Yoo had been half-hoping to avoid this encounter. Half-expecting it.
"Ah. The miracle child returns." Han's remaining eye gleamed. "I heard about your void rift sealing. Impressive. Survived something that should have erased you. You're either very skilled or very lucky."
"Probably both." Yoo approached cautiously. "Did you know I'd attempt that when you gave me the core?"
"I suspected. You have that look—people who volunteer for impossible things. Martyrs and heroes. Often the same thing." Han gestured to a crate. "Sit. We should talk."
Yoo sat. Every instinct screamed trap, but curiosity won.
"The favor you owe me," Han said. "I'm ready to collect."
Here it comes.
"What do you want?"
"Information. Simple information." Han leaned forward. "Your pocket dimension. Extras World. How did you acquire it?"
That's... not what I expected.
"It manifested during birth. Emergency situation. I needed to escape danger, and...that it."
"But you didn't create it through training or technique. It simply existed for you."
"Yes."
"Interesting." Han made notes on an ancient tablet. "And its properties? Healing acceleration, spatial storage, what else?"
Yoo hesitated. Revealing Extras World's full capabilities could be dangerous.
But he owed this favor. And Han could probably extract the information forcefully if he wanted.
"Healing eight-point-five times normal rate. Sixty cubic meters storage. I can manifest objects based on memory. Can transport myself and others inside. Time flows normally, but I can manipulate minor physical properties—gravity, temperature, spatial dimensions."
Han's eye widened. "That's... that's not a pocket dimension. That's a personal realm. Do you understand the difference?"
"No."
"Pocket dimensions are borrowed space. Temporary. Unstable. Personal realms are permanent. Tied to your soul. They grow with you. Evolve." Han's voice held something Yoo had never heard from him before—genuine excitement. "You possess ability that Primordial-tier entities spend centuries developing. And you manifested it at birth."
Primordial-tier?
"Confirmed. Akasha Archive analysis: if Extras World is classified as personal realm rather than pocket dimension, its properties align with Primordial King-level abilities. Host possesses endgame-tier skill at Iron 15. Unprecedented."
That explains why I could seal the void rift. I was using Primordial-level spatial manipulation without realizing it.
"Does this information satisfy the favor?" Yoo asked.
"Partially. I have follow-up question: can you bring others into your realm and have them access its properties? Specifically the healing."
Yoo thought about when he'd brought Jae-sung inside during his father's near-death. "Yes. My father healed inside it. But I had to transport him physically."
"Could you open portal and let them enter voluntarily?"
"Maybe? I've never tried."
"Try now. Open portal. Let me examine it."
This feels like terrible idea.
But Yoo owed the favor. He focused. Opened dimensional gap—small one, dinner-plate size—floating between them.
Han approached. Studied the gap with instruments Yoo didn't recognize.
"Fascinating. The dimensional signature is stable. Almost too stable. Like the realm wants to exist." He reached toward the gap—
Yoo panicked. Snapped it closed.
"Sorry. Reflex."
Han laughed. "Wise reflex. Never let unknown entities into your soul-space unguarded." He made final notes. "Thank you. That satisfies my favor. You're free of obligation."
That's it? Just information?
"What will you do with this knowledge?"
"Sell it. Obviously." Han's smile was unsettling. "There are entities who would pay fortune to understand how personal realms manifest naturally. You've just made me very wealthy."
"And put a target on my back."
"You already had target on your back. Multiple factions want you. This just... adds to the pile." Han stood. "But don't worry. I won't reveal your identity. I'll sell the knowledge as theoretical possibility, not confirmed case. Professional courtesy between trader and customer."
He vanished—same spatial teleportation as before.
Yoo sat alone, mind racing.
I just handed information about my greatest ability to someone who'll sell it to the highest bidder.
"Affirmative. However, damage is limited. Han promised anonymity. And knowledge that personal realms can manifest naturally may actually help host—if academy believes it's possible, they'll invest resources in researching method. Could lead to training other spatial users."
That's optimistic.
"Current situation: acceptable risk."
Yoo wasn't convinced. But the favor was paid. Nothing to do now but deal with consequences.
He returned to his quarters, mentally exhausted.
Eight days until next rift closure. Delta-3. Ten meters diameter. Harder than the first.
Better spend that time preparing.
Day 14 — Sparring Session
Yoo faced Seo-yeon in the training yard. Public sparring—other students watching.
He was cleared for combat as of today. His pathways recovered enough for light Gi use. Not full power, but functional.
"No holding back," Seo-yeon said. "I want to see real Iron-rank abilities."
"You'll lose."
"Probably. But I'll learn something."
They bowed. Sergeant Park signaled start.
Seo-yeon attacked immediately—her energy projection technique fully refined now. Lightning bolts fired in rapid succession.
Yoo dodged. His speed was significantly higher than her's. He could process combat at accelerated rate, body responding before conscious thought.
Too easy. She needs challenge.
He activated Bind. Energy threads lashed out—not to restrain her, but to deflect her projectiles. Each lightning bolt was caught mid-air, redirected harmlessly.
"Interesting counter," she grinned. Switched tactics. Charged directly, martial combat.
They exchanged blows. Her technique was cleaner—she'd trained longer in this body. His raw power was higher—Iron versus Bronze, significant gap.
But she was creative. Used environment—kicked dirt, threw training weights, created obstacles, somehow looking like a Child throwing tantrums.
Yoo adapted. Used Energy Sense to track her movements through dust clouds. Used Bind to create tripwires she couldn't see.
Three minutes. They fought to a standstill—Yoo's power versus her technique.
Finally, Sergeant pPark called stop.
"Acceptable. Both of you showed competence." High praise from Park. "Bronze 9 lasting three minutes against Iron 15 is impressive. Iron 15 not completely dominating Bronze 9 is concerning. Yoo—your fundamentals are weak. You rely too much on abilities, not enough on skill."
Fair criticism. Yoo's martial training was limited—he'd spent most time developing spatial manipulation, neglecting physical combat.
After class, Seo-yeon approached. "Thanks for not crushing me immediately."
"You would've learned nothing if I did."
"True. So let's do this weekly. You teach me spatial awareness. I teach you actual fighting technique."
"Would have happened anyways"
I really do need things that Keeps me grounded. Reminds me I'm still partially human.
Day 16 — Pre-Mission Briefing
Yoo stood in familiar briefing room. Same team as before:
Master Yoon (Diamond 53)
Mira (Gold 33)
Jae-sung (Platinum 44)
Two Platinum-rank perimeter guards
Plus new addition: Min-ji (Platinum 43), observing personally.
"Rift Delta-3," Master Yoon began. "Ten meters diameter. Twenty-five percent larger than Delta-7. Expansion rate: three centimeters daily—fifty percent faster. Location: former commercial district, some civilian salvagers in area. Evacuation in progress."
Display showed the rift. It wasn't a joke—larger, more aggressive-looking, edges rippling violently.
"Estimated closure time: forty-five minutes using Yoo's modified technique. Risk assessment: significantly higher than first mission. Probability of erasure during attempt: twenty-one percent."
One in five chance I die. Better than the odds from last time...huh, anyways, Progress?
"Yoo's pathways are recovered but scarred. His efficiency is reduced three-point-four percent permanently. Each subsequent closure will add cumulative damage." Master Yoon looked directly at him. "Medical estimates: maximum fifteen to eighteen closures before permanent disability. Are you certain you want to continue?"
Hmm,
All eyes on Yoo.
He thought about the billions who'd die without sealing. About his father sitting beside him. About Seo-yeon, Mira, Min-jun—everyone trying to survive.
"I'm certain."
Min-ji spoke up: "We've been screening spatial-affinity hunters as you suggested. Found three potential candidates. All Silver-rank minimum. Problem: none have manifested pocket dimensions. Attempting to teach spatial sealing without that foundation may be impossible."
"Let me try anyway. After this mission. If I survive."
"If you survive," Min-ji agreed. "Mission launches tomorrow at dawn. Get rest. You'll need it."
That Night — Final Preparations
Yoo couldn't sleep.
Lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, mind cycling through scenarios.
What if the rift fought harder? What if his technique failed? What if he erased and this time didn't come back?
What if I die tomorrow?
"Probability: 21%. Acceptable risk for mission parameters."
Easy for you to say. You're part of my consciousness. If I die, you die too.
"Affirmative. Which is why I have vested interest in your survival. Recommendation: sleep. Exhaustion increases failure risk."
But sleep wouldn't come.
Finally, Yoo entered Extras World—his sanctuary. His soul-space.
Inside, he'd expanded it further—now seventy cubic meters. Large enough to walk around, think clearly.
He manifested his old apartment one more time. Sat at his desk. Ran fingers over keyboard.
If I die tomorrow, at least I tried. That's all I care about.
That's more than I had in my first life.
Random death in an alley—that was pointless.
This? This means something.
He stayed there until dawn. Preparing mentally. Accepting risk.
When he returned to his body, he was ready.
Time to seal the second void, and prove the first wasn't luck. Twenty-one percent chance of erasure.
Seventy-nine percent chance of success.
I can live with those odds.
He dressed. Met his team. Traveled to the rift.
And faced the void again.