Byung Hun's breath was heavy as the lingering presence of the god settled deep within him. His body trembled—not from fear, but from the overwhelming energy that now pulsed through his veins.
He looked down at his hands. Nothing seemed different. No golden aura, no mystical transformation. But inside, something had changed. He could feel it, like an ember smoldering beneath his skin, waiting to be ignited.
The god's voice rumbled within him again.
"You are not ready to wield my power."
Byung Hun clenched his fists. "Then why did you give it to me?"
Silence.
The air around him felt denser now, charged with something unseen. The ruins of the shrine, once still, seemed alive in his presence. The wind carried whispers—words in an ancient tongue he could not understand.
Then, the pain struck.
A searing heat burned into his chest, as if something was being carved into his flesh. He gritted his teeth, refusing to cry out. The agony spread, digging deeper, until finally—it stopped.
Byung Hun gasped for air, his vision blurry. He pulled at the collar of his ragged tunic and saw it.
A symbol, glowing faintly against his skin.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen, an intricate design resembling crashing waves intertwined with jagged flames.
"This is my mark," the god spoke, his voice softer now. "Proof of our bond. Proof that you have been chosen."
Byung Hun's fingers hovered over the mark, feeling its warmth. "What does it mean?"
"It means you have taken your first step. My power will not come freely—you must earn it."
He exhaled sharply. "How?"
The god chuckled, though there was no amusement in it. "You must survive."
The words sent a chill down his spine.
Survive?
Before he could question further, the presence withdrew, fading into the depths of his soul. The ruins were silent once more.
Byung Hun staggered to his feet. The weight in his chest was heavier now, but his resolve was firmer than ever.
He didn't know what trials awaited him.
He didn't know how he would survive.
But he knew one thing for certain—he would not back down.
And whatever fate the god had in store for him, he would face it head-on.