In a vast metropolis where neon signs rivaled the twinkling of stars and the noise of the crowd drowned out even the roar of thunder, lived Choi Sung-Wook. He was neither a hero nor a villain, but his name was known to both. He was a trainer, a mentor, a puppeteer, pulling the strings of the fates of those who possessed superpowers.
His loft was located on the top floor of an abandoned skyscraper, offering a panoramic view of the city. Huge windows, covered with a semi-transparent film, hid what was happening inside from prying eyes. Here, among the training equipment, weapons, and strange devices, Sung-Wook spent most of his time, honing the skills of his charges.
Bored to death, Sung-Wook thought, lazily watching the training of a young hero named Kang Min-Joon. The guy had the ability to control electricity but, in Sung-Wook's opinion, was too naive and straightforward. - Need to add some spice.
— You move like a pregnant snail, Min-Joon! — Sung-Wook's voice, amplified by speakers, echoed through the hall. — Your grandma dodges slippers faster than you!
Min-Joon, taken aback, missed a beat and received an electric shock from one of the drones simulating an enemy attack.
— Ow! — he cried, rubbing the sore spot.
— Stop whining, you rag! — Sung-Wook continued to mock. — You think the villains will wait for you to gather your thoughts? They'll tear you to pieces while you're contemplating the meaning of life!
Although, what's the meaning of life for this idiot? - Sung-Wook smirked to himself. - Except to be a punching bag for villains.
Min-Joon clenched his teeth and continued training, trying to ignore the trainer's caustic comments. He knew that Sung-Wook was cruel but fair. His methods were aimed at making his students stronger, more resilient, and more cunning.
— You need to be faster, Min-Joon! — Sung-Wook shouted. — Faster than your conscience when you lie to your girlfriend!
Min-Joon blushed. How did Sung-Wook know about his personal life? This question tormented all his students. It seemed that the trainer knew everything about them: their fears, weaknesses, and secret desires.
And how could I not? - Sung-Wook thought, sipping green tea from his favorite mug. - I'm the puppeteer. I need to know which strings to pull.
Suddenly, Sung-Wook's attention was drawn to a signal on one of the monitors. A new application. Someone was looking for a trainer.
I wonder who it is this time? - Sung-Wook clicked the mouse, opening the candidate's profile. - Hero? Villain? Or just another mediocrity?
A photo of a young girl with a piercing gaze and short black hair appeared on the screen. Her name was Lee Ji-Hye. Ability: telekinesis. Level: unknown.
Hmm, interesting, Sung-Wook drawled, studying the dossier. - Telekinesis - that's serious. But there's something about her... something dark.
He ran his finger across the screen, viewing surveillance footage of Ji-Hye using her abilities. The girl was strong, ruthless, and most importantly, unpredictable.
She's not like the heroes I usually work with, Sung-Wook mused. - She has potential... the potential to become a real monster.
A predatory smile appeared on Sung-Wook's lips.
— It seems I have a new toy, — he whispered, anticipating the pleasure of the upcoming game.
He sent Ji-Hye an invitation to an interview. Meeting place: his loft. Time: midnight.
Let's see what you're capable of, Lee Ji-Hye, Sung-Wook thought. - Can you surprise the old puppeteer?
Sung-Wook leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. He imagined Ji-Hye fighting Min-Joon, how she used her abilities to win, destroy, and dominate.
This will be fun, he whispered. - Very fun.
In the city, shrouded in darkness, a new star ignited. A star that could become either salvation or doom for the whole world. And only Choi Sung-Wook, the puppeteer, knew what fate awaited this star. But he wasn't going to reveal his cards. After all, the most interesting thing in the game is the unknown.
Let the game begin, Sung-Wook thought, falling asleep. - And may the strongest win. Or the one I like more.
He smirked in his sleep. Tomorrow, a new day awaited him, full of intrigue, manipulation, and, of course, mockery. After all, that's what he loved the most.
At that moment, in another part of the city, Lee Ji-Hye received a message. She read it, and a cold smile appeared on her face.
Midnight, huh? - she thought. - Well, let's see what kind of puppeteer decided to play with me.
She raised her hand, and objects in the room began to levitate. Ji-Hye was ready for the game. She was ready for war. And she wasn't going to lose.
I'll show you what a real monster is, she whispered, looking at her reflection in the dark window. - I'll show you all.
In the city where heroes and villains danced their endless dance, a new game began. And no one knew how it would end. No one, except the puppeteer, who pulled the strings, hiding in the shadows of his loft.
The game has begun, an echo resounded in his mind. - And I will enjoy every moment of it.
Sung-Wook slept, and the city lived its life, unaware that the fate of its inhabitants was in the hands of one man. A man who loved to play. And who never lost.
Yet, he whispered in his sleep, and a barely noticeable smile appeared on his lips. - Yet.
At that moment, in different parts of the city, several people with superpowers felt a strange anxiety. As if someone was watching them. As if someone was pulling invisible strings, controlling their fates.
What is this? - Min-Joon thought, interrupting his training. - Some strange feeling.
I don't like this, Ji-Hye muttered, looking out the window. - It's like someone is playing with me.
But they didn't know what it was. They didn't know that their fates were intertwined in a complex game played by Choi Sung-Wook. The Puppeteer. The Master of Heroes and Villains. The Keeper of Balance.
Or the one who will destroy it, Sung-Wook whispered in his sleep, and the city shuddered from an invisible jolt. - Time will tell.
The game had begun. And no one knew how it would end. No one, except him.
Yet, he repeated, and darkness thickened over the city, foretelling a storm. - Yet.