Chapter 2: The Forbidden Forest Part 1: The Reluctant Duo

Summary: Jungkook and Taehyung are forced to journey together after crossing paths in the dangerous Forbidden Forest. Neither is aware of the full significance of their connection, but their shared presence stirs unease—and an undeniable tension.

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The Forbidden Forest loomed ahead like a living wall of shadow. The trees, ancient and twisted, formed an almost impenetrable canopy that blotted out the sun. Legends spoke of the forest as a place of great danger, home to beasts and spirits that devoured the unwary.

But for Taehyung, it was also the only route to freedom.

He stood at the forest’s edge, his hood pulled low, gazing into its depths. A soft breeze carried the faint scent of moss and decay, stirring the unease already festering in his chest.

“You’re not planning to enter alone, are you?”

The voice startled him, though he recovered quickly. Turning, Taehyung’s eyes narrowed as they landed on a familiar figure emerging from the underbrush: the man from Gwahon.

Jungkook was clad in dark leather armor, his sword visible at his hip. His expression was calm, though his gaze was sharp, assessing.

“What are you doing here?” Taehyung demanded, his tone guarded.

Jungkook stopped a few paces away, crossing his arms. “I could ask you the same question. This forest isn’t exactly a place for a casual stroll.”

Taehyung bristled. “I don’t recall asking for your opinion.”

“No,” Jungkook said evenly, “but you seem to have a habit of attracting trouble. And if you go in there alone, you’ll find plenty of it.”

Taehyung’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like being underestimated, least of all by a stranger who seemed to know too much already.

“I can take care of myself,” he said coolly.

Jungkook arched a brow. “Is that so? Then why do you look like you’ve never even heard of the creatures that dwell inside?”

Taehyung opened his mouth to retort, but the words caught in his throat. He didn’t want to admit that the forest unnerved him, that he’d only heard vague rumors of what lay within.

Jungkook took his silence as confirmation. “You’re heading north, aren’t you?”

Taehyung stiffened. “What if I am?”

Jungkook let out a quiet sigh, as though resigned to something he hadn’t wanted to do. “Then we’re going the same way. I’ll guide you.”

“Guide me?” Taehyung’s disbelief was evident. “Why would I trust you?”

“You don’t have to trust me,” Jungkook replied simply. “But if you want to survive, you’ll need my help.”

Taehyung’s eyes flashed with defiance. “I’ve made it this far without you.”

“And you’ve been lucky,” Jungkook said, his tone matter-of-fact. “That luck won’t last in the Forbidden Forest.”

Taehyung hesitated. As much as he hated to admit it, there was truth in Jungkook’s words. He didn’t know what dangers awaited him, and the memory of the wolf-like creature he’d encountered earlier still lingered in the back of his mind.

But agreeing to travel with this man—a stranger who seemed to know far too much about him—felt like a risk of its own.

Jungkook watched him carefully, his expression unreadable. Finally, he added, “You can say no. But if you do, I won’t be there to pull you out when the forest swallows you whole.”

Taehyung glared at him, his fists clenching at his sides. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

A faint smirk tugged at Jungkook’s lips. “I’ve been told.”

After a tense moment, Taehyung let out a sharp breath. “Fine. But if you try anything—anything—I won’t hesitate to use this.” He patted the hilt of his dagger for emphasis.

Jungkook inclined his head in acknowledgment, though his smirk didn’t fade. “Noted.”

Without waiting for another word, he turned and stepped into the forest, his movements deliberate and confident. Taehyung lingered for a moment, his gaze flicking between the dark trees and Jungkook’s retreating figure.

This is a mistake, he thought. But with no better options, he followed.

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The air inside the forest was thick and oppressive, carrying a damp chill that clung to the skin. The trees rose like giants, their trunks covered in thick moss, and the ground was littered with gnarled roots and decaying leaves.

Jungkook led the way, his steps silent despite the uneven terrain. Taehyung trailed a few paces behind, his hand never straying far from his dagger.

“Do you always walk this quietly?” Taehyung muttered, breaking the silence.

Jungkook glanced back at him briefly. “It’s a useful skill.”

“For sneaking up on people?”

“For staying alive,” Jungkook corrected, his tone devoid of humor.

Taehyung rolled his eyes but said nothing more. The silence stretched between them again, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves or distant call of an unseen bird.

It wasn’t until they reached a narrow clearing that Jungkook slowed, his posture tensing.

“Wait here,” he said quietly, raising a hand to signal Taehyung to stop.

Taehyung frowned. “What is it?”

Jungkook didn’t answer. Instead, he crouched low, his eyes scanning the ground. Taehyung reluctantly stayed where he was, though curiosity burned inside him.

After a moment, Jungkook straightened and motioned for him to come closer.

Taehyung hesitated before stepping forward. When he reached Jungkook’s side, he followed the man’s gaze to the ground—and his breath caught.

There, pressed into the soft earth, was a footprint far larger than any human’s. The shape was vaguely canine, but the claws were longer, sharper, leaving deep gouges in the dirt.

“What made this?” Taehyung asked, his voice hushed.

“A predator,” Jungkook said simply. “And a large one.”

Taehyung swallowed hard, the memory of the glowing eyes he’d seen in the forest flashing in his mind. “Should we turn back?”

“No,” Jungkook said, his tone firm. “If we move carefully, we can avoid it. But keep your weapon ready.”

Taehyung nodded, his earlier bravado now tempered by a growing sense of unease.

As they continued deeper into the forest, both men couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

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