Chapter 6 – The Traitor Reveals Himself
Night fell over the village of Andora. A cool breeze flowed gently from the foot of the mountain, carrying the damp scent of fields watered earlier that day. In the distance, the sound of crickets echoed, framing a rare peace they hadn't felt in months.
Hyunwoo and his friends were sitting in the village hall with Claude and Arlain, discussing the construction of a new granary. In the corner, a map of the fields lay spread across a long wooden table, surrounded by clay cups and Wonho's scribbled notes.
"If the water flow stays steady and the weather holds up, the first harvest should come in two weeks," Hyunwoo said optimistically.
"For the first time… I feel like this village is truly rising again," Claude murmured as he looked at the map.
Yerin gave a faint smile, then stood up. "I want to check on the fields. Just to make sure the crops we sprayed yesterday aren't wilting. I won't be long."
"Don't stay out too late," Taeyang said gently.
Yerin nodded and left with a small lantern in hand. Night deepened, and soon after, everyone said their goodbyes and headed to their homes.
But not long after, a scream came from the eastern side of the village.
"FIRE!! THE FIELDS ARE BURNING!!"
The night sky glowed red in the distance. Smoke billowed upward. Villagers rushed out of their homes—some with buckets, others with only their bare hands. The fire spread quickly along the edge of the fields, the night wind fueling the flames.
Claude and Arlain immediately began shouting orders.
"Get water from the well! Don't let the fire reach the houses!"
Taeyang ran toward the fire, swinging a soaked sack to beat down the flames. Wonho planted a stick into the ground and redirected a small irrigation stream toward the blaze. Hyunwoo helped herd villagers to safety, fighting the fire with hoes and wet sacks.
It took nearly an hour to extinguish the flames. Heavy breaths and sweat-covered faces filled the scorched field.
Much of the eastern field was charred. The smell of smoke and burnt earth lingered in the air.
In the silence, an old man spoke—his voice soft but clear:
"I… I saw someone before the fire started. A woman… standing near the fields."
All eyes turned toward him.
"She had… pink hair. She carried a small lantern. I think… she was the healer from your group."
All eyes turned to Yerin, who stood not far from Hyunwoo. Her face had gone pale.
"That was me," Yerin said, her voice quiet but firm. "I was just checking on the crops. Like I said earlier… I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."
"Then why didn't you tell anyone?" a woman snapped. "Why go out there alone?"
Yerin fell silent. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She gripped her wrist, trying to stop her trembling.
"She meant no harm," Taeyang said, stepping forward. "We all know Yerin. She's not the kind of person who would hurt anyone."
But murmurs began to spread.
"They know too much…"
"Too clever… like witches…"
"What if they really brought misfortune?"
Arlain stepped forward, his face red with fury and sweat.
"Enough!" he shouted. "Don't throw around accusations without proof. But… if it turns out they're responsible… I'll drive them out myself."
Yerin looked down, as if about to cry. Hyunwoo stood beside her, staring back at the crowd.
"We'll find out who really did this. I don't believe Yerin is the culprit. But if she is, I'll take full responsibility."
The crowd slowly dispersed, but tension hung thick in the air. Claude stood silently, eyes fixed on the dying embers, then shifted toward the scorched earth.
By a small campfire, Hyunwoo spoke quietly to Wonho.
"You think this was done from the inside?"
Wonho didn't answer right away.
"If it wasn't Yerin…" he said at last, "…then someone's trying to tear us apart from within. And they've nearly succeeded."
The sky hadn't yet lightened, but Andora could not sleep that night. Embers still glowed faintly at the edge of the field, leaving behind the bitter scent of smoke and scorched leaves. In the village hall, dim candles cast soft yellow light across anxious faces.
The village chief sat with his head bowed. Beside him, Belinda stood clutching a cup of warm water left untouched.
"I feel like… we were wrong," the village chief murmured. "We trusted too quickly… maybe handed everything over too soon."
Belinda didn't reply right away. She stared out the window at the small, restless crowd still gathered outside.
"Hyunwoo and his friends aren't bad people," Belinda said quietly. "But… the scars in this village run deep. Fear makes people blind to good intentions."
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the hall.
"You cursed outsiders! My field is gone! My family's hard work… destroyed!"
A burly man named Shid pushed through the crowd, storming toward Yerin, who stood beside Taeyang near the hall. Shid's face was flushed with rage, eyes wild.
"This is your fault!!" he shouted, raising his hand to strike.
"DON'T YOU DARE!"
Taeyang stepped in front of Yerin, catching Shid's arm before it landed. The impact echoed, silencing the crowd.
"We came to help, not be insulted! If it weren't for us, you wouldn't have a single sprout in that field!"
"You think we're ungrateful? Look around you! We're hungry! We're scared! Then you show up like some miracle, and now all we get is fire!" Shid retorted.
Yerin bit her lip. Tears welled in her eyes, but she said nothing. The tension grew.
Then a calm but firm voice cut through the air.
"That's enough."
Hyunwoo stepped forward. His eyes were sharp, his voice steady with authority.
"Tonight is not the time for accusations. Starting tomorrow, I'll form a team to investigate who was truly at the field when the fire broke out."
"You think you can find the culprit?" the village chief asked, rising from his seat.
"If we're allowed," Hyunwoo replied, meeting his eyes, "I'll make sure the truth comes out. But until then… I ask you not to punish anyone out of fear."
The village chief took a deep breath, then nodded slowly.
"You have two days."
The crowd began to disperse, slowly and full of whispers. Shid walked off, head bowed. Taeyang stayed close to Yerin, still shielding her. Belinda approached Hyunwoo.
"Thank you… for protecting them."
Hyunwoo only nodded. His eyes remained fixed on the still-glowing embers in the field. Deep inside, a resolve was taking shape.
Tomorrow would mark the start of a search for truth.
And somewhere in the shadows… hidden eyes were still watching.