tw: this is kind of torture (?) ð but mostly fighting scene.
After those relaxing days, Y/n went back to her usual activities. The Elites had been meeting almost daily these days, discussing strategies, refining plans, and deciding on the timing for an all-out assault. Soobin traced his finger along the map, marking the location of the black market base they'd recently uncovered. Despite the discovery, there was a frustrating silence from the enemy, like the boss of the black market hadn't made any noticeable moves or reacted to their findings. It was as if he was not afraid of everything that could happened afterward.
"More people have been reported missing," Yeonjun said, breaking the silence. "Mostly beasts and demons, though there are some humans and witches too. The pattern's not random either. They're being targeted."
Chaewon nodded, frowning. "We thought we'd get a reaction after finding their base. But it's been quiet... too quiet."
"Maybe he's preparing, knowing we're onto him. Or maybe he doesn't think we're enough of a threat yet. Either way, we can't delay much longer if he's still capturing people." Yujin leaned back, crossing her arms thoughtfully.
Gathering enough specialized fighters was proving to be a difficult task. So many had already been lost to the black market or were too afraid to fight such a powerful and influential enemy. Yet they needed allies, people with skills and strength, people who could fight alongside them to reduce the risk of massive casualties in an all-out attack.
"We've tried asking around," Soobin sighed, "but volunteers are hard to come by. There's a lot of fear. But there are still a few willing souls. If we can rally more, we could move soon."
"If we wait much longer, more people will go missing," Y/n said quietly, looking at her team. "I don't want us to rush into something unprepared, but... every day we delay, the boss only grows stronger and bolder."
Soon, one way or another, this battle would have to begin.
-
Y/n arrived home just as the sun was setting, it's been days since she could still see the sun during her way home. The faint hum of chatter and clinking dishes drifted from the kitchen, where the rest of her housemates were already gathered. She greeted them and quickly noticed the absence of Haerin.
"She's not feeling well," Hanni explained when she saw Y/n's curious look. Dani and Hyein nodded, couldn' hide their worry.
Y/n nodded, not thinking too much of it at first. However, after everyone finished eating, she stood up, tidied her spot, and then made her way down the hallway to Haerin's room. She knocked gently on the door.
"Haerin?" she called softly, waiting for a response. Hearing a faint acknowledgment, Y/n stepped inside to find Haerin lying down, wrapped in a blanket, her face pale and eyes slightly drowsy.
"Hey, I just wanted to check on you," Y/n said, keeping her voice low. "Is there anything you need? Water? Soup? Or maybe just company?"
Haerin managed a small smile. "Just... you being here helps, honestly."
Y/n sat on the edge of the bed, studying her friend's face with a mixture of concern and warmth. "Well, I'm here then. Let me know if you need anything. Or even if you just want someone to listen."
Haerin sighed, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "I think I must have eaten something strange yesterday. My stomach hasn't been happy since."
Y/n nodded, her brow furrowing with concern. "Did you take some medicine?"
"Yeah, I did," Haerin replied with a faint nod. "It's starting to help, I think."
Y/n gave her a reassuring smile. "Good. I really hope you're feeling better tomorrow. Just rest up, alright?"
Y/n couldn't help but wish for Haerin's pain to go away, or double it and give it to that beast.
Haerin looked at Y/n with a hint of worry in her eyes. "You know, I'm more worried about you, actually. You're running back and forth between here and the kingdom every day. Isn't that exhausting?"
"It's not too bad. It's just part of the job, right?" Y/n chuckled softly, shrugging a little.
"But it's more than that," Haerin insisted. "I know you've got a lot on your shoulders with the Elites' mission. And, well, there's everything with... well, Minji too." Haerin managed a small, teasing smile, but there was genuine concern in her voice. "Just... promise you'll take care of yourself too?"
Y/n chuckled softly, trying to hide the slight blush that crept up. "So... you know about me and Minji, huh? How long have you known?"
Haerin's smile was knowing. "Long enough. I might have caught a few glances here and there." She gave Y/n a little wink, then added, "But I don't think the others have noticed yet. Although, to be honest, it's pretty obvious if you're paying attention."
"Well, I'm glad it's only you..." Y/n laughed, a bit relieved. Then her expression softened, and she took a deep breath. "You know, Haerin... I'm really nervous about this upcoming mission."
"What is it that's worrying you?"
Now they're having a serious talk, Y/n leaned her back against the wall, searching for the most comfortable position. Y/n looked down at her hands. "I've planned everything, like every alternative route, every backup scenario, every tiny detail I can think of. But if things don't go as I planned... if it all just falls apart... I don't know what I'll do."
Haerin shifted position, still resting on her bed, but now easier to look at Y/n. "It's good to be prepared, Y/n. And I know how you work, you'll have thought of everything. But you can't let yourself get lost in the 'what ifs.'"
Y/n listened, her shoulders slightly less tense as Haerin's steady words reassured her.
Haerin continued, "Sometimes, you have to just take that step and trust in yourself. The way you think and act... I know you won't take the wrong step. You've done the work, and that'll guide you. But if things do go wrong, you'll adjust, you always do."
"Thank you, Haerin. You always know what to say."
"That's what friends are for," Haerin said with a warm grin. "And besides, I don't think Minji would forgive me if I didn't look out for you too."
"Guess I better not let either of you down, huh?"
"You won't." Haerin gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
Y/n felt a warmth in her chest at Haerin's words. "I promise, Haerin. Don't worry about me too much," she replied gently, reaching out to pat her friend's hand. "Now focus on getting better, okay? I don't like seeing you like this."
"Alright, alright," Haerin murmured, her smile softening as she closed her eyes, already looking more at ease.
-
After bidding Haerin goodnight, Y/n stepped out of her room and closed the door softly behind her. She paused in the hallway for a moment, letting out a sigh she hadn't realized she was holding. The house was quiet now, with only the faintest sounds of the others shifting in their rooms, and a deep, settling stillness had taken over the space.
As she walked through the house, she noticed the dining room lights were already out. All her housemates had turned in for the night, their doors closed, and the soft murmur of the evening had faded into silence. Y/n felt a sudden urge to get some air, clear her mind from the worries about the mission and the conversation with Haerin. She turned toward the front door, slipping out as quietly as possible.
As Y/n stepped outside, the cool night air wrapped around her. The forest seemed darker than usual, but she gathered her bravery to take a few steps onto the grass, feeling the chill seep through her shoes and up her spine as she looked around.
She couldn't put her finger on it, but something was off, different from the calm she usually found under the trees at night. She tried to brush it off, blaming her own mind for conjuring up something from her nerves about the mission. But the farther she walked, the more the uneasiness pressed down on her.
A faint rustling sounded somewhere off to her left. She stopped, her heart skipping a beat as her eyes scanned the trees. Nothing but shadows. Still, her instincts told her something was there, just beyond her sight, watching her.
"Get a grip, Y/n," she muttered to herself, clenching her fists to steady her nerves. She was used to the forest, familiar with every trail and curve, but tonight felt like stepping into unfamiliar territory. Each step felt heavier, her own footsteps sounding louder in her ears as the silence thickened around her.
She walked a little further, her breath fogging up in the cool air, feeling like she was being drawn into the shadows, as if something was pulling her deeper into the woods. She looked around, considering going back, but before she could make a decision, another sound, a soft, almost whispering sound, floated through the trees. It was faint, but it seemed to grow louder with each passing second.
A chill ran down her spine, her heart was pounding, the stillness of the forest now more oppressive than ever.
"What is this...?"
Y/n's gaze sharpened as she caught sight of a hooded figure standing at the edge of the treeline, watching her in silence. Her heart skipped, had they been there this whole time, lurking under the cover of darkness? She barely had time to process the sight before the figure turned to flee.
A shiver of alarm crept over her. If this person was connected to the black market and knew their home's location, her housemates would be in danger. The thought spurred her into action. She considered calling Minji for backup, but if she paused now, the figure would be gone. Every second counted.
Without another thought, Y/n broke into a sprint, weaving through the trees and listening to the sound of leaves crunching underfoot as she pursued the shadowy figure. She pushed herself harder, heart pounding, focused entirely on closing the gap.
Suddenly, the figure's steps faltered for a moment, and Y/n pushed forward, nearly close enough to reach out. But just as she moved in, the figure twisted around, lashing out with surprising force.
Caught off guard, Y/n stumbled back, the unexpected strike pushing her several steps away and reestablishing the gap between them. She braced herself, adrenaline surging through her veins as she shouted, "Who are you?!"
A low chuckle floated through the trees, mature and strangely familiar. "You don't know?" The voice was smooth, but carried an edge that made Y/n's heart pound. "I'm the one you've been searching for."
Y/n's breath caught. Who? Who could it be? Or could it really be her, the girl who wondered in the forest? Though her heart raced from the recent strike, relief bloomed somewhere underneath, even a flicker of happiness. She had heard tales of this mysterious figure since childhood, but to see her here, just as real as the whispering trees around them, felt surreal.
"So... you're real?" she managed, her voice coming out softer than she'd intended. She quickly steadied herself, not wanting to show the awe bubbling inside.
The woman gave no indication of her thoughts on Y/n's reaction. Instead, she regarded Y/n coolly, tilting her head under the hood. "You've come looking for me, I take it?"
"Well, yes," Y/n replied, regaining her composure. "But you're the one who showed up here, lurking in the shadows. Why come so suddenly?"
The figure's stance remained still, though something in her tone softened for a fraction of a second. "I wanted to see if the stories about you were true." Then, without warning, she lunged at Y/n, her hand flashing forward in another sharp strike.
Y/n barely had time to dodge, ducking out of the way, but her shock was evident. "Wha- wait, what are you doing?!"
"Teaching you," the woman replied flatly, as if the answer were obvious. She advanced again, her movements fast and fluid, pressing Y/n into defensive maneuvers.
Y/n dodged and blocked as best as she could, but she was scrambling to understand. "This is teaching?" she managed to shout, deflecting another strike. Her confusion only deepened, this didn't feel like a lesson, it felt like a test, a challenge.
"Yes. And you'd do well to pay attention," the woman replied, unrelenting. "There's little time for explanations. If you can keep up, maybe I don't have to do it to you then."
Determined not to be bested, Y/n's stance firmed, and she refocused, trying to read the figure's movements. The woman's strikes were calculated and precise, each one more challenging than the last, as if she were pushing Y/n to her limits on purpose.
"What kind of lesson is this?" Y/n muttered.
The figure's strikes grew fiercer, each one coming with a force Y/n struggled to match. The flash of magical energy from her opponent was almost blinding, and Y/n countered with everything she had, her own powers swirling and clashing against the figure's. She conjured tendrils of dark energy that snaked through the air like living shadows, lunging toward Y/n with fierce intent. They twisted and writhed, leaving trails of shimmering residue in the air that seemed to cling to Y/n's skin, sapping her strength the longer they remained.
Y/n gritted her teeth, channeling her own magic to form a protective shield, a shimmering barrier of blue light. The tendrils hit her shield with sharp, crackling sounds, each impact vibrating through her bones. She could feel her own energy draining as she fought to keep the barrier up. Recognizing she couldn't rely on pure defense, Y/n shifted her approach, focusing instead on evasion and counterattacks.
The figure stayed silent, with a quick flick of her wrist, she summoned jagged shards of ice, each one glinting ominously. She launched them with incredible precision, and Y/n barely had time to react. She rolled to the side, dodging a cluster of ice shards that embedded themselves in the tree bark behind her. Quickly gathering her focus, Y/n retaliated, summoning a blast of flame toward the figure, hoping to create some distance.
The flames crackled and surged, momentarily illuminating the figure's hooded face, though Y/n still couldn't make out any details, she noticed that the figure had horns. The figure stepped back, brushing off the remnants of Y/n's fire spell with ease. In response, she raised her hand, murmuring an incantation under her breath, and the ground beneath Y/n's feet began to tremble. Roots burst from the earth, wrapping around Y/n's ankles like iron chains, immobilizing her.
Panic surged within her, but Y/n's instincts took over. She concentrated her energy into her hands, channeling heat into the roots until they smoked and finally released her. As she freed herself, she was met by a swirling vortex of wind and debris the figure had summoned, forcing her back as it ripped at her clothes and stung her skin. Y/n gritted her teeth, raising an arm to shield her face, and attempted to harness the wind herself, pushing it back in an attempt to disrupt the figure's control.
But the figure was relentless, layering spells seamlessly. She threw her hand forward, sending a pulse of purple energy racing toward Y/n. It hit her square in the chest, knocking her backward with enough force to send her sprawling across the ground. Y/n winced, feeling a painful buzzing sensation ripple through her body as she struggled to get back on her feet.
Desperate to end the barrage, Y/n tapped into her reserves, summoning a series of concentrated orbs of light and launching them toward the figure. The orbs exploded in bursts of energy, momentarily forcing the figure to retreat. But her opponent barely seemed fazed, sidestepping each blast and conjuring a thin, razor-like whip of energy that cracked in the air as it lashed toward Y/n.
Y/n threw herself to the side, but the whip grazed her arm, leaving a burning line across her skin. She hissed, clutching her arm as the figure advanced. Realizing she was cornered, Y/n called forth a final surge of energy, gathering it into her hands and releasing it in a shockwave to push the figure back. The woman staggered slightly, but as Y/n prepared for another round, she felt the woman's hand close around her throat, pinning her to a massive tree trunk. Y/n gasped, clawing at the figure's hand as the pressure against her windpipe grew, her vision starting to blur at the edges.
Through the dizzying haze, Y/n's gaze snapped to the shadowed face beneath the hood. Desperation flickered in her eyes as she tried to make out the woman's features. Y/n stretched her trembling hand, her fingers aching to reach the edge of the hood and pull it back, to finally reveal the face that had haunted her dreams and tales alike.
But her focus wavered, split between her determination to uncover the truth and her instinctual fight to stay conscious. Every precious ounce of oxygen slipped further from her grasp, her strength draining with each passing second.
The woman leaned in, her voice a quiet, almost mocking whisper, barely audible over Y/n's ragged breathing. "Curious, are you?" she taunted. "I know your limits better than you do, child."
The figure's grip tightened as she leaned in closer, her voice low and filled with an eerie determination. "That flame of yours," she murmured, "It's supposed to be hotter, fierce enough to burn everything in its path." Her gaze, even hidden within the hood, seemed to pierce through Y/n's weary stare. "I kept contemplating whether to come now or right before you faced that beast, but this way... you will have time to improve."
Y/n's mind raced with confusion and pain, struggling to grasp the woman's words. She managed to rasp, "Why...?"
"Because," the figure replied, her voice chilling, "you have to be the one to trigger him, not anyone else. It has to be you. And that's why you must burn him alive!" The intensity in her voice was unsettling, carrying an almost prophetic weight. "Remember," she added, "your flame must burn like this."
Before Y/n could react, the figure's fingers flared with magic, searing into Y/n's neck. A line of scorching pain tore through her skin, and she couldn't hold back the scream that burst from her throat. The burning sensation spread, the heat unbearable, and her vision blurred with the agony.
In that agonizing moment, something surreal happened. Through the haze of pain, Y/n's gaze locked onto the figure, and she saw flames flickering along her neck as well, mirroring her own pain. Her own burns got onto the figure's skin as well, as if they were bound by some twisted connection.
As Y/n's vision darkened, the sound of distant voices broke through her disoriented mind. Minji and Hanni's shouts rang out, breaking through the intense fog of pain Y/n was feeling right now. The figure turned her head sharply to the approaching footsteps, and released her hold on Y/n's neck.
Y/n slowly sagged against the tree, her consciousness wavering. The last thing she saw before her vision completely faded was the figure's gazing to Minji and Hanni, leaving her with the burning pain.