### Chapter 9: **Shadows in the Moonlight**

### Chapter 9: **Shadows in the Moonlight**

**Scene 1: An Ice Cream Night Turned Bloody**

This scene captures the contrast between the lightheartedness of the trio enjoying their ice cream and the sudden danger that follows. It sets the tone for Chapter 9 by blending romance, comedy, and high-stakes drama, pushing Yong and Eun Kyung closer emotionally while introducing deeper conflicts.

The cheerful laughter of Eun Kyung, Yong, and Joo Hyun filled the night air as they enjoyed their ice cream. Eun Kyung, radiant and carefree, was giggling at one of Joo Hyun's silly jokes, and Yong couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

The trio appeared oblivious to the world around them, savoring the sweetness of the moment. Yong, ever watchful, occasionally glanced around, his sharp instincts never fully at rest.

Suddenly, a shadow emerged from the dimly lit street. A man wearing a black face mask approached them, the gleam of a knife in his hand catching the faint light.

Yong's heart skipped a beat as he noticed the man moving toward Eun Kyung with a threatening intensity.

**Yong** (shouting): "Eun Kyung, watch out!"

Without hesitation, Yong grabbed Eun Kyung and pulled her into his arms, shielding her just as the knife slashed through the air. The cold blade missed its target by mere inches.

Eun Kyung gasped, her heart racing as she clung to Yong's chest.

**Eun Kyung** (frightened): "What's happening? Yong, what's going on?"

Joo Hyun, frozen for a moment, snapped back to reality and stepped forward.

**Joo Hyun** (yelling): "Hey! Who the hell are you?!"

The masked man lunged again, his knife glinting dangerously. Yong stepped forward, catching the blade with his bare hand. Blood dripped from his palm as he wrenched the weapon away and hurled it aside.

**Yong** (gritting his teeth): "Stay here, Eun Kyung. Joo Hyun, watch over her."

The pain from his cut didn't faze him as he delivered a solid punch to the attacker, sending him staggering backward.

The man recovered quickly, dodging Yong's next punch and retaliating with a shove, sending Yong stumbling. Taking advantage of the moment, the masked man turned to run, disappearing into the shadows.

Yong's protective instincts surged. He ignored the sting in his hand and chased after the attacker.

**Joo Hyun** (worriedly): "Hey, man, wait! Let's call the cops instead!"

But Yong was already out of earshot, his mind consumed by rage and determination. He followed the masked man through narrow alleyways and deserted streets. His breath came in heavy bursts as his anger fueled his pursuit.

Finally, Yong caught up, grabbing the man and throwing him to the ground.

**Yong** (furiously): "You're not getting away! Who sent you? Why were you after Eun Kyung?"

The man remained silent, his masked face unreadable. Yong's fist connected with the man's jaw, his voice rising with each strike.

**Yong** (shouting): "Answer me! Who sent you?!"

Fear flickered in the attacker's eyes as he finally spoke.

**Attacker** (pleading): "Alright, alright! I'll talk!"

Yong released his collar slightly, allowing the man to catch his breath.

**Attacker**: "It was the businessman… He sent me to kill Eun Kyung."

**Yong** (confused and angry): "What? Why? His enemy is Munna. Why would he target Eun Kyung?"

The attacker hesitated before continuing, his voice trembling.

**Attacker**: "He knows about her… He knows you love her. He thinks you betrayed him by hiding her statue. This is his revenge."

Yong's blood boiled, his grip tightening.

**Yong** (growling): "That's impossible. How would he even know about her? Or me?"

The attacker flinched.

**Attacker**: "He has people watching you. Everywhere. The man in the café, the one in the park—they were his spies. They reported everything."

Yong's mind raced, piecing together the puzzle. The strange men he had noticed earlier weren't coincidences.

He clenched his jaw, his grip on the attacker tightening as anger surged through him.

**Yong** (threateningly): "You've been watching us this whole time? Following her?"

The attacker nodded hesitantly.

Yong's fist slammed into the ground next to the man's head, his frustration boiling over.

**Yong** (roaring): "Coward! Why don't you face me instead of sending someone else to do your dirty work?"

Sensing an opportunity as Yong momentarily loosened his hold, the attacker shoved him off and scrambled to his feet. He took off running, disappearing into the night before Yong could stop him.

**Yong** (shouting): "Coward! Come back here!"

He watched the man disappear into the shadows, his chest heaving with anger and frustration.Breathing heavily, Yong stayed in the alley for a moment, his frustration and anger coursing through him.

He finally turned back toward the ice cream parlor, where Eun Kyung and Joo Hyun were anxiously waiting.

---

**Scene 2: The Wound Beneath the Scars**

Yong's mind was a storm of thoughts as he made his way back to where he had left Eun Kyung and Joo Hyun. The attacker's words played in his head on an endless loop: the businessman, the surveillance, the danger to Eun Kyung. His fists clenched, and his injured hand throbbed painfully, but he paid no mind to the blood staining his palm.

As he neared the spot, he saw Eun Kyung sitting on a chair, her eyes wide and distant, her hands clutching the edges as though she were trying to ground herself. She was trembling. Nearby, Joo Hyun paced back and forth, muttering under his breath.

The moment Joo Hyun saw Yong, he sprinted toward him.

**Joo Hyun** (panicked): *"Are you okay? That attacker... You went after him! What happened?"*

**Yong** (calm but tired): *"He ran away. What about Eun Kyung? Is she okay?"*

Joo Hyun nodded toward her with a worried expression.

**Joo Hyun**: *"She's shaken up. She hasn't spoken much since you left. She is very scared and has been shivering for quite a while. She's been like that the whole time."*

Hearing this, Yong's concern deepened. Without another word, he rushed to Eun Kyung.

**Yong** (softly): *"Eun Kyung, are you okay?"*

But Eun Kyung didn't respond. Her eyes stared blankly at the ground, her entire body trembling. It was as if she was trapped in her own world of fear.

Yong crouched in front of her, placing his hands on her shoulders.

**Yong** (firmly but gently): *"Eun Kyung... Eun Kyung!"*

He shook her slightly, his voice growing more urgent.

**Yong**: *"Look at me. It's me, Yong!"*

At the sound of his name, Eun Kyung blinked rapidly, as though waking from a nightmare. Her gaze shifted to Yong, and the moment she recognized him, she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.

Yong froze for a second, surprised by the sudden embrace, but then his arms wrapped around her protectively.

**Yong** (soothingly): *"Calm down, Eun Kyung. Nothing happened. It's okay now. You're safe."*

He stroked her hair gently, his voice steady and comforting.

**Yong**: *"I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."*

When Eun Kyung finally pulled back, her eyes were filled with unshed tears.

**Eun Kyung** (softly): *"Are you okay? That attacker... did he hurt you? Why was he after me?"*

Yong gave her a reassuring smile, though his heart ached to see her so scared.

**Yong** (teasing slightly to ease her worry): *"You just asked ten questions at once. Take a breath."*

Eun Kyung frowned, and Yong chuckled, ruffling her hair gently.

**Yong**: *"I handed him over to the police. He was just a petty thief looking for something to steal. It's nothing to worry about."*

Eun Kyung looked at him skeptically.

**Eun Kyung**: *"Are you sure? He seemed... dangerous. Are you telling me the truth?"*

Yong leaned closer, his tone playful but his eyes earnest.

**Yong**: *"Do you think I'd lie to you? Don't you trust me?"*

**Eun Kyung**: *"It's not that I don't trust you... I just don't understand why someone would attack me so violently just to steal."*

Yong placed a hand on her head, his expression softening.

**Yong**: *"Stop overthinking. You've been through enough tonight. Just focus on calming down, okay?"*

As she nodded, her eyes drifted to his injured hand, and she gasped.

**Eun Kyung** (terrified): *"Yong... Your hand! You're bleeding!"*

She reached for his hand, her fingers trembling as she cradled it gently.

**Eun Kyung** (voice rising): *"Yong, what happened? Are you crazy? Who told you to do this? Look at your hand!"*

Yong tried to pull his hand away, but she held it firmly.

**Yong** (teasing): *"It's nothing."*

**Eun Kyung**: *"Nothing?! You're hurt because of me!"*

Yong sighed, his tone softening as he met her gaze.

**Yong**: *"You're crazy. Nothing happened because of you. It's just a scratch."*

**Eun Kyung** (sternly): *"Quiet."*

She untied her scarf and began wrapping it around his hand, her movements careful and precise.

**Eun Kyung**: *"Who told you to save me? What if something had happened to you?!"*

Yong's expression grew serious as he leaned closer.

**Yong** (gently): *"And what if something had happened to you?"*

Their eyes locked, the intensity of the moment stealing their breath. The world seemed to pause as they gazed at each other, emotions swirling between them.

**Joo Hyun** (breaking the moment): *"Uh... Should we go home now?"*

Both Yong and Eun Kyung turned to Joo Hyun, their faces flushing with embarrassment.

**Eun Kyung** (quickly tying the scarf): *"When we get home, I'll bandage this properly. Understood?"*

Yong nodded with a small smile, the corners of his lips quirking up in amusement.

**Yong**: *"Understood, boss."*

The three of them began walking home together, the earlier fear gradually fading into the quiet comfort of their shared presence.

----

**Scene 3: A wounded kiss**

Eun Kyung, Yong, and Joo Hyun arrived home, the tension of the night still lingering in the air. As the door clicked shut behind them, the silence was heavy but oddly comforting. Eun Kyung immediately turned to Yong, her voice filled with quiet determination.

**Eun Kyung**: *"You sit. I'll get the first aid box for you."*

Yong, seeing her pale face and trembling hands, shook his head.

**Yong** (gently): *"Take it easy, Eun Kyung. Your condition isn't good. You've been through enough. Just rest—I'll do it myself."*

But Eun Kyung crossed her arms stubbornly, her gaze unyielding.

**Eun Kyung**: *"I said I'm fine. Don't argue with me. I'll bring it right now."*

Yong sighed, shaking his head with a faint smile as she walked away.

**Yong** (murmuring): *"Stubborn goddess..."*

Before Yong could protest further, Joo Hyun yawned loudly, stretching his arms as he leaned against the wall.

**Joo Hyun**: *"Man, I'm exhausted. What a night! I'm going to freshen up. Be right back."*

As Joo Hyun disappeared down the hallway, Yong simply nodded, his eyes following Eun Kyung as she disappeared into another room. Moments later, Eun Kyung returned holding the first aid box. She sat across from Yong, her focus solely on his injured hand. carefully unwrapping the scarf tied around his hand. Her movements were precise and delicate.

**Eun Kyung** (softly): *"Does it hurt?"*

Yong tried to brush it off with a casual tone.

**Yong**: *"Not at all."*

But as she applied antiseptic, the sting made him wince slightly, a soft moan escaping his lips.

**Yong** (groaning ): *"Ouch!!."*

Eun Kyung froze, her eyes wide with worry.

**Eun Kyung**: *"Oh no, I'm so sorry!"*

She leaned closer, blowing softly on the wound to ease the sting. . Yong watched her intently, his gaze fixed on her delicate movements. The tender concern on her face captivating him. For a moment, the pain seemed insignificant compared to the warmth in her touch.

When she finished wrapping his hand in a fresh bandage, she patted it gently and she looked up at him.

**Eun Kyung**: *"There. All done. Did you get hurt anywhere else?"*

Yong, momentarily distracted by the closeness between them, mumbled absentmindedly.

**Yong**: *"Yes."*

Eun Kyung tilted her head in concern.

**Eun Kyung**: *"Where? Show me."*

Snapping out of his trance, Realizing what he had said, Yong quickly shook his head.

**Yong**: *"No, nowhere. I'm fine."*

But Eun Kyung's sharp eyes caught the faint cut near his lip, a mark left from the attacker's punch. She frowned, reaching for the antiseptic again, and gasped.

**Eun Kyung** (scolding): *"Look at this! You even have a cut on your face. Why didn't you say anything?"*

She dipped a cotton swab in antiseptic and leaned closer, blowing gently near his lips as she applied it, her touch gentle as she dabbed at the cut.

**Eun Kyung** (muttering): *"Who told you to get involved? You're so reckless. Look at all these wounds."*

Yong smirked, his voice laced with amusement.

**Yong**: *"Would you rather I stood by and did nothing?"*

She shot him a glare, but the concern in her eyes softened the impact. As she carefully tended to the cut near his lip, she blew lightly on his lips, her face mere inches from his, their faces drew closer. Their eyes met, and the world around them seemed to fade.

Yong's hand instinctively reaching up, resting gently on the back of her neck to kiss her . The space between them disappeared, and their breaths mingled as they drew closer. His lips hovered just above hers.

Eun Kyung's heart raced, her cheeks flushing as she leaned in. Just as their lips were about to meet—

**Joo Hyun** (shouting from the hallway): *"Hey! Has anyone seen my blue shirt?"*

Eun Kyung and Yong jolted apart, the moment shattered. Eun Kyung flushed a deep red, quickly looking away, while Yong groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair

**Yong** (gritting his teeth): *"You! Always at the wrong place at the wrong time!"*

Joo Hyun walked into the room, oblivious to the tension.

**Joo Hyun**: *"What? did you say anything?"*

Yong shot him a death glare.

**Yong**: *"How would I know where your shirt is? Do I carry your clothes in my pocket?"*

**Joo Hyun**: *"What's your problem? I just asked a question. If you don't know where my shirt is, just say so. But why are you shouting??"

As he left the room, Yong let out an exasperated sigh. He leaned back in his chair, muttering under his breath.

**Yong**: *"Unbelievable. That guy has the worst timing in the world."*

Eun kyung is slowly laughing after seeing all this, and began tidying up the first aid box. She avoided meeting Yong's gaze, her cheeks still warm. While teasing him she says smilingly to Yong.

**Eun Kyung(teasingly)**:*"I think now your binding has been done well, I am also very tired, I am going to sleep."*

She turned to leave, but Yong called out, stopping her.

**Yong**: *"Wait— I'm not done!!"*

Before the moment could grow any more, Suddenly, Yong froze, his eyes caught a movement outside the window. His expression darkened as he saw a shadow—a man standing outside, watching them. His jaw tightened, but he remained silent.

Yong's expression darkened, his body tensing like a coiled spring.

**Yong** (low and dangerous): *"Someone's out there."*

He went near the window and suddenly that man disappeared somewhere

**Yong** (thinking): *"Not now. After everything tonight, they don't need more to worry about—especially Eun Kyung."*

Deciding not to alarm them, Yong forced a smile and turned back to his room.

As heheaded towards his rooms, Yong took one last glance out the window, his mind swirling with unease. The shadow was gone, but he still had a feeling of fear in his mind.

The scene ended with a quiet sense of foreboding, as if the night's events were just the beginning of something far darker.

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