Yun followed his grandfather in silence. There was something different about him now. Not just the way he walked or the calm authority in his voice, but the feeling that he always knew more than he said. It made Yun uneasy, but at the same time curious.
They walked for a while before reaching a place Yun had never seen before. At first glance, it didn't belong to this world. The space resembled something from the future. The walls were smooth and metallic, with faint glowing lines running through them like veins. Strange machines filled the area. Some looked like advanced training equipment, others seemed designed to measure things beyond simple physical strength.
Yun stopped and looked around carefully.
"What is this place?"
His grandfather walked forward calmly and placed his hand on one of the machines.
"A place where you will learn control."
Yun narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Control over what?"
His grandfather turned toward him.
"Over yourself."
Training began immediately.
Yun stepped onto one of the platforms, unsure at first. The machine reacted to his presence instantly. A low hum filled the air as resistance formed around him.
"Move," his grandfather said.
Yun didn't question it. He began with simple movements. Stepping, shifting his balance, controlling his breathing. At first, it felt normal. Like any physical training he had done before.
But it quickly changed.
The pressure increased. The air felt heavier. Every movement required more effort.
Time passed without him noticing.
Sweat ran down Yun's face, but he didn't stop. He moved from one machine to another. Some tested his speed, others his strength, others his reaction time. Each one pushed him further.
His breathing grew heavy. His muscles burned.
Still, he continued.
"Again," his grandfather said calmly.
Yun clenched his jaw and obeyed.
Then something shifted.
It began as a faint pulse.
Then it grew.
Energy spread from his chest, moving through his body like a current. Yun froze for a moment, feeling it clearly this time.
"This feeling…"
He closed his eyes.
Not to escape it, but to understand it.
The energy inside him grew stronger. It moved without direction at first, then slowly began to respond to his awareness.
Without realizing it, it started leaking outward.
The air around him distorted slightly. A faint, invisible pressure filled the space. The machines reacted, flickering subtly as if something beyond their limits had appeared.
His grandfather watched quietly.
This is different, he thought.
His eyes focused on Yun.
Is this really his energy… or is the star already changing him?
Yun remained unaware. His focus stayed inward.
He followed the flow of energy.
Then suddenly, images appeared in his mind.
A sky filled with light.
A burning source of power.
The sun.
He felt heat, not on his skin, but inside him.
"I can draw from this…"
Then another image.
Wind.
A violent storm.
Air bending and shaping.
A shield forming.
"…I can control more than I thought…"
His breathing became unstable.
Just as quickly as it started, everything collapsed.
His focus broke.
The energy vanished.
Yun opened his eyes suddenly. His body felt heavy.
"I lost it…"
He stepped back slightly.
His grandfather was standing in front of him, watching closely.
"What do you feel?" he asked.
Yun paused for a moment.
"…Tired."
For a second, silence filled the space.
Then his grandfather laughed. A real, warm laugh.
"You pushed yourself too far."
He turned and walked away.
"Come. We need to eat."
Yun blinked.
"…A restaurant?"
His grandfather shook his head.
"No. Our place."
Then he added calmly,
"Serna is cooking."
Yun followed him again.
They stopped in front of a circular platform.
His grandfather stepped onto it.
Yun frowned.
"What is this?"
"Stand next to me."
Yun hesitated, then stepped forward.
"Watch carefully."
In an instant, everything changed.
The space around them disappeared.
Then returned.
Yun stumbled slightly.
"…What just happened?"
He looked around.
The place was dark but structured. Strange mechanisms filled the area. It felt hidden from the world.
Before he could speak, Serna's voice echoed.
"Go wash your hands. The food is ready."
Yun turned toward her.
The table in front of them expanded as they approached. Seats appeared automatically.
Yun stared at it for a second.
"…That's new."
"Sit," Serna said.
They sat down.
Food was placed in front of them.
Yun took a bite.
Then stopped.
Serna noticed immediately.
"Don't you like it?"
Yun thought for a moment.
"…It smells good."
She waited.
"…But it tastes like flowers."
Silence.
Serna stared at him.
His grandfather laughed.
Serna's expression changed instantly.
She hit Yun on the head.
Hard.
"Ah…!"
Yun held his head.
"That hurt…"
"I spent time making that!"
"I didn't mean to insult you…"
"I won't forgive you."
Yun sighed.
"…Sorry."
She turned away, still annoyed.
His grandfather smiled.
"Forgive him. He didn't mean it."
She stayed silent for a moment.
"…Fine. Only because you said so."
Yun nodded slightly.
"It won't happen again."
She glanced at him, then looked away.
"Good."
When Yun smiled, she became annoyed again.
"Don't smile like that."
Yun blinked.
"…What did I do?"
"Just eat."
After finishing, Yun stood up.
"I should go. My mother will worry."
Without waiting, he left.
Outside, the night air was cold.
When he reached his house, someone was waiting.
"Yun."
He stopped.
"…Krisna?"
Krisna stepped forward. He had calm eyes similar to Yun, but his personality was different. More relaxed, less serious. His gray hair covered part of his forehead, and his black eyes showed concern. He was slightly taller than Yun.
"What are you doing here?" Yun asked.
"I was waiting for you."
"…Why?"
"I saw your cousin carrying you. I followed you but lost you. What happened?"
Yun hesitated.
"…Nothing."
"Did you tell my mother?"
"No."
His phone rang.
"My dad. I have to go."
He left.
Yun watched him for a moment, then entered his house.
His parents were waiting.
"Come eat with us," his mother called.
"I'm not hungry."
"Why?"
"I already ate with my cousin."
"…Since when do you go out with her?"
"I'm going to sleep."
He went to his room and lay down.
"I need to get stronger."
"The star gave me abilities…"
"But it's not enough."
He closed his eyes.
That night, he dreamed.
A battle.
A powerful figure.
"…You…"
A knock on the door.
"Yun!"
He woke up suddenly.
Sweat covered his face.
He looked at the clock.
10:00 AM.
As Yun rushed downstairs, his mother's voice called out from the kitchen.
"Yun, come eat breakfast first!"
He grabbed his jacket quickly.
"I'm going out!"
His mother stepped toward the hallway.
"Eat first!"
But Yun had already opened the door.
"No time!"
And before she could say anything else, he was gone.
He rode his bike straight toward the forest.
When he arrived, he began warming up.
Then he focused.
"…Water."
He raised his hand.
Moisture gathered.
Then suddenly, too much.
A large mass of water formed in front of him.
"…Wait…"
He lost control.
The force pushed him backward into a cave.
He hit the ground hard.
"…That hurt…"
He stood up slowly.
Then he saw them.
Symbols.
Drawings.
Covering the walls.
Strange.
Ancient.
But meaningful.
"…What is this…?"
Something inside him reacted.
"…Instructions… or warnings…"
He stepped closer.
"…Does my grandfather know about this?"
Questions filled his mind.
And for the first time…
The forest no longer felt safe.