*in the Hospital*

When I woke up, I felt my whole body being in pain. I couldn't even open my eyes. I felt so weak.

" Powerless, like I'm back in middle school. Before I trained my body and tried to build an easy future for my little sister. Why do I feel like this again? I changed it myself so I don't have to feel like this anymore.

That's right, I remember. I think I was in a car accident or something? Something happened in the air right in front of me and I forgot I was in the middle of the street. But I thought I dodged the car... Guess not.

I think I'm in the hospital. The bed is comfy and I hear many voices outside of my room. Let's try opening my eyes first. God, why is it so fucking light?!

Yep, I'm in the hospital. Flowers on the side of my bed? Was it that serious? I probably just knocked my head on the ground while dodging the stupid driver, my sis didn't have to pick up flowers just for Lil old bro.

Wait, what the hell is this shiny screen right in front of me?! That's why it's so damn light! My vision is all blurred as if I didn’t use my eyes in years. Is there a button somewhere to turn it off? I'm not gonna watch TV the first second I open my eyes, don't want that headache again. Guess I have to call the nurse. And where is that button?... Ah, there it is."

After pushing the button, it took over 5 minutes for a nurse to come knocking at the door.

" Maybe they have a busy day? Should I just sleep some more? I have no idea why my body feels so damn tired. And this shitty screen is reaaaally pissing me off. Who turns on the Tv for a sleeping person anyway? "

*knock knock*

,, Hello, is there a prob…?! Oh god, he woke up?! One moment Mr. I-I'm getting the doctor immediately!"

*step step step*

" Ooookay? She looked young, maybe her first day or something? Why did she freak out so much? Sure, I might be her age and I'm kinda good looking and stuff, but there's no need to overdo it like that. Whatever, I guess I have to wait for the Doc. Why am I so hungry, didn't I just overeat myself like half an hour before I… knocked myself out?"

*knock knock*

,, Good day, Mr. Cho. How do you feel? There's no need to open your eyes yet, please stay relaxed."

,,I…feel weak. "

,, Your state is completely normal for someone who just woke up. There's no need to worry. If you like me too, I will explain the situation while Ms. Lee calls your family. "

,, all…right."

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

According to the Doc, I've been in a coma since I fell down on the street 5 years ago. He said, it happened the day the world changed… Whatever the hell that's supposed to mean.

" Hah, this damn destiny again, deciding my fate. And I couldn’t do anything about it. 5 years. So I'm 25 now? I don't feel like 25. Not at all. You stole 5 years of my life, cruel world. Showing me again, that I got nothing to say at all. God, so I missed 5 years of my Sister growing up. Guess she's 18 now and… hopefully in her last high school year? I really hope all of this is just a nightmare and I'm gonna wake up real soon. But it feels too real for it. What the hell am I supposed to do now, I just came back from compulsory military service…like…5 years ago…"

While in thoughts, I dozed off again. And when I came to, I saw a young girl with tears in her eyes sitting next to me. As soon as she saw me, she wrapped her arms around me as if I'm gonna leave again otherwise.

,, Aera?"

,, Yong-Rae…you really woke up… finally…I…visited you every week."

,, Stop… Lying. You are… way too lazy to do that. And I need to… Breaaathe!"

,, S-sorry… It's just been so long. "

,, What the hell is that supposed to mean, I.. Thought you visited me every week?"

,, Umm, Dad is getting you some food. He's gonna be here soon too. "

" Tzzz, now she's just changing the topic."

,, You've grown so much. But you still look like my little Sister. I'm glad."

,, Little?! I'm basically an adult now!"

,, Sure you are, hehe. By the way, am I 25 now or am I still 20? How does it work? "

,, I guess your body is 25 now and your mind is still 20? We're almost at the same age now haha."

,, Oh god, don't make me fall into a coma again. And please… stop crying… I'm back and I'm not going anywhere. "

,, I know… Still. It's been hard without you. School sucks. Dad works hard to send me to a good university after I finish high school. I’m thinking of repeating the year so he doesn't have to stress himself. Also… The world is much more dangerous than it was 5 years ago. "

,, What do you mean 'more dangerous'? The Doc also said something about it."

My sister then explained to me exactly what I saw before I fell into a coma. What I saw was a Gate. Apparently, since then, all over the world these Gates appear and inside of them are different monsters depending on the rank of the Gate.. And when a Gate isn't cleared within a month after appearing, these monsters come out and kill everything they can find. Guns don't really hurt them, not even tanks can do much against most of them. That's why after the first Gates appeared, many cities were completely annihilated by these creatures. But the Gates are not the only abnormal things that appeared for the past 5 years. There were also people who awakened, meaning they got connected to what they call 'The System'. With it, they can get inhumanly strong and gain skills that are like superpowers. Since then, these awakened Hunters risk their lives for humanity and fight in these Gates That's why many of them are treated like celebrities. They are humanity's only hope against this Invasion. But on rare occasions, the 'hunters' on site aren't strong enough or a gate is discovered too late. That's why when the 'Break alarm' in the city goes off, everyone has to stay in their house for the time being.

" So I guess that shiny screen in front of me is this system? So I'm one of these awakened Hunters? Better not tell her yet or she would just worry. She just got me back."

*knock knock*

,, Yong-Rae… "

,, Dad…"

" I always saw this world as cruel. No matter where I looked, I only saw humans following their own selfish desires. Blindly following the Strong, while knowingly ignoring the Weak. It makes sense, wanting to be on the strong side. On the winning side. That's when I knew. If I want everything, I have to be the strongest. Otherwise, Noone will choose my side and I'll gain nothing, no matter how hard I try. It was an impossible dream, being able to be the strongest and having it all. Beating this cursed destiny that followed me through my entire life and fighting off this whole world.

But now, I might actually be able to. I want power. I want wealth. I want my family to be safe. I want to fear no one and nothing. So my mind will finally stop craving for more.

Now, there are not only humans that are standing in my way, but monsters as well? Threat to my family? Thinking, they are the strongest?

No. I…will take them all on. I…will take it all.

As long as there’s someone more powerful than me, am I truly able to protect what is dearest to me?"