---
The wind in Astrell was strong that morning, carrying the smell of grilled meat, dusty stone, and foreign steel.
The town square, usually quiet and slow, was overflowing with life—merchants barking prices, locals whispering in awe, and guards standing nervously on patrol. Everyone had come to see the new arrivals.
Heroes.
Summoned from another world.
He stood in the crowd, hood low, eyes narrowed. The voices around him faded as his gaze locked on her—his stepsister, Ji-Hye.
She looked older. Taller. Confident. Her long black hair was braided behind her back, and she wore glimmering silver armor engraved with a red sun emblem. She stood beside five other young people, all clearly from Earth, judging by their sneakers, glasses, and confused expressions.
Ji-Hye, though, wasn't confused.
She looked calm.
Commanding.
Like she belonged.
He couldn't look away.
His fists tightened at his side—not with anger, but confusion. How was she here? Why was she summoned to this world too?
A part of him wanted to approach her. To say his name. To ask, "Do you remember me?"
But another part… hesitated.
Would she pretend not to know him?
Would she walk away again—just like on the balcony?
---
"Citizens of Astrell," a loud voice called out from the raised platform.
A man in a navy cloak stepped forward—likely a royal mage. His staff glowed faintly blue. "These are the Six Chosen. Summoned from another world by the Kingdom of Ethros, to be trained as Heroes who will fight against the forces of the Demonlands."
The crowd clapped and cheered.
"Each of them possesses potential never seen in this realm. They will be nurtured, trained, and tested. In one year, they shall face the First Gate!"
Whispers spread like fire.
"First Gate… already?"
"They haven't even trained yet!"
He took a step back, hidden by the crowd. He didn't want to be seen. Not yet.
Ji-Hye didn't seem to notice him.
Or maybe she did—and chose not to react.
His heart thudded, slow and hollow.
---
Later that day, he found a quiet corner in the town's outer field. A small hill with grass, just enough distance from the plaza.
He sat, staring at the clouds.
"I died back there…" he whispered. "I thought I'd escaped everything. Why… is she here too?"
The truth hit harder than expected.
Maybe this world wasn't just a second chance.
Maybe it was unfinished business.
---
Side Story: The Boy With Broken Boots
Earlier that week, before arriving in Astrell, he had met a boy in a farming village named Ren. The boy was twelve, limping, wearing broken boots and ragged clothes. The villagers ignored him—he was the son of a man accused of thievery.
When a bandit group threatened the village, everyone ran to hide.
Ren stayed outside, shaking with fear.
He had a wooden stick in his hand, trying to protect his family's old cart.
The boy arrived, quiet as usual, and stood beside him.
"Go inside," he said.
"I—I want to help," Ren stuttered.
He gave a small smile. "You already did."
When the bandits charged, something invisible struck them down before they could swing.
Their swords shattered.
Their torches blew out.
The bandits screamed and ran.
The villagers came out afterward, confused and amazed.
But he had already left.
Later that night, Ren found a new pair of boots at his door. Not from the villagers. Not from anyone known.
But Ren never forgot the quiet stranger who stood beside him.
---
Back in Astrell, he avoided the city center.
He took odd jobs—carrying crates, fixing fences, chopping wood. He kept his head low and his name unknown.
But the sight of the summoned heroes—his stepsister among them—haunted him each night.
He saw them train in the distance, spar with royal knights, dine in the guest quarters of the nobles.
They were being groomed to be saviors.
He… was just a farmer with a stick.
At least, that's what he believed.
---
Side Story: The Merchant's Robbery
Three days after the ceremony, a traveling merchant named Bram rushed into the guildhall, bleeding and panicked.
"Thieves stole everything!" he cried. "On the southern path—my cart, my daughter—they took it all!"
The summoned heroes were still recovering from training. No one was available.
"I'll go," the boy said quietly, standing up from the corner.
Bram hesitated. "You? You're just a helper."
"I know the woods," he said simply. "I won't be long."
An hour later, he returned.
The cart was safe.
The daughter was asleep on his back.
And the thieves were tied to trees—beaten unconscious, but unharmed.
"How did you…?" Bram stuttered.
He just nodded. "The wind helped."
---
That night, one of the summoned heroes—a sharp-eyed boy named Jin-Ho—noticed him near the outer field.
"Hey, you," Jin-Ho called, walking closer. "You were at the merchant hall, right? With that little girl?"
He nodded.
Jin-Ho tilted his head. "You're not from Earth, are you?"
"…No."
"You speak Korean."
"…Maybe I'm just good at listening."
Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes. "You're hiding something."
The boy said nothing.
"I don't know who you are," Jin-Ho said, "but if you're lying to us—"
"I'm not interested in your games," he replied quietly.
And walked away.
---
Meanwhile, Ji-Hye stood at her window in the royal quarters, staring at the field far below.
She had seen his face.
She had recognized him immediately.
"…It's him," she whispered.
But why was he here?
How did he survive?
Or…
Was he even the same person anymore?
---
To be continued…