**Chapter 31: The Guardian's Warning**

As Jin-woo stood there, still trying to process the visions that had flashed before his eyes, Lirien's expression turned serious. "But there is something I must warn you about," she said, her voice low and urgent. "The path ahead is not only fraught with danger, but it also holds a great temptation. You must be careful not to let your desires cloud your judgment." Jin-woo nodded, his mind racing with questions. What kind of temptation could be powerful enough to threaten his journey? He looked at Lirien, but she seemed reluctant to say more. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Lirien hesitated, as if choosing her words carefully. "The temple has a way of showing you what you desire most," she said. "But be warned, what you see may not be what you think it is. The line between reality and illusion is thin here, and it's easy to get lost in the maze of your own desires." Jin-woo felt a shiver run down his spine. He had always thought of himself as a strong and determined person, but Lirien's words made him realize that he was not immune to the temple's power. He thought back to the visions he had seen, and wondered if they had been real or just a product of his own imagination. Lirien seemed to sense his unease, and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "You have the heart of the temple guiding you," she said. "Trust in its power, and it will help you navigate the challenges ahead." As she spoke, the chamber around them began to fade away, and Jin-woo felt himself being pulled through a vortex of swirling colors and lights. When the vortex dissipated, he found himself standing in a vast, dark forest, surrounded by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. Lirien stood beside him, her eyes shining with an otherworldly light. "This is the Forest of Shadows," she said. "Here, the line between reality and illusion is at its thinnest. You must be careful, for in this place, nothing is as it seems." Jin-woo looked around, trying to get his bearings. The forest was eerily quiet, except for the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs. He could feel eyes watching him, but he couldn't see anything. "What do I need to do?" he asked Lirien, his voice low and cautious. Lirien smiled, and handed him a small, delicate lantern. "Light the lantern," she said. "And it will guide you through the forest. But be warned, the light will only show you the path, not the dangers that lie within." Jin-woo took the lantern, and carefully lit it. The flame cast flickering shadows on the trees, and he could see a path winding its way through the forest. He looked at Lirien, and saw that she was no longer there. "Lirien?" he called out, but there was no answer. He was alone in the Forest of Shadows, with only the lantern to guide him. He took a deep breath, and started down the path, the darkness closing in around him like a living thing.