Episode 4

1 week later...

Throughout the week, Jungkook endured excruciating pain that felt like an endless torment. Despite the overwhelming agony, he chose to suffer in silence, shielding others from his struggles. The weight of the foreign pain gnawed at him relentlessly, yet he remained stoic, refusing to let anyone see the depth of his suffering.

As the villagers bustled about with an air of apprehension and unease, one observant villager began to grow suspicious of Jungkook. Despite their collective busyness and nervous energy, Jungkook seemed unaffected, his demeanor unchanged by the tension gripping the community.

Jungkook made a conscious decision to ignore it. He understood all too well that despite the gravity of the situation, he would never be allowed to participate. The invisible barriers separating him from the tightly-knit community were insurmountable, leaving him resigned to the role of outsider.

But, a little bit he knows...

On the auspicious day of September 1st, unbeknownst to Jungkook, the villagers’ preparations coincided with his own birthday. Turning fifteen, he remained oblivious to the significance of the date, unaware that it marked not only the passing of another year but also the end of the villagers’ predicament. While the community celebrated behind closed doors, Jungkook went about his day as usual, unaware of the joyous occasion unfolding around him.

Jungkook went about his day, he couldn’t help but notice the peculiar behavior of the villagers. Instead of assigning him tasks or allowing him to participate in their usual activities, they treated him with an unusual tenderness and care. They adorned him with shimmering golden and silver jewels, dressing him in a pristine white hanbok fit for a special occasion. Despite his confusion, Jungkook couldn’t deny the warmth and kindness emanating from their gestures, even if he didn’t fully understand their intentions.

In the midst of the extraordinary preparations in the rarely used room, the atmosphere grew even more surreal as multiple monks dressed in vibrant red robes entered. Their sudden appearance added a mystique to the already mysterious proceedings, leaving Jungkook bewildered and intrigued by the unfolding spectacle. The monks moved with a sense of purpose, their presence imbuing the room with an aura of solemnity and reverence.

Feeling a surge of curiosity and a desire to understand the rationale behind the mysterious preparations, Jungkook hesitated, unsure how to approach the ladies who were fussing over him. Despite his yearning for answers, he couldn’t shake the feeling of intimidation that washed over him in the presence of the monks and the solemn atmosphere of the room.

Jungkook silently observed the intricate preparations and the presence of the monks, he realized that the training he had received all along had instilled in him the importance of discretion and respect for tradition. Despite his burning curiosity and desire for answers, he understood that there were certain boundaries he was not meant to cross. The unspoken lesson echoed in his mind: regardless of whether he understood or not, he was to keep his mouth shut and refrain from judging.

the monks gestured in unison, signaling the next phase of the ceremony, the ladies gently guided Jungkook behind them. With a sense of reverence, they adorned him with new footwear, completing his transformation for the occasion ahead.

Jungkook followed the procession of monks and ladies as they ascended the winding paths of the mountains. The journey was long and arduous, yet Jungkook felt a sense of purpose guiding his every move. As they reached higher elevations, the air grew thin and crisp, the landscape unfolding in breathtaking vistas of rugged beauty. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at the pinnacle of the mountains, the very peak that touched the sky. Here, surrounded by the vast expanse of nature’s grandeur, Jungkook stood in awe.

they reached the peak and stood overlooking the breathtaking landscape, their gaze fell upon a narrow, precarious pathway leading towards a massive flat rock. The lane, barely discernible against the rugged terrain

"Listen here, you have to walk in between of that rock, now go," Jungkook stood at the peak, transfixed by the sight of the narrow pathway leading to the massive flat rock, the head monk’s deep, cruel growl shattered the stillness of the moment. The sudden sound reverberated through the air, sending a shiver down Jungkook’s spine and instilling a sense of fear in his heart.

With trembling legs, Jungkook cautiously advanced along the precarious pathway, each step a test of his courage and resolve. As he finally reached the center of the flat rock, his eyes widened in astonishment at the sight before him—an enormous iron cage loomed ominously in the distance. Its imposing presence cast a shadow over the landscape, filling Jungkook with a sense of foreboding.

Just as he began to take in the enormity of the cage, a disembodied voice echoed through the valley, sending chills down Jungkook’s spine. The ethereal sound reverberated off the towering peaks, its origin shrouded in mystery.

"GO, INSIDE CAGE!!"

As tears streamed down his cheeks like a gentle drizzle, Jungkook’s heart weighed heavy with fear and uncertainty. With each step into the looming iron cage, the automatic closure of the door sent a jolt of terror through his trembling body, intensifying his sense of isolation and vulnerability. Like a lone leaf buffeted by the harsh winds of fate, he stood ensnared within the confines of the cage, his entire being consumed by a primal instinct to survive.

Despite the overwhelming fear pulsating through his veins, Jungkook found a sliver of courage within him, a flickering flame amidst the darkness. With closed eyes, he braced himself for whatever awaited him, knowing deep down that he was being sacrificed to something dangerous and unknown.

As the hours dragged on, an eerie stillness hung in the air, punctuated only by the passage of time. But just as Jungkook began to relax his guard, the weather took a dramatic turn. The once bright and sunny noon morphed into a dark, foreboding sky, clouds swirling ominously overhead. The howling wind pierced the silence, sending shivers down Jungkook’s spine once more.

Amidst the cacophony of chaos, the atmosphere became charged with danger. Loud mayhem and hazardous growling reverberated through the air, causing Jungkook’s heart to race with fear. Suddenly, his gaze was drawn upward, where a colossal dragon soared through the tumultuous sky, its massive form casting a shadow over the landscape.

As the dragon circled ominously around his cage, Jungkook’s breath caught in his throat. His eyes, already weary from the ordeal, widened in terror as the creature descended upon him with terrifying speed.

As Jungkook succumbed to unconsciousness and lay motionless in the cage, vulnerable to the impending danger, the dragon’s keen gaze never wavered. With swift precision, the ancient creature summoned its powers, weaving a soft, billowing cloud beneath Jungkook’s head just moments before impact. The cloud cradled him gently, cushioning his fall and preventing any harm from befalling him.

Hovering protectively above Jungkook, the dragon maintained a vigilant watch, ensuring his safety amidst the chaos unfolding around them. Despite its formidable appearance, the creature exhibited a surprising tenderness, its actions guided by a sense of compassion and empathy for the young boy lying helpless before it.

As the tumultuous storm raged on, Jungkook remained nestled in the comforting embrace of the cloud, unaware of the miraculous intervention that had spared him from harm.

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