Ethan stared directly at the tiger, its red and black stripes blurring. "This isn't real," he chanted, his mind racing. "It's just a dream."
The tiger crept closer, its eyes burning.
Ethan retreated, his backpedaling slow and deliberate.
Until he slipped.
And fell.
Everything went black.
When Ethan opened his eyes, he found himself in a traditional Korean village. The Joseon era.
People in hanbok hurried past, casting hateful glances.
Some threw eggs and tomatoes; others spat at him.
His confusion deepened.
"Why?" he pleaded, but no one answered.
He kept asking questions but then he realizes that it might just be a dream. So he repeated his actions of chanting that it wasn't real.
Suddenly, he heard someone calling out. "Hey sir. Are you awake?" Slowly he opened his eyes.
A figure approached him.
A pretty stranger with feline features and piercing eyes.
Ethan struggled to sit up.
"Thank you, young lady," Ethan said, still disoriented.
The stranger's gaze narrowed.
"Do you think I'm a girl?" the stranger asked, voice low and even.
Ethan nodded, taken aback.
The stranger's glare turned icy.
"How dare you," the stranger hissed, rising.
Ethan watched, perplexed.
The stranger's fluid movements were unmistakably feminine, but something didn't add up.
"Wait," Ethan said, but the stranger didn't stop. He just kept waking away.
Ethan stared after, bewildered.What just happened?And who was that stranger? Why was he so beautiful and cat-like? How did he get him out of the district?
Ethan struggled to his feet, his legs trembling. The traditional Korean house, with its wooden beams and tile roof, seemed to spin around him.
He took a deep breath and stepped outside, searching for someone, anyone.
The luxurious countryside estate was eerily quiet.
Just as Ethan wondered if he was alone, a hand tapped his shoulder.
He spun around, relief washing over him.
"Jaehoon!" Ethan exclaimed, grasping his friend's arm. "Don't scare me like that again."
Jaehoon chuckled. "Sorry, sorry. You're jumpy today."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here? And how did I get here?"
Jaehoon's grin faltered. "You were brought here. My little brother saved you."
Ethan's eyes widened. "Your little brother?"
The pretty stranger, with feline features, flashed into Ethan's mind.
"No way," Ethan said, incredulous. "That...that person can't be your brother."
Jaehoon's expression turned serious. "Yes, Ethan. Minsoo is my younger brother."
Ethan glared at Jaehoon. "Don't lie to me."
But Jaehoon's solemn gaze convinced Ethan.
Just then, the stranger approached, his eyes flashing with disdain.
"Ah, Ethan," Jaehoon said, "this is my brother, Park Minsoo."
Minsoo's glare intensified. "We've met," he said curtly.
Ethan's face heated, recalling their previous encounter.
"Minsoo, this is Ethan Kim," Jaehoon continued.
Minsoo's eyes narrowed. "The one who thought I was a girl."
Ethan's embarrassment deepened.
"Minsoo, don't," Jaehoon intervened.
But Minsoo's icy gaze remained fixed on Ethan.
The air was thick with tension.
Ethan opted to remain silent, taking in Minsoo's omega features – delicate, yet sharp.
"Thanks for saving me, Minsoo," Ethan said finally.
Minsoo's gaze softened slightly.
"You're welcome," Minsoo replied.
"How old are you?" Ethan asked.
"Twenty-three," Minsoo answered.
Ethan smiled. "I'm twenty-seven. You should call me hyung."
Minsoo's expression transformed into a venomous glare.
"Don't even think about it," Minsoo hissed, voice dripping with malice.
Jaehoon, seated on a nearby bench, laughed openly at the exchange.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? It's Korean culture."
Minsoo's eyes flashed. "You think you deserve respect from me? After calling me a girl?"
Ethan's face heated.
"Minsoo, ease up," Jaehoon intervened.
But Minsoo wouldn't relent.
"Where did you save me from?" Ethan asked, changing the subject.
Minsoo's posture relaxed slightly.
"Some kids saw a car enter the 14th district. They were discussing it when I overheard. Then Jaehoon called, saying his boss was in Jeonju... I pieced it together."
Minsoo's gaze turned scathing.
"No one else in Jeonju would be foolish enough to venture into the district, especially at night."
Jaehoon chuckled. "Minsoo's right, Ethan. You're quite... adventurous."
Ethan shot Jaehoon a look.
Minsoo crossed his arms. "I should've left you there."
Ethan's eyes widened.
Jaehoon stood, intervening. "Enough, Minsoo."
Ethan's eyes widened. "You weren't scared of the 14th district's stories?"
Minsoo shook his head, smirking. "Unlike some jumpy scaredy cats."
Ethan bristled. "I'm not scared."
Minsoo's grin broadened. "Really?"
Suddenly, Minsoo screamed, "Tiger behind you!"
Ethan shrieked, spinning around.
Jaehoon and Minsoo erupted into laughter.
Ethan's face flushed. "You were teasing me."
Minsoo chuckled. "You're so gullible."
Ethan glared. "You're the one who looks like a twink."
Minsoo's eyes flashed. "At least I don't look like a worn-out ajusshi."
"You're just a pretty boy with no substance."
"And you're a clumsy foreigner who can't even tell the difference between a man and a woman."
Jaehoon egged Minsoo on. "That's right, Minsoo. Show him."
Ethan tried to interject, but Minsoo wouldn't relent.
"You're just mad because I saved you from the district." Minsoo hissed.
"Maybe if you weren't so reckless, you wouldn't need saving."
Jaehoon chuckled. "Minsoo's got you there, Ethan."
Ethan smiled awkwardly, surrendering.
He sat beside Jaehoon. "Minsoo's scary and annoying."
Jaehoon laughed. "That's my little brother."
Minsoo overheard. "I'm not annoying. I'm just passionately expressing myself."
Jaehoon patted Ethan's back. "Don't mind him. He's protective of this place."
Ethan's curiosity piqued. "What's with the 14th district, anyway?"
Jaehoon leaned in. "Legends say it's cursed. People vanish, strange occurrences..."
Minsoo chimed in. "But we know the truth. It's not just superstition."
Ethan's eyes locked onto Minsoo. "What do you mean?"
Minsoo's gaze turned serious. "The district has a dark history. We've seen things... experienced things."
Jaehoon nodded. "We've been trying to uncover the truth."
Ethan's mind reeled. "What truth?"
Minsoo's voice dropped to a whisper. "The 14th district's secrets will change everything you thought you knew about Jeonju."
Ethan leaned in, eager for answers. "What secrets? Tell me."
Minsoo smirked mischievously. "Oh, nothing. Just tales."
Jaehoon chuckled. "Don't mind us, Ethan. We were just teasing."
Ethan's face fell, frustration etched on his features.
"No, seriously," Minsoo said, grinning. "Nobody knows what really happens in that abandoned district."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Not funny."
He turned to Jaehoon, his tone shifting to commanding. "Jaehoon, we should work."
Minsoo's eyes widened at Ethan's sudden change.
Jaehoon stood, unfazed. "Right, boss. Today's schedule: meetings with local heads."
As they walked to the car, Jaehoon briefed Ethan.
"We have meetings with the mayor, chamber of commerce, and—"
Ethan's phone rang, interrupting Jaehoon.
He answered, listening intently.
His expression turned concerned.
Jaehoon noticed. "What's up?"
Ethan ended the call. "Japan investors weren't impressed with our presentation."
Jaehoon reassured him. "Don't worry, I'll fly to Seoul and handle it."
Minsoo stepped forward. "And I'll assist Jaehoon hyung."
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise.
Minsoo smiled. "I know the local heads better than you think."
Jaehoon nodded. "Minsoo can be your assistant for the day."
Ethan hesitated, unsure.
Minsoo's expression turned serious. "I can help, Ethan."
Jaehoon added, "Trust him, Ethan. Minsoo's connections will smooth things over."
Ethan reluctantly agreed.
As they drove away, Minsoo sat beside Ethan, a sly grin spreading.
"Time to prove myself," Minsoo whispered.
Jaehoon chuckled from the driver's seat.
"This should be interesting."
---
Ethan pulled up to Minsoo's gate, stopping the car.
"Thanks for your help today, Minsoo," Ethan said sincerely.
Minsoo smiled. "No problem, Ethan."
Minsoo's expression turned curious. "Why did you buy that 5-story house in the 14th district?"
Ethan's gaze hardened. "That's none of your business."
Ethan drove away, leaving Minsoo staring after him.
Later, at the hotel, Ethan relaxed in the bathtub, sipping red wine.
He tilted his head back, letting the warm water envelop his face.
Suddenly, the water transformed into blood.
A force pushed Ethan deeper, and he struggled to breathe.
Drowning, he tried to scream, but his voice was muffled.
Desperate, Ethan kicked and punched, finally breaking free.
Gasping, he rose from the blood-filled bathtub.
Shaken, Ethan washed his face with sink water and donned a bathrobe.
As he exited the bathroom, chilling screams pierced the air.
A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.
A woman in a bloodstained hanbok, her eyes glowing red.
"Sooyeon," she whispered, voice dripping with malice.
Ethan froze, paralyzed.
"Sooyeon, the Changgwi," she continued, "And you, Ethan... are mine."
Her gaze crawled over Ethan's body, sending shivers down his spine.
Ethan tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat.
Sooyeon's grin widened, revealing razor-sharp teeth.
"You shouldn't have come here," she hissed.
Ethan backed away, but Sooyeon vanished into thin air.
Suddenly, the room plunged into darkness.
Ethan's heart pounded.
And then, a faint whisper echoed through the darkness.
"Welcome to Jeonju, Ethan... forever."