Amidst the wintry woods, a clash of traditions sparks an unexpected bond between a spirited witch, Cemi, and the warm-hearted Lee Jinki.
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Chapter 1: Clash in the Winter Woods
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Jinki Lee moved through the woods, his steps leaving imprints in the pristine snow. His shoulder-length hair, a dark contrast against the winter backdrop, occasionally caught glimmers of sunlight that danced in the frozen air. He carried himself with a sense of purpose, the nostalgia for familiar traditions etched on his face, unaware of the tempest about to descend upon him in the form of Cemi.
With the determined intent to cut down a small Christmas tree, Jinki raised his axe. The silence was shattered as Cemi emerged from the swirling snowflakes, her presence commanding and fierce. Her eyes blazed with an intensity matched only by the fury in her voice.
"What madness is this?" Her words sliced through the tranquil atmosphere.
Startled, Jinki faltered in his explanation. "I... I just wanted a tree for Christmas. It's a tradition I've always followed."
Cemi's frustration surged, her anger uncontainable. "Tradition? Christmas? You desecrate these woods for your self-centered revelry!"
Jinki attempted to reason, but Cemi's ire refused to subside. "I understand your reverence for Yule, but Christmas holds deep sentimental value for me."
Cemi's eyes flashed with unbridled fury. "Sentiment does not justify the ravaging of nature! This tree, in its tender years, harbors the promise of life, and you would extinguish it for your own ease!"
Their debate escalated, words becoming heated in the icy air. Jinki's explanations fell on deaf ears as Cemi's frustration only intensified, her anger crackling like the frost around them.
"If harm befalls this tree upon my return, I shall cast a curse upon you!" Her voice, a thunderous declaration, reverberated through the woods.
With a whirl of her robes and a resounding boom of thunder, Cemi vanished into the snow, leaving Jinki standing amidst the solemn stillness, a mix of shock and determination etched upon his visage.
Determined to honor his cherished tradition without harm, Jinki braced himself against the biting cold, his thoughts consumed by the challenge that lay ahead amidst the silent embrace of the wintry woods.
