The Department of the Dead office was a hive of activity. Unfurled maps covered the tables, and the hum of conversation created a tense atmosphere. Wittawat, with the arrogance characteristic of an academic, pointed at the map of the Golden Express. "Do you really think anyone would want to sabotage the Citadel's most secure transportation system?" he snapped, his voice echoing in the room.
Hye-Jin, the intelligence officer, was undeterred. "And how do you explain the incidents in Sector E? Is it just a coincidence that all the affected locations are connected by the Express lines?" Her gaze was piercing, challenging Wittawat.
Tae-Ho, the dean, watched the scene with a mix of concern and curiosity. "You're both right about something," he began, his calm voice contrasting with the tension in the room. "Something is happening, and we must act quickly."
Wittawat leaned forward, intrigued. "I think I've found the answer," he said, pointing to a detail on the map. "The roots of the Golden Tree extend throughout the city, feeding energy to the most important buildings. The attacks are concentrated in the areas where these roots are strongest. It's as if something is corrupting the tree's energy."
Hye-Jin paled. "If that's so, the Soul Bank is in grave danger. All those souls… could be at risk."
"We need to evacuate Sector M and N immediately," Tae-Ho ordered, his voice ringing with authority. "And we need to investigate the library. There we'll find the answers we seek. Remember the evil pencil Director Young-Chul showed us? Perhaps it has something to do with all of this."
The tension in the room cut like a knife. The people present sprang into motion, each with an assigned task. As the technicians adjusted the communication equipment, Hye-Jin and Wittawat delved into the library's ancient records.
"Excuse me, but I haven't been able to get through to the maintenance area," Anya interrupted, her voice timid. "Could it be that they suffered the same attack?"
Wittawat frowned. "That's impossible. That area has nothing to do with the sectors that suffered attacks." However, uncertainty had taken hold of everyone. How was it possible for such coordinated attacks to occur in different places at the same time?
As they continued to debate, an agitated Asawin rushed into the office. "The evacuation of the sectors is already underway," he announced.
Seeing the situation worsening, the dean made a decision. "Asawin, Hye-Jin, and Anya, prepare everything you need. You will leave immediately for the underground. You must arrive and start the subway, and see what the situation is in the maintenance area. If you need help, I will send reinforcements. This mission is new for everyone, but you must understand that it will not be easy." Pointing at Asawin, the dean added, "I trust in your sanity. All of us and the library are counting on you. Okay?"
Asawin bowed and left to prepare. As everyone was about to leave, a nervous Wittawat watched his brother intently. They were brothers, united by blood ties and a deep concern for the future of the Citadel.
As the team consisting of Asawin, Hye-Jin, and Anya, left for the station of the same name of the building, a melancholy Wittawat stared inattentively at the books on the table. Tae-Ho, unable to ignore his obvious distress, asked, "Are you nervous that I sent your own younger brother into a place of danger?" Wittawat nodded slightly, his eyes fixed on a fixed point.
The dean continued, "You have been here for about six years as the director of an entire area of the department of the dead. You are considered the 'Kaiser of Records.' You do not want anyone to help you, in fact, you stay later when everyone else goes home. In comparison, Asawin, despite being of a lower rank, always looks out for you."
Wittawat looked up, his eyes filled with deep sadness. "Dean Tae-ho, you of all people in this place know that my brother is the smartest one than me. He should have had this position, this burden, and not me."
Tae-Ho, surprised by the sincerity of his words, replied, "Why do you say that? You are the most capable. You have a higher intelligence than me, you have leadership qualities just like Asawin, but you are a very hard person. Why are you like this?"
A look of frustration crossed Wittawat's face. "You don't know anything about us. You don't know and you will never know what we've been through. And if my brother is a crappy guard it's because he wanted it. Having the skills, he was the best at the spiral tree academy, everywhere he was the first, while I... I was his shadow." His voice trailed off, and he continued in a whisper: "With the recurring fear that with all these evils that torment us something could happen to him."
Tae-Ho remained thoughtful. "Did you tell your brother? That you appreciate him above all things?" The dean's words resonated in Wittawat's heart, shaking the depths of his soul.
A few years ago, the brothers Wittawat and Asawin lived in the southern sector, near a bakery inherited from their grandfather. Tragedy marked their lives when their parents died in a golden train accident. Asawin, the eldest, seemed immune to pain, while Wittawat was deeply scarred by the loss. At school, Asawin shined, while Wittawat felt in his brother's shadow. One day, a teacher humiliated Wittawat by comparing him unfavorably to Asawin. Anger and frustration consumed him, and it was Asawin who stood up for him. That incident marked a turning point in their relationship.
That afternoon, after the incident at school, Wittawat went up to the top floor of his house and stared up at the night sky. From there, he could see the Department of the Dead building, an imposing structure that attracted and repelled him in equal measure. As he looked out over the city, he felt a strange mix of loneliness and determination.
Asawin found him there, sitting on the floor, staring into the distance. "Can I be with you for a moment, or would you rather be alone?" he asked softly.
Wittawat looked at him without answering. Asawin sat down beside him and continued, "This particular evening is beautiful, don't you think? The smell of Grandpa's fresh bread fills the house."
Wittawat gave a slight smile. "Every day Grandpa makes bread. It's nothing special."
"For me it is," Asawin replied. "It reminds me of our childhood."
Wittawat looked away. "And it reminds me that I will never be as good as you."
Asawin took his hand. "Wittawat, why do you always compare yourself to me? We are different, but that doesn't mean one is better than the other. You have your own strengths."
"Strengths… what?" Wittawat asked bitterly.
"You are smart, Wittawat. You have a brilliant mind. You could achieve great things if you wanted to."
"I don't want great things," Wittawat replied. "I just want to be with you."
Asawin was silent for a moment. Then, he said, "I want to be with you too, Wittawat. But you have to find your own path. Don't let yourself be limited by other people's expectations."
Wittawat looked his brother in the eyes. "But you… you're the one who's always been successful. I'll never be like you."
Asawin smiled. "You don't have to be like me. Be yourself. And I'll always be here to support you, no matter what."
Those words resonated in Wittawat's heart. He realized that he had been living in his brother's shadow, afraid that he wouldn't measure up. But thanks to this conversation, he began to understand that he was unique and valuable just the way he was.
Wittawat entered the Spiral Tree Academy, but always felt like he didn't quite fit in. By choosing the department of the dead, he was looking for a refuge, a place to lose himself. However, the love for his brother was always there. Years later, when Wittawat chose the Department of the Dead, he remembered that night on the roof. He realized that his decision had not been an escape, but a conscious choice. And he knew that no matter what happened, he would always have his brother by his side.
Watching Asawin leave for the station, Wittawat felt a knot in his stomach. He handed him an amulet for protection and said, "Please come back safely." Asawin, with a smile, replied, "Don't worry, we'll be fine. We'll be fine, Director Wittawat."
Wittawat watched his brother walk away, and once again, melancholy took hold of him. But this time, it wasn't an empty melancholy. It was the melancholy of a man who loves his brother and is willing to do anything to protect him.
In the dining hall, Minjun kept vigil over his brother Seo-jun. Despite the nurse's efforts, the wound on Seo-jun's hand seemed like a dark scar on his soul. A nurse came over, her soft voice contrasting with the gravity of the situation. "We'll do our best, Minjun, but..."
"I know," Minjun replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But seeing him like this… it hurts my soul."
The nurse nodded, understanding. "Your brother is strong, Minjun. Very strong. Remember what he told you about you."
Minjun looked up, surprised. "What did he say to me?"
"One day, when he came to the library, he spoke to you with such pride. How much he admired your bravery and determination. He said you were his inspiration."
A lump formed in Minjun's throat. He remembered Seo-jun's smile when he had told him about his admission to the academy. In that moment, he understood the true meaning of his sacrifice.
Suddenly, a deafening alarm echoed throughout the building. "Evacuation! Evacuation!" Guards ran through the halls, their voices full of urgency. Minjun stood up and ran outside, searching for Young-Chul.
He found him in what had once been Sector M, now a labyrinth of rubble and dust. The air was unbreathable, filled with suspended particles that created a dull, gloomy atmosphere. "Sir, please, you must get out of here!"
Young-Chul looked at him with determination, his face covered in soot. "We have avoided a tragedy, Minjun. Thanks to you and Seo-jun."
Minjun didn't understand. "How is this possible?"
"A corrupted diary caused the explosion. But thanks to the precautions we took, we avoided a greater catastrophe, and a team from the Department of the Dead is coming to help us."
"Minjun nodded, still stunned. "A team from the Department of the Dead is on its way. But how? How are they going to get here if the golden transport is stopped?"
Young-Chul looked at him with a mixture of tiredness and determination. "It's a long way, Minjun. A team of three people is walking from the department. According to Wittawat, the Records Director, they left about six golden hours ago. They will traverse difficult terrain to reach us. They will have to pass through the ruins of Sector K, where the ground is unstable and the air is polluted by the remains of the last failed experiment."
Minjun frowned, imagining the dangerous journey that awaited his companions. "They are very brave."
Young-Chul nodded. "Everyone in the department is brave. They have risked their lives to save the library."
Minjun looked around at the rubble and dust that filled the air. "I never thought I would see the library in this state."
Young-Chul sighed. "Neither did I. But we must rebuild it. For Seo-jun, for the librarians who came before us, and for future generations."
Minjun frowned, imagining the dangerous journey that awaited his companions. "They are very brave."
Young-Chul nodded. "Everyone in the department is brave. They risked their lives to save the library."
Your duty is to go out to the library station and wait for the entourage," Young-Chul ordered him. "And don't worry about me, I'm fine. Go, take some of your team. Never in the history of the library and the Department of the Dead had they worked together, but the situation required it. For the first time, both of the most important departments in the world were working against the clock, while in the world of the living there were only 6 hours left for Yuuki and Minho to meet again.
Minjun nodded determinedly. He knew he had an important mission. He stepped out of the rubble of the library, carrying with him the hope of a better future. As he walked away, he looked back and saw the dust rising into the air, forming dark swirls that seemed to dance to the rhythm of an ominous melody.
About seven golden hours had passed, which in the world of the living would be seventeen minutes, a significant difference, since time in those worlds is not governed by the same rules. Asawin led the way through the tunnels where the Tree Express runs. It was, without a doubt, the worst place one could be. The atmosphere was thick and darkness lurked in every corner, so much so that even Anya, the most reserved of the group, felt afraid. With the little strength she had left, she held a lantern that shone dimly over an endless darkness. Meanwhile, Hye-Jin tried to calm her down:
"Anya, I know this is hard for you, but you must be brave. You are not alone. You must let go of all worries, okay?"
The young woman answered in a trembling voice, overwhelmed by fear of the unknown:
"What if this whole place collapses? What if something happens to us? What if the world we live in disappears? What if we never come back alive?"
There were so many questions that Asawin intervened firmly:
"Anya, do you understand the situation we are in? Dean Tae-Ho trusts in your abilities. You are an expert in communications and, more than that, you are capable of achieving whatever you set out to do. Do not despair and, as Hye-Jin says, you are not alone. You have both of us, okay?"
She nodded as they continued to advance in a sort of procession into the darkness. Asawin, keeping an eye on the map, said to the small group:
"Do you see the flickering light? That should be the Golden Express track maintenance and control area. I think we've arrived. Anya, inform the dean that we're five hundred meters from the place..."
Before finishing his sentence, he saw with horror a gruesome scene: in the middle of the tracks lay three people, lifeless. Their bodies were positioned as if they had tried to flee, but failed. Seeing this, he shouted in a loud voice:
"Hye-Jin, stay still! I'll go further ahead. Immediately notify the dean! We're in trouble!"
Without hesitation, Hye-Jin informed the dean of the situation. As he ran, Asawin saw more bodies, all with a look of suffering and agony. As he approached the place, a dense, thick fog appeared out of nowhere, trying to suffocate him. He used his jacket to cover his mouth. In the distance, he could see the Golden Express stopped in the middle of the maintenance area, without power. He went inside and shined his flashlight to see if there was anyone, but unfortunately the train was empty. When he tried to start it, he noticed that it was without power. It was obvious:
"The system has been sabotaged," he said with a serious expression through the communication charms. "Hye-Jin, did you report the situation to the dean?"
She replied:
"Yes, I already reported it. As for the fallen, he has sent a contingent to take the victims away."
After hearing this, Asawin said:
"Come carefully. There is a thick fog and it is suffocating. Use the masks that you must have in your backpacks. If they fail, use mine. I will enter the control room."
Hye-Jin replied in surprise:
"Asawin! Do you hear me? Damn it! As impulsive as his brother. Anya, don't let go of me and try not to look at the floor, okay?"
Anya just nodded, obeying. Meanwhile, Asawin entered the control room and confirmed what she already suspected: the same thing that happened in the previous attacks had happened there. With irony, she looked at a sign that said: "GOLDEN EXPRESS CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE ROOM SECTOR E."
"It's a sinister coincidence," he muttered, as he surveyed the wreckage. The explosion had destroyed part of the electrical controls and communications system. In the main control room, everything was red, with alarm and power outage signals. On the dashboard, the citadel was completely suspended. In anger, he hit the control table and said,
"I'll catch those morons who want to destroy what we protect the most. I swear."
At that moment, Hye-Jin and Anya entered and looked in amazement at the critical alarms. Hye-Jin commented,
"We now know that the attacks on Sector E in all the buildings were no coincidence. Guys, I have an important task for you. Anya, you know more about mechanics and electricity than anyone here. Asawin, I'll try to reactivate the auxiliary power system. If we can keep some panels active, we might be able to restore 50% of the services. Hurry up!"
With renewed courage, Anya rushed to the electrical control room, but it was covered in dark miasma. Asawin remembered the amulet his brother gave him, capable of dispelling any dark miasma. Upon casting it, the miasma dissipated and they were able to enter safely. Asawin confidently said to Anya,
"Come on, let's work together. Even though I don't know much about this, I'll be your apprentice. Okay?"
She hesitantly replied,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Asawin. I'm sorry to be a burden and so weak."
He smiled and replied,
"As I said before, you have all the capabilities to achieve what you want. Cheer up, Anya! Let's get to work."
With those words, they worked together repairing the panels. Finally, Hye-Jin flipped the power redistribution lever and the room lit up completely.
"We did it, guys! The lines are running at 50% capacity and communications are back up."
In the distance, an alarm sounded. The train was back in operation. Asawin excitedly said,
"Let's warn the others! The Golden Express is running!"
An excited Anya informed the dean and Young-Chil. The train announced its next stop:
"Welcome to the Golden Express. Next stop: Library."
The atmosphere was warmer. Anya, now more confident, was able to relax, feeling the support of her friends. Upon arriving, Asawin spotted Minjun and hugged him happily.
"Welcome to the Library. Thank you for coming," Minjun told them.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Asawin replied.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the speakers:
"Dear passengers, thank you for choosing the Golden Express. The new station has been opened: Roots of the Abyss."
Everyone looked at each other in shock and fear. A new task was about to begin.
That afternoon, the sun was shining so brightly that the heat was evident in the classroom, so all the windows were open. A less melancholic Yuuki was sitting next to Saem. That approach allowed Yuuki to begin to feel safe towards him. Meanwhile, the desks showed a discreet Ji-Hoon, who was looking at his amulet to try to communicate with the library, but his efforts were useless. They did not know the gravity of the situation on the other side of the Golden Tree, nor that they would not have communications for at least a few days, that is, months within the tree world. The only functional thing he had at his disposal was his diary, which allowed him to see the time left for Yuuki to meet.
But again, the timelines crossed. On one hand, Saem's line crossed with Minho's, and they were in conflict in the time gap. Ji-Hoon did not understand the real reason for the situation. As the end-of-school-day alarm rang, there were only two hours left. Seeing some happiness in Yuuki, especially approaching Saem, Ji-Hoon asked himself, "Was such a meeting necessary while there was so little time left?" However, he couldn't deny one thing: the special glow emanating from Yuuki. That melancholic boy, lost in tangled memories that caused him chaos, was now calmer and more serene. He felt neither anger nor remorse; instead, he felt some peace. He already had the idea that there was nothing he could do, but seeing him happy made him think of the Librarian, when he sent him to say: "Take care of Yuuki." And that was what they were doing.
On the other hand, Saem, somewhat shy, asked if they could go together, to which Yuuki replied with a smile: "Sure, Myeon-Jin, could we go to a special place? They sell a melon bread, but in the shape of a bear. It's from the same bakery that gave me one in the shape of a rabbit. Would you like to go with me?" Saem, surprised, replied without hesitation: "Of course I'd love to go with you, let's go." Yuuki's smile was evident; despite the obstacles he was experiencing, it was a demonstration of the closeness he had with Saem. But inside, he himself was struggling with emotions he had never experienced. Only one promise resonated in his mind: "Protect that smile, without hesitation." They both left the room while Ji-Hoon watched them leave.
The clock in his diary already marked 30 minutes for the meeting. At that moment, he received a call from Jin, since they had bought cell phones for each other. Ji-Hoon replied, "Ji-Hoon, what's going on? There's no time left for the reunion, only minutes left. What are you doing?" To which Ji-Hoon replied curtly, "Classes are over here, but Minho didn't show up. He just left with Saem, I think near our house, so what? I've seen him happy. Does that even matter now?" An enraged Jin replied, "We didn't come to this world of the living to see that you haven't done anything. Don't you understand the gravity that affects the spiral world?" Enraged, Ji-Hoon replied, "Do you even care about Yuuki's well-being? Don't you feel sorry for the torments he experiences with memories he vaguely remembers? The daily torment, his eyes so dry from crying. Don't you have a shred of humanity? The Librarian didn't want this. Our job was to watch over him, but not as if we were the spiral civil guard. You got the wrong person, Jin." And with that, he hung up the phone. A defeated Jin understood perfectly what Yuuki was experiencing: one torment after another, pain, despair. It was what he noticed that night as he watched from afar, while Yuuki looked at the window crying. He completely understood Il-Seong's goal: protecting was the same as loving, no matter how. As he looked intently at the clock, there were only 10 minutes left until the reunion. Jin said quietly, "Il-Seong, if you were here, what would you have done? Because I... I don't know."
Walking down the stairs to the entrance, Yuuki kept telling Saem things about what he saw on TV and the places he wanted to visit with him, since he saw him as a friend. Saem nodded his head, marveling at the things he wanted to do with him. Just as they were about to leave, the head teacher stopped them, "Guys, how are you?" Saem replied, "Good afternoon, Professor Kenji. Yuuki and I were about to go home." The teacher replied, "Great, I'm glad to see that you're friends now. Before you leave, I wanted to introduce you to a new classmate. He's from Korea and is joining us today." Tick, tock, tick, tock, the clock was ticking, there were only 2 minutes left.
The teacher continued, "May I introduce you to Min-Ho Park. He's a bit shy, but I know that you'll be good friends, right, Minho?" In the distance, a clock struck 17:00, and it was time to end. Minho introduced himself with a smile: "It's a pleasure to meet you, I hope we'll be good friends," and shook Yuuki's hand. Yuuki looked at him in surprise. That name he heard so often in his dreams was before his eyes. They both looked at each other, and Minho just smiled. Saem realized something important: what was predestined had to be fulfilled, it was the Golden Tree's plan, and he was just a mere spectator in a world that didn't belong to him. He said to Minho: "It's a pleasure to meet you. Yuuki, I have to go. Maybe next time we can go out. See you tomorrow." Yuuki didn't understand the reason and just said: "But Saem, we promised to go together, do you remember?" Hearing that name, everyone was surprised, and Saem himself couldn't believe it. "Saem, do you remember when we promised to go to the bakery together?" he asked in a trembling voice. Saem looked at him in surprise. "What did you call me?" he asked, incredulous. Yuuki repeated the name, and at that moment, something inside Saem snapped. He understood that his world had changed forever.
Ji-Hoon, from his hiding place, watched as the timeline intertwined in an unexpected way. Had he managed to alter destiny, or had he simply created a new reality? As the clock ticked down to the time of their meeting, he wondered if they had made the right decision.