Chapter 3: Determination
The early morning mist hung in the air as Jae-Hyun moved through his routine, his breath visible in the crisp dawn light. The courtyard, always quiet at this hour, had become his sanctuary—a place where the world shrank to nothing but the sharpness of his movements and the clarity of his purpose. The slow, deliberate motion of his fists cutting through the cold air felt almost meditative, yet every strike carried the weight of a vow.
I will not be powerless again.
His body, though still young, was already beginning to reflect the results of his tireless training. Muscles defined far beyond what was expected of a boy his age, and his balance, reflexes, and speed surpassed even that of most grown men. The combat skills inherited from Daniel Park were still being fine-tuned, but the foundations had already been laid. Jae-Hyun could feel the latent power inside him growing stronger each day, and it wasn't just his body that was evolving—his mind was sharper than ever, driven by his innate hunger for knowledge and strategy.
While the other children played innocently around the orphanage grounds, Jae-Hyun remained on a different path. He couldn't afford to indulge in the simple joys of childhood, not when the world outside was rife with threats he knew all too well. He remembered the lessons of Castle, the betrayals, the webs of deceit, and the ruthless ambition that shaped its characters. Every morning as he trained, those thoughts echoed in his mind.
"15 years," he whispered to himself as he struck out again, his fist connecting with the wooden post he used as a makeshift target. "15 years before it all begins."
But it wasn't just the future that pressed on his mind—it was his legacy. The knowledge that his father, Choi Min-wook, the very villain from the manhwa, was out there, unaware of his existence, added a complex layer of urgency. His father had no idea that Jae-Hyun had survived the same night that claimed his mother. No idea that his son was alive, growing stronger each day, and preparing for a confrontation with a world that would be turned upside down.
In the stillness of the orphanage, Jae-Hyun could feel the weight of destiny resting on his small shoulders. Every action, every thought, and every plan was a thread in the intricate web he was weaving, one that would eventually entangle those who sought to use power for their own gain.
That evening, after the lights in the orphanage dimmed and the other children settled into bed, Jae-Hyun remained awake. His mind buzzed with plans, calculations, and scenarios. He opened his worn copy of The Prince, a book that had become almost a talisman for him. Machiavelli's words resonated deeply within him: "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."
He had come to understand that the world was not a place where kindness flourished. To protect himself, to build his empire, Jae-Hyun knew he would need to be ruthless. There would be no room for hesitation. The stakes were too high.
"I will be ready," he whispered into the stillness. "When the time comes, I will take control. No one will stand in my way."
The room around him remained silent, save for the soft sound of his breathing. In the dim light, his eyes gleamed with the cold determination of someone who had already begun to shape the future in his favor.
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There will be a time skip on the next chapter