September 15, 2035
The news of a rogue awakened individual didn't just reach the ears of the Awakeners' Association and its president. It also spread to various powerful groups dominating this field of expertise. However, one question lingered: Who exactly was this young prodigy? An undisclosed awakened?
In a dimly lit alley near a convenience store, Jaehyun sat on the curb, his phone in hand. His clothes were soaked in blood, tattered, and still reeking of goblin entrails. Exhausted and trembling, he fought to control the silent panic attack surging through him.
"Five days," he muttered under his breath, his voice cracking. "Just five days since I arrived… and the entire world has changed."
The ecosystem was unrecognizable, and the internet was flooded with articles about monsters that began appearing back in 2020—fifteen years ago. According to what he read, portals had opened, linking Earth to other dimensions. These portals unleashed monsters upon humanity, giving rise to the birth of awakened individuals who could wield magical abilities to protect others.
But none of this should have happened. Not in his timeline. Something had shifted drastically. Jaehyun suspected that the Tower Incident, the catastrophic event he'd witnessed, might have been the catalyst.
He clenched his phone tighter, his knuckles turning white. The celestial selection that was supposed to occur three months from now loomed over him like a dark shadow. He had completed the first task—awakening the little fairy who now floated around him—but the future still seemed insurmountable.
Sensing his distress, the tiny fairy flew toward his face, nestling against his cheek. Her plump, cherubic cheeks brushed against him, and a faint giggle escaped her lips.
"Dada… dada…" she said in a slow, endearing tone, her small voice like a soothing balm to his frayed nerves.
Jaehyun couldn't help but smile, despite himself. Ever since she appeared, she'd clung to him like a kitten seeking warmth.
"You're too cute," he murmured, lightly patting her tiny head. "I need to protect you for life. What if you grow up too fast? What if you bring some guy home one day, calling him your boyfriend?"
His mind wandered, already spiraling into imaginary scenarios involving future suitors.
The fairy tilted her head curiously, clearly not understanding his words.
"Wait a second," Jaehyun said, his tone shifting. "I haven't even given you a name yet, have I?"
He studied her golden locks and bright eyes.
"You're like a little angel," he said, a gentle smile forming on his lips. "How about… Angelica?"
The fairy giggled, twirling in the air as if she loved the sound of it.
"Dada! Dada!" she chirped again, her tiny voice ringing with joy.
Suddenly, a small blue interface appeared before them, startling Jaehyun.
Congratulations!
You have successfully named your guide.
This action brings you closer to her.
As a reward, select one ability to bestow upon your guide:
Supreme Heal – Stage 1
Battle Hoard – Stage 1
Red String Synchronize – Stage 1
Jaehyun squinted at the screen. The names were straightforward enough. Supreme Heal likely granted advanced healing. Battle Hoard seemed to boost strength in combat. But the third option—Red String Synchronize—immediately caught his attention.
It must have something to do with the mysterious red strings that had saved him from near-death more than once. Those same strings had now taken the form of a blade, their power undeniable.
Jaehyun reached out, his determination unwavering as he gave the command.
"Bestow Red String Synchronize."
A crimson glow enveloped both Jaehyun and Angelica. From his chest, a red string emerged, weaving its way toward Angelica. At the same time, a white string sprouted from her heart, meeting his midway. The strings intertwined, glowing brightly as they symbolized their bond.
[Congratulations to the candidate for creating a true contract with your guide. Her life is now bound to yours.]
[Red String Synchronization has been achieved. The red strings of fate will now respond to your control in this world.]
Jaehyun watched in awe as the light faded, leaving behind a sense of connection he couldn't quite describe. He clenched his fist, summoning a thought. Instantly, the crimson strings transformed into a sharp, radiant sword, floating before him.
"This is insane!" Jaehyun laughed, lifting the blade. "Look, Angelica! Isn't this the coolest thing ever?"
"Dada!" Angelica squeaked, fluttering around excitedly as if sharing his enthusiasm.
Jaehyun swung the sword lightly, marveling at its weight—or lack thereof. "It's so light. I feel like I could take on the world with this!"
Just as he was getting used to the weapon, the doorbell rang, interrupting the moment.
Ring... Ringggg...
"Who the hell is that?" Jaehyun muttered, placing the sword down. He opened the door to find two men in black suits, complete with sunglasses and earpieces, standing on his doorstep.
"Uh… can I help you?" Jaehyun asked, already suspicious.
The man on the right handed him a sleek black card. "Sir, we are representatives of the Awakeners Association. This is your formal invitation. We've also arranged for your transportation."
Before Jaehyun could even process their words, they grabbed him by the arms and hoisted him up effortlessly.
"Hey, hey! What the—put me down!" Jaehyun yelled, struggling in their iron grip.
Angelica buzzed around in distress, chirping, "Dada! Dada!"
The men ignored his protests, carrying him out of his apartment like a sack of rice. Jaehyun's neighbors peeked through their windows, clearly amused at the scene unfolding.
"You're embarrassing me in front of my neighbors! Let me go!"
The men didn't respond. Instead, they carried him to a sleek black SUV parked below, depositing him unceremoniously into the back seat. Angelica flitted in after him, hovering anxiously by his side.
The ride was smooth but silent, and Jaehyun's anger only simmered as they reached the towering building that housed the Awakeners Association. He barely had time to adjust himself before the men pulled him out of the car, once again carrying him like luggage.
"Are you kidding me?!" Jaehyun shouted. "I can walk, you know!"
Angelica flew close, patting his cheek with her tiny hand. "Dada…"
Finally, they arrived at an enormous office, the kind that screamed authority. Jaehyun's messy hair and disheveled appearance stood in sharp contrast to the room's pristine elegance. His patience had run out.
"Alright, that's enough!" he snapped, shaking himself free from their grasp. He pointed at the men, his voice rising. "What gives you the right to just grab people out of their homes like that? Do you think being the Awakeners Association makes you untouchable?!"
He straightened his shirt and glared at the nearest suit. "You better start talking, or I'm leaving right now!"
Angelica perched on his shoulder, tugging at his ear. "Dada, dada!"
"I know, Angelica," Jaehyun muttered, his tone softening slightly as he addressed her. "But these guys need to explain themselves."
The room was silent for a moment before the door at the far end opened, revealing a figure who exuded authority. Jaehyun's eyes narrowed.
Jaehyun muttered, "Finally," under his breath as the door opened, revealing an imposing old man with a thick white mustache, a scar running across his cheek, and a muscular build reminiscent of a seasoned bodybuilder.
Jaehyun's thoughts spiraled. "What is this, a mountain disguised as a man?"
"Who are you? And who gave you the right to drag me here?" Jaehyun demanded, his eyes burning with frustration as he avoided looking back at the men who had hauled him here.
The old man, who seemed unfazed by Jaehyun's outburst, raised a hand to dismiss the guards. He took a seat directly in front of Jaehyun, his presence commanding yet strangely calm.
"Mr. Jaehyun," the old man began, his voice deep and resonant, laced with an aura of authority. "My apologies for the trouble we caused, but there are reasons—important reasons—for this meeting." He bowed his head slightly, a surprising gesture from someone who clearly held a position of power.
Jaehyun's anger simmered but didn't extinguish entirely. The sincerity in the old man's eyes was disarming. With a sigh, Jaehyun relented, crossing his arms. "Alright, then. Explain ?"
The man nodded and began his story.
"Fifteen years ago, the world as we knew it changed forever. On September 14, 2020, massive portals began appearing across the globe. At first, they were just anomalies—strange, swirling vortexes of light. But soon, humanity realized the terror these portals brought with them. From these rifts came dragons, orcs, and countless other monstrous beings. Their numbers were overwhelming, far beyond what our military forces could handle."
He paused, his gaze steady on Jaehyun.
"Entire cities were wiped off the map. Countries exhausted their resources, deploying every weapon they had to stem the tide of destruction, but it wasn't enough. Just when humanity teetered on the brink of annihilation, something miraculous happened. Lights began to shine in certain individuals—ordinary people who suddenly manifested extraordinary powers. These were the first Awakeners."
Jaehyun frowned but listened intently, his earlier irritation giving way to curiosity.
"With their newfound abilities, these Awakeners turned the tide. They fought back the monsters and even ventured into the portals themselves. They discovered resources and materials unlike anything on Earth. The first scientist to harness these materials was Kim Jihoon, who developed medicines that cured diseases once thought incurable. Over time, these resources revolutionized every field, from medicine to technology."
The old man's tone darkened. "But with power comes greed. Some Awakeners sought to create their own empires, forming organizations called guilds. These guilds competed for resources, influence, and control, threatening the fragile balance of the world. To maintain order, governments formed the Awakeners Association. We monitor and recruit Awakeners, ensuring their powers are used to protect humanity, not destroy it."
Jaehyun tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "So, where do I come in?"
The man leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Every day, new portals appear, and with them, new dangers. We know you've awakened to a rare ability. We don't know its full extent, but it's powerful enough that it cannot be ignored. We're asking you to join the Association. With your help, we can protect humanity from what lies beyond those portals."
The room fell into silence.
Jaehyun's mind raced. The weight of the past few days already pressed heavily on him, and now this—a world filled with portals, monsters, and the responsibility to protect humanity? It was almost too much to process.
The old man extended his hand. "What do you say, Jaehyun? Will you stand with us?"
Jaehyun stared at the outstretched hand, hesitating. He wasn't one to take on responsibilities lightly, especially ones as monumental as this. But deep down, something stirred—a strange, innate feeling, as if destiny itself was urging him forward.
With a sigh, he reached out and clasped the man's hand.
"I'll help. But don't think I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I have my reasons."
The old man smiled, a rare expression that softened his otherwise stern features. "That's all we ask, Mr. Jaehyun. Welcome to the Association."
Angelica, still perched on Jaehyun's shoulder, clapped her tiny hands. "Dada! Dada!"
Jaehyun smirked, ruffling her hair gently. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get too excited, Angelica. I have a feeling this is just the beginning."
The day had been nothing short of chaos. Dragged to the Association against his will, Jaehyun had no choice but to endure the grueling registration process that stretched for hours. Bureaucratic forms, endless waiting, and invasive procedures drained whatever patience he had left.
As if that weren't enough, the final task of the day was a power assessment. Under the scrutinizing eyes of the evaluators, Jaehyun underwent a series of tests. The result? An overall rank of D. It wasn't extraordinary, but it wasn't the worst either. A rank D Awakener meant he was capable of handling missions in dungeons categorized as D-rank or below. Still, the label felt underwhelming after all the trouble he'd been through.
By the time he reached his small, dimly lit apartment, exhaustion clung to him like a second skin. Kicking off his shoes, he stumbled inside, leaving a trail of discarded clothing in his wake until he was left in nothing but his pajamas.
Without so much as glancing at the kitchen or even considering dinner, Jaehyun collapsed onto his bed.
"What a hectic day," he muttered, his voice muffled against the pillow. His body ached, his mind felt fried, and the overwhelming events had drained his spirit.
As his eyes fluttered shut, sleep claimed him in an instant, a comforting escape from the whirlwind of the day.
"I hope tomorrow's better," he murmured softly before drifting into the deep abyss of slumber.