Chapter 6:Baek Jung

Kai sat on the ruined pavement, his breath still heavy from the battle. He opened his System Window, checking his status.

[Status Window]

Name: Kai

Rank: E

Strength: 15 → 18

Agility: 17 → 20

Intelligence:12 → 15

Endurance: 14 → 16

- [Item Acquired: Monster's Heart (Rank C)]– A rare energy source that can enhance abilities or be sold for a high price.

As he closed the System Window, a strange feeling washed over him.

He wasn't alone.

A shadowy figure walk a few feet ahead of him, emerging from the dust and rubble. Kai's eyes widened—there had been no System Warning, no alert of his presence. How was that possible?

Kai instinctively activated Quick Step, leaping back while pulling out his Beast Fang Dagger. His body tensed as he pointed the blade toward the figure.

"Who are you?" Kai demanded.

The man remained silent. Then suddenly—

[Warning: A Horde of Monsters Approaching]

Kai turned his gaze briefly. From the ruined city streets, a swarm of giant bee-like monsters emerged, their buzzing filling the air with a menacing hum. Their bodies were covered in sharp spikes, their wings vibrating rapidly as they rushed toward them.

Kai gritted his teeth and turned back to the mysterious figure, only to witness something shocking.

The man raised his hand, and an ocean of flames erupted from his palm, engulfing the entire swarm in an instant. The fire spread like a wave, consuming the creatures in mid-air, reducing them to ashes before they could even reach them.

Kai's body stiffened. That power—this man was also an Awakened.

The man finally spoke, his voice calm yet powerful.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Baek Jung."

Kai didn't lower his dagger. "And why are you here?"

Baek Jung smirked. "I came with an offer."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "An offer?"

Baek's expression remained unreadable. "The world is changing. Chaos is spreading. Power will decide who survives. I seek strong individuals to join me."

Kai clenched his fists. "So, you're just another power-hungry bastard trying to conquer the world?"

Baek chuckled. "No. I don't seek control. I seek balance. But to establish balance, we need power."

Kai scoffed. "I don't care about your vision. I work alone. Take your offer and leave."

Baek sighed. "A shame. But I expected that answer."

In the next instant, he vanished.

Kai's instincts screamed, and he barely had time to react before a fist came at him with extreme speed. He raised his dagger to block—

CRACK!

His dagger shattered.

Kai's eyes widened. What…?

Baek reappeared behind him, his speed overwhelming. Before Kai could activate Quick Step, Baek delivered a swift kick to his side.

BOOM!

Kai's body shot through the air, slamming into the ground, creating a thick fog of dust and debris. His ribs burned from the impact, pain spreading through his body.

Baek casually stepped forward. "You're talented, but not enough."

Kai gritted his teeth. He wasn't done yet.

As Baek walked into the fog, a massive stone wall rose behind him, cutting off his escape.

Kai stood within the dust cloud, his hand forming a massive stone arrow. His mana was almost gone, but he had one shot.

"Take this!"

He fired the projectile straight at Baek.

But—

CRACK!

Baek punched the boulder, shattering it effortlessly.

Kai's eyes widened in shock. What kind of power is this?!

Before he could react, Baek was already in front of him.

Kai rushed forward, gripping his backup dagger, aiming for Baek's neck.

But Baek was faster.

In a blur, Baek struck Kai's neck with a precise chop.

Kai's vision darkened. His body collapsed.

As the world faded, he heard Baek's voice.

"Such potential. You'll be useful."

Baek pulled out a walkie-talkie.

"This is Baek. The target is secured. Send the helicopter. We're leaving Seoul."

The distant sound of rotor blades echoed through the sky as a black helicopter approached.

The last thing Kai saw before everything faded to black—

They were leaving Seoul.

Kai's eyes slowly opened to dim light. His body felt heavy, his head throbbing with a dull ache. As his vision adjusted, he realized he was sitting in a chair, arms and legs bound by thick restraints. The air smelled of antiseptic and damp earth. He was in a tent—sturdy, military-grade, with metal poles supporting the canvas walls. A faint hum of voices and footsteps outside told him this wasn't an isolated place.

His mind immediately sharpened. Where am I? The last thing he remembered was fighting Baek Jung—and losing. His jaw tightened at the thought.

Before he could piece together more, the tent flap rustled, and a woman stepped inside. She was tall, with shoulder-length blonde hair and sharp blue eyes—likely American. Her white coat and stethoscope hinted at her role. A doctor.

She blinked in surprise. "Oh, you're awake, kid."

Kai ignored the strange familiarity in her voice. His throat was dry, but he forced himself to speak.

"Where is this?" His tone was calm, but his body tensed.

Before the woman could answer, the tent flap opened again. Heavy footsteps followed.

Baek Jung.

The man entered, still wearing the same black combat gear as before, his expression unreadable. The doctor—Sofia, if he'd heard right—sighed. "Looks like my time's up." She gave Kai one last glance before walking past Baek. "Try not to break him," she muttered before leaving.

Baek sat down on the chair in front of the table, casual but composed. "You ask where this is? Relax, kid. You're in Daejeon."

Kai's brows furrowed. Daejeon. That meant… they had taken him about 140 kilometers south of Seoul.

Baek continued, tapping the wooden table. "This area is still clear of monsters. For now. We've set up a stronghold here, and it's one of the few places left where people can still breathe without fear."

Kai's expression remained unreadable, but inside, he was absorbing every word.

Baek then reached into his bag and pulled out a folded map of South Korea. He spread it across the table, his finger tracing several marked locations. Some areas were circled in red.

"These," Baek said, "are the Infected Zones. Seoul, Icheon, Busan… and a few more. They're overrun with monsters, categorized as Rank B danger zones. That means even the military barely stands a chance there."

Kai's stomach tightened. Seoul is gone.He had seen it firsthand, but hearing it confirmed like this made it all the more real. The world he knew had collapsed overnight.

Baek leaned back. "You probably already figured out what I want from you."

Kai's eyes flickered toward him. "Why me?"

Baek smirked. "Because people like us—the awakened—are the only ones who stand a chance in this new world."

Kai didn't answer right away, but he understood. The system had given him power, just like it had given Baek and others. But power alone wasn't enough. Some would use it to protect, others to take.

Baek's expression turned serious. "We're gathering survivors, but not everyone has good intentions. Some awakened have already gone rogue, hunting people instead of monsters."

Kai's hands clenched slightly. He had seen it already—the way people turned on each other at the first sign of chaos.

Baek stood up. "Come. If you're ready, let's go to the Head Room."

Kai tested the restraints on his wrists. He still had his dagger. With a small twist of his wrist, the blade sliced through the rope. He stood up, feeling the stiffness in his limbs from being restrained for too long.

Baek watched but didn't react. Maybe he expected it.

They stepped out of the tent, and Kai immediately took in the surroundings.

The stronghold wasn't a military base, but it was well-organized. Doctors, including Sofia, were tending to wounded civilians. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter. A few trucks were parked nearby, loaded with supplies. People moved in an orderly manner—some cooking, some fixing weapons, others simply sitting, exhausted but alive.

Kai's sharp eyes scanned the faces. Survivors, yes. But not just ordinary people. His instincts told him that some of them were awakened.

His suspicion was confirmed when the system flickered a faint warning—something it only did when a high-ranking presence was nearby.

Baek didn't give him time to linger. "Let's go," he said, leading him toward a large tent at the center of the camp—the Head Room.

As they approached, Kai could hear muffled voices inside. Laughter, hushed whispers. A gathering of awakened.

The moment he stepped inside, several gazes locked onto him. Some were indifferent, others curious.

Kai ignored them. He had no interest in making allies.

But then—from the corner of the room—someone stared at him.

A girl, seated at a table with her friend, eyes wide in disbelief.

She whispered something under her breath.

"…Is that Kai?"