Chapter 2: The Forbidden Forest Part 5: The Rift

Summary: Jungkook and Taehyung argue over their next steps after the encounter with Ryujin. The tension between them escalates, revealing cracks in their fragile alliance. Meanwhile, a foreboding event warns of an even greater danger ahead.

---

The forest seemed darker after Ryujin’s departure, the stillness heavy and oppressive. Taehyung sat near a fallen log, his shoulders tense as he glared at the flickering campfire Jungkook had hastily built.

“That’s twice now,” Taehyung muttered, his voice sharp. “Twice that someone’s tried to kill us in less than a day. You’re awfully calm for someone being hunted.”

Jungkook sat on the opposite side of the fire, sharpening his sword with deliberate strokes. He didn’t look up.

“You’re welcome, by the way,” Jungkook said flatly.

Taehyung’s jaw tightened. “Excuse me?”

“For saving your life,” Jungkook said, his tone cool and measured. “Again.”

Taehyung stood abruptly, his voice rising. “I didn’t ask you to save me! And if I recall, it was me distracting that beast earlier that gave you the chance to kill it.”

Jungkook finally looked up, his dark eyes meeting Taehyung’s. “If you think that swinging a branch at a shadow beast counts as saving the day, then maybe you should stick to royal banquets and let me handle the fighting.”

The insult landed, and Taehyung felt his cheeks flush with anger. He stepped closer to the fire, his fists clenched.

“Listen, shadow boy,” Taehyung snapped, “I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m not some pampered royal who needs you to hold my hand. I can take care of myself.”

“Clearly,” Jungkook said dryly, returning his attention to his blade.

The dismissiveness in Jungkook’s tone was the last straw. Taehyung marched around the fire, stopping directly in front of him.

“You think you’re so much better than me, don’t you?” Taehyung said, his voice low and biting. “Hiding behind that stoic mask, acting like you don’t care about anything. But I see through you. You’re just as scared as I am.”

Jungkook’s hand stilled, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. Slowly, he rose to his feet, towering over Taehyung.

“Careful, prince,” Jungkook said softly, though his tone was laced with warning.

“Or what?” Taehyung shot back, refusing to back down. “You’ll abandon me? Go ahead. I’ll be better off without you anyway.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and bitter. For a moment, neither of them spoke, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.

Then Jungkook stepped back, slipping his sword into its sheath with a sharp click.

“Fine,” Jungkook said curtly. “If you want to leave, go ahead. But don’t expect me to come running when you realize you can’t survive on your own.”

Taehyung’s chest heaved with frustration, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he turned on his heel and stalked away from the campfire, disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

---

The cold air bit at Taehyung’s skin as he walked, his cloak billowing behind him. His anger burned bright, fueling his steps as he pushed deeper into the woods.

“Arrogant bastard,” he muttered under his breath. “Thinks he knows everything.”

But as the silence of the forest closed in around him, his anger began to wane, replaced by a gnawing sense of unease. The trees seemed to press closer, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal hands.

Taehyung stopped, his breath visible in the frigid air. The forest was unnaturally quiet—no rustling leaves, no distant calls of birds or insects.

“Hello?” he called out, his voice echoing faintly.

There was no response, but the oppressive silence only deepened.

Then, from somewhere behind him, came the faint sound of footsteps.

Taehyung spun around, his dagger drawn. “Who’s there?”

The footsteps grew louder, closer. Taehyung’s grip on his weapon tightened, his pulse quickening.

“Show yourself!” he demanded, his voice shaking slightly.

A shadow moved between the trees, and for a brief moment, Taehyung thought it was Ryujin, returning to finish what she’d started. But as the figure stepped into the faint moonlight, Taehyung realized it was something far worse.

It was humanoid in shape, but its features were twisted and unnatural. Its skin was pale and translucent, its eyes hollow pits of darkness. Long, jagged claws extended from its fingers, and its mouth stretched into a grotesque grin.

Taehyung’s blood ran cold.

The creature tilted its head, as if studying him, then let out a low, guttural hiss.

Taehyung took a step back, his heart pounding. “Stay back,” he said, though his voice lacked conviction.

The creature lunged.

---

Back at the campfire, Jungkook sat in tense silence, staring at the flames. Despite his earlier words, his thoughts were fixed on Taehyung’s retreating figure.

“Idiot,” Jungkook muttered under his breath. “He’ll get himself killed.”

The crackle of the fire was the only sound, but then a faint noise reached his ears—a scream, distant but unmistakable.

Jungkook was on his feet in an instant, his sword already in hand. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the sound, the forest blurring around him as adrenaline took over.

He found Taehyung near a cluster of gnarled trees, his back pressed against a trunk as he fended off the monstrous creature. The beast’s claws slashed at him, and though Taehyung managed to block with his dagger, it was clear he was losing ground.

“Hold on!” Jungkook shouted, charging forward.

The creature turned at the sound of his voice, its hollow eyes locking onto him. It let out a shriek, a sound so piercing it seemed to vibrate in the air.

Jungkook didn’t falter. He swung his sword with precision, the blade slicing through the creature’s arm. Black ichor spilled from the wound, and the creature reeled back, its grin twisting into a snarl.

Taehyung took the opportunity to scramble to his feet, his breathing ragged.

“Get behind me,” Jungkook ordered, his voice firm.

Taehyung didn’t argue. He moved to Jungkook’s side, his dagger still trembling in his hand.

The creature lunged again, its claws aiming for Jungkook’s throat. But this time, Jungkook was ready. With a powerful strike, he drove his sword through the creature’s chest.

The beast let out a final, ear-splitting shriek before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a pool of dark liquid.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then Taehyung spoke, his voice hoarse. “I could’ve handled that.”

Jungkook turned to him, his expression unreadable. “You’re welcome.”

Taehyung glared at him but said nothing, his earlier anger now overshadowed by exhaustion.

“Come on,” Jungkook said, sheathing his sword. “We need to get back to the fire before something worse shows up.”

Reluctantly, Taehyung followed, his steps unsteady.

---

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