The Useless One Chosen by Darkness

"Yes... I want power."

The words left Jihoon's lips before he even understood their full meaning.

The voice-deep, cruel, ancient-laughed in response.

"Power?" it sneered."You, who are so weak that anyone can hurt you and walk away without consequence?"

The black mist in the corner of his room pulsed, twisted, and writhed like something alive. The voice echoed again, sharper this time.

"You said yes... but on what basis did you accept my offer?""Do you even understand the weight of what you're asking for?"

Jihoon's breath quickened. Sweat trickled down his temple. Every part of him screamed to run—but something deeper held him in place.Something angry.Something broken.

"You are fragile," the shadow growled."Power like mine is not for the faint-hearted. To even touch it, you must be willing to die."

The air turned frigid.

"For two years," it hissed,"You will die and live again, every single day. The pain will be endless. The training, merciless.No comfort. No rest. No warmth. Only suffering."

Jihoon's knees trembled. Tears welled in his eyes. His mind screamed for mercy. But somewhere in his shattered heart, a spark ignited.Small but burning.

"I'm not afraid," Jihoon said through clenched teeth."Not anymore."

His voice cracked. His legs shook.But he raised his head and met the shadow's gaze.

"I want this. No matter the pain. I'll take it."

For a moment, the room was silent.

Then, a slow, terrifying laugh.

"Yes..." the shadow whispered."That's what I needed to hear."

But its tone changed—darker now.

"Boy... I'm not giving this power away for free. There is a price. A heavy one."

Jihoon froze.

"First," the shadow said,"You must leave everything behind—your family, your city, even your planet.For two years, you will belong only to me."

"Second," it continued,"Your life on Earth was meant to last eighty years.But in exchange for my power... you must give me twenty of those."

Jihoon stood still, crushed under the weight of those words.

"Don't worry," the shadow added, voice suddenly calm."One of the skills I will grant you... has the potential for immortality.""But no one—no one—has ever survived its final stage."

Jihoon's lips parted, but no sound came. His thoughts spiraled—family, life, death, purpose, power.

Finally, he whispered:

"I... I need time. To think."

The shadow didn't protest.It let out one last, low laugh—cold and satisfied.

"A wise request.Take your time...But remember, the clock is ticking."

And just like that, it vanished—leaving behind only silence, and the bitter cold of a life about to change forever.