---
[— Into the Havoc Realm]
The moment Jae-min activated his Phantom attire, shadows rippled across his body like ink flowing over water. His twin blades materialized with a low hum, the air around them bending ever so slightly from the sheer density of spiritual power they exuded.
Before him stretched a wasteland that felt alive—breathing chaos into the air, distorting the horizon itself.
This… was the Havoc Realm.
A crimson sky churned as if something enormous scraped against its underside. Black mountains floated like drifting islands. Rivers of energy twisted like serpents. The very ground pulsed with malice.
Jae-min inhaled slowly.
> [SYSTEM: Host has entered the Havoc Realm. This realm was constructed by the Entity known as The Masterpiece. Its purpose: continuous assessment of potential. Survival rate: 2%.]
Jae-min didn't flinch—but the corner of his mouth tightened.
"Continuous assessment? You call this a test?" he muttered.
> [SYSTEM: Host may consider this a compliment. The Masterpiece evaluates only those who show potential surpassing normal boundaries.]
"And is there a way to conquer this realm?"
There was a brief pause.
> [SYSTEM: Yes. However… given host's present level, conquering the Havoc Realm is statistically impossible.]
Jae-min sighed. "Impossible is just a word."
He stepped forward.
A subtle tremor ran beneath his feet. The air thickened. His senses sharpened instantly—danger was approaching. Not like a ghost's cold, eerie presence. No… this was raw, oppressive power.
His grip tightened on his blades.
"What is that…?"
The pressure grew heavier, almost choking.
> [SYSTEM: Warning. Host is now in proximity of…]
[SYSTEM ALERT: DEMON LIFE-FORMS DETECTED.]
Jae-min froze. "A… demon? They exist?"
His heartbeat quickened—not in fear, but in shock.
From the crimson haze ahead, silhouettes emerged. Tall. Broad. Twisted horns curving upward. Their eyes burned like molten gold, and their presence radiated pride… and hunger.
A pack of them.
Their aura alone was enough to rattle the stones beneath Jae-min's feet.
"So demons are a thing," he whispered. "Great."
The demons stared at him—then moved.
Not one.
Not two.
The entire pack launched forward at blinding speed, the ground cracking under their charge.
"Spirit Enhancement!"
A wave of pure energy burst through Jae-min's limbs, sharpening every movement.
"Dark Flames!"
Black fire erupted along his arms, coating his blades in flickering shadows.
The first demon appeared right in front of him—its fist swinging with enough force to bend metal. Jae-min twisted aside, sparks erupting as his blade scraped its skin.
Tch.
These things were tough. Harder than ghosts. Harder than most monsters he had ever faced.
Another demon leapt—Jae-min crossed his daggers and parried, the force sending a shock through his arms.
He clicked his tongue.
"Too fast!"
He slammed his foot into the ground.
"Time Zone!"
A ripple spread outward. The world around him slowed—dust hanging midair, demons moving like they were trapped in thick mud.
Jae-min dashed through them like a streak of shadow.
But—
One of the demons still managed to swipe at him, moving faster than it should have—its claw grazing his Phantom attire and nearly breaking through.
"What?! They can partially resist time control?"
He leapt back.
But the demons were relentless.
Another charged. Jae-min teleported with Teleport Rift, appearing behind it—only for two more demons to instantly pivot toward him.
He created spectral chains from the ground—Chain Control—snaring the legs of the closest demon.
But it snarled, tearing through them with brute force.
"Seriously…?"
He phased through the next incoming strike—Phase Step—but even in his intangible state, he felt a faint burn as a horn grazed through his shoulder.
Pain shot through him—not unbearable, but sharp.
He staggered back.
> [SYSTEM: Warning. Host has sustained a deep injury.]
"I noticed!" he snapped.
Three demons leaped at once.
Jae-min's eyes narrowed.
He exhaled.
"Then come."
He vanished.
Teleport Rift.
Reappeared mid-air.
Dark Flames Spiral.
A vortex of black fire consumed the nearest demon, hurling it backward. Two more slammed into him mid-spin, sending him crashing onto the cracked ground.
Dust surged.
Jae-min rolled to his feet—barely.
His breathing turned ragged. His outfit shredded in several places. His shoulder ached sharply from the demon's horn strike.
He could feel his stamina draining fast.
The demons regrouped, circling him with cruel intelligence. Their eyes glowed brighter. They were enjoying this—enjoying hunting him.
Jae-min tightened his grip.
He wouldn't die here.
He couldn't.
One demon lunged.
Then another.
Then the rest.
This time, Jae-min didn't dodge.
He stepped forward.
"Time Zone—Burst!"
The slowed field condensed into a sphere around him—and exploded outward.
The shockwave blasted demons back, giving Jae-min a moment of air.
He collapsed to one knee, panting.
> [SYSTEM: Host is approaching physical collapse.]
"Then heal me," he whispered.
A faint green glow enveloped him—Healing Pulse—closing his injuries, easing the pain.
But the glow weakened halfway through.
He clenched his teeth.
"Only… 75%?"
> [SYSTEM: Host's injuries exceed system's current healing capacity.]
The demons were already rising again.
Stronger.
Angrier.
He forced himself up, breathing hard.
His clothes hung in torn strips. His stance shook. Sweat dripped down his chin.
But he was alive.
Barely.
He turned and sprinted—not running away, but retreating to regroup—toward a patch of rocky terrain that looked like a hollowed-out den.
A demon ground? Maybe. He didn't care.
He slid inside the shadowy cavern, pressing his back against the cold stone, chest rising and falling.
He wiped blood from his chin and steadied his breathing.
"This realm… is no joke."
His blades flickered, then stabilized.
His eyes sharpened.
The demons were coming.
And he only had 23 hours left.
---
---
— Quinn's Side —
Quinn hummed a cheerful tune as she strolled into the house, swinging her school bag like she had just won a lottery. The day had been good, her mood was stellar, and the weather was perfect.
Then she froze.
The house was unusually quiet.
"Oppa?" she called out.
Silence answered.
Her eyebrows raised.
He wasn't home.
A slow, mischievous smile spread across her face.
"Hehehe… well, if he's not here…" Quinn tiptoed dramatically, glancing left and right like a thief entering forbidden territory.
She walked straight into their newly renovated giant kitchen — the one Jae-min insisted would "help with meal prep."
But Quinn walked in for one reason only.
She opened the top cupboard, stretched on her toes, and—
Bingo.
Her brother's favorite secret chips, the ones he hid like they were national treasures.
She gasped dramatically.
"Oh nooo… someone forgot to protect their stash."
A devilish spark lit up in her eyes.
"It's okay," she said, grabbing the bag and hugging it triumphantly.
"I'll save them… in my belly. It's what Jae-min would have wanted."
She snickered, flopped onto the couch, switched on her favorite drama, and began munching the chips like she'd been waiting for this moment all her life.
Meanwhile, her brother was absolutely not okay.
Not even close.
---
— Havoc Realm — Ren & Jae-min —
Jae-min sprinted, boots pounding against the fractured crimson earth as demonic roars echoed behind him. His cloak snapped in the wind, dark flames flickering across his arms.
Beside him, matching pace with surprising ease, ran a teenager with silver streaks in his black hair and burning determination in his eyes.
Ren Asura.
A protagonist from another universe entirely.
And both of them were running like the world owed them money.
Demons thundered behind them, their footsteps like exploding landmines.
"Why is your world's test like THIS?!" Ren shouted, voice strained.
"THIS IS NOT MY WORLD'S TEST EITHER!" Jae-min yelled back.
---
— Flashback: 10 Minutes Earlier —
Jae-min crouched beside a broken pillar, scouting for resources. The air tasted metallic; the Havoc Realm felt like a battlefield that had forgotten time.
Then he sensed it.
A presence.
Fast.
Strong.
Not a demon… not a ghost… but human?
He spun just as a blur hurled toward him, blue eyes shining.
Ren Asura launched a long-range strike, forcing Jae-min to twist away.
"What—?! Who are you?!"
Ren didn't answer. He flicked his wrist; arcs of energy shot forward.
Jae-min's daggers sliced them apart with ease, his Phantom attire flowing like shadows.
They clashed again—
Ren fast, aggressive.
Jae-min calm, precise.
Then—
"Stunning Pulse!"
A shockwave of psychic energy burst from Jae-min's hand.
Ren froze mid-step.
"Oh? That worked better than—"
"Stunning Burst!"
Ren used the same ability, but he triggered it too late and missed Jae-min by half a second.
The two stared at each other.
"You have stun too?"
"You have stun too?!"
Before either could say more—
> [SYSTEM ALERT⚠️: Multiple demonic signatures approaching. Estimated arrival: 7 seconds.]
Ren blinked. "Demon what—?"
Jae-min's expression tightened. "We can fight after we survive."
5 seconds.
Ren nodded, gripping his weapon. "Agreed."
3 seconds.
They looked toward the horizon.
1 second.
The ground shook.
Then—
"RUN!" they shouted simultaneously.
And run they did.
---
— Back to Present — Running for Their Lives —
The demons gained ground.
Jae-min's system buzzed.
> [SYSTEM: Host's vitals dropping. Recommend regrouping or evasion.]
Ren threw a glance at him.
"You got any portals or warp skills?"
"I have teleportation but only for short bursts!"
"That'll do!"
Jae-min grabbed Ren's arm.
"Teleport Rift!"
The world shattered like glass—
They reappeared 20 meters ahead, landing in a roll.
The demons roared, furious.
Ren wiped dust off his cheek. "Okay, listen. I'm heading to the River of Crimson."
"The what?"
"It's a core zone. Once you reach it, you can unlock temporary access to Havoc Realm abilities!"
Jae-min grit his teeth. "Why didn't my system tell me that?"
His system coughed.
> [SYSTEM: Host should focus on running instead of asking unnecessary questions.]
"YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT EARLIER!"
> [SYSTEM: The demons are 4 meters behind you. Prioritize survival.]
Ren pushed forward. "We're close. Just keep running!"
Jae-min breathed out, shifting his grip on his daggers.
More demons appeared from the cliffs.
Ren's eyes widened.
"Oh great. Reinforcements."
Jae-min smirked.
"At least your world isn't boring."
Ren laughed breathlessly.
"You kidding? This is normal for me."
Behind them, the earth cracked.
Demonic energy surged.
The chase was far from over.
And the river waited.
---