he late afternoon sun hung low over Seonghwa High School, painting the schoolyard in warm shades of orange and gold. Students streamed out through the gates, their chatter filling the air with the usual noise of complaints, laughter, and plans for the evening.
Among them walked Kim Do-hyun, an entirely unremarkable second-year student.
He wasn't the top of his class, nor was he the worst. His grades hovered somewhere in the middle, just enough to avoid attention. His looks were average, his height average, even his presence seemed to fade into the background wherever he went.
If someone were asked to describe him, they'd probably hesitate.
"…He's just… there," they might say.
Do-hyun adjusted the strap of his bag as he walked down the familiar street leading away from school. The convenience store on the corner buzzed with neon lights, and the smell of fried snacks drifted into the air.
"Hey, Do-hyun! You heading straight home again?"
A voice called out from behind.
Do-hyun turned to see Park Ji-hoon, one of the few people who occasionally spoke to him. Ji-hoon was the complete opposite—loud, energetic, and impossible to ignore.
"Yeah," Do-hyun replied calmly. "I've got nothing else planned."
Ji-hoon grinned. "Man, you really need to live a little. There's a new internet café—"
"I'm fine."
"...You always say that."
Do-hyun gave a small shrug. It wasn't that he disliked going out. It just felt unnecessary. Everything felt… unnecessary, lately.
Ji-hoon studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Alright, suit yourself. Don't blame me when life passes you by."
"Life already is."
"…What?"
"Nothing."
Do-hyun waved lazily and continued walking, leaving Ji-hoon behind.
The sky had darkened by the time Do-hyun reached his apartment. It was a small, quiet place—just enough for him and his mother, who worked late most nights.
The house was silent.
As always.
He dropped his bag by the door, kicked off his shoes, and made his way to his room. The faint glow of his computer screen lit up the dim space.
On the screen was a paused fantasy game.
A world of magic, towering castles, and endless adventure.
Do-hyun stared at it for a long moment.
"…Must be nice."
He muttered the words without thinking.
A world where people weren't ordinary.
A world where strength meant everything.
A world where even someone like him could matter.
He shook his head and lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Just a game."
But lately… it didn't feel that simple.
That night, sleep came quickly.
Too quickly.
He found himself standing in a vast field.
The sky above was not the sky he knew. It shimmered with deep violet hues, and strange constellations glowed like living things. The air felt different—thicker, heavier, almost… alive.
Do-hyun frowned.
"…Another dream?"
He looked down at his hands.
They felt real.
Too real.
A sudden gust of wind swept across the field, carrying with it whispers—faint, distant voices he couldn't understand.
And then—
A figure appeared.
A woman cloaked in silver light stood far in the distance. Her long hair flowed like strands of moonlight, and her presence alone made the world tremble.
Do-hyun couldn't move.
Couldn't speak.
"…You have finally arrived."
Her voice echoed—not through the air, but directly inside his mind.
"What… is this?"
"You have seen this world before. In fragments. In dreams."
Do-hyun's eyes widened slightly.
Dreams?
"…Who are you?"
But the woman didn't answer.
Instead, she raised her hand—and the sky itself began to crack.
"You are not the only one."
Her voice grew distant.
"Remember this, Kim Do-hyun."
The world shattered like glass.
Do-hyun's eyes snapped open.
He was in his room.
Breathing heavily.
"…Just a dream."
He sat up, running a hand through his hair. His heart pounded in his chest, refusing to calm down.
"That felt way too real…"
He glanced at the clock.
3:17 AM.
Too early to wake up. Too late to ignore.
"…I need water."
He stood up slowly and stepped out of his room.
The apartment was dark.
Silent.
But something felt… off.
A faint glow flickered from the living room.
"…Mom?"
No response.
Do-hyun walked forward cautiously.
And then he saw it.
A circle.
Drawn in light.
Floating just above the floor.
Intricate symbols rotated slowly, glowing with a soft blue hue. The air around it distorted, as if reality itself was bending.
Do-hyun froze.
"…What… is that?"
The moment he took a step closer—
The circle reacted.
The symbols flared brightly, and a powerful force pulled at him.
"W–wait—!"
His body lurched forward against his will.
The light engulfed him completely.
And just before everything disappeared—
He heard something.
Screams.
Not his own.
Others.
Many others.
Then—
Silence.
To Be Continued…