PROLOGUE

Prologue: The Cost of Loyalty

The sky was a soft gradient of orange and pink as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting long shadows over the bustling city of Seoul. The streets were crowded with people, their chatter and laughter filling the air, blending with the distant hum of traffic. Jung Hee walked alongside Eun Woo, their footsteps in sync as they made their way through the familiar streets. It was an ordinary day, the kind of day Jung Hee had come to cherish—simple, peaceful, and predictable.

Eun Woo turned to him, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You still thinking about that mochi shop I mentioned?" he teased, nudging Jung Hee with his elbow. "I'm telling you, it'll change your life."

Jung Hee rolled his eyes, the corners of his own mouth twitching into a reluctant smile. "You've got an unhealthy obsession with mochi. I'm starting to worry about you."

Eun Woo laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Maybe, but it's worth it. Trust me. After everything we've been through, we deserve a little sweetness, don't we?"

Jung Hee's smile faded slightly at that. They had been through a lot, more than either of them liked to admit. But days like this—days where the world felt normal—made it easy to forget the darker realities lurking just beneath the surface. They continued walking, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging between them.

Eun Woo glanced at Jung Hee, his voice quieter now, more serious. "You've been quiet lately. Is something bothering you?"

Jung Hee hesitated, his gaze drifting upward to the sky. The clouds were tinged with red, a subtle reminder of the unease that had been gnawing at him for days. "I don't know," he said slowly. "It's just... a feeling. Like something's coming. Something bad."

Eun Woo stopped walking, turning to face him fully. His usual carefree expression was gone, replaced by a look of concern. "Hey, whatever it is, we'll deal with it. Together. We always do, right?"

Jung Hee met his gaze, the familiar warmth of Eun Woo's words easing the tension in his chest. He nodded, though the unease still lingered at the back of his mind. Together. That word had always been their anchor, the promise they had made to each other years ago.

They resumed walking, but the city around them had begun to feel different—quieter, more distant. Jung Hee couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that their peace was about to be shattered.

And then, the ground trembled beneath their feet.

It started as a faint vibration, but within seconds, the tremor intensified. People around them screamed, the once-bustling streets now filled with panic as buildings swayed and windows shattered. The air was suddenly thick with dust and fear.

Jung Hee's heart raced as he grabbed Eun Woo's arm. "We need to get out of here!"

Eun Woo nodded, but before they could move, a deafening roar echoed through the city, cutting through the chaos like a blade. Jung Hee turned, his blood running cold as he saw it—a towering figure, cloaked in darkness, its eyes burning like molten fire. A demon, unlike anything they had ever seen before, was tearing through the streets, its presence sending waves of terror through the crowd.

Jung Hee's breath caught in his throat. This wasn't just an earthquake. This was something far worse.

"Run!" Eun Woo shouted, pulling Jung Hee with him as they bolted down the street. But the demon was fast—too fast. In an instant, it was upon them, its massive form blocking their path, its fiery eyes locked onto them with deadly intent.

Jung Hee's mind raced, his instincts screaming at him to fight, to protect Eun Woo. But before he could act, Eun Woo stepped in front of him, his body tensed in a stance of defiance.

"Get back!" Eun Woo shouted, his voice carrying a note of desperation.

"No!" Jung Hee yelled, trying to push forward, but Eun Woo held out his arm, blocking him.

The demon roared again, its clawed hand slicing through the air toward them. In that split second, everything seemed to slow down. Jung Hee's heart pounded in his ears as he watched Eun Woo turn toward him, a soft, sad smile on his lips.

"I'm sorry, Jung Hee."

Before Jung Hee could react, Eun Woo lunged forward, throwing himself in the path of the demon's attack. The impact was immediate, the sound of claws tearing through flesh filling the air. Blood splattered across the ground as Eun Woo's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Jung Hee screamed, his voice raw with grief and rage as he dropped to his knees beside his fallen friend. The world around him faded into the background, the chaos and destruction nothing more than a distant blur. All that mattered was the still figure lying in front of him.

He reached out, his hands trembling as he gently shook Eun Woo's shoulder. "Eun Woo... no... no, please..."

But there was no response. No sign of life.

Tears blurred Jung Hee's vision as he cradled Eun Woo's body, his heart shattering into pieces. He had failed. He had failed to protect the one person who had always been there for him.

As the demon loomed above them, its shadow falling over Jung Hee, he knew there was no time to mourn. But even as he stood, his fists clenched in fury, his heart was already consumed by a single, burning thought:

He would do anything to bring Eun Woo back.

---

End of Prologue.