Books, books, books, they were an important part of society, used a piece of entertainment for some, whilst also used as a knowledge hub for others. It was something that everyone in the world had used at some point, and that infuriated Hajun. "There's no way it's that interesting! It's probably just like the other 300 novels with the same overpowered protagonist, come on we should go to the e-cafe instead, I heard there's a new shooting game"
Hajun looked down at his three friends who all were focused on the phone screens in front of them, and a mass of words that hurt Hajun to read. "You wouldn't understand, you're not a literary scholar like we are, this book is amazing, I mean how does Asterion even manage to do that? I feel as if I'm being reborn!!" Choi, the most athletic of the friend group let out a boisterous shout, even the sports addict who loved being outside and often tormented them with physical exertion had become a bookworm always on his phone reading.
"You're being too loud I can't focus, Celline's duel with Cassian is just so… wow…" A lanky boy with shaggy brown hair shook his head as he read the book, Chang-Min who was arguably the smartest of the group was the first one to spread the poison to the friend group and despite Hajun's reluctance they fell into the trap known as reading and now were stuck in. "Honestly, when is Reis going to be nerfed? He's the number four student and yet he was able to instantly defeat the behemoth that Cassian and Celline lost to, he's a terrible character.."
The social one of the group Dae-Hyun was actually the one who was the most far ahead in the book despite being the last one to actually read it, and he had also spread the poison to their classmates who in turn spread the poison to the entire school, who all were interested in the poisonous book known as the Five Heroes.
Hajun gritted his teeth, the worst possible thing happening, the only enemy he ever had infiltrated his lovely school, and brought ruin to it. "Fine, I'll go to the cafe myself you bastards I don't need you anyways.." Hajun slung his backpack over his shoulder and started walking towards the exit gritting his teeth.
"They'll come back crying soon, they can't just leave the gaming life like this…" Hajun shook his head and crossed the street heading towards the large internet cafe. As he opened the door he was shocked at the desolation of it. The usual manager that sat there was on his phone…. Reading. The entire cafe which used to be obnoxiously loud and wild became quiet with the only sounds being the hum of the computers, even the food area was quiet.
"What has come to this world… getting rid of stress by reading? Hah…" Hajun shook his head again and walked towards one of the seats when he saw a lone boy clicking away. "Oh! Hello!" Hajun pulled a seat out next to a boy with quite large glasses. "Oh… hello, I wasn't expecting anyone to be here, are you here to read The Five Heroes?" Hajun's face turned red in annoyance, "Read? Me? Of course not! I'm here to indulge into the carnal desire of a highschooler and enjoy mindless fun and waste my time!"
The boy let out a laugh pushing up his glasses, "Thank goodness, all my classmates are too focused on it that they don't even want to play games anymore, it's quite sad"
Hajun smiled, finally finding someone who understood his misery, "Thank you! I'm going crazy thinking about it, am I the only one with sense?" He let out an exasperated sigh as he turned on the computer. "What's your name? What school are you from?" Hajun turned towards the boy, "Ah It's Hyunsung, I'm from Dae-Il academy" Hajun sat down in a chair next to the boy and flashed a smile, "Dae-Il huh? I haven't heard of that, it's probably one of the posh schools considering your uniform but I don't mind that, you're the only sane person left in a world full of book sick idiots"
Hyunsung flashed a smile, and looked over at his own computer, "Ahh.. damn it this raid boss is too difficult.." Hajun looked over at Hyunsung's computer with an odd smile, "Ah you play realm of Fostoria too? Wait you're fighting Surtr??? It took me like 50 tries to finally kill that bastard you know.." Hajun scoffed as he logged into the computer, "Ah really? He's a bit troublesome, his fire spring attack is practically unavoidable" Hyunsung reloaded his character as he got ready for the raid again, "Even after I killed Surtr I didn't get that Nifl Broadsword, it's one of the best swords in the game too… ugh…"
Suddenly Hajun shot up with a grin, "Wait, why don't we squad up and fight Surtr together?" He gestured towards his own computer as Realm of Fostoria loaded up. Hyunsung flashed a soft smile at Hajun, "That's a good idea, what's your player id?" Hyunsung tilted his computer displaying a friend request list, and Hajun quickly entered his name in it and accepted the request on his own computer, as the game opened an odd screen appeared in front of Hajun. He and Hyunsung quickly put on a vr headset and assimilated.
"Hm… they're doing a raid battle for Surtr? In exchange for higher drop chances there's a significant increase in difficulty… but it's completely optional…" Hajun read through the prompt with a frown, "Ah well if it's optional, I don't think it's a bad idea, a usual raid for Surtr is usually only 30 minutes anyways, we have time to kill!" Hyunsung suggested as he equipped an odd tank set. "You play tank?"
Hajun was confused, most of his friends usually played as damage dealers or supports, tanks were insufferably difficult to use and most of the time would be blamed if something went even slightly wrong. "It's pretty fun, I play the role of a prodding tank so I don't just try to aggro all the time" "Hmm.. well if you say so.."
The air shimmered with heat as the arena materialized around them, a vast, molten battlefield encircled by jagged obsidian pillars. Rivers of lava crisscrossed the floor, glowing ominously in the dim light. At the center stood Surtr, a towering behemoth of flame and molten rock. His greatsword, wreathed in fire, smoldered with unbridled power.
Hyunsung tightened his grip on his shield, the circular sigil of the Sacred Wall etched across its surface glowing faintly. "Ready?"
Hajun cracked his knuckles, his stance loose but focused. "Born ready."
Surtr let out a guttural roar, his blade igniting as he slammed it into the ground. Lava Conduit, his opening move, sent streams of magma surging across the battlefield in jagged lines.
"Move!" Hyunsung barked, activating Flash Step to sidestep the incoming streams. Hajun followed suit with Blur Fist, his body flickering as he darted to safety.
"Looks like he's warming up," Hajun quipped, leaping forward with a Vital Strike. His fist collided with Surtr's leg, the blow generating a small shockwave.
Surtr barely flinched. With a swing of his massive blade, he unleashed Infernal Cleave, a horizontal slash that sent a wave of fire racing toward them.
"Block it!" Hyunsung raised his shield, activating Sacred Guard. A golden barrier materialized, absorbing the brunt of the flames. The remaining heat scorched Hajun's arm, forcing him to roll backward.
"Watch the follow-up!" Hyunsung warned, slamming his shield into the ground to activate Holy Aegis. A dome of light surrounded them just as Surtr launched Magma Burst, molten orbs raining down like meteors. The dome held, but cracks began to form under the relentless assault.
"Alright, my turn!" Hajun dashed in again, his fists glowing as he triggered Strike Once, Strike Second. His punches landed in quick succession, forcing Surtr to stagger.
The reprieve was short-lived. Surtr roared, activating Lava Geyser. Pillars of molten rock erupted randomly around the arena, forcing the duo to dodge frantically. Hajun leapt between safe spots, narrowly avoiding a geyser that erupted inches from his feet.
"Damn, he's relentless," Hajun growled.
"Stay focused!" Hyunsung called, activating Flash Counter. He charged forward, shield raised, and struck Surtr's blade mid-swing, momentarily disarming the behemoth.
"Nice!" Hajun capitalized on the opening, activating Lash Out. His strikes hit hard and fast, glowing with a faint blue energy as he depleted a chunk of Surtr's health.
But Surtr was far from finished. His body glowed brighter, the heat in the arena intensifying as he activated Infernal Wrath. A pulse of fiery energy exploded outward, knocking both of them to the ground.
Before they could recover, Surtr activated Flame Reaping. His blade ignited with searing energy as he swung in a wide arc. The heat alone caused Hyunsung's health bar to dip, despite his shield.
"Retreat!" Hyunsung yelled, but it was too late. Surtr activated Magma Pool, a massive AoE attack that flooded the arena's center with lava, forcing them into the outer edges where Lava Geysers continued to erupt.
Hyunsung's Sacred Wall was on cooldown, leaving them vulnerable. Hajun tried to weave through the chaos with Blur Fist, but a Lava Geyser caught him mid-dodge.
"Ah, crap—" His health bar dropped to zero, and his body collapsed in a smoldering heap.
This time, they entered the arena with renewed determination.
"Okay," Hyunsung said, his voice steady. "We know his opener. I'll draw his aggro; you focus on consistent damage."
"Got it," Hajun said, bouncing on his toes like a boxer ready for round two.
Surtr began with his signature Lava Conduit. Hyunsung intercepted the streams with Sacred Guard, nullifying the damage for both of them.
"Nice block," Hajun said, darting around Surtr's side. He activated State of Calm, increasing his precision and crit rate. His first strike landed cleanly, followed by a series of blows that chipped away at Surtr's health.
The behemoth roared, retaliating with Infernal Cleave. This time, Hyunsung met the attack head-on, activating Flash Counter to parry the strike. The clash of metal on metal rang out, and Surtr reeled back slightly.
"Follow-up!" Hyunsung called.
"On it!" Hajun used Lash Out again, his fists glowing with energy as he pounded into Surtr's exposed side.
Surtr's patience seemed to snap. He activated Firestorm Barrage, sending waves of fire in concentric patterns across the arena.
"Spread out!" Hyunsung yelled. He dashed to one side with Flash Step, while Hajun used Blur Fist to weave through the gaps in the flames.
As the firestorm subsided, Surtr planted his sword into the ground, triggering Lava Geyser. This time, Hajun was ready.
"Wild Sense!" he shouted, activating the ability to predict the geysers' eruption points. He moved fluidly, staying one step ahead of the deadly bursts.
"Not bad," Hyunsung said, activating Holy Aegis. The dome of light shielded them from Surtr's next Flame Reaping.
The tide seemed to turn in their favor. Hyunsung used Quick Flash to stagger Surtr mid-attack, while Hajun landed consecutive crits with Strike Once, Strike Second.
But then Surtr entered his second phase. His body glowed a blinding orange as he activated Blazing Core. The entire arena began to heat up, their health bars slowly ticking down from environmental damage.
"I'll tank!" Hyunsung said, activating Imperial Guard. He drew Surtr's attention, absorbing blow after blow while Hajun circled around for openings.
Surtr countered with Magma Pool, forcing them to retreat to the edges again.
"I'm running out of cooldowns!" Hyunsung warned.
"Just a little longer!" Hajun activated State of Calm once more, his strikes coming faster and harder.
The fight ended in disaster when Surtr chained Infernal Cleave into Firestorm Barrage, catching both of them at once. "Third times the charm?"
The battlefield roared with heat and danger. Surtr's hulking form, a mass of molten rock and flame, towered above the arena. His glowing eyes burned with the fury of a sun as his sword—a jagged, fiery monstrosity—simmered, dripping molten slag onto the already scorched ground. The air shimmered, distorting the horizon as Hyunsung and Hajun prepared for their last stand.
Hyunsung adjusted his grip on his shield, the sigil of Imperial Guard glowing faintly as golden light radiated from his armor. "Stick to the plan. No risks," he said, his voice steady.
"Sure, no risks," Hajun replied, smirking as he cracked his knuckles. "I just have to dodge lava, meteors, and a psychotic fire giant with god-tier attacks. Easy."
Surtr roared, his sword erupting into a cascade of flame. The fight began.
Surtr's opening move was predictable yet devastating. He slammed his blade into the ground, activating Lava Conduit. Rivers of magma surged outward in jagged lines, splitting the arena into perilous sections.
"Spread out!" Hyunsung barked, leaping to the left with Flash Step. Hajun followed suit, activating Blur Fist. His body flickered, dodging narrowly as magma erupted inches from his heels.
The behemoth followed up with Infernal Cleave. The horizontal sweep of Surtr's blade sent a wave of fire cascading toward them. Hyunsung raised his shield, activating Sacred Guard. A golden barrier flared to life, absorbing the brunt of the attack, though cracks splintered across its surface.
"Move, now!" Hyunsung shouted as the barrier shattered. Hajun dashed forward, fists glowing as he activated Strike Once, Strike Second. Each punch landed with a resounding thud against Surtr's molten armor, sending sparks flying.
Surtr staggered but quickly retaliated, activating Magma Burst. Flaming orbs rained down from the sky, scorching the arena in random patterns.
"Stay mobile!" Hyunsung called, weaving through the chaos. He activated Holy Burst, a wave of radiant energy exploding from his shield and striking Surtr's midsection.
Surtr roared in fury, his body glowing brighter. He raised his sword high, triggering Flame Reaping. A wide arc of searing energy carved through the battlefield, forcing the duo to dodge in opposite directions.
As Surtr's health dipped below 50%, the battlefield shifted. Pillars of fire erupted randomly as he activated Lava Geyser. The molten explosions came faster and more erratically than before, forcing Hyunsung and Hajun into a desperate dance of survival.
"Wild Sense!" Hajun shouted, activating the skill to anticipate the eruptions. He darted between safe zones with uncanny precision, landing a series of Vital Strike punches on Surtr's legs.
"Keep him distracted!" Hyunsung called, charging in with his shield raised. He activated Flash Counter, intercepting one of Surtr's slashes and stunning the giant momentarily.
"Nice one!" Hajun capitalized on the opening, activating State of Calm. His strikes became a blur, each punch landing with devastating accuracy.
But Surtr was far from finished. He roared, triggering Infernal Wrath. A shockwave of fire and molten rock exploded outward, sending both fighters sprawling.
"Damn it!" Hajun grunted, pulling himself up. His health bar was in the red.
"Stay focused," Hyunsung said, activating Imperial Guard. His shield glowed as he intercepted Surtr's follow-up attack, buying Hajun precious seconds to recover.
Surtr entered his final phase, his entire body glowing like a blazing star. He activated Magma Storm, summoning a swirling vortex of fire and molten rock that engulfed the arena.
"Stick close to me!" Hyunsung shouted, raising his shield. Holy Aegis flared to life, creating a protective dome that shielded them from the storm's initial fury.
Hajun gritted his teeth, his body battered and his stamina waning. "We've got one shot at this."
Hyunsung nodded. "Make it count."
As the storm raged, Surtr prepared his ultimate attack, Blazing Core. The air around him warped as molten energy concentrated in his blade.
"Now!" Hyunsung charged forward, activating Quick Flash. He closed the gap in an instant, slamming his shield into Surtr's chest with all his might. The attack disrupted the giant's charge, staggering him.
Hajun seized the opportunity. Activating Lash Out, he poured every ounce of strength into his strikes. His fists glowed with a brilliant blue energy as he unleashed a relentless barrage, each hit cracking Surtr's molten armor.
Surtr roared, swinging his blade in a desperate arc. Hyunsung intercepted the attack, activating the Sacred Wall to hold it at bay.
"This is it!" Hajun yelled, his health critically low as he activated State of Calm. The world seemed to slow as he delivered one final, devastating blow. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the arena, shattering Surtr's fiery core.
The giant let out one last roar before collapsing in a fiery explosion, his body crumbling into ash.
The game screen showed several dots of information as Hajun grinned, "That was hell"
"Jackpot," Hajun said, letting out a whistle as he approached the spoils. "Let's see what we've got here."
Hyunsung followed, his shield slung over his back, his expression more reserved but his eyes gleaming with interest. They crouched by the pile, taking stock of the spoils:
Molten Greaves – Heavy boots that radiated heat, their surface etched with glowing runes. The tooltip revealed increased movement speed and immunity to fire damage zones.
Molten Guards – A set of bracers imbued with molten energy. They offered resistance to elemental damage and a chance to reflect fire-based attacks.
Muspell Soul – A fiery orb that hovered gently in the air, described as the condensed essence of Surtr's rage. It could be slotted into weapons or armor to imbue them with devastating fire abilities.
Essence of Surtr – The crown jewel of the loot. A unique item shimmering with chaotic energy, its description read: "The fragment of a primordial flame. Grants the user unparalleled fire manipulation. WARNING: Can only be claimed once."
"Alright, not bad," Hajun said, scrolling through the item descriptions. "Molten Greaves look like they're built for a tank, so those are yours." He tossed them to Hyunsung, who caught them midair.
Hyunsung raised an eyebrow. "You're not even going to fight me for them?"
"Nah, I like my legs intact, thanks." Hajun smirked, picking up the Molten Guards. "These'll do me just fine. Extra resistance never hurts."
They both turned their attention to the Muspell Soul and the Essence of Surtr. Hajun rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"The Muspell Soul is good for enhancing weapons, so I'll take that. You don't mind, right?"
Hyunsung nodded. "Fair enough. But what about..." He hesitated, his gaze falling on the Essence of Surtr. "That's... different. Are you sure you don't want it?"
"Of course I want it," Hajun said, staring at the swirling energy within the Essence. "This thing is busted. We're talking fire manipulation, unparalleled damage—who wouldn't want it?"
Hyunsung folded his arms, his tone cautious. "Then... you should take it. You did more damage than me during the final phase."
Hajun looked at him for a moment before letting out a chuckle. "You're way too nice, you know that?" He picked up the Essence, turning it over in his hands. "But you're wrong about one thing. You're the reason we won, Hyunsung. Without you tanking all that nonsense, I'd have been toast—literally."
Before Hyunsung could respond, Hajun thrust the Essence into his hands. "Take it. You earned it."
Hyunsung stared at him, wide-eyed. "Are you serious?"
Hajun shrugged, his grin playful. "Don't make it weird, man. Just don't let me regret it when you're soloing raid bosses while I'm still grinding low-level mobs."
Hyunsung's character grip tightened around the Essence, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Thank you, Hajun. Truly."
Hyunsung stared at Hajun for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a slight smile, he asked, "What's your wish?"
"My wish?" Hajun tilted his head. "What's this, some genie deal?"
"Call it what you want," Hyunsung replied. "You just gave me something priceless. I owe you. What do you want?"
Hajun scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly. "I don't know, man. I guess if I had to pick, it'd be... uh..." He trailed off, his eyes lighting up. "Oh! Reincarnate me into a fantasy world or something. You know, swords, magic, all that cool stuff. Like one of those web novels."
Hyunsung's smile deepened, a strange glint in his eyes. "A fantasy world, huh? That's your wish?"
"Yeah, why not?" Hajun said, grinning. "Better than going to school, graduating for nothing just to get a dead end job here. Just think about it—a new life, new adventures..."
Hyunsung stepped closer, his voice almost a whisper. "As you wish."
Before Hajun could react, pain erupted in his chest. He looked down to see Hyunsung's hand gripping a small knife that had pierced straight through him. His vision blurred as warmth spread through his body, though it felt more like the heat of Surtr's flames than blood. It was a game, no way it should've been this real and yet... Hajun felt his life slipping away.
"W-what...?" Hajun stammered, his legs giving way.
Hyunsung knelt beside him, his expression calm yet filled with something indescribable. "Don't hate me for this. It's what you wanted."
The world was dark as Hajun's consciousness faded, Hyunsung's smile lingering in his mind. It wasn't the grateful smile of a friend—it was something colder, more sinister.