The sun was setting over the city, casting a warm, golden glow on the bustling streets. Lee Hana walked briskly, the weight of her recent encounters heavy on her mind. She was headed to a secluded park at the edge of the city, a place where the whispers of Elanthia were strongest. It was here that she could connect with the ancient forest, seeking guidance and strength.
As she entered the park, the noise of the city faded away, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds. Hana closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and allowed herself to relax. The whispers of Elanthia grew louder, filling her mind with images and voices from the past.
She knelt beside an old oak tree, its gnarled branches reaching out like ancient fingers. Placing her hand on the trunk, she felt a surge of energy, the magic of Elanthia flowing through her. The voices of the forest spoke to her, revealing glimpses of the prophecy that guided her path.
In her mind's eye, she saw a vision of a great battle, shadows clashing with light, and a figure standing at the center, holding a glowing sword. She knew it was a vision of the future, a sign of the trials to come. The forest had chosen her for this mission, and she would not falter.
As the vision faded, Hana opened her eyes, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. She knew she had to prepare for the challenges ahead, and she needed to strengthen her bond with the forest. She whispered a silent prayer of thanks to Elanthia and stood up, ready to face whatever came next.
Back in the city, Park Ji-hoon was busy following up on leads from the previous night's case. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to Judge Lee than met the eye. His instincts told him she was connected to the strange occurrences, and he was determined to find out how.
He spent hours combing through records, searching for any information that might shed light on her mysterious abilities. As he worked, he couldn't help but think about the conversation they had shared. There was something about Hana that intrigued him, a strength and determination that set her apart.
Ji-hoon's thoughts were interrupted by a call from his partner, Chief Yoon Seok-jin. "Ji-hoon, I've got something for you," Seok-jin said, his voice urgent. "Meet me at the station."
Ji-hoon grabbed his coat and headed out, his mind racing with possibilities. When he arrived at the station, Seok-jin was waiting for him, a folder in hand.
"I found something interesting," Seok-jin said, handing over the folder. "Take a look at this."
Ji-hoon opened the folder and scanned the contents. It was a collection of old case files, each one detailing mysterious deaths and disappearances. There was a pattern to them, a connection that hinted at something supernatural.
"This can't be a coincidence," Ji-hoon said, his eyes narrowing. "These cases match the profile of what we're dealing with."
"I thought the same thing," Seok-jin replied. "And there's one more thing. All of these cases are linked to a judge—Lee Hana."
Ji-hoon's heart skipped a beat. It was the confirmation he needed. "We need to talk to her," he said, determination in his voice.