"What is ichthyology? Is it just the study of fish?"
"Of course, scientists define it as the study of fish, encompassing their biology, behavior, ecology, and conservation."
"Scientists have only explored about 20% of the ocean, and I want to explore it too and make discoveries."
"Since I was five, my dream has been to become an ichthyologist. I have good grades and have studied hard until today."
"But right now, I can't seem to get a job. This is the last place I'm applying to today; if this doesn't work out, I'll go home." With frustration, he let out a deep sigh and continued his efforts.
In Seoul, South Korea, the streets were bustling with people going about their business, and cars of various makes were passing by, just like any other day in Korea.
Jinwoo Seo, an orphan who had just graduated thanks to a scholarship, had faced a difficult life since he was young. He had applied for several jobs in labs, but they didn't seem to care about his grades and were only looking for experience.
"This is my final destination: Nasal Sea," he thought. Nasal Sea was a company that frequently explored the ocean and needed an ichthyologist.
Jinwoo arrived at their headquarters fully prepared with his CV. He was 170 cm tall, dressed in a black and white office suit. He was handsome and fit because he regularly visited the gym to practice martial arts.
He entered the building and saw a lady sitting at the reception desk.
"Hello, how can I help you?" she asked.
"Hello, my name is Jinwoo. I'm here to apply for a job at Nasal Sea." He was nervous, and sweat began to flow down his temple as he spoke.
The young lady, dressed in corporate attire, gave Jinwoo a scrutinizing stare. "This job is dangerous; you need to constantly explore the ocean. You might get killed by sea animals. Are you sure you want to apply for the job?"
"Yes, please, I'm here to apply!"
"I understand. Can I see your CV?"
Jinwoo handed over his CV, his hands shaking with fear of rejection. He really needed the job—not only for his love of aquatic animals but also for the money.
Exploring the sea and discovering new aquatic species was a perilous task, but he was ready and believed he would survive and succeed in life.
"Hmmm, you're nineteen? You sure don't look your age!" She continued reviewing his CV and inputting his details into a computer right in front of her. "Do you have any experience?"
"No, I do not," Jinwoo admitted. Anger bubbled inside him, but he kept calm and answered all her questions during what felt like a mini-interview.
"Alright, we will give you a call," she said, her gaze meeting Jinwoo's as he braced for her answer.
"I understand. I will be expecting your call."
He strolled outside and checked his wristwatch. It was 3 p.m., and he couldn't apply for any other interviews, so he decided to go home.
As he was walking down the street, an old-looking beggar grabbed his wrist and said, "God, I finally found God."
Jinwoo, taken aback, pushed the old man away. "What are you doing, sir?"
He thought he was about to be robbed; in truth, he had no money.
"God it's me, I have come from the future. You told me to give this to you in the present." The beggar pulled out what seemed to be a small toy trident from his pocket.
'Is this person mentally unstable? What's wrong with this old man?'
Jinwoo was deep in thought, nervously considering if he should call the police.
"I'm going to call the cops if you don't stay away from me."
"Calm down sir!."
The old man threw the trident at Jinwoo's chest, and it remained like a small tattoo permanently engraved on his skin.
Jinwoo tried to wipe it off, but it wouldn't come off. "Aahhh… what did you do?"
The old man sat back down on the street and said, "You will lose everything: your comfort, your illusions, the certainties you thought you had. It all goes to nothing; they will call you wise and praise you for your wisdom, but know this: you know nothing—not out of modesty, because everyone else will claim they are wise. They will build their lives on it but it will crumble soon enough. Do you want control?"
The old beggar's gaze met Jinwoo's. "But maybe the only real power is learning to let go of reality. I don't have the power to teach you anything."
"I can only make you think. I want you to continually ask questions, to hold up a mirror that reflects who you will be based on your actions. Death may be the greatest of all human blessings, and it's also the end of all life. But for you, it shall only be a new beginning. Don't walk through life as a blind fool—be sharp, be wise, be courageous. Lose everything you are now, and when you lose it all, ask yourself: what's left that no one can take? That's when it truly begins"
Jinwoo didn't understand what the old man was talking about. "What do I even have? I have nothing, old man."
The old man smiled and then let out a wild laugh. "Hahahahahaha… My job is complete! It's been 120 years, God, 120 years!" With that, he closed his eyes and took his last breath with a smile.
Jinwoo, unaware that the man was dead, walked past him, muttering, "What's this old man even talking about? What does he know? I've never had anything—no parents, no friends. In fact, it's always the opposite. I end up losing friends and getting betrayed. I won't even talk about girls; I've been betrayed and bullied so many times. I've lost so much, I have nothing to lose right now. If I die, it wouldn't matter."
It was as if God in heaven heard his words about death. Suddenly, a truck, speeding at 90 km/h—well over the speed limit—came barreling toward him.
Boom! The truck collided with him, forcefully knocking him to the other side of the pedestrian roadside.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Jinwoo's vision blurred, and he couldn't hear anything. His face was covered in blood.
"Help him, he's losing blood!"
"Where's the driver? Did you not see the young man? How can you drive at that kind of speed on the streets? You deserve to be arrested!"
"Somebody call 911!"
The trident tattoo on Jinwoo's chest started to glow with a golden energy.
"Damn that old man," he thought as he tried to force himself to stand, but he couldn't feel his legs. "I guess this is it for me."
Slowly, he lost consciousness and died.