Summary: Strange events deepen the mystery of Jungkook and Taehyung’s shared connection to the prophecy. They encounter a second enigmatic character, a hostile bounty hunter named Ryujin, who forces them into a dangerous confrontation.
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The forest seemed to pulse with life as they traveled deeper, though not the kind of life Taehyung found comforting. The gnarled roots and twisted branches seemed to shift when he wasn’t looking, as if the forest itself was alive—and watching.
Jungkook remained stoic as ever, his steps precise and calculated. Taehyung followed close behind, his earlier bravado tempered by the growing sense of unease that pressed down on him like a suffocating weight.
“I still can’t believe we ran into that character,” Taehyung muttered, breaking the silence.
“Which one?” Jungkook replied dryly, not bothering to look back.
“The cryptic forest guardian who vanishes into the shadows,” Taehyung said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You don’t find that the least bit suspicious?”
“I find everything suspicious,” Jungkook said flatly. “That’s how I’ve stayed alive.”
Taehyung rolled his eyes. “You’re exhausting to talk to.”
“Good.”
Before Taehyung could fire back a retort, a sharp crack echoed through the trees. Both men froze, their hands instinctively moving to their weapons.
“Footsteps,” Jungkook murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Taehyung strained his ears and heard it too—the crunch of leaves, deliberate and slow. Whoever it was, they weren’t trying to conceal their presence.
“Another shadow beast?” Taehyung whispered, his fingers tightening around his dagger.
“No,” Jungkook replied, his tone grim. “This one’s human.”
Moments later, a figure emerged from the trees. It was a woman clad in dark leather armor, her pale silver hair tied back in a loose braid. A bow was slung over her shoulder, and a dagger gleamed at her hip. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto them with a predator’s intensity.
“Well, well,” she said, her lips curving into a smirk. “What do we have here? A prince in disguise and a shadow warrior playing protector.”
Taehyung’s breath hitched. “How do you—”
Jungkook stepped in front of him, his sword drawn and ready. “Who are you?”
The woman’s smirk widened. “The name’s Ryujin. I’m a bounty hunter. And you two just happen to have some very interesting prices on your heads.”
Taehyung’s eyes narrowed. “Who sent you?”
Ryujin shrugged, drawing her dagger in a casual, almost lazy motion. “Does it matter? I deliver what I catch, and you two are quite the prize.”
Jungkook moved quickly, placing himself squarely between Ryujin and Taehyung. “If you know who we are, then you also know you’re outmatched.”
Ryujin laughed, the sound sharp and cutting. “You think so? You might be good with that sword, shadow boy, but I’ve taken down far worse than you.”
Before Jungkook could respond, Ryujin moved. She was fast—faster than Taehyung expected—and within seconds, she was on them.
Jungkook parried her first strike, their blades clashing in a burst of sparks. Ryujin pivoted smoothly, aiming a second blow at Taehyung, who barely managed to dodge.
“Stay back!” Jungkook barked, his voice taut with command.
Taehyung stumbled, his heart racing as he watched the two warriors clash. Ryujin was relentless, her movements fluid and precise, but Jungkook met her blow for blow, his focus unshakable.
“Not bad,” Ryujin said with a grin, sidestepping a slash from Jungkook’s sword. “But I expected more from the Shadow Empire’s heir.”
Jungkook’s expression darkened. With a swift motion, he disarmed her, sending her dagger flying into the underbrush.
But Ryujin didn’t falter. She ducked low, sweeping Jungkook’s legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, and before he could recover, Ryujin’s bow was in her hands, an arrow already nocked and aimed directly at his chest.
“Drop the sword,” she ordered, her tone deadly serious.
Taehyung’s instincts screamed at him to run, but instead, he stepped forward, his dagger held tightly. “Let him go,” he demanded, his voice shaking slightly but resolute.
Ryujin arched a brow, her gaze flicking to him. “And what are you going to do, little prince? Stab me?”
Taehyung’s grip tightened. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. All he knew was that he couldn’t let Jungkook die.
“Enough.”
The word rang out, strong and commanding, though it didn’t come from Taehyung or Jungkook.
All three turned to see Haneul emerging from the shadows, their green eyes gleaming in the dim light.
“Haneul,” Jungkook muttered, his voice low with both relief and suspicion.
Ryujin frowned, her arrow still trained on Jungkook. “What are you doing here, meddler?”
“I could ask you the same,” Haneul replied, their tone light but edged with warning. “This forest isn’t your hunting ground, Ryujin. Leave them.”
Ryujin’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You think I’m going to walk away from a bounty this good?”
“Unless you want the forest to turn against you,” Haneul said, their voice dropping.
For a moment, Ryujin hesitated, her sharp eyes scanning Haneul’s face. Then, with a frustrated growl, she lowered her bow.
“This isn’t over,” she said, glaring at both Jungkook and Taehyung before disappearing into the trees.
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As the tension ebbed, Haneul turned to the two men with a faint smile. “You’re welcome.”
Jungkook stood, brushing himself off. “What’s your game?”
“No game,” Haneul replied. “Just keeping things interesting.”
Taehyung crossed his arms. “You seem to have a habit of showing up at just the right moment.”
Haneul’s smile widened. “Maybe it’s fate.”
Taehyung rolled his eyes, but Jungkook’s gaze remained fixed on the forest where Ryujin had disappeared.
“She’ll be back,” he said grimly.
“I know,” Haneul said. “And so will others. You two have a long way to go if you want to survive what’s coming.”
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