One day, Seol was out driving alone, enjoying the serenity of the road. After finishing her trip, she decided to stop by a nearby supermarket to pick up some supplies. She strolled through the aisles, placing a few essentials into her basket—instant coffee, snacks, and some fresh vegetables.
As she approached the cashier, her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was an unfamiliar number. Pausing for a moment, she debated whether to answer. Curiosity got the better of her.
"Hello?" she said cautiously.
A deep voice came through the line. "Miss Seol, I need to speak with you. It's important."
The tone was unfamiliar, but something about it felt urgent. Seol frowned. "Who is this?"
The caller hesitated for a second before replying, "A friend of your grandfather's. Meet me at the park near Han River in an hour. Bring no one."
The call ended abruptly, leaving Seol standing frozen in the middle of the checkout line. Her heart raced. She knew better than to blindly trust a stranger, but the mention of her late grandfather struck a chord. She paid for her items quickly and stepped outside.
As she loaded her groceries into the car, her thoughts swirled. Could this be connected to her grandfather's death? Or was it some kind of trap? She decided to take precautions and called Haesung, explaining the situation briefly.
"Stay where you are," Haesung said firmly on the other end of the line. "I'll meet you, and we'll go together."
But Seol, stubborn as ever, shook her head. "No, Haesung. I need to face this myself. If it's about Grandfather, I need to know."
Before Haesung could protest further, Seol hung up. She drove to the park, her mind racing with questions and fears.
When she arrived, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the river. She spotted a man sitting on a bench, his posture casual but alert. He looked up as she approached, and his face revealed years of experience and hardship.
"Miss Seol," he greeted, standing as she reached him. "I knew your grandfather well. He trusted me with something important before he passed."
Seol's breath hitched. "What do you mean? What did he trust you with?"
The man handed her a small envelope, sealed and slightly worn. "This is from him. He told me to give it to you when the time was right. But be careful—this might draw unwanted attention."
Seol took the envelope, her hands trembling. Before she could ask further questions, the man looked around nervously. "I can't stay long. They're watching me too. Be safe, Miss Seol. And trust no one."
With that, he walked away, disappearing into the growing shadows. Seol stood there, clutching the envelope tightly. She knew whatever was inside would change everything—but she also knew it might pull her deeper into a web of danger.
Taking a deep breath, she returned to her car. As she drove back, her thoughts were consumed by the possibilities of what her grandfather had left behind. Little did she know, this was only the beginning of the next chapter in her search for the truth.
As Seol arrived home, she parked her car and sat silently for a moment, staring at the envelope in her hand. Her fingers traced its edges as her mind raced. What secrets could her grandfather have hidden from her? Why had he waited until now for her to find out?
She took a deep breath, mustering the courage to open it. But just as she was about to tear the seal, her phone buzzed. This time, it was Haesung.
"Seol," his voice was sharp and concerned. "Where are you? Did you meet that man?"
"I'm home," she replied, her voice calm but tense. "And yes, I met him. He gave me something—a letter from Grandfather."
"Don't open it," Haesung warned immediately. "Not yet. I'm coming over."
Seol frowned but decided not to argue. "Fine. Just hurry."
Within minutes, Haesung arrived. He entered the house with his usual air of calm authority but with an urgency in his step. So Myung followed closely behind, casually leaning against the doorframe as if he were just there for the entertainment.
"Alright," Haesung said, sitting across from Seol. "Let me see it first."
Seol hesitated. "Why? This is from Grandfather. It's meant for me."
Haesung's jaw tightened. "I understand, but you don't know what's in there. It could be dangerous—information that might put you in more trouble than you're already in."
Before Seol could reply, So Myung chimed in, his voice light but teasing. "Ah, Haesung, don't scare her. Maybe it's just a heartfelt letter saying how much he loved her." He paused, smirking. "Or maybe a treasure map. Who knows? Should I go grab a shovel?"
Seol shot him a glare, but his humor did manage to ease some of the tension in the room. She sighed and handed the envelope to Haesung. "Fine. But I want to read it too."
Haesung nodded, carefully opening the envelope. Inside was a folded sheet of paper and an old photograph. He unfolded the letter first, scanning its contents quickly. His expression grew darker with each passing moment.
Seol couldn't wait any longer. "What does it say?"
Haesung passed her the letter silently, his jaw clenched. Seol took it, her eyes darting over the neat handwriting she immediately recognized as her grandfather's.
---
My Dearest Seol,
If you're reading this, it means I am no longer with you. I am sorry for leaving behind so many unanswered questions. But there are things you need to know—things I couldn't tell you while I was alive.
Years ago, I discovered something that put our family in danger. It's tied to powerful people, people who will do anything to keep their secrets hidden. I tried to protect you from this, but now I fear that danger may find its way to you.
The photograph enclosed with this letter is a clue. It will lead you to the truth, but you must be careful. Trust no one except those who have proven their loyalty to you. And remember, Seol, you are stronger than you think. Don't let fear hold you back.
With all my love,
Grandfather
---
Seol's hands trembled as she set the letter down and picked up the photograph. It was an old picture of her grandfather standing with two other men in front of a large, stately building. One of the men looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place him.
"What does it mean?" she asked, looking up at Haesung and So Myung.
Haesung crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "It means your grandfather was involved in something far bigger than we thought. And now, it's your turn to finish what he started."
So Myung leaned closer, studying the photograph over Seol's shoulder. "Well, well," he muttered, a spark of recognition in his eyes. "This just got a whole lot more interesting."
"What do you mean?" Seol demanded, turning to him.
So Myung smirked. "I've seen that building before. It's an old government facility—abandoned now, but it wasn't always. If your grandfather was there, he wasn't just taking a stroll."
Haesung shot So Myung a warning glance. "This isn't a game, So Myung. If we go down this path, there's no turning back."
Seol straightened her shoulders, determination burning in her eyes. "Then let's go. I'm not afraid. If this is connected to Grandfather's death, I need to know the truth."
Haesung studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. But we do this my way. No unnecessary risks."
So Myung grinned, clearly enjoying the prospect of the adventure ahead. "Looks like we're in for a wild ride. Count me in."
As the three of them prepared to set out, none of them realized just how dangerous the journey ahead would be—or how deeply the truth would cut when they finally uncovered it.