One Year
One Year Later
I opened my eyes to the ceiling of my room and muttered in disappointment, *"Ah... I almost had him! If only my body would grow faster..."* No matter how intense my training was, my body remained childishly small and frail compared to his fully developed athletic frame and defined muscles.
I grabbed the small notebook beside my bed and reread the notes I'd written over the past year:
1. **He feels no pain.**
2. **He fears no death.**
3. **He relies on primitive fighting instincts—like a child with no skills.**
I picked up the pen and added with a shaky hand:
4. **Boundless endurance... or at least, immense stamina.**
I slammed the notebook shut and shoved it back into place. As I went through my morning routine, my hands trembled as if they still remembered last night's blows. In the kitchen, I found Ji-min sitting there, devouring her breakfast greedily. *"Slow as usual!"* she said, wiping jam off her cheek.
But her gaze soon drifted to the children outside heading to kindergarten. **"We're four now..."** I whispered to myself, watching her wide eyes follow them with longing. That normal world we'd been denied.
*"Come on!"* I suddenly grabbed her hand. *"We're going to Grandpa's garden today!"* I made up the destination on the spot, but my real goal was to steer her away from that scene. If only I could protect her even from these small moments...
---
**That Night – The White Room**
I was no longer that frightened child. After a year of daily training with Grandpa, after hundreds of nights of defeat, I stood in the white room knowing exactly what to do.
The faceless monster appeared as usual. But this time, I didn't run.
*"Come at me!"* I shouted, taking the *"Kraken"* stance Grandpa had taught me—one leg forward, arms raised like a hawk's wings.
When it charged, **I dodged swiftly**, as if my bones remembered every drill. A roundhouse kick aimed at its knee—the weakness I'd discovered three days ago.
**Crack!** It sounded like shattering glass. But the monster didn't fall. Its massive hand clamped onto my chest.
At the last second, I twisted my whole body as Grandpa had taught me and launched an uppercut straight at its chin.
The final **snap** was like a thunderclap. Its black body shattered into thousands of pieces, like broken glass.
I dropped to my knees, gasping for air. The black orb in the center of the room began glowing red.
*"No..."* I rubbed my eyes. *"This isn't the end."*
From the black pool emerged a humanoid figure—still faceless, but different this time: taller, more muscular, its body perfectly engineered for combat. I steadied myself, forcing down my terror: *"Don't panic, Ji-hoon. It's just a bigger lump of meat!"*
It lunged like lightning, throwing a punch at my nose. I barely dodged, then countered with a kick to its knee... but it stood unmoved, like a mountain.
Before I could recover, a devastating hook to my jaw sent my world spinning. I hit the ground, ears ringing, but smirked bitterly: *"How the hell am I supposed to kill this thing now?"*
It gave me no time to think. Blows rained down like hammers, each one feeling like it shattered bone. I fought to stay conscious, but darkness crept into my vision—until I felt nothing at all.
Then I woke up.
My body convulsed on the bed, as if electricity surged through my veins. No bruises, but the taste of blood lingered in my throat. *"Damn it..."* I rubbed my aching jaw. *"It evolved too."*
---
The day passed like any other, but evening brought an unexpected guest.
A woman with black hair and blue eyes—resembling my sister—stood at the door, looking to be in her thirties. Beside her was a five-year-old girl with chestnut hair and chocolate-brown eyes, and a tall, handsome man with brown hair and eyes.
My father glared at the woman. *"What the hell are you doing here?"*
She replied coldly, *"I'm not here for you."* She held up a paper. *"I have court approval to take my children."*
He snatched the document, scanned it, then sneered. *"It says you need Ji-min's consent first."*
She smirked. *"You really think they'd choose to stay with you?"*
My father scoffed. *"Whoever wants to go with her, go!"*
I looked at my little sister—her wide eyes shimmering with fear and hope. *"Go with her, Ji-min,"* I whispered.
She gasped. *"What about you?!"*
I squeezed her hand, forcing a hollow smile. *"I'll catch up later... I promise."*
But her tear-filled eyes understood the unspoken truth: *I could never leave.*
---
I glared at the woman claiming to be our mother. *"You... How dare you show up after all these years?"* I shook my head, nudging Ji-min behind me.
**Mother:** (coldly) *"Do you know how hard I fought for custody? Years in court..."*
**Ji-hoon:** (voice trembling) *"Your children? We're just case numbers to you! Where were you when he beat me bloody?"*
She stepped forward, blue eyes flashing. *"I was recovering from a suicide attempt after your father abandoned me with this monster!"* (points at Dad) *"But now—"*
**Father:** (slamming the table) *"Enough! I won't tolerate this pity party in my house!"*
The little girl tugged her mother's dress. *"Mama... I'm scared..."*
**Mother:** (softening) *"Don't worry, Nour. We'll leave soon."* Then, to me: *"Ji-hoon, I know you don't trust me. But look at your sister! Do you want her growing up in this hell?"*
**Ji-min:** (tears falling) *"Oppa... What if we go together?"*
I gripped her hand tightly. *"Listen. You'll take Ji-min only. Show me the full custody papers. And if you ever tell her you sacrificed me for her..."* (voice breaking) *"I'll find you."*
She pulled out a folder, hands shaking. *"Everything's here. You're too old for me to take without your consent."*
**Father:** (laughing bitterly) *"Congratulations. You inherited your mother's cunning, Ji-hoon."*
I packed Ji-min's bag, ignoring him, stuffing in her favorite doll and clothes. *"You'll be okay,"* I whispered as her mother waited at the door.