At 2 p.m., a polished shoe stepped onto the ground without stirring a single speck of dust. A wide, gaping space in the middle of the long stone wall bore a signboard that read: *Bogukmun*.

Once a common route for hikers ascending Bukhansan Mountain, Bogukmun had been closed off to the public ever since Hong Yeseong took residence in the Artisan Village. Using restoration work as an excuse, he had blocked off access to the surrounding area. Jung Bin retrieved a yellow talisman from the inside pocket of his suit and confidently stepped into the wide-open space beneath the stone …