THE HEART OF DARKNESS

...Chapter 03...

The first light of dawn broke through the dense canopy of the forest, casting a dim, filtered light over the clearing where Lee Chang and Seo-bi had uncovered the broken seal. The village lay behind them, quiet and somber, while the path ahead seemed to grow darker and more foreboding as they continued their investigation.

Lee Chang sat by the edge of the clearing, examining the ancient seal closely. Its markings, though worn and partially obscured, hinted at something ancient and malevolent. Seo-bi, seated beside him, carefully transcribed the symbols into her notebook, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"Do you recognize any of these symbols?" Lee Chang asked, breaking the silence.

Seo-bi shook her head slowly. "The symbols are unfamiliar to me. They do not match any known medical or religious texts I have studied. This seal could be linked to ancient practices or rituals, perhaps even to something predating recorded history."

As they worked, Mu-yeong stood watch at the edge of the clearing, his senses alert for any sign of danger. The forest around them was still and unnervingly quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife absent as if the land itself were holding its breath.

Seo-bi finished transcribing the symbols and looked up at Lee Chang. "I will need access to historical texts and old records to understand this seal’s significance. There might be references in ancient archives or forgotten manuscripts."

Lee Chang nodded, his mind already turning to the next steps of their investigation. "We will return to the village and seek out any records or historians who might have knowledge of this seal. But we must be careful; the plague's threat looms large, and we must avoid drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves."

They made their way back to the village, the silence of the forest now broken only by the occasional creak of the trees and the distant murmur of the wind. As they approached the village, they could see the villagers peeking out from their homes, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and curiosity.

Once inside the village, Seo-bi sought out the village elder, a man named Choi Seung, who had been one of the first to report the strange occurrences to the authorities. He was a scholar in his youth, and his knowledge of ancient texts and local lore made him a valuable ally.

"Master Choi," Seo-bi began, "we need your help. We have discovered a seal with symbols that are unfamiliar to us. We believe it may hold the key to understanding the plague."

Choi Seung took the seal from Seo-bi and examined it closely, his eyes narrowing as he studied the markings. "This seal is indeed ancient. It bears symbols that are associated with old, forgotten rituals—rituals said to summon dark forces."

Lee Chang stepped forward, his voice steady. "Can you tell us more about these rituals? Anything that might help us understand the plague?"

Choi Seung nodded slowly, a troubled expression on his face. "There are legends of a dark power sealed away long ago, a force that could bend the will of the dead. The old texts speak of a time when this power was unleashed by those seeking to use it for their own gain. If this seal is involved, it may mean that someone has awakened this ancient evil."

Seo-bi looked at the seal and then at Choi Seung. "Do you know where we might find more information on these legends or the ancient texts? Any archives or hidden manuscripts that might still exist?"

Choi Seung thought for a moment. "There is an old temple to the west of the village, abandoned for many years. It is said to house ancient scrolls and texts, though it is a dangerous place. Many who have ventured there have not returned."

Lee Chang's eyes met Seo-bi’s, and she gave a determined nod. "We must go to this temple. It may be our only chance to uncover the secrets of the seal and find a way to combat the plague."

With their course of action decided, they prepared for the journey to the old temple. Mu-yeong gathered supplies and ensured that the village was fortified for their absence. As the sun began to set, the three set out once again, heading toward the dark silhouette of the temple in the distance.

The path to the temple was treacherous, winding through the dense forest and climbing up steep hills. The atmosphere grew heavier with each step, the air thick with the scent of earth and decay. The shadows of the trees seemed to twist and writhe, as though alive with hidden menace.

By nightfall, they reached the temple. It was a crumbling edifice, overtaken by the encroaching forest. The once-grand structure was now a ruin, with vines climbing up its walls and the entrance shrouded in darkness.

Lee Chang lit a torch, and the flickering light cast eerie shadows on the temple’s facade. "We will enter carefully. We do not know what awaits us inside."

They stepped into the temple, the air inside cool and musty. The interior was a cavernous space, with faded murals on the walls depicting scenes of ancient rituals and dark ceremonies. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty halls.

Seo-bi led the way, her torch illuminating dusty shelves and abandoned scrolls. "Look for anything that might mention the seal or the dark power it represents," she said, her voice echoing softly in the stillness.

As they searched, Mu-yeong kept a vigilant watch, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword. The temple’s shadows seemed to shift and move, and the air was thick with a sense of foreboding.

After hours of searching, Seo-bi finally found a hidden chamber at the back of the temple. Inside, ancient scrolls and books were carefully preserved on wooden shelves, untouched by time.

"This is it," Seo-bi said, her eyes shining with hope. "These texts might contain the knowledge we need."

Lee Chang approached the shelves and carefully examined the scrolls. "We must sift through these texts quickly. Every moment we delay could mean more suffering for the people of Dongnae."

As Seo-bi began to read through the ancient manuscripts, she uncovered disturbing details about the dark ritual that had been sealed away long ago. The texts spoke of a curse placed upon a powerful entity, a force that could summon the dead and use them for nefarious purposes.

"This ritual," Seo-bi said, her voice trembling slightly, "it describes a curse that binds the dead to the will of the living. If this curse has been broken, it could explain the plague’s effects."

Lee Chang’s expression hardened. "Then our task is clear. We must find out who is responsible for breaking this seal and stop them before the curse spreads further."

As they prepared to leave the temple with the knowledge they had gained, a chilling wind swept through the hall, and the temple seemed to come alive with the whispers of the past. The darkness that had been lurking in the corners of the temple now seemed to reach out, as though warning them of the dangers ahead.

With the ancient texts in hand and a renewed sense of purpose, Lee Chang, Mu-yeong, and Seo-bi left the temple and made their way back to the village. They were now closer to understanding the plague’s origins, but the road ahead was fraught with uncertainty and peril.

The temple’s shadows seemed to cling to them as they walked, and the night air grew colder. The fight against the dark forces unleashed by the broken seal had only just begun.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***