The wind tore violently at that altitude.
It howled against the metal body of the aircraft like a living creature.
Jin stood at the open door.
Below him—nothing.
Only darkness.
A vast abyss stretched beneath the clouds, swallowing the world in silence.
No ground. No lights. No end.
Just an endless void.
The freezing wind whipped across his bare chest.
He wore only black pants and heavy boots, his upper body exposed to the cold.
Black ink covered both forearms—intricate tattoos, lines running across his ribs and chest like sealed markings carved into his skin.
His dark blue hair fluttered slightly in the wind.
But his eyes were calm. Too calm.
He looked down into the abyss, then smiled.
Not with excitement. Not with fear.
But with quiet acceptance.
"I need to know the truth."
Without hesitation—he stepped forward.
And jumped.
His body vanished into the darkness.
For several seconds, there was only the roaring wind.
Faster. Colder.
The abyss rushed upward.
Then—something changed.
The darkness below began to move.
Not like smoke. Not like fog.
It twisted.
The void folded inward.
The air froze around him.
A voice echoed through the emptiness.
Cold. Mechanical. Emotionless.
[Condition met.]
[Unique Candidate detected.]
[Synchronization: 1%…]
Jin closed his eyes as the wind screamed around him.
A faint smile returned to his lips.
"Good."
"Let's start."
The wind roared louder—then suddenly stopped.
Total silence.
Two Years Earlier — Morning
Cold air brushed against his face.
Jin walked down a quiet street.
The sky was pale gray, the morning wind carrying a light winter chill.
Students moved around him, all heading to the same place—Eclipse Dominion University.
Today was orientation day.
Jin wore a clean black coat, fitted trousers, and polished shoes.
A cigarette rested between his lips, a paper cup of coffee in one hand.
A carved silver ring with black lines adorned his middle finger.
His phone rang.
Caller ID: William Hayes.
He answered.
"Where are you, young master?" William asked, his voice calm but sharp.
"Orientation started ten minutes ago. I'm waiting at the front gate."
Jin took a slow drag from his cigarette.
"I'm already here."
Silence.
"…At the university?"
"I walked."
He ended the call.
For a brief moment, his hand trembled. Just slightly. Then it stopped.
His body couldn't hold energy anymore.
Not since that day in the Abyss.
What little he absorbed from monsters leaked back out, slowly killing him.
And worse… it killed someone else.
He exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
Two years.
That's all the doctors gave him.
All he wanted now… was a normal life.
But the System inside him had other plans.