Muyeon stepped closer, his eyes scanning the familiar faces in the crowd. He could sense the unease lingering—something more than just an ordinary discussion. As he walked forward, their voices became clearer—some filled with worry, others sounding urgent.
Muyeon continued moving, now close enough to see their expressions more clearly. Some people whispered among themselves, while others remained silent, their faces tense. That was when a deep voice broke through the murmurs of anxiety.
"Park Jungsoo hasn’t returned for a few days."
It was Kim Dongsu, the village chief—a middle-aged man who was usually firm and authoritative. But this time, the lines on his face were deeper, weighed down by concern.
"He went hunting in the forest, but after 3 days, there was still no sign of him returning."
Kim Dongsu took a deep breath, scanning the faces around him.
"It’s been too long..."
A woman in the crowd spoke up, her voice filled with worry.
"We're afraid something has happened. That forest has been getting more dangerous lately."
She was Choi Misun, a middle-aged woman who often helped process the village’s hunted game. She knew Park Jungsoo’s family well, and her concern was evident on her face.
"He should have been back in two days... This isn’t like him."
Park Jungsoo was not a stranger to Muyeon. He was a quiet man who lived by hunting, working hard to provide for his family. The forest had been a part of his life for years—a place where he hunted and made a living. But this time, more than two night had passed since he left, and there was still no sign of him. Something felt off.
Muyeon listened intently, his eyes shifting to the faces around him. Some of the men seemed prepared to search the forest, but others hesitated, wary of the dangers that might be lurking inside.
The villagers were no strangers to the forest surrounding them. Some were hunters like Park Jungsoo, relying on it for food. The rest were farmers, depending on the fields around the village for their livelihood.
However, despite the presence of many hunters, they only ventured into the outer edges of the forest—the parts they could still recognize and navigate. But going any deeper... no one had ever dared. The trees grew denser, the mist obscured vision, and the threat of wild beasts made the deeper forest a place to be avoided. Moreover, for generations, their ancestors had warned of hidden dangers lurking within. Various stories about the Nameless Forest had been passed down through time, turning it into a legend that kept them from wandering too far.
As the conversation continued, Muyeon's gaze slowly shifted to two figures standing near Kim Dongsu. Han Yujin, Park Jungsoo’s wife, and their daughter, Park Jiwon, stood pale-faced, their eyes swollen. Jiwon clung tightly to her mother’s hand, her body trembling slightly, as if struggling to hold back a sorrow she couldn’t hide.
Han Yujin and Jiwon were not strangers to him. Yujin often greeted him and offered him food, and Jiwon was a little girl who frequently approached him, talking to him as if they were friends. Seeing them in this state made Muyeon pause for a moment. He wasn’t used to seeing Han Yujin, who was normally strong, looking so fragile—or Jiwon, who was always cheerful, now standing still in sorrow.
Muyeon remained silent, listening intently to every word spoken. The villagers were still conversing among themselves—some insisting on an immediate search, while others hesitated.
The village chief, Kim Dongsu, finally took a deep breath before speaking in a firm tone,
"We can't just stand by. Park Jungsoo might be in danger, and if we wait any longer, things could get worse."
A few men among the villagers nodded in agreement, though tension was clearly visible on their faces. A middle-aged man with a slightly thin build stepped forward. Doubt was written all over his face, yet his voice remained steady as he said,
"But it's too risky. We all know the boundaries of the forest that we shouldn't cross."
The man was Yoo Sangho, a farmer who had lived in the village for many years. Though not a hunter, he was well-acquainted with the forest and the stories passed down by their ancestors. Like many others in the village, he understood how dangerous it was to venture too deep into the nameless forest.
"We’ll only search around the usual hunting trails." Kim Dongsu replied.
"We must remain cautious, but we can't ignore someone who has disappeared into the forest."
Han Yujin tightened her grip on Jiwon's hand. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but she simply lowered her head.
Muyeon continued listening, his eyes observing the people around him. The decision had been made, and the search would soon begin.
Kim Dongsu let out a long sigh before addressing the gathered villagers.
"We will begin the search."
Several grown men and young villagers immediately stepped forward, among them a few seasoned hunters. They appeared ready, carrying torches, knives, and other hunting tools. Kim Dongsu pointed at some of them before continuing,
"We can't move recklessly—the sky will be dark soon. One group will search along the usual hunting path that Park Jungsoo used. The other will check near the spring at the forest’s edge."
Those not involved in the search remained in the village, keeping watch and ensuring its safety. Some women began praying in silence, while the children could only watch anxiously, their faces filled with confusion.
Muyeon stood still, watching as Kim Dongsu organized the search. He had no reason to get involved, so he simply observed—until his gaze fell upon Jiwon.
At that moment, Jiwon lifted her head, and their eyes met.
"...."
It lasted only a second, but Muyeon saw sadness and helplessness in Jiwon’s expression. Her eyes, usually full of light and warmth, now looked weary, missing the spark of joy that always shone whenever she spoke to him.
Muyeon fell silent, as if caught in a struggle with his own thoughts. Without realizing it, he tightened his grip on Baekgu’s leash, as if carefully weighing something in his mind.
As the search party began moving toward the forest, the remaining villagers slowly dispersed. Some returned to their homes, while others stood watching the searchers, their eyes filled with hope and worry.
Yujin and Jiwon also started walking home. Yujin's face remained pale, but her steps were steady as she tried to suppress the unease that was evident in her expression. Jiwon clutched her mother’s hand tightly, her steps sluggish, her eyes red and swollen.
A few village women accompanied them, speaking softly in an attempt to comfort the mother and daughter. Occasionally, Yujin would nod slightly, but her gaze remained distant.
Muyeon let out a quiet sigh. The village fell into silence once more, with only a few villagers murmuring to each other before finally retreating to their homes.
Without saying a word, Muyeon turned and walked away. He left the crowd behind, heading toward the small hut near the river where he lived. His steps were calm, but his mind was still occupied by everything that had just happened.
Baekgu walked beside him, occasionally glancing up at Muyeon as if he could sense his thoughts.
The sun had disappeared, replaced by the glow of the moon. The sounds of nocturnal creatures echoed from all directions, marking the arrival of night. A gentle breeze swept through the air, carrying the soft murmur of the flowing river, growing clearer with each step Muyeon took.
Upon reaching his hut, Muyeon paused at the entrance. He gazed at the river flowing gently, its surface shimmering under the moonlight.
Usually, moments like this brought him peace—but tonight, the events that had unfolded still lingered in his mind, unsettling his thoughts. Muyeon sat on a rock by the river, gazing at the shimmering surface under the moonlight. His fingers brushed against his chin slowly, his mind spinning in circles.
He let out a deep sigh before glancing to the side, toward Baekgu, who sat quietly on the ground, his ears twitching slightly with the passing breeze.
"Baekgu."
"Is there really nothing we can do?"
Muyeon was asking more to himself than expecting an actual answer.
He fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting back to the river.
"I don't even know if we can..."
His voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping in.
"The forest is too vast, and deep inside..."
His fingers tightened around his knees, his body trembling slightly—as if recalling something eerie that sent a chill down his spine.
Once again, Muyeon remained silent, his gaze fixed on the rippling water. Beside him, Baekgu flicked his ears before standing up and wagging his tail slightly.
The dog looked at Muyeon with an expression that was hard to describe. As if he understood his master's unease, as if he was waiting for a decision.
Muyeon sighed, reaching out and gently stroking Baekgu’s head.
"Do you think we should go?"
Baekgu didn’t bark—he only stared at him with eyes full of certainty.
Muyeon narrowed his eyes, looking into the distance. The wind blew softly, carrying the rustling whispers of the forest as if calling out to them.
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