Rustle.
Thick clouds of dust filled the air.
In the hellish chaos that had erupted in an instant, I barely managed to open my eyes.
"Cough..."
I let out a dry cough and scanned my surroundings.
What the hell had just happened? Staggering amid the collapsed debris, I turned my gaze.
"...What..."
The restaurant was a total wreck. As I tried to catch my breath taking in the devastation...
"...Oh! Teacher...!"
There she was, collapsed beside me. I rushed over to her.
She was unconscious. I checked her pulse—thankfully, she wasn't dead.
I hurriedly hoisted her onto my back.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
Suddenly, I noticed the system window floating beside me. It had popped up just before everything went to hell.
'...It mentioned a quest?'
What was a quest, and what the hell was this?
I'd never heard of any quest before. It felt like another round of bizarre nonsense.
'What the hell is going on.'
The situation was utterly incomprehensible.
I gritted my teeth.
'Survive?'
That was what I wanted more than anything.
At that moment.
"Hey...!"
A voice called out. I whipped my gaze around to see someone pinned under debris on the left, desperately calling for me.
"Help me...!"
It was the restaurant owner.
I bolted toward him the second I saw.
"You okay?"
"M-my leg..."
'Shit.'
His leg was trapped under the debris. What now? I reached out and tried to lift it.
Whoosh!
"...Huh...!"
It lifted way easier than expected. I was caught off guard without realizing it.
'Because of the awakening?'
Had becoming a superhuman boosted my strength? It mentioned synchronization or whatever, but yeah, my power had definitely gone up.
I cleared the debris and helped the fallen owner to his feet.
"Ugh...!"
"Just hang in there."
Supporting his pained form, I shifted my gaze again.
The restaurant's entrance and exit were blocked too. Debris from the blast had sealed it off, clear as day.
'That way.'
Luckily, thanks to the aftermath, another entrance was visible.
I headed there.
It looked tight to squeeze through. So I moved my foot.
Boom!!
I kicked the debris, cracking the wall before it shattered apart.
I'd applied my newfound strength—worked like a charm.
"...Good."
An exit had opened up. I stepped out just like that.
Weeeeoooowwwn—!!
Screeeeech—!!!
The outside was already pandemonium.
"Ambulance...! Get an ambulance quick...!"
"My kid's still inside...!"
"Ugh...!"
A nonstop barrage of groans and screams. I looked up at the building.
'...Holy shit.'
Not only was the first floor where I'd been mostly obliterated, but the upper levels were cracked or fully engulfed in flames.
How the hell did this happen? Why had the building suddenly exploded like this?
As I puzzled over it...
"Terror... it's terror..."
The restaurant owner I was supporting mumbled.
"...Terror?"
'Terror?'
The word brought news reports to mind—recent attacks hitting countries everywhere.
'...Unregistered superhumans' terror.'
I bit my lip.
First things first, I carried the owner to a safe spot and set him down.
"Student... thank... thank you."
"No problem. Ambulance should be here any minute."
I turned my eyes away.
'...Total mess.'
The building was burning and cracked all over.
'Damn it.'
Staring at it, I thought: there were still people inside.
Should I go save them? I hesitated for a second, but...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
The system window kept floating into view. Survive.
It seemed to appear every time I hesitated.
As if...
'Telling me not to go in.'
Don't go back inside. Focus on surviving—it's dangerous.
Urging me like that.
"..."
It was right. Going in would just be suicidal. What could I even do there?
'Ambulance and superhumans will show up soon.'
No role for me.
'Can't die.'
I had things to do—couldn't die now.
With that thought, as I started toward safety...
"My... my kid's still in there...!"
"Damn it...! People are inside! When's rescue coming?!"
The voices reached my ears.
Unrelated noise to me.
My superhuman hearing was picking sounds up crystal clear.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
"..."
With trembling fingertips, I brushed back my hair.
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ ■ Survive.
"..."
The repeating alerts confirmed it.
This thing wanted me alive. That's why it kept shoving it in my face.
I knew that, but...
-Mommm... scared...
A voice echoed.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
Another alarm appeared.
-Waaah...
The crying came again. I carefully set down the teacher on my back.
The next instant.
"Ah, damn it."
"Student? Student!!"
My thighs moved on their own.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
-Jin-woo.
Whether it was Mom or Dad.
They'd repeated it to me endlessly.
-Value your own life, dear.
They wanted me to cherish myself—no need to live for others.
It was absurd.
Not the kind of thing you'd expect from people who'd lived more altruistically than anyone.
Maybe that's exactly why they'd lived that way and told me to choose a different path.
'If that's the case.'
They should've made a different choice in the end.
After showing me a life like that.
'How was I supposed to know any other way.'
It just left me frustrated.
Look at me now.
"You fucking idiot."
Cursing myself, and yet here I was.
"Ah, you goddamn bastard...!"
I spat every curse in the book.
But they'd never end.
The stench of smoke and falling debris kept my body shaking.
'You don't wanna die either.'
I wanted to live. More than anyone. How could I waste this hard-won chance?
I had things I had to do, and I'd survived this long for them.
"...Goddamn it."
No bigger moron around.
Crunch!
I grabbed a chunk of debris ahead and hurled it aside.
"Anyone there?"
"Gasp."
The person trembling inside jumped at the sight of me.
"Get down quick. It's dangerous."
"...Th-thank... thank you...!"
One more saved. My body kept moving even as words spilled out.
I'd entered the ruined building and roamed searching for people. Seemed like I'd rescued about ten.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
The alerts were nonstop, blocking my vision.
"Shut up."
Who said I wanted to die?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
Ah, can't I just turn this off? I wanted to kill it.
'...Fourth floor.'
Fourth floor in a ten-story building. Fire raging on the sixth, smoke already filling everything.
'Where's rescue...?'
Awakener rescue teams should've been here by now. Felt like their response was dragging.
"Hoo."
Covering my mouth with my hand, I pressed on.
I rolled my eyes, assessing the situation.
'...Going higher's suicide.'
The building's vibrations and thickening smoke screamed danger if I stayed longer.
Time to head down. No arrogant delusions about saving everyone.
As that thought crossed my mind...
-Mommm...
"..."
The voice rang clearer than before.
"...Just one more then."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
I ignored the alert this time too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Sixth floor.
I'd made it all the way to the fire's origin.
The source of the cries was here.
Roar!!
Flames roared endlessly.
"Ugh."
The blistering heat made me falter, but I forced myself to dodge and push forward.
-Hic...
The sobbing was close.
'Around here?'
Where exactly?
Which way?
-Mom...
My ears perked up. I'd pinpointed the source.
I spun around. An iron door stood in front. I poured all my strength into a kick.
Boom!
The door flew off its hinges with a deafening crash.
Roar! Into the searing heat I went.
The moment I entered, one spot caught my eye.
"Waaah..."
Under a desk half-collapsed and caught midway, a little girl was crying.
"...You okay?"
I approached and asked. She looked up at me with terror in her eyes.
Five years old, tops.
"Come on... gotta get to your mom."
"Mommy...?"
Mentioning her mom made the girl's eyes light up. I carefully scooped her up.
No resistance. Her tiny hands wrapped around my neck, and I let out a sigh.
Now we had to go.
Had to punch through those flames somehow and get down.
Roar!!
Endless flames and choking black smoke blinded me.
Where'd the explosion come from? What was the terrorist's goal?
Why this building of all places?
As questions swirled...
'...Just the explosion?'
Was that all? A purposeless, meaningless terror that ended there?
Such thoughts flickered by when...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
Another alert popped up.
But then.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.■ Survive.■ Survive.■ Survive.■ Survive.■ Survi...ving...
Alerts exploded like mad.
'Why the—'
No time to sense the anomaly.
I scooped up the child and ducked my head.
Kwaaaaa—!!!
"...Kuh!?"
A massive wave of heat grazed overhead.
Kwaang—!!!
Shock and wind from behind. I turned. A hole blasted in the wall, flames everywhere around it.
'This.'
Eyes widening, I looked straight ahead.
"Ah, shit."
Someone was there.
"Dodged it?"
A chill ran down my spine.
Goosebumps—not from heat. Cold sweat trickled down my cheek.
"Didn't think you'd dodge... how'd you do it?"
"...Who the hell are you."
"Hahaha."
The masked figure laughed.
"If I was gonna tell you, why wear this?"
"..."
True enough.
So I didn't bother responding.
"Hold on."
"Eek...!"
I set the child down and grabbed something nearby. A broken piece of lumber.
"Oh my."
I gripped the wood tight. The masked guy reacted.
"Gonna fight? Sigh. You'll die."
"If I run without fighting, you'll let me go?"
"Oho."
Heh heh.
The laughter echoed in my ears.
"Sharp one, huh? Got guts too. Superhuman?"
"..."
"Wonder what rank... unfamiliar face, so fresh awakening. Shame."
Fwoosh.
Flames coiled around his hand as he spoke.
'The one who torched this building.'
This bastard.
He was the perpetrator behind it all.
"Could've been useful if you'd survived."
He spread his palm.
Fwoooooosh—!!!
Flames blasted out. I'd already rolled aside.
Kwaa—!! As they swept the floor, I rolled through and lunged at him.
"Hup."
I swung the lumber with everything I had.
The wood hurtled toward him, but...
"...Ah, like I said."
Crunch!
It hit his arm and snapped like nothing.
"Told you to run."
The broken wood flew through the air. My eyes followed it.
No.
"Guh!"
My body was airborne before I knew it—hit.
Thud!!
I crashed to the floor with the wood.
"Gurgh..."
Pain hit late. I clutched my gut. Solar plexus?
Bones rattling. Something cracked.
"Hah... haah."
Couldn't breathe right. Felt like I'd flailed and gotten demolished.
'Superhuman my ass...'
I'd deluded myself into thinking I was strong just now.
Breaking that door and saving folks made me feel capable, but...
'...Pathetic.'
Meant nothing against the real deal. A monster who could level the whole building.
'How strong is he?'
What rank? Probably beyond imagination.
And I'd dared charge a freak like that with a stick.
Pure hubris.
"Ugh..."
"Whoa there?"
Still, I forced myself up.
"Hoo..."
"...Damn. Getting up again?"
I knew it was pointless.
But I had to.
"Wanna run now?"
Tempting words.
"Hahaha..."
I laughed at that. Would he really let me go?
Might survive if I played it smart, crossed my mind.
"...You think?"
I erased the thought in a flash.
I glared at him.
"Hm."
My stare made the mask scratch its cheek.
"What a real shame."
Flames wrapped his hand once more.
"Part of me wants to recruit you proper, but those eyes say no dice... and time's short on my end. Hour's up—no choice."
I eyed the fire.
Had to dodge. Couldn't win, but drag it out till I dropped.
Spotting evade room, I tensed my legs when...
"Here, a gift."
He spewed flames. But not at me this time.
The ceiling.
Suddenly toward the ceiling. What the—?
"...You madman...!!"
Flames grazed the ceiling—right above the child.
Kudududuk—!!!
Debris rained down.
"Waaaah—!!"
The girl wailed.
Rumble.
Debris collapsed fully.
"...Ugh..."
A groan escaped me.
I'd blocked it with my back. The child was in front.
"You okay?"
"Ugh... sob..."
I forced a smile at her tears.
"Knew it."
Voice from behind.
"Knew you'd pull that. Always guys like you. Can't even save yourselves, sticking your necks out—ends the same."
"...You."
"Such pointless fools."
The mask waved lazily and turned away. The encroaching flames bore down on me and the girl.
"Sto... ugh...!"
Debris crushing me bit by bit.
Veins bulging, I told the girl.
"Quick... get... out..."
"Hic..."
She trembled, tears streaming.
Terror locked her body.
'Damn...'
I gritted my teeth. Couldn't hold much longer.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
Even now, the tactless system blared again.
Wanted to ask.
'...How?'
How survive this? No way out.
Too heavy.
Can't last. Minute tops, maybe?
'Ah.'
Is this how I go? Pouring strength, I told the girl again.
"...Run... quick..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survive.
"No time... get down...!"
"Hic...!"
"Alright. Let's wrap this up."
Roaaaaar—!!!
The mask flicked his hand, flames surging toward us.
Strength finally ebbed away.
Exhausted body going limp.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Survi...v...
Static... ssssh.
The persistent system window glitched out.
That instant.
-Incomprehensible.
A voice rang out. Simultaneously, the world froze.
'Huh?'
Flames right in front. But somehow, frozen solid, unmoving.
-Why did you come back?
Thoroughly puzzled tone.
-You could've lived by fleeing at first. Why return on purpose?
'...Talking to me?'
Weird situation. Life flashing before eyes? Or dying hallucination?
Either way, bad news.
-Answer.
-Why didn't you flee?
'...'
Why not flee? I thought myself an idiot, but the reason was clear.
'...Too damn embarrassing.'
-Hm?
'Knew I had to do it. Fleeing anyway? Way too embarrassing.'
Had to save people.
If I didn't give a damn if they died, it'd be fine.
But knowing I wanted to—had to—save them, and bailing? Unbearable shame.
'...Better to die than slink off like that.'
I wanted to live.
Desperately.
Just not like this.
-Is that so?
The voice grew heavier somehow at my answer.
-No regrets?
Regrets?
'Heh, tons.'
Loads and loads.
'...But this feels better.'
Self-consolation?
Or did I really think that?
Not even sure myself, but one thing was certain.
'I'd have done the same anyway.'
Back in time, same choice.
-Hah.
The old man chuckled at my reply.
-Same old answer. Feeble conviction is just arrogance and folly.
Anyone could tell that laugh was mocking.
But.
-Fine. Satisfied for now that you didn't flee like a coward.
The old man wiped his grin, speaking curtly.
-Take it.
📜 HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETE 📜 ■ Hidden Quest Succeeded.■ Reward: Synchronization Rate Increased.■ Synchronization Rate +3%.■ Synchronization Rate Has Increased.■ Acquired Core Art: Heaven-Shattering Art.
Alerts fired off in succession.
My abdomen felt strangely warm.
Something squirmed inside. Below the navel.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ■ Heaven-Shattering Art Activated.■ Heaven-Shattering Art Activated: Acquired Heaven-Shattering Martial Art.■ Heaven-Shattering Martial Art Activated.
-This is.
My body moved on autopilot. Only then did halted time resume.
Roar—!!!! Flames closed in, but...
-The path you must walk.
A faint vibration followed.
Thung...!
"Huh?"
The mask's yelp accompanied it.
Kwaaaaa—!!!
A shockwave erupted across the area.
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