Chapter 9 - The Hidden Message
Present Day
The cold wind brushed across Ji Han's face as he sat alone under the empty sky.
It was quiet now. The last test was over. Training was also over. Most students had already gone back to the dorms.
But Ji Han couldn't move.
His system had been acting strange since last night. The connection with Ha Neul was getting stronger ever since the test ended.
Sometimes, it pulsed even when they were far apart. And earlier, during training, when Ji Han got cut by accident—
Ha Neul had winced.
As if he had felt it too.
That wasn't normal.
And Ji Han hated not knowing.
He pulled up his system window again, the bright light glowing softly in front of his eyes.
[Emotion System: Online]
Level: Classified
Main Ability: Emotion Absorption
Status: Stable]
It looked the same as always…
But something was off.
Ever since the last test where a creature from the rift entered the arena and they defeated it together.
Ji Han narrowed his eyes.
There, in the bottom corner—tiny text. Barely visible. It wasn't there before.
He tapped it.
The screen flickered. Glitched. Then—
A new window opened.
[Hidden Protocol Detected]
[Emotion Core Sync: Incomplete]
[WARNING: Bond Detected – Subject ID: System Mirror]
"System Mirror? Sync? T-this is...it's the same as when we first met..."
Ji Han's heart stopped.
Ha Neul.
His system had recorded the bond.
Not just as a side effect—but as a part of the core.
He kept reading.
[If Sync Continues, Emotional Feedback Will Begin.]
[Side Effects: Shared Memories | Shared Pain | Risk of Identity Merge]
"What…?Why now..."
He stared at the words. The wind howled louder now, as if the world was reacting to the truth being uncovered.
Ji Han's mind was racing.
So that strange feeling lately… the way Ha Neul looked at him like he knew something… the way their systems pulsed at the same time…
"So that's what it is...why he said he understands me.. because he felt it too."Ji Han whispered under his breath.
It wasn't a mistake.
It wasn't small.
It was dangerous.
His system was built to absorb, but if Ha Neul kept copying him, if the bond grew stronger—then they wouldn't just feel each other's emotions.
They'd start sharing them.
Their pain.
Their past.
Their identities.
He stepped back, hands shaking.
He never wanted this.
He never wanted anyone that close.
But now…
He remembered Ha Neul's calm face. The way he quietly stayed beside him. The way he never looked at Ji Han like he was a monster.
And Ji Han's chest ached.
Because even though it scared him—
A part of him didn't want to let go.
---
Back in the dorm room, Ji Han stared at the ceiling in the dark.
He couldn't sleep.
His system window stayed closed, but the warning stayed in his mind.
Shared memories…
What did that mean? Would Ha Neul start seeing Ji Han's past?
His nightmares?
His pain?
The nights alone in Zone 3, the chaos, the time his system first awakened and nearly tore him apart?
Ji Han pressed his hand against his chest.
He didn't want Ha Neul to carry those things.
But how could he stop it?
How could he protect him… from himself?
Just then, his phone buzzed.
A message from Ha Neul.
"Can't sleep. System feels weird tonight."
"Are you okay?"
Ji Han stared at the screen.
For a long time, he didn't type anything.
Then finally, he replied.
"I think our systems are doing something. Be careful."
"If anything strange happens, tell me right away."
Ha Neul replied quickly.
"I already know it's strange."
"But I'm not afraid of it."
"And I'm not afraid of you."
Ji Han stared at those last words.
Not afraid of you.
His fingers trembled slightly.
For the first time in a long time, Ji Han felt something warm inside his chest.
And that scared him even more than the system warning.
Because he knew…
If this bond kept growing—he wouldn't be able to push Ha Neul away anymore.