The academy plunged into restless silence.
After the Hunter's sudden appearance, the feast collapsed into chaos. Students were escorted back to their dorms, guards swarmed the grounds, and lanterns were extinguished early as if darkness would swallow whatever danger lingered.
But Hana couldn't sleep.
She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the dagger she'd taken from the gate. Its blade reflected moonlight like a shard of frozen lightning. Her fingers hovered over the carved sigil on the hilt.
A hunter-class warning.
Woojin's voice echoed in her mind—You don't face shadows alone anymore.
She wished that were true.
But some shadows never loosen their grip. They waited, clung, breathed down her spine.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Hana? It's me."
Woojin.
She hesitated only a moment before opening the door.
He looked as restless as she felt. His robe was half-loosened, hair mussed as if he'd been pacing for hours. A lantern glowed weakly behind him, painting warm light across his face.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
She nodded.
He stepped inside and closed the door quietly, leaning against it for a moment before meeting her eyes.
"I knew you wouldn't sleep."
"I could say the same," Hana replied softly.
His gaze fell to the dagger in her hand.
"May I see it?"
She offered it. Woojin held it carefully, almost reverently, as though touching something sacred or dangerous. His brows knit together as he examined the sigil.
"What does this mark mean exactly? You said 'Hunter-class,' but…"
Hana exhaled slowly.
"There are ranks in the Shadow Sect. The Hunters are the ones sent to reclaim escaped members."
A beat passed.
"Or terminate them."
Woojin's jaw tightened. "Then he wasn't here by accident."
"No. He came for me."
Woojin set the dagger down and stepped closer. "Then we tell Master Seong—"
"No."
Hana shook her head sharply, panic sparking in her chest. "If the academy finds out what I am, they won't protect me, Woojin. They'll hand me over."
"Not if I—"
"You can't fight the entire academy for me." Her voice cracked. "And you shouldn't have to."
Woojin stared at her, frustration and fear mingling in his eyes. "Then what's the plan? You can't simply wait for him to return."
"I won't." Hana straightened, slipping her composure back on like a second skin. "But I need information. The Hunter's presence means the Sect is closer than I thought. I need to understand how they found me."
Woojin took a breath. "And how do we do that?"
"I'll retrace my steps. Look for mistakes. Messages. Anything I may have overlooked."
Woojin shook his head. "You want to go alone."
"Yes."
"No." His voice was firm, immovable. "I'm going with you."
Hana blinked. "Woojin, this isn't—"
"I'm not staying here while someone hunts you." His voice cracked slightly. "I don't care how dangerous it is."
Her heart stuttered.
"I can't risk you," she whispered.
"And I can't lose you."
The words hit harder than a blade. Hana looked away, a tremor running through her spine.
Woojin stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Let me help you. Not because I'm brave. Not because I'm reckless. Because I care about you. Far more than I should."
She froze.
He'd never said it so directly before.
For a moment, the room felt too small, too quiet. Her pulse hammered dangerously.
She managed a whisper. "This isn't safe. You caring for me… isn't safe."
"Then we'll be unsafe together," he said simply.
She nearly laughed, nearly cried.
Instead, she asked, "…Where does someone like you get this courage?"
He gave a faint smile. "From someone like you."
Her breath hitched.
Then a sudden knock rattled the door.
Both stiffened.
Woojin moved first, positioning himself protectively in front of Hana.
"Hana? It's Mira," came a hushed voice.
Hana exhaled.
Woojin stepped aside as she opened the door.
Mira looked frantic, eyes wide with fear. "Guards are searching the grounds again. They said they found something at the wall. And they're asking everyone if they saw anything suspicious."
Hana's blood turned to ice. "What did they find?"
Mira swallowed. "A message."
"A message?" Woojin echoed.
Mira nodded slowly, dread carving lines into her face. "It's written in… well… blood."
Woojin and Hana exchanged a sharp look.
"Take us," Hana said.
Mira led them through dark, mostly empty halls, occasionally dodging patrols. They slipped out a side door into the outer courtyard. Several guards clustered near the far wall, torches illuminating a large smear against the stone.
Hana stepped closer.
The sight made her stomach clench.
Three characters, written in neat strokes.
Woojin whispered, "What does it say?"
Hana stared at the blood-red strokes, heart thudding against her ribs.
FOUND YOU, GHOST.
Woojin's eyes widened. "Ghost?"
She nodded slowly.
"That was my name in the Sect."
Woojin inhaled sharply. "They know exactly who you are."
"Yes."
Her voice felt hollow.
Mira grabbed Hana's arm, trembling. "Hana, what does this mean? Are they coming? Are we in danger?"
Hana forced herself to speak calmly. "They're not after the academy. Only me. They're warning me to leave."
"But you won't," Woojin said quietly.
"No."
Her gaze fixed on the blood-written words.
"I'm done running."
Woojin stepped closer until his shoulder brushed hers. "Then I'm standing with you. Wherever this leads."
She didn't look at him, afraid she might break.
But she whispered, "Thank you."
The torches flickered. The blood glistened like a twisted promise.
Hana tore her gaze from the wall.
"We start investigating tomorrow," she said. "The Sect never leaves a clue without intent."
Woojin nodded. Mira swallowed hard.
"But Hana…" Mira whispered shakily. "What if they come again?"
Hana finally answered the question that had been building since the gate, since the dagger, since the mask in the dark.
"They will."
A cold wind swept the courtyard.
"And next time," Hana said quietly, "they won't be alone."