The SYSTEM's mission—
"INVESTIGATE HASHIMA ISLAND. PROGRESS: 90%"
—urged him forward.
'Get them out, and it's done.'
Yuki supported Aiko, her wind aura gone, her arm still bleeding from the claw graze. Aiko clung to her sister, her frail frame trembling, rope burns red on her wrists.
Yuki's voice broke the silence, low and cautious. "Kid… I've got a boat waiting. Not the tour one—hidden at the old coal dock, east side."
Jiwon's eyes flicked to her, the coal dock was a crumbling relic, off the tourist path, perfect for a getaway. "Got it," he said, voice steady despite the bile in his throat.
"Lead the way once we're out." He kept his act—casual, vague—but his INT noted her guarded tone. 'She's testing me.'
They neared the mine's entrance, the faint hum of Yuki's earlier energy fading, replaced by the distant crash of waves.
Yuki paused, adjusting Aiko's weight, her eyes narrowing at Jiwon.
"You're not just some kid, what organization are you from?" she asked, her voice a mix of gratitude and suspicion.
"You took out three Awakened like it was nothing. I owe you for Aiko, but… who are you? What's your name?" Her wind aura was spent, but her gaze was sharp, probing for cracks in his cover.
Jiwon's lips curved into a strained grin, "Name's Hiro," he lied smoothly, sticking to his alias. "Just saw you in trouble and stepped in. Hate bullies, y'know?" He shrugged.
Yuki frowned, unconvinced, but Aiko's soft voice cut through. "Thank you… Hiro," she whispered, her eyes wet but earnest.
Jiwon's chest tightened—her gratitude stung more than Yuki's suspicion, a reminder of why he'd killed.
He nodded, avoiding her gaze, and gestured to the exit. "Boat's waiting. Let's not stick around."
Yuki hesitated, then nodded, her caution lingering but softened by his actions. "Alright, Hiro. But I won't forget this."
They slipped out of the mine, the late June sun harsh after the darkness. Hashima's ruins loomed—cracked concrete, rusted staircases, the tourist walkway a distant hum.
Jiwon led them east, the coal dock appeared—a decayed platform, half-submerged, where a small motorboat bobbed, cloaked in a tarp.
'Yuki's thorough' he noted, impressed. She'd planned for a clean exit, unlike the goons' sloppy ambush.
Yuki helped Aiko aboard, her movements slow from blood loss. Jiwon stayed on the dock.
'They'll manage.'
Yuki turned, her hood down now, revealing sharp features and tired eyes. "We're clear, Hiro. You… coming with us?"
Jiwon shook his head, forcing a smirk. "Got my own ride." He jerked a thumb toward the tourist pier, playing the carefree kid.
'Hana and Taro'll freak if I don't show soon.' His phone buzzed in his pocket—Taro's call, likely.
'Gotta wrap this.'
Yuki studied him, curiosity unmet, but she climbed aboard, starting the engine.
"If you're ever in Osaka… look for Yuki Shima. I pay my debts," she said, voice firm.
Aiko waved weakly, and Jiwon raised a hand, his grin faltering as the boat pulled away.
'Osaka? Well that's far' Jiwon thought.
The SYSTEM flared:
"MISSION SUCCESSFUL! INVESTIGATE HASHIMA ISLAND. REWARD: INT +2, EXTRA STAT POINT +1"
His INT rose to 16, stats bolstered, but the triumph was bitter.
His phone buzzed again, Taro's name flashing. 'Crap! they're worried.'
Jiwon's torn jacket, stained faintly with blood and claw marks, was a problem. Gotta play it cool.
He activated Aura Suppression cloaking his presence, and used Kinetic Absorption/Release to leap to a high ledge, avoiding the tourist path.
'One last check' he decided, syncing with Hashima's stray cats via Animal Synergy.
The cat's eyes roamed—rubble, rusted staircases, sealed mines.
'No goons, no energy spikes, no anomalies. Island's clean.'
Satisfied, Jiwon blurred back to the tourist walkway with Super Speed, dodging the guide's gaze.
The tour group was at the third observation platform, preparing to leave, the guide's megaphone crackling about departure times.
Hana's sunhat bobbed as she scanned the crowd, her face tight with worry.
Taro stood nearby, arms crossed, muttering to a tourist couple.
Jiwon slipped into the group, keeping his steps casual, and tugged his jacket to hide the tear.
"Mom! Dad!" he called, pitching his voice high for the Hiro act.
Hana spun, relief flooding her face. "Hiro! Where were you?" She rushed over, ruffling his cream-colored hair, her gray-streaked bun swaying.
"You had us scared half to death!" Taro grunted, joining them, his fishing gear slung over his shoulder.
"Told you to answer your phone, kid. Wandering off like that—thought you fell into a mine." His gruff tone hid concern, but his eyes flicked to Jiwon's jacket, narrowing slightly.
'He noticed the tear' Jiwon realized.
"Got caught on some rusty fence," he lied, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry, got distracted by the ruins."
Hana sighed, handing him a bento. "Eat, and stay close now." Taro muttered, "No more stunts, but I'll let it slide" distracted by the guide's call to board. Jiwon nodded.
The group shuffled to the pier, Hashima's concrete relics fading behind them. 'Finally the mission's done'
On the return boat, Jiwon leaned against the railing, sea spray cooling his face.
Hana chatted with the tourist couple, Taro napping nearby. Safe from scrutiny, Jiwon opened his character sheet, the SYSTEM glowing in his mind:
[World]Eleceed
[Character Info]
〔Name〕Seo Ji-Won
〔Age〕13
〔Level〕13「Exp」■■■□□□□□□□
『HP 850/950(+150)』
『MP 450/750(+150)』
"Stats"
『ATK』14.5 (+1)
『DEF』11.5 (+0.5)
『DEX』23 (+0.5)
『INT』16 (+2)
「Extra Points」27 (+2)
[Abilities]
●Super Speed - lvl.15 (+1)
●Kinetic Absorption/Release - lvl.13 (+1)
●Force Control (Unique) - lvl.7
●Healing Touch (Rare) - lvl.4
●Animal Synergy (Rare) - lvl.4 (+1)
●Electric Pulse - lvl.6 (+2)
●Aura Suppression (Rare) - lvl.3 (+2)
'Gains solid!' Jiwon thought, reviewing.
'Level 13 huh?'
Investigate Hashima Island gave INT +2 and an Extra Stat Point, pushing his INT to 16 and sharpening his tactical edge. 'My abilities leveled up too, nice!'
He also got another Extra Stat Point, and 50 Market Points, boosting his balance to 75.
'Could've been cleaner' he mused, shoulder throbbing, still remembering the earlier fight.
He glanced at the Extra Points—27, tempting for DEX or ATK, but he held off.
Need to plan.
Market options loomed: Recovery Elixir (20 points) for emergencies, or saving for pricier skills.
"..."
Yuki's Osaka debt nagged at him—her gang might not let her escape slide.
'If they track her, they might find me.' His INT 16 calculated risks: no immediate threats, but the gang's boss could be a problem. Low-tier goons, but who's pulling their strings?
'Yuki and Aiko seem like good people... will they be alright?' Jiwon can't help but worry.
With what he could get out from the situation earlier, the poor girls will probably get into hiding and constantly run away from Yuki's former boss.
"Sigh"
"You alright Hiro?" Asked Hana worryingly. The boat's engine roared, Nagasaki Port nearing. "We're almost home"
Jiwon forced a grin, joining her, but his mind stayed on Hashima and what he did.
'I just hope those two will live happy lives' Jiwon couldn't help but sigh again.
The boat docked, and the Yamamotos shuffled off, Hana clutching her sunhat, Taro grumbling about tourist crowds.
=============================
Back home, the Yamamoto house buzzed with familiar warmth—Neko purring at his legs, Hana unpacking bentos, Taro muttering about the boat's hull.
Jiwon slipped upstairs and locked his door. 'No cove tonight.'
Exhaustion hit hard, not just from the fight but the weight of three kills. He collapsed onto his bed, katana still bloodied in Inventory, and let sleep claim him.
Nothing noteworthy broke the days that followed. Jiwon slid back into his routine—Hiro Yamamoto by day, cheerful and unassuming, helping Hana with chores or Taro with fishing nets.
By night, he trained at the cove, Training Weights grinding his muscles, Super Speed blurring through obstacle courses, Electric Pulse cracking boulders with sharper arcs.
Animal Synergy deepened his bond with Neko and local strays, scouting the coast for threats.
'4 years left...'
=======================
1 Year Later - Nagasaki, Japan
A year slipped by, Jiwon's nights at the cove forging him sharper, his days as Hiro cementing his cover.
Then came the letter—a crisp envelope from Kyoto's Seiran Academy, one of Japan's top schools, offering Jiwon a spot.
Hana's eyes sparkled, her gray-streaked bun bouncing as she hugged him. "Our genius boy!" she crowed, Taro's gruff nod hiding pride.
Jiwon's had aced the entrance exams, his Hiro act masking the SYSTEM's edge.
But the news stung—he'd lose the cove, its rocky solitude his training haven, and Taro's quiet fishing trips, where they'd shared wordless bonds.
'I'll miss this.'
The Yamamotos emptied their savings to fund his tuition and allowance, a sacrifice that hit Jiwon hard.
At dinner, Hana's voice cracked as she spoke of their pride, Taro's calloused hand squeezing his shoulder. "Make us proud, Hiro," Taro said, eyes soft.
Hana's bentos, Taro's katana gift, their unwavering love for a son who wasn't truly theirs.
'I'm a transmigrator, but they're my family.'
He swore silently: 'I'll repay you. Money, safety, everything.'
His Eleceed knowledge fueled the vow—Seoul's battles would yield power, and he'd protect them.
The farewell was bittersweet. At Nagasaki Station, Hana fussed over his backpack, slipping in extra bentos.
Taro handed him a fishing lure, muttering, "Don't forget the sea."
With Neko in his arms rubbing her head against his chest, Animal Synergy catching her reluctant curiosity.
'We're going to Kyoto, Neko-chan! The plan of getting that exchange student program is set in motion!' Jiwon smiled as he hugged Neko tighter.
"Neko-chan, take care of Hiro for us okay?" Hana asked the adorable cat, which the cat meowed seemingly replying to her request.
Jiwon hugged them, his Hiro grin shaky, and boarded the train to Kyoto with teary eyes.
The Yamamotos waved, proud parents of their genius son, but they can't help but feel lonely now that their boy is going far away.
"Good bye son! Make us proud okay?" Shouted Hana, tears falling down her cheeks.
Jiwon eyes suddenly became watery, gentle tears flowing down from his eyes. He smiled
"Thank you for everything Mom! Dad! I'll visit you soon!" shouted Jiwon as the train doors closed off between them.
And with one last wave of goodbye, the train started to move towards his next destination, a start of a new journey to his story.
'I'll make it worth it' he thought, watching Nagasaki fade.
============================
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto greeted him with ancient charm—temples nestled among modern streets, the Kamo River glinting under summer sun.
Jiwon's new life began in a modest studio apartment near Seiran Academy, its bare walls a blank slate.
Alone, he unpacked, Inventory holding his katana and battle gear he bought, food and water supplies, and medical supplies for emergencies.
'No cove, but I'll find a spot.' Kyoto's outskirts—forested hills, quiet shrines—offered training potential, but he'd need caution.
'City's denser, more eyes.' His Aura Suppression now lvl.10 would be key.
Jiwon sat on his futon, opening his character sheet, reviewing:
[World]Eleceed
[Character Info]
〔Name〕Seo Ji-Won
〔Age〕14
〔Level〕16「Exp」■■■■■■■□□□
『HP 1300/1300』
『MP 1000/1000』
"Stats"
『ATK』20
『DEF』16
『DEX』32
『INT』21
「Extra Points」47
[Abilities]
●Super Speed - lvl.20
●Kinetic Absorption/Release - lvl.18
●Force Control (Unique) - lvl.15
●Healing Control (Rare) - lvl.10
●Animal Synergy (Rare) - lvl.12
●Electric Control (Rare) - lvl.19
●Aura Suppression (Rare) - lvl.10
●Energy Sheild (Uncommon) - lvl.6
●Enhanced Senses (Uncommon) - lvl.9
'Sheesh, I grinded like crazy huh?' Jiwon whistled, remembering the training he did for the past year.
After their battle at Hashima Island, Jiwon realized what his lacking and what he needed to improve.
The past year had been relentless. Back in Nagasaki, Jiwon doubled his cove training, Training Weights heavier, runs longer, Super Speed now a near-invisible blur.
Kinetic Absorption/Release let him lift boulders effortlessly, redirecting their force of built up to shatter cliffs.
Healing Control—upgraded from Healing Touch through precision practice and helping injured animals around Nagasaki which leveled up his Animal Synergy ability—
Healing Control mended his training injuries in seconds. 'Still not as good as Kartein though'
Minor SYSTEM missions fueled his leveling.
The SYSTEM, ever cryptic, tossed him tasks:
"NEUTRALIZE COASTAL SMUGGLERS. REWARD: ATK +0.5, MARKET POINTS +10"
"CLEAR ABANDONED WAREHOUSE OF ROGUE AWAKENED. REWARD: DEX +0.5, EXTRA STAT POINT +1"
Low-stakes but gritty, they pitted him against small-time thugs—fire manipulators, telekinetics, nothing like Hashima's goons.
Non-lethal takedowns with Electric Pulse (pre-evolution) and Super Speed kept his cover, Market points climbing to 75, Extra Points to 47.
Each mission honed his INT, teaching him to read auras, predict moves, and vanish with Aura Suppression.
'Level 13 to 16—solid!'
Energy control was his breakthrough. Late nights at the cove, Jiwon meditated, compressing his core's energy like he had for Aura Suppression.
He visualized barriers, channeling Force Control lvl.15 to shape raw power into a shimmering Energy Shield.
Sparks flew, MP dropping to 800, until the SYSTEM chimed:
"NEW ABILITY CREATED: ENERGY SHIELD (UNCOMMON) LVL.1"
He grinned, pushing it to lvl.6, deflecting his own Kinetic Absorption strikes.
Next, he sharpened his senses—ears catching distant waves, eyes tracking Neko's tail flicks in darkness.
Another chime:
"NEW ABILITY CREATED: ENHANCED SENSES (UNCOMMON) LVL.1"
At lvl.9, he could hear a smuggler's heartbeat from 20 meters.
His obsession turned to Electric Pulse. Hashima's goons shrugged off its shocks, exposing his limits.
' I need more than stuns.'
Jiwon rigged cove targets—metal rods, wet stones—practicing precise electricity paths, Force Control guiding arcs like Kayden's lightning.
Hours of trial, MP draining to 500, yielded precision: bolts curved, split, struck multiple targets. One night, a rod exploded, and the SYSTEM flared:
"HIDDEN ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: SKILL EVOLUTION. ELECTRIC PULSE EVOLVES TO ELECTRIC CONTROL (RARE) LVL.6"
Electric Control now unleashed devastating arcs, frying targets clean. 'Kayden, eat your heart out!'
Jiwon's stats reflected the grind.
He then leaned back on his futon, the SYSTEM's glow fading as he closed his character sheet.
=============================
One Week Later
The week blurred by, Jiwon settling into Kyoto's rhythm.
By day, he explored as Hiro Yamamoto, mapping Seiran Academy's route and Kyoto's streets—temples, cafes, the Kamo River's glint.
By night, he scoured for training spots, analyzing seclusion and safety.
Urban density meant risk—Awakened could lurk, unlike Nagasaki's quiet cove.
A tip from a stray cat via Animal Synergy led him to a hidden gem: a secluded ravine near Mount Daimonji, shielded by dense bamboo and a natural energy distortion that masked auras.
'Perfect. No ordinary Awakened'll find this.'
Jiwon tested the ravine, Super Speed blurring through bamboo, Electric Control frying a stump with precise arcs, Energy Shield deflecting debris.
'This'll do.' He marked it mentally
Kinetic Absorption/Release carving a discreet path for nightly visits.
With training secured, he prepped for Seiran Academy—uniform pressed, Hiro act polished.
Jiwon planned his cover: excel academically, stay unremarkable socially, keep Aura Suppression on. Market points (75) and Extra Points (47) stayed unspent. 'Gotta be ready for anything.'