The jarring clang of the metal shutters, slamming shut with a forceful finality, jolted Marjorie awake. The remnants of a restless night clung to her like a shroud, a chilling reminder of the surreal events that had unfolded. The air in her small apartment still held a lingering scent of fear, a faint echo of the swirling portal that had ripped open the fabric of reality.
The portal, a shimmering gateway to another world, still pulsed with an eerie energy in the corner of her room. It had remained open, an unsettling reminder of the two men who had emerged from it - Kim Dokja and Yoo Jonghyuk. She'd tried to convince Kim Dokja to stay outside, to make their presence less obvious, but Yoo Jonghyuk had insisted on staying close. His gaze was fixed on her, a constant weight of suspicion and scrutiny that made her skin crawl.
She'd been able to sleep for only a few short hours, too restless to fall into a deep slumber. The weight of the unknown, the fear of the men's presence, the sense of a world shifting around her, kept her mind spinning.
She glanced at her son, Elijah, still sound asleep in his bed, his face peaceful, oblivious to the chaos that had invaded their lives. A wave of guilt washed over her. She had been so focused on her own fears that she hadn't considered the impact this ordeal would have on him. He was just a child, a boy who deserved a normal life, a life free from the terrors that had suddenly become their reality.
The shrill buzz of the alarm clock shattered the fragile peace of the morning. She stumbled out of bed, her body protesting with every movement. She needed to prepare Elijah for school, to get him out the door on time, and to make it to her job at the convenience store. It was a tight schedule, a constant struggle to balance her responsibilities as a single mother with the demands of her meager existence.
The smell of stale coffee hung in the air, a testament to her lack of sleep. She quickly made Elijah his breakfast: two crackers and a bottle of water, the best she could afford. There was no money for elaborate breakfasts, no time for fancy pastries or freshly squeezed orange juice. They were a simple family, trying to make the best of a difficult situation.
As she carefully prepared her son's lunch, two biscuits and a bottle of water, the best she could offer, she felt a familiar pang of helplessness. She wanted to give him more, to shield him from the harsh realities of their world, but her resources were limited.
After he finished his breakfast and everything was ready, she helped him put on his bag. They were about to leave when they saw Kim Dokja and Yoo Jonghyuk standing outside the door. The two men had the same serious expressions, particularly Yoo Jonghyuk, who looked as if he was constantly battling a foe and always angry.
"I wonder if he was born that way, always carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders?" Marjorie thought, a touch of bitterness lacing her thoughts.
She simply walked past them, holding her son's hand as they made their way to his school. It wasn't far, so they walked. She could feel the two men following them like dogs, their presence a constant weight on her shoulders.
When they reached the school, Elijah stopped and looked up at his mother. His innocent features were apparent.
"Mama, can I play with Kuya Dokja's Golden Ball again?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"This is the first time I've heard my son call someone 'Kuya' who he doesn't even know..." Marjorie thought, a flicker of concern crossing her mind. She had never seen him be so eager to be around someone he didn't know. She looked in Kim Dokja's direction. He smiled slightly and nodded.
"Of course, Elijah. We'll be here."
Meanwhile, Yoo Jonghyuk remained silent, his arms crossed, his face still held that ever-present frown of anger and seriousness.
As she watched her son enter the school, she turned her attention back to Kim Dokja and Yoo Jonghyuk.
"Why do you have to follow me? I have work." she said, and hurried towards the bus stop. Luckily, a bus was pulling up, so she boarded it immediately.
"Are you two even going to follow me onto the bus and to work?" she asked them, puzzled.
Kim Dokja sat beside her, while Yoo Jonghyuk sat a seat away, facing the window. ' As if they are really sitting.' His presence, even without a word, was a palpable weight. She couldn't bear to think about how the other passengers would react to seeing her, a woman talking to herself, to no one. They were a threat to her world, a constant reminder of the dangers that now lurked around every corner.
Kim Dokja, sensing her anxiety, reached out to her with a subtle gesture of reassurance. "We understand you're concerned, Marjorie," he said, his voice a calming whisper. "But it's imperative that we stay close to you for now. This world is still unfamiliar to us, and we need your insights. We can't afford to lose you."
"We can't afford to lose you?" She frowned. His words felt heavy, laced with an unspoken weight. "But... what about the other people? What will they think if they see me talking to... well, to no one?"
Suddenly, Marjorie felt self-conscious. She could see the curious glances of the other passengers, the woman in front of her reading a book, the man in the corner with his headphones on.
"I-I.... I need my phone..." she mumbled, her voice barely audible. She reached for her purse, trying to distract herself, to pretend that she was just having an internal dialogue. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks.
"I understand," Kim Dokja said, a gentle amusement in his voice. "Sometimes, it's easier to pretend we're not there." He smiled, a subtle gesture that was almost imperceptible.
Yoo Jonghyuk, who had been silent, his gaze fixed out the window, continued to stare out at the passing scenery as if nothing had happened. Marjorie could feel his presence, an unsettling tension in the air. He might not be saying anything, but his silence spoke volumes.
It was as if he was watching her, analyzing her, trying to uncover some hidden truth. He didn't trust her. He didn't trust them. He was convinced that she was hiding something, a secret that could threaten their survival.
"He doesn't like distractions," Kim Dokja said, his voice laced with a gentle, sardonic amusement. "He's all business."
Marjorie felt a shiver run down her spine as she caught a glimpse of Yoo Jonghyuk's face. He looked like a predator, a predator who was patiently waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His presence, even in silence, was a looming threat.
As the bus pulled up to her stop, Marjorie could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to get to work, to put some distance between herself and the men.
As she stepped off the bus, she felt a wave of panic wash over her. She was caught in a nightmare, a world she didn't understand, with two powerful men who didn't trust her. It was a reality she could barely comprehend, and it was only getting more terrifying.
She walked towards the convenience store, her heart pounding, her body trembling, her every step a desperate attempt to hold on to what little normalcy she had left.
The store door swung open, and she could feel the weight of the men's presence behind her.
"Marjorie, you're late," Ms. Lee snapped, her voice dripping with disdain.
"I... I'm sorry. I was just… " Marjorie tried to explain, her voice a whisper, but she knew that her words were meaningless. She had become a pawn in their game, a victim of a world that was spinning out of control.
"You're always making excuses,"
she hissed, her voice dripping with venom.
"This is your fourth time this week! You're lucky I haven't fired you yet."
Kim Dokja watched as Ms. Lee moved towards Marjorie, her hand raised, ready to strike.
But before Ms. Lee could connect with Marjorie, something unexpected happened. Yoo Jonghyuk, who had remained silently observing the scene, suddenly shifted. It was a subtle movement, a ripple in the air, almost unnoticeable. He didn't even need to move physically; his aura, his sheer will, shifted the air around him, creating a tangible barrier.
Ms. Lee froze, her hand hovering just inches from Marjorie's face. She blinked, her gaze flicking around the room, as if confused by the sudden change in the atmosphere.
'W-What the...?'
"Just open the store,"
she mumbled, her voice softer, a hint of unease creeping into her tone.
Marjorie, stunned into silence, only nodded and shuffled towards the heavy metal gate leading to the back room.
A strange, unsettling feeling washed over Kim Dokja. Yoo Jonghyuk, a man of action, a warrior who thrived in the face of chaos, had just intervened, using a subtle display of force to deter Ms. Lee. He was a master of strategy, of calculated movements, a man who preferred efficiency over impulsive acts.
'This… this was unexpected.'
"Joonghyuk,"
Kim Dokja whispered, his voice low, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"That was…"
He turned towards Kim Dokja, his gaze still fixed on Ms. Lee, but a flicker of something like… acknowledgment crossed his face. He then cast a sideways glance at Marjorie.
"The Gate,"
He said, his voice a low rumble.
"This world is becoming… unpredictable. And she… she's the key."
His voice was laced with a strange emphasis, almost like a smirk. And Kim Dokja swore he saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes, a slight curl to his lips, just the tiniest bit of mockery. It was a look that sent a shiver down his spine, a look that made him want to punch him in the face. That smirk, that barely-there gesture, was like a sharp thorn in his side. It was a reminder of their long-standing, unspoken conflict, a reminder of the power dynamics that fueled their strange relationship.
"You're wrong, Joonghyuk,"
Kim Dokja said, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.
"She's not the key. We are. She's just a pawn in this game, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire."
He could feel his gaze pierce through him, a silent challenge. But before he could say more, a system notification popped up in front of him, a digital overlay on his vision. It displayed a holographic image of the elementary school where Elijah was.
🔰 [SYSTEM ALERT] 🔰
- [GATE ACTIVE] -
‼️ - [RED WARNING] - ‼️
[TARGET: ELIJAH]
[LOCATION: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL]
[STATUS: CRITICAL]
[REASON]:
- GATE ACTIVATION: A Gate has opened within the elementary school.
- THREAT LEVEL: HIGH Dangerous creatures are emerging from the Gate.
- TARGET: ELIJAH (MARJORIE'S SON) Elijah is located within the school and is in immediate danger.
- ACTION REQUIRED: Secure Elijah and evacuate the school immediately.
[PENALTY FOR FAILURE] : ‼️
- DEATH OF ELIJAH = DEATH OF KIM DOKJA & YOO JOONGHYUK IN MARJORIE'S REALITY Failure to save Elijah will result in the immediate death of Kim Dokja and Yoo Jonghyuk in Marjorie's world. Marjorie's world is the only known pathway back to your original reality.
[END OF TRANSMISSION] !!
[ADDITIONAL NOTES]:
- The Gate is unstable and may release additional creatures.
- The school is currently under lockdown.
- Emergency response teams are en route, but immediate action is required.
[SYSTEM SUGGESTION]:
- Utilize available resources to secure Elijah.
- Coordinate with other survivors to create a safe evacuation route.
- Prepare for potential confrontations with Gate creatures.
[SYSTEM REMINDER]. :
- "A reader's life is but a single line in a story. Choose your words carefully."📖
[SYSTEM END] 🌱
Kim Dokja's stomach clenched, his heart hammered against his ribs. The system was working here? In a world he had never known, in a reality that had been severed from his own. It was as if a phantom limb, a severed part of his own being, had suddenly come alive.
'What did the system mean about this.. '
("A reader's life is but a single line in a story. Choose your words carefully." )
He turned to Yoo Jonghyuk.
"Jonghyuk-ssi, we need to-"
He stopped. Yoo Jonghyuk was already moving. He was a shadow, a whisper in the wind, vanishing into the street.
"Wait!"
Kim Dokja yelled, his voice hoarse with urgency.
"We need a plan!"
But Yoo Jonghyuk was gone, disappearing into the throngs of people on the street. Kim Dokja was left staring at the system notification, his mind racing, trying to make sense of the chaos. He was normally a strategist, a master of calculated moves. This impulsive action was completely out of character. But then again, this was a world they didn't fully understand, a world where the rules didn't apply, where danger lurked in every corner. And this world held his lifeline, his connection to his own reality.
"Damn it! This guy again, he's going to the Gate alone.."
He muttered to himself, his voice laced with a mix of frustration and exasperation.
He turned back to Marjorie. She was still struggling with the heavy metal shutters, her brow furrowed in concentration. How could he tell her? How could he explain that her son was in danger?
The girls at the counter had stopped talking, their eyes wide with apprehension.
"Did you hear about the Gate at the school?"
One girl whispered, her voice filled with apprehension.
"They say it appeared out of nowhere, right in the middle of the playground. It's so creepy."
Her words echoed through his mind, confirming his worst fears. He had to act, and act fast.
...But even as he felt the urgency rising, he felt a strange calm settle over him. This was a situation he knew how to handle. This was his reality, his nightmare.
He watched as Marjorie, oblivious to the impending danger, continued her work. The clinking of metal shutters and the faint hum of the fridge filled the air, creating a sense of mundane normalcy.
Marjorie's face paled as she heard the girls' conversation, their whispers carrying a chilling sense of dread. The Gate, a word she knew all too well, was now a terrifying reality in her world. The world she had known for so long was changing, and the shift felt both jarring and inevitable.
"Gate?"
She murmured, her voice barely audible. She looked up, her eyes wide with disbelief, searching for some explanation, for some reassurance.
Her eyes met his, and Kim Dokja felt a pang of sympathy for her. She was a woman trapped in a nightmare, a woman who had no idea of the chaos that was unfolding around her.
He took a deep breath, trying to maintain a semblance of control.
"It's alright,"
he said, his voice a gentle tremor in the otherwise silent shop.
"I'll take care of everything."
But even as he said those words, he knew they were empty promises. This was a situation he couldn't control. The Gate, the monsters, the unknown dangers – they were all threats he'd faced before, and he was prepared to face them again. But this time, the stakes were higher.
'I couldn't let Elijah get hurt. I wouldn't.'
'Or else... Me and that Bastard will died here ..'
He knew Yoo Jonghyuk was already on his way to the school. He had always been a man of action, a warrior who charged headfirst into battle. His impulsiveness was his strength and his weakness.
He turned to Marjorie, his gaze meeting hers.
"You need to leave,"
he said, his voice firm, his eyes searching hers.
"Get out of here."
"H-Huh?"
She blinked, her face registering a mixture of shock and confusion.
"B-But... How about my work?"
"Forget about it!"
He said, his voice rising.
"There's something happening at Elijah's school, and you need to be with him!"
He gripped her arm, his touch unseen by the other people in the store. She froze, her eyes wide with fear.
"W-What do you mean?"
"Please, Marjorie,"
he urged, his voice desperate, filled with urgency.
"Just trust me." A chill ran down his spine. He hadn't expected to rely on her trust. She was a stranger to him, a woman he'd only just met, but he had no other choice. His entire existence, the very fabric of his reality, depended on her.
Marjorie hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between him and the girls at the counter, their whispers echoing through the small shop.
Then, she nodded, her face pale with fear. She looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of disbelief and a flicker of hope.
"Okay,"
she whispered.
"I'll go."
As Marjorie ran towards the door, Kim Dokja saw a hint of defiance flash across her face. She might not understand what was happening, but she was ready to fight for her son.
The store door slammed shut, the bell chiming as Ms. Lee, her face contorted with anger, stepped into the store.
"Marjorie, you can't just leave! You Bitch!! --- You're fired! This is-"
Her words faded into the background as Kim Dokja pulled Marjorie out of the store and onto the street.
He closed his eyes, his thoughts swirling with a mix of fear and determination. He had no idea what he was walking into. He didn't know what kind of creatures lurked within the Gate, what horrors awaited them. He had to protect Elijah.
The world had changed. And he was ready to face the storm.
The system alert blazed before Yoo Jonghyuk's eyes, a stark reminder of the precarious reality he was trapped in. The world seemed to warp around him, its familiar facade peeling away to reveal the dark underbelly he'd seen in countless other realities.
🔰 [SYSTEM ALERT] 🔰
[GATE ACTIVE]
‼️ [RED WARNING] ‼️
[TARGET: ELIJAH ]
[LOCATION: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL]
[STATUS: CRITICAL ]
[REASON] :
- GATE ACTIVATION: A Gate has opened within the elementary school.
- THREAT LEVEL: HIGH Dangerous creatures are emerging from the Gate.
- TARGET: ELIJAH (MARJORIE'S SON) Elijah is located within the school and is in immediate danger.
- ACTION REQUIRED: Secure Elijah and evacuate the school immediately.
[PENALTY FOR FAILURE]. :
- DEATH OF ELIJAH = DEATH OF KIM DOKJA & YOO JOONGHYUK IN MARJORIE'S REALITY Failure to save Elijah will result in the immediate death of Kim Dokja and Yoo Jonghyuk in Marjorie's world. Marjorie's world is the only known pathway back to your original reality.
[ADDITIONAL NOTES] :
- The Gate is unstable and may release additional creatures.
- The school is currently under lockdown.
- Emergency response teams are en route, but immediate action is required.
[SYSTEM SUGGESTION] :
- Utilize available resources to secure Elijah.
- Coordinate with other survivors to create a safe evacuation route.
- Prepare for potential confrontations with Gate creatures.
[END OF SYSTEM ALERT] 🌱
The moment he finished reading the System, Jonghyuk immediately headed for Elijah's school. He wasn't going to waste any time thinking about it, because he might not catch up with that kid.
His gaze fixed on the school building, the place where Elijah, the young boy who had a strangely familiar energy, was trapped. The school, once a symbol of childhood innocence, was now a cage, a prison of fear and danger.
He moved, a silent shadow gliding through the crowd. The world around him shifted, blurring and fading, as he focused on his objective. He could see the police officers, cordoning off the school with yellow caution tape. The atmosphere pulsed with a palpable sense of dread, a miasma of fear and uncertainty. There were hunters present, four D-ranks and one C-rank, their faces grim, their movements tense.
They were waiting for backup, for higher-ranked hunters to arrive. They were wary of entering the school, their ranks insufficient to face the threat. C-rank Gate, they whispered, their voices laced with fear.
'How weakling this Human are..'.
He could hear the panicked cries of parents, their pleas for their children echoing in the air. The police, their faces hardened, tried to maintain order, herding the panicked civilians away from the school gates.
And their conversations, their anxieties, their desperation.
"My daughter, please, she's inside!"
"Are the hunters even strong enough?"
"Someone, please, do something!"
"Please! Someone help my Son!"
Jonghyuk didn't need to hear their pleas. He saw their fear, their desperation, and it mirrored his own. The system's warning resonated in his mind, a stark reminder of the stakes: Failure would mean their deaths in this world, an eternity trapped in a reality that had become a prison.
'I couldn't allow that to happen.'
He moved, a silent specter, a shadow in the chaos. He was unseen, unheard, a phantom among the living. The school was his target.
Slipping through the cordoned area, he entered the school building. The air inside was heavy with the scent of fear and the faint tang of blood. The hallways were empty, the classrooms deserted, but the shadows held the whispers of the horrors that had unfolded within the school walls. He could see the bloodstains, the broken furniture, the shattered glass, the grim testament to the carnage.
His eyes scanned the hallway, his movements fluid and precise. The Gate was his priority. It pulsed with an unnatural energy, a dark, oppressive force that emanated from the third-floor classroom. The air around it crackled with a low, guttural hum.
The sound of shuffling feet and hushed whispers drew his attention. He found Elijah hiding in a corner, his eyes wide with fear, a group of his classmates huddled around him.
He was brave, though. He stood his ground, his small body shielding his friends. He was a child, a young boy, but there was something… familiar about...
A flicker of Jonghyuk's own past, a reflection of himself. He saw in him the same determination, the same will to survive, the same refusal to succumb to fear.
He was a mirror, reflecting a part of Jonghyuk he had long since buried.
As he approached, Elijah, the boy he had seen earlier, looked up. His eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recognized Jonghyuk. He knew he was different, someone who could see him despite his spectral form.
Jonghyuk gestured for Elijah to stay silent, his movements a whisper in the shadows. He seemed to understand, nodding slightly, his eyes wide with apprehension. Jonghyuk saw a hint of fear mixed with a determination that was almost… admirable. He was young, barely more than a child, yet he held onto hope in the face of unimaginable terror.
Jonghyuk had never been one for sentimentality, but something about his courage resonated with him. He was really a reflection of his own past, a child forced to face a world that held no innocence.
The Gate was his priority. He couldn't allow it to continue spewing its monstrous offspring into the school. These creatures, mere shadows of the horrors he'd faced before, were relentless, drawn to the Gate's power like moths to a flame.
He pushed open the door to the classroom, the air thick with the scent of blood and fear. The children huddled together, their faces pale with terror. He could hear their soft sobs, their whispered prayers.
The classroom was in disarray, furniture overturned, desks shattered. He could see the faint glow of the Gate, a malevolent light that pulsed through the room. The creatures moved like shadows, their forms shifting and contorting as they neared the Gate.
He raised his hand, the familiar weight of his sword a reassuring presence. But as he brought it down, he realized the futility of his actions. His form was a phantom, a spectral silhouette, unable to interact with the physical world. His blade passed through the creatures, his attacks harmless against their monstrous forms.
Frustration gnawed at him. His strength, his power, was useless against these creatures. They were drawn to the Gate, their very existence tied to its dark energy.
He heard a scream, a desperate, heart-wrenching cry that pierced through the chaos. It was Marjorie. Her voice, filled with anguish, echoed through the schoolyard. She was outside, desperately trying to reach the school, but the police, their faces grim, were holding her back.
"Stay back! It's too dangerous!"
they shouted.
She was his lifeline, the only connection to the world he had left. If she died, he would never get back. The system's warning echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of the stakes.
He looked at Kim Dokja, who had just arrived at the school, hovering above the crowd, his face a mask of grim determination.
"Kim Dokja,"
he said, his voice a low growl.
"Why did you bring her?"
He glanced at Jonghyuk, his gaze piercing through the chaos, his expression unreadable.
"She is a valuable asset,"
he said, his voice calm, measured.
"She's the only one who can help us."
His words were a reminder of their shared situation, the delicate balance of power and survival. But something about his calm demeanor grated on Jonghyuk. Why did he always seem so in control?
"Asset? She's a liability. She's just going to get in the way, and she could get killed."
Jonghyuk said, with his usual stoicism. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
'I really understand this Idiot Kim Dokja..'
"We don't have time for sentimentality. We need to deal with the Gate, and fast. She'll only slow us down."
"You're right. She's a liability... for now. But we need to find her son. That Gate is a threat, and we can't afford to take any chances with Elijah. We need to get to her and make sure he's safe. We need her to help us. We're connected to her world now, and if something happens to Elijah, we're done for."
Dokja's Said, His tone was firm with a hint of urgency. Jonghyuk feel his emphasizing the dire consequences of failing to secure Elijah's safety.
'Of course, he really see it as a critical task that needs to be done immediately, because our lives depend on it.'
"The System says we have to get to him. We have to make sure he's safe. That's our only way back home."
But Jonghyuk's eyes narrowed with a mixture of concern and annoyance.
'Tsk.. She's useless....'
'She can't even protect herself. We're going to be stuck here forever if we can't save that kid.'
He felt Kim Dokja's presence shift behind him, a wave of anxiety emanating from him. He was always so calm, so collected. But even he couldn't ignore the threat that loomed over them.
"P-Please, where.... is my son?"
Marjorie's desperate voice cut through the air. She was struggling to push through the cordon of police and hunters, her eyes searching frantically for her son.
He saw her, a tiny, fragile figure amidst the chaos. Her eyes, filled with fear and desperation, were a mirror to his own.
"Elijah,"
She gasped, her voice catching with a sob, as a small hand clutched her skirt.
He followed her gaze. Elijah, his face pale but resolute, stood a few feet away, surrounded by his classmates. A guttural growl ripped through the air as one of the creatures, a hulking Goblin with glowing red eyes, lunged toward Marjorie.
His heart pounded against his ribs. He was a phantom, unable to touch, to fight. The creature was a beast of flesh and bone, its form tangible and deadly. It was heading for her.
He saw Kim Dokja move. A flicker of concern crossed his face as he reached out, his voice a whispered warning.
"Marjorie, watch out!"
But before the Goblin could reach her, something incredible happened. Marjorie moved, her body a blur of motion, dodging the Goblin's attack with a speed he hadn't expected. The Goblin slammed into the wall, its monstrous form reverberating with the impact.
He watched in disbelief as the creature recoiled, its eyes filled with confusion. What just happened?
Marjorie stood frozen for a moment, her eyes wide with shock, her heart pounding in her chest. She was unharmed, but the Goblin, seemingly stunned, was now charging toward her again, its snarl a threat that sent a wave of panic through the room.
Kim Dokja, his face a mask of surprise, whispered to Jonghyuk
"How did she..."
He was as baffled as Jonghyuk was. Marjorie, this woman, this ordinary civilian, had just moved with an agility, a grace, that was impossible.
The Goblin's attack was a blur of monstrous fury, its claws slashing at the air, its teeth bared in a terrifying snarl. Marjorie, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and determination, braced herself for the impact.
"Marj, Watch Out!"
The moment those words reached her ears, Marjorie's body reacted instinctively. Her legs, as if propelled by an unseen force, surged forward, dodging the Goblin's clawing attack. She felt a jolt of adrenaline, a primal instinct kicking in, saving her from the creature's razor-sharp claws.
She saw the Goblin, its momentum carrying it forward, slam into the wall, its monstrous form reverberating with the impact.
But the initial relief was short-lived. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Fear, raw and primal, gripped her.
She glanced at Kim Dokja, who was hovering in the air, his face etched with concern.
'Concerned? But...'
"K-Kim Dokja..."
She stammered, her voice trembling with fear.
"W-what is happening t-to...me??"
But he didn't answer, seemingly as baffled as she was.
The Goblin, enraged and relentless, rose to its feet, its claws slashing at the air, its eyes locked on Marjorie. This time, she wasn't so lucky. The Goblin's claws tore into her arm, leaving a deep, bleeding gash.
A sharp, searing pain shot through her body, making her gasp in agony. She tried to run, but her legs gave way, sending her sprawling backward. She clutched her wound, a mixture of pain and fear washing over her.
Her vision blurred, a wave of dizziness washing over her.
'No.. I can't lose consciousness here, I can't die... I have to be with my son..'
'My son, I want to see him grow up... Graduate, find a good job, have his own family..'
'I-I don't want to die...'
Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to stay conscious, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She tried to run, but her body felt heavy, her movements sluggish.
Then, something unexpected happened.
System Name: Oracle's Guidance
- STATUS - -
NAME: Marjorie
LEVEL: 1
FATIGUE: 0
HP: 50
MP: 50
~STR: (10) VIT: (10) AGI: (10) INT: (15) SEN: (12)~
PHYSICAL DAMAGE REDUCTION: [ 10% ]
COINS: [ 0 ] 🪙
SKILLS :
- Passive: Adaptive Learning LV.1, Strategic Intuition LV.1, Instinctive Reflexes LV.1, Echo of Strategy LV.1, Whispers of the Oracle LV.1, Shared Perception LV.1 (Limited range and clarity at low levels)
- Active: Echo of Action LV.1 (Cooldown: 24 hours, Skill Acquisition Limit: 1 skill per week), Shadow Sense LV.1, Temporary Possession (Kim Dokja/Yoo Joonghyuk, Duration: 5 minutes, Cooldown: 7 days, Limit: 1 possession per week)
- INVENTORY: Empty -
- POINTS REMAINING: 10 -
Confusion flooded her mind as a screen, seemingly out of nowhere, appeared before her.
'S-System?'
'What does this mean? Am I fully Awakened now?'
But her attention was quickly drawn back to the enraged Goblin, its claws outstretched, its eyes filled with predatory hunger.
Terror gripped her, a cold, paralyzing fear that made her stomach churn. Her legs felt like lead, her body trembling uncontrollably.
'I-Is this the end?'
'N-No, it can't be...'
'E-Elijah... My son...'
Her vision began to blur, the world around her fading into a hazy darkness. For the first time, her thoughts turned to Kim Dokja and Yoo Jonghyuk.
'In this situation, I need them... But why? Why aren't they helping me?'
She slumped to the ground, her eyes struggling to stay open. A blinding light flashed before her, momentarily erasing the darkness.
'Light?'
She felt a strange sensation, a surge of energy coursing through her body, her strength returning. Her senses sharpened, the world around her coming back into focus.
'What's happening..?'
She tried to open her eyes, but a wave of drowsiness washed over her.
'W-Wait... I'm... Sleepy... In this situation..?'
"Marjorie..."
A voice, familiar yet ethereal, echoed in her mind.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of this."
'Familiar... That voice, it sounds like...
'Like...'
'Kim...Dokja...'
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Black out...