The Author of the Apocalypse

Seoul, March 2nd, 2025, 01:45

The night reeked of fire and smoke. Gangnam burned—not entirely, but enough for the neon signs to drown in a haze of grey. Yun Ha-jin stood on the cafe roof, gazing at the Sinsa Station, where the shadows of the nest spread like a malignant tumor. Hounds poured out, their howls echoing through the streets. He felt their power, their hunger—and his control over them.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and Ha-jin pulled it out with a lazy smirk. The screen flickered to life:

✦ Scenario #2: "Chaos Control" ✦

✦ Objective: Stop the nest's growth or subdue it. ✦

✦ Reward: 500 coins, unique item. ✦

✦ Penalty: Destruction of Gangnam in 23:00:12. ✦

✦ Fear Energy: 80 units. ✦

✦ Midnight Flame thirsts for blood. ✦

✦ Dancing in the Shadows offers 150 coins for subduing the nest. ✦

—"Subdue it, huh?" Ha-jin's eyes narrowed. Stopping the nest would be easier: shatter the crystal, walk away with the reward. But subduing it… that sounded like a challenge. His kind of challenge.

He jumped from the roof, landing on the asphalt with a thud. Ahead, near the subway entrance, the fight raged on. Kim Min-su was still standing, but his group had dwindled to five. Their weapons—pipes, knives, a single pistol—were breaking or running out of ammunition. The Hounds pressed their attack, claws flashing in the flickering light.

Ha-jin approached, keeping to the shadows. He didn't need to interfere. Yet. He could feel the fear of these people flowing towards him, like a river. Fear energy. The System was feeding him their despair, and he intended to use it.

02:00

Kim Min-su swung his sword, cleaving a Hound in two. Black blood splattered his face, but he didn't falter.

—"Hold on!" he yelled, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. —"We're almost there!"

—"Really?" Ha-jin stepped forward, his voice slicing through the din like a knife. —"Do you honestly think you'll survive?"

Min-su spun around, eyes narrowing. —"You again. What do you want?"

—"Nothing," Ha-jin shrugged, twirling the knife in his hand. —"Just watching you play hero. Before I rewrite your ending."

—"Rewrite?" Min-su gripped his sword tighter. —"You amplified the nest, didn't you? How many people have died because of you?"

—"Lost count," Ha-jin smiled, but his eyes remained cold. —"How about you? How many have you saved while your friends died?"

Min-su lunged, but Ha-jin was ready. He focused, feeling the heat in his chest. Reality twisted, and the asphalt beneath Min-su's feet cracked, spitting out a thin spike of shadow. Min-su dodged at the last second, but the spike grazed his leg, leaving a deep gash.

✦ "Reality Rewrite": Shadow Spike created. ✦

✦ Fear Energy: -20 units. ✦

✦ Remaining: 60 units. ✦

✦ Dancing in the Shadows is impressed by your agility. ✦

✦ Blade of Dawn demands vengeance. ✦

—"What the hell?!" Min-su gasped, stumbling back.

—"My story," Ha-jin stepped closer. —"And you're not part of it."

But before he could strike again, a new sound ripped through the air—a low, guttural roar. A wave of shadows erupted from the subway, and the nest disgorged not a Hound, but something far larger. The creature was three times the size of a normal Hound, with spines running down its back and a maw full of fangs.

✦ Elite monster has appeared: "Shadow Guardian." ✦

✦ Scenario objective updated: Kill the Guardian or subdue the nest. ✦

—"Oh," Ha-jin stepped back, assessing the creature. —"Now this is interesting."

02:15

The Shadow Guardian charged at Min-su's group. One of the survivors—the one with the pistol—fired, but the bullets ricocheted harmlessly off the monster's hide. The creature swiped a massive paw, and the man crumpled, torn in half.

—"Run!" Min-su yelled, but it was too late. The Guardian leaped, pinning two more people to the ground. Blood stained the asphalt.

Ha-jin watched, unmoving. Fear flowed towards him like a torrent—he could taste it, feel its power. His energy surged:

✦ Fear Energy: +50 units. ✦

✦ Remaining: 110 units. ✦

—"Time to act," he murmured, and strode towards the subway entrance. The Guardian noticed him, but Ha-jin didn't flinch. He knew: this was his creation. His draft. In "Ashes Over the Horizon," the Guardians were protectors of the nests, subservient to whoever proved their will.

He extended a hand, focusing. Reality shimmered, and a wall of shadows rose before the Guardian—tall, impenetrable. The creature slammed a paw against it, but the wall held.

✦ "Reality Rewrite": Shadow Wall created. ✦

✦ Fear Energy: -30 units. ✦

✦ Remaining: 80 units. ✦

—"You're mine," Ha-jin said, staring into the Guardian's empty eyes. He visualized the creature bowing before him, acknowledging his dominance. Energy swirled, and the Guardian froze, lowering its head.

✦ Shadow Guardian subdued. ✦

✦ The nest recognizes you as its master. ✦

✦ Scenario #2 completed: "Chaos Control." ✦

✦ Reward: 500 coins, unique item "Shadow Key." ✦

✦ Bonus from Dancing in the Shadows: 150 coins. ✦

✦ Total coins: 920. ✦

✦ Midnight Flame is ecstatic at your audacity. ✦

✦ Blade of Dawn vows revenge. ✦

02:30

Ha-jin stood at the subway entrance, the Guardian looming behind him like a loyal hound. The nest pulsed, but now it obeyed him. He could feel it—an extension of his will.

Kim Min-su, covered in blood, glared at him with hatred. —"You're a monster."

—"No," Ha-jin smiled. —"I'm the author. And you're just a character who's about to be erased."

He turned towards the nest, clutching the Shadow Key—a black crystal veined with crimson—in his hand.