Road to the unknown

The road stretched endlessly ahead, a thin strip of asphalt cutting through the dense countryside. No streetlights, no passing cars—just the sound of the engine humming in the dead of night. The stars above barely pierced the thick clouds, casting a heavy darkness over the landscape.

Osamu gripped the wheel, his eyes scanning the surroundings with his usual wariness. The countryside wasn't like the city. There were no cameras, no bystanders—if something happened out here, no one would know until it was too late.

Beside him, Ji-hoon was lounging in the passenger seat, staring lazily out the window. The occasional flicker of headlights from far-off farmhouses cast fleeting shadows inside the car.

"Wouldn't it be funny if something happened to us?" Ji-hoon mused, his tone too casual for Osamu's liking.

Osamu didn't even glance at him, his hands steady on the wheel. "What exactly does 'something' mean?"

Ji-hoon smirked. "I don't know. Maybe an obstacle in the road… or maybe we get attacked."

Osamu let out a slow breath, his grip tightening slightly. "You know, I've heard about incidents like that."

Ji-hoon turned to him, curious. "Oh? So did you bring a sword?"

A tense silence filled the car.

Osamu's jaw twitched. "You forgot your sword?"

Ji-hoon blinked. "Oh… yeah."

Osamu's fingers drummed against the steering wheel, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "How the hell do you forget your sword?"

Ji-hoon chuckled, unfazed. "Relax. Even without it, I'm still at a crew head level."

Osamu scoffed. "That's strong, but it's not enough. Even Goto warned me to be careful with these people. Their heads are on Goto's level."

Ji-hoon leaned back, arms behind his head. "You trust Goto? The same guy who almost killed you all back then?"

Osamu didn't answer immediately. Instead, he kept his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable. "That's not the point. If Goto says they're dangerous, I believe it."

Ji-hoon snickered. "Whatever. Besides, I can use anything as a weapon—even a wristwatch. It's all about the mindset." He grinned, tapping his glasses. "You know, I'm quite the romantic."

Osamu rolled his eyes. "Spare me the philosophy."

Osamu stretched, letting out a yawn. "Anyway, I barely got any sleep because of work. You drive, I'll rest."

Ji-hoon sighed but didn't argue. Ji-hoon unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed over the center console, slipping into the driver's seat while Osamu slid into the passenger seat.

Within seconds, Osamu had his arms crossed and his eyes closed.

"Wake me up if we get ambushed," he muttered.

Ji-hoon smirked, watching the road. "Sweet dreams."

And with that, the car continued rolling through the dark countryside, the shadows watching them from the trees.