《Pavilion Lord》


 Arrival

    "As expected of Master Shin¡ªdefeating those unorthodox bastards in an instant!"


    A young man stood at the center of the bustling town square, his arms crossed and chin raised like he was the undisputed king of the world. His luxurious robe fluttered dramatically in the wind (that totally wasn''t being fanned by his devoted followers). His face gleamed with pride as he basked in the worship of the masses, who had just witnessed his godly prowess.


    "Master Shin, please accept our children as your disciples!" A desperate father shoved his son forward.


    Another man followed suit, practically throwing his daughter at him. "Forget disciples! Take my daughter as your wife!"


    "No, take mine!"


    Suddenly, a beautiful woman pushed forward, her cheeks flushed. "Master Shin¡­ please make me your concubine!"


    Before Shin could process that, another woman jumped in. "No! I''m more beautiful! Accept me instead!"


    "Excuse me?! You look like a discount cabbage seller! I should be his number one concubine!"


    "Who are you calling cabbage, you pig-faced harlot?!"


    Within seconds, several women started brawling over him, while the crowd chanted his name like he was a divine being. Shin ran a hand through his silky, jet-black hair and smirked. "Heheheh¡­ Power, wealth, women¡ªsoon, I will rule the Murim world."


    It was the peak of existence. He had it all. He was¡ª


    BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!


    "Huh?! What?!"


    A deafening, soul-crushing alarm shattered his glorious fantasy like a rock smashing a priceless jade.


    Shin''s eyes snapped open. Instead of a grand martial world¡­ he was sprawled across a massive, luxurious bed, drooling on his pillow, his hair a complete mess.


    Groaning, a 14-year-old boy slapped the alarm clock off the nightstand and buried his face back into his pillow. "Can''t I even have a beautiful dream in peace?!"


    "Andrew! Andrew! Anndreeew!"


    "Yes, Young Master!"-An elderly butler hurried into the room, his posture crisp despite his age.


    "Where the hell were you?" the boy snapped, irritation flickering in his sharp gaze.


    "My apologies, Young Master. I was attending to preparations for the Master''s death anniversary."


    The room fell silent.


    At those words, the boy''s expression darkened. His gaze drifted toward the massive bedroom window, fingers tightening at his sides. Outside, the world stretched endlessly before him¡ªlavish, untouchable.


    This was no ordinary teenager. He was Shin Ji-Hoon¡ªheir to an empire. Raised in a world of unimaginable wealth, his life was paved with privileges most could only dream of. Yet, standing there, staring into the distance, he felt none of its warmth.


    A beat of silence passed.


    "...Let''s go, Andrew."-The command was soft, yet absolute.


    Beyond the towering gates, a fleet of gleaming luxury cars stood waiting, their polished exteriors reflecting the morning light. Bodyguards stood in disciplined formation, eyes sharp, hands resting at their sides¡ªpoised for orders.


    As Ji-Hoon stepped outside, the air seemed to shift around him. Despite his youth, his presence carried a gravity far beyond his years. His expression was unreadable¡ªgrim, unwavering, as if sculpted by unseen burdens. Servants and guards moved in perfect sync, a silent acknowledgment of his status.


    "Sir, the private chopper is ready. We''ll arrive at Heming Mountain Shrine shortly."


    With one final glance at the estate behind him, Ji-Hoon stepped forward.


    At Heming Mountain:


    As Shin ascended the mountain, countless thoughts swirled in his mind.


    "My name is Shin Ji-Hoon, son of Kang Ji-Hoon¡ªthe richest man in Korea. My father built an empire from nothing, carving his name into history with sheer determination. He was strong, honorable¡­ my idol."


    A faint smile tugged at his lips. "It was here, on Heming Mountain, that he first met my mother. She was running from a group of thugs, helpless and terrified. Despite being unarmed, my father fought them¡ªthree men, all by himself. My mother fell for him at that moment. He was frail, yet he stood his ground. That''s the kind of man he was."


    A deep sigh escaped him.- "Last year, they both died in a car accident, leaving behind everything¡­ and me."


    Ji-Hoon clenched his fists.


    "I dream of a love story like theirs¡­ but I am different. I am weak. A coward. I flinch at shadows. Even with all my wealth, I get bullied at school. And what do I do? Nothing. After my parents'' death, I shut myself away, stopped going to school¡­ Video games, manga, manhwa¡ªthose became my whole world. I''d fantasize about getting superpowers, about magic, about stepping into a world where I matter. But deep down, I know¡­ it''s all just an illusion."


    A bitter chuckle left him. "Every time I try to change, I fail. I am not like him."


    Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed the climb until they reached the peak.


    "Young Master, we''ve arrived at the shrine," Andrew announced.


    Ji-Hoon stepped forward, his gaze settling on the ancient structure standing solemnly atop the mountain. The cold wind whispered through the trees as he approached, his footsteps light yet heavy with unspoken emotions. Kneeling before the shrine, he clasped his hands in silent prayer.


    Buddhist chants echoed softly from the monks nearby, blending into the mountain''s silence. But he paid them no mind. His thoughts were elsewhere.


    A faint smile graced his lips.


    "Mom, Dad¡­ how are you? You must be scolding Father right now¡ªhe never stayed still, always running off to help people. But don''t worry about me. I''m doing fine. This time, I''ve decided¡ªI will truly change. I will become like Father."


    Just as the words left his mouth, an eerie chill slithered down his spine. The warm summer breeze vanished. In its place, a bone-chilling dampness crept into his skin.


    Ji-Hoon''s eyes snapped open. His breath hitched.


    The shrine¡ªbathed in golden sunlight just moments ago¡ªwas now unrecognizable. Its pristine walls had crumbled, swallowed by time. Moss and fungi clung to the rotting wood. The scent of decay filled the air, thick and suffocating. It was as if winter had suddenly descended upon him. His heart pounded against his ribs.


    Where was everyone?


    "Andrew?" he called, his voice unsteady.


    No response.


    "Andrew! Is this some kind of prank? Where is everyone?!"


    Panic clawed at his throat. He reached up, touching his face, his head¡ªwas he wearing a VR headset? Was this some kind of elaborate simulation? But the cold air biting his skin, the damp scent of aged wood, the dead silence¡­ it was too real. He bolted from the shrine, desperate to find someone¡ªanyone.


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    But the world outside had changed.


    The city skyline, the roads, the familiar hum of modern life¡ªall gone.


    In their place stood endless mountains, an ocean of towering trees stretching beyond the horizon. Ji-Hoon stumbled back, his breath ragged. The shrine was still there¡ªbut it looked as though it had been abandoned for centuries.


    A nervous chuckle escaped him.


    "Hehehe¡­ I must be hallucinating. Yeah, that''s it. Too many late-night gaming sessions¡­ too much manhwa¡­ I just need to wake up."


    But his laughter died mid-breath, swallowed by the suffocating silence.


    The weight of reality pressed down like an unseen force, squeezing the air from his lungs. His knees buckled. His fingers dug into the dirt, trembling, grasping at nothing.


    He was just a 14-year-old boy. A boy who had already lost his parents. And now¡­ he had lost everything else. His vision blurred. He bit his lip, as if holding it in would stop the tremors running through his body. It didn''t. His chest tightened. His breath hitched. Then¡ªthe dam broke.


    He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he couldn''t stop the violent shudder in his shoulders. His breathing grew erratic, gasping, almost choking. His teeth ground together, but his throat burned as if something were clawing its way out.


    Tears slipped down his face, hot and unrelenting. His body shuddered violently, silent sobs wrecking through him before finally escaping in sharp, uneven breaths. He gritted his teeth, but his shoulders heaved as he desperately wiped his face with trembling hands¡ªas if erasing his tears would erase his helplessness.


    His lips parted, but the words barely came out. "Where¡­ is everyone¡­?"


    He swallowed back another sob, but his chest convulsed painfully. "Andrew¡­ Go-Jin¡­ Hwang-Woo¡­ Someone¡­ anyone¡­"


    His voice cracked¡ªweak, pitiful. The more he called, the more his hands gripped his own arms, his body curling in on itself. The night was cold, but his bones felt even colder.


    But no answer.


    His breath hitched. His throat burned. He lifted his head, staring into the empty darkness. "I''ll give you everything¡­ just¡­ just stop this¡­" His voice grew quieter, a whisper carried away by the wind. "Please¡­"


    The only response was the whisper of rustling leaves, the distant creak of the ancient shrine behind him. His head dropped forward, forehead pressing against his knees. His shoulders still trembled, but no more sounds came out. Even crying took too much strength now.


    He stayed like that for what felt like an eternity. His body curled inward, arms clutching himself like a fragile child trying to disappear into the night.


    And the world remained indifferent.


    As the sky darkened and the last rays of sunlight faded, Ji-Hoon slumped against the worn shrine pillar. His limbs felt like dead weight. His spirit, shattered beyond repair.


    Even as exhaustion crept in, his lips still trembled, whispering soft, broken pleas for help. But no one was left to hear them.


    And as time passed¡­ the world moved on. The sun rose once more, its golden rays creeping over the horizon, gently warming his tear-streaked face.


    His eyelids twitched and Ji-Hoon stirred, his body curled against the shrine''s cold stone. His throat was raw, his limbs heavy. His head ached from crying. His mind clung to the hope that this was all just a bad dream. That he would wake up in his warm bed. That he would hear Andrew grumbling about morning practice, Go-Jin blasting music, Hwang-Woo nagging about homework¡ª


    But the shrine was silent.


    Too silent.


    His fingers twitched. His breath hitched.


    Slowly¡ªhesitantly¡ªhe lifted his head.


    Towering trees. Crumbling stone. The vast, endless wilderness.


    No cars.


    No voices.


    No people.


    Ji-Hoon''s stomach twisted. The realization slithered up his spine, suffocating, terrifying.


    He was alone.


    The last ember of denial flickered out, leaving behind only cold reality. His breath turned uneven. His nails dug into his arms. "No. No, I can''t just sit here."


    He swallowed the lump in his throat and forced himself onto his feet. His legs wobbled, weak from exhaustion.


    But he had to move and Had to find someone and alsoHad to find food.


    One shaky step. Then another.


    It didn''t matter which direction¡ªanywhere but here. Hours passed and passed.


    The forest stretched endlessly, each tree blending into the next. The pathless ground crunched beneath his feet, his shoes scuffed and dirtied. His stomach gnawed at him, each step growing heavier.


    His fingers brushed against tree trunks, half for support, half as a desperate attempt to ground himself in reality. He had never walked this much in his life. He had never been this alone.


    Left? Right? Forward? Back?


    Every direction felt the same. Empty. Unchanging. Isolated.


    His breath quickened. His skin prickled. What if there was no one here? What if he never found anyone? What if he¡ª


    Slap!


    Pain shot up his arm as he smacked his skin. He glanced down¡ªmosquito bites. Dozens. His once-pristine skin was covered in swollen welts. And just like that, his spiraling thoughts shattered.


    "WHAT THE HELL?! DID I GET SACRIFICED TO MOSQUITO GODS LAST NIGHT?!"


    The absurdity of it all hit him like a truck. His chest rose and fell in ragged breaths. Then¡ªa chuckle.


    A weak, tired, pathetic chuckle. But still¡­ a chuckle.


    Then, his stomach growled. His head snapped down, clutching his empty belly. "¡­Forget philosophy. I need food before I start thinking about life and death."


    He had to eat. He had to survive. Forcing himself forward, he ventured deeper into the forest.


    Evening arrived.


    Ji-Hoon was beyond exhausted. His legs ached, his lips were dry, and his hunger clawed at him like a wild beast.


    But then¡ª


    He heard sound of Rushing water. His eyes widened. ''A river!''


    His sluggish body lurched forward, stumbling through the trees. He barely registered the sharp twigs scraping his skin as he collapsed by the water''s edge. Hope flickered in his chest. "Water. That means food". His stomach screamed. His brain scrambled for solutions.


    "Hmmm¡­ I need food. What did Bear Grylls do again? Right! Fishing!"


    With newfound determination, he grabbed some rocks and sticks, fashioning the worst spear in history.


    "This should work!"


    It did not work.


    The first attempt? Missed.


    The second? Missed.


    The tenth? Tripped and fell into the river.


    Cold, drenched, and humiliated, he was ready to abandon life itself¡ªuntil, by some miracle, he caught a fish.


    Holding it up in his hands, he laughed like a madman.


    "HAHAHAHA! I DID IT! I HAVE DEFEATED NATURE!"


    It took forever to gather wood and even longer to start a fire. But finally, he roasted his prize. As the flames crackled, he stared into them, feeling¡­ different.


    "Money didn''t get me this. Servants didn''t get me this. I did this. With my own hands¡­"


    A strange sense of accomplishment swelled in his chest. Then his brain finally caught up with the situation¡ªthe Isekai Revelation. He rubbed his chin, trying to shoo away the mosquitoes.


    "No lights. No roads. No WiFi. No K-Drama spoilers¡­ Could it be¡­?"


    His heart pounded. "Did I¡­ get ISEKAI''D?!" His mind flooded with endless possibilities.


    "Maybe aliens abducted me! Maybe this is transmigration! Or reincarnation! If that''s the case¡­ I MUST HAVE A SYSTEM!"


    He shot up, eyes burning with excitement. "System!"


    Nothing.


    "Status window!"


    Silence.


    "Cheat ability! Player stats! Godly powers! Supreme cultivation technique!"


    Still nothing. Sweat trickled down his forehead.


    "K-Kamehameha? Sharingan? Rasengan?! SYSTEM, WHERE ARE YOU?!"


    Silence.


    A long pause and a single tear rolled down his cheek. "...I''ve been scammed."


    Defeated, he collapsed onto the ground, glaring at the sky. "Fine. No system. No cheats. No OP skills. Just mosquitoes and suffering. I get it, Universe. Thanks."


    As he drifted off to sleep, a mosquito buzzed near his ear. "Argh! I will kill you¡ªahhh! SYSTEMMMMM¡­! SYSTEM¡­!"


    And so, Ji-Hoon spent his first night in another world¡­ in restless frustration.


    In next Morning, again a warm sunlight pressed against Ji-Hoon''s eyelids, dragging him back to consciousness. His body ached. His limbs felt like lead. His face was stiff with dried tears. For a moment, he lay there, half-asleep, half-broken, and 100% done with life.


    A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "¡­I''m still here, huh?" Reality settled in. His stomach churned with hunger. His arms stung with mosquito bites. His skin was itchy, covered in dirt, sweat, and regret. He groaned, forcing himself upright. He needed to move. "If I don''t find a city or a human soon, I''m going to start talking to rocks."


    His voice cracked from thirst, but he still chuckled at his own misery. Rubbing his face, he glanced around, taking in his surroundings. The river still flowed steadily nearby, the forest stretching endlessly in all directions. His stomach growled. He winced. He couldn''t survive on just water and half-burnt fish forever.


    Taking a deep breath, he straightened his back and muttered, "Alright. Time to use my vast survival knowledge from books and TV shows."


    Another breath. He recalled something useful - "When you''re lost¡­ follow the river downstream¡ªit should lead to civilization."


    With renewed determination (and a desperate craving for food that wasn''t raw fish), he set off. The journey was not peaceful. First, he dodged wild boars. (How do they run so fast?!)


    Then, he escaped a snake. (Why do they chase you when you''re running away?!) Then, he barely avoided a group of angry monkeys. (I WASN''T EVEN LOOKING AT YOUR BANANAS!)


    By the time the sun started setting, he was a mess¡ªhis clothes were torn, his face was smeared with dirt, and his soul had taken more damage than his body. He was tired. Hungry. Beyond frustrated. His legs felt like they could give out at any moment. His body begged him to stop.


    But then¡ª


    He found his salvation - On the horizon, beyond the trees, he spotted rooftops. His breath hitched. His heart leapt.


    "A town! Civilization! FOOOOOOD¡ª"


    His legs nearly gave out from relief. But then¡ªhis gaze locked onto the scene ahead. Just outside the town, a group of men stood in confrontation.


    Two of them wore flowing robes, their bearing elegant yet sharp. The rest were dressed differently, their clothing marked with distinct symbols.


    Something felt tense. Ji-Hoon instinctively crouched behind a bush, eyes wide.


    Then¡ª


    The two men moved like ghosts, their swords flashing like streaks of light. In an instant, their opponents collapsed to the ground, completely subdued. One of the warriors stepped forward, his presence like a blade. His voice was cold. Dominating. "Tell your sect master¡ªif you break the agreement with our Heavenly Sword Sect, your young lord will pay the price."


    Ji-Hoon''s breath hitched. His heart pounded and his eyes sparkled. He didn''t hear a word of what they said¡ªhe was too far away. But he didn''t need to. Because, at that moment, a single word burned into his mind:


    "Murim¡­?"

 Chapter 2 : Divine Prayer

    Shin Ji-Hoon had always prided himself on his vast knowledge of manhwas, web novels, and isekai tropes. But reality? That was a different beast entirely.


    Yet, as he watched those two cultivators move like phantoms, their robes fluttering, swords gleaming under the setting sun¡ªsomething clicked. The way they talked, the way they carried themselves, the sheer unreal nature of their movements...- It all made sense now.


    His mouth slowly fell open. "Wait... wait-wait-wait..." His voice trembled with growing realization. His breath quickened. "Cultivators... Sects... Martial Arts... Qi..."


    His pupils dilated. "I''M IN A MURIM WORLD?!"


    Excitement surged through him like an electric current. His body trembled¡ªnot with fear, but with something far more dangerous. Delusion , He slowly start getting on the delusion of being in fantasy world! He clenched his fists, his entire being vibrating with unearned confidence. "If I got transmigrated, then that must mean¡ª"


    A mad grin spread across his face as he puffed out his chest and bellowed to the heavens:


    "I''M THE CHOSEN ONE!"


    Silence


    A bead of sweat dripped down his temple. "Alright, next step is to check it again." He cleared his throat and raised his hands dramatically.


    "SYSTEEEMMM! MY GOLDEN FINGERRRR!!"


    Nothing happen and he blinked .


    "Uh... Stats Window? Character Panel? Main Quest? Hidden Bloodline Awakening? Supreme Senior guiding me from the void?!"


    Still nothing.


    A chill ran down his spine. "No, no, no¡­ don''t tell me I got the ''Poor Orphan with No Cheats'' route¡ªthis must be a bug!" But before he could spiral further into self-pity, a voice interrupted his breakdown.


    "Hey, did you hear that?"


    "Yeah¡­ sounds like some crazy guy yelling."


    "But what if he saw our deal? We can''t let this leak. Go and check it out!"


    "huh . . What and Why should I?"


    "Master made me the leader for this mission. Do you think he will be happy if this gets leaked to the other sect?"


    "Ugh¡­ fine. I''ll check it out."


    Here shin finally stopped his theatrics, only to feel an ominous chill creep up his spine. He swallowed. "Wait¡­ why do I feel like I just triggered a death flag?"


    A second later, he noticed something horrifying. One of the cultivators had vanished. "H-Huh? Where did he¡ª"


    Before he could finish his thought, he felt an intense killing intent lock onto him. Then, a shadow blurred into his vision. A man was charging at him at inhuman speed. Shin''s face drained of color. "W-WHY IS HE RUNNING AT ME?!"


    Shin''s Panic mode got activated. He turned and bolted in the opposite direction, arms flailing wildly. "DON''T KILL ME! I DON''T EVEN HAVE A SYSTEM YET!"


    But it was pointless. Before he could take ten steps, a firm grip latched onto his collar, yanking him back like a misbehaving puppy.


    Shin kicked and struggled wildly. "LET ME GO, YOU NPC! I SWEAR I''M JUST A PASSERBY! A BACKGROUND CHARACTER!"


    The cultivator frowned, examining him. The boy''s clothes were ragged, but his features and mannerisms screamed nobility¡ªalbeit a very weird one.


    "Is he¡­ an idiot?" the man muttered.


    "Oi, don''t call me an idiot! I can hear you!" Shin protested, but the cultivator ignored him.


    The man''s gaze darkened. "If he''s the son of a magistrate, this could be trouble¡­" His grip tightened. "Better to silence him now."


    Shin''s struggling immediately ceased. "¡­Wait. What?" His eyes darted around. "H-Hold on. Let''s not be hasty! I can be useful! I can cook, I can clean, I can¡ªuh¡ªsing Murim''s Got Talent-worthy songs! You need a mascot for your sect? I''M YOUR GUY!"


    But got no response.


    Shin gulped. "I''m¡­ I''m about to die, aren''t I?"


    And yet, as he finally stared at the young cultivator¡ªtall, sharp-featured, dressed in elegant robes¡ªShin''s eyes sparkled with admiration. "Wow! He looks exactly like a Young Master from a sect! This guy is definitely a famous side character!"


    Even in this life-threatening situation, Shin remained trapped in his own delusions¡ªfirmly believing himself to be the main character. The man in front of him? Just another minor character in his destined journey to greatness.


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    The cultivator, however, was not amused. With a cold gaze, he drew his sword and pressed it against Shin''s neck. "Brat, are you spying on us?"


    For a brief moment, Shin''s brain short-circuited. Then, like a true survivor, his instincts kicked in. "Wow¡­ a real sword! A genuine, bonafide, cultivator''s sword!" he muttered, eyes gleaming.


    The cultivator''s brow twitched dangerously. "What did you just say?"


    Shin snapped out of his awe and put on his most innocent grin. "Ahaha! Nothing, nothing at all, Young Master!"


    The man''s expression darkened. "Young Master?"


    Shin quickly nodded, playing along with his own nonsense. "Of course! Someone as noble and dignified as you must be a powerful Young Master of a great sect!"


    The cultivator''s grip on his sword tightened slightly. "You think flattery will save you?"


    Shin gulped. "Flattery? No, no! It''s the truth! The moment I saw you, I knew¡ªdestiny has entwined our fates!"


    The cultivator narrowed his eyes. "Destiny?"


    Shin nodded sagely. "Yes. You, a mighty cultivator, and me, a lost soul in need of guidance¡­ isn''t this the classic setup for a master-disciple relationship? Fate has already spoken!"


    For a moment, there was silence. Then, the cultivator exhaled through his nose and sheathed his sword. "¡­Are you an idiot?"


    Shin gasped, clutching his chest as if struck by lightning. "Wait¡ªthis is the legendary ''Are you an idiot?'' scene! Does this mean¡­ I''m the comic relief?! No! I refuse!"


    The cultivator ran a hand over his face, looking like he was debating whether killing Shin was worth the effort. "Enough. If you''re just some forest brat, I have no reason to waste my time."


    Shin dusted himself off, feeling victorious. "Alright then! But remember, Young Master! This is only our first meeting. Destiny has already decided that we will cross paths again!"


    Without even looking back, the cultivator muttered under his breath. "I sincerely hope not."


    Shin grinned, watching him leave. "Heh. Just you wait, side character! You will remember me!"


    Before the cultivator could leave, he paused and glanced back. "Wait. What were you yelling earlier?"


    Shin hesitated, suddenly feeling embarrassed. "Uh¡­ should I really say it, Young Master?"


    The cultivator raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Speak."


    Taking a deep breath, Shin clenched his fists and yelled at the top of his lungs¡ªthis time, in English.


    "SYSTEMMM! YOU MOTHERFU¡ªARE YOU LISTENING?! SYSTEM, MY GOLDEN FINGERRR!!!"


    Panting, he wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Huff¡­ huff¡­"


    The cultivator stared at him, expression unreadable. "What¡­ the hell¡­ was that?"


    Shin quickly regained his composure. "Ahaha! You wouldn''t understand, Young Master. It''s¡­ a divine prayer."


    The cultivator frowned. "A prayer?"


    Shin nodded solemnly. "Yes. In my homeland, ''System'' is our god, and we pray to him in hopes of meeting someone like you!"


    The cultivator stroked his chin, as if considering it seriously. "I see¡­ a prayer, huh? Hmph. Strange, but whatever. Just don''t go yelling it in the middle of nowhere. Some people in this world enjoy killing for fun, and with that weak body of yours, you''d be dead before you finish shouting your so-called prayer."


    Shin smirked. "Like I''d take advice from a side character like you."


    As the cultivator turned to leave, Shin muttered under his breath i(n English), "Go to hell, you motherf¡ª"


    The cultivator glanced back. "What?"


    Shin, without missing a beat, shouted, "Prayer! Prayer!" and then added (in English), "D*-head!"**


    The cultivator nodded thoughtfully. "Huh. Strange prayer. ''D*-head,'' was it? I''ll remember that."


    Shin barely held back his laughter as the cultivator walked off, repeating the words under his breath. "Syustum¡­ and D*-head¡­ what a bizarre prayer."


    Once the cultivator disappeared, Shin collapsed onto the ground, clutching his stomach as he cackled. "Hahaha! That idiot is probably going to walk around telling people ''D*-head'' thinking it''s some divine chant!"


    But after a few moments, the reality of his situation hit him again. "Alright. Now that it''s confirmed¡ªthis really is Murim." Rubbing his growling stomach, he muttered, "Time to sneak into the city and find something to eat."


    He scratched his head. "Where would I get food, though? Oh yeah! I still have that golden ring! Maybe I can trade it for some food."


    With the knowledge he gathered from books and games, he knew better than to wander into dangerous places. So, he waited until evening, when the crowds would thin. When the time was right, he stripped off his outer clothes, keeping only his trousers to make himself look like a beggar. "Perfect disguise!"


    Finally reaching the town, Shin''s eyes widened at the sight before him. The architecture, the people, the bustling streets¡ªit all felt strangely familiar, yet so different.


    But what truly caught his attention was the fact that everyone carried a weapon. Even an old shopkeeper lady, whose hands trembled so much she looked like she could drop dead any second, had a dagger strapped to her waist.


    Shin gulped. "Holy sh*t¡­ even granny''s packing heat. Someone better tell that old hag she might stab herself with those shaky hands!"


    But the very next moment, Shin''s jaw nearly hit the floor. A thug tried to snatch something and dash away, but before he could take two steps¡ª


    BAM!


    The frail-looking old lady moved like lightning, grabbing the thug and slamming him face-first into the ground. The street fell silent as she pinned him down with one hand, her dagger now at his throat. Shin shuddered. "Holy sh*t¡­ good thing she didn''t hear me earlier. Note to self¡ªnever underestimate the elderly in Murim."


    Shaking off the shock, he quickly moved along, blending into the crowd. After wandering the streets for a while, he stumbled upon an old restaurant. An elderly man was wiping down tables, looking like he was about to close up for the night. Shin strolled in and plopped down at a table.


    The old man immediately frowned. "Hey, beggar! Can''t you see where you''re sitting?"


    With a smug grin, Shin casually placed a golden ring on the table. "Sir, you shouldn''t look down on a valuable customer!"


    The old man''s eyes narrowed as he picked up the ring, inspecting it closely. After a moment, his expression darkened. "Where did you get this?"


    Shin puffed up his chest. "I found it in on street!"


    The old man''s face suddenly turned cold. "Hah! Street? A beggar? Don''t make me laugh. This is fake. Take it and get lost!" He tossed the ring back on the table and went back to wiping down.


    Shin''s eye twitched. "Fake?! Sir, this is real gold! You must be mistaken!"


    But the old man ignored him completely and locked up the restaurant.


    Shin clenched his fists, grumbling under his breath. "Go to hell, you motherf¡ª" (in English).


    No response.


    Frustrated, he wandered through the streets, his upper body exposed to the cold night air. As the wind howled, he curled up, shivering. "Damn it¡­ that old geezer calling my real gold ring fake¡­ just my luck!"


    But before he could complain further¡ª


    His vision blurred. His legs gave out. "What the he¡ª"


    Thud.


    Darkness.


    A group of masked figures stood over his unconscious body. Among them, the old man from the restaurant sneered. "I told you. The ring is pure gold. There''s no way a beggar like him would have something that expensive. He must know something about a hidden treasure!"


    His tone turned into flattery. "Now, about that favor I mentioned earlier¡­?"


    One of the masked men spoke coldly. "If your intel is correct, our master will consider it."

 Chapter 3 : Realization

    The group picked up Ji-hoon and rushed toward a building. The one dressed entirely in black, distinguished by a unique marking on his mask, appeared to be their leader.


    They stopped near a wall overgrown with roots and leaves, glancing around cautiously before pressing a hidden brick. A faint click echoed as a concealed mechanism activated, revealing a secret door.


    The stale underground air reeked of mold and blood, the faint flickering of torches casting eerie shadows against the cavernous stone walls.


    As they marched through narrow passages, Shin''s barely conscious mind caught glimpses of strange symbols etched into the walls, their eerie glow sending chills down his spine. His was thrown down like a sack of grain, his breath ragged as his battered frame trembled against the cold, damp floor


    Moving swiftly and precisely through a narrow passage, they emerged into a grand underground hall. An aged man stood waiting for them. "Master, we''ve brought him," one of them reported. "And this is the golden ring he had."


    The old man, clad in a flowing blue-and-white cultivator''s robe, bore deep wrinkles on his face, his long black hair streaked with silver. He was Go Sang-Won, the True Grand Master and vice lord of the Heavenly Sword Sect.


    Examining the ring, his gaze darkened as he spoke¡ª


    "Hmm, this sculpture is truly different... and it''s pure gold. This kind of artistry was famous during the era of the Golden Merchant. Now, it''s certain¡ªhe spent his final days here in Yunnan." Then he take a look at the shin''s face, "The Rumors about his tomb being in the Yunnan is spreading around and These day countless martial artists are swarming the area, searching for his tomb and the vast wealth buried within."


    A sinister, wicked smile crept across his face. "We must seize the treasure before anyone else does. It only belong to the Heavenly Sword Sect. "


    "Tie him up. He must know the location of the treasure."


    The guards wasted no time. Heavy iron chains wrapped around Shin''s wrists and ankles, binding him tightly to a thick wooden trunk. The cold metal bit into his skin, his body too weak to resist. Then a sudden splash of freezing water shocked him awake.


    "Gah¡ª! Did a tsunami hit?! Don''t worry, this Super Shin will save¡ª"


    Before he could finish his nonsense, his bleary vision cleared, and the grim reality of his situation settled in. "Wait... What? Where am I?! Who the hell are you guys?!"


    A dark chuckle echoed through the hall. Sang Won''s expression remained impassive, but his eyes glowed with malicious amusement. He gave a subtle nod to the masked man. The leader in Black stepped forward.


    Then, without hesitation¡ª


    BANG!


    A brutal punch slammed into Shin''s stomach with the force of a hammer. His entire body jerked violently, blood spurting from his mouth as a choked gasp escaped his lips. His ribs groaned under the pressure, his vision blurring as waves of agony crashed through him. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms as his body struggled to register the sheer pain.


    The leader''s cold voice followed- "Where is the location of treasure?"


    Shin barely managed to lift his head. His lips trembled as he wheezed, "W-What location¡­ and What Treasure?"


    "The longer you deny, the more painful it gets." The leader''s tone was flat, void of emotion. "Tell us where the Golden Merchant''s treasure is."


    Shin swallowed hard, his throat dry, his mind spinning. "I-I don''t know¡­ who that is¡ª"


    BANG!


    Another hit. This time, sharper, crueler. His ribs screamed in protest, his breath hitching as he coughed more blood.


    Go Sang Won watched in amusement. He knew how this worked¡ªfear was a blade sharper than any sword, and pain a fire that melted even the strongest will.


    After watching Shin writhe for a while, he scoffed. "He''s stubborn, but not for long. Break him apart until he talks."


    With that, he turned and walked out of the hall. Here shin barely noticed when he left. His mind reeled, heart hammering against his ribs. He wasn''t some hero who could endure endless torture! If this kept up, he''d die before sunrise.


    No. He had to say something. Anything.


    His lips parted, barely able to form the words, "T-The shrine¡­ in the forest¡­ That''s where¡­ I found the ring." The words hung in the air, each breath labored, each heartbeat a reminder of his fleeting strength.


    Go Sang Won stopped mid-step, "¡­The shrine?,... huh"


    Excitement flickered in his cruel eyes. His mind spun with the possibilities¡ªif this bagger had truly found the ring there, then the tomb was within reach. His sect would rise to unimaginable heights.


    He turned sharply. "We move now. Gather the disciples, prepare tools¡ªwe''ll excavate immediately and make sure this must remain a secret. Keep the movement conceal on the way."


    Shin barely registered what was happening as they yanked him to his feet. His entire body screamed in protest as the chains dug deeper into his bruised skin. A cloth wrapped around his face, muffling his protests as he was dragged forward.


    The journey blurred into pain. The motion of being carried sent jolts of agony through his battered form. He could hear murmurs, footsteps, the rustling of robes. His sealed acupuncture points prevented him from even groaning.


    When they finally removed the cloth, he found himself deep in the wilderness, surrounded by armed martial artists. His mouth was dry, his head light. The moment they unsealed his Acupuncture points, Sang Won stepped forward.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    "Now," his voice was sharp, expectant. "Show us where the shrine is."


    Shin''s heart pounded.


    This was the moment he realize how much his lie could backlash to him. If they found nothing¡­ if they realized he had lied¡­


    He shuddered. That punishment would be far worse than anything he had suffered so far. But the pain in his gut was unbearable. Even standing felt like an impossible task.


    Sweat dripped from his brow. His fingers curled into fists. With the last ounce of strength left in his trembling body¡­


    He took a shaky step forward. As more pressure was applied, Shin growled through gritted teeth, "Th... That way... after passing..." His breath came in ragged gasps, the searing pain threatening to break him. "Huff... Huff... after passing the river, you can find the shrine."


    Sang Won''s expression darkened with satisfaction. "All of you, listen well. Follow his direction. Leave no tail. If anyone dares to follow, kill them on the spot."


    Shin''s blood ran cold. His delusions of being a protagonist in a grand tale started to shatter. He was nothing but a weak, helpless captive in a cruel world. Kill them on the spot? His mind reeled. This wasn''t some fantasy adventure¡ªthis was real.


    The large force of martial artists moved like a storm, dragging Shin along. What had taken him two days was covered in mere hours. When they arrived, the disciples spread out, scanning the area for hidden threats.


    "Master, there is no one around. We can start the search."


    "Good," Sang Won commanded. "Search the entire vicinity. If there''s treasure, I want it found."


    As they scoured the shrine, Shin, wracked with pain, watched helplessly. The weight of his fate pressed down on him like an iron chain. Then, his eyes widened in disbelief¡ªamong the searching martial artists was the very man he had first encountered in this world. - Dok Sa Hyun.


    Dok Sa''s gaze landed on Shin, surprise flashing across his face. Just hours ago, he had warned the boy to be careful. And yet, here he was¡ªcaptured by his own master. His fingers twitched slightly, but he said nothing. Because he can''t do anything for him in presence of his master.


    Sang Won strode up to Shin, his twisted grin making Shin''s stomach lurch. "Brat, you better pray to the heavens that you''re right. If not..." He chuckled darkly. "Hahaha¡­ you know I will crush your skull."


    Shin trembled. The fantasy world he had dreamt of¡ªthe one where he was a protagonist destined for greatness¡ªwas crumbling before his very eyes. Fear of death started taking place in his mind. This was no storybook. He was weak. Helpless. Alone. And he was going to die.


    But then¡ª


    "Master! We found something!"


    A disciple uncovered a wooden box buried beneath the earth. As he pried it open, his breath hitched in disbelief. Inside lay a fortune¡ªgold ingots, coins, priceless jewelry, and ancient manuals. Then, more shouts erupted as other disciples unearthed even more treasures, their hands trembling at the sheer wealth before them.


    Sang Won''s laughter rang out like a thunderclap. "Hahahaha! Now, no one can stop my Heavenly Sword Sect!" His eyes glowed with greed as he turned back to Shin. "And now... only you remain."


    He walked up to Shin, inspecting his battered body with cold amusement. Then, with a wave of his hand, he issued his verdict. "kill the boy. He''s no longer needed."


    Dok Sa stiffened. His hand hovered over his weapon, but his heart wavered. This was the same foolish, idiotic boy he had met earlier¡ªthe one whose clueless antics had amused him. He had thought Shin was nothing more than an innocent, funny kid. And yet, here he was, condemned to die like a disposable pawn.


    He clenched his jaw. He knew what kind of man his master was. To Sang Won, anyone who became a liability was erased. That was the way of the Heavenly Sword Sect.


    And now, He had to make a choice so, He stepped forward, his voice filled with urgency. "Master, please reconsider that decision of yours. He''s just a young and innocent kid¡ªkilling him would be too much."


    Sang Won turned to him with a sharp glare. "Huh? What the hell are you saying? You know as well as I do how much our sect is in need of money. While the other sects in Yunnan prosper, ours suffers. This treasure is our key to the future."


    "But Master, killing an innocent¡ª"


    Cutting him off, Sang Won scoffed, "If that brat tells anyone, or if others find out about the treasure through him, it could bring disaster upon us."


    "But... please listen to me," Dok Sa pleaded, recounting his encounter with Shin earlier.


    A few minutes passed as the other disciples dug up more treasure behind them. Meanwhile, Dok Sa desperately tried to convince his master. "Master, please think this through. He''s an idiot, a mad kid¡ªthere''s no need to kill him." Branding Shin as crazy and useless was the only way he could think of to save him. Better to be seen as a fool than to die.


    "H-haha! What divine prayer? SYUSTUM? And D\*\*\*\*Head? So that''s the god he worships? Interesting."


    Hearing this, Shin felt a faint sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, his life could be spared.


    Sang Won smirked. "Fine, I''ll let him go¡ªif he can escape the arrows I shoot at him."


    Shin''s heart sank. "H-how can I run?" He could barely move. The pain in his stomach was unbearable, every breath felt like knives stabbing into him. And now, for the first time in his life, he felt true terror¡ªraw, unfiltered fear that clutched his very soul. The fear of death. The kind that made him swear never to go near martial artists again.


    Dok Sa clenched his fists. He knew his master had no intention of letting Shin go. Escaping from a True Grandmaster? For an ordinary boy? Impossible.


    "Master, please reconsider. He can''t even walk."


    Sang Won chuckled darkly. "Fine, let''s make it easier. Gouge his eyes out. Make him deaf and mute. That way, he''ll live¡ªas you wanted."


    "But... but¡ª"


    Ignoring him, Sang Won grabbed Shin by the throat and lifted him into the air. Agony shot through Shin''s body, his already battered frame now suffocating under the crushing grip. He struggled, gasping for air, his limbs flailing weakly.


    Then, with a flick of his fingers, Sang Won sealed Shin''s acupoints, ensuring he couldn''t scream. And then¡ª


    His fingers dug into Shin''s eye sockets.


    The last thing Shin saw was Dok Sa¡ªstanding there, watching, his face torn between horror and helplessness. But he didn''t move. He didn''t stop it.


    Shin''s mind shattered. His voice, silent but screaming, echoed in the depths of his soul. The agony was indescribable. He couldn''t cry. He couldn''t even beg. He could only endure as his world turned to black, his mind sinking into a pit of endless suffering, drowning in the pain that no words could ever capture.


    As his vision was ripped away, his senses heightened¡ªhe could feel every heartbeat pounding like a drum, every nerve in his body aflame with torment. The warmth of blood trickled down his face, the scent of iron thick in the air. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling like a fragile leaf caught in a storm. The fear, the realization that he had no control, gripped him tighter than any chain.


    His world was crumbling. His body was breaking. His mind¡ªshattering.


    Then came the sound¡ªlike wet flesh being torn apart. Then the pain¡ªsearing, unimaginable pain. And then, nothing but the cruel laughter of Sang Won reverberating through his head. A laughter that crushed every dream, every delusion, every fantasy he had held onto.


    He had been nothing but a fool. A child lost in delusions of heroism and fantasy, believing this world was just another game. But reality had torn those dreams apart. He was alone. Weak. Helpless.


    And no one was coming to save him.


    Sang Won let go, letting his broken body collapse to the ground like a discarded rag doll. "Take him far away and leave him to rot," he ordered, his voice void of any remorse. "Whether he lives or dies after this is no concern of mine."


    Dok Sa turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer. He had seen many horrors in his life, but this was different. This was cruelty on a small kid is beyond reason. But he could do nothing.


    Shin lay there, drowning in agony and despair, his mind spiraling into darkness. He felt himself slipping away, his consciousness fraying at the edges, his last grip on reality shattering as he descended into an abyss where only pain and suffering awaited.


    The last thing he heard before everything faded was Sang Won''s laughter¡ªcruel, triumphant, and utterly devoid of mercy.


    And then, silence.


    No light. No hope.


    Only darkness.

 Chapter 4 : Fated To Meet

    Shin''s life had completely turned upside down in just one day. Once a boy who dreamt of becoming a hero¡ªstrong, powerful, and admired¡ªhe was now barely clinging to life, his body unrecognizable even to himself.


    Pain. Pain that he can''t describe in words. It wasn''t just pain¡ªit was agony so deep it felt like his muscles were being torn apart from the inside. Every nerve in his body screamed, every breath felt like sandpaper down his throat. He wanted to scream. Cry. Move. and even want to Die.


    But he couldn''t even do that. His pressure points had been sealed. His body, once full of dreams and laughter, now lay still¡ªbroken, bleeding, forgotten.


    And as the blood drained from his body, so too did his memories. His thoughts faded into nothingness. He felt the movement around him vanish¡ª along with that , His dreams, his name, his identity... all slipped away like dust caught in the wind.


    Standing there, Dok Sa didn''t even dare to look at him anymore. A few hours ago, Shin had been teasing him¡ªgrinning, carefree. Now, he was just a lump of flesh barely clinging to life. He knew the rules. He couldn''t disobey the sect, even if it meant leaving someone behind.


    By the time the treasure extraction was complete, the team packed up and vanished, erasing all traces. Shin was left to the mercy of fate.


    In the next Morning, the sun rose high, its rays burning the torn skin on Shin''s body. Mosquitoes feasted freely, flies swarmed around his wounds, and the stench of rotting flesh began to spread.


    It was this very smell that caught the attention of a wandering elderly couple. They looked like ordinary villagers¡ªclad in worn, faded robes, probably in their late eighties.


    The old lady wrinkled her nose and swatted at the air. "Hmph¡­ What''s that awful stench?" she muttered. "Smells like rotting meat and disappointment." She waddled over, then gasped.


    "Aigoo! It''s a child!" she cried, kneeling beside Shin''s mangled body. "What kind of heartless demon would do this to a boy? He doesn''t even have eyes left!"


    "Hey, geezer!" , she barked over her shoulder. "You think this one''s still breathing?"


    The old man hobbled over with a wooden staff, squinting through foggy eyes. He poked Shin''s forehead gently with the tip. "Still warm, hmmm" he grunted. "That''s either a good sign or he''s just very fresh meat."


    The old lady glared at him. "What do you mean ''fresh meat,'' you senile goat?!", Without hesitation, she smacked him hard across the back of his head. "Ow! You crazy old hag!",  he yelped, stumbling sideways. "If you wanna beat me, at least do it with love, not with full force!"


    "You were poking a half-dead child like you''re checking if a fish is ripe!" she snapped. Her tone was sharp, but her eyes stayed locked on Shin''s injuries, full of concern. "Besides," she added, wiping sweat from his brow, "you wouldn''t know compassion if it bit you in the butt."


    The old man rubbed his head, muttering under his breath. "Hmph. I''ve shown you plenty of compassion over the last sixty years, and what did I get? A twisted back and nagging every morning..."


    "You got a wife who didn''t poison your food!" she shot back.


    "A blessing I question daily," he grumbled again.


    But despite the bickering, the old man carefully knelt beside her, pulling out a small pouch of salve and bandages. Together, they started tending to Shin''s wounds. "I''ll carry him," the old man said quietly, lifting the frail body with surprising care.


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    The old lady sighed. "Poor thing. Let''s get him to the manor. If the boy wakes up, I''ll cook him something warm."


    "And if he doesn''t?", old man asked to tease her.


    "I''ll cook you instead," she said sweetly.


    The old man chuckled. "Still as romantic as ever, aren''t you?"


    She sniffed. "Just shut up and walk straight, you walking twig."


    "Anyway, he''s still alive¡­ unless some animal eats him or he keels over before getting medicine," the old man muttered, peering at the bloodied boy with a frown.


    The old lady''s stern expression softened into a worried gaze as she knelt beside the boy. "Don''t worry, child¡­ consider yourself lucky. Fate''s still clinging to you, even if by a thread." Then, like a general barking orders on a battlefield, she snapped, "Hey, geezer! Pick him up!"


    The old man blinked, recoiling. "Why me?! He''s probably going to die anyway! And our house is miles away!"


    "Old geezer! Did you forget you said you''d carry him?"


    "Huh . . .?", But his protests were nothing in the face of her glare.


    "Pick. Him. Up," she said, her voice low and ominous, "unless you want me pressing a pillow to your face tonight while you sleep."


    The old man sighed in defeat and grumbled, hobbling over to lift Shin''s broken body.


    "Okay, okay! Why did I ever marry this witch¡­ always threatening to kill me¡­" he muttered under his breath.


    "I heard that, you bag of bones," she replied with a raised brow. "If you''re gonna whisper death wishes, at least do it quietly. My ears still work, you know." A chill ran down the old man''s spine. "Why does she hear everything¡­?"


    The strange but kind couple disappeared into the forest¡ªcarrying with them the tattered body of a Shin.


    Time passed like sand slipping through fingers. In their small, worn-down manor hidden deep in the woods, the bickering couple began to nurse Shin back to life. They fought like cats and dogs, day in and day out¡ªbut beneath the insults and threats was something deeper. Care. Love. Years of being stuck together, unwilling to admit how much they needed each other.


    And for Shin¡­ they treated him like their own son.


    One month passed like that, and when shin regain his consciousness he stirred. His body twitched. His fingers curled. Slowly¡­ agonizingly¡­ he returned from the depths of unconsciousness.


    But as soon as he awoke, a strange silence swallowed him whole. Darkness. Not the kind where you just close your eyes¡ªbut a pitch-black, suffocating void. No light. No sounds. No warmth. No colors.


    There was Nothing.


    His first sensation was pain¡ªburning, blinding, unbearable. But even that paled compared to what came next.


    He couldn''t see nor hear and even couldn''t speak. His world was gone. "No... No, this can''t be happening¡­"


    He moved his hand, clumsily patting his body. It moved. That gave him a flicker of hope.


    But the more he touched, the more horrifying it became.


    He felt nothing where his eyes should''ve been. His mouth couldn''t utter a word. His ears picked up nothing¡ªnot even his own breath.


    Panic exploded like a volcano inside his chest. He thrashed. Flailed. Reached for anything, any proof that he was still in the world of the living. He clawed at his face with ragged nails, scratching himself until bloody welts began to appear. But even that pain felt meaningless¡ªsmall compared to the hell he was sinking into. He was falling again¡ªmentally this time¡ªspiraling into a darkness that wasn''t just outside, but inside his very soul.


    The old lady rushed into the room, horrified to find him attacking himself. "Stop it! Stop¡ªchild, stop!!" she cried, trying to grab his wrists. But he was like a mad beast, flailing wildly, lost to reason.


    Just then¡ª


    "SMACK!!"


    A solid thud echoed through the room and Shin collapsed instantly, unconscious again. Behind him stood a little girl, holding a wooden bat like a victorious warrior.


    "Hehehe! Grandma, how was that? I knocked him out in one hit! He''s sleeping now!" she said proudly, puffing up her tiny chest like she''d just slain a dragon.


    The old lady stared at her, stunned¡­ and then turned her furious glare toward the old man standing outside the room. "You damn GEEZERRRRR!!"The old man, sensing death was upon him once again, turned to flee.


    "I told you not to give her that bat!", she shouted as she chased after him.


    "I already told her it isn''t a toy!", he yelled back, running for dear life.


    And like that, once again, Shin fell into unconsciousness surrounded darkness, chaos in his mental world.

 Chapter 5 : Another Transmigration

    The silence was still there when Shin opened his eyes again, But there was no light around him again.


    The darkness didn''t greet him this time. It lingered like an old enemy¡ªsilent, unmoving, unwanted. It had claimed him¡­ and it refused to leave.


    At first, panic clawed at his insides, just as it had the last time he''d awakened. But something inside Shin had shifted. He remembered the blunt impact at the back of his head and his last memory before descending into unconsciousness. His hand, trembling, reached up to feel the spot.


    The pain was still there¡­ dull but real. That''s when the bitter truth hit him again¡ª He couldn''t see, hear and speak. But it was different reaction from the past, he is calm and composed.


    But now he could feel, the cold air brushing his skin, The warmth of cloths around his body, The coarse texture of old blankets and The firmness of the bed beneath him¡ªnot luxurious, but warmer than the cold, blood-soaked ground he''d almost died on.


    He sat there-Still and Unmoving. For over an hour, Shin didn''t flinch, curled atop the creaky, broken bed like a ghost clinging to flesh. The silence¡ªabsolute and devouring¡ªwas all he had. Slowly¡­ painfully¡­ he began to accept it. This was his world now.


    But as he searched his mind, trying to find a thread of peace of memories to search what was happened to him.


    He remembered, He remembered the pain and suffering of having his eyes gouged out, suffocating choke that shattered his voice and the deafening silence that followed the rupture of his eardrums.


    Each memory returned not as a thought¡­ but as a feeling¡ª A relived nightmare. He wanted to resist the fear of that feeling but he can''t. His body began to shiver. He recoiled, pulling his limbs inward, instinctively trying to shield himself from invisible Enemies in the darkness. He curled tighter and tighter, his back arching, shoulders drawn close¡ª He is Trying to hide from the past and those dark and creepy feelings.


    But it was no use. Those memories repeated¡ªagain in that dark world like a picture, again and again, and again, and with each loop, the agony grew stronger. The screams in his soul grew louder¡ªeven if his lips would never move again.


    His mind was melting¡ªunraveling beneath the weight of the trauma. He curled tighter, like a wounded animal, a soul trapped in a shrinking cage.


    He curled up tighter and tighter, stretching his body to its very limit¡ªfolding in on himself like a coiled ball on the verge of snapping, wrapping as if trying to become smaller and less visible. But there was no escape from a darkness that lived inside.


    A few hours passed before the old granny came to check on him again. her gaze fell on him¡ª


    Curled like a frightened child.


    Muttering something under his breath, over and over again¡­ too fast to understand, too broken to ignore. Only she could hear, "Please, let me go. I will never come near her again."


    She tried to stop him from contorting any further, "Boy¡­ boy, calm down¡­", but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t get through to him.


    Soon, the old grandpa arrived. Without wasting a second, he rushed to help, but Shin''s body resisted like a coiled spring, tight and trembling.


    "Tch... you stubborn child," he muttered, biting his lower lip.


    Together, they straightened Shin''s twisted body and tied his limbs gently to the four corners of the bed to keep him from hurting himself. But even then, he kept struggling¡ªhis lips trembling as he murmured the same words, again and again. Shin continued to struggle¡ªhis head thrashing, murmurs escaping his lips like whispers from a broken soul.


    "¡­Still at it," the old man said with a frown, wiping sweat from his brow.


    "He''s lost between pain and fear," the granny whispered sadly, "He can''t accept the state he''s in."


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    The old man nodded, eyes shadowed, "If this keeps up, his mind will shatter. That pain¡­ it''s eating him from the inside. We don''t have the skill of a Divine Physician to fix a broken spirit¡­"


    Their gazes lingered on the boy¡ªhis lips dry, his skin pale, his murmurs still endless. The struggle was no longer physical. It was something deeper¡ªlike a storm ripping apart his soul from the inside.


    The couple sighed and turned back to him, still doing everything they could to stabilize him.


    Time passed, and the elderly pair tried every means they knew to bring him peace.


    In those slow passing days, the elderly couple poured every ounce of love and patience they had into Shin.


    But memories¡­ memories are like ghosts. Some leave you while others haunt you until there''s nothing left. As the saying goes, when memories haunt someone, there are usually only two outcomes¡ªeither they are consumed by those memories and perish, or they force themselves to forget the pain.


    The same was happening to Shin now. Slowly, he was becoming stable, but along with that, he was losing the very memories that made him Shin Ji-Hoon.


    Another summer arrived, its golden warmth washing over the earth''s surface again. In front of an old, rundown manor, a young boy sat on the doorstep, his face turned toward the sky, eyes covered with a dark cloth. Despite the darkness in his eyes, a faint smile played on his lips.


    To any passerby, it might have seemed like he was simply enjoying the sun. But to him, that small moment of warmth was the greatest happiness he could feel. After all the hardwork he done in his past life for him-self and his parents, now he didn''t have to worry about it.


    A short distance away, beneath the shade of an ancient tree, a little girl busied herself carving wooden dolls. Not far from her, an elderly couple worked their small farm, mending the soil with patient, weathered hands.


    The boy exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. Then, in his mind, he introduced himself once again.


    "My name is Park Ji-Hoon. I''m a transmigrator¡­ but an unlucky one. I died while heading to school and got hit by a truck while trying to save a cat?"


    "Back in my world, I was from a middle-class family. My parents worked hard, and I was a genius student, always at the top of my class."


    "My best friend, Shin Ji-Hoon, was a total manga, novel, and game addict. He was always rambling about fantasy worlds, Murim, martial artists, and those ridiculous overpowered protagonists. If he were in my place, he''d probably be screaming in excitement right now. But me? I don''t know much about all this¡­. But thinking about my parents makes me sad. They must have been devastated when they found out I was gone."


    As he sat there, deep in thought, a tingling sensation ran down his spine as Someone was watching him. He turned his head slightly, already knowing who it was. That little girl. Again. Even though he couldn''t see her, he could feel her mischievous eyes staring at him. With a wry smile, he waved his hand toward her.


    "When I woke up here¡­ I couldn''t see. I couldn''t hear. I couldn''t even speak. At first, it was terrifying. The kind of despair that could break someone. But I''ve gone through many hardships before. This? This was just another one I had to overcome."


    "Slowly but surely, I had begun to adjust. I learned to feel the presence of the three people around me¡ªtwo elderly figures and the little girl."


    "To communicate, I created my own form of sign language. I memorized their faces by touch¡ªthe elderly couple''s faces that were wrinkled, their skin marked by time, yet something about them felt warm, as if they had once been a beautiful pair."


    "They help me in the time when I was in need, they save this body from the injuries and I got transmigrated in his place."


    "And then¡­ there was her, That little demon of a girl. A walking, talking headache in the form of a cute child."


    "She never missed an opportunity to mess with me. She would pull pranks, hide my walking stick, and even¡ªon multiple occasions¡ªtry to shove me off the nearby cliff just for fun. And every single time, she was scolded by the old couple while I sat there wondering if today would be the day I actually died again."


    "She doesn''t mean any harm¡­ she''s just lonely. She''s never had friends before, and unfortunately, I''m the only idiot here for her to play with. From what I can tell, she''s cute¡­ but way too energetic. She''s like a little fox with too much free time."


    Thinking about her antics, he found himself chuckling softly. Life in this place was strange, but at least it was peaceful.


    "I still don''t know why these elders live deep in this forest, away from people. But honestly? I don''t care. At least I don''t have to deal with crazy martial artists flying around, killing people over some stupid grudge or treasure. I''m not some ''chosen one'' like in those novels Shin always read. And that? That''s a relief."


    For the first time in a long while, Park Ji-Hoon sighed in contentment. Maybe, just maybe¡­ this life wouldn''t be so bad after all¡ªunlike my last life, where I had to chase every opportunity just to gain recognition.