Jin Seo woke up to the soft glow of sunlight seeping through the cracks of his modest apartment. His body ached from the battle, every muscle reminding him of the trial he had endured. The faint scent of blood seemed to linger, though he wasn't sure if it was real or just a trick of his mind.
He reached for his phone, blinking against the bright screen. As his eyes adjusted, a familiar name caught his attention.
"Tae Joon: The Fastest Rising Harmonic in History."
The headline sat at the top of a trending news article. Jin's lips twisted into a frown as he scrolled past it. He'd seen enough of Tae Joon's smug face to last a lifetime.
But then, his phone vibrated with a new notification. His heart skipped a beat as he opened it.
[Bank Alert: 20,000,000 won has been credited to your account.]
It was from the same unknown source as before. No name. No traceable account number. Just a staggering sum of money deposited into his account like it was pocket change.
"What the hell…" Jin muttered, sitting up in bed. He stared at the notification, his mind racing. Twenty million won? That was more money than he could have dreamed of earning in ten lifetimes.
He couldn't help but laugh, though there was a nervous edge to it. "This is insane. Am I supposed to just accept this?"
Jin tossed his phone onto the bed and ran his hands through his hair. The system, the trials, the money—it all felt too surreal. But at the same time, he couldn't deny the power he'd felt during the fight with the Shadow Pack.
As much as he wanted answers, something told him they wouldn't come easily.
Across the bustling city, Sae Rin strolled through the crowded streets, her footsteps light and graceful. The morning air was crisp, and the sun cast a warm glow over the skyline. The city was alive with activity—cars honking, vendors shouting, and people rushing to work.
But none of it seemed to faze her. Sae Rin moved with a quiet confidence, her presence both calming and commanding.
She paused at a crosswalk, noticing an elderly woman struggling to carry her groceries. Without hesitation, Sae Rin approached her.
"Let me help you with that," she said, her voice gentle.
The old woman looked up, startled at first, but then smiled. "Oh, thank you, dear. You're so kind."
Sae Rin took the bags, carrying them with ease. As they walked together, the old woman chatted about her grandchildren and the rising cost of vegetables. Sae Rin listened attentively, nodding and smiling in all the right places.
By the time they reached the woman's apartment, Sae Rin had memorized the names of all six grandchildren and the old woman's favorite soup recipe.
"Thank you so much, young lady," the woman said, bowing slightly.
"It's my pleasure," Sae Rin replied. She waved goodbye and continued on her way, a soft smile on her lips.
She wasn't in a hurry. Despite being one of the city's most powerful S-Class Harmonics, Sae Rin lived a simple life. She preferred it that way. No flashy displays of power, no public appearances. Just quiet, unassuming days filled with small acts of kindness.
But her life wasn't entirely free of responsibility.
Sae Rin arrived at the towering glass building that housed the Harmonic Agency, an organization dedicated to maintaining peace and order in a world where power dictated status.
The agency was a sprawling network of divisions and teams, each tasked with handling different aspects of society. Some dealt with rogue Harmonics, while others focused on training new recruits.
Sae Rin's role was more administrative these days, though her combat skills were unmatched.
"Good morning, Agent Sae Rin," a young receptionist greeted her as she walked in.
"Good morning," she replied with a warm smile.
The lobby buzzed with activity. Harmonics of all ranks moved through the space, their uniforms crisp and their faces serious. A giant digital screen displayed live feeds of various missions and news updates.
"A-Class Harmonic Team Defeats Mega Monsters in Southern District."
"Tae Joon Sets New Record for Fastest Trial Completion."
Sae Rin's eyes lingered on Tae Joon's name for a moment. She knew of him—his rise to fame had been meteoric. But fame didn't impress her. Actions spoke louder than headlines.
"Agent Sae Rin," a voice called out.
She turned to see Chief Han, the head of her division. He was a gruff man with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor.
"Chief," she greeted, bowing slightly.
"We've got a situation," he said, gesturing for her to follow.
Sae Rin walked with him to a secure conference room. Inside, a holographic map of the city displayed several red markers.
"These are recent sightings of rogue Harmonics," Chief Han explained. "Their activity has been escalating. We need to nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand."
Sae Rin studied the map, her expression thoughtful. "Do we know what they're after?"
"Not yet," Chief Han admitted. "But they're well-organized. Whoever's leading them knows what they're doing."
"I'll look into it," Sae Rin said.
"Be careful," the chief warned. "This isn't your average rogue group."
Sae Rin nodded, already formulating a plan in her mind.
Despite her calm demeanor, Sae Rin carried the weight of her responsibilities with unwavering determination. She wasn't just an S-Class Harmonic; she was a symbol of hope for those who felt powerless in a world dominated by strength.
Her daily life was a careful balance of ordinary tasks and extraordinary challenges. Whether she was helping an old woman cross the street or strategizing to stop a rogue Harmonic group, Sae Rin approached everything with the same quiet resolve.
As she left the agency that evening, the city lights flickered on, casting a warm glow over the streets. Sae Rin pulled her coat tighter around her and started walking home.
Unbeknownst to her, she was being watched.
Meanwhile, Jin sat in his apartment, staring at the bank alert on his phone.
"Twenty million won…" he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. "This is insane."
He couldn't help but laugh. "I've spent my whole life scraping by, and now I have more money than I know what to do with. What's next, a mansion?"
But the laughter didn't last long. The reality of his situation weighed heavily on him. The system, the trials, the money—it was all too much to process.
And yet, a part of him felt… excited. For the first time, he had the chance to change his life, to become something more than ordinary.
As the city buzzed around him, Jin couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't even begin to imagine.