Ju Won sprinted as fast as his round body could go towards his car, keys jingling in his shaky hands. The sound of the keys echoed through the raining night, a stark contrast to the chaos brewing inside him. He started the engine and sped away - reckless and desperate. The city lights of Seoul blurred together as he drove, the only sound being the hum of the engine and his own ragged breathing rang in his ears.
His mind raced faster than his car with the worst-case scenarios as he sped away from the city. Mr Kim words echo in his mind; "Your career, freedom, and everything else you worked for are over."
His eyes drooped as he drove... home? No! He couldn't afford to go there. His grandmother's heart condition was worsening, and after what he had done, he couldn't go back.
Ju Won's life was ordinary. He had a 9-5 job at a respectable tech firm. A small apartment in a bustling neighborhood where he lived with his grandmother. No girlfriend, few friends, no, they were only acquaintance who'd distance themselves when he was no use to them. The only person other than his grandmother to show him the least bit of kindness was Ruoxi. She was his next-door neighbor, a beautiful yet simple young woman with a heart of pure gold. He remembered the way she smiled when she brought over fleshy baked cookies, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed.
But compared to his life, Ju Won's mind was extraordinary. From a tender age, he knew he wanted great things in life, but life doesn't always give us what we want. So he decides to take what he wants and at all cost.
Ju Won's mind tormented him, "Grandma needs surgery... this money is her only hope. But now prison awaits..." His grandmother raised him alone after his parents abandoned him. The other family only started contacting him after he got the job as a software engineer, but they rarely visited after the medical bills started piling up. He recalled the countless nights he stayed up late, worrying about how to pay the bills, the stress etched on his grandmother's face.
He knew he had paid the bills and put food on the table somehow. So he had been embezzling company funds for months, and his current balance was 500 million Won. He knew if he just had a little more, he'll be set for life. "If I had a bit more time, everything would have been perfect."
Rain poured on his windshield like thousands of fingers. A flash of lightning illuminated the dark sky. Ju Won jerked back to reality, but it was too late. The sound of tires screeching, metal crumpling, and glass shattering all filled the dark, stormy night. A sharp pain enveloped his whole body. He felt the impact, the crunch of metal, the shattering of glass, and the sound of his own screams.
He remembered grandma's warm hugs, her soft voice reading to him - now frail and sick. And Ruoxi kindness, it was a beacon to him. He often wondered if she really cared or was all just sympathy. But he'll never know now. Ju Won eyes slowly closed, and his world went black.
A serene white light enveloped him. No pain, no fear - only tranquility. A gentle male voice whispered: "Your life was marked by darkness, but fate offers redemption. Awaken to a new path, one where shadows still linger, yet choices remain yours." The voice was smoothing like a gentle summary breeze.
Ju Won looked around, trying to pinpoint where this heavenly voice was coming from, but all he could see was white. "Are you God?" He questioned. A light laugh echoed through the space. "I am called by many names. It's your choice on what you call me." The voice replied. Up ahead, a blindingly white light outlined a man. "There you are. Please, I have so many questions." He exclaimed, running towards the man who seemed to be made of light. "Tell me I'm not dead." He couldn't be dead! Not now. He had so much left to live for; his grandmother, Ruoxi, and what about everything he wanted to achieve. So many words left unsaid, too many questions left unanswered. He needed to know. A thought came to him. 'What if I'm dreaming and when I'll wake up, I'll be in the hospital or maybe in my bed?'
The figure began to fade away, leaving Ju Won with more questions than answer. He continued to run towards the man but faster this time. "Wait!" Ju Won cried out, "What about my grandma? What about Ruoxi? What happens next?" His voice echoed through the space, but the figure was gone.
The figure's laughter echoed once more. "The threads of fate are complex, Ju Won. Your choices will determine the outcome." The words lingered in the air, leaving an unsolved mystery for Ju Won.
With that, the white light enveloped Ju Won once more, and everything went black...