The world was cold. A thick, emerald-green fog swirled around Seongjii's ankles as he struggled against the coarse ropes cutting into his wrists. He was trapped in a place that defied logic—a mixture of a medieval dungeon and a celestial void.
His eyes darted around until they landed on a familiar object resting on a stone pedestal. "The Lamp!" Seongjii gasped. "Araya! Araya, are you there? Help me!"
Silence. The golden lamp remained cold and lifeless.
"ARAYA!" he screamed again, his voice echoing into the endless mist.
Suddenly, the green smoke began to thicken, swirling together to form a towering silhouette. The figure had no face—only a void of shifting shadows where a head should be. A heavy, suffocating aura radiated from it, smelling of ozone and ancient decay.
A voice, distorted and layered like a thousand whispers, hissed from the darkness: "I am coming for you, Seongjii Park... Sooner than you think."
Seongjii snapped awake.
His chest was heaving, his shirt soaked in cold sweat. The morning sun was peeking through his curtains, but the chill of the dream hadn't left his bones.
"Mortal? You look like you've seen a ghost. Or are you just pathetic at waking up?" Araya was hovering near his bed, her arms crossed.
"Araya..." Seongjii panted, wiping his forehead. "I saw a dream. I was tied up. You were in the lamp but you wouldn't answer. And there was... something else. A green mist. An entity. It said it was coming for me."
Araya's playful expression flickered for a split second. "A magical realm? And I didn't respond?" She sighed, trying to hide a hint of concern with a smirk. "Hmph! So the dream ended on a cliffhanger? How annoying."
"This isn't a joke, Araya. My inner sense... it's screaming at me. Something is coming."
"Then let it come," Araya said, her voice turning sharp and regal. "Until then, get ready. You have school, and a 'Shadow King' shouldn't be late for math class."
The tension of the dream dissipated as Seongjii sat with his family for breakfast. The smell of toasted bread and his mother's humming made the nightmare feel miles away.
"I'm heading out! I'm already late," Seongjii said, grabbing his bag.
"Wait, Seongjii," Mr. Park stood up, wiping his mouth. "I'll drop you off."
Seongjii chuckled. "Dad, I'll reach faster by walking than on that old scooter of yours."
Mr. Park smirked, jingling a familiar set of keys. "I think you've forgotten... we don't use the scooter anymore. We have a BMV M5 now."
"Oh... right!"
The roar of the V8 engine woke up the street as the matte black beast glided toward the school. As they pulled up to the main gate, the atmosphere changed instantly. Students stopped mid-walk. Groups of girls pointed and whispered.
Minho, Satoshi, and Hyunwoo were standing near the entrance when the black car stopped. The door swung open, and Seongjii stepped out. His natural aura, combined with the presence of the car, made him look like a young CEO.
"Bye, Dad! Drive safe!" Seongjii waved.
"Damnnn, bruh!" Satoshi ran over as the car drove off. "Did you rent that? Is it a movie prop?"
"Nah," Hyunwoo added, circling the spot where the car had been. "The paint, the sound... that was real power."
"Actually," Seongjii said, looking at Rika who was standing nearby with Zoe. "It's a gift. From Rika's father. Thank you again, Rika."
The group erupted. Satoshi turned to Rika immediately. "Rika! What do I have to do? Tell your Dad I can save you too! I want a car!"
Rika laughed, her eyes dancing with mischief. "I don't think you could handle the 'saving' part, Satoshi. It takes a certain... level of competence."
"Hey! I have respect! I have aura!" Satoshi shouted, offended.
"You have the aura of a loud duck," Rika teased back.
As the two started their usual bickering, Zoe stepped closer to Seongjii. "Congratulations again on the win, Seongjii. And... thank you for everything yesterday."
"No problem, Zoe. You're my friend," Seongjii replied warmly.
Looking at his friends—Satoshi and Rika fighting, Minho laughing, Hyunwoo impressed, and Zoe smiling—Seongjii felt a surge of warmth in his chest. I'm lucky, he thought. To have people like them by my side.
"Alright, alright! Break it up!" Seongjii stepped between Satoshi and Rika. "If you two shake hands and apologize right now, I'll buy everyone coffee and burgers after school."
Satoshi's hand shot out instantly. "Sorry, Rika!"
Rika blinked, then shook it. "Fine, my fault too. Sorry."
Satoshi grinned. "Now... let's go! Seongjii's treat!"
"Wait, I was joking!" Seongjii laughed, backing away. "I just wanted you to stop fighting!"
"YOU TRAITOR!" Satoshi and Rika yelled in unison, chasing Seongjii toward the building.
The sound of their laughter filled the courtyard—a perfect, golden moment of youth.
But high above, in a dimension hidden from mortal eyes, the green mist began to bleed into the sky. A voice, cold enough to freeze the sun, whispered:
"Laugh while you can, Seongjii Park. Enjoy the warmth of your 'friends.' Because when I arrive, I will peel that happiness away, piece by piece. I am the shadow you cannot outrun... and I am almost there."
To be continued...