwan, it was just a childhood fairy tale his grandmother told him before bed.

Seungkwan was a young man full of dreams. Unlike most young men in his village who chose to continue the tradition of farming or trading, he wanted to leave the village and try his luck in the big city. The city, with all the glamor and promise of success, was the destination he had in mind.

He had prepared everything carefully: clothes, some money from his savings and a house to live in.

However, the day before his departure, his mother called him into the kitchen, where they usually talked. His mother's face was hopeful but also filled with worry.

“Seungkwan, before you leave, there's something I want to ask you,” his mother said in a soft voice.

“What is it, Mom?” asked Seungkwan, even though he had expected a request that would be difficult for him to refuse.

“Go to the temple and pray before you leave. Ask for blessings and protection there,” said his mother.

Seungkwan was silent. He had never set foot in the temple in his entire life. To him, it was just an old building covered in unbelievable old stories. However, he knew that his mother would not ask this for no reason.

“Mom, is it really necessary?” asked Seungkwan, trying to persuade.

“It's very important, son. I know you don't believe me, but this is for your future, I just want you to be safe and happy,” his mother replied with a loving gaze.

With a heavy sigh, Seungkwan finally agreed to the request.

+++

That morning, the atmosphere in the village was quieter than usual. Birds chirped softly in the distance, and the morning dew still dampened the leaves. Seungkwan, dressed in simple clothes, walked towards the temple at the end of the village. His steps were heavy with the doubts that filled his mind.

“Is this really necessary?” he muttered to himself. However, he knew this was his mother's last request before he left. Seungkwan took a deep breath and continued on his way.

Arriving at the temple, he found that the temple looked even more majestic than he had imagined. The air around it was cold, even though the sun had already begun to rise in the sky. Seungkwan stood in front of the entrance, hesitating, before finally stepping inside.

Inside the temple, it was quiet. Sunlight entering through small cracks in the walls brightened the room. Small candles were lined up neatly on the altar, burning with a quiet flame.

Seungkwan slowly knelt down and prayed.

He closed his eyes, tried to center his mind, and began to pray. His prayers were simple, full of hope for a better future in the big city.

However, without realizing it, someone had been watching him since he entered the temple. The figure stood in the corner of the room, his body almost blending into the shadows. He was a man with long hair, his face was handsome but there was something strange about his smile — something not quite human.

The man watched Seungkwan with eyes that sparkled with curiosity. Then, with slow and almost silent steps, he began to approach Seungkwan. The man moved like a shadow, taking up an empty position right next to the young man who was lost in prayer.

Seungkwan still had his eyes closed, unaware of the presence of the stranger nearby. The man grinned, then in a soft yet surprising tone, he whispered in

Seungkwan's ear, “What are you praying for?”

Seungkwan gasped. His eyes opened wide, and he immediately turned his head toward the source of the voice. Next to him, he saw the long-haired man, his face too close to make him feel uncomfortable. Seungkwan's face instantly paled, and he scooted back in panic.

“W... who are you?!” exclaimed Seungkwan, his tone full of confusion.

The man just smiled, his sharp eyes giving off a mysterious impression. “Me? I'm just a resident of this temple. It's your first time here, isn't it?”

Seungkwan nodded slowly, still trying to understand the strange situation that had just occurred. “What do you mean a resident of the temple? No one lives here...”

The man chuckled a little, his voice echoing in the empty space of the temple. “That's right. No one lives here except forgotten spirits. But you... you're interesting.”

“What's your business?” Seungkwan began to feel annoyed, though fear still gripped him.

“I wonder, what exactly did you expect by coming here? Do you believe in the guardian foxes told in legends?”

Seungkwan was silent. He didn't know what to answer. His belief in the legend had never been strong, and he had only come because of his mother's request. Yet, in front of this strange man, he felt as if all his thoughts were being read.

“You're not afraid?” the man continued with a smile. “Most people who come here just want to pray that the guardian fox gets loose and leaves the village. So, I'm curious, I'm curious, what are you praying for?”

Seungkwan frowned, trying to calm his racing heartbeat. He replied in a flat tone, “I don't care about the fox or the legend. I only came here because of my mother's request.”

The man grinned, his smile widening to reveal a perfect row of white teeth. “Oh, so you don't believe, huh?” His tone of voice sounded like mocking. “Then will you do me a favor?”

Seungkwan was silent. This man is strange, he thought. Something is not right. However, he didn't know how to refuse his request. The man's face was handsome, but there was something behind his eyes that made Seungkwan feel uncomfortable. Sly. Dangerous.

“I...” Seungkwan tried to say, but his voice trailed off as the man looked at him more intently.

“You're going to help, aren't you?” the man asked again, this time in a more urgent tone.

Finally, Seungkwan nodded, even though his heart was screaming no. “Okay. I'll help.”

The man looked satisfied, his smile turning into a wider grin. “Come with me,” he said as he stood up. “There is something you must fetch for me.”

Seungkwan followed the man with hesitant steps, through the dark hallways of the temple. The atmosphere grew tense, and the air around them grew colder. After a while, they arrived in front of a large wooden door decorated with complex carvings. The carving looked like a fox with nine tails, its eyes alive and watching anyone who approached.

“This is the place,” the man said in an enigmatic tone. He did not open the door, but stood in front of it with his arms crossed. “In there is a small box. I want you to go in and get it for me.”

Seungkwan felt his goosebumps rise. “Why don't you get it yourself?” he asked in a low voice.

The man chuckled. “Oh, I have my reasons. But it's none of your business. You agreed to help, so just do it.”

Seungkwan swallowed, his gaze going back and forth between the man and the large wooden door in front of him. The door looked like something out of a nightmare, and he felt something unnatural behind it.

“Come on, come in,” the man urged. “My time is limited.”

With a heavy sigh, Seungkwan finally pushed the door open. It opened with a loud creak, revealing a dark room with no visible bottom. The air inside felt heavy, almost like it was pressing against Seungkwan's chest.

He stepped inside carefully, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. The room felt bigger than it should, and the silence was so tense that he could hear his own heartbeat.

In the center of the room, there was a small altar emitting a dim light. On top of the altar, a small box made of old wood, decorated with the same carvings as the door outside.

Seungkwan approached the altar with hesitant steps. His hand trembled as he touched the box. However, once his hand touched it, the entire room shook. Mysterious whispers could be heard from all directions, and shadows began to move on the walls.

Seungkwan panicked, gripping the box tightly. He turned to go back, but the path felt longer than before, as if the room didn't want to let him go.

When Seungkwan finally came out of the dark room, his body was still trembling. He gripped the small wooden box in his hand tightly, though he didn't know why. It felt like the box weighed more than it looked, as if there was something invisible inside. However, the mysterious man who had previously told him to enter the room had disappeared. Seungkwan looked around, but there was no sign of him.

“Where did he go?” muttered Seungkwan, feeling both confused and relieved.

Time ticked away, and Seungkwan realized he couldn't stay at the temple any longer. There was a long journey ahead of him to the city, and he didn't want to be late.

With hasty steps, he left the old temple and walked back to his house.

When he arrived at the house gate, he was shocked by an unexpected scene. His entire family and a few close friends had gathered there, waiting for him expectantly.

They seemed relieved to see Seungkwan back, though there was surprise on their faces when they saw the small wooden box he was carrying.

“What took you so long, Seungkwan?” asked his mother, her tone half worried. “What happened at the temple? And what is that box in your hand?”

Seungkwan was silent for a moment, trying to find an answer that made sense. But the truth about what happened at the temple was too strange to explain. How could he recount his encounter with the mysterious man? Or how was he asked to retrieve a box from a dark room filled with creepy whispers?

“I... I just prayed too long,” Seungkwan finally replied in a quiet voice. He lowered his head, not wanting to meet their eyes. “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

His mother approached him, looking curiously at the box in his hand. However, she did not ask further questions. “Well, the important thing is that you're back safely,” she said, hugging Seungkwan tightly.

One by one, his family members and friends approached, giving him a warm goodbye hug. His father patted his shoulder proudly, his brother smiled slightly, and his friends tried to hide their emotions with lighthearted jokes.

“Take care in the city, Seungkwan,” one of his friends said. “Don't forget us here.”

Seungkwan gave a small smile. “I won't forget. Thank you for everything.”

After that emotional moment, Seungkwan put the small wooden box in his bag and got into his car. He waved goodbye to everyone before starting the engine. With a gentle whirring of the engine, the car began to move, taking Seungkwan away from the small village that had been his home.

As he drove down the road that stretched out of the village, Seungkwan felt various emotions mixed in his heart. There was relief that he was finally starting a new journey towards the life he dreamed of in the big city. But on the other hand, there was something off — a strange feeling that he couldn't explain, as if the small box in his bag carried more than just inanimate objects.

At the last corner before the village disappeared from sight, Seungkwan took a quick glance in the rearview mirror. He saw the silhouette of an old temple standing tall in the distance, seemingly watching him go. He let out a long breath and tried to ignore the discomfort.

Chapter Text

The long journey to the city was finally over when Seungkwan arrived at his destination at night. The fatigue that clung to his body almost made him give up as he carried his luggage one by one to the small rented house he had rented earlier. The house was simple, with faded paint on the walls, but it was enough to be the starting place for his new life.

After arranging his belongings, Seungkwan sat down in the living room. Hunger began to attack him, but his body was too tired to cook. He ended up ordering fast food.

When the food arrived, Seungkwan ate it slowly. However, he was so tired that before he could finish his meal, he fell asleep on the sofa in the living room.

That night, Seungkwan had a strange dream. In the dream, he was in a dense forest full of trees. The air was cold, almost piercing to the bone, even though there was no wind blowing. He walked down a path, but the further he went, the more sinister the forest seemed. The path finally disappeared, and he felt completely lost.

Panic set in, and he began to run without direction. The more he tried to find a way out, the deeper he got lost in the forest. His breathing became labored, sweat poured down his body, and he finally fell to the ground. Pain radiated from his scraped knee, but he quickly looked up when he saw a pair of feet standing in front of him.

Seungkwan looked up carefully. Before him stood an extraordinarily beautiful man, almost like a living painting. His face was adorned with an unusual elegance, but the man's eyes radiated an arrogance that made Seungkwan feel small and fragile. The man looked at him sharply before speaking in a calm yet piercing voice.

“How did you get here?” he asked.

Seungkwan didn't know what to answer. His mouth felt numb, as if something was holding back every word he wanted to say. Even his legs felt heavy, as if they were bound by something invisible. A feeling of dread began to overcome him, making him retreat slowly by crawling. His body was covered in cold sweat, and his eyes were stinging, like he was going to cry at any moment.

The man remained standing where he was, looking at Seungkwan without moving, as if enjoying the fear radiating from his body. As Seungkwan backed away, his hand was accidentally scratched by a sharp tree branch. Fresh blood began to flow, making pain radiate through his palm. He tried to stop the blood flow by pressing on the wound, but the pain only made him more panicked.

Suddenly, the man moved closer to Seungkwan. His steps were quiet, but every step sounded so clear in the silence of the forest. Seungkwan, frightened, immediately covered his eyes with his arms, hoping it would be enough to protect him from whatever was about to happen.

However, the sound of cloth tearing was heard, and Seungkwan felt something warm touch his injured palm. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The man was bandaging the wound with a cloth he had torn from his own shirt. His movements were gentle and cautious, a complete opposite to his cold and arrogant aura.

Seungkwan stared at the man in surprise, not knowing how to react. He wanted to say thank you, but no sound came from his lips. He tried opening his mouth, but still no sound came out. Panic struck him again, and he could only look at the man in confusion.

The man saw Seungkwan's confusion and suddenly laughed. His laughter sounded like mockery, making Seungkwan even more nervous. He lowered his face, not daring to look at the man any longer.

“Very funny,” the man said in a voice that sounded mocking. After he was done laughing, he stood up and helped Seungkwan up. The man's hand felt cold, but strong, as he held Seungkwan's arm. However, once he stood up, Seungkwan wasted no time. He immediately ran as fast as he could away from the man.

The man's laughter rang out again, growing louder and echoing through the silent forest. The sound made Seungkwan's goosebumps crawl, and he continued to run without looking back. He hoped to get as far away from the man as possible, hoping to get out of the creepy forest.

Suddenly, the alarm sounded loudly in his ears. Seungkwan woke up breathless, sweat pouring down his body. He looked around, and relief instantly washed over him as he realized he was in the living room of his rented house.

The dream felt so real, almost like it was actually happening. But he knew it was just a dream... or at least he hoped so. However, when he moved his hand, he felt something strange. He looked down at his palm and was stunned. There were cloth marks there, just like in his dream.

+++

That morning, Seungkwan woke up with a heavy body. He sat on the sofa with his eyes still half closed, trying to recover his consciousness. Last night's strange dream flashed back into his mind, triggering an uncomfortable feeling that he found hard to explain. No matter how hard he tried to ignore the dream, every detail of it continued to haunt his mind—from the dark forest, the arrogant man who bandaged his wound, to the mocking laughter that felt like an echo in his ears.

When his gaze caught sight of the clock on the wall, he gasped. “I'm late!” he muttered as he got up in a hurry. He quickly headed to the bathroom to shower and get ready for campus.

While taking a shower, Seungkwan remembered something. It was his hand that was hurting. Curious and a little wary, he unwrapped the bandage that was wrapped around his palm. The wound was still there, just as he had seen in the dream. Even the pain was exactly the same. Seungkwan stared at the wound with deepening confusion.

While taking a shower, Seungkwan remembered something. It was his hand that was hurting. Curious and a little wary, he unwrapped the bandage that was wrapped around his palm. The wound was still there, just as he had seen in the dream. Even the pain was exactly the same. Seungkwan stared at the wound with deepening confusion.

“No way... it's just a coincidence, right?” he whispered softly to himself.

However, curiosity began to overcome him. He turned his gaze to his leg, the place where he felt he had fallen in the dream. Sure enough, there was a long scratch on his skin, like the mark of a sharp twig. Seungkwan's breathing stopped for a moment. This really didn't make sense.

His mind began to fill with speculations. Was the dream real? Or maybe it was a warning? Seungkwan shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. “That's enough,” he said firmly to himself. “I don't have time to think about this nonsense.”

He finished his shower quickly, dried off, and put on casual clothes to go to campus. Although his stomach wasn't particularly hungry, he forced himself to eat a few mouthfuls of breakfast. Memories of his dream continued to haunt him, but Seungkwan decided to ignore them.

“I'm just too tired,” he tried to convince himself as he gulped down a glass of water. “Maybe it's the effects of the long trip to the city yesterday.”

After tidying up his things, Seungkwan rushed out of the house and headed for campus. The bustling city streets helped distract him a little.

+++

Seungkwan stepped into the college hall with a smile on his face. That morning, he was determined to start his new life in Seoul positively. With his friendly and polite personality, it didn't take long for Seungkwan to get to know his friends. One of them was Wonwoo, a young man with a casual but thoughtful speaking manner. After the first class was over, Wonwoo invited Seungkwan to have lunch at the cafeteria.

“How about we eat at the cafeteria? I know a place with good food,” Wonwoo said, patting Seungkwan on the shoulder.

“Sure, I'll go with you. I don't know anything about this campus yet,” Seungkwan replied with a smile.

They walked together to the crowded cafeteria, passing through the crowd of students chatting and queuing for food. After getting their food, they chose a table in the corner of the room, a bit away from the crowd.

“So, where are you from, Seungkwan?” asked Wonwoo as he chewed his food. “And where do you live now?”

Seungkwan put down his spoon for a moment, then replied, “I'm from Haegeumgang village. I arrived in Seoul last night and immediately moved into my rented house.”

Hearing that, Wonwoo's eyes widened. “Just last night? Aren't you tired?”

“Of course I'm tired,” Seungkwan replied with a small laugh.

“You're amazing, Seungkwan. If I were you, I would definitely skip class today. Are you really okay?”

Seungkwan nodded with a smile. “I'm fine. Today's class schedule isn't too busy. There's only one course left, and after that I'll go home and rest.”

Wonwoo's expression turned serious, however. “That's not what I meant. I'm talking about your hand. Look, the wound is still dripping blood. It looks like it's pretty deep. Shouldn't you treat it right away?”

Seungkwan was silent for a moment, looking at his hand. The wound on his hand was really still bleeding, even soaking the bandage he had been wearing since morning. He thought back to his dream last night. This wound was exactly the same as the wound he had in the dream. Seungkwan shivered, but tried to hide his anxiety.

“Seungkwan, does the wound hurt that much? Then let me take you to the infirmary,” Wonwoo said in a worried tone.

Seungkwan hurriedly shook his head. “No, I'm fine,” he replied as he continued eating quickly, trying to look calm.

“But you have to bandage it properly right away, Seungkwan. Otherwise, the wound could get infected. Don't just tie it up with a cloth like that,” Wonwoo urged.

Finally, Seungkwan gave in to his friend's concern. He nodded as he said, “Okay. After we eat, we'll go to the infirmary.”

Wonwoo smiled with relief. “That's a relief. I didn't want to see your wound get worse.”

Even though their conversation returned to normal, Seungkwan's mind was filled with questions. What exactly had happened to him? Why did the wounds from his dream carry over to the real world? As he finished his meal, he decided to put it all aside for the time being. However, deep in his heart, he knew this was not something he could just ignore.

After eating, Wonwoo swiftly escorted Seungkwan to the infirmary. The medical staff there cleaned Seungkwan's wound with antiseptic and wrapped it with a clean bandage. “Your wound is quite deep, but it doesn't look like it needs stitches,” the officer said. “Make sure you change the bandage every day and keep it clean.”

Seungkwan simply nodded, thanking the officer. However, his anxious thoughts continued to haunt him. As they returned to the classroom for the last lecture of the day, Wonwoo tried to break the ice with a small joke.

“Seungkwan, I'm curious. What exactly happened to your hand? Did you fight with someone before coming to campus?” Wonwoo joked.

Seungkwan smiled slightly. “No, it was just a minor accident. Nothing serious,” he replied, though he knew it wasn't the whole truth.