Inhaling a large gulp of air, Haneul tried to catch her breath. Not only was her chest burning, her entire body ached and sore. That was the first time she had been conscious while traveling at that speed. 

She finally realizes why Mino always made an effort to knock her out first. 

Her hands planted themselves on the stoned ground in front of her to anchor her body as her eyes shifted upward to be met with a sight that left her more than just terrified. Staring back at her were a small group of older men, dressed in the same cloak, sitting behind a half moon table, and staring at her in the same manner. 

“This is the human girl?” A voice interrupts the air.

Haneul looked up beside her to see someone unrecognizable – she hadn’t the clue of what was happening.

“Yes.” Daesung answers. 

“Still on the property?”

“Yes.”

The older man behind the table sighs. “Mino refuses to listen to the end.”

“He shouldn’t blame us for having to act this way.” The one beside him added. 

“Girl.” The man in the center calls out and Haneul directs her attention back. “We’re going to have to do them a favor and get rid of you instead.”

Fear throbbed throughout her body at the warning. “…What do you have against me?”

“Jeeun is priority, you are not.” The older man replies to her. “Now, will you leave on your own or do you need our help with it?”

Haneul’s eyes drop to the ground, she was so scared that she couldn’t even meet their eyes. “I can’t leave them.”

The Elder laughs. “We are speaking about individuals that are nowhere close to ever needing your help.”

“That may be so but I owe them.” 

“I hear this girl is especially close to Mino.” Another suddenly adds. “You are really treading dangerous water there by being next to him.”

“Mino isn’t –“

“You must not be aware of his history then or what kind of person Mino is.”

Dragging her eyes up, Haneul stares at the individual in the center. Taking her silence as agreement, he continued. 

“Then, did you know that our previous leader was Jeeun?” It was because of her that the Society is in the current mess it is in right now. “Mino has a lot of blood on his hands. He massacred many people in order to help Jeeun keep her power.” The Elder reveals. “He was an accomplice to the mayhem Jeeun caused.” The Elder leans forward and peers at her face. “His friends are not even safe beside him…you must have heard about Seunghoon, haven’t you?”

What more was there to know?

“Jeeun can control people once they ingest her blood – do you know what happened?”

“Jeeun forced Seunghoon to – “

“Mino was the one that poured her blood down his throat.” 

The memory of speaking to Seunghoon flashes through her mind. She had misunderstood. 

“Elder, if I may speak.”

“Go ahead, Daesung – “ Instead of continuing his words, the Elder looked over Daesung’s shoulders toward the entrance. “Are you joining us, Jiyong?”

“May I ask why I was left out of this?” Jiyong steps forward and stops right beside Haneul who was still on the ground. She turns her head and looks up to see him. 

“They would have never suspected Daesung.”

“They are most likely on their way here now.” The young man responds. 

“Then, let’s finish this quickly.”

“Jeeun is after this girl.” Jiyong goes on to reveal and Haneul is left questioning why that is relevant. She was so close to being erased from this world. But on the contrary, the Elders appeared interested. “If you kill her, we’re getting rid of one opportunity to capture Jeeun.”

The Elders soon seem interested in the new knowledge. 

“Then, what should we do?” They asked amongst themselves.

Haneul held her shaking hands upon her lap. Unable to predict what they may plan now with the new update, she is left with countless scenarios in her head. 

“Let’s turn her.”

All thoughts halt as her head snapped up in attention. “…Turn?”

“I’ll do it.” Jiyong suddenly announces before looking down at the young woman. “Come on.” He reaches down to take hold of her arm. 

Haneul is lifted to her feet while unable to find words to voice her opposition. What could she say to persuade them otherwise. While she was lost in her thoughts, Jiyong was