Chapter 1: A Shattered Beginning
Jungkook's breath tore through his throat as he sprinted through the crumbling remains of his world, the sky behind him fracturing into jagged shards. Beside him, Jiho ran in grim silence, his expression hard, determined.
Everything was falling apart — their home, their lives, the very ground beneath their feet — all because of the war Jungkook's father had ignited.
The memory burned vividly in Jungkook's mind:
Jiho's father, enraged by the death of his wife at the king's hands, had provoked a conflict no one could stop. Jungkook's father, the king, had once claimed to save them all from a life of surviving on scraps, only to betray that trust with bloodshed.
Now the world was dying, collapsing into dust behind them.
Hatred boiled quietly inside Jungkook as he ran, stealing glances at Jiho.
A part of him — a dark, savage part — wanted to lash out, to strike Jiho down.
If only Jiho hadn't come to them, hadn't stirred this mess...
But Jungkook clenched his fists, forcing the murderous urge down.
He knew the brutal truth: Jiho was the only one who could open the portal and get them out alive.
Without Jiho, they were dead men.
Ahead, Jiho suddenly shouted, "There!" and threw his hands wide. A swirling portal ripped through the collapsing air.
Without hesitation, they dove through it — just as the ruins of their world shattered behind them.
The human world slammed into them like a physical blow.
Jungkook stumbled forward, blinking under the pale sky.
The air smelled different — cleaner but colder, empty in a way that made his chest ache.
Jiho was already moving, scanning their surroundings with sharp eyes. He spotted a small vendor stand nearby, abandoned at the edge of an alley. Without a word, he sprinted toward it and grabbed what little food he could find: a bruised apple and a stale piece of bread.
He returned and silently offered the food to Jungkook.
Jungkook hesitated, glaring at Jiho's outstretched hand. His pride flared hot — he didn't want Jiho's pity.
But hunger gnawed cruelly at his insides. Gritting his teeth, he snatched the food and ate.
Jiho sat down beside him, watching the unfamiliar world stretch out before them.
"This place..." Jiho said quietly. "It kinda looks like ours."
Jungkook scoffed harshly. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and muttered coldly,
"Of course it does. You've survived on scraps your whole life before my father pulled you rats into the palace."
Jiho's face hardened, anger flashing in his eyes. His fists clenched, but he said nothing.
Not yet.
They had bigger problems now.
Taking a slow breath, Jiho pushed his anger aside.
They needed each other to survive in this world.
"You wanna live?" Jiho said roughly, locking eyes with Jungkook.
"Then you better help me. We need humans. Vulnerable ones. Ones we can manipulate."
Jungkook arched a brow. "Manipulate?"
A cruel grin tugged at Jiho's lips.
"You didn't forget your powers, did you, Your Highness?
Mind manipulation. Influence. Control.
We find some weak ones. We use them.
Simple."
Jungkook leaned back, smirking despite himself.
The old world was gone.
Here, they could rebuild — in their image.
"Fine," Jungkook said, tossing the apple core aside.
"Let's hunt."
And so, in the heart of a strange new world, the two known strangers — bound by betrayal, hatred, and ambition — began their dangerous new reign.