"I think this is a very bad idea."
Ethan sighed looking at his assistant who seemed honestly worried about him. "Chill, Jaehoon. The whole idea is to take a detour. We're expanding the company internationally but first we need to get the locals' support"
Jaehoon, still frustrated, ran a hand through his hair. He wasn't mad that Ethan was planning on going to the countryside to survey for the company expansion, he was angry that his boss chose a seriously weird place.
The place was called the 14th district but it was abandoned. Unlike other places in the countryside, this place had good buildings but they've been left unoccupied. The most terrifying thing about it is that the gates of the district was rumored to have been locked by a shaman thousands of years ago.
Ethan, on the other hand, doesn't believe in anything supernatural. He believes that they're just fantasies.
"Come on, Jay, see the potential," Ethan said, spreading his arms wide, encompassing the map of Jeonju on his conference table. "KTech's expansion into the Korean market will be a game-changer. We'll capture the hearts of the locals before going international."
Jaehoon crossed his arms, his expression stern. "It's not a good idea, Ethan."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What's not to like? The location's perfect – central, accessible, and affordable."
Jaehoon hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The area...has a reputation."
Ethan chuckled. "Reputation? You mean the local folklore? Jay, I don't pay you to believe in ghost stories."
Jaehoon's eyes flashed with frustration. "That's not it, Ethan. Just trust me on this."
Ethan's grin faltered. "Jay, what's really bothering you?"
Jaehoon's jaw clenched. "Nothing." He stood, gathering his papers. "We're done here."
As they left the office, the tension lingered. In the car, Jaehoon gave Ethan the cold shoulder, staring out the window.
"Hey, Jay, lighten up," Ethan said, nudging Jaehoon's shoulder. "What's wrong? Did I upset you?"
Jaehoon's glare silenced Ethan.
The drive home passed in uncomfortable silence.
Ethan tried again. "Jay, come on, buddy. What's eating at you?"
Jaehoon's response was a piercing stare.
Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. I get it. You're mad."
As they pulled up to Ethan's apartment, Jaehoon opened the door.
"See you tomorrow, Ethan," Jaehoon said curtly, exiting the car.
Ethan watched Jaehoon disappear into the night, puzzled.
Little did Ethan know, Jaehoon's concerns would soon become his worst nightmare.
Ethan packed his bags, his mind still racing with Jaehoon's enigmatic warning. Shrugging it off, he settled into his favorite armchair, laptop open, and began researching the 14th District in Jeonju.
As he scrolled through forums and blogs, a chill crept up his spine. Whispers of strange occurrences, unexplained disappearances, and eerie feelings plagued the district. Ethan's skepticism wavered, but his business mind reassured him: superstition wouldn't dictate his decisions.
One thread caught his eye: "The Five-Story Mansion of Doom." Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he read the tales of ghostly apparitions, disembodied screams, and an unsettling presence within the mansion's walls.
"Ridiculous," Ethan muttered, rubbing his tired eyes. He'd already invested millions; nothing would make him back out now.
As the night wore on, Ethan's eyelids drooped. He closed his laptop and headed to bed.
Sleep claimed him quickly, but his peace was short-lived.
~
Ethan found himself standing in a dense forest, surrounded by ancient trees that seemed to writhe and twist around him. A faint hum filled the air, growing louder, until a tiger emerged from the shadows.
Its eyes locked onto Ethan, burning with an otherworldly hunger. Ethan tried to run, but his legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot.
The tiger padded closer, its hot breath washing over Ethan. He tried to scream, but his voice was silenced by some unseen force.
Suddenly, Ethan was dragged toward the tiger, his body moving involuntarily. A dark altar materialized beneath him, and he felt himself being positioned for sacrifice.
The tiger's claws swiped down, slicing through Ethan's right leg. He felt searing pain as he fell to the ground.
Ethan's screams were drowned out by the tiger's deafening roar.
~
Ethan jolted awake, drenched in sweat, his heart racing. He gasped for air, reassuring himself it was just a dream.
But as he threw off the covers, his gaze fell upon four gashes on his right leg. Blood trickled down his skin.
"What the...?" Ethan's voice trembled.
He stumbled out of bed, staggering to the bathroom. Staring at his reflection, Ethan's mind reeled. How did he get those cuts?
A logical explanation dawned on him: he must have scratched himself in his sleep.
Ethan quickly cleaned and bandaged the cuts, deciding to wear long pants to conceal the injuries. Jaehoon would only fret and ask questions.
As he finished dressing, Ethan's phone buzzed. Jaehoon's text displayed on the screen: "Ready to leave for Jeonju?"
Ethan took a deep breath, pushing aside the lingering unease.
"Let's do this," he whispered, shouldering his bag.
The nightmare still lingered in his mind, but Ethan Kim didn't believe in omens.
Or did he?
Ethan arrived at the designated meeting point, his long pants concealing the bandaged cuts. Jaehoon raised an eyebrow.
"Rough night?" Jaehoon asked, loading Ethan's luggage.
"Just didn't sleep well," Ethan replied, waving it off.
As they drove to Jeonju, Ethan's mind wandered to the nightmare. The tiger's eyes lingered in his thoughts.
"Jay, do you believe in superstitions?" Ethan asked, breaking the silence.
Jaehoon's gaze flicked toward Ethan before returning to the road. "Why? Did something happen
"No reason. Nothing happened." Ethan shrugged.
The drive passed in comfortable silence, the Korean countryside unfolding outside their windows.
As they approached Jeonju, Ethan's excitement resurfaced. This was a fresh start for KTech.
Upon arrival, Ethan checked into his hotel, and Jaehoon handed him a folder.
"Tomorrow's schedule: meeting with contractors and local officials," Jaehoon said.
Ethan nodded, scanning the itinerary.
As Jaehoon departed, Ethan couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.
He tried to focus on the upcoming meetings, but his thoughts drifted to the nightmare.
The tiger's eyes.
The cuts on his leg.
Ethan pushed aside the unease, attributing it to fatigue.
Ethan slid into the driver's seat of his rented car, eager to explore Jeonju. The vibrant city pulsed with life, its rich history and culture palpable.
After visiting the iconic Hanok Village and savoring delicious bibimbap, Ethan's curiosity led him to the infamous 14th District.
As he approached the district's gates, an assortment of talismans, garlands, candles, and ancient pots caught his attention. Ethan's lips curled in disdain.
"Superstitions," he muttered.
Undeterred, Ethan drove through the gates, entering the district.
The sudden change in atmosphere struck him. Once-vibrant homes now stood abandoned, their doors hanging crookedly, windows shattered.
Weeds sprouted from cracked sidewalks, and an eerie silence shrouded the streets.
Ethan's skepticism wavered. What drove people to flee their homes?
He parked the car and stepped out, walking down the desolate streets.
Each house seemed to whisper tales of fear and despair.
On doorframes, cryptic symbols and charms hung, meant to ward off evil spirits.
Ethan's gaze lingered on a particularly ominous-looking talisman.
"What are you supposed to protect against?" he wondered.
A chill crept up his spine as the sun began to set, casting long shadows.
Ethan quickened his pace, returning to his car.
As he drove away, the 14th District's haunting beauty lingered in his thoughts.
Little did Ethan know, nightfall would unveil the district's darker secrets.
Ethan couldn't shake off the district's haunting atmosphere. He returned after sunset, determined to uncover its secrets.
As he drove through the deserted streets, the GPS led him deeper into the district. Suddenly, the car's headlights flickered and died.
Ethan coasted to the side, the darkness enveloping him like a shroud.
"Great," he muttered, exiting the car.
The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by distant whispers. Ethan spun around, but there was no one.
A cold breeze carried the scent of incense and something sweetly decaying.
Ethan's skin crawled.
He approached a nearby abandoned house, its windows like empty eyes.
As he peered inside, a faint light flickered within.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Ethan pushed open the creaking door.
Inside, candles cast eerie shadows on the walls.
Suddenly, the whispers ceased.
The air seemed to vibrate with anticipation.
Ethan felt eyes upon him.
He turned to leave, but the door slammed shut.
Trapped.
A low growl resonated through the room.
Ethan's heart racing, he frantically searched for an exit.
That's when he saw it:
A tiger's eyes, glowing in the darkness.
Ethan's nightmare replayed before his eyes.
The eyes drew closer.
Ethan screamed.