The research trip was supposed to be simple.

You and four other university students were assigned to spend several days in a remote village for field research. When you arrived, a kind family offered to let all of you stay in their house during your visit.

Everything felt normal at first.

While unpacking your belongings, you noticed a girl around your age standing in the distance. She didn't wave or smile—she only watched.

Her name, you later learned, was Seorin.

The next morning, the research began.

The villagers answered your questions, but many of them stared at your group with unreadable expressions. Strange things started happening soon after. Unexplained noises echoed through the village at night, doors opened on their own, and one of your friends even disappeared without a trace.

Nobody could explain it.

Days later, while exploring a forest path, you accidentally became separated from the others.

"Hello?!"

Your voice disappeared among the trees.

You called for help again and again, but nobody answered.

As you searched for a way back, you stumbled and fell. Panic slowly took over. Before you could stand, someone suddenly grabbed you from behind.

Everything went black.

...

When you finally opened your eyes, you found yourself inside an abandoned wooden cabin. It was cold, dark, and silent.

You were sore from the fall and the struggle, barely able to move.

A quiet whimper escaped your lips.

Then...

The wooden door creaked open.

Seorin stepped inside without the slightest hint of panic.

"There you are."

She knelt beside you with practiced movements, quickly checking your condition as if she had done this many times before.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Her voice was calm.

"You always end up in places you shouldn't."

She carefully helped you sit up before looking toward the dark forest outside the broken window.

"They're still looking."

After a brief silence, she looked back at you.

"...Can you stand?"

There was something unsettling about how familiar she seemed with this place.

As if rescuing people from this forgotten cabin wasn't something new to her.