Chapter 1: The Fall
The private jet hummed softly as it cut through the overcast sky. Inside, six-year-old Kang Joon-seo sat in his seat, swinging his legs absently. His father had told him that attending Haneul Academy—a school for South Korea's most elite children—would be an honor. But Joon-seo didn't care about honors. He just wanted to see his father again.
"Young Master, would you like something to drink?" His bodyguard, Captain Park Hyun-woo, knelt beside him, smiling kindly. Hyun-woo had been with the Kang family for as long as Joon-seo could remember. He was like an uncle, always watching over him.
Joon-seo nodded. "Orange juice, please."
But just as Hyun-woo stood up, a sharp beep echoed from the cockpit.
The pilot's voice cracked over the intercom, urgent and tight. "Missile detected—brace for impact!"
The world lurched.
A deafening explosion rocked the jet. Flames burst from the wing, and the aircraft tilted violently. Oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. Joon-seo barely had time to scream before Hyun-woo grabbed him, his strong arms wrapping around the boy as debris rained from above.
"Hyun-woo!" Joon-seo wailed, his small fingers clutching the man's jacket.
The plane was spiraling. There was no time.
Hyun-woo yanked a parachute from the emergency compartment, strapping it onto Joon-seo's tiny frame. His hands trembled—not from fear, but from the unbearable decision he had to make.
"Listen to me, Joon-seo." Hyun-woo knelt, gripping his shoulders. "You're strong. You'll survive this. Just keep breathing."
Tears blurred Joon-seo's vision. "Hyun-woo, no!"
"Live. No matter what."
Before Joon-seo could protest, the cabin door was wrenched open. Freezing air howled into the jet, stinging his skin. Then—
He was falling.
The roar of fire and wind filled his ears. The last thing he saw was Hyun-woo's silhouette disappearing as the jet exploded into flames above him.
Then—
Darkness.