Mia, a young woman from the United States, embarks on a long-awaited journey to South Korea to visit her childhood friend, Ji-yeon, who had once studied abroad in the U.S. Excited to experience Korean culture and reunite with Ji-yeon's warm family, Mia plans to spend a peaceful few weeks sightseeing and learning about the country. However, her trip takes an unexpected turn when she meets Ji-yeon's older brother, Min-ho, a quiet and disciplined military officer stationed at a nearby base. Min-ho's reserved nature initially intimidates Mia, but beneath his stoic exterior, she senses a deep sense of duty and a hidden vulnerability. Slowly, through quiet moments and small gestures, Mia finds herself drawn to him. Min-ho, though slow to express his feelings, begins to develop a protective and caring affection for Mia. The chemistry between them becomes undeniable, though both are hesitant to act on it due to the short-term nature of Mia's stay. Just as their relationship begins to bloom, Mia's idyllic visit to Korea takes a darker turn. A mysterious man starts appearing in Mia's life, lurking in the shadows and watching her from a distance. She first encounters him after an evening out with Ji-yeon and Min-ho, and his presence sends a chill down her spine. Min-ho, sensing danger, grows increasingly protective of Mia, but his duties at the military base pull him away more often than either of them would like. Unbeknownst to Mia, this man is no ordinary stalker. The stranger is a powerful enchanter, a man from Min-ho's past who harbors a deep and bitter resentment toward the soldier. Driven by jealousy and twisted desire, the enchanter-revealed to be named Do-hyun-covets what Min-ho holds dear. His obsession soon turns to Mia, whom he views as the perfect tool to exact his revenge. Do-hyun kidnaps Mia, using his dark magic to enchant her mind and force her into submission. Mia becomes trapped in a mental and emotional prison, where her will is bent to Do-hyun's desires. She fights to retain her memories of Min-ho, but the enchantment grows stronger with each passing day, erasing her love for him and replacing it with an artificial bond to Do-hyun. Meanwhile, Min-ho is devastated by Mia's disappearance. He rallies his comrades in the military, determined to find her and bring her home. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers Do-hyun's true identity-a former military officer who once served alongside him but turned rogue after delving into forbidden dark magic. Do-hyun's hatred for Min-ho stems from a time when Min-ho was praised and revered by their superiors, while Do-hyun, ambitious and power-hungry, was cast aside. As Min-ho searches for Mia, Do-hyun continues to manipulate her emotions, drawing her deeper into his web of control. Though physically trapped in Do-hyun's lair, Mia's mind becomes the battleground for the true conflict. She must fight against the enchantment, hold onto the memories of Min-ho, and resist the growing compulsion to love her captor. Min-ho eventually tracks Mia down, but rescuing her is not so simple. The magic that binds her to Do-hyun is powerful, and any attempt to break it risks harming Mia's mind permanently. The final confrontation between Min-ho and Do-hyun is tense and fraught with danger, as Min-ho must not only defeat the man who kidnapped Mia but also find a way to free her from the enchantment. In a climactic battle, Min-ho's determination and love for Mia help break the spell, though the scars of her ordeal remain. Do-hyun is ultimately defeated, but not without leaving a curse that threatens to haunt Min-ho and Mia's future. Mia is physically freed, but emotionally and mentally, she has a long road to recovery ahead.
Chapter 1 A New Journey Begins
Mia stepped off the plane, her heart thumping with excitement and nerves. The sharp scent of jet fuel lingered in the air, and the bustling crowd around her spoke a mix of Korean and English, all creating a symphony of sounds she wasn't quite used to yet.
As she walked into the arrival area, she spotted her best friend, Ji-yeon, waving frantically. Mia grinned and waved back, feeling a wave of warmth and comfort wash over her. Ji-yeon had been her roommate during their university days in the U.S., and they had remained close ever since.
"Mia!" Ji-yeon shouted, rushing forward and engulfing her in a tight hug.
"Ji-yeon, I can't believe I'm finally here!" Mia laughed as she hugged her friend back, the weight of the long flight immediately lifting off her shoulders.
"You've been talking about visiting Korea for years, and now you're finally here! We're going to have the best time," Ji-yeon said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, let's get your bags. My family is so excited to meet you."
Mia followed Ji-yeon to the baggage claim, her eyes taking in the new surroundings. The airport was modern and sleek, everything feeling both familiar and foreign at the same time. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous; this was her first time in a new country, and she didn't speak much Korean.
"I'm sure I'll love it here," Mia said, glancing at her friend. "But I hope your family isn't too worried about me not speaking the language."
Ji-yeon waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. My parents speak some English, and I'll help translate. Besides, you'll pick up a few phrases here and there."
After gathering her luggage, they made their way outside, where Ji-yeon's family car was waiting. The city skyline glowed in the distance, and Mia felt a flutter of excitement in her chest. This was the beginning of something new, something that would change her in ways she couldn't imagine yet.
As they drove through the city, Mia marveled at the tall buildings and the sea of neon signs. Everything seemed to move so fast here, yet there was a certain rhythm to it all.
"So, I was thinking we could visit my brother tomorrow," Ji-yeon said, glancing at Mia from the driver's seat. "He's stationed at the military base nearby, and I haven't seen him in months. He's going to love meeting you."
"Oh, right! You've told me a lot about him. Min-ho, right?" Mia asked, remembering the stories Ji-yeon had shared about her older brother.
"Yep, that's him. He's kind of quiet, but once you get to know him, he's a total sweetheart," Ji-yeon said, a fond smile crossing her face. "He's been so busy with his duties lately, so I think he'll enjoy a visit."
Mia nodded, though she couldn't shake a small feeling of nervousness at meeting him. From what Ji-yeon had said, Min-ho was the serious, responsible type-someone who had dedicated his life to the military. Mia wondered what he would think of her, a foreigner visiting his homeland.
---
The next day, after a hearty breakfast prepared by Ji-yeon's mother, they set out to visit the military base. Mia found herself growing more curious as they approached the gates, the sound of soldiers training in the distance.
As they arrived, Min-ho greeted them at the entrance, his posture rigid and formal in his military uniform. Mia couldn't help but notice how tall and broad he was. His face was serious, but there was a softness in his eyes when he looked at Ji-yeon.
"Ji-yeon," he greeted, his voice deep and steady.
"Oppa!" Ji-yeon exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a hug. "This is Mia, my friend from the U.S."
Min-ho turned his attention to Mia, bowing politely. "Nice to meet you, Mia."
Mia smiled nervously and bowed in return. "Nice to meet you, too."
Ji-yeon grinned as she introduced them. "Oppa, Mia's staying with us for a while. I thought we could all go out for lunch later and catch up."
Min-ho nodded. "That sounds good. I'll finish up here in an hour. In the meantime, why don't you show Mia around?"
Ji-yeon agreed, and they spent the next hour exploring the base. Mia found herself watching Min-ho from afar, intrigued by the way he carried himself-so focused, so disciplined. There was something mysterious about him, something that made her want to know more.
---
Later that evening, as they sat in a small restaurant near the base, Mia felt herself relaxing in Min-ho's presence. Though he was quiet, he occasionally glanced at her with an unreadable expression. She couldn't quite tell if he liked her or not, but there was no denying the strange pull she felt toward him.
As they finished their meal, Ji-yeon chatted animatedly, while Min-ho occasionally chimed in with a soft comment. Mia noticed the way he looked after his sister, always making sure she was comfortable, always ensuring she had what she needed. It was endearing, and Mia found herself smiling more often than she expected.
Chapter 1 A New Journey Begins
31/01/2025
Chapter 2 Sparks in the Shadows
31/01/2025
Chapter 3 The Strangers Shadow
31/01/2025
Chapter 4 A Warning in the Dark
01/02/2025
Chapter 5 The Line Between Fear and Trust
01/02/2025
Chapter 6 The Threat Unveiled
01/02/2025
Chapter 7 Shadows in the Dark
01/02/2025
Chapter 8 Whispers of the Past
01/02/2025
Chapter 9 Pieces of the Puzzle
01/02/2025
Chapter 10 Unseen Threads
01/02/2025
Chapter 11 Shadows in the Dark
01/02/2025
Chapter 12 The Trap Tightens
01/02/2025
Chapter 13 A Dangerous Decision
01/02/2025
Chapter 14 Into the Lion's Den
03/02/2025
Chapter 15 Shadows of the Past
03/02/2025
Chapter 16 The Dangerous Meeting
05/02/2025
Chapter 17 Lies and Loyalty
05/02/2025
Chapter 18 Shadows of the Past
05/02/2025
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