Chapter Text
Chapter 1: It Ends and It Begins
The battlefield was chaos .
The once-proud Jeju Island had become an unrecognizable wasteland, its ground torn asunder, its skies choked with dust and blood. The air hummed with malice, thick with the scent of death.
And in the centre of it all—two kings faced each other.
Jin-woo stood tall, his black attire gleaming under the dying fires of battle that flickered in the dim cave, his eyes burning cerulean with an unshakable resolve, pinned to the figure in front of him. He exhaled, his energy swirled around him, pulsing like a living mass, the shadows at his feet writhing in anticipation.
He narrowed his eyes. He could sense Goto Ryuji's mana pouring from the beast, speaking to his fate.
A shame.
Across from him, the Ant King—a grotesque monstrosity of chitin and muscle—rose from the crumbling remains of his army. His mandibles clicked together in a wicked grin, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
“You …” The Ant King’s voice was a guttural rasp, his monstrous frame twitching in excitement. “ You are different from the others.”
Jin-woo’s gaze remained cold, unyielding. He had heard this spiel before, it was getting a little old.
“And you…talk too much for an insect.”
The Ant’s grin twitched. Then, he lunged.
The world blurred.
Jin-woo tilted his head casually as a claw, the size of a car, ripped through the air where he had been standing a second ago. The sheer force of the swing split the ground, sending debris flying in all directions. But before the Ant King could react—
Jin-woo was already behind him.
A single mana-infused punch slammed into the creature’s chest, sending shockwaves rippling through its massive frame. The Ant King’s entire body lurched forward, skidding across the battlefield as its feet carved deep trenches into the earth.
The beast stumbled, turning with a snarl—only for Jin-woo to appear right in front of him again.
BOOM!
Another devastating blow, this time to the Ant King’s side, sending him flying into the remains of jagged debris. The impact shattered the rock into dust.
Jin-woo’s form flickered, stepping out of the void itself, completely unharmed, looking vaguely amused, eyes flashing in the dark.
The Ant King roared, wings flaring, eyes glowing crimson with primal fury, his mind racing with confusion. His body trembled, his muscles bulging grotesquely as he released a pulse of mana so dense it warped the air around him.
“I AM THE KING!! ” The Ant King bellowed, voice shaking the very island. “ I WILL NOT LOSE!”
Jin-woo exhaled.
A mix of mana and writhing shadows coiled around Jin-woo’s hands, solidifying into two blades that fell perfectly into his grip. The very air shuddered as they came into existence, their edges humming with power. Jin-woo rolled his shoulders, the weight of the weapons fitting like glove, an extension of himself.
His fingers curled. The shadows at his feet exploded outward, swallowing the battlefield whole.
“Let’s get this done.” he murmured.
The Ant King charged.
Jin-woo moved.
The battlefield was eerily silent.
The last echoes of the Ant King’s final, desperate shriek had faded into nothingness, leaving only the whisper of rolling dust and the rustling of the corpses scattered across the ruins of battle. The once-mighty horde of Jeju Island lay in tatters, their monstrous forms dissolving into the blood-soaked ground.
The scent of blood and ash still lingered thick in the air, but most of the war was over. Jeju Island was now nothing more than a graveyard for the fallen. The corpses of ants scattered around, their monstrous bodies destroyed by Jin-woo's shadows, left to rot in the wake of their king's death.
And yet...
From the darkness, one shadow still stirred.
Restless.
Jin-woo stood atop the lifeless husk of the Ant King, his form casting an imposing silhouette against the smouldering remains of the battlefield. The weight of victory settled over him—but there was little relief. His mind flashed to the headless body of Min Byung-Gyu, whose shadow he had sent back to the abyss.
Many had died. Too much was lost.
But...he had one thing to gain.
He raised a single hand. Shadows coiled around his fingertips, writhing like living entities, reaching towards the corpse beneath him.
Then, his voice rang through the air - deep, commanding and absolute.
“Arise.”
A tremor shook the air. A pulse of unearthly energy rippled outward, consuming the corpse of the Ant King in a sea of shadows. The monstrous body convulsed violently, its exoskeleton cracking as an eerie dark mist rose from its form as if the abyss itself had claimed it.
And then—it rose.
The once-dead chitin began to shift and reform, twitching as if breathing for the first time. Its mandibles clicking in sharp succession, its body shuddering as if gasping for breath it no longer needed. From the darkness, two glowing, pale blue eyes snapped open.
The reborn beast slowly lifted its head, mandibles clicking, its monstrous form now clad in the same hue as Jin-woo’s other shadows. The remnants of its former self had been stripped away, replaced by something else—a being forged in the depths of Jin-woo’s dominion. Gone was the mindless hunger of the beast it once was.
It knelt.
A sharp chittering sound escaped the reanimated, not of defiance, but devotion.
Jin-woo watched, his expression unreadable.
Loyalty.
That was the first thing he sensed. The way the ant lowered its head so willingly, submitting without question.
Jin-woo exhaled softly. 'Looks like the unconditional loyalty my other shadows show me applies to this guy as well.'.
He looked down at the creature that had once threatened to devour everything. Now, it was merely another soldier under his rule.
But this one… this one was different.
- [?? LV.1] -
- [RANK: GENERAL] -
The aura emanating from the reborn Ant King was powerful—far greater than any shadow before it. Jin-woo could feel the depth of his potential, its raw hunger to serve.
Jin-woo hummed, turning away with thoughts of extracting more shadows.
“My King...”
Jin-woo paused.
The creature hesitated for only a second before bowing its massive frame even lower, one large claw resting across its chest, the resonance of its voice filled with something akin to reverence.
“This humble servant… has no name, Master. Please… grant me one.”
Jin-woo tilted his head slightly, "How can you speak?"
He watched as its mandible clicked together in a precise, almost thoughtful rhythm.
"...I always...could."
Jin-woo's mind raced.
'Always?'
He had created countless shadows before up to this point- human hunters, powerful beasts and high-ranking monsters- yet none of them had spoken after their rebirth. Even those who had once been people, like Iron or Min Byung-Gyu, had been reduced to silence the moment they had joined with his shadow. So why...?
'His rank...?'
A realisation settled over him. Maybe his other soldiers would gain the ability to speak once they reach a higher rank. It made sense. Even in death, he had been one of the strongest monsters Jin-woo had ever faced. His power, his intelligence- they were almost unmatched. So now, as a shadow, he had retained something others had not.
Jin-woo studied him carefully. "I was the one who killed you," he stated bluntly, his gaze piercing. "Do you still wish to follow my lead?"
The shadow lifted its head slightly, glowing eyes unwavering.
"I...was not killed by you."
Jin-woo raised a brow.
Its mandibles clicked in something that almost resembled amusement.
"Rather...it was through your powers...that I was reborn, Master."
Jin-woo blinked. He- hadn't expected that answer. He watched as the shadow's massive frame trembled - and to his surprise, its voice softened.
"Happiness...overflows within me."
Jin-woo was a little...lost for words. He had taken everything from this creature. Stripped it of its former existence. Reduced it to nothing more than a soldier in his army. And yet it looked upon him with...gratitude.
So this is the devotion of a shadow.
"My King...Please bestow upon me...a name."
Jin-woo stared for a moment. He tapped his fingers against his arm in thought. Then something flickered in his eyes—a moment of recognition.
“… Beru .”
Yeah. That worked.
"Your name is Beru."
The name fell from his lips, and power surged through the newly named general. The moment the word was spoken, Beru shuddered, his massive form trembling as the name solidified his existence. His mandibles clicked furiously, his entire being exuding elation.
“Beru… Beru… this humble servant is now Beru. ” he chittered, his glee almost unsettling in contrast to the monstrous form he bore. His head lifted, glowing eyes gleaming with utter devotion and awe, “ Thank you, My King.”
Jin-woo shot the ant an exasperated glance, deadpanned at Beru's behaviour. This one seemed a little…too eager, huh?
Talk about forgive and forget.
“...Then serve me well, Beru.”
Beru immediately bowed so deeply that his head practically smashed into the ground.
“Yes, My King!”
Jin-woo felt sweat trail down his head. Shaking his head, he turned and surveyed the battlefield, his glowing gaze narrowing in focus. He could sense a decent amount left from the Ant horde buzzing around outside— and they were heading straight for the hunters waiting on ships as standby.
Ah, he guesses he might as well get to work-
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.
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Something… shifted .
A subtle flicker of unease coursed through Jin-woo’s body. It was so brief, so insignificant that any lesser hunter would have ignored it.
But Jin-woo wasn’t any hunter.
His gaze flickered to the distance, then he closed his eyes and felt through his domain for the shadows that remained tethered to the people he cared for.
They were all still there.
Still active. Undisturbed.
And yet…
For a fraction of a second, something had felt off. A distortion. A disruption. Then… nothing. As if the feeling had been snuffed out entirely before it could even fully form.
Jin-woo’s fingers twitched at his side.
Something about it… bothered him.
His mother and Jin-ah should be perfectly safe. He had ensured it himself. He had left his shadows in place, woven through every corner of their home. Nothing should have been able to bypass them.
And yet, that sensation…
This feeling.
His jaw clenched slightly.
It was probably nothing. Just the lingering paranoia of a battlefield.
But…
.
.
.
Jin-woo exhaled sharply. Just in case.
His gaze sharpened.
“Beru.”
The newly named General snapped to attention, his shadowy exoskeleton shifting eagerly as he awaited his King’s command.
Jin-woo tilted his head toward the exit of the cave. There were probably thousands of ants left, but he was more than sure he could handle it.
“Clean up.”
Beru shuddered with delight at the order.
“As you command, Master.”
And then—he vanished.
A blur of shadow and death.
Jin-woo's mind raced. Unease was still settled in his chest, but his Shadow Exchange was still on cooldown. His finger twitched.
At best, he could summon Kaisel, it would be quicker than relying on regular transport.
Jin-woo breathed a deep sigh, closing his eyes.
“…I'm sure it's nothing.”
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.
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A hush fell over a small apartment located in the outskirts of Seoul, broken only by the muted hum of distant traffic. Jin-ah sat curled up on the couch, purple hair pinned back but a soft pink band, staring at her phone with wide, anxious eyes. She’d heard news about the Jeju Island raid—everyone in Korea had—and her older brother, Jin-woo, was dominating the battle against the terrifying beasts. It was pretty epic, she could barely tear her eyes away.
Still, worry gnawed at her, absently nibbling at her bottom lip. What if something happened to him?
In the adjacent room, her mother tidied the kitchen table for the third time that evening, glancing at the clock as though willing Jin-woo to walk through the door at any moment. She was unaware of where he had run off to; and she couldn’t help but worry for him.
A heavy knock shattered the silence.
Jin-ah’s mother looked up, startled. “Were…you expecting anyone, Jin-ah?” she asked, already moving toward the door, a hint of hope underlining her soft tone.
Jin-ah shook her head, eyes straying away from her screen to stare at her mother, brows furrowed. “No…”
Kyung-Hye blinked before wiping her hands on her apron with a sigh "Maybe it's the landlord...or a package?", a small smile crept onto her face. “Ah. It’s probably Jin-woo, and he forgot his keys?”
BANG.
They both jumped. The second knock was harder. Heavier. Slow, and yet somehow impatient. A chill snaked down Jin-ah’s spine.
Something…felt wrong.
That...wasn’t her brother. Jin-ah’s eyes darted to the screen in front of her, displaying the shakily streamed footage of the raid still playing. Her brother was there-fighting, winning.
So...who was at the door?
“That’s- I don’t think that’s him, Mom.”
Kyung-Hye frowned, a heavy, twisted feeling writhing in her chest as no more knocks followed. She glanced at her daughter briefly, steadying her shoulders.
“Stay here,” her mother instructed firmly, her voice tense, but Jin-ah could see her hands tremble. She disappeared around the corner into the hallway.
Jin-ah’s phone screen glowed in her hands, the live feed of Jeju Island flickering. She tried to refocus on the battle—on the monstrous ants and the hunters and the shadow monsters locked in deadly combat—on Jin-woo, but her heart pounded with a growing sense of dread, like a snake was slithering relentlessly under her skin.
She heard the door creak open. Jin-ah strained her ears, hands gripping her sweater.
"Ah...may I help you?" Her mother's voice floated back softly.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Too long.
Too quiet.
Jin-ah's skin prickled.
She pushed herself off the couch, heart hammering, and she crept towards the hallway, feet silent against the floor. She reached the corner and slowly peeked her head around, squinting her eyes.
At first, she only saw her mother's back, her posture tense. But as her gaze shifted-
Her breath hitched.
A man stood in the doorway.
Tall. Broad. Imposing. The dim light of the apartment barely touched him, his form partially swallowed by shadow.
Jin-ah could barely make out his face, but she could feel something- something cold and awful bleeding from him.
Kyung-Hye, oblivious to the tension gripping the air, forced a polite smile. "Sir? I'm sorry, are you looking for someone?"
He said nothing.
Jin-ah felt her heart start to race.
Her mother shifted, her nerves beginning to show. "Sir..? Please, can I help you?"
A smirk slowly graced his face, his gaze flickering past her mother - locking directly onto Jin-ah.
She froze.
Something in his gaze shifted.
Those eyes. Eyes that gleamed with pure malevolence—he radiated a menace that stole her breath and made her entire body tremble.
He turned slowly, eyes remaining locked onto Jin-ah. A cruel smile curved his lips, eyes glowing in utter glee.
Her body screamed at her to move, to run, to scream for her mother to slam the door-
But she couldn't.
Her legs wouldn't move.
Her voice wouldn't work.
“You must be Jin-woo’s sister,” he drawled, letting the words hang in the air.
Jin-ah's stomach dropped through the floor.
Her mother barely had the time to react before-
BANG.
The door slammed open, crashing into the wall.
Kyung-Hye stumbled back with a gasp as the man moved into the hall, face split into a wicked grin. She snapped her head in her direction, mouth moving to form her name, reaching her hand out- legs fumbling to move towards her-
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C R A C K
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Huh?
.
.
.
"...Mom?"
A body hit the floor with a sickening thud.
.
.
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H u h ?
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.
Blood was pooling beneath the body's head.
She couldn't breath.
She couldn't move.
She couldn't look away.
The man nudged her mother’s limp body with the tip of his shoe. “Hm. This was your mother, huh? She got in my way…” he remarked casually, as though it were a trivial inconvenience, scoffing under his breath as he shook his hand from the force it used.
Jin-ah’s eyes filled with tears. That was-
Her mother.
She rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside her mother, pressing trembling fingers to the leaking wound, hand's moving everywhere and nowhere, “M-Mom! Mom, please—”
A snort of derision came from the man. “Oh, how disgustingly touching.”
Jin-ah glared up at him, fear mixing with fury. “You- Who are you!? Why would you-”
His dark eyes flicked toward her. Something about him tugged at her memory—a face she’d glimpsed in passing news stories, perhaps?
He tilted his head, a smirk forming as he shrugged. “'s simple. Sung Jin-woo took my brother from me. So it’s only fair I repay the favour, no? Don’t take it personal, sweetheart, this is just hunters business. ”
The words rattled in Jin-ah’s mind, slowly clicking into place. This was…Hwang… Dong-soo? She’d heard his name in hushed conversations, seen fleeting images in the news. An American hunter of Korean descent, running off at the first chance to the United States. Ruthless and merciless.
An S-rank hunter.
She felt her blood run cold.
“No…he wouldn’t .” Her voice cracked. “Y-You can’t —”
Hwang lunged without warning, grabbing Jin-ah by the arm. She fought back, nails clawing at his wrist, but he barely flinched. With a savage jerk, he hurled her down the hallway.
She hit the floor hard, pain lancing through her shoulder. Ignoring it, she scrambled onto her hands and knees, tears streaming down her face. Her mother lay just a few feet away, still unresponsive. Was she even breathing?
“M-mom?… Oh God …”
But Hwang was faster. He stepped on Jin-ah’s ankle, grinding her into the floor with a bored huff. A scream tore from her throat, spit and drool leaking out her gaping mouth.
“Pathetic,” he spat, sneering down at her, “Is this the best you can do? Isn’t your brother Korea’s new precious golden hunter? At least put up a decent fight, make this worth my fucking while. ”
Jin-ah’s vision blurred with tears and agony. She twisted, kicking out with her free leg. By sheer luck, her foot connected with his shin, and he grunted in slight annoyance. She took the momentary distraction to drag herself forward with her arms, fingertips brushing her mother’s arm.
“ Mom , please, please wake up ,” she begged, sputtering out words in desperation, voice cracking. “W-we have to— A-ARGHH!! ”
A brutal kick slammed into her side. She cried out, the impact leaving her gasping for air, her ribs shattering with ease under the brute force. The room spun, and a wave of nausea hit as she turned her head and emptied her stomach, eyes wide and bloodshot.
Hwang crouched beside her, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking her head back. Jin-ah’s cry was strangled by the pain radiating from her scalp.
Each breath was agonising.
He leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. “You know, I’m disappointed. I thought you would at least be some fun .” A low, humourless laugh rumbled from his chest. “It's a pity." Hwang sighed with a tsk, shaking his head, "You're really not worth killing. But hey..."
His smirk widened as he stared deep into her bloodshot eyes.
"An eye for an eye."
Jin-ah’s tears blurred her vision.
Jin-woo…
“Y-you—you monster —”
Hwang hummed non committedly, slamming her head against the floor, leaving behind a sizable dent. Dazed, she could've sworn she heard her mother moan, something that might’ve been her name; but it was faint—maybe it was her imagination but-
A surge of desperation lent Jin-ah strength. She wasn’t Jin-woo, she never had to fight before. Jin-woo was always there for her. He always protected her no matter what.
But…
He wasn’t coming this time
...Was he?
Jin-ah lashed out with her arm, trying to shove him away. Hwang caught her wrist mid-swing.
S N A P
The sickening sound of bone breaking reverberated through her body. White-hot pain exploded in her arm, and her broken scream tore the air. She instinctively curled up, clutching her shattered wrist as she wailed.
Hwang’s eyes shone with sadistic glee, cackling as if her pain was music to his ears. “Yes, scream little girl. Let your brother know—while he’s out playing hero —that he’s nothing more than a failure. ”
Jin-ah sobbed, pressing her forehead to the floor. “ O-oppa …” she whimpered, voice quivering with heartbreak. She didn't want to die. But…
“ I’m sorry …”
She could still see her mother, unmoving, blood pooling around her head. Her mother’s eyes were half-open, unfocused, lips parted as if trying to form words.
Hwang rose to his feet, towering over both of them with a yawn. “Well, this got boring real quick. Let’s finish this, shall we? I have a flight to catch.” He grinned, stretching his arms over his head.
He lifted his foot, aiming for Jin-ah’s skull.
“Any last words?”
She braced herself, tears streaming, eyes fixed on her mother’s still form. This-
This is it, isn’t it.
She saw…flashes. Flashes of a life well lived…and a life she would never get to have.
And strangely. Her mind fell back to a few months ago. On a random day.
School had been a little hard that day.
Jin-woo had bought food. No real reason but...it made her happy.
She had been so excited to eat fried chicken.
It had tasted…
Dong-soo shifted his weight.
Really good.
Warm.
Crispy.
“J-Jin-woo.”
She never did thank him… did she?
The blow fell.
Then darkness.