The moment Jin stepped into the clearing and saw the body, everything inside him went still.
Yeong-ho lay on the cold dungeon ground, his chest torn open, blood soaking into glowing moss. His lifeless eyes stared at the violet sky above the twisted forest canopy.
But Jin couldn't look for long.
The man who killed him stood just a few feet away.
Tall, lean, and wrapped in a gray cloak, the assassin wiped his dagger on a cloth. His face was hidden beneath a dark mask, and his fingers were calm, practiced. He turned slightly toward the body again—
And froze.
Because Jin had stepped into view.
Same face. Same green hair. Same sharp jaw.
Alive.
The assassin's eyes narrowed. "What the hell…?"
His gaze flicked to the body on the ground… then back to Jin.
"…Impossible."
Jin didn't speak.
He raised one hand—and summoned fire.
> [Minor Fireball – Ready]
A ball of flame surged to life in his palm. It cast long shadows against the trees.
The assassin's confusion twisted into rage. "I just killed you. What kind of trick is this?!"
He vanished.
---
The assassin reappeared behind Jin in an instant—silent, fast.
But Jin had been ready.
He spun around, throwing the fireball mid-turn.
WHOOSH!
The flame caught the assassin across the shoulder, forcing him back with a grunt.
"Not bad," the man growled, brushing off the scorched cloak. "But you're not the same brat I killed. You're something else."
Jin's heart thundered. He had never fought someone this fast before.
But this wasn't school. This wasn't the convenience store.
This was life or death.
"Come on, then," he whispered. "Try me."
The assassin darted forward, blades drawn in both hands. His cloak fluttered behind him like a shadow with teeth.
Jin barely managed to block the first slash with his forearm, the dagger grazing his sleeve. Pain flared, but he bit down on it and jumped back.
> [Minor Fireball – Cooling down: 5 seconds]
Too slow.
The assassin moved like smoke, vanishing and reappearing from shadow to shadow. Jin threw himself sideways, barely avoiding a strike meant for his neck.
He's too fast! I can't win like this—
"Still not talking?" the assassin taunted, his voice low and sharp. "You're not Yeong-ho. You're not even human, are you?"
Jin gritted his teeth and ducked under another swipe.
4 seconds.
The assassin slashed forward again—this time nicking Jin's cheek. Blood trickled down his face. The sting cleared his fear, sharpening his focus.
He needed distance.
Jin dove behind a stone pillar and rolled, breath ragged.
> [Minor Fireball – Ready]
He popped out from cover and hurled it with all his strength.
BOOM!
The fireball exploded against the assassin's chest, sending him flying back into a tree. Smoke and embers burst out in every direction.
For a moment—silence.
Jin stood still, chest rising and falling, his arms trembling.
Then—
A cough.
The assassin rose slowly, parts of his cloak charred and his right hand limp at his side.
"You… really are something," he muttered.
Then he turned—toward the shadows.
No!
He was going to escape.
Jin's eyes darted to the bloody branch he'd dropped earlier—still on the ground near the body.
He ran.
The assassin limped into the shadow of a tree, reaching into his coat. "One smoke crystal, and I'm gone—"
THUNK.
The branch hit him in the back.
The assassin stumbled.
Jin charged.
"You're not going anywhere!"
He tackled the man to the ground and grabbed the dagger from his belt. The two rolled in the dirt, struggling. The assassin reached for his crystal.
Jin stabbed.
Once.
Twice.
The assassin gasped… then went still.
Blood pooled beneath them.
---
> [You have killed a Rank-C assassin.]
[Predator Activated.]
New Skill Acquired: Shadow Step – Teleport short distances through shadows.
---
Jin knelt there, breathing hard, covered in blood—not all of it his.
He looked at the body… then at his hands.
"I did it…"
But his voice shook.
Not from fear.
From power.
Jin stood in the middle of the dungeon clearing, blood drying on his hands, heart still racing.
Yeong-ho's body lay cold and stiff.
The assassin was gone—forever.
Jin looked down at his own hands. The pain was real. The blood was real.
And the system… was real.
He had power now.
> [Shadow Step – Skill Acquired]
> [Predator – Activated]
He clenched his fists. He didn't feel guilty. He didn't feel regret.
He felt alive.
But there was still one more thing he needed to do.
Become Yeong-ho.
---
The dungeon gate appeared again—a swirling silver portal. Jin stepped through.
The forest melted away. Light returned.
When he opened his eyes, he was standing back in the alley.
The black car was still parked there.
The driver, still waiting, looked up the moment Jin stepped out.
He stared at Jin for a second—then quickly walked over and bowed.
"Young Master Yeong-ho," he said. "You've returned."
Jin froze.
He thinks I'm… him?
The driver lifted his head and examined him with concern.
"You look pale, sir. Are you alright?"
Jin opened his mouth—but nothing came out at first.
Then… he remembered something.
An excuse.
An alibi.
"I… I don't remember…" Jin said, clutching his head. "I think… someone attacked me in there. There was a man in a gray cloak…"
The driver's eyes darkened. "An assassin?"
The driver stepped forward, gently guiding him toward the car.
"Understood, Young Master. Don't worry. You're safe now."
Jin sat in the back seat as the door closed. The soft leather hugged his back. The faint scent of cologne and money filled the air.
As the engine started, Jin looked out the window.
He wasn't just safe.
He had just stepped into a new life.
The black car rolled smoothly through a tall iron gate, guarded by men in suits with earpieces. As it moved up the long driveway, Jin leaned toward the window, staring in awe.
The mansion was enormous.
White marble walls. Glass towers. A garden larger than any park he had ever visited. Water fountains danced under glowing lights.
It was the kind of place he had only seen on TV. A fantasy made real.
The car came to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Jin's hands were sweaty as the driver opened the door for him.
"Young Master," the driver said with a respectful bow. "Welcome home."
Home.
Not my home, Jin thought. But he nodded quietly and stepped out.