In the heart of a bustling city, deep within the fire station, Ashan sat slumped in a chair, his expression blank and distant. His long hair, tousled enough to brush his ears, framed a face marked by sharp blue eyes that hinted at a wisdom beyond his years. Dark circles underscored those eyes, and his muscled frame bore the scars of relentless hard work.
Ashan was twenty-four, a high school graduate born overseas. He had moved to the city with his parents as a child, and as their only son, he had been showered with love and praise. People called him a genius, and he excelled at everything he tried.
But fate had been cruel. A month before his graduation, a car accident claimed both his parents' lives. From then on, survival meant juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet. After his military service, he became a firefighter, a job that paid decently and allowed him a semblance of normalcy. Still, romance held no appeal for him. Life felt dull and pointless. In his free time, he dove into anime and manga, a habit that had become his escape, though even that was losing its spark.
Right now, he stared at his phone with bored eyes. The screen played an epic anime battle in stunning detail: Naruto Uzumaki clashing with Sasuke Uchiha in their ultimate forms. Sasuke's Susanoo loomed like a demonic knight, while Naruto's Kurama mode radiated raw power. It was a masterpiece, the culmination of countless viewings.
Tch...
Ashan paused the video and set the phone aside. He leaned back, raking his fingers through his messy hair.
'How many times have I watched this now? I can't even count. Anime and manga are getting stale, no matter how good they are. What do people my age even do for fun?'
"Hey, A-san, back to those anime again? You're a pro at wasting time, you know."
Ashan turned with a wry smile. Kilsoo, his face scarred from old battles, approached carrying a firefighter's kit.
"Kilsoo, seriously? It's been years, and you still butcher my name like that."
Kilsoo playfully bumped Ashan's shoulder. "Hey, it's not my fault your name's weird. A-san rolls off the tongue better than Ashan, right?"
Kilsoo's grin faded as something clicked in his mind. "Oh, wasn't yesterday the anniversary of your parents' death? Sorry I couldn't join you—I was visiting mine."
Ashan managed a small smile. "It's fine. You haven't seen them in ages. How are they?"
Kilsoo sighed, eyes closing in exasperation. "They keep asking if I've got a girlfriend yet."
Ashan clutched his temples, laughing. "Same old story, huh? You'll hear it until you settle down. Are you gonna die a virgin? Just get married already."
Kilsoo shot back, "Look who's talking. You're one too. At least I've had a fling. What about you?"
Ashan scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm not ready for that. Besides, who'd want me?"
Kilsoo stared in disbelief. "What are you on about? You're better-looking than me, fit, with a solid job. Heck, I've seen a girl eyeing you."
Ashan blinked in surprise. "Who?"
"You're clueless, aren't you? Na-ra, our senior's daughter. She's a catch."
"Her? She's nice, sure, but I doubt she likes me. And what do you mean by 'catch'?"
Kilsoo smirked, his expression turning mischievous. "What else? Those curves of hers—huge, you know? What cup size? Just thinking about it gets me going."
Ashan flushed red. "You perv. What's so great about big breasts anyway?"
"Why ask? I'd suck on them all day if I could, Nonstop."
Ashan's face burned hotter. "Shut up! Someone might hear—"
Beeeeeep....
The alarm blared through the station. A fire. Everyone scrambled, gearing up and rushing out. The blaze engulfed a massive building, flames licking at every surface.
"Damn it. This is not going to be easy."
Ashan and the team battled the inferno outside while Kilsoo and others ventured in to rescue survivors. Soon, firefighters emerged with a few people—but Kilsoo wasn't among them.
Ashan's heart sank. He bolted toward the entrance. "Where's Kilsoo?"
A colleague, panting, replied, "He went upstairs for a girl. Not sure what happened."
Ashan gritted his teeth and charged in, ignoring the warnings. His instincts screamed danger, a crushing worry for his only friend.
The fire raged, visibility zero. He raced upstairs, shouting, "Kilsoo!"
"I'm here."
Ashan spun around. Kilsoo staggered out, carrying a teenage girl, his body battered and bleeding.
Ashan took the girl. "Kilsoo, let's get out. Together."
"No, take her and go. I'll follow."
"I'm not leaving without you."
"You stubborn punk—"
Ashan grabbed Kilsoo with his free arm and bolted for the exit. They reached a wooden floor, stepping carefully toward the next room.
Crack...
Their hearts stopped. The floor groaned, ready to give.
Kilsoo turned to warn him, but Ashan acted first. He shoved Kilsoo and the girl to safety.
CRACK...
The wood shattered beneath him. Ashan plummeted to the fiery ground floor below.
"Fuck..."
Pain exploded through his body—bones snapping, vision blurring. No escape. As death closed in, he smiled faintly.
At least I won't burn to ash.
.....
[Ding!]
{Analyzing the host}
{Registering the host}
{Host's Information}
[Name - Ashan]
[Gender - Male]
[Age - 24]
[Strength - 8]
[Stamina - 7]
[Endurance - 6]
[Agility - 6]
[Willpower - 40]
[Intelligence - 70]
[Sense - 30]
[Current Status - Soul]
[System Points - 1000]
{Searching for a suitable body for the host}
....
{One body found}
{Search complete}
{Matching the body and the host started}
10%
20%
...
90%
100%
{Successfully combined}