Chapter 5 [Circumstances]

" Circumstances" 

In a different timeline, an underground laboratory housed a child who lay quietly on a metallic bed, his hands and feet chained with iron coated in mana to restrict his movements. A scientist in a suit stood near the child, giving orders to his assistant, while a red-haired man in an expensive suit engaged in a conversation with the scientists.

"Did you obtain any blood samples from him?" the man asked.

The scientists examined the data in their hands, which contained a list of all the experiments conducted on the child.

"Yes, we have it. This child's blood could potentially be used as a source of new mana, enhancing the human body's core. It's highly efficient with a 90% accuracy rate," the scientists replied, flipping through the data pages and observing the child's state.

Although the scientists felt pity for the child, they were merely following orders from higher-ups to test his blood due to its potential for providing a mana boost to enhance the human core. The human core had different levels:

- White: The first stage that enhances daily life and boosts physical activity.

- Red: The second stage that boosts not only physical abilities but also mental capacities.

- Blue: The third stage where awakened humans can use their mana to enhance their powers, such as coating their bodies or using it for defense.

- Orange: The fourth stage, a mid-level power possessed by most heroes, similar to the third stage but with slightly increased abilities and firepower.

- Yellow: The fifth stage, a high-level stage where professional heroes have skilled firepower and great reputation for protecting the city.

- Silver: Nearly the highest level achieved by heroes, treated as important ambassadors from different countries who protected the Earth from past calamities.

- Gold: The highest level of mana core, impossible for regular heroes to reach, reserved for exceptional individuals with their own facilities to improve their cores.

- Golden: The transcended level rarely achieved by heroes. They possess the highest firepower and are treated as pioneers of humanity.

However, rumors circulated about an unknown stage called the Black stage, which differed from other mana cores. Unlike the bright colors of the other cores, the source of mana in the Black stage was said to come from the people one had killed. Some speculated that this stage originated from other dimensions, where beings similar to humankind were considered alien. These beings from other dimensions were much stronger than humans on Earth. The existence of dimensional cracks leading to their world was supported by theories, but many humans who ventured into those dimensions never returned. They could only enter dungeons that randomly appeared around the world.

As the scientist adjusted his glasses, he noticed a slight drop in the child's blood pressure. Shocked, he exclaimed, "The blood pressure is decreasing at an abnormal rate! Quickly inject the drug!"

The assistant hurriedly grabbed a syringe from a metal plate and injected it into the child's arm. The child flinched at the sudden event but endured the pain, closing his eyes.

With time, the child's blood pressure returned to normal, and the scientist and assistants breathed a sigh of relief. Kim Hoo, the scientist, felt immense relief as the boy survived. In cases like these, failure could result in death at the hands of the government. This experimentation was top secret, known only to authorized personnel. It was a conspiracy between the government and the Hero Associations.

"If you have time to relax, focus on developing the potion. The prototype results were great, and the higher-ups were grateful when they saw the outcome. I hope you continue to improve in the future, Mr. Kim Hoo," the man in the suit said before leaving with his bodyguards.

"Yes, I will take note of that," Kim Hoo murmured. In truth, he didn't want to participate in this, especially when it involved a child. He had a child of his own, but they were being held hostage, and his family's safety was at stake in case of treason or failure.

"Poor child. I'm truly sorry, but I have to do this for my family," Kim Hoo said, ordering his assistants to leave as well. He wanted to be alone for a moment, away from the child.

Unbeknownst to Kim Hoo, the child's half-opened eyes watched him from behind. The child's fingers moved, and his eyes opened wide as he listened to their conversations. He purposefully manipulated his blood rate to drop, preventing them from suspecting his awareness. However, the chains on his arms and legs hindered his ability to use his powers.

"I swear, if I have a chance to escape, I won't let any of you get away," the child vowed, his eyes turning hollow as he stared at the place where the people had left. He lay his body on the bed again, which proved tough and uncomfortable to sleep on. Despite his tears, he endured the discomfort and fell asleep, exhausted.

~

In South Korea, power was divided between two axes: a powerful central government with legislative, judicial, andexecutive powers, and the influential Hero Associations that governed the country's heroes. The Hero Associations were responsible for managing and overseeing the activities of heroes, ensuring they used their powers for the greater good and maintained the safety of the citizens.

However, not all heroes were affiliated with the Hero Associations. Some chose to operate independently, taking on missions and protecting the city without any official recognition. These independent heroes, known as vigilantes, often faced backlash from the government and Hero Associations, who considered them a threat to the established order.

One such vigilante was Park Ji-hoon, a young man with a tragic past and extraordinary powers. Ever since he was a child, Ji-hoon possessed the ability to manipulate shadows. His gift allowed him to blend into darkness, move swiftly and silently, and even create shadow constructs to aid him in combat.

Ji-hoon's parents were former heroes who had fought valiantly to protect the city. However, they met their demise during a catastrophic battle against a powerful villain known as Shadowbane. Witnessing his parents' death at a young age, Ji-hoon swore to avenge them and rid the city of evildoers.

Now in his twenties, Ji-hoon had become a skilled vigilante, patrolling the city at night and striking fear into the hearts of criminals. His actions earned him the reputation of "The Shadow Guardian," a mysterious figure who emerged from the darkness to deliver swift justice.

One evening, as Ji-hoon was carrying out his usual patrol, he received a message on his encrypted communication device. It was an anonymous tip about an illegal experiment taking place in an underground laboratory. The message contained the exact location and urged Ji-hoon to investigate.

Intrigued and sensing an opportunity to uncover the truth behind his parents' death, Ji-hoon made his way to the underground laboratory. Using his shadow manipulation abilities, he effortlessly bypassed the security systems and slipped into the facility undetected.

As he ventured deeper into the facility's labyrinthine corridors, Ji-hoon stumbled upon a room with a reinforced door. Curiosity overwhelmed him, and he decided to investigate further. Using his powers, he melded with the shadows and passed through the door undetected.

Inside the room, Ji-hoon's eyes widened in shock and anger. He witnessed a young boy, barely older than ten, lying on a metallic bed, chained and restrained. Various medical equipment surrounded the child, indicating that he had been subjected to cruel experiments.

Rage surged through Ji-hoon's veins as he realized the child's plight mirrored his own past. Determined to free the child and put an end to the atrocities committed in this facility, Ji-hoon focused his powers and extended his shadow tendrils, silently neutralizing the guards stationed in the room.

With the guards incapacitated, Ji-hoon swiftly moved to free the child from his restraints. As he approached, the child's eyes widened with a mixture of fear and hope.

"Don't worry, I'm here to rescue you," Ji-hoon whispered, using his shadow manipulation to break the chains binding the child. 

The child, weak and disoriented, mustered a feeble smile. "Thank you... mister," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ji-hoon gently lifted the child and carried him in his arms. He realized the child's potential and the significance of his abilities. This was no ordinary child; he possessed a unique mana core that could potentially change the course of humanity.

"I won't let them harm you any longer. You'll be safe now," Ji-hoon promised as he made his way back through the facility, shadows swirling around them protectively.

Little did Ji-hoon know that this rescue would set in motion a chain of events that would challenge everything he believed in and reveal a hidden truth about the world they lived in. The child he had rescued would become an important ally, and together, they would uncover a conspiracy that reached the highest levels of power.

Their journey was just beginning, and the circumstances that brought them together would shape the destiny of not only themselves but also the world around them.