In 2036, an era of great discoveries began.
On July 23, a scientist and a technician successfully created the first artificial portal. The portal opened a gateway between their world and another.
The world they discovered was unlike anything humanity had ever seen. At first, it was called a parallel world because its laws seemed to oppose those of Earth. However, as time passed, people began to refer to it as the Second World — a true fantasy realm.
The Second World contained things that did not exist in the First World: magic, mana, elves, monsters, and many other mysterious beings. It quickly became the greatest discovery of the century.
On December 11, researchers achieved another breakthrough. By studying resources from the Second World, and with the help of its inhabitants — particularly the elves — they developed magical technology. Weapons and devices powered by mana were created, capable of being either devastating or incredibly beneficial.
Even ordinary items were upgraded. Mobile phones and computers no longer required electricity or charging cables. Scientists discovered that humans in the First World possessed a hidden energy source called mana, also known as "inner energy." This energy existed within every person.
Using this discovery, engineers created devices that could draw and store a user's mana as a power source. Phones no longer needed batteries in the traditional sense; instead, they were powered directly by their owner's inner energy.
This innovation greatly reduced global electricity consumption. Interestingly, it also helped limit excessive device usage. Since overusing devices drained one's personal mana, people naturally became more mindful of their screen time. As a result, many began managing their time better and focusing more on productive work rather than endlessly scrolling through social media or playing games.
The global economy expanded rapidly. Industries began operating in the Second World, and cultural exchange flourished. Entertainment from the First World — singing, dancing, stage performances, even rap — was introduced to the fantasy realm.
Electricity already existed in the Second World, but with assistance from the First World, it became more advanced and widely accessible. Although the Second World had not yet reached the technological level of the First World, progress was accelerating. It would take time, but the two worlds were gradually growing closer in development.
With the existence of the Second World, humanity believed it had found solutions to some of its greatest problems — overpopulation and economic inequality.
The First World had grown crowded. Living standards were high, but so were expectations. Most people belonged to the middle class, while the upper class controlled vast wealth and resources. Those who failed to meet the rising standards of living often struggled to survive.
The Second World became both an opportunity — and an escape.
Governments began relocating certain groups of people to the Second World under specific terms. Some were volunteers seeking a fresh start. Others had little choice. They were offered two main paths: survive independently in newly established frontier zones, or serve under official organizations such as the military, exploration corps, or industrial development units.
However, the Second World was far from fully understood.
Exploration revealed that it was far larger than originally predicted. Its atmosphere extended higher than Earth's, and even advanced rockets from the First World failed to escape into outer space. It was as if the Second World obeyed entirely different cosmic laws.
Even after twenty years of exploration, only an estimated 150% of Earth's landmass and 180% of Earth's water surface had been mapped within the Second World. And that was only what humanity could safely reach.
Many mysteries remained untouched.
For reasons still unknown, researchers discovered that certain physical and magical laws of the Second World could not be violated. Humans were forced to adapt and obey its rules rather than impose their own.
By 2056, a new era began.
The era of idols.
The music and entertainment industry expanded aggressively into the Second World. Unlike the cautious first cultural exchange, this time the movement was intentional and strategic. Music, performance, dance, and pop culture became powerful tools of influence.
Concerts were held in massive mana-powered arenas. Elves and humans performed on the same stage. Magical effects enhanced performances beyond anything possible in the First World.
Soon, entertainment became one of the Second World's dominant industries — just as it had once been in the First.
The elvish people enjoyed this form of entertainment far more than humans had expected.
Soon, the first elvish idol group was established, performing not only in the Second World but also crossing over to the human world. Their ethereal beauty, long lifespans, and natural affinity with mana made their performances mesmerizing.
As cultural exchange deepened, mixed groups were formed — elves and humans standing on the same stage. These groups were designed to appeal to both races, symbolizing unity between the two worlds.
The music industry grew even larger.
At first, people jokingly compared it to K-pop. Then a new term was coined: W-Pop, short for World Pop. It sounded strange at first, and many mocked it. But as the genre expanded and dominated both worlds, the name stuck.
W-Pop became the symbol of a new era.
•••
Inside a well-kept bedroom, everything was neat and orderly.
A wooden desk stood near the wall, paired with a matching chair. On top of it sat a high-technology computer powered by human mana instead of electricity. Beside it lay a stack of fourteen books — some fiction, others factual — along with scattered study notes.
On the blue wall hung framed pictures of various idols. Next to them was a calendar, carefully marked with dates.
The bed, covered in black sheets, held a neatly folded yellow blanket on top. It was positioned against the right side of the room, from the perspective of the maroon door.
A dark blue steel closet stood beside the bed. On top of it were several black plastic bags filled with clothes. A few tools were placed there carelessly — dangerously close to falling onto the bed if disturbed.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in warmth. A tall bookshelf on the left side revealed the owner's love for reading. The idol posters on the wall revealed something else — admiration.
Slowly, the brown door creaked open.
A tall figure stepped inside.
He wore green-and-black patterned military clothing, marking him as a soldier. Yet despite the rough uniform, his face looked unexpectedly young — almost innocent.
Illan Mowha.
The owner of the room had finally returned from military service.
He had once been soft-spoken and somewhat delicate in appearance. Now, his frame looked stronger, broader. More mature. Only his youthful face still carried traces of the boy he used to be.
He stood in the doorway for a moment, waiting for the door to swing fully open. When it finally hit the blue wall with a soft thud, he stepped inside and inhaled deeply.
"Ha… I'm back…!"
His voice escaped with a breath of relief.
He dropped the bags onto the floor. Stretching both arms above his head, he let out another long exhale before spreading them wide — as if embracing the air of the room itself.
Illan walked toward the desk and placed his bags beside it. His fingers rested on the edge of the wooden table as his eyes slowly lifted toward the posters on the wall.
They were pictures of his favorite members from a global girl group he had been stanning since his teenage years.
Even now, at twenty-one, he was still a devoted fan.
The group was called Axis. It consisted of seven members, all from the First World. Although Illan had briefly entered the Second World during military training, he had never truly explored it beyond official zones.
He had seen what people referred to as "elvish" individuals during his service. At first, he expected them to have pointed ears, like in fantasy stories. But they looked almost identical to humans.
The term elvish wasn't about appearance.
It was simply used to describe humans who originated from the Second World.
So far, no pointed-eared beings had ever been discovered.
Illan's gaze stopped at one particular image.
A woman in a shimmering blue dress.
The photo captured only her upper body, but that was more than enough. Her brunette hair fell gently over her shoulders, framing a face that had held his attention for years.
She was his bias in Axis.
And no matter how much time passed — no matter how much military training hardened him — that never changed.