Chapter 19 : Two Nurses and a Decision

Beneath the dim glow of the streetlight, Han-na sat limply on the sidewalk, weighed down by worry. Her head hung low, strands of her hair falling over her face. Her trembling hands were tightly clasped in her lap. The night air wasn't cold enough to make her shiver, yet the unease in her chest was enough to freeze her to the core.

"What should I do…" she whispered softly. Unwelcome tears streamed down her cheeks. "Jinhyuk… if only I were stronger."

That name left her lips so gently, yet it carried immense weight. A man she hadn't known for long, and yet had given her something she had never received before—acceptance. Not as an object. Not as some strange being. But as a person. As a friend.

In the distance, the sound of footsteps and quiet laughter echoed. Two young women walked casually under the night sky, wearing oversized sweaters, jeans, and small sling bags. They looked like they had just finished work or were heading out for a late dinner.

"Trust me, the food at that little stall is amazing… and more importantly, it's cheap. Hehehe," one of them giggled. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and a name tag hung from her bag—Moon Geun-young.

"Haha, when it comes to food, I always trust your recommendations," replied the woman beside her, Seo Nayeon, with a warm smile. The two seemed close, chatting with ease and familiarity.

But then Nayeon stopped in her tracks. Her gaze had locked onto a young woman sitting alone by the roadside, head bowed. Something about her felt… familiar.

Wait… isn't that… Kang Han-na?

Without hesitation, Nayeon walked toward the figure.

"Kang Han-na-ssi," she greeted gently, her tone friendly but uncertain—was she mistaken?

Han-na slowly looked up. Her eyes were red, as if she had just been crying. She looked confused, staring at the two strangers before her.

"Yes… who are you?"

"Oh, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself," Nayeon said quickly. "I'm Seo Nayeon. You're Jinhyuk's friend, right? I'm his childhood friend. I saw you two at the hospital the other day. I'm a nurse there as well."

"Ah… I see…" Han-na nodded, still unsure who exactly was standing in front of her.

Nayeon smiled kindly. "By the way… are you with Jinhyuk now?"

The question hit Han-na hard. Her chest tightened as memories of earlier events came rushing back. Maybe this woman could help.

With a shaky voice and teary eyes, Han-na explained everything—how Jinhyuk had seemed hypnotized by a mysterious woman, how he got into a car without a word, how strange the entire situation was, and how she had tried to shake him awake, but he wouldn't respond.

Nayeon's face turned serious. She quickly reached into her pocket and dialed Jinhyuk's number, but there was no answer. She tried again. And again. Still nothing.

"He's not picking up…"

Geun-young, sensing the gravity of the situation, grew quiet. She and Nayeon exchanged a look. With a simple nod, they seemed to understand what needed to be done.

"Han-na-ssi, we'll find Jinhyuk. You should go home. Don't worry. Trust me… he'll be okay," Nayeon said, placing a reassuring hand on Han-na's shoulder. Her voice was soft, but firm.

"B-but… I want to come. I can't just sit around…"

Nayeon shook her head gently. "No. If something happens, you need to be safe. It's better if you go home. We'll handle this."

Han-na looked like she wanted to argue, but her lips trembled, unable to form the words. Deep down, she knew she wasn't a fighter. She could barely stand, let alone face danger.

In the end, she gave a small nod.

Without wasting time, Nayeon and Geun-young ran off, leaving Han-na behind. Their goal was clear: find Jinhyuk. The night was still young, and danger could be lurking anywhere.

"My delicious, cheap dinner…" Geun-young whined half-heartedly, her feet moving fast to keep up with Nayeon.

Han-na watched their silhouettes disappear into the distance. Her heart was uneasy, but a flicker of hope remained—hope that Jinhyuk… would be safe.

---

It didn't take long before they arrived at a narrow alleyway. The space was tight, barely lit, and filled with the musty scent of dampness, as if even the air had grown stagnant.

Nayeon stood tall, eyes focused on the far end of the dark path. Geun-young bent slightly, holding her breath.

"Huff… and here I thought we had the night off from patrol duty. That kid must be really important to you," Geun-young muttered, side-eyeing Nayeon.

"He is. Sorry to drag you into this," Nayeon replied calmly as she rolled up the sleeve of her gray sweater. Her pale arm was exposed, and from beneath her skin, a greenish glow began to emerge—circular patterns and lines moved like ancient script—a magical glyph.

The glyph pulsed gently. Nayeon closed her eyes and focused. A chant left her lips, requesting access to the city's surveillance system and tracking data for the car that had taken Jinhyuk.

A soft breeze stirred their hair. Within a heartbeat, the response arrived. The information streamed directly into her mind. Coordinates locked. Target located. All uncertainty vanished.

The glyph faded slowly, then disappeared entirely. As if it had never been there.

They exchanged a glance.

No words needed.

On their left wrists, black bands made from an unfamiliar material began to glow faintly. Their markings—greenish and similar to the glyph—pulsed like heartbeats.

Light spread quickly. In the blink of an eye, the black substance burst out from the bands, like living liquid, wrapping around their bodies and forming sleek, pitch-black suits—dense but weightless. Every inch of their bodies was protected, yet their movement remained fluid.

Masks extended from the suits, covering their faces from nose to chin, revealing only eyes that now burned with intensity. Long hoods flowed behind them, merging with the sleek design. Glowing green lines shimmered across parts of the outfit.

The alley's wind stilled. Time itself seemed to slow.

They stood side by side. One breath.

They nodded.

And with a single blink—fwoosh!—both vanished from sight. Only dust and the faint vibration on the concrete floor remained, proof they were ever there.

The hunt had begun.

---

Before long, they arrived at an upscale district in Seoul. Lavish villas stood tall on spacious lots.

"This place…" Geun-young muttered. "Isn't this where all the elites live? Even that actress Seo Eun-hye has a place here."

"That's exactly where we're going," Nayeon said firmly.

Geun-young looked surprised but followed her without hesitation.

"I always joked about you being Eun-hye's cousin just because you both share the 'SEO' name. But now you're seriously heading to her house. Don't tell me you two are actually…?"

"Of course not. Stop joking around—we don't have time."

"Haha, yes ma'am."

The two quickened their pace.

Hang in there, Jinhyuk, Nayeon thought.

---

Soon, they reached the vicinity of Seo Eun-hye's villa. They stood silently on the branch of a large tree within the estate grounds, completely undetected by the guards.

But—

Swoosh!

An attack came from behind.

They dodged with ease. A woman appeared—Ye-eun, Eun-hye's personal bodyguard—her hands cloaked in dark energy.

"Ohhh… that was a lethal strike," Geun-young commented coolly.

"Who are you?! Leave this place now, or else…" Ye-eun warned.

"I didn't want to come here either, but you people took the wrong person," Nayeon growled, her tone tinged with anger.

Ye-eun immediately called for backup. Dozens of men in black suits appeared, surrounding them.

"I don't plan on dragging this out, so get ready," Nayeon said coldly.

She charged straight at Ye-eun, while Geun-young dashed toward the guards behind them.

But then—

WHOOOMMMM!

A massive surge of energy froze them all in place.

Ye-eun, Geun-young, and Nayeon all turned toward the source of the aura. Whatever was happening, it instantly became more important than their fight.

All eyes turned toward the pulsing energy in the distance.

And they moved—together.

---