In a silent corridor, the two students entered, both in a rush to leave the campus and relax at their apartment.
Gao said, "Aae, Gaeson, what do you think? Doesn't it look like you should get a haircut?"
Cheol Gae replied, "I don't think so. I can manage this much hair."
"You… It's not about whether you can manage it," Gao said, forgetting his hands mid-gesture. "It's about the looks. You look like trash right now."
Cheol Gae smirked. "Talk about yourself; you look like a crossdresser with that long hair."
"Aggh, whatever," Gao muttered. "Let's hurry. I have an arrangement with the landlord—he asked me to teach him shogi."
"Oh, right. Well, let's move," Cheol replied.
Creeeak! Cheol pushed open the gate. They stepped through, and he paused, holding it until Gao passed by. The gate shut with a dull clang, sealing the campus behind them.
Thump. Thump. Thud.
The sounds came from nearby—heavy, abrupt, and unsettling. Both Cheol and Gao froze, their eyes widening at the unexpected sight before them.
They saw him—a cloaked man with a broad, heavyset frame and a face lined with old scars. His breath came in sharp bursts as he lumbered forward, yet behind him, something large floated unnaturally in the air.
It was a plum cherry bonsai tree, vase and all.
Cheol's eyes sharpened. In the next heartbeat, his figure vanished from Gao's side and reappeared directly in the thief's path.
The man froze, confronted by a tall, wiry figure with messy hair, a faint mustache, and piercing eyes. A long black coat hung over a dark shirt and trousers.
It was Cheol.
The thief roared and swung at Cheol with all his strength. His fist collided with Cheol's gut—only to be met with a jarring shock of pain. It felt as if he had struck a stone wall rather than flesh.
Thump.
A sudden, sharp pain bloomed in his stomach. Cheol's punch had landed clean and merciless, driving the air from the man's lungs. The thief staggered, clutching his midsection, his breath ragged.
"I… I won't do it again," he gasped, dropping to one knee. "Please… just let me go."
Cheol's cold gaze lingered on him. Without a word, the thief scrambled to his feet, returned the bonsai and vase to the shop, and hurried away.
Gao approached, resting a hand on Cheol's shoulder. "These days, all kinds of people are showing up," he said. "Just this week alone, you've caught a fake monk, a creep, and now some guy trying to steal trees."
"Well, what matters is the trees are returned," Cheol said flatly.
"Gaeson, let's take a shortcut today," Gao suggested.
"Ok, I guess."
They slipped into a narrow alleyway, their pace quick as they wound between the walls. But without warning, a blinding light burst before them, forcing them to shield their eyes.
When the brilliance faded, a young boy stood in their path—frail, delicate in build, and almost disarmingly cute.
Cheol blinked, his brow furrowing. "Are you… the successor of the Admiral?"
Gao turned to him, clearly baffled. "What's an Admiral now?"
"I meant from that famous manga," Cheol replied.
Gao groaned. "You and your stories."
"But—" Cheol began.
Gao gave him a tired look, and Cheol fell silent.
The stranger's gaze lingered on them, wide-eyed, as if studying something extraordinary.
Stranger's thoughts:Where am I? Who are these two? Wait… why does my mind feel so empty? Well… I should ask them about this place—
A sudden, sharp pain shot up his spine. His vision swam, and then—nothing but black.
"Ahhm… this floor is a bit squishy."
Opening his eyes, he found an old man seated in front of him on a wooden chair, watching him with almost eager anticipation.
A strange feeling swept over him, and he quickly jolted upright.
"Hey," the man said, leaning forward slightly. "I'm Cheeol. What's your name, stranger?"