Somehow, pushing through the thick, tangled bushes, Seo Joon and Woo Bin managed to clear just enough space to slip through. With a cautious leap, they found themselves outside the graveyard's boundary.
As they walked further, they realized how far the village truly was. From the graveyard, the cluster of houses lay in the distance, faint silhouettes against the sky. Slowly, the blackness of the night began to fade—the horizon shifted to a pale blue as dawn broke. Shadows receded, and morning crept in.
This was a simple village. Farming was its lifeblood, sustaining the homes scattered across the land. Already, faint sounds of life stirred—villagers preparing for the day, stepping out into fields.
After walking some distance, Seo Joon and Woo Bin finally reached the edge of the village. From another direction, two men appeared, approaching them from the opposite path. One was dressed decently, his clothes neat and in order. The other, however, wore garments so worn and old they clung to his tired frame like a second skin.
This was no modern town; it was a place untouched by technology, where time itself seemed to move slower.
When the two villagers saw strangers walking toward the settlement, they stopped, exchanging glances before stepping closer. The well-dressed man raised his voice politely, but firmly:
"Who are you, and where have you come from? We've never seen you here before."
Seo Joon answered calmly, "We're from an agricultural company. We've been given an order to prepare certain products for your village. We came to study your farming methods and collect samples, so we can create products that fit your needs."
At the mention of his company, the villager's entire demeanor changed. A nervous laugh escaped him, and he quickly bowed his head, offering a respectful greeting.
"Forgive me, sir. I didn't recognize you. We've been waiting for you outside the village last night, but we never saw you arrive. How did you come inside?"
Seo Joon replied smoothly, "We came through the jungle side."
The villager froze. Fear flashed openly across his face, and Seo Joon, with his sharpened Alpha senses, immediately caught it. He noticed how the man's voice faltered, how his eyes darkened with unease. Seo Joon felt it in the air—the subtle shift, the hidden tension, the unspoken secret.
Behind him, Woo Bin stood silently, exhausted from the long night. The horrors of the graveyard, the suffocating darkness, and their escape had drained him completely. He only wanted rest now. He had no strength left for words, so he remained still, simply listening.
The villager finally spoke, his tone heavy with disbelief."You… you came from the jungle side? But that path—it's been sealed for years! Did nothing happen to you?"
Seo Joon's eyes narrowed. The man's fear was almost palpable, pulsing like a heartbeat that Seo Joon's Alpha instincts could sense. His connection to Woo Bin made it even sharper—through their bond, he could feel the tension in the villager's soul. Something in this village was wrong. Deeply wrong.
In a low, careful voice, Seo Joon asked, "Why? Is that path forbidden? Is there something there we should know?" His mind flickered back to the graveyard, to the black magic pulsing from the graves, to the suffocating silence.
The villager's lips pulled into a strained, false smile."No, sir, nothing like that. It's just… it's a jungle area, dangerous. Many years ago, our village chief ordered that path closed, just for safety. I was only worried—what if a wild animal attacked you?"
Seo Joon did not break eye contact. His Alpha instincts burned through the villager's weak lie. He could feel it—this wasn't just about wild animals. There was fear here, a fear the villagers dared not name.
"No," Seo Joon said firmly, "no animal attacked us. But our vehicle broke down near the jungle path. Can you arrange a mechanic to bring it back?"
The villager quickly nodded, smiling again, this time with forced politeness."Of course, sir. You are our guests while you are here. Do not worry—I will see to your car myself and have it brought back to you."
Seo Joon inclined his head. "Thank you."
But before the moment could settle, the villager suddenly turned sharply toward the man standing behind him—the one in ragged clothes who had stayed silent, head bowed the entire time. His tone shifted from politeness to cold command.
"The house I told you to prepare—is it ready?"
The poor man lifted his head slightly, his voice timid."Yes, sir. The house is ready."
Seo Joon's sharp ears caught the tremor in his tone. His Alpha senses pierced deeper—he could feel the weight of oppression, the lack of respect, the absence of compassion in this village. These people did not treat one another as equals.
And as his gaze lingered, his bond with Woo Bin stirred again. He could feel Woo Bin's quiet presence behind him like an anchor—Omega energy steadying his Alpha instincts, sharpening his perception. Their connection was growing, pulling them closer, revealing truths hidden in plain sight.
Seo Joon exhaled slowly. There's something wrong here… Something buried beneath the surface of this village. And whatever it is—it's tied to that forbidden path.