What's Going On?

Chapter 001: What's Going On?

It was a scorching midsummer day, where the hot sun tormented people, and even a slight touch of something would raise irritation levels to the max.

"Ugh, it's unbearably hot."

Changshin, like any other day, pondered whether to turn on the air conditioner to save on electricity bills, and settled for a fan breeze instead.

"Should I have some ice cream?"

Thud thud.

He tried to enjoy the tub of ice cream he bought four days ago, but it felt unexpectedly light, as if it was empty.

"When did I finish this? Did I really eat it all?"

He muttered in frustration. Why did he put an empty ice cream tub back in the fridge? He scolded himself for not doing things properly.

Changshin paused his complaints and looked out of the window. The blazing sun made the asphalt road below shine brightly.

"Ah, I really don't want to go out."

"Is it delicious?"

Since school had ended, a middle school student passing by below was enjoying their ice cream. Seeing this, Changshin's thoughts turned back to ice cream.

"I should hurry and go get some."

Carrying his wallet, he headed towards the supermarket, dragging his feet in the scorching heat.

"It's so hot. I just need to buy ice cream and go back."

"Is Melona good, or Aitemna?"

Changshin pondered happily to distract himself from the heat.

"Swoosh."

Then, his vision gradually blurred.

"Mom, that man looks weird."

"Don't stare at people like that. What if he's dangerous?"

The bystanders' gazes began to gather on Changshin, finding his appearance intriguing.

"Why are they all looking at me? Does it really show that I didn't shower and came out?"

He absentmindedly stroked his unwashed hair.

"Ah, I accidentally got grease on it."

After wiping his hand on his pants, he tried to continue on his way, but then he noticed something strange about his hand.

"Why does my hand look like this?"

His hand seemed semi-transparent, and it was becoming more so.

"What the...?"

No matter how loudly he shouted, there was no one to help or answer. It wasn't like anyone would dare help a man turning transparent in the middle of the street.

"What the hell is going on?"

Changshin's voice grew fainter and eventually, his form disappeared entirely.

"Clap clap clap."

"Wow, it's like magic."

"It's even more amazing because it's slowly becoming transparent for the first time."

"Can you take a commemorative photo, Mr. Magician?"

However, no matter how much they called him, Changshin did not reappear.

"What... What is this place? I can't see anything."

No matter how he looked around, there was nothing to be seen. It was pure darkness.

"Is it because I can't see?"

He touched his eyes. The sensation was like touching something hard yet squishy, and he could feel the pressure against his eyeballs.

"But is there even a sense in eyeballs? Shouldn't they be dead?"

Changshin contemplated whether even the soul had sensation in the eyeballs.

"Well, if I move my hands, feet, shoulders, and head, my body seems fine."

"There's nothing to see here. What is this place? What is it, really?"

"What the hell, what is it?"

Anxiety and restlessness surged, and he began to break out in a cold sweat. He felt like he was going crazy.

"I can't just wander around aimlessly. There might be something ahead."

But he couldn't bring himself to walk blindly. He wished someone would explain the situation to him. But no one could answer. There was no one.

"The will of the world responds to you."

A beautiful voice echoed.

"The problem is, it literally shows me '????'."

"This is the Abyss, a place that can be considered a barrier between dimensions and dimensions."

"It's not like I know anything about the Abyss. Why am I here? Who are you? What's with the system window I've seen in webtoons? Ah, no, it's not that. What is the will of the world?"

"It is determined that a living being cannot enter the Abyss, an exception being recognized."

"What does that even mean? I came here because I wanted to. It hasn't even been a month since I discharged from the military, and I didn't want to come to a place like this."

"[...]"

"What? What are you saying?"

"Your departure is considered a mistake caused by the will of the world."

"Oh, so it's my mistake that I'm here? I don't want to die here."

"If you survive in the Abyss, may your wish be granted."

"Hello? Can you hear me? What are you saying? I don't need any abilities. Please send me home."

"I'd probably be interested in abilities on normal days, but not now..."

"Hello? Hello? Hello?"

"Damn it, where is this? I can't see anything. What am I supposed to do?"

"This is impossible to understand. I don't think even 20 minutes have passed, and yet this feels like the most unusual thing that has ever happened in my life."

"But I guess the world's will can't directly harm me. It just said so."

"However, even if I survive in the Abyss, there won't be much time difference even if I return. I can't directly harm the living being."

"So, I can't go back even if I survive here? Isn't there any way to break through the Abyss from the beginning?"

"I guess the world's will can't directly harm me."

"But it probably indirectly gave me various things. Well, this is just a hypothesis."

"But now, what should I do? I can't do anything with just not dying and getting stronger over time."

"Should I figure out what I need to do to get out of this situation?"

"Wriggle."

Then, as if not wanting to give him any more time to think, the Abyss started to approach him.

"But I can't even see where the Abyss is. What am I supposed to do?"

"The Abyss curses the subject."

"A curse? Where even is the Abyss? I can't see anything."

"The subject is cursed with the high-level curse of Cheonsu's face."

"To be continued..."

[END OF CHAPTER]