Arkha opened his phone, which showed 7:30 PM. Even though it was already night, he was still confused.
He knew very well the camping event wouldn't go smoothly. Would something happen tonight? Were they really going to be taken to another dimension?
At times like this, he was left alone instead.
"Damn that ghost, at least give me a hint or something."
Relying on a ghost was wrong in the first place, but Arkha couldn't think clearly right now. Instead, he found himself looking for Agantha, who had appeared several times showing fragments of his past memories.
Arkha opened his phone again, but suddenly a voice was heard from outside. It was Hesa telling everyone to gather. Reluctantly, Arkha stepped out of the tent.
All of his friends were there—no one was missing yet.
"Guys, sorry for interrupting your time, but like I prepared for this camp, we're going to make a vlog for content later. At first we'll form groups and explore like usual, but since we're also on vacation together… we won't explore for too long. As an addition, we'll make some staged scenes. How about it?" Hesa said.
"I'll just go with it," Niki replied.
"Wait, staged scenes?" Joan asked.
"Yeah, I brought some unusual equipment, like ritual stuff—so it looks like there's a cult in this forest. Setta will help too so it feels more real," Hesa explained.
"Is that safe?" Joan asked.
"Forests are basically the same. As long as we don't mention the location, it'll be fine," Setta said.
"Alright, now let's split into groups. Hmm… me with Setta plus Arkha, Joan Jio, Niki Satya—" Hesa said, immediately making Joan and Arkha look at him.
"Better you two just go with Setta. Let Joan and Jio go with me," Arkha said.
"But I want three people," Setta replied.
"I'm going with Arkha," Joan said.
"Then Jio moves to my team," Hesa decided.
"Jio stays with me. You two can't just go alone or what?" Arkha said.
"We're also going to set up some scenes so the vlog finishes faster, but we need one more person," Hesa replied.
"Fine, I'll go with you," Jio said as he walked toward Hesa.
"Jio, you idiot!"
Arkha was about to protest again, but Hesa immediately cut him off.
"Alright then, the groups are just like I said." Hesa glanced at Arkha mysteriously.
They all nodded, leaving Arkha silent since the others had already agreed. Then Hesa, Arkha, and Satya picked up the cameras that had been prepared.
"We're heading west," Satya said.
"The three of us will go south," Setta said.
"The rest is just me and Joan going north," Arkha said.
~~~~~~~~~
Satya was busy recording the dark path around them while Niki casually held the flashlight and ate his snack.
"Do it properly, Ki. The lighting's all messed up," Satya said.
"Yeah, yeah."
Niki finished his snack and put the wrapper into his pocket so he could throw it away later when he found a trash can.
"Ki, this place has been visited by many people, but why does it still feel creepy?" Satya asked.
"Because it's night, and all we see are trees," Niki replied.
"It's not just that. The air here is really cold too," Satya said.
"Since when can an ice human like you feel cold?" Niki teased.
"Sorry, I'm a normal human, not an ice human," Satya replied.
They continued exploring the dark area while talking a bit in front of the camera. In the middle of it, Niki suddenly felt his foot step on something.
"Ugh, what did I step on?" Niki said.
"Pick it up," Satya replied.
When he looked, it turned out Niki had stepped on a letter.
"Invitation," Satya read as they opened the mysterious letter together.
"Who throws a party in the middle of a forest like this?" Niki said.
"Idiot." Satya smacked the letter lightly against his friend's head.
"Hey, there's like a map or directions here. Let's follow it," Niki said.
"Don't mess around, Ki. We should just go back," Satya replied.
"Ah, you're such a coward." Niki immediately ran off, leaving Satya behind. Satya was forced to chase him, afraid something might happen.
"Wait up, damn it!"
Satya kept running after Niki until, after a while, he finally saw Niki stop.
They were standing at the edge of a wide field filled with rows of red chairs.
"So there really *is* an invitation," Niki said.
"No way. Who would hold a formal event like this in the middle of a forest?" Satya replied.
He quickly grabbed Niki's hand to leave, but after only a few steps, their vision went dark as a black cloth was suddenly pulled over both of their heads.
~~~~~~~~~
After doing the opening and a bit of small talk for audience interaction, the three of them recorded the forest surroundings.
"It's really dark, guys, but the scenery here is nice," Setta said to the camera.
"Whoa, I think I see something," Hesa said.
"What do you see, bro?" Jio asked.
"Up ahead," Hesa pointed.
"What's up there?" Jio asked, starting to feel chills.
"Your twin," Hesa replied with a grin.
Jio slowly stepped back, realizing something was wrong with his senior—but he was too late. In an instant, someone from behind covered his head with a black cloth.
~~~~~~~~
"Damn it! I failed to protect the others."
"Khan."
Joan held Arkha's hand to stop him from stepping forward. In front of him was a sharp tree branch.
"T-Thanks," Arkha said, pretending to fix the camera in his hand.
"Your recording looks messed up. Let's switch—I'll hold the camera, you hold the flashlight," Joan said.
They exchanged the items in their hands.
"What's your problem anyway?" Joan asked.
"Nothing. I'm just a bit sleepy, so I'm not focused," Arkha replied.
"Ck. I know Hesa attacked you on the rooftop yesterday," Joan said.
"Huh?" Arkha instinctively grabbed his own neck in panic.
"Oh, he choked you? I thought he just pushed you," Joan said.
"N-No—how do you even know that?" Arkha asked.
"I was going to the rooftop but didn't, because I heard people talking. Sorry… I didn't dare come help when you were being attacked," Joan said.
"It's fine. You might've gotten hurt too," Arkha replied.
"Gotten hurt again? So I really didn't just slip at the hospital back then," Joan said, making Arkha turn his face away.
"Let's talk about that later. There's something more important now," Arkha said.
"You think my head bleeding back then isn't important?" Joan replied.
"Go," Arkha said.
"Don't change the subject," Joan insisted.
"This isn't the time for us to argue. Go as far away from here as you can," Arkha pushed Joan away and walked ahead first.
"No!" Joan followed him closer.
"Joan, just this once, listen to me," Arkha said coldly.
"Our conversation isn't finished and you're telling me to leave?" Joan said.
"I'm begging you, just this once," Arkha's voice softened, almost pleading.
"Then where are you going? Why are you telling me to leave while you're going deeper into the forest?" Joan asked.
"Nowhere. I just want to continue this vlog alone," Arkha said.
"You're lying," Joan replied.
"I'm serious, Jo. Just let me finish this al—"
His words were suddenly cut off by the sound of clapping, along with a figure emerging from the darkness.