I slowly woke up from the mattress, glanced at my watch-9:00 a.m. There was no one yelling at me to wake up early, no drills waiting outside or commands. Stretching my shoulders and back, I stood up and pulled open the window. Sunlight spilled in, lighting up the old wooden floor, dust dancing in the rays.
I quickly changed my clothes, excited about what I could do today. I slipped on a white T-shirt and loose pants—it felt strange for a moment, not stiff or tight like my uniform. I raised one foot and jumped lightly. "It's comfortable."
I strolled to my bag, unzipped it, and took out the bread and coffee. My kitchen wasn't anything grand, but it was just big enough to cook in.
I grabbed a pan still hanging on the wall kind of surprised it had no rust. Maybe because it was a cheap 1000-won. I tossed the bread in, warmed the water, and poured it into my cup.
While the bread was heating, I used the bathroom. But the smell hit me before I could relax, something was burning. I bolted out but it was too late. The bread was already charcoal. I sighed, "I haven't made anything in a long time."
Still, I took a bite—just to check. Don't try it, tastes awful.
Sipping my coffee, I headed towards the window and gazed up. The sky was a bright blue, laundry fluttering outside, birds chirping somewhere nearby — and just like that, I knew what I'd do today.
Explore my old hometown.
I grabbed my old bag, the one I used back in school. The straps were worn out but still good enough. I slipped on my shoesold, too—I hadn't worn them in a while. As I stepped, the floor creaked under me.
I moved toward the door, slid the lock, and turned it with a soft click. I made my way down the stairs, the smell of fresh flowers and sunlight hitting my face caught my attention. I turned around.
Kim Soyeon—the one I gave the flower vase to was doing her usual gardening. I approached her with a smile and murmured, "Good morning, Aunt Soyeon ."
"Oh, good morning, Jiwoo," she replied, holding a pest spray.
"Are you going somewhere?"
I nodded slightly. "Yeah, just needed some fresh air."
"Ah, alright. Enjoy," she, waved her hand with a smile.
I bowed and waved back.
As I stepped a little further from the shop, I gazed around. The pathways were slightly cracked, children ran past laughing, and two women stood near a light pole, chatting.
I sighed and Adjusted the strip of my bag and headed toward the town.
Some buildings looked older than I remembered. The convenience store where I used to buy ice cream was boarded shut, its once bright sign now faded and peeling.
Right across the street stood a modern café with glassy doors.
I murmured,"Feels out of place."
I kept walking.
A corner shop still had the same ajusshi dozing off behind the counter.
The smell of tteokbokki from a nearby stall hit me, stirring something warm in my stomach. It reminded me of after-school walks with my mother, her hand gently tugging mine whenever I wandered too close to traffic.
I passed the old park still the same rusty bench, trees swaying gently, the air was cold but refreshing, the scent of damp earth grounding.
I strolled in and sat beneath a tree, resting my head against the trunk.
A kid ran around the open grass, laughing until he tripped and fell.
I moved to get up—but he was already back on his feet.
I smiled faintly.
"Tough kid."
I slowly stood up and moved toward my next destination—the old library. I glanced around, but the place where it once stood was gone. In its place towered a sleek, modern building.
I let out a breath. "It was old… maybe it got taken down."
Just as I turned, a familiar face greeted me with a loud, energetic voice. That smile—it was the same.
Seo Hana, my junior from school.
She came bolting toward me, out of breath.
"Hey, Jiwoo! You came back?"
I unzipped my bag, hovered inside, and tossed her a bottle of water. She drank it like her life depended on it.
I gave her an awkward smile. "Drink slowly, Hana."
She stared at me, then held out the now-empty bottle. "So, you got leave?"
She looked mildly irritated for some reason. Not wasting a second, I nodded. "Yeah. Just came back yesterday."
Holding her chin, she scanned me up and down.
I murmured awkwardly, "Ehh, Hana... what are you checking?"
She raised a hand, gesturing for me to wait. I nodded, still unsure what she was doing.
Her face suddenly lit up like she'd discovered something.
She smirked, bumping her elbow against my arm. "You have grown, Jiwoo."
I let out a sigh. "And you're still the same energetic person I knew."
We burst into laughter.
It's been a long time since I laughed like that.
She's like a little sister to me—we spent most of our time together back in school. For a moment, it really felt like the old days.
"Oh! Jiwoo, wanna check out that new café? It opened just last week!"
"Sure—but not today. I've got something to do. Maybe tomorrow."
Her face dropped. "Come on, you're so old now. I bet you haven't even seen a modern café."
I smiled. "Hana, I'm just twenty-five. I'm not that old."
"Hehe. Pretty old though."
"Yeah, old enough for you to call me brother."
She sighed and waved her hand dismissively.
"Nah. Calling you brother? That's a shame for me."
I knocked her gently on the head. "Shame, huh."
I waved as I turned. "Hana, study well. We'll meet again soon."
She waved back, hopping off playfully.
I watched her leave, smiled faintly, and murmured, "Still like a kid."
I headed towards the old valley road, where the trees parted just enough to reveal the tall green mountains.
Turning my head slightly, I spotted a man in the distance black leather coat, white hair, mustache, holding a glowing black book. His hand moved with every passing second, writing something. He was staring at me without blinking.
An eerie presence prickled at my skin. The air grew heavy. The trees swayed harder, the breeze turning sharp, my goosebumps rose.
Reading the situation, I slowly shifted my stance, reaching into my bag and pulling out the dagger.
He smiled — a wide, unsettling grin then shut the book with a soft thud and turned away, his coat swaying in the wind.
I kept staring until he disappeared from view.
Letting out the breath I didn't realize I was holding, I straightened up.
"Who was that...?"
Whatever he was, something about him felt off.
I glanced around. An old woman stood nearby, hunched over a walking stick.
I stepped closer. "Ma'am… you saw that man, didn't you? Do you know him?"
Her head slowly lifted. Her eyes met mine, unreadable. After a pause, she spoke.
"You need to leave this town before midnight."
I frowned. "What do you mean? Please… tell me."
She didn't answer. Just stood there for a second longer, then turned away.
I watched her leave, something cold coiling in my chest.
"Why would she say that…?"
It was already evening. I headed home, thoughts still tangled around everything that had just happened. I slid the key into the lock and stepped inside—And stopped.
A chill swept over me. It felt like… something had entered my room.
Then, something burned across my vision.
[You have been marked.]