The atmosphere at Incheon International Airport was a mix of excitement and heavy hearts. The families of Seongjii, Araya, Rika, Zoe, Satoshi, Hyunwoo, and Minho had all gathered to see them off.
"Take care of yourselves," Mrs. Park (Seongjii's mom) said, checking their bags for the tenth time. "Stay together, sleep on time, and don't skip meals!"
Mr. Park pulled Seongjii aside, his voice low and serious. "Seongjii, Japan is the first stop. Keep your eyes on Araya. Don't leave her side for a second."
"I won't, Dad. I'll protect her," Seongjii promised.
Araya watched them, her eyes misty. She had spent centuries in a lamp, a tool for wishes. She had never felt this—the warmth of a mother's hug or a father's protective gaze. "I... I'll miss you both so much," she whispered, hugging Mrs. Park tightly. For the first time, the Genie felt like she belonged to a family.
Nearby, Mr. Han was saying goodbye to Rika. "Keep my credit card handy, Princess. If you need anything—anything at all—call my manager or me immediately. I love you."
"Love you too, Dad. Take care of yourself," Rika replied, giving him a rare, soft smile.
As the final boarding call echoed through the terminal, the group shared a round of hugs and waves. They headed toward the gate, but just as Seongjii was about to step into the aerobridge, he stopped. He felt a cold shiver down his spine. A gaze—sharp and piercing—was fixed on his back.
He spun around. The crowded terminal looked normal. No one was there.
"Seongjii! Hurry up or we're leaving without you!" Araya called out from the plane door.
"Coming!" Seongjii shook off the feeling and boarded.
Whoosh. The engines roared to life, and the flight took off into the clouds, heading toward the Land of the Rising Sun.
Meanwhile, in a dark, abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city, the air smelled of rust and blood. A man was being brutally beaten by thugs. A sleek black car pulled up, and a figure stepped out.
His face remained hidden in the deep shadows of his coat. He lit a cigarette, the orange glow illuminating nothing but his cold, calculating eyes. This was Alastor.
He walked up to the bloody man, Dongsu-Lee, and gripped his hand. "Soft hands," Alastor whispered. CRACK. He ripped a fingernail clean off.
Dongsu-Lee screamed in agony. "Please! Mercy! I don't know anything!"
"Lies," Alastor said calmly. "I know your son is in the City Hospital with brain cancer. I know your wife is there right now. Should I go ask them who you leaked my documents to?"
"NO! Please, stay away from them!" Dongsu-Lee sobbed, collapsing at Alastor's feet. "I did it for the money... for the surgery. I sent the documents to Shibuya, Japan."
Alastor exhaled a cloud of smoke. "No more lies?"
"I swear! That's all I know!"
Alastor turned to his manager. "Get this man medical help. And pay for his son's treatment in full."
Dongsu-Lee looked up, stunned. "Who... who are you? Why are you helping me now?"
"You can call me Alastor," the shadow replied. "I'm helping because you gave me what I wanted. You told me exactly where my weakness is being held."
As they walked back to the car, the manager looked worried. "Sir, those documents contain your only weakness. If they are revealed in Japan, everything we've built falls apart."
Alastor looked out the window as the car sped away. "Pack the bags, Manager. It looks like we're going to Japan."
Hours later, the wheels of the Boeing 777 hit the tarmac. The intercom crackled: "Welcome to Haneda International Airport, Tokyo."
Seongjii looked out at the sprawling, high-tech city, his heart racing. He didn't know about Alastor. He didn't know about the leaked documents. He only knew one thing.
"So... this is Japan, huh?"
To be continued…..