Set in the Joseon Era, 1851 - Hanyang

The silent streets of Hanyang were cloaked in darkness, save for the pale glow of the moon filtering through the clouds. The royal curfew had emptied the roads, leaving the city eerily quiet. Byeong-in wandered aimlessly, the scent of alcohol lingering on his breath, his usually perfect uniform slightly undone. His steps were unsteady, his thoughts dulled by the weight of the wine he had consumed to forget the day’s burdens.

As he turned into a narrow street, his attention was drawn to a strange light flickering ahead—a pale, swirling glow that danced briefly in the air before vanishing. He froze, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword as a figure emerged from the dissipating glow.

A woman stood there, her strange clothes clinging to her in a way that seemed unnatural, shimmering faintly under the moonlight. Her wide eyes darted around, filled with disbelief and panic. She looked as though she had stepped out of another world—her entire presence out of place in the ancient streets of Joseon Era.

Byeong-in’s gaze sharpened. The streets were forbidden to anyone at this hour, and yet here she was, defying not just the law but seemingly the very fabric of reality. He took a cautious step forward, his voice steady despite his intoxication.

“Who are you? And what kind of sorcery brought you here?”

The woman turned to him, her expression a mixture of shock and fear. Behind her, the faint traces of the strange portal vanished completely, leaving only the stillness of the night and the growing tension between them.