The sound of raindrops tapped against the third-floor office window, accompanying the silence of a gloomy afternoon. Behind a cluttered desk stacked with paperwork, Kim Hyunwoo stared blankly at his frozen computer screen. His tired eyes said more than words could, while the coffee in his mug had long since gone cold.
With a heavy sigh, he reached for his phone beside the keyboard. His original intention was just to check the time, but the notification that popped up made his heart race:
"Daehan High School Alumni Reunion – Hachan Café, 5:00 PM. Don't forget!"
Hyunwoo turned to the wall clock. The short hand pointed exactly at five.
His eyes widened. "Crap…" he muttered almost in a shout. He grabbed the coat hanging on his chair and rushed out, leaving his unfinished work behind.
Yet on his way to the bus stop, his pace slowed. He looked down, gripping his work bag tightly. His thoughts wrestled between curiosity and hesitation. This reunion wasn't just any event—it was a moment to face the past, including memories he'd long tried to avoid.
"Am I really ready for this?" he wondered, but his feet kept moving forward.
The rain still poured as he arrived at Hachan Café—a small, cozy spot offering warmth amidst the damp weather. He was panting, his hair and clothes drenched from the short walk from the bus stop. His trembling hand pushed the door open, greeted by the chime of the café's bell.
"Am I late?" he asked, trying to compose himself, eyes scanning the room. Four pairs of eyes immediately turned to him.
Across the table, Kang Yerin—with her always cheerful pink hair—grinned,
"I hope you haven't forgotten about us, Hyunwoo," she teased, resting her chin on her palm with the ease of long-standing friendship.
Not far away, Jung Taeyang, the energetic blond guy, half stood and pointed jokingly,
"How dare you forget us? That's it—you're buying us all dinner, punk!"
Meanwhile, Ahn Jaehyun, calm and handsome in a crisp white shirt, simply shrugged and said with a faint smile,
"He's just late, guys."
In the corner, Lee Wonho—the quiet one who always showed up at the right moment—briefly glanced up before returning to his cup of coffee.
Hyunwoo couldn't help but chuckle. The warmth of nostalgia slowly washed away the lingering cold from the rain. He pulled out the empty chair and sat down with his friends.
The night deepened with laughter, beer flowed freely, and stories of their high school days came back to life. But the joy was suddenly interrupted when the café door creaked open again. A mysterious man in a dark cloak stepped in, his face hidden beneath a hood that cast shadows over his features. His deep, raspy voice sliced through the air like a midnight breeze.
"Would you like to play a game? If you win, you'll receive a huge amount of money."
All eyes locked on him. The clinking of glasses and the rhythm of the rain blended into a tension-filled atmosphere.
Hyunwoo, slightly tipsy but still alert, voiced his doubt,
"What's the catch? And what do you mean by 'punishment'?"
The man responded coldly,
"Simple. You'll only see this ID card… if you lose. And if I'm lying, you're free to report me to the police."
Then, with a tone that grew more serious, he added,
"Punishment? Close your eyes, and I'll mark your cheek."
Amid the fading warmth, curiosity clashed with concern. Taeyang let out a long sigh,
"I… I'm unsure, but life's full of challenges. Maybe it's time we test our courage."
After a few moments of hesitation and a brief debate, everyone nodded in agreement—driven by alcohol, adrenaline, and a deep curiosity about what lay ahead.
"What could go wrong? It's just a card game," Taeyang muttered, trying to reassure himself.
The card game began—and, to cut the story short, they all lost. As the result became clear, their bodies began to tremble, then glowed with a blinding white light. The world around them cracked like shattered glass, the cloaked man's laughter echoing in their fading consciousness. The blinding light engulfed them, twisting reality in an instant. Within it, the man's silhouette smirked slyly.
"Goodbye," he said, and in that moment… they vanished.
As the light dimmed, they opened their eyes, overwhelmed by confusion. The drunkenness had vanished—like it had been forcibly ripped away. Strange air filled their lungs, the scent of damp earth and unfamiliar flowers struck their senses. They stood in a place that felt too real to be a dream. Around them was a forest—tall trees, unfamiliar animal sounds, and cold, wet soil beneath their feet. In the distance, the towering silhouette of a castle wall loomed, signaling a world beyond imagination.
"Is this… a dream? Where are we? And where's all our stuff? All I have is my bag…" Yerin whispered, her face pale and eyes glassy.
"Let me out of here… This has to be a prank, right?!?" Taeyang shouted, his panicked voice echoing through the trees.
Wonho shook his head.
"This is impossible. This can't be real."
"Panicking won't help," Jaehyun said calmly, trying to ease the rising tension.
Hyunwoo, now trying to take charge, looked at the path ahead lit softly through the grass, clenched his fist with resolve,
"Let me lead. I have a plan."
Despite their doubts, they chose to follow Hyunwoo. Step by step, they walked toward a grand gate that marked the entrance to Thalveran—a kingdom veiled in mystery. The gate was adorned with beautiful carvings, and in front of it, a majestic dragon statue stood with eyes that seemed almost alive, radiating a magical aura.
But as they approached, a royal officer shouted from a raised podium,
"Stop! Your clothes… they're strange! Where are you from? Are you enemy spies?"
His expression turned harsh.
"Leave now! Or be thrown into prison!"
The crowd around them grew tense. In the midst of confusion, a noblewoman stepped forward. Her gaze—sharp yet gentle—focused on Jaehyun, as if recognizing something hidden behind his calm demeanor.
"Father, that man… let him through," she whispered with a knowing tone, hinting at an unspoken trust.
The official, surprised by her words, finally spoke reluctantly,
"Very well—just for you."
Jaehyun paused, glancing at his friends who stood frozen.
"You're… leaving us?" Yerin asked softly.
With steady steps, Jaehyun approached and said,
"Don't worry. I'll still be with you—from inside the kingdom. I'll gather information and learn more about this world. I'll send word as soon as I can."
His friends looked at him with hope and trust, though the farewell stung. Hyunwoo patted Jaehyun's shoulder,
"We believe in you. Stay safe."
Jaehyun gave a faint smile before disappearing into the growing crowd behind Thalveran's grand gates.
Bittersweet expressions crossed the others' faces. Hyunwoo looked up at the unfamiliar sky glowing in the distance, then turned with renewed determination,
"Let's go… we'll find answers elsewhere."
Without looking back, they walked away—leaving Thalveran and that brief farewell behind, stepping into the unknown mysteries of a brand-new world.
And as they walked away, none of them noticed… that the cloaked man now stood behind the trees, silently watching.