The S-class Awakening

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Jonghyun stood frozen at the door of his apartment, his hand still on the knob as the world around him seemed to quiet. His parents' voices echoed in his mind, every word from their conversation clinging to him like a weight. Their concern for him was nothing new, but today, their words felt sharper—more urgent. They wanted him to quit. To give up guiding. To walk away from the only life he'd ever known.

"You can't keep doing this, Jonghyun. You need to find a stable job... something normal," his father had insisted, a firmness in his voice that only made Jonghyun feel more trapped.

"It's dangerous, Jonghyun. You need a better future than this. This guide life... it's not a long-term solution," his mother had added softly, her worry clear in her green eyes.

He had tried to tell them he couldn't change. He didn't know how to do anything else. He was a guide. That was his purpose. The thought of working an office job—staying behind a desk all day, far from the action—felt suffocating. But their words, their hopes for him, had shaken him more than he cared to admit.

With a sigh, Jonghyun pushed open the door to his apartment, trying to shake off the lingering discomfort of his parents' visit. He was tired, physically and mentally, and just wanted to relax. But as he kicked off his shoes and walked toward the living room, something caught his eye.

The small TV in the corner of his room, which he'd left on earlier, now displayed a news broadcast, the sound muted. A picture of a man appeared on the screen, his sharp features standing out in stark contrast against the backdrop of chaos. Jonghyun felt his heart skip a beat as he recognized the figure.

Kim Seojin.

The name flashed across the screen, and a report began.

"Tonight, we bring you an exclusive update on S-Class Esper, Kim Seojin, who recently stopped a rogue monster from a nearby dungeon. The monster, which had been wreaking havoc near a crowded residential area, was neutralized swiftly by Seojin, who used his advanced spatial manipulation abilities to trap the creature before it could do any further harm."

Jonghyun's eyes widened as he saw the image of Seojin in action. The S-class Esper stood tall, effortlessly controlling the monster, his presence commanding and powerful. His black hair framed his sharp face, and his gaze was focused, as if he were in complete control of the situation.

The reporter continued, "Kim Seojin, the guildmaster of the private guild Legion, is known for his incredible control over space itself. With his ability to bend distances and manipulate the fabric of reality, Seojin has become a legend in the Esper world. It's been confirmed that he's currently one of the most powerful Espers alive."

Jonghyun's heart raced as the words settled in. Legion. He'd heard of it before—one of the most powerful private guilds in the world, composed of Espers who operated outside the confines of the government. They were a force to be reckoned with, taking on the most dangerous missions, ones that no government official could handle. Seojin, as their guildmaster, was the epitome of power.

But it wasn't just Seojin's abilities that caught Jonghyun's attention. It was the strange pull in his chest, the unmistakable sense of recognition that washed over him as he watched the screen. There was something about Seojin—something that made Jonghyun feel as though their paths had already crossed, even though he had never met the man.

This is no mere coincidence, Jonghyun thought, his gaze fixed on the screen, as if some invisible thread had been drawn between them. It was a strange, almost overwhelming feeling, like an unspoken connection that had just been made, but he couldn't understand why.

His heart pounded as he leaned closer to the screen, his mind racing. There was something deep inside him, an instinct or maybe a feeling he couldn't shake. It was as if a part of him recognized Seojin—not just as an S-class Esper or as the guildmaster of Legion, but as someone he was meant to meet.

Jonghyun's eyes narrowed as he stared at Seojin's image on the screen. It was the first time he had ever felt this kind of pull, this connection to someone so far removed from his world.

"What is this feeling?" he murmured to himself, his voice barely a whisper. The realization hit him like a wave: this wasn't just an encounter with a powerful Esper on the news. This was the beginning of something more.

A bond was forming between them—one he couldn't explain but couldn't ignore.

The reporter's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Kim Seojin has been praised for his quick thinking, but it's his ability to control space itself that makes him an unparalleled force. Experts are now speculating about his full range of powers, but one thing is clear: Seojin is a force to be reckoned with, and his actions today only confirm his legendary status."

Jonghyun turned off the TV, the room suddenly feeling too small. His mind raced with questions. Why did he feel so drawn to Seojin? Why did it feel as though their destinies were somehow entwined?

He didn't have answers, but one thing was certain: his life was about to change. Whether he wanted it or not, he was connected to this Esper. And whatever came next, he knew he couldn't ignore it.

He stood up from the couch, pacing the room again. The sense of urgency within him was unlike anything he had ever felt. The pull—the connection—was undeniable. Was it a coincidence that he had stumbled upon this news report tonight? Or was something more at play? He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being drawn toward Seojin for a reason.

Jonghyun shook his head, trying to clear his mind. This couldn't just be some random feeling. He'd never experienced anything like this before. It was as if the universe was telling him that his path was aligned with Seojin's in some inexplicable way.

He needed answers. He needed to know why he felt this way.

With that, Jonghyun grabbed his jacket and stepped out of his apartment. His mind was too restless to stay in one place. He needed to think, to find some clarity. The city buzzed around him as he walked, the neon lights of the buildings casting a pale glow on the streets. The night felt electric, as if it too had come alive in response to his thoughts.

As he moved through the streets, a quiet certainty settled in his chest. Whatever lay ahead, whatever this connection was, he would find out. He had to. There was no turning back now.

One day, he whispered to himself, as the city stretched out before him, full of possibilities. I'll meet him.

And with that, the weight in his chest seemed to lift, just for a moment. The journey ahead, full of unknowns and uncertainties, lay before him. But Jonghyun knew one thing for sure: this bond, this strange pull to Seojin, was the beginning of something he couldn't ignore.

It was only a matter of time before their paths crossed—and when they did, everything would change.

End of Chapter 3