Hero Killer: The Shadow
Chapter 2: A Flicker in the Dark
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Aftermath of the Battle
The city buzzed with chaos even after the fight ended. Fire crews worked to extinguish the flames left by Vulcan's rampage, while news drones hovered, broadcasting the aftermath. Kang-Woo and Yoo Ara stood at the center of it all, the cameras fixated on them like moths to a flame.
Jin-Woo, crouching in the shadows of an alley nearby, watched silently. His sister's golden aura illuminated her like a divine being, while Kang-Woo barely seemed interested, waving off reporters with a curt "No comment."
Jin-Woo clenched his fists, his mind replaying the moment his Kore had flared to life. Shadows had answered his call, wrapping around him like a second skin. It had felt… natural. Powerful, even.
But his sister's words echoed louder: "You're not a hero. You don't belong here."
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The Hero Association Headquarters
Hours later, Ara strode through the gleaming halls of the Hero Association, her boots clicking against the marble floor. Behind her, Kang-Woo followed lazily, his coat slung over one shoulder.
"What do you think of him?" Ara asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Who?" Kang-Woo replied, raising an eyebrow.
"My brother. Jin-Woo."
Kang-Woo smirked. "The kid who almost got himself killed? Not much to think about."
Ara stopped, turning to face him. "He's not just some kid. He's… stubborn."
"Stubborn isn't the same as capable," Kang-Woo replied. "And you don't need me to tell you that."
Ara sighed, brushing her hair back. "He's not a bad person. He just… doesn't fit. Not in this world."
Kang-Woo's smirk faded, his tone turning serious. "Then maybe it's time he found where he does."
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Jin-Woo's Struggles
Jin-Woo returned home hours later, his body aching from the day's events. His room was a stark contrast to his sister's luxurious apartment—a cramped, dimly lit space filled with stacks of books and worn-out training equipment.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his hands. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
His Kore flickered to life, the shadows forming tendrils around his fingers. They writhed and pulsed as if alive, but they felt weak, fragile.
He thought about Kang-Woo's effortless domination in battle, about Ara's radiant power. Compared to them, his shadows felt like a joke.
But then he remembered the shadowy figure—the way they had moved, the aura they exuded. It had felt familiar, like his own Kore, but stronger.
"Who the hell were they?" Jin-Woo muttered.
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The Shadow's Trail
Determined to learn more, Jin-Woo ventured into the underbelly of the city, where rumors spread faster than light. The black market, hidden away in an abandoned subway station, was alive with chatter about the recent battle.
"Heard Vulcan got taken down by Kang-Woo," one man said, leaning against a rusted vending machine.
"Yeah, but that wasn't the real story," another replied. "There was someone else there. Someone Kang-Woo didn't catch."
Jin-Woo kept to the shadows, listening intently.
"Word is, it was a member of the Obsidian Order," the second man continued. "You know, the group that operates in the shadows? Villains who don't play by the rules."
The Obsidian Order. Jin-Woo had heard of them before—whispers of a secret organization that dealt in Kore experiments and assassinations. If that shadowy figure was one of them, then Jin-Woo needed answers.
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A Dangerous Encounter
As Jin-Woo left the market, a sudden chill ran down his spine. He turned, his Kore flickering instinctively, but the alley behind him was empty.
"Following me?" he asked aloud, his voice steady despite his racing heart.
A figure stepped out of the darkness, their face hidden by a hood. Their presence felt oppressive, like the shadows around them were alive.
"You're brave, coming here alone," the figure said, their voice low and smooth. "But also foolish."
Jin-Woo's Kore flared, the shadows around him swirling defensively. "Who are you?"
The figure chuckled. "You're like a candle trying to outshine the sun. But I'll humor you. My name is Dusk."
"Dusk," Jin-Woo repeated. "You were at the fight earlier. You're with the Obsidian Order."
Dusk's smile widened. "Sharp, aren't you? But you're asking the wrong questions."
Before Jin-Woo could react, Dusk's Kore activated. The shadows around them surged, overwhelming Jin-Woo's defenses in an instant. He felt his body freeze, the darkness pressing against him like a vice.
"You're nothing," Dusk whispered. "Not yet. But maybe… you could be something."
With that, the shadows released him, and Dusk vanished, leaving only a lingering sense of dread.
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A New Resolve
Jin-Woo stumbled home, his body trembling from the encounter. Dusk's words echoed in his mind: "You're nothing. Not yet."
He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. For years, he had believed his Kore was useless. Weak. But tonight had proven one thing:
It wasn't weak—it was untapped.
Jin-Woo sat up, his shadows flickering to life around him. They felt more stable now, more responsive. He clenched his fists, a fire igniting in his chest.
If the world thought he didn't belong, he would prove them wrong. Not as a hero. Not as a villain. But as something else entirely.
A shadow in the light.