Chapter 2: Unseen presence

Shin stood frozen in the attic, the echo of the whispered voice lingering in his ears. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him. He mustered the courage to speak, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity.

"Who is there? Who is playing a prank on me?" he called out, his words echoing through the stillness. There was no response, only the eerie silence that enveloped the attic.

As Shin strained his ears, he could hear nothing but the sound of his own racing heartbeat. Doubt crept into his mind, questioning whether he had imagined the voice altogether. He took a step back, contemplating if he should leave the attic and dismiss the entire incident as a figment of his imagination.

But then, a sudden chill washed over him, causing goosebumps to form on his arms. It was as if an unseen presence had brushed against him, leaving an indelible mark on his senses. Shin's eyes darted around the attic, searching for any sign of movement or explanation for the inexplicable occurrences.

"I don't think anyone can play a prank like this," he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "If it's not a prank, then what is this? Whose voice was that? I'm scared. Mom, help me."

His mind raced, thoughts swirling with questions and uncertainty. Shin's rational side urged him to leave, to seek refuge in the comfort of his mother's presence. But another part of him, fueled by curiosity and a thirst for understanding, compelled him to stay and investigate further.

Taking a deep breath, Shin steeled himself and stepped forward, determined to unravel the mysteries that lay within the attic's shadowy depths. He reached for his phone, using its weak light to illuminate the surroundings. Shadows danced on the walls, casting eerie shapes that seemed to taunt him.

The tapping sound returned, echoing through the attic once more. It seemed to come from the far corner, where an old, dust-covered wardrobe stood. Shin's pulse quickened, and he cautiously approached the wardrobe, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.

As he reached out to touch the wardrobe's handle, a surge of energy coursed through him. The air crackled with anticipation, and he could feel the presence intensify. Shin hesitated, his hand hovering inches away from the handle, uncertainty gripping him.

In the darkness, a faint whisper reached his ears. "Find the truth," it urged, the words carrying a sense of urgency and purpose. Shin's eyes widened, a newfound determination taking root within him. He would uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

With a resolute nod, he turned the handle, and the wardrobe creaked open, revealing a hidden compartment inside. The scene before him sent a shiver down his spine. The compartment was filled with aged books, symbols etched onto their worn covers. It was a collection of ancient knowledge waiting to be discovered.

As Shin's fingers grazed the edge of one of the books, a surge of energy coursed through him once more. It was as if the spirits of the attic were guiding him towards a destiny he could not yet comprehend. His journey had only just begun, and he would embrace it with open arms, ready to confront the supernatural forces that awaited him.