"Echoes of the past, whispers of the future"

January 29, 2025

Jeonghan rubbed the sleep from his eyes, yawning as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, feeling the familiar creak of the old wooden floorboards in his small apartment in Hongdae, a vibrant neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea.

As a historian and archaeologist at Seoul National University, Jeonghan was no stranger to the thrill of discovery. But today felt different. Today felt like the start of something new.

He shuffled to the kitchen, flipping on the coffee maker as he passed by. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and Jeonghan's senses began to stir. He poured himself a steaming cup, adding a dash of creamer before taking a sip.

As he savored the bitter flavor, Jeonghan checked his phone for any important messages. His eyes scanned the screen, noting a reminder about an upcoming lecture at the university.

With his morning routine complete, Jeonghan headed to the university, where he delivered a lecture on ancient Korean history to a packed auditorium. His students listened intently, taking notes as Jeonghan spoke about the intricacies of the Goryeo dynasty.

After the lecture, Jeonghan headed to the Seoul National University Library, where he spent the afternoon poring over ancient texts and searching for any mention of the Chrono Crystal.

As the sun began to set, Jeonghan left the university and made his way to the Kyujanggak Library, a historic repository of Korean texts and artifacts. The library's musty scent and faded manuscripts seemed to whisper secrets to Jeonghan as he delved deeper into his research.

Next, he headed to the Jogyesa Temple Library, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. The temple's collection of ancient Buddhist texts and artifacts held a special significance for Jeonghan, who had spent countless hours studying the teachings of the Buddha.

It was there, in the Jogyesa Temple Library, that Jeonghan stumbled upon an obscure text that would change everything.

Jeonghan's eyes scanned the dusty shelves of the ancient library, his historian's heart racing with excitement. He had spent years searching for the Chrono Crystal, a fabled artifact rumored to hold the secrets of the past.

As he delicately navigated the narrow aisles, his fingers trailed over the spines of worn leather books. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and forgotten knowledge.

Jeonghan's search led him to a secluded corner of the library, where a single, unassuming bookshelf stood. He ran his fingers over the spines of the books, feeling a strange tingling sensation in his fingertips.

Suddenly, a book fell off the shelf, landing with a soft thud on the floor. Jeonghan picked it up, dusting off the cover. As he opened the book, a piece of paper slipped out, floating gently to the ground.

Jeonghan's heart skipped a beat as he picked up the paper. It was a letter, written in elegant, cursive script.

"Dear seeker of truth," the letter began. "I have been waiting for you. Meet me at the old clock tower at midnight. Come alone."

Jeonghan's mind reeled as he read the letter. Who could have written this? And what did they want from him?

                    ༶•┈┈⛧┈♛❖♛┈⛧┈┈•༶

Here's the first chapter
I hope you'll like it~
Borahae❤