Tower of The Fated Star

[12:40 PM | Mirae Industries | Lower Floor][The first scenario of the first floor of the Tower of The Fated Star has ended]

[The survivors of this scenario will have to move to the next scenario stage.]

[You will be given the map of next scenario.][If you fail to move to the next scenario in time, you will die immediately.]

[You've been given the map of the next scenario stage.]

[The time limit to enter the 2nd scenario stage is 3 days.]

Two voices echoed within one mind.

Jun Lion looked at Jun Young.(Hey, what's your name?)

Jun Young replied without turning.(Didn't you hear that already?)

Their thoughts overlapped. Somehow, their minds were connected. One soul, two identities.

Jun Lion furrowed his brows.(So you're the Jun Young they were talking about. Anyway, can you tell me what's going on here? Which world is this?)

Jun Young sighed.(I think you should think about surviving first. Although I don't like you and don't know who you are, you're in my body right now. And the first priority is to keep my body safe. If you want to do that, follow what the system says. We don't have the whole world's time, so hurry up.)

Jun Lion tilted his head.(For that, I need to know about the areas first. It's showing some area's names. Which area is nearby? I don't know anything—that's why I told you to explain it to me.)

Jun Young:(Huh... Sorry... Let me check... Hmm... Chungmuro Station is the nearest to this area.)

Jun Lion:(And how am I supposed to go there? I don't know the route.)

Jun Young pointed toward someone.(Take her with you. She'll be of help. At least she knows the route.)

Jun Lion's gaze turned to Haejin. She flinched slightly.

(Why is he looking at me like that? He's acting suspicious.)

Jun Lion called out."Hey girl..."

Footsteps echoed in the distance. Survivors were starting to emerge from the upper floors.

Haejin answered,"Yeah... Jun Young... What is it?"

Jun Lion muttered to himself.(Uh... How am I supposed to explain this girl I'm not Jun Young...)

Instead, he asked plainly,"Do you know the route to Chungmuro Station?"

She blinked, confused."Yeah... So you chose to go there. Yeah, that's the nearest place from here. I know the route."

At that moment, five people descended from above. Their clothes were soaked with blood. Some held knives. Survivors, or perhaps just predators in disguise.

One of them stepped forward."Hey... Miss Haejin... Are you going to Chungmuro? Then you can go with us. We're also headed there."

She forced a smile."He... He... Yes, Director Park. We're also going there. If you say so... We'll go with you."

Director Park's grin turned mocking."What do you mean by 'we'? I told you to come with us, not him."

Haejin's voice stiffened."I'm sorry, Director Park. I can't go with you, than."

Park's eyes darkened."I think I didn't make myself clear. You don't have a choice, Miss Haejin. You have to come with us. Otherwise, we'll force it. And if you think he can stop us... then you need to think again."

He gestured to his group."We've got five people. He's alone. What can he even do?"

Laughter followed. The five men chuckled like hyenas circling prey.

Jun Lion's expression hardened. A different kind of silence descended. One forged not by fear—but fury.

"Hey..."

His voice was low. Serious.

"I won't tell you twice. Leave this place on the count of five."

They looked at him.

"One."

The laughter grew louder."Ha... Ha... Ha..."

"Two."

Director Park smirked."Owww... We're scared..."

"Three."

"Hey, what was his name again?" someone asked.

"I think... It's Jun Young, sir. Sung Jun Young."

Park laughed mockingly."Ohh... That idiot... The loner."

"Four."

Then—Director Park unleashed his aura."Enough of your act, you brat. How dare you talk like that in front of me?!"

One of them charged, faster than expected. The air shimmered with mana.

[Level 3 of Ice Fist Activated]

Frost spiraled down his arm. His knuckles glowed a pale blue. The air around him turned brittle with cold.

But—

"Five."

Jun didn't move. He raised his hand.

And with it—The strike stopped.

He met the attacker's gaze and spoke.

"I told you, didn't I? I told you to leave. But instead of that you guys are trying to attack me. Really there are always people like you everywhere. People like you shouldn't live for long time."

Electricity crackled down his arm.

Jun clenched his fist.

"Lightning Fist."

A burst of raw power. Thunder echoed indoors. Lightning wrapped around his arm like a serpent of judgment.

BOOM!

The man was flung like a ragdoll and crashed against the far wall. His body hit the floor—and didn't move again.

Everyone froze.

Jun's voice was cold.

"How can I forget this? No matter where you go, evil people exist everywhere. No matter what you do, they won't change. If you give them a chance, they'll just try the same thing later. So—"

He moved.

Swiftly, like lightning.

He struck another down."People like you shouldn't get any second chance. NOW—"

Another man fell."JUST DIE HERE...!"

Only Director Park remained. He collapsed to the ground, trembling.

Haejin stepped forward."Please stop, Jun Young... We can just leave him be, can't we?"

Jun's eyes burned cold."Hey girl... DON'T INTERFERE!"

She backed off.It wasn't just fear—something about the man in front of her wasn't Jun Young anymore.

Park sobbed."Please... Please spare me! I won't do it again! I'll be a good man from now on!"

Jun advanced slowly. Each step carried the weight of thunder.

"WRONG! You're thinking of betraying when you got the chance after this incident."

He crouched, meeting him eye to eye."SORRY! I CAN'T SPARE YOU."

Lightning sparked again.

And silence returned.

Director Kim died.

To be continue...