In the boundless expanse of Ortoonis,celestial beings of unfathomable wisdom sculpted the universe, bringing forth three races. Grim reapers, demons and humans.The Grim reapers served as custodian of balance,guiding lost souls and maintaining the cycle of life and death.
The demons,embodiments of chaos,sowing destruction and disrupting harmony. Lastly the humans, fragile and initially powerless, observers in the grand design.
For eons,this equilibrium persisted. However, driven by insatiable hunger. One day,the demons waged war against the Grim reapers, aiming to overthrow the Celestial order. The ensuing conflicts ravaged the cosmos, its tremors threatened Ortoonis itself. The Celestial beings who had never interfered with issues of the lesser beings, finally decided to act
In a decisive act,they forged the Ethereal flow,a pure, untainted mana that divided the realms,severing the connections between reapers, demons and humans. This barrier was intended to restore balance and prevent further cosmic upheaval. The Ethereal flow had an unforeseen consequence-it awakened latent ability with humanity.
However, something unexpected happened. The Ethereal Flow awakened hidden powers in some Humans. Exposure to its energy altered their bodies, allowing them to manipulate Ethereal flow into mana, the same energy used by Grim Reapers and Demons.
Initially, these awakenings were rare,perceived as miracles or curses from the gods.Over generations, humans adapted, developing abilities ranging from enhanced physical attributes to elemental manipulation.
The once powerless race began to evolve into something more formidable. The demons still remained relentless in their pursuit of chaos,discovered methods to fracture the Ethereal flow,creating dimensional fissures-rifts allowing them to invade human realm.Each fissure heralded destruction,with entire cities succumbing to demonic onslaughts.
Humanity faced existential threats, prompting the need for organized defence. To understand and regulate these emerging super-humans,Society developed the fortitude system, measuring an individual's power based on their fortitude percentage(100%-0%). 1 in 100 people develop natural abilities.
80%-100%:Minor abilities with minimal impact in life.
50%-79%:Average power level for a superhuman.
20%-49%:Capable fighters, some serving in special force.
10%-19%:Higher-tier combatants,recognized at national levels.
5%-0%:(''Grade 9''):Pinnacles of power, individuals capable of confronting armies single-handedly.
Even with these warriors, Demons continued their invasions. Humanity built fortress cities and trained superhuman armies to defend themselves. They also discovered Celestial Relics, powerful artifacts which was usually obtained from demons, it was used as an enhancement to their abilities. Despite the advancement, humans remained at a disadvantage.
Meanwhile, the Grim Reapers, once mighty warriors, had suffered heavy losses during the war. Their numbers had dwindled, and their power had greatly weakened. They no longer had the strength to fight directly but still played a role in guiding lost souls and maintaining the cycle of life and death.
Bound by their celestial duties,they continue guiding lost souls and maintaining universal equilibrium,but they lacked the strength to directly intervene in the war like they once did.
Thus, humanity stood at a turning point. Once weak and powerless, they had now become warriors standing against the darkness.
PRESENT DAY,SEOUL,JAPAN.
The city pulsed with life beneath a sky heavy with rain. Its tall buildings stretching high into the sky. Bright lights from billboards and street signs lit up the night, reflecting off the wet roads. Cars moved through the streets, their headlights cutting through the heavy rain, while people hurried past with umbrellas, their footsteps splashing in puddles.
The rain poured nonstop, drumming against windows and rooftops. Water streamed down the sides of buildings, making everything look like a blurry painting of lights and shadows. The city was busy as always, but the storm made it feel colder, heavier.
Away from the towering skyscrapers, in a quiet corner of the city, stood a small hotel. Its old walls were damp from the rain, and the dim glow from its windows gave a weak promise of warmth. Inside Room 106 of the small hotel, Han Ye-rin sat at her desk, staring blankly at her laptop. Her messy orange locks covered her face as she clenched her fists. Tears blurred her vision, but the video playing on the screen was painfully clear.
Her ex-boyfriend, the man she once loved, was kissing her sister at an art gallery.
The video had gone viral, and thousands of people were laughing at her humiliation.
"He was every woman's dream… a top model with powers… but how could they do this to me?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Anger built up inside her. She grabbed a ceramic vase filled with fake flowers and threw it at the door with all her strength. The vase shattered into pieces, and the impact shook the brass "6" on her room number. The 6 flipped upside down, turning Room 106 into Room 109.
Han ye-rin slumped into her chair, a hollow sigh escaping her lips. "I've lost everything. What's the point anymore?"
Meanwhile, a young Grim Reaper hurried through the hotel hallways. He wore a dark cloak that moved even though there was no wind. His white hair peeked out from under his hood, and his bony fingers tightly gripped a gleaming scythe.
This was his first solo mission, and he was determined to succeed.
"Seo Ji-ho, this is your first mission. Prove to them you're not weak," he muttered to himself. The young grim reaper was still arguing with himself,when he noticed something."This energy," as he took in the fresh air,"feels similar to ours," well no matter this isn't my concern right now,"he muttered to himself
His grip tightened around his scythe. I'll make you proud, Mom. A small smile formed on his skeletal face. "Room 109," he whispered, checking the Ethereal parchment in his hand.Time of death:11:45pm,cause: unknown.
He frowned at the details but shrugged. Doesn't matter. A job is a job.
Reaching the door labeled "109,". He phased through the door, eager to complete his task. Inside, Adele was screaming, not in fear, but in frustration at her desktop monitor. "I gave him everything! And he does this with my sister?!" she yelled, slamming her fists against the table. Her voice was hoarse from shouting.
The Grim Reaper watched her in silence for a moment. Humans, he thought. Always so dramatic. Why can't they just die with a little dignity? I guess she's one of the ordinary humans,explains why she can't see me,with a sigh, he stepped forward and materialized before her.His white hair became visible,his skeletal face gleamed in the dim light, his hollow eyes locking onto hers.
"I am the Grim reaper," he announced, his voice grave and final. "It is your time to die."
Han ye-rin froze mid-rant. Her tired eyes scanned the cloaked figure before her. For a moment, she muttered to herself, "I've become so bitter, I'm hallucinating death now. Well, go on then. End it."
The Reaper swung his scythe in a clean arc but nothing happened.
The blade passed through her like smoke.The Reaper stumbled back, his jaw dropping. "WHAT?!"
Han ye-rin blinked, finally realizing this was no hallucination. The figure before her was real. Someone or something,had tried to kill her. She screamed, grabbing onto the edge of her desk for support. Thunder roared outside, drowning out her cries as the room plunged into chaos.
"Are you... are you an actual Grim Reaper?!" she demanded, trembling. "Yes!" he barked, though the confidence in his voice wavered. His mind raced. I can't mess up my first mission. What went wrong? "Bu...but,Grim reapers are nothing more than stories meant to scare children" she screamed,trying to understand the horror before her.
Frantically, he flipped through his copy of the Reaper Rulebook, searching for an explanation. Was she not the right person? Had there been a clerical error? His train of thought was interrupted by a tug on his cloak. He looked down to Han ye-rin's hand gripping the fabric. "Hey! What's the deal?!" she shouted, her voice a mix of fear and anger. "You tried to kill me!"
The Reaper yanked his cloak free, accidentally dropping his scythe in the process. The blade's tip hit a shelf, sending a stack of books tumbling to the floor. Adele watched the commotion with wide eyes, an absurd excitement creeping into her expression. "So... it's true," she murmured. "You are an actual Grim Reaper."
He straightened his posture and cleared his throat, trying to regain control. "Ofcourse I am. And it is your time to die." She crossed her arms, bitterness lacing her voice. "Well, I've already lost everything. So, fine. Get on with it."
The young reaper hesitated. Something wasn't adding up.He knew even if it was the wrong person, he still would have been able to kill her or so he tought. The young reaper stood there thinking, he couldn't go Back without completing the mission not after everything.
Even if he tried to go back,it was too late. Ye-rin had seen him, which was only supposed to happen to those whose time had come. He couldn't just leave without resolving this. His reputation as a Reaper was on the line. A spark of an idea flared in his mind, a desperate, brilliant plan.
The Grim Reaper knew he was in trouble. His superiors would never forgive him for revealing himself to the wrong person.
Han ye-rin crossed her arms, her fear fading as her frustration took over. "Well? What now? Are you going to kill me or not?" The Grim Reaper hesitated. His glowing eyes flickered as an idea began to form. "It seems…" he said slowly, "that you are too… unfulfilled to die just yet." Han ye -rin raised an eyebrow. "What does that even mean?"
The Grim reaper straightened up, regaining some of his composure. "You're bitter. Angry. You've lost everything, haven't you? Death is meant to bring peace, but you… you're far from ready for that." Ye-rin snorted. "No kidding."
He continued, his voice taking on a persuasive tone. "I have a proposal. I will grant you one year, 365 days to help you live your life to the fullest. To seek revenge, redemption.In return, you will die on the 365th day."Ye-rin stared at him, stunned. "You're serious?"
"As serious as Death itself," he replied, extending his bony hand. For a moment, Ye-rin hesitated. Her life was a mess, her heart broken, her future bleak. But the idea of having a second chance, of reclaiming control, even if only for a year, was tempting. "Why would you help me?" she asked cautiously."
The Grim Reaper's glowing eyes met hers. "I am curious I guess. Only the certainty that when the year is up, You will die." She stared at him, her disbelief slowly giving way to intrigue. She had nothing left to lose, and revenge against her ex sounded... appealing. "One year to do whatever I want?"
"Anything your heart desires," he confirmed. She smirked. "Deal." They shook hands. A black mark, swirling like ink, appeared on her wrist, binding the contract. Ye-rin felt a little bit of energy surge into her. The Grim Reaper nodded, his stern expression softening for just a moment. "We are now bound."
The once troubled girl had started relaxing,her eyes now properly scanning the reaper,"I still have my doubts about you tho" she looked at him with displeasure."ohhh and why is that" he replied.Well for starters are grim reapers not suppose to be bald? Pointing at his white hair.
Whats wrong with my hair the reaper screamed gesturing a protective hand over his hair,and yes we do have hair well not in our veil born form anyway, "wait,what does that even" she bellowed. "By the way whats your name she asked." It's Seo...Seo ji-ho. The Grim Reaper replied. " Fine, let's make some hell" said Ye-rin, with a sudden smile on her face