Chapter 9: The Burden of Power
Tae-Hyun awoke in a sterile white room, the cold metallic scent of disinfectant filling his nostrils. His body ached, a dull throb in every muscle, but there was something deeper—something gnawing at his consciousness. His hand instinctively pressed against his chest, the familiar warmth of his Forbidden Shard pulsing faintly beneath his skin.
The Labyrinth. The brutal trial. The Aether Wraith. He could still feel the lingering intensity of the battle, as if the very air around him crackled with the energy of that last moment. He remembered the shockwave, the crushing force that had sent him flying, the world spinning into darkness. The strange voice had echoed in his mind as he fell.
"The next step in evolution..."
Tae-Hyun winced, sitting up slowly. His mind was still blurry, trying to process the overwhelming experience. He glanced around the room. It was sleek and modern, white walls and bright, flickering lights above. It was clearly a medical facility—standard for the Klade Academy. There were monitors beeping softly, tracking his vitals. A healer was sitting by his side, a woman with silver hair and a calm expression, wearing the Academy's uniform.
"You're awake," she said in a soft voice, her tone professional but not without a hint of relief. She didn't even need to ask if he was feeling alright—Tae-Hyun's grimace was enough of an answer.
"You really pushed yourself too hard," she continued, her eyes scanning the monitors. "You nearly reached your limit. Your power is unstable. If you keep using it like that, you won't last."
Tae-Hyun didn't need to be told that. He could feel it. The Aether Chains, the Shatterstep, the overwhelming Distortion—each of those abilities pulled on him like a weight he couldn't shake off. He had become a vessel for something far greater than himself, and it was beginning to feel like a curse.
"How long was I out?" Tae-Hyun asked, his voice hoarse from exertion.
"About six hours. You went through an intense mental and physical strain. The medics had to stabilize you. You should be lucky you survived."
Tae-Hyun's gaze drifted to his hands, his fingers trembling slightly as he flexed them. The Aether—it was both a gift and a curse. The more he tapped into its power, the more it felt like he was losing himself, spiraling into something he couldn't control.
"Your Aether rank has been registered," the healer said, her voice pulling him back to the present. "Your combat data... it's extraordinary."
Tae-Hyun frowned, not sure what to expect. "What do you mean?"
"You've been ranked as an XS Rank. The highest possible tier." She paused, letting that information sink in. "Most Shardbreakers only dream of reaching that level, and they spend years of training to even come close."
Tae-Hyun's heart skipped a beat. XS Rank? That was beyond what anyone expected from a newly awakened Shardbreaker. It was... impossible. Only the most legendary figures in Shardbreaking history had ever achieved such a rank, and here he was—just a delivery boy—holding that same title after a single battle.
But the weight of that title felt different to him. It felt dangerous.
"How? I... I barely survived out there," Tae-Hyun muttered, trying to make sense of it. His powers were overwhelming, but they weren't just that—they were unstable, destructive. He'd almost died from using them.
The healer's expression softened. "It's not just your physical strength that's impressive, Tae-Hyun. It's your raw potential. You can manipulate Aether in ways no one has ever seen before." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "But be careful. You're on a dangerous path. The Forbidden Shard isn't something you can control easily."
Tae-Hyun knew that. The problem was, he wasn't sure if he wanted to control it. Part of him—the part that had been raised in the shadows of the Walker Vampire family—wasn't sure if control was even possible. His mind wandered to the unsettling thoughts that had surfaced during the battle—the voice, the presence that had spoken to him in the dark.
"You are the next step in evolution."
Who was it? What did it mean?
Suddenly, the door to the medical room slid open, and a familiar figure stepped in. Hae Rin.
Her usual cold expression was replaced with something less certain. She glanced at the healer, who gave a small nod, then left without another word.
Tae-Hyun barely noticed. His focus was on Hae Rin, who was watching him with narrowed eyes, arms crossed as always.
"How do you feel?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.
Tae-Hyun shrugged, trying to brush off the concern. "I'm fine. I just need a few more hours of rest."
"Don't kid yourself. You're far from fine," Hae Rin snapped. "But if you can stand, we need to talk."
Tae-Hyun didn't argue. He stood slowly, feeling the slight dizziness that followed. His legs were unsteady, but he managed to keep his balance.
"You've been ranked XS," Hae Rin said, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. "And I'm sure you've heard the rumors."
Tae-Hyun nodded, a frown tugging at his lips. He'd heard the whispers around the Academy—XS-ranked individuals weren't just strong. They were a threat. Some believed that only the strongest of Shardbreakers should bear that title, while others feared what would happen if an XS-ranked Shardbreaker went rogue.
"I didn't ask for this," Tae-Hyun muttered, his voice low. "I never wanted any of this. I don't even know how to control it."
"That's the problem, Tae-Hyun," Hae Rin replied, her tone firm. "The power you're holding is not just a gift. It's a weapon, and if you don't learn to wield it, it will destroy you. But... I can help you. You don't have to do this alone."
Tae-Hyun looked at her, the walls around his mind crumbling just a little. For the first time since awakening, he wasn't sure if he could keep going on his own. Hae Rin had always been a mystery—tough, unapproachable, and relentless. But there was something in her eyes now that made him wonder if she truly understood the weight of what he was carrying.
He took a deep breath, the intensity of the last few hours still fresh in his mind. "Alright. Show me the way."
Hae Rin's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "You're not just dealing with your power, Tae-Hyun. There's a reason why the Forbidden Shard chose you. There's a reason why you're the one who's ranked XS."
Tae-Hyun felt a chill run down his spine as Hae Rin continued, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"You're not just a Shardbreaker. You're something much more dangerous. And I'm going to make sure you survive long enough to figure out why."