The sun hung low in the sky as Jin Woo sat atop the academy's outer wall, staring at the distant horizon. The sprawling city of Seoul glimmered below, its bustling streets and towering skyscrapers a stark contrast to the storm raging within him.
The truth of his past weighed heavily on his mind. Arkanis. The Gatekeeper. The King of Monsters.
He closed his eyes, trying to reconcile the memories that had flooded back after touching the Fragment of Arkanis. The destruction he had caused, the fear he had instilled—it felt like someone else's life, yet it was undeniably his own.
The sound of footsteps behind him broke his thoughts. Jin Woo turned to see Seo Ah climbing up the narrow stone stairs, a determined expression on her face.
"You've been avoiding everyone," she said, stopping a few steps away.
"I needed time to think," Jin Woo replied, his voice quiet.
Seo Ah hesitated, then stepped closer. "You're not the only one who saw what happened. Word is spreading. People are afraid of you, Jin Woo."
"I don't blame them," he said, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe they should be."
"That's not who you are," Seo Ah said firmly, her voice cutting through his doubt. "You're not some monster, no matter what you think your past says."
Jin Woo looked away, his gaze falling back on the city. "You don't understand, Seo Ah. I've seen what I was… what I'm capable of. That power… it's dangerous."
"Maybe it is," Seo Ah admitted, sitting beside him. "But you're not that person anymore. You have a choice, Jin Woo. You can let your past define you, or you can use it to change the future."
Her words struck a chord, and Jin Woo felt a flicker of hope amidst the darkness.
"I don't know if I'm strong enough to make that choice," he confessed.
"You are," Seo Ah said, her voice unwavering. "I've seen it. You fight harder than anyone here, not because you want to prove something, but because you care. That's what makes you different."
Jin Woo stared at her, her conviction stirring something deep within him. For the first time since the arena, he felt a sliver of clarity.
Before he could respond, a loud explosion echoed through the air, followed by the blaring of alarms.
"What was that?" Seo Ah asked, standing up.
Jin Woo's heart raced as he saw smoke rising from the northern part of the city. "A Gate," he said, his voice grim.
They rushed down the wall, joining the growing crowd of students and instructors gathering in the courtyard. Headmaster Han stood at the front, his presence commanding attention.
"A high-rank Gate has opened in Gangnam," Han announced. "The monsters are spilling into the city, and the local guilds are overwhelmed. We have been called to assist."
The students murmured in fear and excitement. Jin Woo clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.
"You will form teams," Han continued. "Stay with your assigned instructors and do not engage alone. This is not a training exercise. Lives are at stake."
As the students dispersed to prepare, Jin Woo turned to Seo Ah. "Stay here. It's too dangerous."
She frowned. "And you think it's not dangerous for you?"
"I have to go," Jin Woo said, his voice firm. "If I can help, I need to."
Seo Ah hesitated, then nodded. "Just… don't do anything reckless."
Jin Woo gave her a small smile before heading to the armory to retrieve his gear.
---
The streets of Gangnam were chaos. Buildings burned, and civilians screamed as they fled from monstrous creatures. The academy's teams worked tirelessly to evacuate people and hold the monsters back, but the tide was relentless.
Jin Woo stood in the middle of the battlefield, his sword drawn. His heart pounded as he faced a towering beast, its glowing red eyes fixed on him.
The monster lunged, and Jin Woo barely managed to dodge its claws. He countered with a slash, but his blade barely scratched its thick hide.
I need more power.
The voice of Arkanis echoed in his mind. "Embrace what you are. Only then will you stand a chance."
"No," Jin Woo muttered, shaking his head. "I'm not like you."
The monster roared, swiping at him again. This time, Jin Woo wasn't fast enough. The impact sent him crashing into a nearby wall, pain shooting through his body.
As he struggled to stand, the monster loomed over him, its maw opening wide.
"Is this how you die?" the voice mocked.
Jin Woo's vision blurred, but through the haze, he saw a family huddled nearby, trapped and terrified.
I can't let them die.
Something inside him snapped. A golden light erupted from his body, and the monster froze, its instincts screaming at it to flee.
Jin Woo rose to his feet, the faint outline of a crown shimmering above his head once more.
"Monsters kneel to kings," he said, his voice cold and commanding.
The monster whimpered, its massive frame trembling as it dropped to its knees.
Jin Woo stepped forward, his golden eyes glowing. With a single strike, he ended the beast.
The battlefield fell silent as those around him stared in awe and fear.
But Jin Woo didn't care. He turned to the family, helping them to their feet.
"Go," he said softly. "You're safe now."
As they ran, Jin Woo looked at his hands, the golden light still faintly glowing.
If this is what it takes to protect them… so be it.
The king within him was waking, but Jin Woo was determined to wield that power his way.
---
To be continued...