. The Sting of Failures (I)

"In all my years, Executioner, it's my first time seeing you this beat up," spoke the seasoned professional, a blend of severity and intrigue tinged his voice echoing through the underground room.

The concealed space hummed with the faint sounds of advanced medical equipment, while monitors displayed intricate data, adding to the atmosphere of unease.

Resting on the cold examination table, Ri Chul-moo's body was exposed and adorned with dark bruises, scantily covered by a thin, white cloth. It was a meager attempt to maintain some modesty within this clinical environment.

Ri Chul-moo emitted a groan, his face contorting with mild discomfort. "Hah? Vortex, you fucker! Are you mocking me or something?"

Dr. Vortex, an attractive man with chiseled features and brown hair, donned a pristine white coat that accentuated his air of professionalism. His sharp eyes, magnified by glasses, meticulously scanned Ri Chul-moo's medical records.

As a brief pause hung in the air, Dr. Vortex lifted his gaze, revealing eyes filled with a deep sense of curiosity.

"These internal injuries you've endured, they are quite uncommon, even for someone of your caliber," he stated, disregarding his ally's previous comment. "To be frank, I have encountered something vaguely similar before, but never quite to this extent."

Ri Chul-moo's face contorted into a scowl, clearly displaying his confusion.

Noticing his reaction, Dr. Vortex adjusted his glasses and decided to clarify, "Simply put, they indicate a level of force beyond what's considered normal. It's as if they were caused by someone or something exceptionally powerful, surpassing ordinary capabilities. I suspect the culprit is one of our own!"

Ri Chul-moo clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, clearly annoyed by Vortex's astuteness. He wasn't ready to discuss it yet. Not when his intentions were set on 'her', hoping to recruit her into their fold.

"Whatever, let's just get this over with," he muttered, deflecting the topic.

Dr. Vortex let out a weary sigh. "Who did this to you?" he pressed, his face veiled with sternness. "You'll have to tell me. I need to file a report, and your condition could potentially ignite a war. You understand the implications of it, don't you?"

"What if you're mistaken? What if the culprit doesn't belong to our group?" Ri Chul-moo countered, his tone lacking interest.

Vortex's expression hardened. "It's impossible! My diagnosis is infallible! These wounds were undoubtedly caused by an Ascended!"

Ri Chul-moo sat up on the examination table, his hands massaging his temples as he contemplated.

There was something he needed to inquire about before deciding whether it was worth telling him or not. "What makes these wounds so special, anyway?"

As Dr. Vortex flipped through the reports, he responded, "Based on the data and analysis, it appears that some of them came from an Apex-zone!"

Ri Chul-moo's shock gave way to an outburst. "What the fuck? An Apex-zone? I thought that was just a myth!" His disbelief was unmistakable.

"I can assure you, it exist!"

Another silence ensured as Ri Chul-moo pondered over these words.

The Apex-zone was a state of heightened focus where individuals achieved extraordinary levels of awareness, concentration, and control. It granted them heightened senses, allowing for unparalleled perception and processing of information.

But was it truly possible? Had he stumbled upon someone who possessed the ability to tap into the enigmatic powers of the Zone? This only reinforced Ri Chul-moo's determination to bring her under his wing.

"Did you perhaps provoke an Elder?" The doctor's eyes narrowed suspiciously, jolting Ri Chul-moo out of his reverie. "Then again, you're a battle-crazed maniac! You're capable of anything!"

Ri Chul-moo firmly denied the accusation. "I would never! The Elders are already formidable on their own, but with the Apex-zone? They'll be close to monsters!"

"Indeed!" the doctor agreed. "There's a clear distinction between monsters and geniuses. So, don't even think of doing anything crazy."

Ri Chul-moo silently acknowledged the doctor's warning, nodding in agreement. As the Executioner, he was no stranger to battle. However, even he knew when he was outmatched.

The Elders were legendary figures within the council's hierarchy, each possessing a unique level of power. Rumors swirled around that they were ruthless in nature and had an insatiable thirst for blood. Everyone knew to steer clear of their path.

As Ri Chul-moo brushed aside thoughts of the elders, a mischievous smirk played upon his lips. "I believe I've stumbled upon something rather interesting," he muttered to himself.

"Hah! What kind of trouble are you stirring up now?" Vortex scoffed, putting his notepad aside. His gaze narrowed as he reached for a syringe containing a mysterious silver liquid, its appearance similar to molten mercury.

Resting on a gleaming tray, the syringe was accompanied by an assortment of intricate medical instruments.

"With your consent, I'll administer a dose of the Zenith to expedite your recovery," the doctor explained curtly. "It's a grade 'F' formula, an altered version derived from the original to accelerate the healing process."

Ri Chul-moo's gut churned with a sense of foreboding. He knew all too well what awaited him.

With a nod of consent, Ri Chul-moo braced himself as the doctor's deft hand administered the silver serum, injecting it into his neck vein. In an instant, an intense, searing pain exploded throughout his body.

It felt as though molten fire coursed through his veins, setting ablaze every nerve ending in a torrent of agony.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his muscles clenched involuntarily in response to the intense burning sensation.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as Ri Chul-moo endured the torment. He gritted his teeth, determined to withstand this pain, his knuckles turning white from the force of his grip on the examination table.

The room seemed to blur around him as he focused on riding out the excruciating waves that surged through his body.

"Ahh! Damn it! This hurts like hell!" Ri Chul-moo groaned through gritted teeth as the intense pain gradually subsided. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his body trembled from the ordeal.

Slowly, he mustered the strength to raise his gaze, his eyes widening.

The dark bruises that had marred his skin just moments ago were vanishing. Like ethereal shadows dissipating in the light, the marks of his injuries faded away, leaving behind unblemished flesh.

It was as if the injection had summoned an otherworldly power, rapidly healing his wounds with supernatural speed.

Ri Chul-moo cautiously straightened himself, feeling an unfamiliar sense of rejuvenation coursing through his body. He ran his hand over his once-bruised torso, now smooth and untouched. It was a remarkable transformation that never failed to surprise him.

Vortex observed the outcome with a hint of satisfaction. "The regenerative properties of the serum are undeniably potent," he remarked, his voice filled with a sense of reverence. "But remember, its effects come with consequences."

Ri Chul-moo shrugged dismissively as he stepped off the examination table, the thin cloth that had modestly covered him falling to the ground. He stretched his body, attempting to loosen his muscles. "Well, I hope I won't need another round of this anytime soon!"

Vortex rolled his eyes, tossing the used syringe aside. "Oh, please! You're here every damn week for another injection," he retorted. Then, with a hint of exasperation, he added, "And for the love of all that's holy, put some clothes on!"

Ri Chul-moo smirked, unabashed. "What's the matter? Never seen a dick before?"

"Tsk! Stop being an idiot!" Vortex snapped.

Amidst their relentless squabbling, the metal double doors swung open abruptly.

Bam!

With a loud bang, an uninvited guest walked in, dressed in a white suit pant, white waistcoat, black turtleneck and black blazer. His hair was dyed blonde, and he sported a pair of tinted glasses. But it was his overall demeanor that caught attention – a perpetual wide, mocking smile and cunning slits for eyes.

At first glance, he appeared friendly, but there was something dark and twisted lurking beneath the surface. Ri Chul-moo couldn't help but be reminded of the Joker.

"Well?!" the newcomer demanded sharply, his smile never faltering. "How did the task I assigned you go? Would you care to give me an update?!"

Ri Chul-moo's spine trembled, his jaw clenching tightly. "Not good! We targeted the wrong person! And—" he blurted out.

Before he could even finish his sentence, the intruder swiftly swiped at his face, catching him off guard.

Crack! Crack!

The impact shattered Ri Chul-moo's nose, causing him to double over in pain. As blood gushed from his nostrils, he instinctively reached for his damaged nose, only to feel it rapidly healing due to the lingering effects of the serum.

"What the hell was that for, Han Si-hyun?!" Ri Chul-moo exploded, his anger simmering.

"Oh, just a little payback for the disappointment of your failed assignment," Han Si-hyun shrugged, the twisted grin still etched on his face. "Now, explain to me exactly what went wrong."

***

A/N: Officially introducing Han Si-hyun: