Neo-Seoul glowed like a dream that refused to sleep. Neon lights dripped down skyscrapers, air-cars hummed overhead, and holographic billboards played endless videos of idols dancing, smiling, living perfect lives.
People believed the city was alive.
But under that beauty… something darker breathed.
Tonight, that darkness stirred.
---
The Concert Ends
Inside the Aurora Dome, the air vibrated with the roar of thousands of fans chanting a single name:
"AETHER5! AETHER5! AETHER5!"
Backstage, the five girls stood in a messy circle, catching their breath. Sweat dotted their faces, their outfits sparkled under the dim light, and their hearts were still racing from the encore.
To the world, they were idols—pretty, talented, adored.
But among themselves, they knew better.
Rin, their leader, pulled out her in-ear monitor and exhaled slowly. She always tried to stay composed, but even she couldn't ignore the strange tension prickling against her skin.
Something was wrong. She could feel it.
"Good work tonight," she said, her voice warm but steady. "Stay on guard."
Jiyeon, ever dramatic, threw her head back. "Unnie, no! Not tonight. My feet are crying. My makeup is melting. My soul is leaking out—"
Rin raised an eyebrow.
Jiyeon groaned. "Okay, okay. I'll stay alert."
Mika, bouncing as always, slapped her hands together. "If a demon comes right now, I'll kick it back to whatever hole it came from! Even in these heels!"
"You can't even walk in those," Hana murmured calmly, not even looking up.
Mika puffed her cheeks like an offended squirrel.
At the side, Saebin frowned at her holographic tablet. She always became quiet when she was worried.
"Guys… the scanners are picking up unusual energy again."
Jiyeon covered her face with her towel. "We literally just finished performing. Can we have one peaceful night?"
Hana answered with her usual coolness. "Peaceful nights don't choose us."
And Rin? She was already turning toward the exit.
"Let's go."
Because the world never waited for idols to rest.
---
The Signal
Their earpieces buzzed with a familiar voice—calm, controlled, but tense.
"AETHER5, respond."
Chief Yuna.
Rin touched her earpiece. "We're backstage. Confirming rift activity?"
"Confirmed. East side of the Dome. Engage immediately. Civilian risk moderate."
Jiyeon: "Unnie, my eyeliner—"
"Engage immediately," Yuna repeated.
The line cut.
Rin didn't hesitate. "We move."
The five girls exchanged small nods—tired, but determined.
A moment ago, they were idols waving at fans.
Now they were demon hunters stepping into another dangerous night.
---
The Alley
Jiyeon kicked the exit door open a little too dramatically.
Cold air rushed in, carrying the scent of rain and neon-soaked pavement.
The alley was quiet. Too quiet.
Rin closed her eyes for a moment. The faint tingling under her skin grew stronger.
"It's here."
Mika summoned a small flame in her palm. "Come out, come out, wherever you are…"
A low growl answered.
The shadows warped.
The puddles rippled.
And then the air itself split open like breaking glass.
A jagged purple crack hovered in the alley, humming with horrible energy.
A rift.
Saebin's voice shook. "That's… definitely not Class C."
Hana stepped slightly in front of Mika. Protective, but subtle. "Something's coming."
The rift widened—
And the demon crawled out.
All smoke, ash, and burning red eyes. Its voice scraped against the concrete like metal.
Jiyeon grimaced. "Ugh. It sounds like my alarm clock."
---
Battle: AETHER5
Rin's voice cut through the fear.
Calm. Strong. "Formation A-7."
They moved like a single, practiced heartbeat.
Jiyeon dashed forward first, wind curling around her as she swung her fans. A sharp gust struck the demon, pushing it back.
Hana disappeared into the alley's darkness. Shadow chains snapped up from the ground, wrapping around the demon's legs like living ropes.
Saebin tapped her wrist control. Tiny drones flew out, surrounding the demon with pulsing sonic waves that made its body waver painfully.
Mika, wild and fearless, leapt high and landed a flaming kick straight to the demon's jaw. It erupted in a burst of fire and smoke.
"BOOM! That's what I thought!" she shouted proudly.
And then…
Rin stepped forward.
Her hands glowed with warm golden light—soft, gentle, but powerful enough to level a building.
"Clear."
The others pulled back.
Rin released the light.
It streaked across the alley like a falling star and struck the demon in the chest. Its smoky form dissolved into ash, scattering into the night.
The rift behind it shuddered… then sealed shut with a sharp crack.
Silence.
The kind that rang in their ears.
---
Aftermath
Mika dropped to the ground with a dramatic wail. "I am EXHAUSTED. Someone get me a blanket. And a snack. And maybe a massage."
"You don't need a massage," Hana said quietly.
"You do," Jiyeon muttered.
Saebin, normally sarcastic after missions, wasn't saying anything.
When they looked at her, she was staring pale-faced at her tablet.
"Girls… you need to see this."
They gathered around.
On the holographic map of Neo-Seoul—
red dots blinked everywhere.
Rift signals.
Not one.
Not five.
Not ten.
Twenty-three.
All opening at the same time.
Rin felt her heartbeat slow, heavy as stone.
"This shouldn't be possible."
Their earpieces crackled again.
Chief Yuna, for once, sounded afraid.
"AETHER5, Code BLACK. The entire city is under coordinated demon assault. Report to headquarters immediately."
Mika whispered, "Coordinated? By… who?"
Hana gently touched her shoulder and pointed at the sky.
Up in the clouds—
thin glowing cracks began spreading like fractures in glass.
"Not who," she said softly.
"But what."
And for the first time in a long, long while…
Rin felt fear settle in her chest.
This wasn't an attack.
It was a message.
A beginning.
And whatever it was—
it was coming for them.
End of chapter 1
---
Enjoying the journey so far? Stick around for more — your support helps me keep creating! , and If you want to advance, read the next chapter. you can check my
patreon here:
patreon.com/Wynoh
Every little bit of support encourages me to keep creating more chapters!