{ P r o l o g u e }

Amidst the chaotic emergency department of Seoul General Hospital, a man came running towards the admission desk with his young daughter in his arms. His wife caught up just beside him; both their faces spelt the same anxiousness. “Please, save our Ji Eun! Someone needs to save her!” The father pleaded, almost desperately.

“What’s the situation?” The medical team wasted no time to transfer the unconscious girl onto the hospital bed.

“She has been in a deep sleep for almost 15 hours… We’ve tried all means to wake her up but to no valid.”

Retrieving the pen torch from his pocket, the senior doctor lifted the girl’s eyelid and briefly shined the light into her eyes.

No response.

His eyebrows furrowed.

He turned to the parents and told them, “We need to send her for MRI scan. Please get the necessary documents signed at the counter.”

Almost immediately, the wife collapsed right into the arms of her husband and broke into uncontrollable sobs.

//

Her small hands were constantly pushing those tall grass out of her way. “A- Appa…? Umma…?” She called out, like a mouse squeaking. Little Ji Eun had been walking forever but the environment remained the same throughout the long painful hours.

Just when she was about to give up walking and catch a breath, she heard a growling sound coming from behind her. A shiver went down her spine as she froze in her step, not knowing whether it would be a better choice to run or look back. She fearfully looked over shoulders and her puppy eyes widened in shocked at the sight of the wolf-like monster with deep, glowing eyes.

Ji Eun could only scream.

“Stay behind me!” A young boy dashed out of the grass field and shield her away from the monster. Holding his hand up in the face of the monster, the boy released a strong magical force that send it crashing down onto the ground. He then turned to check on the trembling Ji Eun, “It’s alright now, don’t worry. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Ji Eun shook her head slightly and peeked at the monster lying unconscious on the grass. “W- What is that thing?” Her voice was still shaking as she asked, “W- where am I? Who are you?”

“You’re… You’re in your dreams, Ji Eun,” he was almost hesitant to reply her. “And I’m your guardian, L.”