Mystical Fantasy : Not the Destiny Heroine

The Seocho District Police Station was quiet that morning, with only the sound of the AC and footsteps echoing against the ceramic floor.

Ryu Jinhyuk sat in the interrogation room, his hands—though not cuffed—rested frozen on the cold metal table. His eyes were swollen, his hair messy, and his face paler than usual.

Two officers sat across from him. One opened a black folder containing photos and documents.

"Ryu Jinhyuk-ssi," said the younger officer in a formal tone. "The CCTV footage from the National Museum shows you entering at 00:27 AM."

The other officer turned a laptop screen toward Jinhyuk. A hooded figure moved swiftly through the museum's premises, completely unnoticed by the security guards.

"That's not me," Jinhyuk whispered. "I didn't go anywhere last night. I was just on campus and…"

The officer pressed play. The figure approached an old metal artifact, took something, wrapped it in black cloth, and walked away without hesitation.

The face wasn't visible, but the body shape… the clothes… and even the same watch Jinhyuk wore last night—all matched.

"We also searched your room," added the other officer. "We found this item."

He opened the evidence box. Inside was an old metallic object, emerald green in color, shaped like a fruit with several broken parts—an artifact that felt ancient and out of place in the modern era. Its aura… cold, yet oppressive.

"What… is this?" Jinhyuk muttered.

"You stole it, and you don't even know what it is?"

"I… I was drunk last night. I don't remember anything. I didn't… steal it… I only remember walking on campus, then waking up in my room this morning."

His head suddenly throbbed, like being pierced. The artifact's faint aura stirred something in him, but panic over the current situation made him ignore it.

The first officer laid another file on the table.

"You claim to be drunk, yet how could you bypass a trained security team while intoxicated?"

"That… I don't know. But I really was drunk last night—check the campus CCTV. I was walking back while still drinking straight from the bottle."

The officer pointed to the next video: the campus CCTV. At 8:14 PM, Jinhyuk—still wearing the same worn hoodie—entered through the rear entrance. No clear signs of drunkenness were visible, but the footage glitched for a moment. When it resumed, Jinhyuk was seen standing alone on a quiet campus road, then suddenly sprinted and leapt over the campus fence, disappearing.

Jinhyuk was stunned. Even the officers appeared shocked. But still, that didn't prove he was drunk. Even if it did, the case was too serious to simply dismiss.

"We'll conduct further investigation," said the officer.

Jinhyuk lowered his head.

I have no answers. I don't even know how I got there. Is this the ring's doing? Ryuga? Is this what he meant by solving last night's problem?! he thought.

The officers exchanged glances, then stood.

"Alright. You'll be detained for further questioning. You'll be placed in a holding cell."

---

The days that followed passed slowly.

The prison cell was cold and narrow. Jinhyuk hugged his knees, sometimes talking to himself, sometimes just staring at the ring on his finger.

"Hey, Ryuga… are you there?"

No response.

"At least help me get out of here. I don't even know what happened. This is your fault, right? Why did you steal that artifact?"

Still no reply. Ryuga was truly asleep—just as he'd said.

"Damn… everything's starting to fall apart."

---

Day four.

The cell door opened. A guard stepped in.

"Jinhyuk-ssi. You're being released. Someone posted bail for you."

"Huh?"

Footsteps echoed. Jinhyuk turned—and his eyes widened.

Standing there… was Yoon Seri. Dressed in a light blue blazer, slim white pants, and her hair neatly tied back. Her smile… was just like before.

Jinhyuk stiffened.

Yoon Seri…?

"Seri… you…"

She didn't answer. She simply walked forward and softly told the officer, "I'll take him."

"How are you here?" Jinhyuk's voice was barely audible, his eyes still locked on Seri, now standing in the police station's waiting area. Her gaze was dull, her expression cold.

"I only just heard this morning that you were taken in by the police, and you haven't returned in four days."

Her tone was flat, like she was just reviewing a report at work.

Jinhyuk remained silent. He didn't even have the strength to express the shame and disappointment he felt.

Ah, she didn't even know until now. Only came because she heard about it. he thought.

"I honestly can't believe this, Jinhyuk." Seri sighed, squinting in irritation. "Do you realize how embarrassing this is? Theft? At a museum? Do you even understand how serious this is?"

Jinhyuk looked down, fingers clasping tightly. In the midst of gratitude for his release, a bitter taste lingered in his throat.

"I didn't steal it… Seri, don't you believe me?"

Seri scoffed and looked away.

"Believe you? The evidence is clear and you're still denying it," she snapped. "What's going on with you? Are you doing this for attention? Are you proud of stealing from the National Museum? Do you think I have time for this? I have a job. My life isn't just about you. We helped each other in the past, but don't act like that means I owe you forever."

She sat down, crossing her legs. Her voice now sharper.

"You've been living comfortably thanks to my help and my family's, Jinhyuk. Do you think that's not exhausting? Sure, we owed your parents back then, but… Ugh, forget it. Sorry, Jinhyuk. Maybe I said too much."

Jinhyuk couldn't respond.

"At least you're out now. Don't do anything stupid again. I know you're stressed because I rejected you that time. But I can't force my feelings, Jinhyuk. I just want to live the life I want—not one forced with someone I don't love just because we've been childhood friends."

Seri stood, picking up the purse she had left on the seat.

"If you need money, just ask me," she said without looking back. "Don't steal. Especially something that big. I hope you understand."

Jinhyuk simply nodded. "Thank you… I'll remember that."

His head remained bowed as they left the police station. The midday sky looked ordinary—but his chest felt tight.

Still, he tried to gaze at Seri's figure with confidence. Deep down, a small fire burned in his heart:

Fate isn't over yet. I'll fix everything. I'll take back what's rightfully mine.

But the sound of Seri's heels on the pavement seemed to laugh at that tiny hope.

They reached the front lot. A sleek black car pulled up. Seri walked straight toward it without saying goodbye.

The car door opened automatically. A tall man in a dark gray suit stepped out, holding the door open. His face was calm… too calm. A faint smile appeared as he saw Seri approach.

Jinhyuk stood frozen.

Seri got in—and without hesitation—leaned into the man's side in a light embrace.

"Thanks for picking me up," Seri said in a sweet voice.

The car slowly pulled away. Seri didn't look back.

But the man—Jang Daejin—glanced behind. Just briefly. Then smiled.

That smile felt like a cold blade in Jinhyuk's chest.

A mocking smile, as if to say:

"You're too much of a coward."

The car disappeared from view. Leaving Jinhyuk alone on the sidewalk.

He stared at his reflection in the police station window. Messy hair. Puffy eyes. Thin frame. And a strange ring on his finger.

One cold thought crossed his mind, slowly:

"Who is that man? Is he the one Ryuga mentioned?"