The storm had finally settled by the time Sergeant Choi Min-jun and his unit returned to their military outpost. The rescued child lay unconscious under layers of thick blankets, his breathing slow but steady. A medical officer, Captain Han Soo-jin, had already examined him, noting minor frostbite on his fingers and a mild concussion likely caused by the impact of the fall.
Min-jun sat in his office, a cup of steaming coffee untouched on his desk. He was staring at the report they had compiled about the child. A young boy, found in the wreckage of what was clearly a high-end private jet, dressed in designer clothes that were now tattered and burnt. It didn't take much to conclude that this boy was no ordinary civilian.
With the help of the military intelligence team, he had sent a request to the national registry. He expected the search to take days, given how little they knew about the child. But just twelve hours later, he received an urgent call from the authorities.
The boy's identity had been confirmed.
His name was Kang Joon-seo, heir to the Kang Group, one of the wealthiest conglomerates in South Korea. His father, Kang Dong-hyun, was a name known in every powerful circle—a man of immense influence, control, and precision. He had built his empire from the ground up, gaining a reputation as both a ruthless businessman and a fiercely protective father.
But despite all his wealth and power, Kang Dong-hyun had been unable to protect his son from an unknown enemy. Someone had tried to kill Joon-seo.
The Kang Family's Reaction
In a sleek, towering skyscraper in Seoul, the atmosphere inside the Kang family's mansion was tense. Kang Dong-hyun sat in his office, his fingers interlocked, his gaze sharp but unreadable. His eldest daughter, Kang Ji-ae, stood beside him, her hands clenched into fists.
"Twelve hours," she whispered, her voice shaking. "For twelve hours, my little brother was out there, alone—injured, in the cold, with no one to protect him."
Dong-hyun exhaled, his usually composed demeanor faltering. "We were lucky. The military found him before it was too late."
Ji-ae's face was pale, her eyes rimmed with redness from suppressed tears. "How did this happen?" she demanded. "Who attacked his plane? Who wanted him dead?"
"We don't know yet," Dong-hyun admitted. "But whoever it was, they were powerful enough to bypass our security. If they find out he's still alive, they'll try again."
A heavy silence filled the room.
"I won't risk his life again," Dong-hyun finally said, standing up. "I've already given the military an offer. They will take care of him—train him. He needs to learn how to protect himself."
Ji-ae's eyes widened. "You're leaving him there? Father, he's just a child! He needs us."
"And he needs to survive." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "He'll be safe there. With the military, no one will dare make a move. And in time, he'll become someone no one can threaten."
Ji-ae turned away, her shoulders trembling. She knew her father was right, but it didn't make it any easier to accept. Joon-seo had always been a bright, curious boy—so full of life. And now, because of someone's greed or hatred, he had lost everything, even his memories.
Back at the Military Base
Min-jun received the confirmation that the Kang family had agreed to their arrangement. They would pay the military a substantial sum each month, ensuring that Joon-seo would receive both top-tier combat training and a formal education at a nearby school.
He sat back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "This kid doesn't even know who he is," he muttered to himself. "And now he has to live as a soldier before he even learns what it means to be a child."
Joon-seo's Awakening
The boy awoke two days later.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the cold, sterile ceiling of the military infirmary. A woman in uniform stood beside his bed, her expression calm yet filled with concern.
"You're awake," she said softly.
Joon-seo blinked at her. His head ached, his body felt heavy, and his mind… empty.
"Who... am I?" The words felt strange coming from his lips.
Soo-jin sighed, her heart tightening. "Your name is Kang Joon-seo. You were in an accident, but you're safe now."
Joon-seo frowned. "Kang… Joon-seo?"
The name felt foreign, like trying to recall a dream that had already faded. His heart pounded as panic set in.
"I don't remember. I don't know anything!" His voice wavered as he looked around the unfamiliar room.
Soo-jin knelt beside him, placing a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. Your memories might take time to return. But for now, you're here with us, and we will take care of you."
Joon-seo stared at her, searching for answers in her eyes. But there were none. Only an emptiness that stretched beyond what he could comprehend.
New Beginnings
Over the next few weeks, Joon-seo adjusted to life in the military base. The soldiers treated him with quiet respect but maintained strict discipline around him. He was introduced to Sergeant Min-jun, who would oversee his training, and Private Lee Ji-ho, a younger soldier with a friendly demeanor who often checked in on him.
Joon-seo also met Staff Sergeant Kim Tae-joon, a gruff but fair instructor who took charge of his physical training. Tae-joon had little patience for weakness but had a surprising soft spot for the boy, often sneaking him extra food during meal times.
His school life was another challenge. He was enrolled in a nearby academy where he had to interact with children who lived normal lives—lives he could no longer relate to. He was quiet, observant, and struggled to find his place among them.
But deep inside, something stirred. A sense of survival. A need to become stronger.
And even though he had lost his past, one thing was certain.
Joon-seo would never be weak again.
To Be Continued…