Chapter 3: Silence

Ethan's heart still racing, he stumbled through the darkness, desperate for a way out. The whisper echoed in his mind: "Welcome to Jeonju, Ethan... forever."

Suddenly, faint lights flickered, illuminating the room. Ethan spotted a door, previously hidden.

He rushed toward it, but the door led to a labyrinthine corridor.

"Jeonju" - the name sent shivers down Ethan's spine.

Was this a city, a realm, or a state of mind?

As he navigated the twisting corridors, Ethan encountered more shadows.

Each step echoed with Sooyeon's whisper: "You're mine."

Ethan's grip on reality had already began to slip when a knock on the door was heard.

Ethan opened the door, his heart still racing from the terrifying encounter. But to his surprise, the creepy atmosphere vanished, replaced by Minsoo's cheerful face.

"Hey, Ethan! Jaehoon asked me to drop by," Minsoo said, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Ethan's sweat-drenched shirt and disheveled hair must have given him away. Minsoo's gaze roamed over him, a mischievous grin spreading.

"Watching porn and jerking off, huh?" Minsoo teased.

Ethan's face burned. "What are you doing here, Minsoo?" he hissed, skipping the small talk.

Minsoo chuckled. "Jaehoon's unavailable for the week, so he asked me to fill you in on your schedule."

Ethan nodded, still trying to shake off the lingering fear.

Minsoo pulled out his phone. "Can I get your number? Jaehoon wants me to keep you updated."

Ethan hesitated for a moment before sharing his number.

As Minsoo turned to leave, Ethan called out, "Wait, you're forgetting something."

Minsoo raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"You didn't explain my schedule," Ethan said, a hint of annoyance creeping in.

Minsoo rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Jaehoon's got one task for you: tour Jeonju, get to know the city."

Ethan frowned. "That's it?"

Minsoo nodded. "Yeah. You'll be exploring the 14th district, too. It's... unique."

"Unique?" Ethan repeated, curiosity piqued.

Minsoo leaned in, voice lowering. "Let's just say the 14th district has its quirks. Some areas are... off-limits. Stick to the main streets, and you'll be fine."

Ethan's mind whirled with questions. What kind of quirks? Why off-limits?

Minsoo continued, "Jeonju's got a rich history. Visit the Hanok Village, try some bibimbap, and—"

"Minsoo, what's going on in the 14th district?" Ethan interrupted.

Minsoo's expression turned serious. "I'll let Jaehoon explain. Just... be careful, okay?"

With that ominous warning, Minsoo nodded and left.

Ethan watched him go, his thoughts swirling with unease.

What secrets lay hidden in Jeonju's ancient streets?

And what did Jaehoon mean by "getting to know" the city?

As Minsoo disappeared from view, Sooyeon's whispery voice slithered back into Ethan's mind.

"Forever mine, Ethan... trapped in Jeonju's darkness."

Ethan hastened after Minsoo, his footsteps echoing through the evening air. As he reached Minsoo's car, he grasped the smaller man's arm.

"Minsoo, I need to stay at your house tonight," Ethan urged, his voice laced with desperation.

Minsoo's expression shifted from curiosity to concern. "What's wrong, Ethan?"

Ethan hesitated, unsure how to articulate the terror that gripped him. "Just for tonight, please."

Minsoo nodded sympathetically. "Alright, you can stay."

As Minsoo agreed, the unsettling voice in Ethan's mind fell silent.

Ethan released Minsoo's arm and slid into the passenger seat.

Minsoo eyed him warily. "Ethan, is everything okay?"

Ethan's gaze drifted out the window. "Yeah, I'm fine."

The drive to Minsoo's house passed in tense silence.

Sooyeon's voice returned, its malevolent tone sending shivers down Ethan's spine.

"Tonight, Ethan, you'll face darkness... and I'll claim you."

Ethan's jaw clenched.

Minsoo's voice cut through the tension. "Ethan, you're scaring me."

Ethan forced a reassuring smile. "Just tired, that's all."

As they arrived at Minsoo's house, Ethan knew he had to keep his secrets hidden – for now.

As they entered Minsoo's cozy home, Ethan's unease lingered. Sooyeon's voice still echoed in his mind, threatening darkness.

Minsoo led Ethan to the guest room. "Make yourself comfortable. We'll catch up over dinner."

Ethan nodded, grateful for the distraction.

As Minsoo busied himself in the kitchen, Ethan's thoughts turned to Sooyeon. Who was she? What did she want?

Dinner was a lively affair, with Minsoo and Ethan engaging in their usual banter.

Minsoo slid a steaming plate of bibimbap in front of Ethan. "Eat up, giant. You must be starving."

Ethan smirked. "Giant? You're just mad because you're stuck in puberty."

Minsoo playfully rolled his eyes. "Hey, watch it! I'm perfectly proportioned."

Ethan chuckled, scooping up a mouthful of rice. "Proportioned for a middle schooler, maybe."

Minsoo snorted. "At least I don't look like a lanky giraffe."

Their teasing continued throughout dinner, with neither willing to concede.

But beneath the lighthearted jabs, Ethan's anxiety simmered.

Sooyeon's voice still lingered, threatening darkness.

Minsoo, oblivious to Ethan's unease, continued to poke fun.

"Hey, Ethan, did you finally find a shirt that fits?"

Ethan shot back, "At least my shirts don't look like they belong on a doll."

Their bickering filled the room, masking Ethan's inner turmoil.

Just then, Minsoo's phone buzzed. "Jaehoon's calling. I'll take it."

As Minsoo stepped away, Ethan's anxiety spiked.

Sooyeon's voice whispered, "Tonight, Ethan... escape is impossible."

Ethan's grip on the armrest tightened.

Minsoo returned, expression serious.

"Jaehoon wants to meet tomorrow. He's got information about the 14th district."

After dinner, Ethan and Minsoo tackled the dishes, their banter continuing.

"You know, for a giant, you're surprisingly clumsy," Minsoo teased, handing Ethan a dripping plate.

Ethan chuckled. "And for a shrimp, you're surprisingly bossy."

Once the dishes were done, Minsoo gestured to the living room.

"You'll be sleeping here tonight. Short notice, sorry."

Ethan's puzzled expression deepened. "How am I supposed to fit on that couch? I'm 6' tall, Minsoo."

Minsoo shrugged, his grin mischievous. "Well, maybe you can fold yourself like a human accordion."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "That's not funny."

Minsoo's expression turned serious. "Look, the guest room's occupied. And you're not sleeping in my room, so it's either the couch or back to the hotel."

Ethan's scowl deepened. "Occupied? By what? Dust bunnies?"

Minsoo crossed his arms. "None of your business. Now, choose: couch or hotel?"

Ethan huffed, flopping onto the couch. "Fine, I'll sleep here."

As he sulked, Sooyeon's voice slithered back into his mind.

"Tonight, Ethan... darkness claims you."

Ethan's grip on the couch cushion tightened.

Suddenly, he sprang up, grasping Minsoo's arm.

Minsoo's 'WTF' expression matched his tone. "Ethan, what's wrong with you?!"

"Nothing," Ethan muttered, releasing Minsoo's arm.

Minsoo rubbed his arm, exasperated. "Dude, you're acting weird. One minute you're normal, the next you're clinging to me like a liferaft."

Ethan's eyes darted around, ensuring Sooyeon's presence wasn't visible.

"Just... tired," Ethan stammered.

Minsoo raised an eyebrow. "Tired? Or possessed?"

Ethan forced a laugh. "Ha. Ha. Very funny."

Minsoo's skeptical gaze lingered.

"Look, Ethan, if something's bothering you, just tell me."

Ethan shook his head.

For now, his secrets were safe.

But Sooyeon's voice continued to taunt him.

And Ethan wondered how much longer he could keep his sanity.

Minsoo groaned, tossing his hands up. "Fine, come with me."

Ethan's excitement was palpable, but he played it cool, following Minsoo to his room.

Minsoo handed Ethan a thick duvet. "You'll sleep here, on the floor."

Ethan's eyes sparkled, but he maintained his nonchalance. "Thanks, I guess."

As they settled in, Ethan's curiosity took over.

"Hey, Minsoo? Tell me about the changgwi folklore."

Minsoo yawned, snuggling into his blankets. "Everyone knows this... The changgwi's a ghost of someone killed by a tiger."

Ethan nodded, intrigued. "And then?"

Minsoo's voice took on a storyteller's tone. "The changgwi can't pass on to the afterlife, so it becomes a slave to the tiger. It's forced to bring human sacrifices to the tiger, hoping to one day become free."

Ethan scoffed. "That's ridiculous. Sounds like Stockholm Syndrome to me."

Minsoo chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"The tiger's the enemy, right? But the changgwi's blaming innocent humans? That's messed up. There should be some kind of ghost animal control to catch the tiger and punish it."

Minsoo laughed. "I never thought of it that way. Guess the changgwi's got some issues."

Ethan grinned. "Yeah, or maybe it just needs therapy."

Minsoo snorted. "Ghost therapy? That's a new one."

Their laughter filled the room.

As they settled in, Ethan asked, "But what happens when the changgwi finally becomes free?"

Minsoo's expression turned serious. "According to legend... the changgwi becomes a powerful spirit, seeking revenge on the living."

Ethan's eyes widened. "Revenge on who? Again?"

Minsoo shrugged. "Everyone. The world. It's a pretty bleak ending."

The room fell silent.

Suddenly, Ethan spoke up. "Minsoo?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you believe in the changgwi?"

Minsoo hesitated before answering. "I don't know... But after what's been happening in Jeonju, I'm starting to wonder."

Ethan's gaze locked onto Minsoo's.

And in that moment, Sooyeon's voice whispered in Ethan's mind.

"You'll soon understand, Ethan... the changgwi's pain."

Ethan's grip on the duvet tightened.

But he didn't share Sooyeon's words.

Not yet.

Minsoo's words lingered, casting a shadow of uncertainty.

Ethan's thoughts whirled. "What's been happening in Jeonju?"

Minsoo hesitated, voice barely above a whisper. "Disappearances. Strange occurrences especially in the 14th district. Some say the changgwi's awakening."

Ethan's skin prickled. "Awakening?"

Minsoo nodded. "Legend says when the changgwi's power grows, the veil between worlds thins."

Suddenly, the room creaked, as if the house itself shifted.

Ethan's heart skipped a beat.

Minsoo's eyes locked onto Ethan's. "You feel that?"

Ethan nodded.

The air thickened, heavy with an unseen presence.

Sooyeon's voice whispered, "Ethan, soon you'll join me... forever."

Ethan's grip on the duvet tightened.

Minsoo's voice cut through the tension. "Ethan, what's wrong?"

Ethan's eyes darted toward Minsoo.

But before he could answer, the lights flickered and died.

Plunged into darkness, Ethan's breath caught.

Minsoo's whisper came from inches away. "Ethan... I think it's here."

And then, nothing.

Silence.

Blackness.