Chapter Text
Jungkook could feel spirits wandering around in the field.
It's spread out like a giant carpet under his feet, almost reaching below his knees. It's so dark outside, he's scared a snake or a roach might crawl up his leg. But he didn't let the soul eating fear consume him fully and instead, he ran for his life.
They'll discover soon that Jungkook escaped and probably chase after him. The thought is enough to fasten his pace even as his legs wobble and send waves of ache all over his body.
Jungkook can't see if there's any local shop nearby. As he squinted his eyes, the further he could make out were dim light bulbs blinking into the distance. Jungkook halted and wondered if he should run any further. He doesn't know how long the fields stretched. And his two captors probably won't chase after him. The chances were below average. They didn't have any reason to go above and beyond just to get Jungkook to the manor.
I’m no spirit. Jungkook whispered to himself. They have nothing to do with me.
And just as his muscles eased a bit, something sticky crawled up his skin. It shakes around and the pelt of it bites into his skin, leaving a tingling sensation behind.
Jungkook's heart sank and a loud scream erupted right from his chest.
Just as the loud sound reverberated through the air, Jungkook slapped a hand over his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut.
This would most likely caught the attention of those fucking spirits if not the hunters.
Jungkook let the silence settle into the wind once again to ease the heaviness of what he'd done just now. He let it fall around him. He let it consume every cell in his body.
He's desperate to feel the calmness he'd felt just a moment ago. It felt too good. Too unreal.
Jungkook turned on his heel and squeezed his eyes a little. There isn't anyone or anything he could see at the moment. Beside him, there's no one. The strange sensibility he's used to feeling whenever a spirit is around him is no longer there in his heart. It's only him. It has to be only him.
“Found ya!”
The sound tore into the skies and hammered into his ears, ringing at least twice before settling deep in his bones. A chill ran down his spine. A sudden memory flashed before his eyes, vivid and awfully acute.
It was the voice from the rainforest. It was the voice that chased after him that day before Jungkook tripped and hit his head and lost half of his memories. The voice that was the reason Jungkook landed deep into the woodland. The voice that-
“Fuck!” The familiar voice burst from somewhere closer. “I looked for you everywhere but it was like the ground had swallowed you.”
Jungkook inspected his surroundings in a complete haste. His neck jerked around creating a bone cracking sound. Eventually, he did end up finding the human silhouette standing within sight.
The fear is like anything Jungkook has ever felt before. Maybe because he's way too exhausted to fight, and fully cognizant of the fact that he won't be able to run much with both his ankles strained.
He’s fucked.
“Last night, you made me run like a dog,” The man bickered. “Do you seriously have any idea what I went through when I went back to the manor without you?”
Manor.
So this man was a spirit hunter, just like the other two. Something ugly twisted inside Jungkook, a mixture of acorn and disdain. They were the fucking reason of his misery. They were after him for malicious reasons. They couldn't give less of a fuck if Jungkook died for them.
“Don't come near me!” Jungkook yelled and his chest clenched hard. It's strange hearing his own shouting, as if his throat wasn't ready for it.
“Don't be feisty!” The man exclaimed in a ‘don’t be foolish’ tone. “If you'll keep your mouth shut and do what you're told, it won't be a problem.”
Jungkook violently shook his head and took a step behind. His breath comes out in loud, shaky exhales. “I won't go with you!” He bellowed.
The man scoffs. “Seriously? Why is it so hard to just listen to me? It's not like I'm hurting you.”
Jungkook noticed the man forging forward and a tide of panic rushed through his body. He cried out. “Why are you even doing this to me?” He queried. “Can't you just leave me alone? I’m not one of your slaves!”
The man chuckled grimly at his words. “You are not a slave?” He let his words settle into the air. “Then what are you? Do you think you're free?”
Jungkook couldn't answer even if he tried.
“Don't be an idiot. We all are slaves here, and so you are.”
With that, the man lunges ahead and the scream dies into Jungkook's mouth. It's like one of those dreams where a monster is chasing after you but your knees are too weak to run, all you can do is crawl forward and hope you’ll wake up before the monster reaches you. He held his breath and spun around, dashing frontward.
“Do not run away!” The man barked. “I swear I'll hurt you if you do!”
Fuck you. Jungkook spat angrily in his mouth and didn't stop. His thighs are jelly, his calves numb and his toes on fire. He could see stars darkening around his blurred vision and something bubbling up between his chest. Jungkook sealed his lips tightly, refusing to throw up.
“This idiot!” The man grits.
Jungkook can hear the man running behind, and he wonders what he's gonna do to him once he gets him. Maybe slap him across the cheek? Punch him a few times? Kick his stomach? Or perhaps make him unconscious and then carry him to the manor? Or maybe-
Something struck hard against Jungkook's feet and he lurched ahead. His musings died instantly and he heard the footsteps dying behind him indicating that the man had halted.
The pain didn't come thanks to the dense fields beneath him, but his head throbbed unmistakably. Jungkook closes his eyes and thinks if this could sink any lower?
“I told you not to run, didn't I? You never listen.”
Jungkook sobbed with sealed lips and salty water bubbled out of his nose. He couldn't breathe it in since both his nostrils were clogged.
“How long are you gonna do this?” The man demanded. “Just come with me-”
“Just leave me alone!” Jungkook choked up. “Please let me go. Can't you see I'm in pain?”
“I could see but I'm not here to pity you. I can't feel bad even if I want to. So cut this melodrama and-”
“What are you gonna do to me if I come with you?” Jungkook cuts him off.
“Ah… I don't know. That's not on me to decide.” Jungkook heard some footsteps and felt the man sink to his knees right behind him.
"Because I can see spirits, you want me to help you hunt them down, don't you?”
The man sighs. “Is there anything wrong with it?”
“What?”
“You can see what a human eye can't. What possibly could be your purpose in this life if not serving the bureau?” The man asked as if it was a genuine question.
“Because I don't want to,” Jungkook spat. “Because it's against my will.”
“Your will don't matter to us.”
“I’m nobody’s slave!” Jungkook screamed with everything he had within.
He hears the man letting out a hard exhale before he feels a hand harshly tugging at his hair, pulling his head back. A painful moan echoed out of his throat, loud and clear.
“Then I'll have no choice but to force you”
Jungkook hit the man's grip with his clenched fists but the man didn't budge, if anything, he rose to his feet and pulled Jungkook up. A harsh scream tore into the sky and Jungkook choked up once again.
“Quite being a brat.” The man let go of his hair and held the back of his head. “On your feet!”
Jungkook sees stars and his eyelids are heavy. It's a sharp ache packed around his skull. It's equivalent to getting shot in the head, too numb yet stinging at the same time.
The man gave a hard pull and Jungkook straightened. Jungkook screeched and dug his nails into the man's wrist. He's so close to him, he could see his face. The man has striking features and very long hair. There's a gold chain circling around his neck and he is wearing a blue tunic that somehow shines in the dark. He's looking down at Jungkook as if sizing him up.
“You smell like you threw up or fell into a pit of mud.” The man remarked cruelly.
Jungkook nibbled on his lower lips but didn't say anything. The man began to drag him ahead with an ease, while he whistled smoothly. The familiar tune blended into the air, sending chills down Jungkook's spine.
“What are you gonna do to me?” Jungkook couldn't help but ask. His voice cracked as he did.
“...That's not on me to decide.” The man chimed.
"So who's supposed to decide that?” Jungkook forced the words out.
“The sector master. He’ll be getting the final say.” The man glanced at Jungkook with a cheeky smile, a contrast to his persona. “I don't think you’ll be dying any soon if you just try hard enough to live. It looks like the headmaster will make good use of you. That way, no one else will mess with you.”
The words did little to reassure Jungkook. If anything, his chest tightened painfully as if he was being dragged into the fire. Just imagining himself as the ruthless hunter's slave was enough to make him recoil.
The fields stretched thin now. It no longer reaches Jungkook's knees and the disgusting sensation Jungkook felt a while ago is gone. All he feels now is itchiness all over his skin that makes him want to throw himself into the cold lagoon and wash away every ounce of dirt.
The man took a deep puff of air into his lungs and lightened his grip on Jungkook's neck. “Now we’ll walk to the car.”
“...Can I at least get some water?” Jungkook painted.
“Do you see water anywhere around?” The man mocked. “Get in the car first and then you’ll get the-”
His words died down when something sharp crashed into the air and plucked into the field next to his foot. Jungkook flinched and dejected his head lower. The man seemed to suck into his breath.
“...What the-”
“Move even an inch, and I won't miss next time.” An unmistakable voice reverberated from the distance on their left.
Jungkook heard the man cursing under his breath. He opened his eyes and peeked at his left before the man tugged his neck once again. “Keep your fucking head straight.” He grits.
But Jungkook doesn't understand. The voice that came from their left was the same voice he'd heard when he was pretending to be unconscious in the truck bed. A spirit hunter who works for the bureau in the manor. And this man is also a spirit hunter working for the manor. Then why on earth would that man shoot an arrow at his own partner? Didn't they share the same goal? But his musing died when he heard the other man saying.
“Hand him over, and no one gets hurt.”
“Fuck yourself!” The man berated. His grip grew sharper on Jungkook's skin. “This boy is for us. He's my target!”
“You stole him! You committed a crime.” The man bellowed.
“Stole him?” The man with long hair jeered. “He was running in the field all by himself. I didn't steal him. I just found him and got him.”
There's silence all over again. Jungkook peered at the other man again and noticed him standing just a few steps away from them. Jungkook couldn't see his face but he could make out the silhouette of him. Tall and lean. A bow quiver hanging on his front in plain sight.
“I won't say twice. I know you're from sector eight-nine, Manor second,” He asserted. “You're not under our manor. Not even in my team. So I won't think twice before finishing you right now.”
Before Jungkook could understand what the man even meant, he was being kicked on his calves that sent him to his knees. Jungkook shut his eyes and hissed out.
“Then let's fight, alright? Because if I go back to the manor without this boy, I'll be fucked.” He spat. “Let's get this over with.”
Jungkook heard the other man scoffing. “You don't have a weapon on you right now. And I won't fight you if you're not on my level.” The man stepped closer. “Give me the boy.”
The man shook his head. “I won't. Fight me, Kim! You have to fight me and kill me because there's no way I'm walking back to the manor without him.” His voice breaks. “They're gonna kill me. So, it's better to die by the hands of my enemy.”
Jungkook slowly opened his eyes and tried to catch his breath. There's a strange sensation in the pit of his stomach and the migraine has grown inexplicably sharp. It's all indicating that he might faint again.
“Shoot the fucking arrow, Kim! What are you waiting for?” The man berated.
The kim one huffed in exhaustion as if he was tired of this. Jungkook peeked a glance at him and saw him walking towards them.
“Don't step closer!” The man snapped.
It didn't work. The kim didn't halt. The man hissed and clenched his teeth. He turns towards Jungkook and wraps his large hand around his neck. All the air shoots out of Jungkook's lungs. His eyes rolled back until only the whites remained.
“How about we both go back empty-handed?”
Jungkook went numb. It's the kind of insensitivity where he could feel the pain jolting from every inch of his body, but it was as if the wires in his brain had short-circuited. The man squeezed hard on his neck and Jungkook is sure it’ll snap soon. A scream of pure agony tore from his lips.
This is how I die. He reminded himself.
“I swear to the Good Lord if he dies, I'll hunt you down!” Kim bellowed, but it's like a whisper in Jungkook's ears.
“Then do it.” The man laughed. “Do it after I kill him.”
And just as the pipe in his throat was about to snap in half, and Jungkook sensed the death knocking right at his chest, the grip around his taut skin loosened promptly.
Jungkook fell on his back and his hand incontinently reached for his burning neck. Racking coughs tore from deep within his throat that set his chest on fire. Jungkook realized with horror that a bitter liquid was bubbling from his mouth. It's sour yet tasteless at the same time, smoldering his tongue.
“Captain, are you alright?” He heard the familiar voice of a woman.
“Yeah, I'm fine.” Kim said with a sigh.
Jungkook forced his eyes open. He noticed the man's silhouette laying unconscious on the ground next to him with blood popping out of his shoulder. His eyes shut and mouth slightly ajar. Has he died? Jungkook wondered in horror.
He heard footsteps, and in a blink, Kim and Natsuki were hovering over him. In the darkness, their faces were blurred to him. No matter how hard he squeezed his eyes, his darkening vision didn't allow him to see anything.
“Is he dead?” Natsuki questioned.
“No,” the man muttered. “Still breathing.”
Jungkook felt a hand tugging at his waist and pulling him up. The rest was a haze.
🏹
A hard slam reverberated through the walls, jolting him awake.
It isn't sudden. It's as though he'd been trapped outside the window, knocking endlessly, waiting for it to open, and it did.
At first, he couldn't feel his body. It took a few more breaths before he could sense the blood coursing through his veins. Before the weight of the situation truly settled in. Before the memories crawled back to him all at once, unmistakable and cruel. It took him a series of rash breathing and a few blinks of eyes before he felt the palpable warmth underneath him.
He was laying straight on a bed, and a toasty blanket wrapped around him. It felt strangely pleasant to be tucked under such calefaction. Jungkook surpasses an urge to lay there for longer than he should, and stretches himself up right on his butt.
He's surrounded by what seemed like burgundy colored walls, with strange wall frames hanging about, and a high ceiling with a slow-spinning fan hanging overhead, keeping the room cool. It looked like the room already belonged to someone. Jungkook tossed the blanket away from him and got off the bed. He realized his slippers were gone. Only then did he glanced down at himself, taking in his appearance.
His clothes were gone, replaced by a warmer pair of a shirt and trousers. He touched the back of his head and the bump had significantly smoothened out. It no longer hurts. Only his throat felt oddly numb. Jungkook felt clean as if all the dirt clung stubbornly to his body was washed off. He quickly shoved aside the unsettling thought of who had cleaned him up and changed his clothes, and instead, he walked over the door.
The burgundy door stood at the end of the room, its rich crimson hue darkened by decades of wear. Hairline cracks veined the weathered paint, and the wood beneath bore the subtle scars of time. Jungkook gathered every ounce of courage he had within and reached for the knob, pondering what sight he would meet beyond the door. As he twisted the knob, the door remained steady.
A chill crept through his body.
Jungkook slammed his fist into the door and yelled. “Is there anyone!?” His voice cracked.
Jungkook brought his ear against the wood and heard distant chattering. The shattered window flashed through his mind. He spun around and bolted towards it. A cold breeze slapped his face as he did and once he peered outside, his blood ran cold.
The manor sprawled across the land in the shape of an enormous oval compound. Tall residential wings were seemingly joined together, enclosing the vast estate, and Jungkook realized he was in one of the countless rooms lining the structure. Beyond the Manor's sweeping silhouette, dense forests stretched towards the horizon, where rugged mountains rose beneath the distant sky.
His jaw is on the floor. A cold dread gripped his heart. It's like his whole world shifted in the span of a few hours. As if he was deliberately thrown into a world he couldn't belong to, even in a million years. He ran to the door again and slammed himself into the cold wood. He banged his fist as hard as he could.
“Let me out of here!” he shrieked and violently twisted the doorknob. “Let me go! I don't wanna stay here.”
Still, no one came. It's as if he was deliberately being ignored by them. A ferocious rage tightened its grip on him. He noticed a transparent vase displayed atop a stool and reached for it. His grip tightened around its smooth glass before Jungkook slammed it into the near wall. The vase burst into a spray of shattered porcelain. It's a sudden explosion, before the quiet took over his surroundings. Jungkook let out a harsh exhale and bit his lower lip to prevent it from quivering uncontrollably.
If they were violent enough to bring him here against his will, Jungkook will make sure he's twice as bad as them. With his mind made up, he gave a slight nod and faced the door again.
But the sight before him brought him to an abrupt halt. There, by the doorframe, stood Natsuki. Her face somber, and her brows arched together. She has her arms folded tightly over her chest as she sized him up before glancing down at the scattered pieces of glass. Something akin to annoyance took over her features before she stepped into the room and shut the door behind her.
“You're awake.” She noted.
“Let me out.” Jungkook choked up as his throat squeezed hard.
Natsuki rolled her eyes and sighed. “Why are you so obsessed with going out? The last thing I know is that you don't have a place to live. Where will you go?”
“That's none of your business.” Jungkook pressed. “You cannot keep me here against my will.”
“Listen kid,” Natsuki clenched her grip on his shoulder, pressing hard. "We didn't go through all that trouble to bring you here just to let you make the decisions. The choice isn't yours.”
But Jungkook isn't listening. He shook his head and rushed over the door.
“If you try to run away, you’ll be killed.”
Jungkook flinched at her words and spun on his heels.
“It's not like you’ll be able to get out of the wing on your own, the guards won't let you. And even if you did, do you think you'll be safe outside?” She perked a brow at her.
Jungkook blinked, taking her words in. "It's not like I'm safe here. There's no difference between the outside world and this damned manor. Either way, you'll kill me if I don't do what you say.” He let out defiantly.
Natsuki massaged her temples and walked to him. “We didn't mention anything about killing, did we? Heck, you don't even know anything about us,” she threw a disgusted look at him. “Who are you to throw such judgement at us?”
Jungkook pressed his back firmly against the wood. “Y-you’re a spirit hunter. All of you are hunters. How could I ever be safe around you?”
Natsuki ran a hand through her hair and only then did Jungkook notice her strange lilac color of her long hair. She was tall and intimidating.
“It's obvious where you've been getting your information on us.” she said with a firm nod. “People say anything. They spread rumors when they don't know shit. And you're fucking stupid if you believe them.”
“I just believed what was true.” Jungkook spat and immediately regretted it when she inclined closer and put her firm grip on his shoulder again. Her sharp eyes shooting flames.
“If you keep up with this feistiness, I would love to prove your point.” She gave him slow pats before pointing towards the bed. Jungkook doesn't move an inch. She seized his arm, dragged him to the bed, and shoved him onto the mattress. Jungkook settled down with a yelp.
“Let me give you instructions on some rules here.”
“I’m not following any rule, alright!?” He said through gritted teeth. “I’m not one of you.”
Natsuki stared at him like she was contemplating whether to lecture him or beat him up. But then she clicked her tongue and shrugged her shoulders.
“You were brought here by me and the sector commander, but we didn't do it because we wanted to. It's just that we had no other option.”
Jungkook squinted his eyes at her. “Had no other option?”
“Yeah,” She nodded. "You were lost, wandering deep in the rainforest. It's our duty as hunters to bring lost souls like you here for questioning.”
“Questioning? Why?” Jungkook's heart raced at her words. Was he about to get interrogated?
“You’ll know why,” she said and then looked at her wrist watch. "It's six in the morning. The hunters usually wake up around this time every day. If you're allowed to stay here after the interrogation, you'll be expected to follow the same routine.”
“But I'm not a hunter and I'll never be,” he stammered.
But Natsuki ignored his words and continued, “The commander had to seriously hurt a hunter from the west manor. And they and we don't really have a good relationship and we basically provoked them. All because of you.”
“I didn't ask to be saved!” he blurted.
“The commander is probably in for an earful from Chairman Yoon,” she sighed. “But what's done is done.”
"Let's get one thing straight. You didn't have to pursue me after I escaped. Your commander could've left me alone, but chasing me was his decision.” He breathed shakily.
“Are you always this tenacious?” She raised a brow in mockery. Then without waiting for his answer, she raised a hand. “Whatever. Just hear me out once.”
Jungkook surpasses an urge to roll his eyes.
“You’ll be taken into the inquiry room after some time once the Manor's head arrives. Until then, you wait here.” She finished and waited for him to say something, but Jungkook didn't bother uttering a word. He sat there taut without moving an inch.
"If you're hungry, speak up. No food will be served once the designated mealtime is over.” She spoke with a hint of mockery, as if trying to bait him into speaking.
“I’m not hungry,” Jungkook muttered. “And even if I am, I won't eat here.”
Natsuki rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her lilac hair. “You do you.” She turned to leave.
“And…” Jungkook blinked hard. “Who changed my clothes?”
Natsuki halted. A teasing smile played on her lips as she slowly turned to face him. “Why are you asking?”
“What do you mean ‘why I’m asking’?” Jungkook jeered. “I just want to know.”
Natsuki waved her hand in the air. “Oh, don't you worry about it. A professional did it,”
Jungkook watched her expressions and couldn't tell if she was telling the truth. He knew better than to entrust his well-being to them. “And what if I passed the interrogation?” He said instead. “Like, what if I answer all the questions truthfully. Will they let me go?”
Natsuki shrugged. “I can't tell.”
Jungkook looked down at his fingers, slowly fidgeting with them. A vivid dread gripped his heart. He couldn't help but tremble at the thought of being questioned by literal hunters, knowing they could harm him one way or another.
“I’m asking again. Are you seriously not hungry?” She tilted her head, trying to view his hunched face better.
Jungkook slightly lifted his head. “Even if I'm hungry, I won't be able to stomach anything right now.”
Something in Natsuki’s eyes shifted. Her sharp gaze softened at the edges and Jungkook noticed it.
“If you answer them honestly, you won't get hurt,” she voiced softly. “We don't hurt innocent people.”
Jungkook doesn't say anything. He kept his head up but didn't dare lock his eyes with her. He disliked the pitiness in her eyes the most, but he also understood what caused it.
“I’ll go now.” She voiced gently.
As she turned to leave, a figure emerged in the doorway, almost crashing into the half-open door. He was a young man. A handsome face with his hair chopped in a buzz cut. His build was strong, yet lean and tall. His eyes glanced down at Jungkook, then followed Natsuki. Jungkook noticed a glint in his dragon-like eyes.
“Breakfast's on!” he said, his voice carried a deep, resonant timbre.
Natsuki passed him a nod before she headed for the door. And in the next moment, they were gone.
Jungkook watched the closed door for a solid minute before he let himself fall on his back. He let out a relieved groan. He wanted to close his eyes, but he couldn't afford to fall asleep. Jungkook tried to remember something, anything, but nothing came. Agitated, he sat up again and instead rolled his legs up. There's still a flash of pain in his ankle, but it doesn't hurt as much anymore. His stomach tightened painfully, reminding him just how hungry he was.
“I should've gone with her to eat.” He mattered.
Or I can just walk on my own? He mused before springing on his feet. Slowly, Jungkook walked over the door and twisted the knob. It wasn't locked. Jungkook pushed the door open and his eyes fell on the narrow corridor before him. He hesitated before proceeding. The corridor was lit up in bright white. There were two ends of it, and the sound of loud chattering was echoing from the right end. Uncertainty tugged at him, but he eventually turned into the right-hand corridor.
And just as he did, he bumped into a sturdy chest.
Jungkook gasped and stumbled back.
“...You okay?”
Jungkook rubbed his nose and looked up. And those steady pairs of eyes made his breath hitch. He froze, every muscle going still.
The sector commander loomed before him, looking down with an unreadable expression, blinking once, slowly.
Jungkook gulped. “Uh… Yeah,” He blinked. “I’m fine.”
The commander gave him a brief nod before spinning on his heel, as he said,
“Come with me.”