Chapter 8: The Two S Ranks From Korea.

Seojun paced back and forth across the small living room, his socks making soft squeaks against the polished wood floor. The tension in his body was impossible to hide.

He glanced nervously at the front door, then back at the drooling bundle nestled in her rocker. His baby sister, Mina, let out a happy gurgle, kicking her tiny feet in the air as if the world outside wasn't tearing itself apart.

"Okay, okay… think, Seojun," he muttered, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Mom and Dad are out there. Gates appeared. Monsters too. And I'm nine. Nine!."

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked around helplessly. Every instinct told him to go outside and search for them—but he couldn't just leave Mina here alone. Not when things were this insane.

Then, the TV flickered—static buzzed for a second before the screen cut to an emergency broadcast. A stiff-looking anchor stared at the camera, voice tight with urgency.

"Reports are coming in from across the globe. People are awakening—gaining supernatural abilities. A man in Brazil turned into living flame, while a woman in Japan reportedly lifted a city bus with her mind…"

Seojun's eyes widened. "No way. People are getting powers now?"

Right on cue, a calm, mechanical voice echoed in his head.

[Host. It appears humanity has been exposed to mana.]

Seojun blinked. "Yo, System. Long time no talk."

[Greetings, Host. Situation: abnormal mana influx. Evolution of human physiology underway.]

Seojun let out a low whistle. "You think my parents will awaken too?"

[Current estimation: 79.34% probability for both parents developing Awakened traits.]

He tilted his head, frowning. "Huh… That's not as high as I'd like. Can't you round that up to, like, a confident 95% for emotional support?"

[I am not a gambling app, Host.]

"Worth a shot."

Just then, Mina babbled loudly. Her lips formed something suspiciously like "Juuun" as she flailed her arms.

Seojun chuckled, crouching beside her rocker. "Don't worry, mini-Mina. Big bro's on watch duty."

Night crept in, shadows stretching long across the walls. The ticking clock on the wall grew louder with every passing minute. The silence was unbearable.

Then, the front door creaked—slow, then faster—before flinging open.

"Seojun!" a voice cried out.

His mom, Choi Yuna, stumbled inside, hair windswept, her eyes frantic—until they landed on her kids.

Without hesitation, she dropped to her knees and hugged them both, her arms trembling.

"Oh, thank heavens—you're safe," she breathed, her voice cracking.

Seojun hugged her back tightly, then pulled away trying to lighten the mood. "Mina's been throwing a rager. I had to be the bouncer."

Yuna laughed weakly, brushing hair from Seojun's forehead as she checked him over. "I tried calling your dad, but the networks are jammed. He said he'd be back before dark…"

Seojun's heart sank again.

He whispered in his mind, "System… weren't the monsters supposed to stay inside the gates? Why are they roaming around like it's a grocery run?"

[Some gates were concealed by certain governments. Unregulated, these gates destabilized, leading to external leakage. Host should prepare for potential escalation.]

"Of course. Classic," Seojun muttered. "So… you're saying he might still be okay?"

[Correct. Initial breach levels are minimal. Survival probability is within acceptable range.]

The door creaked again. Heavy footsteps echoed down the hall.

Yuna spun around. "Minho?!"

Choi Minho stepped in, his figure framed by the hallway light. His clothes were torn, dust clinging to him. Faint sparks danced across his fingers and arms, crackling softly.

"Sorry I'm late," he said with a tired grin. "I, uh… might've awakened."

Seojun's eyes went wide. "No way! Seriously?!"

Minho raised his hand—and a streak of lightning sparked from his palm. "Turns out I'm a lightning type."

Seojun let out a grin, his earlier tension melting into excitement.

Minho laughed, pulling his family into a hug.

---

Year: 2014

The world had changed.

Gates now scarred the land, unpredictable and dangerous. But humanity adapted fast—hunters, awakeners, guilds, and the formation of a global defense system emerged almost overnight.

Inside their new apartment, Seojun—now ten years old—watched his father spar against a dummy charged with mana. The room was reinforced, specially built to handle the power of an S-rank Awakened.

Bolts of electricity crackled through the air as Choi Minho unleashed another barrage.

Mina, now a bubbly two-year-old, squealed with delight from her playmat. "Zzzzap! Daaaddy zappin'!" she clapped, mimicking the electric sounds with her mouth.

They'd moved far from their cramped apartment to a safer, more secure building. Yuna, ever the protector, stayed vigilant. But at least now, they could breathe a little easier.

Minho had been officially recognized as an S-rank Awakened, placing him among Korea's elite. Alongside Go Gunhee—another S-rank who went on to form the Hunters Association—Minho co-founded the Covenant Guild, now one of Korea's most promising factions.

Seojun stood by the side, arms crossed, watching his father. He couldn't help but smirk.

---

Send Powerstones...

I'm gonna add a massive timeskip soon

But not now.