The Taste of a New World
From above…
Seoul looked like an ocean of light.
Skyscrapers piercing the sky, highways like arteries, a pulse that never rested.
The view gradually descended, passing between the towers, until it settled over a vast district overflowing with life.
Neon signs, mixed aromas, and the noise of countless languages from every direction.
A single district…
yet the whole world within it.
Korean, Arabic, Mexican, Indian, French restaurants—
and among them, an elegant Italian restaurant.
Inside the Italian Restaurant
Jin sat at the table, countless dishes spread before him.
Pizza of various kinds, pasta in different colors and sauces, melting cheese, and appetizing steam rising into the air.
He stared for a few seconds…
then smiled.
Jin (excited):
"…This is dangerous."
He picked up the fork.
Then the knife.
Then—he didn't stop.
Some Time Later
The next scene was completely different.
Jin was slumped in his chair, his body absurdly swollen, like a balloon about to burst.
His face was pale…
his eyes half-closed.
Jin:
"…I admit defeat."
Buurp—
He burped, then slowly pulled out his phone as if preparing for one final battle.
He opened his banking app.
Deposit added: 1,250,000 won
Total balance: 50,000,000 won
He blinked.
Jin:
"…Hmm.
That's good."
Clothing Store
The scene shifted smoothly.
A large mirror.
Bright white lights.
Jin stood before it, wearing modern clothes:
a light coat, a simple shirt, tailored pants, and practical shoes.
He changed, tried, adjusted.
His taste was clear—
calm, refined, without excess.
Saleswoman (admiring):
"You seem to know exactly what suits you."
Jin (simply):
"I like things… that don't get in my way."
He left the store, his appearance different—
but his presence stronger.
It wasn't just learning the language or habits.
It was genuine integration.
He paused on the street, shopping bags in hand, city lights reflecting in his eyes.
Jin (with a faint smile):
"…This world seems nice."
And for the first time…
he said it with a sense of comfort.
Jin's Apartment – Evening
Jin sat on the couch, his body relaxed, a tablet in his hands and a cup of hot coffee on the table.
The scene was simple…
yet unsettlingly normal.
He had adapted.
Truly.
He opened a file.
International Hunters Academy – "Origin"
Description:
The largest and most prestigious academy on Earth.
Only elite individuals and members of distinguished families are accepted.
Location:
Newland City.
Jin paused.
Jin:
"…A city?"
He continued reading.
Newland
A massive city that emerged after the world's restructuring.
Located on an island that surfaced in the sea between Korea and Japan.
Area: 100,000 square kilometers.
A city governed directly by the International Hunters Federation.
It houses offices from most of the world's nations,
with its own independent police and security system.
Jin raised an eyebrow.
Jin:
"An entire island… for an academy?"
He continued.
Comparison
Origin Academy is ranked on equal footing with:
Grand Arcane Academy
(Continent of Astareon – The Great Arcane Empire)
Melissa Academy
(Elvenheim)
An image appeared.
The academy's facade…
a colossal structure, its design blending Victorian architecture with modern art.
Soaring towers, elegant arches, and decorations that conveyed power and authority.
Jin stared at it for a long moment.
Then he smiled.
A genuine smile…
filled with anticipation.
Jin:
"…Looks like it'll be fun."
He closed the device, took a sip of his coffee, and looked out the window at Seoul's lights.
The world was vast.
And the next step… was close.