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

Class:???

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 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.

" I am Baek Jung."

Kai didn't lower his dagger. "And what you want from me?"

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 react, 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,Kid."

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."

When his vision adjusted, he realized he was tied to a chair in a dimly lit, abandoned building. Rusted metal beams stretched overhead, and broken windows let in slivers of moonlight. He struggled against the tight ropes binding his wrists, but they wouldn't budge.

A voice echoed from the shadows.

"You're awake."

Kai snapped his head up. Baek Jung stepped forward, his expression unreadable. His sharp eyes gleamed as he observed Kai carefully.

Kai scowled. "Why me?"

Baek crossed his arms. "That's what I want to know."

His gaze sharpened. "The power around you… or rather, the lack of it—why don't you have one?"

Kai frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Baek exhaled and lifted his palm. A flickering flame ignited, casting eerie shadows across the walls.

"This…" he said, letting the fire dance between his fingers. "This is the source of the Awakened—our magic, our energy, the very essence that allows us to surpass human limits."

Kai's eyes narrowed as he watched the fire disappear with a flick of Baek's wrist.

Baek took a step closer. "All Awakened bodies generate this energy naturally—whether it's fire, wind, lightning, or something else." He extended his arm, letting a red aura swirl around him. "It's like a second heart pumping power through us."

Then he pointed at Kai.

"But you the system cant even detect you awakend yet you posses those nothing of colour… you have nothing."

Kai tensed.

Baek continued. "You don't generate any energy, yet you use elemental skills. When you used that stone arrow… your aura reacted—but only for a second. Then it faded, like a flickering light."

Kai remained silent, processing the words.

Before he could speak, Baek suddenly turned his head toward the broken window.

His expression darkened.

"…We need to move. Now."

Kai snapped out of his thoughts. "Where?"

Baek pulled out a small knife and sliced through the ropes binding Kai's wrists.

"A horde is coming."

Just as he said that—

DING!

A System Notification flashed before Kai's eyes.

[Warning: Monster Horde Approaching]

[Prepare for Battle]

Baek smirked. "Come on, kid. Let's see if you're worth keeping alive."

The moment they stepped outside, the air grew heavy.

Dozens of glowing eyes peered at them from the ruined streets. Beast Wolves. Their muscular bodies rippled under the moonlight, their claws scraping against the cracked pavement. Their deep growls echoed, a warning of what was to come.

Kai's breath hitched as he scanned the enemies.

[Monster Identified: Beast Wolf]

[Rank: D]

Most of them were D-Rank, strong but manageable. But then—

A new window flashed before his eyes.

[Warning: Pack Leader Detected]

[Rank: B]

Kai's eyes widened.

At the center of the pack, one wolf stood larger than the rest—a towering beast with jet-black fur and piercing golden eyes. Unlike the others, its aura was suffocating. It took a slow, calculated step forward, its gaze locking onto them.

Kai's fingers twitched. A Rank-B enemy… this was bad.

Baek, however, stepped forward without hesitation. Flames flickered in his hand, illuminating his confident smirk.

"Don't slow me down, kid."

Kai glanced at him, gripping his dagger tighter.

"I'm not."

The Pack Leader let out a deep, guttural growl, and in an instant—chaos erupted.

The D-Rank wolves lunged first, their claws slashing through the air.

Kai dodged. He twisted his body, barely avoiding a swipe aimed at his throat. With a sharp pivot, he drove his dagger into a wolf's side, feeling the blade sink into flesh. The beast howled in pain before collapsing.

But there was no time to celebrate.

Another wolf came from the side—too fast to dodge!

BOOM!

A pillar of fire exploded beside him, incinerating the beast mid-leap. Kai turned to see Baek, his hand still raised, eyes burning with excitement.

"Keep up, kid."

Kai clicked his tongue. He didn't need to be told.

He sprinted forward, weaving between the attacking wolves. His dagger slashed left and right, cutting through fur and flesh. Each time, the System Window flashed—

[Beast Wolf Defeated]

[EXP Gained]

But then—a deep, rumbling growl sent shivers down his spine.

Kai's body tensed.

The Pack Leader stepped forward.

Its golden eyes locked onto Kai, and in the next instant—it vanished.

What?!

A blur of black fur appeared above him.

Kai's instincts screamed. He raised his dagger—too slow!

CRASH!

A massive force slammed into him, sending him flying backward. His body crashed through a rusted car, pain exploding through his ribs.

Damn it…!

The wolf didn't stop. It was already charging toward him again—too fast to react.

Then—

FWOOOSH!

A massive wave of fire engulfed the Pack Leader, forcing it to leap back. Baek stepped forward, his hands still ablaze, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You're not dying on me yet, kid."

Kai gritted his teeth and pushed himself up, blood dripping from his lip.

His grip tightened on his dagger.

He wasn't done yet.

The Pack Leader howled, its voice echoing through the ruins.

Every remaining wolf lunged at once.

Kai gritted his teeth, gripping his dagger tighter. He could take down a few, but this many?

Then—

FWOOSH!

A wall of fire erupted, cutting through the battlefield like a blazing barricade.

leaving the Beast Wolf Leader behind.

Kai turned to see Baek walking forward, flames flickering in his hands.

The Pack Leader snarled, its golden eyes filled with rage. It leaped, aiming straight for Baek—its fangs bared, claws extended.

Baek didn't move. Instead—he raised his hand.

[INCENERATE]

FWOOOOOOOOSH!

A massive wave of fire burst forth, engulfing the Pack Leader in an instant.

The beast let out a piercing scream as its fur burned away, its body reduced to nothing but ash.

Kai's eyes widened. That was… insane.

Baek turned to him, smirking.

BOOM!

Before Kai could speak, several wolves lunged at Baek from behind.

Too many!

Kai reacted without thinking.

He slammed his hand onto the ground. Mana surged through his body.

[Earth Creation]

CRACK!

A massive stone spike shot from the ground, impaling the wolves mid-air. Their bodies twitched before falling limp.

Baek glanced at the scene, his eyes narrowing in surprise.

"Not bad, kid."

Kai smirked, catching his breath. "Told you—I'm not slowing down."

Baek chuckled, then extended his hand.

"Get up, kid. We need to get out of here."

Kai took his hand and nodded.

Out of nowhere, the sound of whirring blades filled the air.

Kai snapped his head up—a helicopter hovered above them, kicking up dust and debris.

His grip on his dagger tightened. "What now?"

He turned to Baek—but the moment he did—

THWACK!

A sharp strike hit Kai's neck.

His vision blurred instantly.

"Baek—?!"

Before he could react, his body collapsed.

Baek caught him before he hit the ground, effortlessly hoisting him over his shoulder.

He turned to the waiting helicopter, walking toward it without hesitation.

The pilot, clad in black gear, gave a firm nod.

Baek stepped inside, placing Kai onto a seat.

"We're leaving."

The pilot didn't question it. "Understood."

The helicopter doors closed.

The blades spun faster—and within seconds, they lifted off into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

Chapter End.