**[Narrator Voice]:** *The world is a dark, dangerous place, filled with monsters waiting in the shadows. But inside a sunny college campus, a different kind of storm was brewing. A storm of five souls, bound by friendship and destiny! Allow me to introduce our heroes. First, Da-hyun, a boy whose brain holds all the knowledge of the universe, yet he remains delightfully innocent about the world. Then there is Si-woo, the quiet, cute comedian who speaks rarely, but strikes with humor like a ninja.*

*And now... the girls. A-in, the smooth talker who can charm her way out of a burning building. Seo-yeon, the sweet savage who can destroy your entire life with a polite smile. And finally... my absolute favorite. Soo-ah! A glorious, beautiful explosion of chaotic energy and pure badass power. If a monster met Soo-ah in a dark alley, I would pray for the monster.*

*Our story begins not with a scream of terror, but with a scream of... vacation planning.*

"Mountains! We are going to the mountains, Da-hyun, and that is final!" Soo-ah yelled, slamming her hand on the table.

"No! The beach is objectively better!" Da-hyun argued back, puffing out his chest. "You get water, you get sand, you get peace! Mountains just have rocks and bugs, Soo-ah!"

"Beach is for losers! Mountains have glory! Mine is better!"

"No, mine is better!"

The two of them were practically nose-to-nose, arguing like five-year-olds. Right then, the rest of the group walked up to the table, holding their drinks.

Seo-yeon sighed, looking at them. "What happened now? Why are you two barking like stray dogs?"

Soo-ah pulled away and crossed her arms. "Let’s see where the majority is. We need a vote. Mountain or beach?" She turned to A-in. "A-in, speak."

A-in took a sip of her juice. "Beach. Definitely beach."

Da-hyun immediately let out a loud, mocking laugh right in Soo-ah's face. "Ha! See? Smart people choose the beach!"

Soo-ah ignored him and glared at Seo-yeon. "Seo-yeon. Choose wisely."

Seo-yeon smiled sweetly. "Mountain. I like the fresh air."

Soo-ah turned her head slowly toward Da-hyun, giving him a terrifying, victorious look.

Now, it was a tie. Two votes for the beach, two votes for the mountain. All eyes slowly turned to the last person. Si-woo.

Si-woo was just standing there, minding his own business. Suddenly, he felt a cold sweat run down his spine. Soo-ah was giving him a literal death stare. Her eyes said one thing very clearly: *Choose the beach, and you die.*

Si-woo swallowed hard. "Uh... mountain."

"Cheating! Cheating!" Da-hyun started shouting, throwing his hands in the air. "This is not fair! You scared him, Soo-ah! Look at his face, he is terrified!" Soo-ah just smirked. Da-hyun turned to Si-woo, totally offended. "Bro! You broke the bro code!"

Si-woo looked at Da-hyun with wide, serious eyes. "Bro, my head is more important than the bro code. If I said beach, she would have crushed my skull right here."

Si-woo then, his smart brain taking over. "Plus, think about it logically, Da-hyun. It is vacation time. The beaches will be completely crowded and noisy. Aren't you an introvert? You would hate it. A high-rated mountain cottage is quiet and private."

The group nodded. Even Da-hyun couldn't argue with that logic.

**[Narrator Voice]:** *And so, by a mix of logical thinking and pure physical fear, the destination was set: Mount Seoraksan. A place of deep, whispering woods, where no one can hear you scream...*

Soo-ah immediately took charge. She spent hours online and found a beautiful, high-rated Airbnb cottage surrounded by trees. Si-woo booked a rental car since he was the only one who volunteered to drive.

The rule was simple: everyone had to be at the campus gate by 10:00 AM sharp with their luggage.

At 9:55 AM, Soo-ah was already standing at the gate, her bags neatly packed. A minute later, Seo-yeon arrived, smiling neatly. At 10:00 AM, Si-woo drove up in a big, clean rental car.

But by 10:15 AM... two people were still missing.

Seo-yeon kept looking at her watch, her sweet smile turning into a scary grin. "If they make us late, I am going to use their luggage as firewood."

Finally, at 10:30 AM, Da-hyun and A-in rushed up to the gate, panting.

"Wow, Da-hyun," Soo-ah said, rolling her eyes. "We thought you were going to sleep all day and keep us waiting forever."

"Hey! I was actually on time!" Da-hyun protested, pointing an accused finger at the girl next to him. "I had to go pick up A-in. She was the one who was late!"

Soo-ah immediately stepped in front of A-in. "So what? She is a girl. She needs time to get ready and look pretty."

Da-hyun gasped loudly. "Hwww! You gender-discriminative person! That is so unfair!"

Soo-ah just stuck her tongue out at him. "So what? Cry about it."

Da-hyun looked at Seo-yeon for backup, but Seo-yeon just gave him a cold look. "Stop irritating Soo-ah and get in the car, Da-hyun. You are wasting our oxygen."

Da-hyun quickly shut his mouth, knowing better than to argue with both of them.

The luggage was thrown into the trunk. Si-woo got behind the steering wheel. Soo-ah immediately claimed the front passenger seat next to him, ready to control the music and the map. Da-hyun, A-in, and Seo-yeon climbed into the spacious back seat.

With a turn of the key, the engine roared to life.

**[Narrator Voice]:** *And so, our five young friends drove away from the safety of their college, heading straight toward the towering, mysterious peaks of Mount Seoraksan. Little did they know, something was waiting for them in those beautiful mountains. Something dark. Something hungry. But hey, at least they saved money on the Airbnb!*

**[Narrator Voice]:** *As the wheels of their metal chariot spun, leaving the safe, warm walls of the college behind, our travelers moved forward into the unknown. Ten long hours of open road stretched before them like a never-ending ribbon of doom. But do not fear! For sitting in the front passenger seat was my absolute favorite, the chaotic goddess herself—Soo-ah. She did not merely pack bags; she had mapped out their very survival.*

Soo-ah turned around in her seat, holding a piece of paper, and looked at everyone in the back. "Guys, listen up. Since we know this is a long, ten-hour drive, I have planned everything perfectly."

"Oh boy, here we go," Da-hyun muttered under his breath.

Soo-ah glared at him before continuing. "We will have two breaks. The first one will be after four hours. The second one will be right before we enter the mountains, in the nearest city. I have already selected the exact hotels for our stops so we can be comfortable. And, just in case our selected hotel is closed, I have a backup Plan B hotel ready."

Da-hyun raised an eyebrow. "And what if the Plan B hotel is also closed?"

Soo-ah smirked. "I have a Plan C, D, and E hotel ready too, Da-hyun. And if all of those fail, I have a mountain of snacks packed in my bag."

Da-hyun’s jaw dropped. He was completely speechless. In the back seat, A-in and Seo-yeon exchanged shocked looks. Even Si-woo glanced over from the steering wheel, his eyes wide.

"Wow," Si-woo said, shaking his head with a smile. "We are just going on a relaxing trip, Soo-ah. You really don't have to worry this much. Honestly, I always thought you were just super lazy."

Soo-ah pouted. "I am not lazy!"

"Yes, you are," Si-woo laughed. "Remember last time when I offered to treat you to food? I told you to choose where you wanted to eat. You just kept saying, 'let's go here, no let's go there.' We literally walked past five different food stalls before you finally picked something you felt like eating at that exact second."

Soo-ah crossed her arms and snapped, "Do you have an issue with that, Si-woo?"

"Of course not! Why would I have an issue?" Si-woo said quickly, keeping his eyes on the road. "It is just a fact. You love giving your brain a lot of rest, until it's time for something you actually care about."

Soo-ah thought about it for a second, then nodded proudly. "Okay, that is true." She then cleared her throat and looked at the group. "One more thing, guys. Since Si-woo cannot drive for ten hours straight, I will take over and drive for a few hours later."

Da-hyun leaned forward, looking terrified. "Wait... do you even know how to drive, Soo-ah?"

"Yes, I do!" Soo-ah said, offended.

"Then whenever we go out for drives as a group, why do you always keep quiet and never tell us you can drive?" Da-hyun asked.

Soo-ah rolled her eyes. "Because I am lazy and I didn't want to drive. But this time, a ten-hour drive is too much for one person. I am a kind, beautiful goddess, so I am simply helping my devotees."

Da-hyun snorted. "Yeah, yeah. More like an evil goddess."

**[Narrator Voice]:** *Hours melted away as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in bloody shades of red and purple. The heavy blanket of night fell upon the world. By 8:30 PM, they were taking their very last break at the edge of the civilization. Beyond this point lay only the dark, twisting shadows of the mountain forest.*

Soo-ah stretched her arms and walked over to the driver's side. "Okay, Si-woo. Let me drive now. You rest."

Si-woo gladly stretched his tired legs and climbed into the front passenger seat. As Da-hyun got back into the rear seat, he looked at Soo-ah through his glasses with a nervous smile. "You won't kill us, right?"

Soo-ah gripped the steering wheel, turned her head slowly, and let out a creepy, evil, mocking laugh. "Of course I will! Mwahahaha!"

"Great," Da-hyun whispered, pulling his seatbelt tighter.

**[Narrator Voice]:** *The car drove deep into the stomach of the forest. The trees grew thick and tall, blocking out the stars. It was nearly 10:00 PM. The headlights cut through the heavy blackness, revealing a terrifying sight. There, on the lonely, empty side of the road... stood a woman. Alone. In the dead of night. She raised a pale hand, begging for a lift...*

Inside the car, all five friends saw her.

Instantly, a heavy silence filled the vehicle. Nobody said a word. Nobody screamed. Instead, because they were genuinely smart, they all looked completely away from the window and stopped breathing.

**[Narrator Voice]:** *Any ordinary, foolish humans would have stopped the car! They would have opened the door! They would have welcomed their own doom! The dark forces expected this car to stop... but the dark forces did not know who they were dealing with.*

Soo-ah did not even touch the brakes. She kept her foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal. The car sped right past the woman.

But the nightmare wasn't over.

Just a few minutes down the road, the headlights flickered. There, standing right in the dead center of the lane, was the exact same woman. She was wearing a bright red dress that looked like fresh blood. Her long, messy black hair flew wildly in the wind. And on her face was a wide, unnatural, deeply creepy smile that stretched from ear to ear. A true scene of absolute horror.

Any normal driver would have slammed on the brakes, crashed into a tree, or screamed in terror.

But Soo-ah was smart. And she was also very lazy to deal with ghosts.

Without blinking, Soo-ah smoothly turned the steering wheel just a little bit. She didn't stop. She didn't run the ghost over either—because who wants ghost blood on a rental car? She just drove the car perfectly beside her, completely ignoring the terrifying monster, and pressed the gas pedal down harder.

The car zoomed past the creepy lady in red, leaving her standing in the dust.

In the front seat, Si-woo calmly looked at the GPS. "Hey Soo-ah, turn left up ahead. We are almost at the cottage."

"Got it," Soo-ah said casually, as if she hadn't just dodged a demon.

**[Narrator Voice]:** *The ghost stood alone in the middle of the dark road, her creepy smile fading into utter confusion. She had the dress, she had the hair, she had the smile! But these humans... these humans just didn't care. Truly, a terrifying force of logic!*

**[Narrator Voice]:** Our brave heroes had just committed the greatest insult in supernatural history: they had ignored the creepy lady in red. The rental car rolled deeper into the forest, and somewhere behind them, a ghost was likely questioning her career choices. Inside the car, an awkward silence settled.

Da-hyun carefully peeked out the back window. "...Soo-ah."

Si-woo, still looking at the GPS, muttered, "Don't."

Da-hyun: "I just want to ask one tiny question."

Si-woo: "I know exactly what you're going to ask."

Da-hyun: "Can we please check if the ghost is following us?"

A-in: "No."

Seo-yeon: "Absolutely not."

Si-woo: "Terrible idea."

Da-hyun sighed dramatically. "Soo-ah?"

Everyone turned to look at you, waiting for your response.

Soo-ah: "If you miss her that much, Da-hyun, I will drop you right here so you can meet her. After all, you are a lifelong single."

Da-hyun gasped so hard he nearly choked on air. "EXCUSE ME?! That was a personal attack! I have feelings, you know!"

A-in, looking up from her phone for exactly two seconds: "She does have a point."

Da-hyun: "Whose side are you on?!"

Seo-yeon, smiling sweetly: "Soo-ah's. It's safer."

Da-hyun pointed dramatically at the front seat. "First of all, I do not miss the ghost lady. Second of all, being single is a lifestyle choice!"

Si-woo, without lifting his eyes from the GPS: "A lifestyle that nobody chose for you."

A deadly silence followed.

Da-hyun: "...Bro."

Si-woo: "Hm?"

Da-hyun: "That hurt."

Si-woo: "I know."

Da-hyun: "I thought we had the bro code."

Si-woo: "The bro code doesn't cover obvious facts."

A-in snorted, trying not to laugh.

Da-hyun: "This is bullying. I'm being bullied by four people."

Seo-yeon: "Five, if the ghost is still behind us."

Da-hyun immediately sat upright and refused to look out any window. "I would like to formally apologize for every decision I've made tonight."

Si-woo glanced over at you to make sure you were still focused on the road. "Just keep driving, Soo-ah. Ignore him. If we stop, he'll somehow make friends with the ghost and invite her to the cottage."

Da-hyun: "I WOULD NOT!"

A beat passed. "...What if she's nice?"

Soo-ah: "Why don't you directly ask her? After all... she's behind our car."

A full second of silence passed.

Da-hyun: "...Haha. Good one, Soo-ah." He very, very slowly turned his head toward the back window.

Si-woo: "Da-hyun."

Da-hyun: "What?"

Si-woo: "Don't."

Da-hyun: "What if she's telling the truth?"

A-in: "Then you'll be the first to know."

Seo-yeon: "Personally, I support your scientific curiosity."

Da-hyun: "YOU GUYS AREN'T HELPING!" He clutched the headrest. "Soo-ah, as your dear, loyal, incredibly handsome friend..."

A-in: "Debatable."

Da-hyun: "...Please tell me that's a joke."

Si-woo quietly glanced at the rearview mirror. He knew you were teasing, but he stayed calm. "Soo-ah. Eyes on the road. Don't bully the wildlife."

Da-hyun: "THE WILDLIFE?! BRO, YOU THINK THERE'S SOMETHING BACK THERE?!"

Si-woo: "...I meant you."

Da-hyun: "..."

Seo-yeon nodded approvingly. "Fair."

Da-hyun folded his arms and sulked for three seconds. Then... "...Soo-ah?"

Si-woo: "What now?"

Da-hyun: "Hypothetically, if there was a ghost behind the car... could we throw Si-woo out first? He's the fastest runner."

Si-woo finally cracked a tiny smile. "Interesting plan. But remember who is reading the GPS." He folded the map shut. "One wrong turn from me, and Soo-ah and I make it to the cottage."

Da-hyun: "...Bro. That was the most threatening thing you've ever said."

A-in: "I kind of respect it."

Seo-yeon: "Same."

Soo-ah flashed an innocent smile. "I am being honest about the lady in the red dress being behind the car. If you don't believe it, look behind yourself. Haven't you all wondered why I insisted on the mountains, planned everything, and even volunteered to drive? Maybe this is all a trap. I'm going to sacrifice you all... and no one will ever know."

A heavy silence filled the car.

Da-hyun: "...Haha." Nobody laughed. "...Guys?"

A-in put her phone down.

Seo-yeon: "...That was oddly specific."

Si-woo quietly studied your face. He noticed the innocent smile, and the absolutely straight expression that somehow made it ten times creepier.

Da-hyun: "Soo-ah, my dear friend whom I've known for years..." He slowly reached for the door handle. "...this is a joke, right?"

Si-woo: "No."

Da-hyun: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'NO'?!"

Si-woo: "I mean, don't ask her. If she planned a sacrifice, she'd never tell us the truth."

Da-hyun: "THAT'S EVEN WORSE!"

Seo-yeon: "Actually... she did pick the destination."

A-in: "She booked the cottage."

Seo-yeon: "Planned the route."

A-in: "Packed emergency supplies."

Da-hyun turned pale. "...Guys."

A-in: "She also insisted on driving this part."

Da-hyun: "...GUYS!"

Si-woo sighed, reached over, and tapped the dashboard. "Soo-ah, if you're sacrificing everyone... could you at least wait until we reach the cottage? Si-woo booked the rental car under his name, and I'd rather not explain ghost-related damages."

Da-hyun: "YOU'RE NEGOTIATING WITH THE MURDERER?!"

Si-woo: "I'm negotiating with Soo-ah."

Seo-yeon: "Fair point."

Da-hyun squeezed into the corner of the back seat. "...Soo-ah. If we're friends... could I get a discount on the sacrifice?"

Si-woo glanced at you, a faint smile on his face. "One question, Soo-ah. Should I keep following the GPS, or was that part of your master plan too?"

The car stopped. The engine fell to a low idle. The forest was silent. Soo-ah didn't move. With that same innocent smile, she said: "Well, if it's your last wish to keep the car safe, then I will accept it, Si-woo."

Da-hyun: "...Si-woo. She called it your last wish."

Si-woo: "I noticed."

Da-hyun: "YOU'RE TAKING THIS SURPRISINGLY WELL!"

Da-hyun fumbled with the door handle. *Click.* Locked.

Da-hyun: "...Why is the door locked?"

A-in: "Mine too."

Seo-yeon: "Soo-ah, did you lock the doors?"

Si-woo unbuckled his seatbelt.

Da-hyun: "BRO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Si-woo: "Finding out."

Si-woo turned toward you. "So. You planned the trip, the route, the stops, the cottage. And now you've stopped the car in the middle of a forest at night. That's a lot of effort for someone who claims to be lazy."

Da-hyun: "THIS IS YOUR TAKEAWAY?!"

Si-woo: "If this really is a grand master plan... could you at least tell Da-hyun first? If he thinks too hard, he'll accidentally spoil the surprise."

Da-hyun: "I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO OFFENDED IN MY LIFE!"

Da-hyun slowly pointed a shaking finger toward the windshield. "...Um... Soo-ah... since we're apparently discussing sacrifices... why do I suddenly feel like there's someone standing in front of the car?"

Soo-ah suddenly burst into loud laughter, laughing so hard tears formed in her eyes. "Fine! It was a joke! We already reached our destination!"

She pointed ahead. A cozy wooden cottage sat under the moonlight, its porch light glowing warmly. Soo-ah flashed that dangerously innocent smile.

Da-hyun: "...Si-woo. I think she was possessed for thirty seconds."

Soo-ah kept laughing.

Da-hyun: "NO! LOOK AT HER! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT GHOSTS DO AFTER THEY TRICK PEOPLE!"

A-in: "No, that's what Soo-ah does after a successful prank."

Seo-yeon: "It's one of her hobbies."

Da-hyun: "...YOU ALL KNEW?!"

Si-woo finally let out a small laugh. "I should've known. I was busy trying to figure out if she'd actually lock us in the car." He grinned at you. "That was a pretty good prank."

Da-hyun: "TRAITOR! SHE HAD AN INNOCENT SMILE!"

A-in: "That's your first mistake."

Seo-yeon: "Your second was trusting Soo-ah after the ghost incident."

**[Narrator Voice]:** And thus, our heroes arrived safely at their mountain cottage. Da-hyun lost several years of his lifespan. A-in and Seo-yeon gained free entertainment. Si-woo quietly discovered that even being threatened with sacrifice wasn't enough to stop him from smiling at Soo-ah's antics. And Soo-ah? Soo-ah achieved the highest form of victory: making Da-hyun believe, for one glorious minute, that he was about to become a mountain ritual.