The Useless One Chosen by Darkness

The shadow returned to Jihoon's room.

But this time, Jihoon didn't flinch. No fear. No hesitation.

He knelt, desperate, eyes burning with need.

"I want power," he said—like a beggar before a god.

"Good," the shadow replied. "You made your decision sooner than I expected. I'm pleased. Are you ready to begin?"

Jihoon nodded, then paused. "Just one moment."

He walked over to his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a chain-like pendant.

"What's that?" the shadow asked.

Jihoon stared at it, voice dull and hollow.

"This… is my mother's last memory. My father threw it in the trash. I saved it from being lost forever."

The shadow fell silent."Your mother…?"

"She died when I was just a year old," Jihoon said softly.

A flicker of confusion passed through the shadow's tone—as if something had clicked.

"Aah… I see," it murmured unconsciously.

"What is it?" Jihoon asked quickly.

"…Nothing. Just a slip of the tongue."

Then, Jihoon sat down and wrote a short letter.

"Dad, I'm leaving. I won't be a burden to you or your perfect family anymore.I just wish… even once in this life, you had loved me. But you didn't.You'll regret this.Your 'useless pig' — Jihoon."

He stood. "Let's go."

The shadow opened a swirling black portal. "Step inside."

It entered first. Jihoon took one last look at his miserable room, his eyes wet with tears.

"…Goodbye." 

He stepped into the circle and was violently pulled through.

thud!

"You could've at least caught me!" Jihoon snapped, brushing off the dirt.

He looked around, wide-eyed. A thick red mist blanketed the ground, and the sky above was pitch black, filled with unfamiliar stars.

"This... isn't Earth," he muttered.

"A world of my own design," the shadow replied. "Call it the Shadow Realm. This will be your training ground."

"Training?" Jihoon echoed uncertainly.

"Two months of physical conditioning. Your body must be strengthened to handle my power."

Jihoon looked around again. "There's nothing here but dirt and dark mist."

"Turn around," the shadow interrupted.

Jihoon turned—and froze.

A luxurious house stood behind him, glowing faintly in the mist. Stone walls, polished wood, and warm golden light spilling from its windows.

"What the hell…" he whispered and rushed forward, pushing open the door.

Inside, it was just as beautiful. Like something out of a rich man's dream.

"Thanks… I guess," Jihoon muttered, stunned.

"Eat first," the shadow said, motioning to the dining hall.

Jihoon stepped in and nearly cried.

A long table stood piled with sizzling meats, warm bread, and fragrant soups. His stomach roared.

He dove in, tearing through the food like a starving wolf.

"Why are you being so… nice to me?" he asked between mouthfuls.

The shadow's voice turned cold."You're valuable. If you weren't… I'd have killed you after giving you power."

That night, the shadow stood outside, scanning the endless black sky.

"Maybe…" it murmured, "…he really could be the one to carry out my revenge."

Inside, Jihoon slept soundly for the first time in years.

Back on Earth

Jihoon's father barged into the room, belt in hand, rage flaring in his eyes.

"That useless brat! Today, I'll—"

He stopped.

The room was empty. Jihoon was gone. Nothing but silence… and a single piece of paper on the desk.

He picked it up. Read it.

His expression twisted—first with confusion, then with rage.

"You bastard…" he hissed. "If I ever see you again… I'll kill you!"

SMACK!

"AAAH! What the hell—?!"

Jihoon twisted around.

The shadow towered over him, holding a long black cane.

"I said rest a little," it growled. "Not hibernate."

"There's no sun here! No clocks! How was I supposed to know it was morning?!"

"Excuses already? Tch. Get up."

Jihoon scrambled out of bed, dressed quickly, and stumbled outside.

"Your first task," the shadow said, arms crossed. "Run three kilometers."

Jihoon stretched. "Only three? That's nothing."

Ten minutes later…

"This is way harder than I thought…"

He stumbled back toward the house, soaked in sweat.

Then he noticed something new—a massive, elegant swimming pool shimmering in the mist.

"Nice pool," he muttered.

The shadow floated lazily in the water, sunglasses on."Of course. I have taste."

Jihoon squinted. "Why are you always hiding in that same corner?"

"What?"

Jihoon walked closer just as the shadow turned.

"AAAAH!" the shadow screamed.

"AAAAH!" Jihoon yelled back.

"What are you doing here!?" the shadow shouted, diving into the water.

"I… just wanted to ask how I'll know when the run is complete."

"It'll notify you automatically!"

"Oh… Good to know." Jihoon tilted his head. "But… why did you scream?"

"Because I was naked, idiot! You barged in while I was bathing!"

Jihoon burst out laughing."Relax! I only saw your creepy red eyes and toothy grin."

"Still traumatizing!"

"Fine, fine! I'm leaving!"

Jihoon jogged away, still laughing.

Two kilometers later, Jihoon was drenched in sweat. His legs shook. Breathing hurt.

"Whose idea was this…?"

He collapsed twice, maybe three times before a robotic voice echoed:

[Training Complete - 3km run successful.]

He dropped to his knees, grinning weakly."Water… please?"

[No. Water is available only at home.]

"What?! Then teleport me back!"

[No. Walk back. You have 3 hours. If late, penalty will be applied:]- No water- Immediate next training- 100 cane strikes

Jihoon's smile shattered.

"Nooo! You monsters!"

A glowing timer appeared in the sky:

[2:59:59]

"I'm going to die…" he groaned.

Still, he moved.

After 1.5 hours, he had barely made 1 kilometer.

"Help… someone… please…"

Suddenly growls.

Four shadowy dogs emerged from the mist. Eyes glowing red.

"NOT THIS KIND OF HELP!"

He ran like never before, adrenaline drowning the pain.

Just as the timer hit 00:43:12, he dove through the door and collapsed.

The dogs vanished.

The shadow stood nearby, slowly clapping.

"Congratulations."

Jihoon lifted a trembling hand. "You… are… insane…"

"Next task."

Jihoon turned. A tall staircase stood before him.

"Fifty steps. Easy, right?"

Then the shadow dropped a heavy sack at his feet.

"Put it on."

Jihoon lifted it. Nearly collapsed.

"What is this… rocks?!"

"Forty kilograms."

He strapped it to his back. Took one step and fell like a puppet with cut strings.

"You're joking…"

"I'm not."

He tried again. Made it to step ten , then tumbled down, unconscious.

"Shadow Heal," the shadow said, dark aura swirling around him.

Jihoon blinked awake. "That was amazing… like a manhwa."

"Don't get used to it."

He tried again this time, thirty steps. Then collapsed again.

"Are you giving up?" the shadow asked. "What about your revenge? Don't you want to humiliate them like they did to you?"

Jihoon's fists clenched.

Rage. Pain. Fire.

He roared and charged up the final twenty steps.

When he reached the top, his eyes shone with triumph.

A door hissed open. Thick black mist poured out.

Jihoon stepped in.

A voice echoed:

[Initiating Gravity Sequence: 3x Earth Gravity]

He dropped to the floor instantly, blood trickling from his nose.

He couldn't move. Could barely breathe.

Memories came crashing back.

His father's voice. His stepmother's sneer.

"Useless. Waste of space. Pig."

He clenched his fists.

"I won't be weak anymore…"

He stood—slowly. Inch by inch.

For ten minutes, he endured.

Then… he blacked out.

The shadow sighed. Picked up his body.

And tossed him into the pool.

SPLASH!

"COULD YOU NOT JUST POUR WATER ON ME!?" Jihoon screamed.

"You're welcome," the shadow chuckled.

"You're insane!"

"Glad we're clear. Now—push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. Ten each."

15 Days Later

Running Distance: 6 kilometers

Steps: 50 (with 50 kg)

Gravity: 4x Earth

Workouts: 15 reps each

Jihoon no longer complained. He trained in silence.

1 Month Later

Running: 10 kilometers

Steps: 100 (with 60 kg)

Gravity: 6x

Workouts: 30 reps

His body had changed. Sharpened. Stronger. Controlled.

"Shadow!" Jihoon called. "Is it time? Can I finally have your power?"

"Not yet. One more month."

"You're killing me…"

"That's the point."

2 Months Later

Running: 15 kilometers in 1 hour

Steps: 100 (with 70 kg)

Gravity: 8x

Workouts: 60 reps

Jihoon stood tall. Broad-shouldered. Radiating power.

"Now," the shadow said. "You're ready."

Jihoon's eyes lit up. "I'll give you 10% of my power."

"Only ten?!"

"It's enough to surpass any human. More than that you will become a force that anyone can't think.''

Jihoon nodded, heart pounding.

"So… what now?"

The shadow's expression darkened.

"Before I give you anything… you must first unlock the mana inside your veins."

"Mana… how do I do that?"

"I'll teach you tomorrow," the shadow said. "Rest. Your real training begins in the morning."