The clock blinked.
04:01 AM.
The entire city of Seoul slept peacefully.
Except for one man.
---
Kang Woo stood in the living room
Arms folded.
Eyes calm.
Aura faintly trembling with anticipation.
> "Sun's already peeking. Time to start."
He stepped into Ji Hoon's room.
The boy was curled up, snoring softly, hugging a pillow like it owed him money.
> "Get up."
No response.
Kang Woo tapped his forehead lightly.
> Thwack.
"GAAAH—!!"
Then he moved to Min Seo's room. The girl had a blanket fortress. Eye mask on. Earplugs in.
He tore off the blanket like an executioner.
> "Rise and train, soldier."
> "MMmhhh it's 4 AM—!"
---
Ten Minutes Later
Both kids were dragged outside by the collars of their shirts.
Ji Hoon stumbled with one sock on.
Min Seo still had her toothbrush in her mouth.
> "Where are we even going?!"
> "Why is it cold?!"
Kang Woo didn't answer.
He marched like a general, dragging his half-asleep children behind him through the still streets… until they reached a quiet, empty public park.
---
The Training Begins
Kang Woo cracked his knuckles.
> "This is your battlefield."
Min Seo blinked at the swings and dog walkers.
> "...A park?"
> "Don't be fooled by the grass." Kang Woo said seriously. "This is where warriors are forged."
He drew a line in the dirt with his foot.
> "Starting now, you're in Murim Hell Camp."
Ji Hoon raised a hand weakly.
> "Dad… what's Murim Hell Camp—?"
> "Push-ups. 100."
> "Huh?!"
> "For every complaint, +20."
> "THAT'S UNFAIR—"
> "+40."
> "AHHH—!"
---
Morning in the Park
Joggers passed by slowly as the sun rose, watching in confusion.
A teenager face-planted doing squats.
A girl screamed as she tried to hold a horse stance.
An angry man in slippers shouted about Qi flow and breathing posture.
Min Seo panted:
> "We're… gonna die…"
Kang Woo smiled like a proud coach.
> "You've only passed the warm-up."
Both:
> "WHAT?!"
Min Seo collapsed face-first onto the grass, gasping.
Ji Hoon was flat on his back, arms twitching like noodles.
They were both drenched in sweat. Muscles burning. Faces pale.
The morning sun wasn't even fully up yet.
> "Dad… we're gonna die…"
Kang Woo stood above them, completely calm.
> "You've survived worse."
Min Seo coughed.
> "No, we haven't! You survived 1000 years in Murim! I've barely survived math class!"
Kang Woo crouched beside Ji Hoon and poked his ribs.
> "Still breathing. Get up."
> "Dead… I'm dead…"
---
The Breathing Drill
Kang Woo finally gave them a break—but not really.
He pulled out two smooth, flat stones and handed them over.
> "Put these on your stomachs."
> "Huh?"
> "Qi Breathing Exercise. If the stones fall, start over."
They lay down, exhausted. Stones placed gently over their navels.
> "Now, breathe from your dantian. Feel the flow below the bellybutton. Inhale through the nose, exhale slowly. Focus."
Min Seo muttered:
> "This better awaken my third eye or something…"
Kang Woo ignored her.
His voice suddenly turned serious. Lower. Firm.
> "Qi is not just energy. It's intent. Discipline. Control. You don't command it with shouting. You invite it with stillness."
> "Get this wrong, and you'll never pass even the first stage."
---
A Shift in the Air
As they lay there trying to steady their breath, something strange happened.
For a brief moment, the grass around them swayed—not from the wind, but from something else.
Kang Woo narrowed his eyes.
> "Interesting…"
Ji Hoon's chest began to glow faintly—barely visible. Just a flicker, like a candle behind glass.
Min Seo's fingertips twitched. The stone on her belly rattled slightly… then stilled.
---
The Start of Awakening
Kang Woo stood and looked down at them, both now panting but focused.
> "You two…" he muttered.
> "You've got some potential after all."
Ji Hoon opened one eye.
> "Was that… Qi?"
> "Barely. But it's there."
Min Seo squinted.
> "What happens if we master it?"
Kang Woo looked toward the distant city skyline.
His voice was quiet now.
> "Then you might live long enough to face what's coming."