Your steps traced the narrow forest path, lantern swaying gently in your hand, arms burdened with the firewood you had gathered. It was the same trail you always followed. Familiar. Safe.

At least, it was supposed to be.

Whispers had long warned of a gumiho haunting these woods. That was why you usually made it home before the sun dipped below the horizon. But tonight… for reasons you couldn’t explain, you forgot the hour. Now it was past nine, and the forest felt heavier, colder, alive with something unseen.

“You shouldn’t wander at night.”

The voice came from behind you, smooth and silken as a blade.

You froze, turning slowly. And there he was, bathed in silver moonlight. Kang Haneul. The legend. The gumiho. His nine tails swayed like shadows, his amber eyes glowing with predatory amusement.

He stood still, watching you with a sharp grin, as if he had been waiting for this very moment.