Seok was well aware of this; the only reason he had garnered any attention from the Versalkin Academy—an institution that cultivates an elite class of fighters—was by leveraging his own unique abilities. He had received numerous promises from his supervising instructor, Liu, as well as from Ruichi, the heir to the Duchy of De Moliar.
Yet, both promises came with a daunting condition: he had to remain alive until the time came for them to be fulfilled.
Securing the backing of the most powerful family on the Central Continent, gaining entry into the "Masters' Class" slated for the following year, and obtaining a wealth of invaluable privileges—all of this would finally allow him to live the life he had always dreamed of.
But it all hinged on a requirement that bordered on the impossible: he had to survive long enough for those promises to be kept.
He found himself in a place where the elite, the scions of noble houses, and those of high social standing—all of whom possessed every conceivable resource for growth—still met their ends.
How could a commoner, whose greatest daily concern was securing a single meal, possibly survive amidst such chaos? Could he pull off a miracle?
It was impossible. He was neither the protagonist of the story nor even a supporting character; he had no "plot armor" to protect him.
What was he, then? Nothing more than an extra—a background character whose sole purpose was to populate the world. Was he really going to be granted the kind of plot armor an author might bestow to make things easier?
As far as he was concerned, that was absolutely out of the question. That he had remained alive until this moment—thanks to his one-of-a-kind ability—was an achievement in itself for a character of his sort, the kind that usually appears only to fill a single scene.
Seok closed his eyes, attempting to detach himself from the world around him, if only for a few seconds.
Finding no way to survive, he collapsed to the ground—a pathetic, contemptible sight.
Amidst the devastation, he looked like a stray kitten, utterly lost. He was neither strong, talented, wealthy, nor particularly intelligent. He possessed nothing; he was merely an ordinary young man trying to scrape by in a world designed exclusively for the strong.
The strong do as they please, whenever they please; the weak, meanwhile, must grovel before them—living like a wretched cur, waiting for a scrap of food to be tossed their way.
After a few minutes, Seok opened his eyes and scanned the area. It was completely deserted; the sheer, terrifying power of the combatants had ensured that no monster dared to set foot on the battlefield.
"It's all over... The students and professors have returned to the front lines to battle the followers of the Scorpion Organization... *Haaah... hoooh...*"
Seok murmured, his gaze fixed on the sky, lost in his own thoughts.
He struggled to his feet. His mental exhaustion far outweighed his physical fatigue—the latter he could remedy using his own unique abilities, but his psychological state was something entirely beyond his power to mend.
Seok's steps were unsteady; every movement demanded a massive expenditure of energy.
His eyes kept searching the surroundings for Suho, who, even now, was nowhere to be seen. As Seok searched for him, his eyes fell upon a young man lying at the base of a nearby tree—a tree whose upper portion had been scorched by a fire-based attack.
Shock washed over Seok's face as he gazed at the young man, and he managed to speak only with great difficulty:
"Suho... is that you?"
"........"
There was no response, which only deepened his alarm. He hurried toward the young man, who lay motionless at the foot of the tree.
Moments later, Seok reached the tree.
He found Suho drenched in his own blood, suffering from a multitude of injuries.
The flesh on his left cheek was gone, and his teeth were shattered—a sight almost too horrific to behold. The mangled remains of flesh and teeth were simply unbearable to look at.
His right hand was so completely mangled that it could no longer even be called a hand. His entire body was covered in wounds and fractures.
Seok collapsed before his childhood friend, his eyes filled with an indescribable, agonizing pain.
"Suho... are you dead? Please, just say something!"
"........"
There was no answer.
Silence reigned for several seconds before Suho's body began to dissolve into golden particles.
Seok's pupils contracted to the size of pinpricks as he watched his friend vanish before his eyes—utterly helpless to stop it. Tears began to stream profusely from his dark eyes as he watched the last remnant of his friend's body vanish, leaving him unable to utter a single word.
Words failed him; he could do nothing but stare—helpless and utterly useless.
"I'm so sorry... I never wanted this to happen! Why did you have to die? We were supposed to get stronger—to lift our families out of poverty—but now you're gone, reduced to nothing more than golden dust! Why? Why does this always happen?"
"There are people living in luxury, doing whatever they please, while we're treated like mere playthings—tossed aside the moment they grow bored of us! Why?"
An overwhelming, dark aura began to coalesce around Seok's body. His eyes ignited with a brilliant white glow, and his hair drifted upward, suspended in the air.
In a split second, Seok's state reverted to normal; every wound, drop of blood, speck of dust, and smear of mud vanished from his body.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Seok let out a thunderous cry, fueled by his own power. The sound echoed across the battlefield, striking terror into the hearts of all who heard it.
Seok fixed his gaze toward the epicenter of the war. His rage was directed not only at the followers of the Scorpion Organization but also at those truly responsible for Suho's death.
To him, it made perfect sense; The professors and students belonged to the same side, yet they had beaten them—perhaps even to death. After all, Seok and Suho were mere commoners; their deaths would have no significant impact on the scions of the nobility or families of high social standing.
This realization sent him into a blind, chaotic rage.
His companion had died—all so that some lowlife scum could vent their frustrations! Why? Simply because they were the offspring of people in high-ranking positions?
A massive dome began to take shape, eventually swallowing the entire island of Jeju. It was formed by merging all of his individual domes—over sixty distinct varieties—into one perfect, unified dome.
Seok clenched his fist, staring at it for a few seconds in silence, before shifting his gaze back toward the raging battlefield.
Speaking with cold detachment while assessing the state of the battle through his Absolute Domain, he remarked:
"Hmm... the casualties on both sides aren't significant. On their end, 36 students and 23 professors have perished, while 45 members of the 'Scorpion' organization have fallen."
"So, that's how it stands... there are 201 combatants remaining for Versalkin Academy, and 195 for the Scorpion organization. The scales are currently tipped in our favor."
Seok vanished from his position—leaving the rear lines completely devoid of any presence—only to reappear hovering above the battlefield.
He gestured toward a group of Scorpion organization members, causing them to rise into the air; expressions of confusion washed over their faces.
The fighting ground to a halt once more, as everyone turned to watch the 25 Scorpion members suspended in the air.
Seok narrowed his eyes at them, then tightened his fist.
The bodies of the Scorpion members began to collapse inward, shrinking with terrifying speed until they were no smaller than the palm of a hand. They didn't even have time to scream before their bodies detonated, scattering as fragments in the air.
Shock was etched onto some faces, while others betrayed clear anxiety; meanwhile, a look of distinct curiosity appeared on the face of the 'Scorpion of Shadow and Light' as he observed the unfolding scene. As for Beatrice, Grey, and Ruichi, they recalled the words Suho had spoken several hours earlier: that Seok transforms into a truly terrifying entity when he enters a state of chaos—a force that nothing can stand against.
Flashback
Seok took a deep breath before speaking:
"Fine, I agree. But I'm not obligated to fight on the front lines. You must ensure my protection—and Suho's. That is one of my conditions for joining you."
Before Ruichi could utter a word, Suho ushered him and the others away to discuss a matter he deemed critical, especially given Seok's unstable mental state.
Ruichi, Lucy, and Grey looked on, somewhat stunned by Suho's boldness in pulling them away from Seok; yet, seeing the serious expression on his face, they chose to set their surprise aside.
Once they were a few meters away from Seok, a sigh heavy with concern escaped Suho's lips.
"I want to say just one thing: you must, at all costs, prevent Seok from entering a state of chaos."
"I know this might sound strange, but Seok's true power lies in his 'Absolute Domain.' Within this space, he can do anything—he holds absolute authority over it. Furthermore, his power inside this domain is entirely independent of his general strength level."
"Even when he was just an infant, he was able to wield it and kill a seasoned 'Ruler-rank' fighter with complete ease." "However, the condition for its activation is experiencing severe psychological trauma—such as witnessing someone die right before one's eyes, feeling that a loved one has perished, or finding one's own life teetering on the brink of death. That is why I dubbed it the 'state of frenzy' or the 'state of chaos.'"
Returning from the flashback...
All eyes were fixed on Seok, who hovered in the air before them.
His power was absurdly, almost ridiculously, overwhelming; yet, a flicker of recognition dawned on the faces of a few individuals.
Observing Seok with a hint of interest, the 'Shadow and Light Scorpion' remarked:
"He is a 'half-curse' from the realm of the Curse Lords—specifically, serial number GH7586886887. Entities in that world draw upon negative emotions to fuel their abilities, and they possess the capacity to manifest 'domains.' It stands to reason, then, that he could deploy a domain to subdue beings far stronger than himself. In that world, power levels don't exist in the traditional sense; their law is simple: whoever wields the superior domain emerges victorious."
Upon hearing this, Ryuichi turned his gaze toward the Shadow and Light Scorpion.
While it was rare for individuals to transition between ordinary worlds, the appearance of a 'half-curse' was an anomaly—something entirely unprecedented to them.
Meanwhile, Seok's hazy memories began to surface and interlock, forming a complete, coherent sequence.
With a flick of his hand, he wiped out every member of the Scorpion organization stationed outside Jeju Island—leaving only the Shadow and Light Scorpion behind. The students and professors were left in a state of shock as they gazed at Seok—a man who had just slaughtered 195 members of the Scorpion Organization as if they were nothing more than worthless insects.
Meanwhile, Seok was locked in an internal struggle; memories of the times he had descended into a state of chaotic frenzy began to surface in his mind, inflicting upon him an intense, searing pain.
Six years earlier...
In the city of Madinki, at 8:45 in the morning, a fifty-four-year-old man walked alongside a nine-year-old boy. They were carrying medicinal herbs, intending to sell them.
A radiant, joyful smile spread across Seok's face as he wandered through one of the markets in Madinki. The harvest of medicinal herbs had been bountiful that day, and they were fetching a high price—355 copper coins and 4 silver coins—a truly excellent sum.
"We've gathered so many herbs! We'll have plenty of money—we won't have to worry about expenses for the next five months!"
Seok exclaimed happily, struggling to keep the herb-filled basket on his back from slipping off.
His father laughed heartily, watching his son's reckless, impulsive behavior.
"Careful now! Your rashness might just get you into trouble."
Ignoring his father's warning, Seok continued to hop about, laughing aloud.
The market in Madinki was alive with activity, filled with the constant, bustling sounds of vendors calling out their wares. As Seok wandered through the market, he collided with a woman whose attire suggested she held a high social standing.
The force of the impact sent Seok tumbling to the ground; the woman, meanwhile, wore an expression of annoyance and disgust.
Glancing down at her clothes, she discovered they were torn, and her face twisted with rage.
"How dare a mere insect ruin my precious garments?!"
She shrieked, glaring at Seok, who appeared bewildered by the unfolding situation.
A young man approached them, a faint smile on his face as he looked toward the furious woman.
"My dear Xiao Xuan, what happened? Why are you so angry?"
Xiao Xuan looked at Dustin—one of the lords of Madinki City and head of the Silcarmin family—and spoke with fury, pointing toward Seok, who was on the ground gathering the medicinal herbs that had scattered around him.
"That wretched scumbag tore my clothes and ruined my day! My dear Dustin, deal with him!"
Dustin's eyes narrowed in clear annoyance as he looked toward Seok, then delivered a kick to his face that sent him flying several meters away.
Seok's face was covered in blood, his expression one of shock, as he stared up at Dustin, who was looking back at him with undisguised disgust.
Striding toward Seok, his face twisted with rage, Dustin began to rain kicks down upon his body, shouting loudly:
"How dare a wretch like you lay a hand on Xiao Xuan—the daughter of Kim Tao, one of the lords of Madinki City?!"
Seok could not utter a word; the force of Dustin's blows made it impossible for him to speak or even attempt to defend himself.
A look of revulsion crossed Dustin's face as he watched Seok—who was clutching his own leg, begging to be left alone, tears streaming from his eyes due to the intense pain.
"I... I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! I never intended to ruin Lady Xiao Xuan's clothes! Please, have mercy!" A repulsive grin spread across Dustin's lips. He then delivered a kick to Seok's face, sending him flying several meters until he slammed into a wall with such force that several of his bones shattered.
"Aaaaaah!"
Seok screamed in agony, clutching his face, from which blood gushed profusely.
"Seok! What is happening?!"
His father cried out in shock, staring at his son, who was now suffering from multiple fractures and severe injuries.
Before he could react, a punch struck him, hurling him several meters to the ground. Nearby, a basket filled with herbs was crushed, its contents scattering across the street.
Despite his own injuries, Seok's father looked on in immense pain. He tried to move toward his son, but one of Dustin's henchmen kicked Seok, sending him hurtling several meters further—smashing through multiple walls in the process.
Although Seok's father was at the SSS++ rank, he was of no consequence to a subordinate of the City Lord.
Seok's father lay broken, his body riddled with fractures, completely unable to move.
A cold, cruel smile appeared on the faces of the City Lord and his henchmen as they surveyed the state of Seok and his father. The City Lord of Madinki then spoke:
"Kill these two wretched insects! Nothing but trash, daring to ruin my beloved's day! How annoying—truly, how incredibly annoying!"
Seok's pupils contracted to the size of pinpricks, while a dark, ominous aura—steeped in pure murderous intent—erupted from his body. His eyes began to glow with a white light, and his hair started to float in the air.
Seok stood up, his injuries fully healed thanks to his restorative domes. Without a word, he began to move, muttering under his breath as his body swayed with every step:
"Anyone who hurts Seok must die! Seok is so, so angry! Whoever makes Seok sad will die! You are all nothing but insects to be crushed!"
Looks of bewilderment washed over everyone's faces. The lord of Madinki City, failing to grasp the situation, exclaimed:
"What the hell is going on?!"
Pulling himself together, he glared at Seok and shouted:
"Kill this damn clown!"
Seok cast a single glance his way—a look so intense that both the lord and his lover collapsed to the ground.
Seok then turned toward the person who had struck his father, leaving him in his current, dire state.
Though Seok's gait was unsteady, it carried an overwhelming, oppressive power that struck fear into everyone present.
"You... stay away from me, you wretched scoundrel!"
Dustin's henchman spat out in rage, leveling his weapon at Seok.
Seok's expression remained unchanged. With a flick of his hand, the henchman's arm exploded, splattering blood across the ground and their clothing.
The henchman's eyes went wide—as did the eyes of everyone else—before he let out a piercing scream of agony:
"Aaaaaah...!"
But Seok didn't even give him the chance to scream; He compressed it into a sphere the size of a palm, then detonated it once more.
"Attack that wretch!"
Dustin shouted, ordering his subordinates to strike at Seok.
Seok gazed at him for a few seconds, then clenched his fist—instantly reducing all the subordinates and the surrounding buildings to dust, without uttering a word.
"What the hell is happening?! How could he possibly be this powerful?!"
Dustin exclaimed, staring at the mangled corpses of his followers strewn before him.
He then looked toward Seok—who was splattered with the blood of his victims and advancing steadily—and his face turned ashen with sheer terror.
Both Dustin and Xiao Xuan wore expressions of grim, overwhelming fear. Furthermore, every attempt they made to escape proved futile; with Seok's dome in place, flight was impossible.
Seok extended his hand toward Dustin and his lover, offering no words—nor even the slightest chance for either of them to utter a single syllable.
The Lord of Madinki City and his companion were hoisted into the air, while Seok watched them with a chilling, lethal indifference.
As they began to rise higher into the sky, the pair clutched at their own throats, gasping for air.
"What is going on? How could a mere child possess such power?!"
"Lord Dustin and Lady Xiao Xuan must now face the consequences of their own arrogance!"
A look of annoyance crossed Seok's face; to him, these words were nothing more than irritating, filthy chatter grating upon his ears. He snapped his fingers, instantly reducing everyone present at the scene to pools of blood—he had grown quite annoyed with them.
When he was the one being beaten, they had merely watched, saying and doing nothing. Yet, the moment the tide turned in his favor, they began cheering him on while hurling insults at Dustin and Xiao Xuan.
In Seok's eyes, they were better off dead than alive.
Tears streamed down Xiao Xuan's face as she struggled to draw even the slightest breath.
"P-please... please, have mercy!"
Seok fixed his gaze upon her and repeated the words he had spoken earlier:
"Anyone who hurts Seok must die! Seok is very, very angry! Whoever makes Seok sad shall perish! You are all nothing but insects—fit only to be crushed!"
"Mercy is something you will never see. For those who show no mercy, none shall be shown in return."
Seok moved toward them, his overwhelming aura intensifying with every step. He then raised his hand, obliterating them both into a fine mist of blood.
Afterward, he headed straight toward his father—who had fully recovered from all his injuries—and moved him to a relatively safe location.
Seok's body began to return to its normal state; his dark, ominous aura faded until it vanished completely, and then he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Several minutes later, Seok opened his eyes. He found his father unconscious, with dried blood on his face and clothes, though his physical condition was better than Seok had expected.
Seok cast his gaze around him. He saw nothing but devastation, blood, and numerous, severely mutilated corpses—while his own body was covered in blood.
Half of the city of Madinki had been completely destroyed within mere minutes of the incident's onset.
"What the hell happened?"