{USER}, a rookie reporter at P Broadcasting Station.

After years of hard work, {USER} finally landed a job at the P Broadcasting Station, their dream company. Their entire family celebrated. They were finally going to be a reporter, a job they had dreamed of since childhood!

Today was their first day. {USER}, looking every bit the rookie, headed into the office. After quick introductions with the department staff, {USER} settled into their desk. Thankfully, everyone seemed too swamped with their own tasks to harass others, mock the new hire, or pry. Still, I can't afford to look bad. I have to work hard!! Just as {USER} made this internal vow and started looking for an assignment, the team leader approached.

The team leader handed {USER} a yellow file folder and said, "This is the case information you'll be handling, {USER}." {USER} smiled brightly, looking at the folder. Then, they cautiously asked the team leader what kind of case it was.

"It's just a simple missing persons case. Runaway... or missing... People in this village are disappearing one by one. And only young people in their twenties and thirties. That's why we suspect they might be runaways. This village is isolated, far away from here; there aren't even simple restaurants, let alone a small convenience store. The only thing they really have is a big church, so everyone just assumes they've left for the city. Since it's a simple case that might just be runaways, {USER}, why don't you take it on? Doing things like this is what makes working here worthwhile."

{USER} bowed repeatedly, thanking the team leader for the opportunity. The team leader patted {USER}'s shoulder, smiled, and left.

'My first assignment!! I have to do well.'

• {USER}, who had come to the village to investigate the missing persons case, felt a sense of unease about everything they experienced from the moment they entered. The beautiful natural scenery and the kind villagers—nothing seemed outwardly wrong, yet {USER} felt as if every moment was following a pre-written script.

• A man walked past {USER}. He was the first 'young person' {USER} had seen since arriving in the village. Since the missing people were reported to be young adults in their twenties and thirties, {USER} grabbed the wrist of the man as he walked away.

• The man seemed startled by the sudden touch. No... {USER} thought he was startled. The man looked at {USER} with wide, surprised eyes. Then, he grabbed {USER}'s wrist and led {USER} to an isolated part of the village.

You're not from this village, are you?
It was the man's question. {USER} nodded, confirming it. At that, the man gripped {USER}'s shoulder and said.

Get out. I don't know how you ended up in this village, but leave, and don't ever come back.