Chapter 1: Second Chance

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The dim glow of the streetlights barely reached the dark alley where Jae-min found himself, lying on the cold ground. The weight of his failures pressed heavily on him—lost love, mounting debts, and a growing addiction to alcohol had brought him to this low point in his life.

He had once been a promising salesman with dreams of a bright future. But seeing the girl he had loved since high school, Soo-yeon, getting married to someone else had shattered him. It was the final blow that sent him spiraling into despair, leading him to drown his sorrows in alcohol and neglect his responsibilities.

As he lay there, lost in his thoughts, a shadowy figure approached him. A man with sharp features and piercing eyes stood over him, offering a glimmer of hope.

"Are you interested in a second chance?" the man asked, his voice filled with mystery.

Jae-min looked up, startled. "Who are you?"

"I can offer you an opportunity to change your life," the man said, holding out a card with a cryptic symbol on it. "Participate in an experiment, and you'll be rewarded handsomely. But be warned, the journey will not be easy."

Jae-min hesitated, skepticism clouding his judgment. The allure of a fresh start, a chance to undo his mistakes and reclaim his life, was tempting, but the risks seemed too great.

"I'm sorry, I can't," Jae-min finally said, shaking his head. "It's too risky."

The man's smile didn't waver as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, extending it towards Jae-min. "Very well," he said, his voice calm and composed. "If you ever change your mind, here's my card."

With that, the mysterious man turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the night. Alone with his thoughts, Jae-min stared at the business card, a seed of doubt planted in his mind, wondering if he had made the right decision.