Seoul, South Korea
Year: 2025
Hyunwoo was a typical 21-year-old who had moved to Seoul in search of a stable job. His apartment was small, barely enough to fit a bed, a wardrobe, a bathroom, and a kitchen—which, ironically, he hadn't even used since moving in.
His life had taken a tragic turn. He had lost both his parents in a car accident when an out-of-control truck rammed into their vehicle. The car had flipped over multiple times before coming to a halt. They were rushed to the hospital, but neither survived the journey. The news shattered Hyunwoo. The grief was unbearable, and in an attempt to escape the memories of his quiet, agriculture-based village, he moved to Seoul, hoping for a fresh start.
But city life was far from what he had imagined. It was suffocating—crowded streets, packed buses, and jammed metro stations. People rushed to work, students hurried to college, and he found himself lost in the chaos. Every morning, he squeezed into the congested train, just another face in the sea of strangers.
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A Sleepless Night
It was past midnight, yet Hyunwoo lay awake, tormented by the thoughts looping endlessly in his mind. Though he had managed to secure a job, the pay was just enough to cover rent and food. Ever since he had moved to Seoul, peaceful sleep had become a luxury.
Life had been easier when his parents were around. Now, without them, it felt like a world without the sun and moon—cold, dark, and lonely. He longed for simple things: a good night's sleep, a loving and caring girlfriend, marriage, children, a stable career, and a peaceful life. But those dreams felt distant.
His body ached from exhaustion, every muscle screaming for rest. At times, he wondered if even God had abandoned him.
The only thing keeping him going was anime and manhwa. Whenever he had free time, he would immerse himself in their stories, drawing motivation from the characters who overcame hardships.
After hours of overthinking, he finally drifted off to sleep, silent tears staining his pillow as he thought of his mother's warm touch.
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A Strange Awakening
Hyunwoo woke up with heavy, dizzy eyes. Something felt... different. As his vision adjusted, he noticed something bizarre—a portrait of a king hanging on the wall.
That wasn't there before.
He squinted and looked again. The image remained unchanged—a regal figure with a sword at his waist, draped in luxurious robes and a cape.
Confused, he glanced around the room.
This wasn't his tiny Seoul apartment.
Instead, he found himself in a grand, medieval-style bedroom, adorned with intricate furnishings. His heart pounded in his chest. Was this a dream? A hallucination? He pinched himself—hard.
Pain shot through his arm. Not a dream.
Panic surged through him. His hands trembled as he looked down at himself. Gone were his usual clothes. Instead, he was dressed in noble-style pajamas, and his hands and neck were adorned with black gemstone-studded jewelry, glimmering under the dim light.
"What the hell…?" he whispered, fear creeping into his voice.