Prologue — Singularity: Beginnings
In the beginning, there was a being.
This being grew tired of existing and longed for eternal rest. It looked upon its creations and was satisfied. Then, in a single act of will, it split itself in half, giving birth to two sons.
They are what we, the unworthy, call the Singularities.
Chapter 1
My mother is in the hospital. She's sick with severe depression. The doctor said she could be on the verge of a mental break from all the work she's been doing. That's why I'm stuck doing labor — that's why I dropped out of school.
Man, this shit sucks. My back's been killing me these past few days, but I've got to do it. Mom's all I've got.
"Hey, Mujin, you bastard! The bricks won't move themselves, will they?" the grounds manager barked.
Of course. The prick's always on my ass.
If only my loser of a dad hadn't left us with nothing but debt. And my twin… damn. It should've been me.
"You clocking out?" Sato asked.
"Yeah. It's five," I said.
"What? Five already? Man, time flies."
"Heh… yeah."
"C'mon, kid. Cheer up. You're still young. Keep pushing — things will get better for you and your mom."
"Thanks, Sato. You're the only guy I can call a friend. Real one."
"Ha! You better get going now. It's getting late — your mom must be worried."
"Yeah. See you tomorrow. Bye, Sato. Be safe."
I heard him mutter as I ran off.
What a kid — working this hard to support his mother.
I sprinted toward the hospital, panting. I made it in time.
I leaned over the front desk.
"Hi. Room A24, please."
"Yes, this way," the nurse said.
No matter how many times I come here, I still get lost. I always have to ask for directions. I'm such a dumbass.
"Sora — your son Mujin has come to see you," the nurse announced as the door opened.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey, darling. Come here." She hugged me, weak but warm.
"Ma, how have you been feeling?"
"Oh, son, don't worry about me. I'm feeling fine. But don't overwork yourself — Sato's been telling me how hard you've been working."
"Sato, you bastard," I muttered with a half-smile.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm doing fine. You just focus on recovering, okay? Your health is the priority. You hear me?"
"Oh, my darling… Mom's proud of you. Now you better get going. It's getting late. You know how it gets around that neighborhood."
"Okay, Ma. I love you. I'll come see you tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Sleep well." I kissed her forehead.
"Thank you for visiting," the nurse said as I passed.
I wandered to the convenience store with a beer on my mind. At the counter, the girl behind the till smiled.
"Will that be all?" she asked.
"Yeah." I paid and muttered as I left.
"Damn… she's hot," I said under my breath.
I don't have time for relationships. Working's all I can focus on. Sixty K more. A couple months. I slapped my cheek — equal parts sadness and stubbornness.
"I'll drink this tomorrow. It's getting dark." I ran home.
The apartment was small: one kitchen, a tiny table, and a bed in the living room. I showered and faced myself in the mirror.
"Man, I'm such a good-looking dude," I said with a smirk.
All the physical work had given me muscle. Sato was right. Being young had perks. I'm eighteen; there's still time. I smiled despite the ache and nodded myself to sleep early.
At 1:00 a.m., my phone ripped me awake.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Is this Mujin Mazino?" a voice asked.
"Yes. Who is this?"
"Mujin, it's Emily. I'm your mother's doctor."
"Emily? My mom's doctor?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry to tell you this…"
"No. No. Don't tell me." Panic rose hot and sudden.
"I'm sorry, Mujin. Your mom has passed. We found her body in the bathroom. It looks like an overdose — she self-harmed."
"No! Why? No, you're lying. She wouldn't — please." My voice broke.
"Mujin Mazino… please come in first thing in the morning." The call ended.
"No… no. It can't be. She was fine this afternoon. Why?" Tears blurred my vision. My limbs moved on instinct. I ran.
I burst through double doors and pushed toward Room A24. People shouted.
"Hey! Slow down!" a man bellowed.
I bumped into carts and elbows; the world narrowed to a single ache.
Inside, Emily waited by the bed.
"Mujin, you're here."
"Oh, darling. Come here." She hugged me.
"No… why, doctor? Why?" I choked.
"I'm sorry. We didn't expect this. It was so out of character… so sudden. I should've paid more attention."
"Emily — please leave. I want to be alone."
"This is against protocol, but for you I'll let it slide. Your mother left you a letter. I didn't read it. She wanted you to have it." She handed me an envelope and closed the door gently.
I sat, head heavy on my mother's chest, and opened the letter with trembling hands.
Dear Mujin,
Mom's sorry for leaving you behind like this. Please don't search out why — just live. Mujin, Ma loves you. Don't be weak like me. Be strong, Mujin. Be kind. Don't let my death bring you sadness. Ma wants the best for you. Ma wants you to be happy. Live for it. Don't let that darkness take over.
I trust you, Mujin. I believe in you. Be happy. Mom loves you forever and more.
A tear dropped on the paper and smeared the ink.
It's not fair. "You were depressed and you ended it. What about me? I'm depressed too. I'm sad too!" Anger and a darker hunger rose inside me — a thing that wanted to break someone for causing this. I swallowed the voice down.
I grabbed Mom's phone from the counter and saw a message from my father. I opened it.
Sora, I've decided to disinherit Mujin. My wife and I agree it's best for SNJ Constructions to leave everything to AXION. Don't call again or bother us. I sent 50 million — that's it. I don't want to hear from you ever again. Goodbye, you wench.
"That bastard," I spat. "I was supposed to inherit a share?"
Rage edged colder. He pushed her. He made her life worse. The dark thing inside me sharpened. I fought it down.
A blue window blinked into being above the bed — a rectangle of light with scrolling words. My heart hiccuped.
You have been chosen. The Singularities have found your reaction amusing and wish for you to participate in a game. Do you accept? YES or YES.
"What the hell is this?" I said. My fingers hovered over the glowing choice. The light pricked my skin when I tapped YES.
You have chosen YES. Registering player Mujin Mazino. You have seven days to prepare. Prepare mentally and physically. Teleportation will take place seven days from now. Do not forget.
The window shattered into glitter and dissolved. Seven days. More than enough time to plan.
I called Sato.
"Hey, Sato."
"Hey, Mujin. I heard. I'm really sorry. I know you're young, but you're strong. I believe in you."
"Thanks. I have a favour." My voice cracked. "I'm sending you twenty million and the deeds to my house. Take care of Mom's funeral and whatever's left. Keep the rest. You probably won't see me again. Live a good life. Thanks for everything. You were the closest thing I had to a father. I love you. Be safe."
"Mujin — wait —" His voice broke. The line went dead.
I checked my bank. Fifty million showed from my father. I transferred twenty million and the deed to Sato and blocked my father's number. No more calls.
I needed weapons. I needed to be ready.
One last kiss on my mother's temple. "Rest now," I told her. "I'll find the joy you wanted for me."
In an alley I counted my cash: thirty million left from the fifty, plus fifteen million saved from years of graft. It wasn't fair. He tossed money like it meant nothing while I worked myself raw and dropped out of school. I slapped my face.
"Lock in, Mujin. You got this."
Sariongji Alley — that's where illegal goods moved. That's where a gun would be found.
The alley smelled like old smoke and oil. Men huddled over little stoves; shadowy figures traded packages. A hunched dealer with a cracked grin beckoned.
"You looking for a gun, kid?" he rasped.
"Yeah," I said.
He peeled back a coat. "Full set. Special forces suit, two pistols, an AK. All yours."
"In Korea?" I asked. "Are these easy to fence?"
He laughed. "Stole them from a police station. Might get busted. Twenty million. Take it or I walk."
Twenty million. I swallowed. I needed it.
"Fine. I'll pay."
"Nice doing business. Don't shoot up a school, kid," he sneered.
Deal done. Weapons in hand. Fifteen million left. I decided to burn a week and feel something else.
For six days I spent money like it could buy me new skin. Five-star restaurants. Hotel suites with soft sheets. Clothes that cost more than my months of wages. Nights with women who were adults, consenting, and anonymous. It dulled the grief for a little while — a temporary burn that left me hollow and hungrier.
Day Seven came. Thirty minutes before teleportation, I waited at SNJ Constructions. My father arrived like he always did — calm, polished, untouchable.
I fired three shots in the air. The sound cracked against steel.
"Yo! You bastard!" I screamed.
"Mujin," he said, voice cold.
"Don't call me that, you loser of a dad."
"What is the meaning of this? What are you trying to achieve?" he sneered. "You mongrel."
I stepped forward and punched him square in the face. He hit the concrete, stunned.
"Ha! You think I'm scared of you? Pathetic. Shoot me — I dare you."
I aimed and fired into his leg. He howled, crumpling and clutching at the wound.
"You bastard. I'll have your head!" he spit.
"I'm not a monster," I said, voice steady. "I won't let the darkness take me. I'll find joy. I'll be better. Don't worry, Mom. I'll be okay."
SNJ Constructions sat on the bridge. I ran to the railing. For a breathless ten seconds the wind felt like freedom. I shouted into the night.
"Here I come! I'm ready! I won't back down!"
I jumped.
The water never touched me. Before the cold closed in, the world tore apart — light and noise swallowing everything. I felt falling and flying at once, and then I was somewhere else.