Heavens Fated

Hee-Sung sank into the sofa, his body melting into the cushions as he let out a deep sigh. He rubbed his hands over his face, exhaustion weighing on him like a heavy blanket.

"Aunt Cha… I'm just really tired," he admitted, his voice quiet. "And scared."

Aunt Cha leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she watched him closely. "What are you scared of?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.

He hesitated for a moment, staring up at the ceiling as he gathered his thoughts. "The unknown, I guess," he finally said. "I just feel uneasy. In history class today, we learned about the development of Safe Zones, how life was before them, how many people died before things changed." His voice dropped, his fingers tightening into a fist. "And anomalies. Aunt Cha… the monsters are evolving. Doesn't that scare you?"

She studied him in silence before speaking. "Baek Hee-Sung."

"Yeah?" He didn't move, still gazing at the ceiling.

"Yes, the anomalies are evolving. And yes, that is terrifying… especially for your generation, the next line of hunters." She leaned forward, her expression unreadable. "But just as monsters evolve, humans adapt. And how do we adapt?"

He turned his head slightly to glance at her. "We get stronger… smarter."

Aunt Cha nodded. "Exactly. Stronger and smarter, not just to protect ourselves, but to protect others. There's so much about this world you don't know yet, Hee-Sung. But recognizing that the unknown itself is a monster… that's your first step toward overcoming it." She gave him a small smile. "This is our new reality. It's not fair, and it's not easy, but you, like everyone else, have potential waiting to be unlocked. So don't be scared. Because this fight isn't just yours. It belongs to all of humanity."

For the first time that evening, Hee-Sung felt some of the weight on his chest ease. His gaze fell to the fluffy dog curled up beside him. With a chuckle, he ran a hand through Sora's soft fur.

"Sorry, Sora. I missed you."

The dog let out a happy huff before rolling onto his back, paws twitching as he begged for belly rubs. Hee-Sung obliged, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Aunt Cha stood up, stretching. "Alright, let's eat. You have thirty minutes to digest, then get changed and meet me in the underground training room."

Hee-Sung sat up, glancing at her in surprise. "Already?"

She smirked. "You want to get stronger, don't you?"

He let out a short laugh. "Yeah… I do. Thanks, Aunt Cha."

She playfully smacked his back as they headed toward the dining table. "Don't thank me yet," she teased. "You'll regret it after training."

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[16:10] - underground training room

The underground training center smelled of steel, and faint traces of leather polish. Dim lighting flickered from the overhead bulbs, casting long shadows across the concrete walls. Aunt Cha and Hee-Sung descended the staircase, their boots echoing with each measured step.

Both were clad in black, their tight-fitted t-shirts moving seamlessly with every shift of their muscles. Light cargo trousers allowed for mobility, cinched at the waist with thick tactical belts lined with knife sheaths, combat-ready, each one holding an array of carefully sharpened blades. Their black boots were sturdy, built for both speed and stability.

The training center was lined with weapons: spears resting against racks, swords gleaming under dim light, and a table filled with an assortment of knives, from curved daggers to long, wickedly sharp daggers. A row of practice dummies stood to the side, their surfaces marred with the scars of past training sessions. The faint metallic scent of blood lingered in the air, a reminder that this was no place for hesitation, and that Aunt Cha doesn't pull her punches, she's serious.

Aunt Cha exhaled sharply, stepping onto the mat at the center of the room. "We're focusing on dual dagger handling today. No distractions, no wasted movement. Precision and speed, that's what wins fights. This isn't just about dungeon prep. It's about being ready for unknown enemies. You never know who, or what, will come for you."

Hee-Sung adjusted his grip on the two daggers he had chosen, testing their weight in his hands. He rolled his shoulders back, feeling the subtle difference in his body. "My agility stat increased by two. Strength, too. I should be able to keep up better."

Aunt Cha scoffed. "Stats mean nothing if your focus wavers. I don't care how fast or strong you are, lose focus for even a second, and you're dead. Now, ready yourself."

The moment Hee-Sung squared his stance, she lunged. He barely had time to react before her blades came at him, a blur of steel slicing through the air. He twisted to the side, bringing up his daggers in a cross to deflect her strike. The impact sent a sharp vibration through his arms.

"Too slow," she chided, already repositioning. "Move."

Hee-Sung sidestepped her next attack, rolling his wrist to slash at her exposed side. Aunt Cha parried with ease, redirecting his blade and sending him off balance. He barely recovered in time to flip backward, dodging a well-aimed thrust toward his ribs.

"You think flipping makes you unpredictable?" she asked dryly. "All you did was give me an opening."

He grinned, despite the sting of her words. "I thought it looked cool."

"Looking cool doesn't win fights. Being alive does."

She came at him again, relentless, forcing him to meet her attacks with increasing speed. He adjusted his footing, mirroring her movements, his strikes sharper, more precise. When he attempted a feint, Aunt Cha's expression shifted, just a flicker of approval before she countered with a brutal knee to his stomach.

He staggered but didn't fall, forcing himself to stay on his feet. "Not bad," she muttered, circling him. "But you're still thinking too much. Instinct, Hee-Sung. Trust it."

The fight continued, sweat beading on his brow, muscles burning from the effort. Aunt Cha never slowed, never faltered, forcing him to push himself beyond exhaustion. When the final strike came, a swift, controlled slash stopping just at his throat, he froze, panting.

Aunt Cha held his gaze for a moment before lowering her daggers. "Better," she said. "But not good enough. Again."

Hee-Sung groaned. "You do realize humans need breaks, right?"

"And you do realize enemies don't care if you're tired?" she countered. "Now stop whining and pick up your daggers. We're just getting started."