Year 2049, a war broke out between the Americans and South Koreans over a massive island that both sides claimed as their own.
On that single island, hidden deep beneath the ground, a vault holds a valuable treasure that could change the course of the world.
The South Korean government insisted that they had owned the island before the Americans, while the Americans claimed they had discovered the treasure first and had permission to take whatever remained on the island.
This particular power struggle sparked the Fifth World War between the Americans and South Koreans.
Amidst the war, a group that consists of 15 American soldiers scouted what looks like to be an empty building on the red zone of the island.
Five of them went in and checked the surroundings of the first floor to see if there were any threats and alerted the others:"Global Radio: First floor cleared." while six stayed at the door.
After that, five more American soldiers entered the building and went to the second floor to check for any more threats.
While assuming everything was clear, both of them were about to report it over the radio: "Global Radio: Everything seems cl-" static.
In the next instant, a blade sliced through both their necks, severing their heads cleanly as blood erupted everywhere.
Standing there was Hyun Eodum covered in blood with knives hidden everywhere on his body while carrying an MG-42 on his back and an M-16 in front.
He picked up the radio that one of the deceased American soldier dropped and says in English: "Global Radio: Found you."
Everyone heard the message and immediately checked their surroundings.
The remaining four soldiers checked everywhere outside the building.
By the time they went inside to check the first floor they're met with four of their comrades. Dead from being shot in the head or stabbed to death.
Clinging to the roof like a spider, Hyun Eodum watched them, hidden and silent, leaving them stunned by the eerie sight.
One of the soldiers spotted him on the ceiling, staring down at them with an intense, menacing smile. "G-guys above us!" said the soldier in English.
Before they could react, Eodum leapt down onto one of them and started stabbing the soldier multiple times.
The soldier yelped in agony, "A-agh, fuck! Don't kill me, please!"
They all opened fire, but Eodum used the body of the American soldier he had just killed to shield himself from every shot.
One by one, he lunged at the other soldiers, stabbing them relentlessly while using the body of the deceased to block incoming shots.
Only one soldier remained. He stood on his knees begging Hyun Eodum to let him live:"P-please let me live... i need to take care of my daughter, she doesn't have anyone else but me left."
In response, Eodum says in English while laughing hysterically:"Haha.. How is that my problem?! I could help you repent in hell though."
(Gunshot)
...
'Sigh'
"It's hilarious when they beg me to live, knowing they've killed innocent people like bugs themselves," said Eodum in Korean.
(Buzz)
"Commander Chungshik on the Radio: Eodum return to the fort now. We have something to discuss."
"Roger, will do so in about an hour or two. I've got a few more pests to take care of."
After two hours of taking lives on the battlefield, Hyun Eodum finally went on his way to the base to discuss an important matter with his commander.
A base so massive, rivaling Fort Monroe, named Namhansanseong Fort.
At the fort, there were ten branches. Hyun Eodum was in the last one on the list, with the worst performance record.
Upon arriving at the destination, Eodum was greeted by his commander at the front entrance of the fort.
"Commander Chungshik: Listen, we don't have a need for you anymore Hyun Eodum."
Startled with the sudden words coming out of his commanders mouth.
"What do you mean commander?"
"Commander Chungshik: I won't say it for a third time, we won't be needing you anymore."
"And why is that...?" said Eodum in a confused tone.
"Commander Chungshik: We've already secured the island, and the war will be over soon. Our enemies are trapped, they'll have to withdraw sooner or later."
"I don't see why I wouldn't be needed anymore commander..."
"Commander Chungshik: All I need you to do is go back to your normal life, do what you were doing, and stop meddling in our affairs. We don't need a maniac like you on our team anymore. And of course, we'll proceed with the payment for your efforts according to the contract."
"I don't understand. I could help more on the battlefield, no, Commander? I don't care about the spotlight or fame or whatever, just let me stay on the team."
"Commander Chungshik: 'Sigh' Just leave Eodum."
...
"But.."
"Commander Chungshik: This was an order from the General of our branch, leave the team and continue on with your life."
...
"Alright..."
Eodum had never seen or known what his general was like, he simply assumed he was a nasty bastard who had abandoned him.
After his sudden removal from the team, Eodum felt like he hadn't gotten enough entertainment on the battlefield, and it seemed as if they had only been using him for recognition so they could rise above the other branches.
The pay he received wasn't even the amount stated in the contract, he only got half of it.
As he left he couldn't bother to complain anymore.
And, just as Commander Chungshik had said to him, the war ended, with South Korea having successfully protected the island.
Hyun Eodum's efforts were still remembered and praised by many at this time, but he was never recognized enough to be talked about repeatedly.
In the end, he was left in the dust while the branch received the raise instead.
While his branch made it onto the news for his efforts, he sat on his couch watching the TV as they bragged about their "skills" and accomplishments.
Nevertheless, he went on to try to live a normal life in Jeonju and find a decent, well-paying job.
Before he knew it, two years had already passed.
After living in a small apartment and working a 9-to-5 job every day, he wasn't satisfied. He felt as if his glory days were already gone.
Some people who had seen him on the battlefield and witnessed the way he fought still admired him even now, but they could never contact him because his former mates had concealed his whereabouts.
Eventually, all the people searching for him gave up.
Three years passed.
Year 2054.
Nobody remembers him now except for the branch he once served in.
He looks gloomy, with messy black hair and a beard he never bothers to shave.
He gazed at his old uniform, memories of blood and battle rolling through him like a fever.
"If I could go back, "he murmured," I'd kill more of those pests. Crime's climbing, I wouldn't hesitate to deal with these criminals myself."
(Knock)
Eodum heard a knock on his door and went to see who it was, but instead he found a letter sealed with a black candle stamp.
He recognized it immediately. It was from the old agency he had belonged to before receiving orders from their higher-ups to participate in the war.
Eodum never had a family. In fact, he was an orphan raised in a small orphanage, then adopted by a shady man who trained him to become a killing machine.
That was how he ended up in an agency of ???.
Now, faced with the letter, he opened it. It read:
"For Hyun Eodum,
We have a job offer for you. Crime rates in Seoul and other parts of South Korea have risen too high, and we want you to help clean up these cities. We will explain everything at headquarters. See you soon."
Remembering his days of carrying out missions killing murderers who preyed on the innocent without remorse, as well as the battlefields where he had slaughtered countless soldiers, he smiled, wide and twisted, an expression no human should be able to make.
Chapter 1 End.