The first thing Taehyung does after the plane lands—
is laugh.
Not loud. Not dramatic.
Just a soft little huff that makes Jungkook's head snap toward him.
"Something funny?" Jungkook asks coldly.
Taehyung stretches his wrists experimentally, testing the cuffs.
"Yeah," he says. "You brought yourself."
Chi Cheng pauses mid-step.
"…What?"
Wei Ying grins instantly.
"Oh, I like him."
Wu Suo Wei nods in agreement.
"Yeah, he's cute and rude. Dangerous combination."
Jungkook frowns.
"This isn't a field trip."
Wei Ying finally stands, rolling his shoulders.
"Then why are all three of you armed like you're expecting trouble?"
Lan Zhan says nothing—but his grip tightens on his weapon.
Taehyung's eyes flick to it.
"There are wards in this forest," Taehyung says casually.
"Old ones. They react badly to unfamiliar energy."
Jungkook crosses his arms.
"And?"
"And," Taehyung continues sweetly,
"if something goes wrong, we'll need decision-makers on site."
Wu Suo Wei tilts his head.
"Also known as: you."
Chi Cheng exhales sharply.
"You're saying if we stay behind—"
"You die," Wei Ying finishes lightly.
Silence drops.
Jungkook stares at Taehyung.
"You planned this."
Taehyung shrugs.
"I planned for possibilities."
The Forest Edge
The moment they step outside, the air changes.
The forest isn't loud.
That's the problem.
No insects.
No birds.
Just towering trees with roots thick enough to swallow cars—and symbols carved deep into their bark.
Wu Suo Wei whistles low.
"Okay, yeah. This place hates us."
Wei Ying crouches, touching the soil.
"Witchcraft residue. Layered. Someone worked here."
Lan Zhan kneels beside him without a word.
They exchange a look.
Professional. Focused.
Taehyung watches them, then glances at Wu Suo Wei.
"…You too, huh?"
Wu Suo Wei grins.
"Obviously."
That's when it happens.
They fall into step.
Not because they were forced to.
Because it felt natural.
Bottoms: Formation of Chaos
As they move deeper, the specialists start talking quietly—signals, jokes, half-finished sentences.
Wei Ying murmurs, "Trap density increases after the third marker."
Wu Suo Wei replies, "I'll take point right side. Mechanical or magical?"
"Both," Taehyung says. "But the magic one bites."
Wu Suo Wei lights up.
"Oh I love biting magic."
Behind them, the CEOs slow.
Chi Cheng narrows his eyes.
"They're coordinating."
Jungkook mutters, "Without orders."
Lan Zhan watches Taehyung—how he walks, light-footed, aware of everything.
"…They've done this together before," Lan Zhan says quietly.
Taehyung suddenly turns around, walking backward.
"Nope," he says cheerfully. "First time."
Jungkook scoffs.
"Liar."
Taehyung smiles.
"Fast learners."
Wei Ying snorts.
Wu Suo Wei bumps Taehyung's shoulder.
"I'm keeping him."
Taehyung nods seriously.
"Same."
First Test
The forest reacts.
The ground shifts.
Roots snap upward like living things.
Jungkook reaches for his gun—
"DON'T," Taehyung snaps.
Too late.
The gun jams instantly.
The forest laughs.
Wei Ying curses, already pulling out talismans.
Wu Suo Wei tackles Chi Cheng out of the way as a root slams down where his head was.
Lan Zhan draws his blade, cutting clean through a moving vine.
Taehyung sprints forward, slamming his palm onto a carved stone half-buried in the dirt.
He whispers something old.
The forest freezes.
Everything stills.
Breathing returns.
Jungkook stares at Taehyung—really looks at him this time.
"You could've let us get hurt," Jungkook says.
Taehyung shrugs, suddenly shy again.
"That wouldn't be efficient."
Wei Ying stands, brushing dirt off.
"Congratulations," he tells the CEOs. "You passed the welcome test."
Wu Suo Wei grins.
"Barely."
Chi Cheng exhales, adrenaline still buzzing.
"…What happens if we fail the next one?"
Taehyung's eyes flick toward the darker part of the forest.
Then he smiles.
"We don't."
They move deeper.
Bottoms walking together now—quiet jokes, shared instincts, unspoken trust.
Tops following—not in control anymore, but not excluded either.
And somewhere ahead—
Ancient ruins wait.