The wind howled through the trees, carrying with it a sense of foreboding. Min Joon's footsteps echoed in the dense, damp forest, each step a reminder of the strange, unfamiliar world he now found himself in. He had no clear direction, no clear purpose—but one thing was certain: the longer he stayed away from his family's estate, the more difficult it would be to control his fate. Cale's fate.
But the question weighed heavily on his mind—could he really escape it? Was he strong enough to forge a new path?
As he walked, his thoughts spiraled, the chilling uncertainty eating away at him. He had no allies, no one who would help him. Not in this world. Even though he knew the future, he had no idea how to change it. The story had already been written. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to be Cale.
["You are in control of your fate, host. But every choice has its price."]
Min Joon froze, the voice cutting through his thoughts like a blade. He recognized the voice—the system. He had been hoping to avoid it, but there it was again, speaking to him as though it had been waiting for the right moment.
"Price?" Min Joon muttered aloud. He glanced around nervously, as if the voice might be coming from the trees themselves.
["The path you choose will shape your future. But the more you defy the story's course, the more resistance you will face."]
Min Joon clenched his fists, frustration bubbling up inside him. "I don't want to be Cale. I don't want to be the villain."
["Your desires are noted. However, as the host, you must understand that the world you now inhabit does not bend easily. The villain's role is a part of the story's fabric. To break free from it, you will need power—power that may come at a cost."]
Power. It was the one thing he had no grasp of. Not in this world, not as Cale. He had read all the stories, admired the heroes, and rooted for Arthur, the protagonist who would rise up and defeat the very villain he was now becoming. But how could he expect to defy the role the world had cast for him if he had no power of his own?
Min Joon's gaze fell to his hands. They were still small and delicate, the hands of a child. But somewhere deep inside, something stirred—something that felt... dangerous.
["The choice is yours. Choose your path, and I will assist."]
Min Joon sucked in a breath, hearing the system's cold promise. He had to do something. If he stayed passive, this world would swallow him whole, and he would fall into the same traps that Cale had. He couldn't let that happen.
With that, Min Joon turned abruptly, his feet crunching against the forest floor as he moved in a new direction. His instincts screamed at him, but his gut told him it was the right way. He didn't know where he was headed, but somewhere in the distance, there was something—someone—who could help him.
Hours passed as the sky darkened, and the forest grew quieter. Min Joon's legs ached, and the weight of uncertainty pressed down on him, but he kept going. The world was changing around him—his mind sharpened with each passing moment, as if something was slowly waking up within him.
He had just reached the edge of a clearing when a figure appeared in the distance. At first, he thought it was a figment of his imagination—until the figure moved closer, and he saw the unmistakable glint of armor.
"Who's there?" a gruff voice called out. It was sharp, commanding, but there was something hesitant in the tone.
Min Joon's heart skipped a beat. Could this be...?
He stepped forward into the clearing, and the figure came into full view: a tall man, clad in dark, worn armor, his face shadowed by a hood. His eyes, however, were unmistakable—bright, intelligent, and far too aware.
"Who are you?" Min Joon asked, trying to sound confident. He wasn't sure why he felt an instant connection to this man. But something about him seemed... familiar.
The man studied Min Joon for a moment before he spoke again, his voice lower, more cautious this time. "I could ask you the same thing, boy. You're not from around here, are you?"
Min Joon narrowed his eyes, a spark of recognition igniting in his chest. This man… He was a mercenary. A soldier for hire with a hidden agenda, someone who would play a pivotal role in the story. A figure who had crossed paths with Cale during the earliest chapters.
But this wasn't the same person he had read about. The man before him was different, not quite the same ruthless mercenary he remembered from the novel. His face was set with distrust, yet something in his eyes seemed torn, as if he were struggling with an inner conflict.
"I'm not," Min Joon said carefully. "I'm… looking for answers."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Answers? In this place? You're better off looking elsewhere, boy. There's only one answer in these parts: survive, or die."
Min Joon hesitated, wondering if this man would be a threat, or if he could actually be an ally. The man had an air of danger about him, but there was something else too—something more human than the mercenaries Min Joon had read about. He couldn't place it, but he knew he needed this man's help.
"You're not from around here either," Min Joon said, his voice steady despite the unease gnawing at him. "I can tell. But you seem... experienced. Someone who knows this world."
The mercenary studied him for a long moment, the tension in the air thick as smoke. Finally, he nodded. "I've been around. Seen things most men don't live long enough to talk about. But answers? If you want answers, you'll have to earn them."
"Earn them?" Min Joon echoed, curiosity piqued. "How?"
The man's lips curled into a wry smile. "Help me with a job. Do that, and I'll tell you everything you want to know. But be warned—this job doesn't come without risks. There's a price for everything in this world."
Min Joon's heart raced. A job? What could this mercenary need him for? And what would it cost him?
Before he could voice his thoughts, the system's voice crackled in his mind.
["You have encountered a potential ally. Completing the task may unlock new abilities. But remember, all actions have consequences."]
Min Joon felt a chill crawl down his spine. He had no idea what this "job" entailed, but it was clear that if he wanted to carve out his own fate, he had no choice but to take the risk.
"Alright," Min Joon said, his voice firm despite the storm of uncertainty inside. "I'll help. What's the job?"
The mercenary's grin widened. "Good. Follow me,"