Detective Choi Dojoon stood at the head of the briefing room table, arms crossed, his jaw tense.
Agent Lee Chaerim—Miss Feisty—stood beside him, eyes sharp, presence commanding.
The rest of the task force sat straight, waiting.
Chaerim clicked the remote.
Images of dead assassins flashed on the screen.
"Three bodies recovered," she announced. "All unregistered, all with erasures on their fingertips.
Professional. Trained. Conditioned."
Dojoon rubbed his temple.
"These men are connected to the Black Vipers. Their movements match the attacks around Hwayang Valley."
Another detective asked, "Any confirmation on their leader?"
Chaerim nodded.
"Kurogiri Ren. Japanese descent. According to historical records, his ancestors were involved in the Mount Seonghyeol massacre."
Dojoon's fist tightened.
"So he's continuing the sins of their bloodline."
Chaerim looked at him.
"Exactly why we need to move fast. If Ren is hunting immortality myths—"
Dojoon finished quietly, "—then Dahlia-noona is in danger."
A silence fell over the room.
"We locate the Vipers," Chaerim declared, "we find Ren, and we will save her."
Dojoon swallowed hard.
Noona… please don't do anything reckless.
Back in Hwayang Valley
The night sky stretched endless above Dahlia and Jaemin as they lay on the soft bermuda grass of Choi Miran's garden.
Beside them lay the dusty diary and ancient map—the story of GunWoo and Jihwan still echoing in their minds.
Jaemin's voice broke the silence.
"We leave at dawn… for Mount Seonghyeol."
Dahlia's fingers froze on the grass.
"…Jaemin, I'm staying."
He turned sharply.
"What?"
"You must go alone."
"No."
His voice was immediate, hard.
"Absolutely not."
"Listen." She sat up, eyes soft but firm.
"If we go together, Jin and his men will chase us down. They'll stop you before you reach the sacred mountain."
Jaemin's breath tightened.
"You're planning something dangerous again."
"I'll buy you time," she continued quietly.
"I'll let them come after me. I'll be the bait."
Jaemin grabbed her wrist, anger trembling in his tone.
"Dahlia, that's suicide."
She touched his cheek.
"Dojoon will find me. He and his team will track the Vipers once they take me."
Jaemin shook his head violently.
"No. I won't let you—"
"Then hurry," she whispered.
"Reach the sacred place. Get what you need, and come back for me."
Her voice softened, almost fragile.
"I trust you… and I trust my brother."
Jaemin closed his eyes.
He was losing this argument.
Finally—defeated—he whispered, "Fine… but please… don't get hurt. Hold on, and wait for me."
She leaned forward and kissed him—slow, gentle, meant to comfort.
Jaemin kissed back, but this time deeper, stronger, as if imprinting the taste of her lips into his soul.
He pushed her softly back onto the grass, hovering above her.
They held each other tightly—fingers intertwined.
The stars shone brighter, as if blessing the lovers who might be torn apart by dawn.
A silent promise passed between their hearts.
Before Dawn
Dahlia slept soundly, exhaustion finally pulling her under.
Jaemin watched her for a long moment—memorizing her peaceful face.
Then he lifted her gently in his arms, carrying her to her room.
He laid her on the bed, fixed her blanket, and leaned close.
"I'm leaving now, my love… be safe, wait for me, and I'll return."
Dahlia stirred, eyes still closed, as if hearing him in a dream.
He pressed a last soft kiss to her lips—
—and disappeared into the dawn.
(Dahlia's Dream)
Warm sunlight.
A peach tree.
A ripe fruit in her hand.
She took a bite—
Then woke abruptly.
"What… a strange dream…"
She sat up.
The sun danced through the window.
She knew he'd left.
"Take care, my love… come back to me."
Jaemin at the Foot of Mount Seonghyeol
The village at the base of the sacred mountain buzzed softly with life.
Jaemin arrived, holding GunWoo's map.
Villagers whispered as he passed.
"Is that…?"
"His eyes… green…"
"Moon bloodline…"
"Could it be…?"
A small boy tugged his sleeve.
"Sir… our village leader wishes to see you."
Jaemin nodded and followed.
Inside a small hut sat a blind old man.
As soon as Jaemin stepped inside, the elder reached forward, grasped Jaemin's hand—then knelt.
Jaemin panicked.
"Grandfather—no, stand up! Please!"
The old man's voice cracked.
"You have finally come… the last descendant of the Moon Clan…"
Jaemin froze.
The elder continued, "Dangerous people are approaching the mountain. They seek what must never be touched again. Our village is in danger, and only you can stop them."
Jaemin's jaw clenched.
"You Vipers… how dare you… I'll finish all of you."
The villagers gifted him a strong horse, food, and water.
"May the mountain protect you, young master," the old man whispered.
Jaemin rode upward.
Guided, drawn, and chosen.
Later, he arrived at The Sacred Garden.
Cold wind greeted him as he entered the hidden sanctuary.
A sudden force pulled him toward the river.
He stumbled into the water—a surge of green light burst upward, engulfing him.
Pain vanished, his wounds closed, and strength rushed into his veins.
Then—
An echoing female voice:
Soft, ancient, and enchanting.
"You have come, Descendant of Moon Jihwan."
A dagger rose from the water, glowing.
"Take this dagger of Jihwan, fulfill your destiny, protect this sacred mountain and its people, and protect your clan. No hand of evil shall touch the stone again."
The dagger landed gently into his palm.
Jaemin felt its warmth.
And his resolve turned to steel.
At the Same Time—Hwayang Valley
Dahlia sat alone in her home.
A cold presence slipped through the room.
She felt it—a shadow.
She reached into her pocket, activated the capsule, and swallowed it.
Then she texted Dojoon:
"My little bro… the time has come."
The shadow moved—a woman stepped forward:
Sharp eyes, cold aura.
Shadow Assassin Min.
"So you're the girl Jin is obsessed with," she hissed.
"Lee's precious one… Let's go to the Vipers."
Dahlia dropped her phone the moment the message sent.
Min grabbed her—and vanished into the night.
Somewhere Across the Country
Dojoon's phone lit up.
His eyes widened.
"NOONA—!"
He looked at Chaerim.
She nodded once.
"Mobilize all units! Helicopters ready! Move!"
The soldiers roared into formation.
Engines whirred.
Rotors spun.
The hunt had begun.
Meanwhile, at the foot of Mount Seonghyeol
Jin arrived with his three best assassins.
Threat of danger in the village.
The people turned off their lamps and locked their doors and windows.
"We find him," Jin growled.
"The Moon descendant dies tonight, and the stone will be ours."
His eyes burned with inherited hatred.