The forest was silent. Not a bird, not a rustle of leaves. Only Sol Jin's ragged breaths filled the void as he crawled through undergrowth tangled with ancient roots. Pain stabbed his ribs, his muscles burned, but he did not stop. Every step was a refusal to die where the world had thrown him.
High above, the cosmic presence observed with a patient, almost cruel curiosity. Threads of fate vibrated around him, noting each tremor of Sol Jin's body, each flicker of his resolve.
> "So fragile… yet unyielding. Let us see if the abyss will finally temper you."
The cave appeared as if summoned. Its mouth yawned like the maw of some ancient beast, swallowing the dying light of dusk. A pulse radiated from within — not merely energy, but presence. Something alive, yet immovable. Something so potent it made the very air quiver.
Sol Jin hesitated, one hand on a jagged stone. The pain in his ribs screamed, but the pulse… it called him. His body reacted before his mind could decide. Every nerve, every muscle, every drop of blood in his veins thrummed in response.
> "What is this?" he whispered, fear and awe entwined.
The cave was empty. Or so it seemed.
---
At the far end, seated on a stone platform, was a man. No ordinary man. His form was calm, almost ethereal, yet every inch of his presence radiated power that made the forest around him shiver. His robes were simple, but the air shimmered with invisible force. The boy could not look away.
When their eyes met, a shock surged through Sol Jin's chest. His heart raced, his vision blurred, and the very blood in his veins felt like it had been set alight. Every nerve in his body hummed like a string pulled taut, vibrating with the presence of this man.
> "Who… are you?" Sol Jin managed, his voice trembling.
The man's lips curved into a faint smile. His gaze alone could level mountains, yet it lingered gently on Sol Jin. He did not speak immediately. Instead, the cave seemed to pulse with him, the shadows dancing and shifting like they had their own life.
> "You have wandered far," the man said finally, voice soft but resonant. "And yet… you are still weak."
The words struck harder than any blow he had ever suffered. Weak. Pathetic.
And yet, Sol Jin did not shrink. Somehow, that word, instead of breaking him, ignited a spark.
The cosmic observer leaned closer, unseen, threads of fate twisting violently.
> "Ah… yes. The boy senses it. The seed begins to stir."
The man stood, his motion slow but deliberate. Sol Jin felt the air around him compress, a tangible weight pressing down, yet it invigorated him instead of crushing him. Every step the figure took toward him made his body pulse uncontrollably. Pain and power intertwined in a rhythm that nearly broke him — yet something inside screamed, "I will endure."
> "Your body… your spirit… they are unshaped clay. But clay can become steel, can become fire," the man said. "I can teach you… if you survive the night."
Sol Jin's chest heaved. He wanted to ask questions, but his voice caught. Somehow, this presence demanded obedience without a word, demanded respect without intimidation.
He nodded.
> "I… I will."
The man's eyes softened. Slowly, he extended a hand, not toward Sol Jin, but toward the boy's chest. A faint glow emanated, wrapping around Sol Jin's ribcage, pulsing in tandem with his heart. Energy seeped into him, not just power, but understanding. Every strike he had ever taken, every humiliation he had endured, every ounce of pain, it all resonated with this energy.
His body shook violently. Blood coursed faster. Nerves screamed. Pain flared, then faded. And beneath it all… strength began to bloom.
---
Outside the cave, the forest wind whispered. High above, the cosmic presence murmured:
> "So it begins. From nothing, from shame… the boy who should have died will rise. And when he rises, the heavens themselves will tremble."
Inside, Sol Jin fell to his knees, chest heaving, sweat and blood mingling, but his eyes burned brighter than ever. The boy who had been nothing… was beginning to change.
And somewhere in the darkness, the man simply watched, silent, letting the pulse of awakening reshape the boy.
> "Endure," the man said softly. "And one day… even those who laughed will kneel."
The cave swallowed the sun's last light. Outside, the forest was still. Inside, a boy trembled — not from fear, but from power awakening in his veins. The first step of his true journey had begun.