"Congratulations, Seo Jun Xin! Senior Analyst at last!"
Jun Xin turned around to see his colleague, Min Su, walking toward him with an excited grin. She held a cup of coffee in one hand and gestured toward the large conference room where the company was hosting a celebration. "Senior Analyst, huh? You've been working so hard for this!"
Jun Xin gave a polite smile, though his heart wasn't as light as Min Su's tone. "Thank you, Min Su. It's been a long time coming."
"Long time? You're one of the youngest to ever reach this position in the company! Don't be so humble," Min Su said, nudging him playfully. "Come on, the CEO's going to make the announcement soon. You better be front and center."
The office was buzzing with excitement. Colleagues gathered in small groups, laughing and chatting about the upcoming event. Jun Xin's promotion had been the worst-kept secret of the week. As one of the top analysts in the company, he had consistently outperformed his peers, earning a reputation for his sharp mind and ability to solve problems no one else could. Yet, despite his professional achievements, there was a hollow feeling in his chest—a weight he carried silently.
As the crowd filed into the conference room, Jun Xin followed. The room was decorated with banners and balloons. A long table at the front held drinks and snacks, but all eyes were on the stage where the CEO, Mr. Kang, stood with a microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today," Mr. Kang began, his voice commanding yet warm. "We are here to celebrate not only the success of our company but also the achievements of one of our brightest minds."
Jun Xin's heart began to race. He felt Min Su elbow him lightly, whispering, "This is it!"
"Today," Mr. Kang continued, "we recognize someone who has shown exceptional dedication, intelligence, and leadership. Someone who has—"
Before he could finish, a loud sound erupted from outside. The ground shook violently, and gasps filled the room. Jun Xin instinctively grabbed the edge of a nearby table to steady himself.
"What was that?" someone shouted, panic creeping into their voice.
The large windows lining the room offered a clear view of the city skyline, but now, something was different. Massive, glowing portals—towering and circular—had appeared in the distance. Their ominous presence cast an eerie light over the city, pulsing with a strange, otherworldly energy.
"Oh my god... What is that?" Min Su whispered, her voice trembling.
Jun Xin's analytical mind kicked into overdrive. His eyes scanned the scene, taking in every detail of the Portals. They radiated an energy that made his skin crawl, but it was their sheer size and the way they distorted the air around them that shocked him the most.
Suddenly, chaos erupted. The news feed on the large screen in the conference room switched to a live broadcast. A reporter stood amidst the chaos, her voice shaky as she spoke.
"Breaking news! Unidentified Portals has appeared simultaneously across the globe. Reports are coming in of strange creatures emerging from these Portals, attacking civilians and causing widespread destruction."
As if on cue, the Portals outside began to ripple. Dark, monstrous figures emerged, their forms unlike anything Jun Xin had ever seen. Some were hideous—hulking beasts with razor-sharp claws and glowing red eyes. Others were smaller but no less terrifying, moving with unnatural speed.
Screams filled the air as the creatures descended upon the city. Cars were overturned, buildings were torn apart, and people ran in every direction, desperate to escape.
"Everyone, stay calm!" Mr. Kang shouted, though his own fear was evident. "We need to—"
The words were cut short as one of the creatures leaped onto the building, its claws raking against the glass. The room descended into panic. People screamed and ran for the exits, pushing and shoving in their desperation to flee.
Jun Xin grabbed Min Su's arm. "We need to get out of here. Now."
They joined the desperate crowd, making their way down the emergency stairs. The building shook with each impact from the creatures outside, and Jun Xin could hear their deep growls and the sound of glass shattering. By the time they reached the ground floor, the streets were unrecognizable. Smoke and debris filled the air, and the cries of the injured were drowned out by the roars of the monsters.
Jun Xin's thoughts raced. He needed to find his family. His father had gone out that morning, and his mother was at home resting. "Min Su, get to safety. I have to go," he said urgently.
"Jun Xin, wait! You can't go out there alone!" she protested, but he was already running toward the chaos.
The streets were a war zone. Military vehicles rolled in, soldiers firing at the creatures with little success. The monsters seemed impenetrable to traditional weapons, shrugging off bullets as if they were mere nuisances. Jun Xin ducked behind a car, his heart pounding as he watched the scene unfold.
In the distance, a news helicopter hovered, broadcasting the devastation live. The reporter's voice crackled through nearby speakers. "Governments around the world are holding emergency conferences to address the situation. Military forces have been deployed, but casualties are increasing. The origins of the Portals and the creatures remain unknown."
Jun Xin clenched his fists. His analytical mind struggled to make sense of the situation, but there were too many variables. The creatures, the Portals, the suddenness of it all—none of it added up.
He pushed forward, weaving through the chaos. His home was only a few blocks away. The closer he got, the more destruction he encountered. By the time he reached his apartment building, it was barely standing. A massive creature—a serpent-like beast with glowing scales—coiled around the structure, crushing it with its immense weight.
"No..." Jun Xin whispered, horror washing over him. He sprinted toward the building, but a hand grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"Don't! You'll get yourself killed!" a soldier shouted, pulling him back.
"My mother's in there! I have to—"
The serpent let out a loud roar, its tail smashing into the ground just meters away. The force of the impact sent Jun Xin and the soldier sprawling. When Jun Xin looked up, the building was gone, reduced to rubble.
Jun Xin's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. The world around him blurred as tears filled his eyes. The soldier placed a hand on his shoulder, but no words could comfort him.
The Portals had brought the end of normalcy. Across the globe, cities crumbled, and millions of lives were lost. The monsters that emerged were relentless, pushing humanity to the brink. Governments struggled to maintain order, and society teetered on collapse. Jun Xin, like so many others, was left to pick up the pieces of a shattered world.
But even in the face of despair, a trace of determination burned within him. The Portals had taken everything from him, but he refused to let them win. He would survive. He would find answers.
And one day, he would fight back.