Ten thousand years had passed since humanity unlocked the power to manipulate the very fabric of reality itself. The Earth had transformed beyond recognition. Cities pierced the clouds with spires of steel and glass, rivers glimmered with bio-luminescent algae, and deserts had been tamed into sprawling oases powered by technology and magic. But as humans ascended, so too did the forces that sought their downfall. Monsters and demons, creatures of chaos and instinct, prowled the shadows, waiting for the slightest crack in human strength.
Yet, humanity did not falter. Across the continents, warriors trained relentlessly. Nations organized ranks for those who wielded extraordinary power, cultivating elite fighters capable of fending off both monstrous invasions and rogue humans corrupted by their newfound abilities. At the pinnacle of this system were the four strongest in Korea, warriors whose names were whispered with reverence—and fear. And above all, a global ranking system existed: a measure of who among humanity truly dominated. But with power came darkness. Some wielded their strength to protect, to save, and to build. These were called Velocity. Others, driven by vengeance, ambition, or sheer malice, were called Catalyst—a force as destructive as it was feared.
In the heart of Seoul, inside a classroom bathed in the soft glow of morning sunlight, a student slept. His name was Jahyun, a young man with untrained potential—yet a fire dormant beneath the calm exterior. The classroom was unusually quiet, save for the faint hum of fluorescent lights. That quiet was shattered by a booming voice.
"Jahyun!"
The teacher's voice struck like a thunderclap. Jahyun jolted upright, his head snapping towards the sound, eyes wide and bewildered.
"Wake up!" the teacher barked, stepping closer. His face was lined with years of experience, a stern gaze that could pierce through hesitation itself. "Graduation is approaching, and you need to think about your future! At the very least, find someone to befriend. I've never seen you form a single friendship!"
Jahyun rubbed his eyes and sighed, leaning back in his chair. "But… sir… I'm not interested in friends. People… they always avoid me anyway."
The teacher's brow furrowed, a mixture of frustration and concern crossing his face. "And yet, you possess super speed. Have you even trained it?"
"I've never trained it," Jahyun admitted softly.
A tense silence filled the room. The teacher's eyes narrowed. "Then what do you intend to do after graduation?"
"I want to enter the Velocity Academy," Jahyun replied, his voice calm, almost distant.
The teacher's face flushed with anger and disbelief. He grabbed Jahyun's shoulders firmly, shaking him as if to physically imprint the reality of his words. "Then train your abilities, you foolish boy! Do you understand? You can't enter that academy without control over your own power!"
Jahyun nodded. "Alright, teacher. I'll train."
The teacher released him and exhaled sharply, tension leaving his frame as a small, satisfied smile appeared. "At least now, you have a reason to train. That is progress."
The bell rang, its shrill tone echoing through the classroom. The teacher straightened and called out to the class, "Class dismissed! Prepare yourselves for the next chapter in your lives. Go home safely."
The students packed their belongings. The air buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the familiar clatter of lockers. Jahyun opened his own locker, retrieving his shoes, lost in thought.
Friends, he mused silently. Does anyone even want to be my friend? I don't even know… but maybe… I want to experience it—whatever 'it' is.
He gazed skyward as he stepped out through the school gates, sunlight warming his face.
Graduation is so close… and registration for Velocity Academy is only a month away. Can I truly become strong in such a short time?
His thoughts were interrupted by a commotion nearby. A man crouched over another, seemingly desperate, while a few other figures loomed threateningly. Jahyun's eyes narrowed. A beggar—an old man with ragged clothing—was being robbed.
Instinctively, Jahyun's muscles tensed. Despite his potential, his powers were untrained; he could not move at superhuman speeds yet. Still, he could not stand by.
"Oi! Give him back his money!" Jahyun shouted.
The group of thieves turned, laughing mockingly. "Huh? Who are you? Just some school kid?" one sneered.
Jahyun dropped his bag to the ground and launched himself forward. His fist collided with the first attacker's face, the blow strong, precise, yet… insufficient. The man barely flinched, grabbing Jahyun's wrist with ease.
Velocity… they're too fast, Jahyun thought, eyes narrowing. If he's a Velocity, he's dangerous.
The lead thief grinned cruelly. "You're brave, kid, to challenge a Velocity at your age. Let's see how you handle this…" He raised his fist, the air bending around him as he moved with impossible speed.
Jahyun's mind raced. He couldn't react fast enough. The punch came down like a hammer of iron, forcing him back several steps. Pain flared in his side, and he stumbled, struggling to keep balance.
I'm not ready… not yet, he thought, teeth gritted. But I won't let them harm an innocent.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Jahyun lunged again, feinting left, dodging as best as he could. The thief laughed, the sound grating in the quiet street, as he blurred into motion again. Jahyun felt a twinge of fear—but also a spark of determination.
If he wanted to survive, to grow, to enter Velocity Academy, he had to push beyond his limits. He had to awaken the power buried deep within him.
The fight continued, every movement testing Jahyun's instincts. He was slower, less precise, but his mind worked quickly, analyzing each attack, predicting each motion. He realized something crucial: velocity wasn't just about moving fast; it was about perception, anticipation, and control.
By the time the thieves fled, leaving Jahyun bruised and bleeding, he had made a silent vow. He would train. He would master his abilities. He would not be a mere observer in a world where Catalyst and Velocity clashed. He would become one of the strongest—and he would do it on his terms.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city, Jahyun stood amidst the quiet aftermath. The beggar's eyes met his, filled with gratitude and awe. Jahyun merely nodded and turned away, thoughts racing.
One month… one month to prove myself. I must become strong… stronger than anyone could imagine.
And with that, the first step of his journey began—not just to enter Velocity Academy, but to confront a world where monsters, demons, and corrupted humans threatened to tear everything apart. A world where only the fastest, the strongest, and the most determined could survive.
Little did Jahyun know, that encounter on the street was only the beginning. The forces that ruled the shadows had already taken notice. The line between Catalyst and Velocity was thin, and soon, his life would be tested in ways he could never imagine.
Then a small, raspy voice broke through the haze.
"Young man… thank you."
Jahyun blinked and turned.The beggar—wrinkled clothes torn at the seams, hair matted from neglect—sat propped against a flickering vending machine. His face was worn and tired, but his eyes gleamed with something startlingly alive.
"It's nothing," Jahyun muttered, rubbing his shoulder where the thief's punch still echoed painfully. "Anyone would have done it."
"No," the beggar replied softly, his voice strangely firm. "They wouldn't have."
Jahyun looked away. Maybe that was true. Society had long become numb—if it wasn't their business, they didn't interfere. People avoided trouble like poison. Jahyun merely sighed.
The beggar studied him, eyes narrowing thoughtfully, then smiled—a small curl of lips that felt far too confident for someone in rags.
"As a thank-you," he said calmly, "how about you become my student?"
Jahyun froze.
"…Eh?"
His voice cracked a little, confused and startled. The beggar nodded with complete seriousness.
"You heard me. Become my disciple."
Jahyun stared. He replayed the sentence over and over just to make sure the concussion wasn't messing with his brain.
"But… but you're just a beggar," Jahyun blurted out. "How can you teach me anything?"
The beggar didn't answer immediately.
Instead—he exhaled.
The air changed.
A pressure dropped onto Jahyun like a collapsing mountain. Invisible weight crushed his lungs, turned the oxygen to lead, and squeezed every muscle in his body stiff. He fell to his knees instinctively, coughing violently.A roaring sound like wind in a canyon filled his ears as raw, unfiltered power crackled through the air.
Golden particles shimmered around the beggar like motes of light.The empty street warped in Jahyun's vision. It felt as though the very world bowed.
"W—what… is… this…?" Jahyun gasped, throat burning.
The beggar—still sitting—looked completely relaxed.
"So," he said casually. "How about now?"
The pressure lifted.
Jahyun collapsed forward, gulping air like someone dragged from deep underwater. His heartbeat thundered in his ears. The world sharpened back into clarity—shadows, color, sound—and he felt sweat bead down his face.
"Why…" He coughed, pushing himself upright with trembling arms. "Why is someone as strong as you… begging on the street?"
The beggar smiled—gently, almost sadly.
"My name is Seo Mahyun," he said."Though that is not my real name. You'll learn that when the time comes."
Jahyun swallowed. The name echoed in his mind. It felt vaguely familiar—like a whisper from a legend he couldn't place.
Mahyun continued, "I chose this life. I have been wandering… searching. Looking for a successor to inherit my strength."
"That's why you're a beggar?" Jahyun asked, disbelief dripping from every word.
Mahyun nodded. "Power attracts shadows—Catalysts, monsters, governments, even heroes. But weakness?"He tapped his tattered clothes."People ignore it. If someone helps a useless old man being robbed, I know they carry something rare."
"What?" Jahyun asked softly.
Mahyun's eyes hardened—not unkind, but with a weight that came from scars no one could see.
"Honesty. And heart.Not talent. I'm sick of prodigies dripping with ego, hungry for fame, eager to lie or betray."
His voice trembled, just barely.
"I've been used. Lied to. Abandoned. That was long ago—but I learned enough."
The wind rustled. Neon lights buzzed overhead. Jahyun felt his throat tighten—not from pressure, but from something like sympathy.
"So," Mahyun said slowly, "Jahyun. Will you be my student?"
Jahyun hesitated.The world felt impossibly large suddenly. Training… a mentor… a purpose.Someone wanted him. And not for his name, or fear, or obligation.
Just him.
"You seem like a good person," Jahyun finally said, trying to keep his voice steady. "And I… don't have any friends."
Mahyun smiled widely for the first time—warm and human.
"Good. Then from today onward, I will live with you."
Jahyun nearly choked on his own saliva.
"E—Eh!?"
Mahyun blinked innocently. "I have nowhere to live. And I must train you. Logical, yes?"
Jahyun stared helplessly.When life changed, apparently, it didn't tiptoe—it kicked the door down.
"…Fine," he muttered. "You can stay. Nobody is living in my house anyway."
They began walking—side by side—along the road toward the quiet residential district.For a moment, neither spoke. The city hummed around them, but the silence felt strangely comfortable.
Until Mahyun asked gently,"Jahyun… your family? Friends? Do you truly have none?"
Jahyun's steps slowed.
"I don't have parents. Not anymore—not in any way that matters."His voice was flat, but his eyes flickered with pain."I was thrown out. Because my super speed was considered useless."
Mahyun stopped walking.
"Thrown out?" he repeated quietly.
Jahyun nodded."My family is… influential. Powerful. Every member has abilities worth boasting about. Strength, energy mastery, elemental gifts. But me?" He forced a laugh. "Speed was seen as a joke. Something weak. A stain."
Mahyun's jaw tightened—a flash of anger in his gaze.
"And friends?" he asked softly.
Jahyun shook his head. "No one wants to approach me. I don't know why. They always avoid me."
Mahyun chuckled lightly. "Perhaps they're afraid."
Jahyun blinked. "Afraid? Of what?"
Mahyun tapped the boy's chest with one finger."Of your silence. Your coldness. You build walls so high that people can't see what's inside. That scares them."
Jahyun stared forward, stunned.Was that true?Was being quiet enough to exile someone from connection?
He looked down at his hands.So that was all it took—to look unapproachable.
"That's… stupid," Jahyun muttered at last.
Mahyun laughed. "Humans are stupid creatures. Myself included."
By now, they reached a modern gate leading to a surprisingly large property—clean lines, tall trees, and a spacious courtyard.
Mahyun whistled. "Your house is bigger than mine was—even when I was still… living properly."
Jahyun rubbed his neck, looking uncomfortable.
"It's not rented."
Mahyun tilted his head. "Then how do you pay for it?"
Jahyun exhaled slowly.
"I… built it myself. Before I was kicked out, I stole fifty million won from my family."
Silence.
Mahyun stared.His brain visibly stalled.
"Wait. You stole fifty million… meaning you were already preparing to be thrown away?"
Jahyun looked at the house with strangely empty eyes.
"Yes," he said quietly. "I knew it was coming."
For a moment, Mahyun didn't speak.
The street felt colder.The air heavier.A child preparing for exile—planning for abandonment—that wasn't courage.It was survival.
Mahyun placed a hand gently on Jahyun's shoulder.
"Then," he said, voice low and firm,"you chose correctly today."
Jahyun looked up, confused.
"You chose to stand between evil and the weak—even without training—because you understand pain. You know what it means to be alone."
And then—
A smile.Not mocking.Not pitying.But proud.
"From tonight on, Jahyun," Mahyun declared,"you are not alone anymore."
The door creaked open. The house welcomed them with quiet halls and dim lights.
A new chapter began.
Teacher and student, stranger and outcast—walking into the unknown.
The night sky shimmered overhead, and somewhere far away, beneath the same stars, forces stirred—Catalysts, monsters, destiny.
And the universe whispered:
Velocity begins here.