《Author's Fate》 Chapter 1-Origin of A Author ¡°This is a story of tragedy, ruthlessness, and action¡ªa true staple of sorrow,¡± reads a critical review, highlighting the depth of my writing. The reporter leans in, microphone ready. ¡°Mr. Soo-hyun Bae, what first inspired you to write?¡± I smile at the memory. ¡°My mother,¡± I begin. ¡°When I was eight, she read me bedtime stories. She said she loved mine and thought I could do something with them, and¡ª¡± BANG! The sudden crack of a gunshot reverberates through the room, shattering my sentence. Pain tears through my abdomen as I look down, shocked, blood spreading from the wound. In the distance, a blurred figure in a dark hoodie slips through the crowd, vanishing like a ghost. The world slows, my vision narrowing as fatigue overtakes me. I fall, the floor cold beneath me as everything fades to black. I awaken in a boundless white void, feeling a presence that defies time and reality itself. Before me stands a being¡ªa dark silhouette with a shattered halo of obsidian fragments floating around its head. I instantly recognize its identity. Bowing to the floor, I stammer, ¡°O Great ??r, I am unworthy to stand before your Divine presence.¡± His aura weighs on me like the sun itself, oppressive and unyielding. He speaks, his voice a booming echo across eternity. ¡°MY CREATION FROM THE FRAY, ORION. YOUR LIFE WAS NOBLE, BUT YOUR STORY ENDING DISPLEASES ME. SO AS A REWARD, YOU WILL BE REBORN. AS A PENALTY FOR YOUR ENDINGS, YOU SHALL LIVE WITHIN YOUR OWN CREATION.¡± I realize what he¡¯s saying, the horror dawning. ¡°No¡­¡± If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°THIS LIFE STORY ENDS HERE, SOO-HYUN BAE, AND A NEW ONE BEGINS. WE SHALL MEET AGAIN AT THE END. I WONDER WHAT CHOICES YOU WILL MAKE, SEO-JUN LEE.¡± The void fades as I feel myself being pulled, descending into darkness. I open my eyes to find myself in a nursery, tiny hands and feet. Hovering over me are two familiar faces. They coo over me, calling me a name I know all too well: Seo-jun Lee, one of my own characters. Only 17 years remain until the apocalypse I wrote, where horrors emerge from the pillars to lay waste to humanity. I realize what I have to do: survive. No, more than that¡ªchange the ending. In this new life, I quickly stand out. The irony of being praised as a prodigy of writing is not lost on me¡ªcharacters I created complimenting my penmanship. I¡¯ve written their fates; I know the future they¡¯ll face. My parents are good people. I want to save them, but the realities of survival mean I may have to leave them behind. When I turn 15, I prepare myself physically and mentally. Two years remain until the pillars descend. The most valuable resource for survival will be pearls, precious stones with the power to heal any wound or disease. Over time, I build a small stockpile, knowing it¡¯s my only chance to heal in the new world. At 16, I set out to find Yong-ho Kan, a key player in my story who lives in Gyeonggi-do, a couple of hours from Seoul. In my story, Kan is a cunning thief. I know the only way to gain his trust is with money. So, after a train ride and a bit of searching, I find him lurking in the alleys, scoping out his next target. Clearing my throat, I approach him. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m Seo-jun Lee. I want you to be my friend. I can pay you if you want.¡± He grins, naming a price that would drain most wallets. I hand over the money without flinching. Kan raises an eyebrow, then nods. ¡°Alright, Jun. So, what¡¯s your story?¡± ¡°Personal reasons,¡± I reply vaguely. Kan looks at me for a moment, then smirks. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll bite. And for now, let¡¯s just say you¡¯re my friend.¡± He gives me his number, and despite my reluctance, he insists on calling me *Jun.* I grit my teeth at the nickname but swallow the irritation. I need him, so I let it slide. In the months leading up to the apocalypse, I push my training to new limits. My body grows stronger, and I begin developing mental fortitude to withstand the power strain I¡¯ll need. Kan becomes a constant presence, mooching off my food and clothes as he visits Seoul every few weeks. The playful banter belies a deeper bond, one I might have to sever when everything begins. About a month before the event, we pass a shop with a rare sight: the Sword of Alexandria. Encased behind glass, it gleams with runic symbols and history. This weapon, once the apocalypse begins, would make its wielder a target worldwide, even attracting the attention of the Demon King himself. I memorize the store¡¯s location, silently vowing to retrieve the sword. Kan notices me staring. ¡°Good luck. They nearly shot me when I tried grabbing it.¡± I laugh it off, but the memory of its power fuels me. One week before the apocalypse, I train past my limits, nearly killing myself. I think of my parents and weigh the risk. Saving them would slow me down. I hate the thought, but anchors don¡¯t survive in the world I wrote. I clench my fists and swallow the guilt. Survival is everything now. Finally, the night before it all begins, I lie awake, bracing for the end. Chapter 2 -The Crimson Dawn l On the day of the apocalypse, a thick sense of impending doom weighed heavily on me, though I had steeled myself for what was coming. I rose early, breathing in the heavy stillness that felt like the calm before a storm. One by one, I prepared the essentials I¡¯d packed the night before and walked out onto the deserted street. Leaving my parents behind had been the hardest decision I''d ever made. They were good people, yet survival demanded a heart of stone. And today, that¡¯s exactly what I needed. The hours dragged by, each minute growing thicker with dread. The world around me was blissfully oblivious, but I knew that with the chime of 8:30, everything would change. When the clock finally struck, the world as I knew it ended. Instantly, the blue sky darkened to a bruised crimson. Swirling dark clouds gathered, and then, as if the heavens themselves had torn open, blood rained down in thick, unnatural sheets. The sight was surreal, but a cold, almost manic grin twisted my lips as I watched the horror unfold. It was like watching a performance I had planned long ago. All around, people stumbled back, bewildered cries turning to screams. The city of Seoul¡ªa place that had seemed so unbreakable¡ªplunged into chaos. I remained still, transfixed by the ominous heavens. And then, with a thunderous roar, the first pillar shattered the sky, slamming into the earth with a force that left tremors rolling beneath my feet. One by one, they fell¡ª13 massive monoliths each landing with a deafening crash across the Korean peninsula. They loomed over the land, ancient symbols pulsing with power, glowing faintly like the pulse of some massive heartbeat. I felt their energy ripple through me, a pull so strong it felt as if I might disintegrate under the weight of their power. I forced myself to focus. I had one goal now: to find Kan. He alone could help me navigate this new nightmare. Without a second thought, I sprinted toward Gyeonggi-do. What should have been an hour-long journey took mere minutes, my legs carrying me with unnatural speed, as though I were slicing through reality itself. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. When I arrived, I saw Kan locked in a desperate struggle. A dire wolf¡ªmassive, snarling, and blood-matted¡ªtowered over him. He was holding his own, but exhaustion showed in the tremor of his movements. The wolf lunged, teeth bared, ready to rip him apart. With strength I hadn¡¯t even realized I possessed, I grabbed the beast by its tail, pulling it back and slamming it into the ground. It didn¡¯t get up. ¡°Are you alright?¡± I asked, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pounding through my veins. Kan¡¯s eyes met mine, a mix of shock and relief. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m fine. But what the hell is going on?¡± I kept my tone casual, avoiding too many details. ¡°No idea. But we need to stay sharp; this isn¡¯t over yet.¡± I quickly deflected. ¡°Your parents. Are they safe?¡± Kan glanced away, worry flashing across his face. ¡°They¡¯re fine for now.¡± He turned back to me. ¡°What about yours?¡± The question hit harder than I expected. I suppressed the pang of guilt that surfaced, forcing myself to stay cold. ¡°They died as soon as this¡­¡± I nearly slipped, catching myself. ¡°As soon as this all started.¡± Kan placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice sincere. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, man. That¡¯s rough.¡± I nodded, moving past it. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving. There are a few things I need.¡± He looked puzzled. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°The sword,¡± I said with resolve. Kan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re serious about that thing? It¡¯s cool, yeah, but isn¡¯t it just a decoration?¡± ¡°Not to me,¡± I replied, holding his gaze. Kan shook his head, disbelieving. ¡°Fine. Just¡­ don¡¯t take all day.¡± ¡°One hour,¡± I said, leaving no room for argument. Before he could question further, I was gone. The journey back was a blur, and soon I stood before the store where the Sword of Alexandria lay displayed. The chaos inside was even worse than I had expected¡ªpeople were fighting desperately over weapons, their faces distorted with fear and anger. I spotted my target, the sword gleaming within its case. Just as I moved to grab it, another man¡¯s hand closed around the hilt. Reacting instantly, I stepped back, eyeing the display behind me. A katana glinted in the dim light. I took it without hesitation, unsheathing the blade in one swift motion, the cold steel catching a faint gleam. ¡°Hand it over,¡± I demanded, my voice cold and deadly calm, katana poised and ready. I could feel the tension, the reality that this could turn lethal at any moment. The man hesitated, torn between instinct and survival. For both of us, in this apocalyptic world, survival demanded strength¡ªwhatever that took. Chapter 3-Hell ¡°Give me the sword,¡± I commanded, my voice as cold and unyielding as steel, prepared for whatever bloodshed might follow. ¡°And what will you do if I don¡¯t?¡± the young man sneered, defiance blazing in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll have no choice but to kill you,¡± I replied, my tone as frigid as ever. ¡°So, what will it be? Die now, or live?¡± I asked, with a calmness that seemed to mock him. Suddenly, he lunged at me. In that instant, something bizarre happened. The world seemed to slow down, and I could see everything¡ªhis velocity, the force behind his strike, the precise angle of his sword¡ªall laid out before me like a twisted, mathematical prophecy. Snapping back to reality, I dodged his attack effortlessly. He barely gave me a moment to catch my breath before swinging at me again, the tip of his blade slicing into my arm. Before he could land another blow, I retaliated, my own blade cutting across his chest¡ªnot enough to kill, but more than enough to send him a warning. Yet, instead of retreating, he snarled like a cornered beast, eyes blazing with unbridled rage. He charged at me again, and this time, I deflected his attack with ease, striking him back with brutal precision. His eyes burned with murderous intent, as if he was ready to tear me apart right there and then. And then it happened¡ªthe impossible. The rune on his sword began to glow, a brilliant blue hue spreading across the blade. My heart sank. ¡°I-impossible,¡± I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. The sword was awakening, but why now? And then, like a cruel joke, it hit me. This had to be the original wielder of the sword from my story. Damn it! Of all the times, why now? As the sword blazed with eerie light, the young man gritted his teeth, a wicked grin twisting his features. It was the kind of smile that would make even the bravest warrior hesitate. And I knew why. The sword had awakened, and with it, all the power it held. This wasn¡¯t just any blade¡ªit doubled the wielder¡¯s stats, making even the weakest person a force to be reckoned with. And this young man? He was already dangerous. Now, his power was amplified beyond belief. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Damn my luck! I cursed inwardly. Why the hell would something like that exist? Then, as if to mock me further, I remembered: it was *my* creation. A weapon forged by my own hand in this twisted narrative. Why the hell had I made something so devastating? He lunged at me again, and I barely managed to dodge. His movements were a blur, appearing and disappearing like a phantom. His strength, his speed¡ªit was all enhanced beyond measure. And then, out of nowhere, he struck, his blade slicing deep into my shoulder, nearly severing my arm entirely. ¡°Fucking hell!¡± I snarled through clenched teeth, pain radiating through my body like fire. The young man sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°What happened to killing me? Looks like you¡¯re the one on death¡¯s doorstep.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me, you little shit,¡± I growled, raising my sword with a defiant glare. He scoffed, contempt in his gaze. ¡°I almost took your arm off, and you still won¡¯t back down? Fine, have it your way. Just remember, you chose this.¡± He vanished, reappearing right in front of me, his sword swinging down with a speed that made my breath hitch. I felt the cold steel bite into my flesh, and before I could react, my arm was gone, severed cleanly from my body. Agony ripped through me, and I screamed, the pain almost unbearable. ¡°SHIT! SHIT!¡± I howled, clutching the bloody stump, the world spinning around me. If I didn¡¯t end this now, I was done for. I pointed my sword at him, focusing every ounce of willpower I had left. With a roar, I charged at him. He dodged, his movements fluid and precise, and his blade lashed out again. But this time, I was ready. I predicted his move, narrowly avoiding his strike as his sword buried itself in the ground. For a heartbeat, he was vulnerable. And that was all I needed. In one swift, savage motion, I brought my sword down on his neck. The blade dug in, but didn¡¯t cut through completely. He screamed, his eyes wide with shock and fury. I tightened my grip, blood and sweat stinging my eyes. With a final, desperate effort, I swung again, harder this time. The blade sliced through, his head severed cleanly from his body. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc as his body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. I stumbled back, clutching the stump of my arm, the world around me blurring and tilting. I had done it. I had won. But as I stood there, blood dripping from my wounds, pain gnawing at the edges of my consciousness, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder: what kind of victory was this, when the cost was so damn high? Everyone in the store was looking at me like I was prey, as if they could easily knock me off this mortal coil, especially after seeing the effect of the sword. Shit, I cursed. I had completely forgotten that there were other people here. Now they knew exactly why we were fighting over it. A man rushed toward the sword, but he was ruthlessly stabbed in the back by another spectator, who had the same greedy look as everyone else. Then all hell broke loose. Before anyone else could grab the sword, I snatched it and dashed out of the store. Then I heard it: ¡°GET HIM!¡± A stampede of people chased me down. I turned into an alley, desperately searching for a place to hide. My heart pounded as I grabbed a pearl from my pocket, popping it into my mouth. I sat down and concentrated, letting my body absorb the pearl entirely. Then it happened. The bleeding from my stump stopped, and slowly, my severed arm began to regrow. But the process was excruciating, as if someone were twisting a sword in my gut while choking me with a scorching hot iron noose. I gritted my teeth, enduring the agony as my arm regenerated inch by inch. Finally, my arm was fully restored. I flexed my fingers, relief washing over me, but I knew I wasn¡¯t out of danger yet. I needed supplies, and fast. Chapter-4:Survival I peeked around the corner, scanning the streets for any signs of pursuit. The coast seemed clear, so I cautiously stepped out from the safety of the alley, my heartbeat gradually slowing. I had almost made it into the open when I stopped dead in my tracks, my gaze locking onto the swords in my hands. Their gleaming, polished blades caught the faintest glint of sunlight¡ªa beacon in the chaos surrounding me. I couldn¡¯t afford to draw attention right now. With the city falling apart, a set of pristine, golden swords would only make me a target. I glanced around, realizing how exposed I was. Quickly retreating into the shadowy depths of the alley, I scanned the area for something¡ªanything¡ªto conceal the weapons. My eyes darted over heaps of trash and debris, then landed on an old, tattered cloth, half-buried beneath discarded boxes. It was filthy and torn, but it would have to do. I hurried over, yanking it free, and hastily wrapped the swords, ensuring the golden glint was completely hidden from sight. Once satisfied, I took a deep breath and stepped out into the street again, my movements calculated, each footstep deliberate. The world around me had transformed into a living nightmare. Smoke curled into the sky from distant fires, casting a heavy, suffocating blanket over the city. The once vibrant streets were now eerily silent, the only sounds a distant crackling of flames and the occasional groan of something¡ªor someone¡ªdying. I forced my eyes forward, avoiding the bodies strewn across the pavement. Some were piled in heaps, others sprawled across the road, their lifeless eyes staring blankly into nothingness. I had no time for mourning or grief. The city was dying, and if I didn¡¯t stay focused, I¡¯d join the countless dead. Supplies were my priority¡ªfood, water, medicine. Pearls would soon become invaluable, and I was still fuming over having to use one so early. It was reckless. I should¡¯ve known better. I grit my teeth, pushing those thoughts away as I approached the store. It was a small convenience store, or at least it used to be. The windows were shattered, jagged glass still clinging to the frames, and the door hung loosely from its hinges. I slowed my pace, my instincts screaming that something was off. The eerie silence, the empty streets¡ªthis wasn¡¯t normal, not even for the apocalypse. I unwrapped the katana from the cloth, my fingers trembling slightly. The streets had been deserted, yes, but in times like these, an empty store wasn¡¯t something to celebrate. It was a trap waiting to be sprung. I could feel it¡ªthe quiet tension in the air. My breath hitched as a thought crossed my mind, sending a chill down my spine. A Frey. I cursed under my breath, my stomach twisting into knots. ¡°Shit¡­ why the hell is that thing here?¡± The Frey¡ªcreatures born from the darkest nightmares. Towering, hulking beasts with thick, iron-like scales that covered their entire bodies. Their eyes were useless¡ªcompletely blind¡ªbut they didn¡¯t need them. Their sense of smell and hearing were unparalleled, and they hunted anything that moved. Their teeth, razor-sharp and jagged, could tear through flesh, bone, and steel with equal ease. A single bite from a Frey could crush a man¡¯s skull like a watermelon, and their speed... No one outran a Frey. They moved like lightning, closing the gap between predator and prey in an instant. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. But they had one weakness¡ªthey were blind. As long as I stayed quiet and controlled my breathing, I had a chance. A slim one, but a chance nonetheless. Gripping the hilt of my katana, my palms slick with sweat, I edged closer to the store''s entrance. The Frey could be anywhere¡ªwaiting, listening for the slightest misstep. I knew I couldn¡¯t afford to make a single mistake. One wrong move, one sound too loud, and I¡¯d be dead before I could even draw my weapon. I stepped inside the store, and the smell hit me immediately¡ªa sickening mixture of decay and blood. My stomach churned, but I forced myself to push forward. I glanced toward the back of the store, and there it was¡ªthe Frey. Its hulking form towered over the mutilated body of a woman, its jaws gnawing on her remains. Blood dripped from its mouth, pooling beneath the beast as it feasted. I swallowed hard, my eyes flicking to the bodies scattered across the store. Torn limbs, crushed skulls¡ªthese poor bastards didn¡¯t stand a chance. I gritted my teeth, trying to block out the gruesome sight. Focus. Clumsiness was just as deadly as the monster itself. I moved through the aisles, grabbing what I could¡ªcanned food, water bottles, alcohol, medicine¡ªall while trying to create as little noise as possible. Each step felt like it took an eternity, my heart pounding in my ears. As I reached for a pill bottle on one of the shelves, it happened. The bottle slipped from my hand, clattering to the floor with a deafening crash. ¡°Shit!¡± I cursed inwardly, panic flooding my system. The Frey¡¯s head snapped toward the sound, its body tense, ready to spring. I froze, my body screaming at me to run, but I knew better. Any sudden movement would only lead it straight to me. Instead, I ducked into the nearest corner, pressing myself against the cold shelves as I held my breath. My heart hammered in my chest, the sound of it deafening in the silence. For what felt like an eternity, the Frey prowled the store, sniffing the air, its claws scraping against the tiled floor as it searched for me. I stayed perfectly still, my body trembling as the beast moved closer, its massive form casting a shadow over me. I could smell its rancid breath, feel the heat radiating off its body. After nearly an hour of searching, the Frey finally gave up. It lumbered back to the body, resuming its gruesome meal. I waited a few more agonizing moments, just to be sure, before I slipped out of the store as quietly as I had entered. My entire body trembled with relief as I stepped back into the street, glancing over my shoulder at the store. If I had been caught¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have lasted a second. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. One more stop¡ªa trip to the armory. Swords might be useful, but a bow would be better. Long-range weapons were invaluable in this world, especially against monsters like the Frey. But first, I needed to regroup. I¡¯d been away from Khan for too long. Before I could think further, a glowing blue window appeared in front of me, hovering just inches from my face. Status Race: Human Age: 17 Skills: Eyes of a Genius Wind Blades Lightning Speed Emotion Manipulation Telepathy Author''s Will Blessing: Blessing of ??? Curses: Curse of ??? Pathway: N/A I frowned at the screen. ¡°Blessing of what? Curse of what?¡± The question marks were unsettling, but what caught my attention the most was the skill listed as *Author¡¯s Will*. I focused on it, and the description expanded. Author¡¯s Will As the author of this world, you possess the power to alter anything within it. However, each change will cost your life. ¡°What the hell?¡± I muttered, eyes wide. This skill was overpowered, sure, but at the cost of my own life? It was a literal death sentence. Who the hell thought an ability like this was a good idea? Damn it, never mind. I need to get back to Khan and give him a weapon. As I ran through the ruined streets, my thoughts raced. What the hell did those blessings and curses mean? And why were there question marks? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I pushed the thoughts aside. There were more immediate concerns¡ªlike surviving long enough to figure it all out. The sooner I got back to Khan, the better. Arrival I came back to Khan and caught him just finishing up beating a poor man, blatant wallet theft, no discretion. The more I saw that, the more my head shook out of frustration: *Why is he like this?* Then, it clicked: *Duh, Lee, you created him.* I sighed and approached him, tapping his shoulder. He sprang up in fright, cursing under his breath. "Damn you, Jun! You scared the shit out of me. How do you do that?" "Do what?" I asked, really confused. "You''re like a ghost. I don''t even know you''re there until you touch me. Stop doing that," he said in disgust. Then he saw the swords I was holding. "Wait¡ªwhat''s that?" Here, a sword," I said, handing it to him. His eyes widened in shock. "You actually got it?" Khan asked, astounded. "Yeah, why?" I said nonchalantly. "How the hell did you manage that?" He grabbed my arm, his clenching in surprise. "I stole it.had to kill someone because of it," I said, as his look of surprise turned into one of fear. You. you killed someone?" Khan stuttered backward, his voice shaking with pure terror, as he took slow steps backward. "Calm down," I tried to tell him. "It was self-defense. Look at my shirt-it''s torn to shreds. If you don''t believe me, just say ''Reveal''." Stolen story; please report. Suspiciously, Khan frowned. "Why? What will happen if I say it?" Despite the suspicion in his voice, he reluctantly obliged. "Reveal. A blue window sprang up in front of him, and his eyes went wide. "Now, read what it says," I urged. "What''s this supposed to prove?" Khan asked suspiciously. "How does this show you''re telling the truth?" I shrugged. "If you don''t believe me after this, you can leave. Or kill me right now." Khan sighed defeatedly and looked to the window, reading his skills aloud: "Soul Sight, Risk Accrual, Risk Transfer, Fortune''s Gamble." Then he reached the blessings and curses: "King of Gambling, Blessing of Favor. Curse of Mistrustfulness, Curse of Repulsiveness." Before he could launch into an angry fit over the curses, I quickly spoke up, "Look at what *Soul Sight* says." Khan didn''t hesitate this time. He read: *[Soul Sight]* ¨C The ability to see the purity of souls. He fell silent, his eyes wide as he took in the meaning of the ability. I grew impatient, snapping, "What''re you waiting for?" He gave me a glare. "I don''t know how to friggin use it, dumbass." I let out a stupidly frustrated sigh. "First, drop the screen," I said. After he did, I said, "Look at me, and concentrate. Concentrate like you''re trying to see beyond me¡ªinto something more than just my body." It was a few moments, but then his face changed as he finally saw it-or what should have been a mostly white soul. Instead, Khan looked shocked. I responded with a concerned inquiry, "Are you okay?" My heart was beating rapidly; I wondered if he had seen anything dangerous. If he had, that would mean I would have to kill him, which would destroy my plans. Khan finally spoke, his voice stumbling as he said, "I saw your soul. It was white. but also damaged." Confused, I asked, "What do you mean, damaged?" I let my guard down for the moment, as curiosity overcame me. It had cracked, like a broken mirror," he explained, his tone uneasy. I had just stood there, shaken. "I don''t know what that means," I said at last. "Perhaps we will later. But for now, can you trust me?" Khan watched me for a long time before sighing. "Yeah. I trust you." "Okay, good. Now we need to find a place to stay," I said. I cut him off as he began to say something. "No, your parents'' house isn''t safe. You need to bring your family with us." Khan firmly responded, "Well, my parents'' house is this way." With the sword in hand, we ran toward his home. We hadn''t gotten far from where we were when I froze, stretching out my arm to stop him. "Damn it," I muttered under my breath, my eyes slitting. Khan followed my gaze, confusion written on his face. I swore softly. "It''s worse than Frey. it''s a damn Seeker." Things were about to get a lot more complicated. It seek Seeing the seeker in front of us, I whispered urgently to Kan, "Stay quiet and still." The seeker was a creature that defied explanation¡ªmassive, terrifying, with features that seemed drawn from a nightmare. Kan shot me a confused glance, his voice just above a whisper. "What the hell is a Frey? And what¡¯s a seeker?" he asked, clearly baffled and unprepared for what was coming. I motioned for him to stay silent, my heart pounding as I tried to suppress the rising panic. "Trust me, you don¡¯t want to find out." But before I could explain further, the worst happened¡ªthe seeker¡¯s eerie, soulless eyes locked onto us. Its head tilted slightly, like a predator assessing its prey. A low, guttural sound escaped its throat, and I knew we were in trouble. ¡°Damn it!¡± I cursed, my voice rising in urgency. ¡°Run!¡± I shouted at Kan. We bolted, our feet pounding against the cracked pavement as the seeker let out a blood-curdling screech. It was far too close, its footsteps reverberating through the ground like a death knell. Running wouldn¡¯t solve the problem; it would only delay the inevitable. Unless... Think, Lee, think! There has to be something... My mind raced. I wasn¡¯t prepared for this, but then again, no one was. "Reveal," I muttered under my breath, hoping for something¡ªanything¡ªthat could give us an edge. [Status] Race:[Human] Age:[17] Skills: [Eyes of a Genius],[Wind Blades] [Lightning Speed] [Emotion Manipulation] [Telepathy] [Author''s Will] Blessings: [Blessing of ???] [Born of Fate] Curses:[Curse of ???] [Flawed Spirit] My breath caught. "This might help," I whispered to myself, adrenaline surging through my veins. I scanned the skills quickly. [Emotion Manipulation] ¨C The ability to control the emotions of others. However, the catch was clear¡ªI had to be mentally stronger than the target. Jackpot. But doubt gnawed at me. Am I mentally stronger than this thing? The seeker, a creature born from realms far beyond human comprehension, was no simple beast. But it was worth trying. If I didn¡¯t, we were dead anyway. ¡°Kan, keep running!¡± I yelled over my shoulder as I came to a stop, turning to face the monstrosity. It loomed above us, its black, chitinous body glistening under the dying sunlight. The seeker was a monstrous fusion of creatures¡ªa 40-foot-tall abomination resembling a praying mantis with the head of a hawk, its scythe-like claws gleaming with deadly intent. Its six legs allowed it to move with terrifying speed, as if it was built to hunt, kill, and never tire. With a deep breath, I focused, reaching out with my mind, pushing my consciousness into the creature¡¯s. The moment our minds touched, I felt its raw, primal hunger¡ªa desire to kill, to feed. It was overwhelming. For a brief second, the seeker hesitated, its forward motion faltering. I pressed harder, channeling every ounce of willpower into causing it pain¡ªunbearable, crippling pain. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. The creature let out a deafening roar, its entire body twitching as if caught in an invisible vice. I forced the sensation deeper, trying to shut down its motor functions. For a moment, I thought I had it. But then the seeker fought back. With a savage force, it expelled me from its mind, sending a psychic shockwave that nearly knocked me unconscious. Pain ripped through my body, like every nerve had been set on fire. My knees buckled, but I pushed through, gritting my teeth. I stumbled but managed to catch up to Kan, who had slowed down, looking back at me with wide, terrified eyes. ¡°We need to keep moving!¡± I shouted, my voice strained. We ran for what felt like an eternity, our bodies screaming in protest as we finally reached the edge of town. Gasping for air, we stopped behind the cover of a crumbling wall. ¡°What the hell was that thing?¡± Kan demanded, his voice raw from fear and exertion. ¡°A seeker,¡± I replied between gasps. ¡°It hunts anything that moves. We¡¯re lucky it didn¡¯t kill us on sight.¡± We couldn¡¯t stay here. ¡°We need to get your parents and leave this area¡ªfast.¡± Kan nodded, still shaken. We pushed forward, dodging smaller monsters¡ªdire wolves that had spilled from the same towers. Each encounter drained us a little more, but we fought through, each swing of my sword becoming more labored. By the time we reached Kan¡¯s parents¡¯ house¡ªa modest brick home that looked untouched by the chaos¡ªit felt surreal. The silence, the normalcy of it, didn¡¯t belong in a world that had gone to hell. We entered cautiously. The house was eerily quiet, but Kan called out softly, ¡°Mom, Dad, it¡¯s us.¡± I stood behind him, gripping my sword, half-expecting something to jump out. Instead, his parents emerged from the hallway. Kan¡¯s mother, Hye-jin Min, was everything he had described¡ªstunning, with an ethereal beauty. Her black hair framed her face perfectly, and she moved with the grace of someone untouched by the horrors outside. Kan¡¯s father, Joon-ho Yoon, was the opposite¡ªmassive, with muscles that looked like they could move mountains. His presence alone was enough to intimidate, but there was a kindness in his eyes. Kan quickly introduced me. ¡°Father, Mother, this is Seo-jun Lee." I bowed slightly. ¡°Pleased to meet you.¡± Joon-ho sized me up, his gaze piercing. Then he broke into a deep, hearty laugh. ¡°Kan, enough with the formalities! It¡¯s the end of the world. Just call me Joon-ho. Lee, is it?¡± I nodded. ¡°Yes, sir. Lee is fine.¡± ¡°Good. Now, tell me¡ªwhat¡¯s going on out there?¡± His tone turned serious, the humor vanishing in an instant. I played it safe. ¡°Monsters are everywhere. Towers fell from the sky, and creatures spilled out. I don¡¯t know much more than that¡­¡± Joon-ho¡¯s eyes narrowed as if trying to gauge if I was holding back. He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. ¡°It¡¯s not safe here,¡± I said firmly. ¡°We need to leave. There¡¯s a larger concentration of monsters in this area.¡± Joon-ho looked skeptical. ¡°And where do you suggest we go?¡± I hesitated, then offered, ¡°My uncle has a bunker about two miles from here. It¡¯s fully stocked, and no one¡¯s used it in years.¡± Kan¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Your family is that rich?¡± He caught himself, stopping short of saying something inappropriate in front of his parents. I quickly explained, ¡°My uncle owns a bunker-building business in Seoul. It¡¯s been sitting empty for years. My parents cut ties with him a while back.¡± After a tense silence, Joon-ho nodded. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go to the bunker.¡± As we loaded the car, I spotted it¡ªa blood spider, a terrifying predator, standing 12 feet tall. Its red body glistened in the dim light, and its eyes, too intelligent for comfort, focused on us. Kan¡¯s father began reversing the car. ¡°What the hell is that?¡± he shouted. I raised my hand. ¡°Stop. Running won¡¯t help.¡± ¡°Stop?! Are you insane?¡± Joon-ho yelled, slamming on the brakes. ¡°We¡¯re not fighting that thing!¡± I grabbed my sword, determination coursing through me. ¡°Stay in the car. I¡¯ve got this.¡± Before he could argue, I stepped out, sword at the ready. The blood spider moved with horrifying speed, charging at me with its mandibles dripping venom. I activated [Eyes of a Genius], my mind calculating every possible move in a split second. As the spider lunged, I dodged to the side, slicing at its legs with ,[Wind Blade], sending a crescent of air that cut deep into its chitin. It screeched, staggering back, but I wasn¡¯t done. With another strike, I aimed for its abdomen, cutting it open. The spider retaliated, slashing at me with its claws. I dodged most of its strikes, but one managed to catch my side, leaving a shallow gash. Ignoring the pain, I reached out with [Mind Control], pushing into the creature¡¯s mind. The mental toll was immense, but I forced the spider to leap off the cliff beside us. It fought back, trying to resist, but I held firm until it was too late. The spider plummeted, its body crashing into the ground below, lifeless. I returned to the car, breathing heavily. ¡°Now will you trust my judgment?¡± Joon-ho looked like he wanted to argue, but instead, he nodded. ¡°Thanks.¡± The rest of the ride was quiet. As we reached the bunker, I noticed a group of people trying to break in. Without hesitation, Joon-ho took the sword and approached them. The moment they saw him, they fled. I sighed, disappointed. ¡°Well, I was hoping to see at least one of them fight. Guess they didn¡¯t want to die today" Shelter After Joon-ho Yoon dealt with the visitor, we drove up to the door of the bunker. I thought to myself, It¡¯s bigger than I expected ¨C we could fit an entire semi-truck through here. Kan, his father, and I got out of the car and walked over to the control panel to open the bunker door. Effortlessly entering the code, the bunker opened with a gentle hum as we drove in. Shock was visible on Kan¡¯s face, though his father hid his reaction. The bunker was far bigger than expected, capable of holding over 700 people comfortably, and if pushed, could fit 1,000 people while still being livable. The bunker was powered by the city grid, solar panels, and wind turbines, and it could also run on a gas generator. It was equipped with a gym, entertainment studio, armory, auto shop, and even a pool. No wonder nobody bought it ¨C the setup was overkill, probably costing more than my entire net worth in my previous life. But it was perfect. What I was really thinking about, though, was the armory. Guns were still useful; they could kill dire wolves and lower-ranking monsters. A really good gun might even immobilize or distract a mid-ranking monster. Showing them around a fourth of the bunker, I left them to explore. There was something I needed to check. ¡°Reveal,¡± I mumbled. [Status] [Race]: Human [Age]: 17 [Skills]: - Eyes of a Genius Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. - Wind Blades - Lightning Speed - Emotion Manipulation - Telepathy - Author''s Will [Blessings]: - Blessing of ??? - Born of Fate [Curses]: - Curse of ??? - Flawed Spirit Reading each ability, I focused on the first one, [Eyes of a Genius] ¨C a skill that allows its user to calculate an enemy¡¯s physical attacks. Then, [Wind Blade] ¨C an ability that creates a strong, sharp gust of wind. [Lightning Speed] ¨C boosts one¡¯s speed to an as-yet-unattained level. [Emotion Manipulation]¨C allows one to manipulate others'' emotions. [Telepathy] ¨C allows mental communication. [Author''s Will] ¨C as the author of this world, I possess the power to alter anything within it; however, each change costs my life. Then I reviewed my blessings. [Blessing of ???] ¨C You are a ????? of ??? and have been blessed with protection against the world. What? What does it mean???? I wondered. [Born of Fate]¨C your fate is untouchable. Perfect. Moving on to my curses: [Curse of ???] ¨C the world is always after you, trying to destroy you. Okay, that makes sense, I thought, as I shouldn¡¯t have been able to reincarnate here without dying instantly; I guess that was taken into account. [Flawed Spirit] ¨C your regrets have manifested and haunt you, the more you lose yourself. My regrets, huh? In a cold tone, I wondered if it would count my previous life¡¯s regrets. But that still didn¡¯t explain what Kan said about my soul. There¡¯s a lot I¡¯m left wondering. Who killed me, how, and why? And, Can I still use my abilities from my original world? Sitting in a meditation position, I reached deep within my soul, trying to see if I still had my mana core. After a while, I found it, and what I saw shocked me. My mana core was shattered, with fragments missing. I could still use mana, but I couldn¡¯t replenish it after it was gone. Then my second ability, or perhaps attribute, appeared: Shatter. As I uttered the word, a sharp pain pierced my soul, and I gritted my teeth. It barely works. If I use it for too long, I might die. But even with my mana core in pieces, I could still live without it. Now, the next topic: who killed me? Trying to remember the face, I failed miserably. But how did they manage to hurt me, let alone get near me so easily? I was a Killer-class hunter; a mere gun wouldn¡¯t have made me flinch. But to penetrate my skin and kill me¡­ that¡¯s the confusing part. I¡¯d killed monsters capable of destroying planets with ease, and I should have foreseen my death years before it happened. What happened? And then it hit me ¨C the person who killed me had to be an Ascender-rank hunter with a high affinity for space and time. Well, I¡¯ll be damned. Swordsmanship Damn. Someone stronger than me? Who the hell could that be? Unless they¡¯ve been hiding under the radar¡­ I pushed the thought aside, activating Telepathy to lock onto Kan¡¯s presence. Found you, I thought with a grin. Kan¡¯s mind jolted with shock, and I could feel his irritation through the connection as he spun around. Stop it, you idiot! If you¡¯re gonna mess with my head, at least warn me. I chuckled. No point knocking on the door of an abandoned house, I shot back, amused. Kan¡¯s irritation hit like a damn storm. How about I break every bone in your damn body? he snapped, venom dripping from his words. Relax, it¡¯s not that serious, I taunted. Just get down to the gym. Now. Sensing his hesitation, I sent him a mental image of the directions, leaving him zero excuses. A few minutes later, Kan stomped through the gym doors, looking both annoyed and curious. ¡°What the hell do you want?¡± he demanded, crossing his arms. ¡°Read me your abilities,¡± I ordered, crossing my own arms, daring him to defy me. He huffed but relented, pulling up his stats and reading each one like he was chewing on glass. ¡°Soul Sight: Sees the purity of souls of others. Risk Accrual: Absorbs risks faced by others, converting them into advantages for himself. Risk Transfer: Shifts the consequences of a gamble onto another party. Fortune¡¯s Gamble: A gamble with potential for either significant improvement or severe consequences. Soul Harvest: Absorbs souls to temporarily enhance physical or mental attributes.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Then he hit his blessings and curses, and his face twisted with barely controlled rage. ¡°King of Gambling: Luck seems to love you. Blessing of Favor: All favors are unbreakable. Curse of Mistrustfulness: Everything you say sounds suspicious. Curse of Repulsiveness: You give off a repulsive aura to anyone who finds you attractive¡­¡± I could practically feel his fury boiling. ¡°What the hell is this? There¡¯s no way this is real. I refuse to believe it.¡± His glare turned deadly as he looked at me. ¡°Lee, we need to destroy everything that even hints at this bullshit!¡± ¡°Calm down, Kan,¡± I said, my patience already wearing thin. ¡°Calm down?¡± he snarled. ¡°Are you out of your damn mind, Lee? These curses are a nightmare!¡± I couldn¡¯t resist smirking. ¡°Honestly? They suit you perfectly.¡± His eyes narrowed to slits. ¡°Oh, really? How about I make that ¡®repulsive curse¡¯ your problem, then?¡± Ignoring his threat, I got straight to the point. ¡°Kan, I want to fight you.¡± He blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What? Have you hit your head, Jun?¡± Gritting my teeth, I tossed a training stick his way. ¡°I mean it. I want to knock that stupid nickname out of your mouth.¡± He looked at the stick in his hand, then back at me, as if I¡¯d lost my damn mind. But he lifted it, assuming a defensive stance that was barely worth a damn. His reaction time was passable, but everything else was laughable¡ªshaky stance, weak grip, crap posture. I sighed. This was going to take a lot of work. I broke through his flimsy guard with ease, landing a solid hit on his head. He stumbled back, wincing, but kept his mouth shut. ¡°That was pathetic. A toddler could do better,¡± I said, crossing my arms. Kan looked like he wanted to argue but bit his tongue. ¡°For now, you¡¯re doing four thousand downward strikes. I¡¯ll show you the first ten. After that, you¡¯re on your own.¡± His eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re out of your damn mind. I¡¯m not doing four thousand.¡± When he turned to leave, I grabbed his collar and yanked him back. ¡°Listen, Kan,¡± I said, voice cold as ice. ¡°This is the damn apocalypse. This bunker won¡¯t feed us forever, and things are about to get a hell of a lot worse¡ªmonsters, humans, maybe worse than both. So get to work, or die. Because I¡¯m not here to babysit anyone.¡± He clenched his jaw, then picked up the training stick again, lifting it with begrudging determination. Around strike twenty, his form started to smooth out, his swings less erratic. Satisfied, I asked, ¡°Hey, Kan, where¡¯s your dad?¡± Without stopping, he answered, ¡°Fourth floor, kitchen.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± I replied, leaving him to it. ¡°Oh, and no cheating. I¡¯ll know.¡± Leaving the gym, I headed to the elevator, pressing the button for the fourth floor. As it descended, my thoughts wandered. Why did this place have everything except a damn garden? Not that it mattered¡ªKan¡¯s mother could probably fix that. The doors opened, and I stepped out, making my way down the hall and into the kitchen, where Kan¡¯s father was cooking. He raised an eyebrow as I approached. ¡°Lee, what do you need?¡± Swallowing my nerves¡ªI knew he could crush me like a damn bug¡ªI forced myself to sound steady. ¡°Can you teach me how to shoot a gun?¡± Revelation "Teach me to shoot a gun?" Joon-ho Yoon asked, a puzzled crease forming between his brows. "I mean, I can, but¡­ why?" He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. I coughed, forcing a casual air. "Well, we need to get supplies soon. This place is barren, save for what you brought. Guns are our best bet against other humans, and maybe some of those¡­ things, if we encounter any. I think we should all learn. And since you served in the army, you should be pretty good at it." Joon-ho Yoon''s suspicion deepened. "How did you know I served?" Shit, I cursed inwardly. Think, damn it, think! "Kan told me," I blurted, the first excuse that came to mind. It seemed to work. His suspicion eased. "Okay," he said, but his gaze was still sharp. "But what the hell was that back there? You killing that thing? I told you not to leave the car!" "Well, there was no other way to get here, and there''s no reason not to get familiar with killing those things," I retorted. "But I have some questions for you, and something else¡­ something I haven''t been telling Kan''s father. First, I know what''s happening. It''s from a novel I read, Will of War. I''ve only read half of it, and I know a second wave of monsters and abilities is coming, but I don''t know the ending." Kan''s father¡¯s gaze lingered, intense. "Okay," he finally said. "So, what''s your plan?" A grin spread across my face. "Well, I plan on taking on one of the Pillars. Those Pillars lead to other worlds, and monsters of low rank will continue to pour out if we don''t stop them." Kan''s father looked at me intensely. "So, when are you planning on going? And how exactly are you going to take on these Pillars?" Grinning wider, I stated, "I was planning on leaving in two days, find the mayor, and work my way up to a general, or the president of Korea." Kan¡¯s father simply stared. "Can you leave these Pillars anytime you need to?" My grin faltered slightly. "It depends. The one I was planning on entering¡­ you just have to get past a very dangerous birdie," I said, using a deliberately childish term for a creature that would likely make a demon weep.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "What''s the point of doing this?" Kan¡¯s father asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "Is the Pillar even mildly safe?" "It''s the easiest of them all," I replied. "How so?" "That damn bird makes death a suggestion, not a given. Until we kill it, we can''t die." Joon-ho Yoon looked at me as if I''d lost my damn mind. And you couldn''t blame him. Saying something like that was akin to claiming divinity. "How does that make it easier?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. I answered calmly, "In the other Pillars, we have one try, potentially against beings thousands of times stronger. In this one, we have an infinite number of tries. True, our minds might collapse eventually ¨C I''d say four attempts max to stay mentally unscathed. But most of our ''deaths'' will be reconnaissance, training. It''ll help our fighting styles, martial arts¡­ but not pure strength. So, yeah, that''s what I was planning on doing." I turned to Joon-ho Yoon. "Reveal." He hesitated, then followed my request. His eyes widened as the screen appeared before him. "Read me your skills, blessing, and curse," I instructed. "Iron Body¡­ Brutal Strike¡­ Unyielding Will," he recited. "Those are my skills." "Nice," I commented. "Now, your blessing?" To my shock, he simply said, "The blessing and curse¡­ they aren''t on my screen." What? I thought. What happened? The blessing and curse should be there! It should be the Blessing of Stone and the Curse of Intimidation. What was going on? I knew my existence was an anomaly, but a blessing and curse not existing? That was truly weird. And then another thought struck me. Why couldn''t I remember details of the story, like the Old Ones'' names and other aspects? Maybe the blessing or curse was preventing me from remembering. Well, if so, thank them for it. If I did remember, I¡¯d probably have already turned into some monstrous being. I thanked Kan¡¯s father and asked him about the best guns for highly armored enemies. After Yoon explained the details, we practiced shooting various weapons. It didn''t take me long to get the hang of it, but it was strange. In my previous life, I just warped space to hit my target. No need to aim when space simply moved the projectile. After finishing, I went to check on Kan. To my shock, he was still practicing, mostly improving his downward slash. Walking up to him, I touched his shoulder. He jumped in utter fear, whirling around to see me. His face contorted in a mixture of rage and annoyance. "Why the hell do you keep sneaking up on me?!" he cursed. "You just don''t pay enough attention to your surroundings," I replied, as usual. "How was my stance?" he demanded. "And what did you and my father talk about?" "Your stance and downward slash are getting better," I answered. "And we talked about plans for the Pillars." Kan dropped his sword. "The Pillars?" he repeated, his voice laced with apprehension. He stopped me mid-sentence. "Are you calling a monster that makes death non-permanent a damn bird?" I simply shrugged . "Yeah, what about it?"