Everyone was sitting on the garden bench when Min-jun arrived home with snacks and a report.
"Hyun,check this report first," Min-jun said casually.
Hyun smiled silently, his face as expressionless as ever.
"Nice,"he muttered, and quietly began peeling an orange.
He finished and handed it to Hae-rin with a faint smile.
Then,without a word, Hyun took off his shirt and joined Ji-hoon for a workout, his muscles tightening under the warm sun.
All across Seoul—in gardens, gyms, and streets—people were busy. After long days in schools, universities, and offices, it was finally a day of rest. Gyms were packed, parks were crowded, and everyone was talking about one thing: the Arena.
Fantasy novel readers were the most excited, joking that this time, they might become the next "main character." Streets glowed with lanterns and festival lights. Around the world, celebrations erupted, for tomorrow was the day the youth would step into their destiny.
The Arena itself was a mystery. In Korea, it was said to be formed from five colossal pillars, connected by invisible threads of light—a world within a world. According to the Angel's prophecy:
"When the pillars awaken, golden light shall fall upon the chosen youth.
They shall receive the Supreme Lord's blessing—a system will open within,
guiding them into the new world."
No one truly knew what lay beyond—game, heaven, or hell—but everyone was ready to face it.
---
At Ji-hoon's house, decorations filled every corner; the place looked like a small palace. Though the previous day's festival had ended, the excitement hadn't faded. Hae-rin and Jin-u were already planning their next outing—food, laughter, and fun before stepping into the unknown.
Min-jun joined Hyun and Ji-hoon for a workout, then rested. As the sun dipped, they decided to go out for dinner, maybe have a few drinks—after all, tomorrow they would enter the Arena.
But every restaurant in Seoul was packed. After hours of searching, they returned home and ordered food and drinks instead. Laughter filled the air; one by one, everyone got drunk—except Ji-hoon and Hyun.
Later,even Hyun dozed off at the table. Ji-hoon quietly helped everyone to their rooms before finally falling asleep himself.
---
Morning came with golden light. Ji-hoon's house, built on the edge of the city, was surrounded by silence—but the air felt charged, alive. After breakfast, everyone trained hard; their bodies were now far stronger after weeks of discipline.
By evening, they stopped. At 5 PM sharp, the entire world turned to their screens—the Angel had appeared again. She floated in white light, her voice echoing across nations. Within minutes, her message was everywhere.
"At 9:30 PM, the Earth shall awaken.
The sacred pillars will rise, and the chosen will be blessed.
Prepare yourselves."
Ji-hoon checked the locks and looked at his friends. They gathered on the terrace, silent but determined, dressed simply as instructed—no luggage, no fear, only anticipation.
The clock struck 9:30.
A global siren echoed.Notifications flashed.
The ground began to tremble.
The air itself seemed to roar—and then,from beneath the Earth's crust, gigantic golden pillars burst forth, splitting the heavens.
Each one glowed brighter than the sun, towering over every skyscraper.
The entire planet lit up like a living star.
People everywhere froze, eyes wide—
as the last pillar rose…
and the world fell silent.
---