The morning air shimmered like glass over the sacred waters of the Lake of Power. Gentle ripples broke its surface, reflecting a sky painted in soft hues of blue and gold. But despite the lake's beauty, something was missing — its glow was dimmer, its soul quieter. It was as though the heart of this world had been broken, long ago.
Two figures stood at the edge of the lake — Daeshim, still new to this strange realm, and the regal King Seong Joon-Won, ruler of the Seraphins. They stood in silence, side by side, both gazing deep into the water as if hoping to find answers within its depths.
"This lake once gave us power beyond imagination," the King said finally, his voice layered with sorrow. "It was the heart of everything we were. But now… its strength is fading."
Daeshim's eyes remained fixed on the soft ripples. "Is that because you gave all its energy to the previous King?" he asked. "The energy that was lost along with the prince?"
The King turned his head slowly. "You are exactly right."
Daeshim's voice was steady, sharp. "Did you ever try to search for him? The prince… or the energy?"
"We tried," the King replied. "We scoured every inch of our world. But he was gone. We believe… he may be living among humans. Leading an ordinary life. But he is not ordinary. He never was."
Daeshim didn't respond. His heart thudded heavier than before.
The King motioned toward a magnificent creature waiting nearby — half-deer, half-winged beast, glowing with silver markings.
"Come. Let me show you the world he never got to rule."
They climbed onto the creature, and it soared gently above valleys of light and forests of glass. Seraphin settlements stretched below — glowing homes built from crystals, trees that hummed with life, and yet… everywhere, there was a lingering sadness.
"These people," the King said, "survive on what little is left. Ever since the lake's power diminished… even food has grown scarce."
Daeshim turned to him. "Is there no way to defeat the Necravores?"
"There is," the King said, his eyes narrowing. "They can be defeated. The same lake that gave them power… can also strip it from them."
Daeshim's heart skipped. "But…?"
The King's voice darkened. "But… we already used all of its strength — every drop — to empower the previous King… who was lost. The lake's core is now asleep. For its energy to return, it could take thousands of years."
Daeshim frowned. "How long has it been since that day?"
"Seventeen years," the King said. "And in a few days… it will be eighteen."
Daeshim's chest tightened. "That's strange… I'm about to turn eighteen in a few days too…"
Coincidence? Or something deeper?
He remained quiet, lost in thought. Then asked, "Is there a way back? To my world?"
The King looked at him, helpless. "We don't know. None of us have ever crossed over."
Daeshim's mind spiraled into unease. Will I be stuck here forever… in a world of people who aren't even human?No... if there's a way in, there must be a way out.
Later, they arrived at the Royal Court — a vast hall of shimmering walls where citizens had gathered with their worries. Daeshim stood beside the King, watching silently.
Most of the complaints were the same — lack of food. The lake's energy had once sustained their harvests, purified their water, even grown food with a touch of their hands. Now, everything was scarce.
The King listened with sympathy… but offered no solution.
Daeshim stepped forward.
"What if," he began, "you use your power not to grow food… but to preserve it? Dry it, store it, and distribute it in cycles. Build vertical gardens inside crystal greenhouses, layer by layer, using reflective light. And have every family take turns producing what little they can. That way… even small effort turns into a shared survival."
Silence.
Then whispers.
Then cheers.
The King placed a hand on Daeshim's shoulder. "From today… we live by his advice."
When the court emptied, an elder approached Daeshim. "You look young… but your wisdom is far beyond your years. How is that possible?"
Daeshim hesitated. Then slowly told them what had been happening — the voice, the swamp, the awakening… the growing strength in his mind and body.
They listened in awe.
When the King heard it, he quietly stared at Daeshim.
"He looks… like our old King. Baek Hyun-Tae…"
Then he asked, "What is your full name?"
Daeshim blinked. "I… I don't remember."
The King leaned in, voice barely a whisper. "Is it… Baek Dae-Shim?"
The moment he heard it, memories erupted.
He was a child again. His mother laughing. His father kneeling.
"Baek Dae-Shim," his mother said, "my precious son, take your first step…"
Another flash.
He and his father walking beside the lake. "Father," young Daeshim asked, "what does your name mean?"
His father smiled gently. "It means Wise Greatness."
Daeshim smiled back. "And what about mine?"
His father touched his chest. "The Deep Soul. That's what you are."
Suddenly, warmth turned cold. The memory twisted.
Screams. Fire. Necravores.
He remembered.
They murdered his parents.
And then — the memory he'd buried deep — he remembered the lake, the cup, the shining water. He drank it. His body had lit with light. His eyes had glowed like the sun.
And then… darkness.
Someone had lifted him, taken him away.
And that someone… was the figure he saw in his dreams — the shadow who saved him in the field. The one who swung the sword before everything went black.
Now it was clear.
He was the prince.He was the son of Baek Hyun-Tae.He was the one chosen by the lake.
Daeshim's hands clenched.
His eyes glowed again — not with light, but with fury.
His voice turned cold."I remember now…"
He looked up into the darkening sky.
"I'm back."
"And now… I will make the Necravores pay. With blood, and with death."
End of Chapter 3.