The silence reigned in the cabin, interrupted only by the steady breathing of Rain and Jisoo, deeply asleep. Yoona, sitting by the window, gazed at the forest. Since her training with Rain, her mind had been in turmoil, trying to understand the mysteries of the energies shaping the world around her.
Her phone suddenly vibrated, shattering the stillness of the night. She flinched slightly before picking up the device. The screen displayed a message from Kang Soo Jin.
Kang Soo Jin:
Are you still awake?
Yoona:
Yeah. Can't sleep. Why are you texting me at this hour?
After a brief pause, Kang Soo Jin responded with a message longer than usual.
Kang Soo Jin:
Because I just received news from all over the world, and you need to know what's happening. This information might change your perspective.
Moments later, photos, videos, and documents flooded Yoona's phone. She frowned as she scrolled through the images—deserted villages in Zaharan, mountains in Almeris surrounded by a golden aura, and frozen expanses in Kovalia where white lights illuminated the night sky.
Yoona:
What is all this?
Kang Soo Jin:
The white steles. Unlike the ones that bring corrupted energy, these emit a positive energy, but their impact is just as devastating. Just because something is 'white' doesn't mean it's harmless.
Yoona:
Are you saying these meteorites also cause disasters? I thought they brought benefits…
Kang Soo Jin:
Not always. Their energy is so pure that it disrupts the balance of things. Animals that come into contact with these areas become almost divine, but their bodies can't handle the energy. They end up exploding or vanishing in a burst of light. And humans? Some develop extraordinary abilities, but...
He paused before sending a disturbing video.
The footage showed a woman surrounded by a white halo, levitating above a terrified crowd. She seemed to be preaching incomprehensible words, but her expression betrayed immense pain. Suddenly, her body began to emit a blinding light before dissolving into a rain of blood.
Yoona shivered.
Yoona:
She… she died?
Kang Soo Jin:
Exactly. White energy is just as dangerous as corrupted energy, but in its own way. It's a 'purifying' force, but it consumes everything that isn't in harmony with it.
Yoona ran a trembling hand over her face.
Yoona:
Then what about balance? What's left to keep the world from falling apart?
Kang Soo Jin:
Balance is fragile, but it exists. The black and white steles oppose each other, but they're also complementary. Where there's too much corruption, a white meteorite can neutralize its effects. But if one side dominates completely… then the entire world could be consumed by one form of energy or the other.
Yoona took a deep breath, trying to process these revelations.
Yoona:
And the steles?
Kang Soo Jin:
The steles are beacons. They didn't generate these energies, but they attract them. They are the impact points of the meteorites and amplify their effects. Governments and private factions are after them, but few know what you just learned.
Yoona:
And you? How do you know all this?
Kang Soo Jin:
It's my gift—knowing. While you investigate in the field, I compile information, monitor the movements of the powerful, and decipher their intentions.
Yoona stood up and started pacing, her thoughts swirling.
Yoona:
You know what I'm doing here, but what about you? What's the point of all this if no one is doing anything to stop the chaos?
Kang Soo Jin's response was heavier than usual.
Kang Soo Jin:
You think I'm doing nothing? I'm sharing this information with you because you're one of the few who can act. Every discovery you make, every theory you write, all of it builds a foundation. This isn't a job that will be seen on television, Yoona, but it's necessary.
A silence settled between them before Kang Soo Jin continued:
Kang Soo Jin:
Paranormal events are erupting everywhere. In , an entire city was quarantined after an outbreak linked to a stele. In Drakmar, mercenary factions are fighting over these zones, leading to massacres. Governments are overwhelmed, torn between hiding the truth and exploiting these energies.
Yoona:
And what am I supposed to do about all this? I'm just a forest guide with a bit of telekinesis…
This time, Kang Soo Jin's answer was softer.
Kang Soo Jin:
You're much more than that. You've learned to control corrupted energy. You told me you guided that young boy, Rain. And most importantly, you're in a key territory. You don't have to understand everything right away. But trust me, your role is crucial.
Yoona pressed her phone to her chest, her eyes lifting toward the moon. A flicker of hope was growing within her.
Yoona:
Alright. I'll keep going. But promise me you won't leave me alone.
Kang Soo Jin:
Never.