Nitrian crouched behind the rusted dumpster, his green eyes glowing faintly as he watched the swirling blue gate ahead. The hunters stationed near it were still bickering, their voices rising in frustration as they argued over who would enter first. Their mismatched armor and nervous glances told him everything he needed to know—they weren't ready for this.
("This is a disaster waiting to happen. If they hesitate any longer, we'll have a break on our hands.")
He glanced toward the edge of the crowd, where Joo-Hee stood clutching her schoolbag tightly. Her orange hair caught the flickering light from a nearby streetlamp, and her wide eyes betrayed her unease. She looked so out of place among the gathering of shopkeepers, curious kids, and old men leaning on canes.
Nitrian's lips quirked into a small smile despite himself. ("She's got guts just standing there. Most people would've run by now.") But his amusement was short-lived as he turned his attention back to the gate.
The portal loomed like a living thing, its swirling energy humming with an almost hypnotic pull. Nitrian felt his heart quicken—not with fear, but with anticipation. This was his first gate, and though he'd trained for years, nothing could fully prepare him for stepping into the unknown.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. ("Alright, Nitrian. Time to see what you're made of.")
Activating his Trace Defense, he slipped into the shadows, moving silently toward the gate. The crowd didn't even glance in his direction; their attention was fixed on the hunters' argument.
As he reached the portal's edge, he hesitated for just a moment. The swirling energy seemed almost alive, its light casting eerie patterns on his face. His fingers twitched at his sides as a mix of excitement and nervousness coursed through him.
("No turning back now.") With that thought, he stepped forward.
The sensation was immediate and overwhelming—like plunging into freezing water while being pulled in every direction at once. For a brief moment, Nitrian felt weightless, suspended in the void between worlds. Then his feet hit solid ground, and the world around him snapped into focus.
The dungeon was vast and oppressive, its jagged stone walls stretching high above him like the ribs of some ancient beast. Glowing crystals jutted from the ground and walls, casting an eerie light that illuminated the cavern in shades of blue and purple. The air was thick with mana, so dense it felt like it was pressing against his skin.
Nitrian's breath hitched as he took it all in. ("This… this is incredible.") His dragon instincts stirred within him, reacting to the raw energy saturating the space. He clenched his fists, feeling his scales ripple just beneath his skin.
But awe quickly gave way to focus as he heard distant growls echoing through the cavern. His heart thumped harder—not with fear but with exhilaration.
("Alright… let's do this.")
As he moved deeper into the dungeon, he caught sight of movement up ahead—the three hunters who had entered before him. They were huddled together near a glowing crystal formation, their weapons drawn but their postures tense and uncertain.
Nitrian slowed his steps, staying hidden in the shadows as he observed them.
"Where are they coming from?" one of them whispered harshly, gripping a dented sword tightly.
"I don't know! Just keep your eyes open!" another snapped back, shifting nervously as he scanned their surroundings with an old flashlight.
The third hunter—a burly man with an axe—growled in frustration. "This is why I said we shouldn't take this job! We're not ready for this kind of—"
A low growl interrupted him as two wolf-like creatures emerged from the shadows, their glowing red eyes locked onto the group. The hunters froze for a split second before springing into action—or at least attempting to.
The wolves lunged at them with terrifying speed. The burly hunter swung his axe wildly but missed entirely, while another stumbled backward in panic. The third managed to land a hit with his sword but barely scratched one of the wolves' thick hides.
Nitrian frowned as he watched them struggle. ("They're going to get themselves killed at this rate.")
Before he could think twice about it, Nitrian stepped out of hiding and raised his hand toward one of the wolves. A golden orb of Sunshine Magic flared to life in his palm, illuminating the cavern with its warm glow.
The sudden light drew everyone's attention—hunters and wolves alike—but Nitrian didn't wait for them to react. He hurled the orb at one of the wolves with pinpoint accuracy, striking it directly in its side. The creature howled in pain as it disintegrated into ash under the radiant energy.
The remaining wolf turned toward Nitrian with a snarl but hesitated when it felt his dragon aura flare subtly—a primal warning that sent shivers down its spine. It whimpered once before retreating back into the shadows.
The hunters stared at Nitrian in stunned silence as he dusted off his hands and turned to face them with a smug grin.
"You're welcome," he said casually.
One of them—the man with the sword—finally found his voice. "Who… who are you? And what are you doing here?!"
"Just passing through," Nitrian replied nonchalantly before gesturing toward their weapons. "You might want to work on your aim next time."
The burly hunter scowled but didn't argue as he lowered his axe. "Kid or not… thanks for saving our asses."
Nitrian nodded once before turning away from them without another word. He had no intention of sticking around—they'd only slow him down.
Outside the gate, Joo-Hee stared at the spot where Nitrian had disappeared moments ago. Her heart pounded in her chest as panic began to set in.
"What is he thinking?!" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with frustration and worry.
She glanced around at the crowd and hunters but found no reassurance in their faces. The hunters were still arguing amongst themselves—clearly too scared or inexperienced to act—and no one else seemed willing to step forward.
Joo-Hee bit her lip as indecision warred within her. ("I can't just stand here… but what can I do?") Her grip tightened on her bag as she took a shaky step toward the gate.
Her mind raced with memories of Nitrian's confident smirk and teasing remarks from earlier that day. He always acted like nothing could faze him—like he had everything under control—but she couldn't shake the image of him walking into danger alone.
Before she could second-guess herself any further, Joo-Hee took another step forward—and then another—until she was standing directly in front of the swirling portal.
"This is insane," she muttered under her breath before steeling herself and stepping through.
The transition was disorienting—cold and suffocating all at once—but when she emerged on the other side, her fear was momentarily replaced by awe.
The dungeon stretched out before her like something out of a dream—or a nightmare. The glowing crystals cast strange shadows across the jagged walls, and every sound seemed amplified in the eerie silence.
As she moved deeper into the cavern, she noticed signs of a recent battle—ashes scattered across the ground and the faint scent of burnt fur lingering in the air. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized Nitrian must have already encountered something.
Her gaze quickly found Nitrian up ahead. He moved with surprising grace for someone so small, his black curls bouncing slightly as he crept through the cavern like a shadow.
"Nitrian!" she hissed, running to catch up with him.
He froze at the sound of her voice before spinning around sharply. His green eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in irritation.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered harshly as she approached him.
"I could ask you the same thing!" Joo-Hee shot back, glaring at him despite her trembling hands. "Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"
Nitrian sighed heavily, running a hand through his wild curls. "I know exactly how dangerous it is," he said evenly. "That's why I'm here—to make sure nothing happens."
Joo-Hee crossed her arms stubbornly. "You're just a kid! You can't—"
A guttural roar cut through their argument like a knife, freezing both of them in place. Joo-Hee's eyes widened as she turned toward the source of the sound—a massive beast emerging from deeper within the cavern.
It was easily twice Nitrian's height, its hulking frame covered in jagged black scales that glinted ominously in the crystal light. Its glowing red eyes locked onto them with predatory intent as it let out another ear-splitting roar.
Joo-Hee stumbled back instinctively while Nitrian stepped forward without hesitation.
"Stay behind me," he said firmly without looking back at her.
Joo-Hee opened her mouth to protest but stopped when she saw his expression—calm yet focused, with an intensity that seemed far beyond his years.
Nitrian's heart raced as adrenaline surged through him. His first gate—and already facing down a dungeon boss? He couldn't help but grin despite himself.
("Talk about trial by fire.")
He flexed his fingers as golden light began to gather in his palm—a small orb of Sunshine Magic that grew brighter with each passing second until it illuminated the entire cavern.
The beast lunged at him with terrifying speed for something so large—but Nitrian was faster. He darted to the side just in time to avoid its massive claws before retaliating with a concentrated blast of sunlight aimed at its flank.
The creature howled in pain as its dark flesh sizzled under the radiant energy—but it wasn't done yet. It turned on Nitrian with renewed fury, swiping wildly as it tried to corner him against one of the cavern walls.
Joo-Hee watched from where she'd fallen back against a crystal formation—her fear giving way to awe as she saw Nitrian move like someone who'd been doing this for years rather than minutes.
("How is he doing that?")
Nitrian ducked under another swipe before leaping onto one of the beast's massive arms—and then onto its back—with an agility that left Joo-Hee speechless. He planted another orb of Sunshine Magic directly between its shoulder blades before jumping clear just as it exploded in a burst of golden light.
The beast let out one final roar before collapsing into ash—a pile of smoldering remains scattered across the cavern floor where it had stood moments ago.
Nitrian landed lightly on his feet before turning back toward Joo-Hee with an almost smug grin plastered across his face.
"Told you I've got this," he said casually as if he hadn't just taken down something twice his size single-handedly.
Joo-Hee stared at him for what felt like an eternity before finally shaking her head in disbelief—and maybe just a little bit of admiration too.
"You're insane," she said softly—but there was no mistaking how impressed she sounded beneath her exasperation.
The sun had long dipped below the horizon by the time Nitrian stepped into his neighborhood. The faint hum of streetlights buzzed overhead as he walked toward his apartment building. His clothes were dusty, his curls slightly disheveled, but there was a satisfied grin on his face. The rush of his first gate still lingered in his chest, a fire that refused to die down.
As he approached his apartment, he spotted two familiar figures waiting outside. Jin-Woo leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his dark eyes narrowing slightly when he saw Nitrian. Beside him, Jin-Ah sat on the steps, her pigtails bouncing as she jumped up and ran toward Nitrian.
"Oppa!" she called out, her voice bright and cheerful despite the late hour. She grabbed his arm with both hands, tugging at him with surprising strength for an eight-year-old. "Where were you? You promised we'd play today!"
Nitrian chuckled softly, ruffling her hair with one hand. "Sorry about that, squirt. Something came up."
Jin-Ah puffed out her cheeks in an exaggerated pout. "You always say that! You're just like Woo-oppa—always busy!"
Behind her, Jin-Woo pushed off the wall and walked over, his expression calm but probing. "Something dangerous?" he asked quietly, his tone carrying a weight that made Nitrian pause.
Joo-Hee, who had been following Nitrian quietly, stepped forward now, her eyes fixed on Jin-Woo and Jin-Ah with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Jin-Woo's gaze flickered toward her for a moment before returning to Nitrian.
For a moment, Nitrian considered brushing it off with a joke or a teasing remark. But Jin-Woo's steady gaze made him reconsider. He knew Jin-Woo wasn't just asking out of curiosity—there was genuine concern behind those words.
"Nothing I couldn't handle," Nitrian said finally, keeping his tone light but honest enough to satisfy Jin-Woo's unspoken question.
Jin-Ah tugged at his arm again, her earlier pout replaced with a bright smile. "Does this mean you'll play with me now?"
"Not tonight," Nitrian said gently, crouching down so he was eye-level with her. "But tomorrow? I'm all yours."
Her eyes lit up at that promise, and she nodded enthusiastically before running back to sit on the steps again.
Jin-Woo watched her for a moment before turning back to Nitrian. "Just be careful," Jin-Woo said simply.
Nitrian grinned and gave him a playful nudge on the shoulder. "You worry too much."
Joo-Hee cleared her throat softly, drawing their attention. "I should probably head home," she said, her voice a bit softer than usual.
Nitrian turned to her with a nod. "Yeah, I'll walk you back."
Jin-Woo nodded once before heading back toward their apartment building. Jin-Ah waved goodbye to Joo-Hee, her smile faltering slightly as she watched her leave.
When Nitrian finally stepped into his apartment with Joo-Hee, he was greeted by the familiar aroma of spices and sizzling meat wafting from the kitchen. Norma stood at the stove, her curly hair tied back in a loose bun as she stirred something in a pan.
"Mom! We've got company!" Nitrian called out cheerfully as he kicked off his shoes near the door.
Norma turned around with a warm smile that quickly turned into concern when she saw their dirt-streaked clothes.
"What happened?" she asked sharply.
"Just some… extracurricular activities," Nitrian said evasively.
Norma narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously but decided not to push for now. Instead, she turned to Joo-Hee and smiled warmly.
"You must be Joo-Hee," she said kindly. "Stay for dinner?"
Joo-Hee hesitated for a moment before nodding shyly. "Thank you."
As they sat down to eat, Joo-Hee glanced around the small but cozy apartment. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with an eclectic mix of novels and comics—most of which belonged to Nitrian—and family photos hung above them in mismatched frames.
Norma asked Joo-Hee about her interests and hobbies, and they chatted easily about everything from school to favorite books. Nitrian watched them with a pleased smile, happy to see Joo-Hee relaxing in their home.
The next day after school, Nitrian found himself standing outside Jin-Woo's apartment door with a book tucked under one arm—a pretext for visiting even though he had no real intention of reading it anytime soon. Joo-Hee walked beside him, her orange hair catching the sunlight as she glanced at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"You sure you're okay?" she asked softly, breaking the silence as they approached the door.
Nitrian gave her a playful grin, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "What, worried I didn't make it out in one piece?"
Joo-Hee frowned slightly but didn't rise to his teasing. "You were reckless back there," she said firmly. "I'm still trying to figure out how you did all that."
Nitrian shrugged, his grin widening. "Magic hands," he joked, wiggling his fingers dramatically.
Joo-Hee rolled her eyes but didn't press further. She knew he wasn't going to give her a straight answer—not yet, anyway.
When Jin-Woo's mom opened the door and saw them standing there, she raised an eyebrow at Nitrian before smiling warmly. "Well, this is a surprise," she said, stepping aside to let them in. Her gaze lingered on Joo-Hee for a moment before she added, "And you've brought a friend."
Nitrian nodded casually as he stepped inside. "Joo-Hee was curious about the neighborhood," he said smoothly, shooting Joo-Hee a quick wink that made her blush faintly.
Jin-Woo's mom chuckled softly and gestured for them to sit in the living room. The space was modest but cozy, filled with the scent of freshly brewed tea and neatly arranged family photos on the walls.
As Joo-Hee settled into one of the chairs, Jin-Woo's mom handed Nitrian a small plate of snacks—rice cakes and sliced fruit—and patted his shoulder affectionately. "You're such a polite boy," she said fondly.
Nitrian flashed her an innocent smile while mentally noting how much he enjoyed being praised by adults—a habit he'd carried over from his past life. "Just trying to keep up my reputation," he said playfully.
Joo-Hee watched their interaction quietly, her earlier concern giving way to curiosity as she observed how easily Nitrian charmed people around him. It was almost effortless—the way he slipped into conversations and made others feel at ease.
Jin-Woo entered the room moments later, his dark eyes flicking between Nitrian and Joo-Hee before settling on his mom. "What's going on?" he asked simply.
"Just catching up," Nitrian replied breezily as he popped a rice cake into his mouth. He gestured toward Joo-Hee with his free hand. "Ju-Hee wanted to see how you live—thought I'd show her around."
Jin-Woo raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further. Instead, he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, his gaze steady as he watched them interact.
Joo-Hee shifted slightly in her seat, feeling Jin-Woo's scrutiny but choosing to ignore it for now. She turned her attention back to Jin-Woo's mom, who was asking Nitrian about school and other mundane topics.
After about twenty minutes of light conversation, Joo-Hee stood up and glanced at Nitrian. "We should probably head back," she said softly.
Nitrian nodded and set down his empty plate before turning to Jin-Woo's mom with a grin. "Thanks for the snacks."
She smiled warmly and patted his shoulder again. "Anytime, Nitrian—and you too, Joo-Hee."
As they left the apartment, Joo-Hee glanced at Nitrian thoughtfully. "You're… different around people," she said quietly.
Nitrian tilted his head curiously as they walked down the hallway. "Different how?"
Joo-Hee hesitated for a moment before replying, "You make them feel comfortable—even when you're being cheeky."
Nitrian chuckled softly but didn't respond immediately. Instead, he ruffled her hair lightly as they stepped outside into the cool afternoon air.
"Come on," he said with a grin. "Let's get you home."
The years passed like pages turning in a well-worn book—each one filled with challenges, growth, and quiet victories that shaped Nitrian.
The first few months after entering his first gate were spent refining the basics. Nitrian would sneak out late at night to train in the forest behind his neighborhood, where the towering trees provided both cover and a sense of isolation. The air was cool and damp, carrying the earthy scent of moss and pine as he stood in a small clearing illuminated by moonlight.
Nitrian extended his hand, focusing on the warmth that always seemed to linger in his chest—the spark of Sunshine Magic. A faint golden glow flickered to life above his palm, no bigger than a marble. He stared at it intently, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he willed it to grow.
"Come on… just a little more," he muttered under his breath.
The orb wavered, its light flickering like a candle in the wind before it fizzled out completely. Nitrian let out a frustrated sigh, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.
("It's harder than I thought. During the day, it feels natural—like breathing. But at night… it's like trying to light a fire in a storm.")
He clenched his fists, determination hardening in his chest. ("No excuses. If I can't use this at night, I'm only half as strong as I need to be.")
Nitrian dropped into a crouch and began practicing his physical movements instead. He darted between trees, leaping over roots and ducking under low-hanging branches with practiced ease. His small frame allowed him to move quickly and quietly, but he pushed himself harder with each repetition—faster turns, higher jumps, sharper reactions.
By the time he returned home hours later, his muscles ached and his clothes were damp with sweat. But there was a small smile on his face as he climbed back into bed.
("One step at a time.")
Two years later, Nitrian's training had become more structured—and more intense. He had claimed an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Seoul as his personal training ground. The building was old and crumbling, its walls covered in graffiti and its floors littered with debris. But it was spacious and secluded—perfect for what he needed.
The air inside was stale and heavy as Nitrian stood in the center of the main hall, surrounded by makeshift targets made from old crates and metal scraps. His green eyes glinted with focus as he raised both hands, summoning two orbs of Sunshine Magic. They hovered above his palms like miniature suns, their golden light casting long shadows across the walls.
"Alright," he said to himself, taking a deep breath. "Let's see if I can keep them stable."
He began moving slowly at first—sidestepping around the targets while keeping the orbs steady. Then he picked up speed, darting between obstacles and spinning on his heels as he launched one orb toward a crate. It struck with a burst of light, reducing the wood to splinters.
The second orb wavered slightly as Nitrian turned sharply to face another target. He gritted his teeth, pouring more focus into maintaining its shape before hurling it at an old metal barrel. The impact sent the barrel tumbling across the floor with a deafening clang.
Nitrian exhaled heavily, wiping sweat from his brow as he surveyed the damage.
("Not bad… but not good enough.")
He walked over to one of the remaining crates and placed both hands on it. Closing his eyes, he focused on summoning Dragon Strength. His muscles tensed as black scales rippled across his forearms like liquid metal.
With a sharp inhale, Nitrian lifted the crate effortlessly above his head before slamming it down onto the ground with enough force to crack the concrete beneath it.
A grin spread across his face as he flexed his fingers, watching the scales recede back into his skin.
("Getting there.")
By age 13, Nitrian had begun experimenting with one of the most challenging aspects of his dragon heritage—flight.
He stood in an open field late one evening, far from prying eyes. The stars above twinkled faintly against the dark canvas of the sky as Nitrian stretched out his arms. His shadow stretched long across the grass as leathery wings began to form behind him—dark and sinewy, their edges trembling with potential.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath. "Let's do this."
He crouched low before leaping into the air with all the strength he could muster. The wings beat once—twice—and for a brief moment, Nitrian felt weightless. The ground blurred beneath him as he hovered several feet above it.
But then the wings faltered, their edges dissolving into shadow as gravity pulled him back down. He landed awkwardly on one knee with a grunt of frustration.
"Damn it," he muttered through gritted teeth.
He stood up slowly, brushing dirt off his pants before glancing up at the sky again.
("It's close—I can feel it.")
Nitrian spent hours repeating the process—leaping into the air again and again until every muscle in his body screamed in protest. By dawn, he managed to stay aloft for nearly ten seconds before landing smoothly on both feet.
A triumphant laugh escaped him as he looked down at himself—his clothes torn and dirty but his spirit unbroken.
("I'll master this if it kills me.")
By age 16, Nitrian's training had reached new heights—both literally and figuratively.
He soared through the skies above Seoul late at night when most people were asleep. His wings beat steadily against the cool air as he weaved between buildings with practiced ease. The city lights below twinkled like stars scattered across an endless sea of darkness.
("This… this is freedom.")
But even as he reveled in flight, Nitrian knew there was still work to be done. He landed gracefully on top of an abandoned skyscraper overlooking the city before summoning an orb of Sunshine Magic. Its golden glow illuminated everything around him as he held it steady above his palm.
"Let's push it further," he said aloud to himself.
He split the orb into three smaller ones before sending them spinning around him like planets orbiting a sun. Their trails of light painted intricate patterns across the rooftop as Nitrian moved fluidly between them—ducking under one while catching another mid-flight.
Sweat dripped down his face as he pushed himself harder than ever before—but there was no mistaking the exhilaration in his eyes or the grin on his lips.
("I'm not done yet—not even close.")