The sound of footsteps echoed through the forest. Rain had stopped, but the mist hadn't cleared. It clung to the trees, thick and cold, making every sound sharper, every shadow deeper.
Seo Jin followed behind the Villain, the fox perched on his shoulder, tail swishing nervously. The air felt strange — heavier than before.
He frowned. "Something feels off."
The fox's ears twitched. "Host, I feel it too. The air is weird. Like… two heartbeats at once."
Seo Jin froze. "What do you mean, two?"
Before the fox could answer, the Villain stumbled. Just slightly, but enough for Seo Jin to notice. He reached out without thinking, hand brushing the Villain's arm.
And pain exploded through him.
A sharp, slicing pain shot through Seo Jin's chest. He gasped, clutching his heart. His vision blurred for a second before he steadied himself.
"What the—" He looked at the Villain, who now had a thin scratch across his cheek, blood trickling down.
Seo Jin's breath caught. That… wasn't my wound.
