Abyssal Monarch: Rebirth of the Forsaken

The corridors stretched out before them, lined with tall windows through which the afternoon sun cast a warm, subdued glow. Shadows danced along the polished floor as Jin-Su led the group, his steps echoing in the quiet hall. Behind him, the others trailed in silence, the weight of their new assignment still settling over them.

Beside him, Mina walked with a soft, almost tentative presence, guiding him by the slightest brush of her hand whenever the path split or narrowed. Every few moments, her fingers would graze his knuckles, her touch lingering just long enough to be felt. But Jin-Su, ever the unyielding presence, seemed not to notice, his gaze fixed ahead, entirely focused.

Trailing at the back was Kang-Woo, who seemed almost like a shadow of his former self. The fierce fire that once defined him had dimmed, replaced by an unfamiliar calm. His broad frame, wrapped in the academy's dark, single-colored uniform with gold trim, looked almost smaller without his usual defiant posture. His face, usually set with a resolute scowl, was expressionless, his gaze distant, as though he were seeing something only he understood.

Min-Ho, ever the optimist, glanced back and forth between the two new faces in their group, an eager light sparking in his eyes. His uniform, dark with a single green trim, marked him as one who was recognized but still a student, though he wore it with quiet pride.

"So," Min-Ho started, a friendly smile breaking the silence, "I'm Min-Ho. It's nice to officially meet you both. I don't think we had much chance to talk before. Where are you from?"

The first of the new students, a tall, lean boy with dark eyes and a calm, composed demeanor, met Min-Ho's gaze with a nod. His dark uniform bore a single silver trim, catching the afternoon light in subtle flashes as he moved. His voice, steady and even, broke the quiet. "We're from here. Born and raised."

"Oh, really?" Min-Ho replied with a glimmer of interest. "I'm from a neighboring town, not too far from here. Pretty quiet place, but it's got its charm."

Ji-Sung nodded but offered no further information. Beside him, Sae-Rin—petite with cropped hair and a bright, curious gaze—seized the chance to jump into the conversation. She gave Min-Ho a broad smile, as though the mere mention of "town" sparked a wave of thoughts she couldn't wait to share.

"Oh, I know this really good tea shop in the city!" she started, her voice alight with enthusiasm. "It's this tiny little place off one of the back streets, really easy to miss. But they have every type of tea you could imagine! I go there all the time; it's kind of like my spot, you know? They have this honey-ginger blend that's so soothing, and the shopkeeper's cat always curls up on the chairs…" She continued on, painting an oddly detailed picture of her favorite tea spot.

Ji-Sung glanced at her, giving a faint cough as though to remind her of the conversation's original question.

Sae-Rin blinked, momentarily disoriented, before glancing back at Min-Ho with a slightly sheepish smile. "What was the question again?"

Min-Ho's smile remained steady. "I was just curious about where you're both from."

"Oh! We are both from this City We live together! We are siblings! He got fathers hair and mothers eyes! I got Mothers hair and Fathers eyes! Apparently mothers mother loved tea just like me! She was the first one to get me to try out teas!" She beamed, the initial question apparently brand new to her. She'd continue on if not only for Ji-Sungs interruption.

As they moved further down the corridor, the muted sounds of their steps and Sae-Rin's excited musings filled the otherwise silent halls. The shadows outside grew longer, a subtle reminder of the afternoon slipping into evening, until finally, the door to Room 204 loomed before them.

The door to Room 204 creaked open, unveiling a realm that could only be described as a masterpiece of architectural restraint and utility. Before them lay a rectangular expanse, perfectly proportioned, with walls that rose at flawless right angles to the ground—an impeccable testament to the laws of geometry. The flooring, a uniform, unyielding gray tile, stretched out in breathtaking consistency, each tile aligned with mathematical precision, forming a vast tapestry of quiet strength and endurance.

In the center, a row of modest desks stood, arranged in a formation so symmetrically flawless that one might think they'd been orchestrated by the gods themselves. Each desk, constructed of sturdy wood—polished to a subdued sheen—gleamed dully under the powerful glow of the ceiling's singular, fluorescent light, which bathed the room in a glorious, unwavering white light, illuminating every inch with impartial grandeur.

The walls, painted in a shade of beige that could only be described as the pinnacle of neutrality, exuded an aura of unwavering calm. Along one side, a chalkboard, grand and expansive in its humble, matte black, awaited marks of wisdom and knowledge, its surface pristine and ready to record the mysteries of the universe—or perhaps just tomorrow's lesson plan.

And in the far corner, a single, unremarkable wastebasket stood sentinel, a monument to the cycle of creation and disposal, its plastic body resting with a quiet dignity.

The group stood silent, awe-struck by the room's unwavering dedication to functionality, as though each element had been designed with divine intention.

Mina blinked, "It's just… some regular classroom?"

Just as the group took in the bare-bones "grandeur" of Room 204, Jin-Su's phone vibrated in his pocket, displaying an unknown number. He raised an eyebrow, answering with a measured, "Yes?"

The unmistakable, teasing lilt of Dean Moon's voice filtered through the line. "Why so formal, Jin-Su? Surely you recognize me."

Jin-Su's jaw tightened, though he instantly knew who it was. "Dean Moon," he replied curtly.

A soft laugh floated through the speaker. "Very good. I knew I left an impression."

Jin-Su's eyes narrowed, his tone precise and professional, masking his annoyance. "Would you mind explaining why this room feels like it's been outfitted with relics from fifty generations ago??"

"Oh," she murmured, a note of mock surprise. "You didn't finish reading the ENTIRE mail, did you?"

Jin-Su glanced down at his phone, scanning the email. And there it was—in minuscule print below the room assignment: As Keeper, you are responsible for all necessary upgrades, supplies, and improvements. Funding for upgrades is your responsibility.

He heard Dean Moon chuckle softly. "You're looking at the fine print now, aren't you?"

"Is this some kind of test?" he demanded, although the question was laced with reluctant acceptance.

Her laughter chimed through the phone, a sweet, musical sound that momentarily left his classmates wide-eyed. Mina's face flushed, and she looked to Jin-Su with surprise and curiosity, while Min-Ho blinked in stunned silence. Sae-Rin's jaw dropped slightly before she whispered, "Is that a laugh? Is that Dean Moon? Why does she sound so mesmerizing? Does she drink any form of tea?"

Kang-Woo, meanwhile, seemed lost in thought, oblivious to the conversation, his eyes distant. Ji-Sung merely sighed and shook his head as if he'd seen this all coming.

"Oh, don't worry about the funds, Jin-Su," Dean Moon continued. "When was the last time you checked your account?"

A subtle unease passed over Jin-Su as he pulled up his account on his phone, bracing himself. His eyes widened at the "credits" balance—a substantial sum, far exceeding any expectation. It was easily enough to cover the upgrade costs, with more to spare. Did not impress Jin-Su as his credits was much much higher in the future, but the amount is plenty high.

Min-Ho leaned in, catching a glimpse of the balance. "Whoa… that's enough to buy an entire estate!"

Ji-Sung let out a low whistle, muttering, "That's quite the paycheck."

Sae-Rin's eyes lit up. "Do you know how much tea that could buy? There's this jasmine blend I've been wanting to try, but they only sell it in—"

Ji-Sung gave her a light smack on the back of her head, silencing her mid-ramble. "Focus, Sae-Rin."

Meanwhile, Kang-Woo remained in the corner, quietly twiddling his thumbs, his gaze unfocused. Mina watched Jin-Su intently, waiting for his response.

Jin-Su returned to the phone, his voice clipped. "Is there a specific reason for this… unique condition in the contract, Dean Moon?"

Dean Moon's tone turned almost instructional. "Well, of course. Here at the academy, we believe in practical responsibility. Think of it as… training for the real world."

What training, what would it ever do by making it difficult for Jin-Su.

Her voice softened, taking on a subtly persuasive note. "For instance, as Keeper, it's essential that you take ownership over your environment. Ensuring resources and optimizing the space yourself develops the skills required to manage not only people but also logistics and costs. Today, you're dealing with upgrading a classroom. Tomorrow, it might be handling larger-scale resources, managing equipment for a field assignment, or even preparing an entire base setup in the outlands if your role calls for it."

Jin-Su's eyes narrowed as he listened, finding it difficult to argue against her reasoning. She continued, sensing his reluctant understanding.

"Take for example the Divinity Stones used for tactical setups," she said, her tone growing sharper. "They require unique installations, calibrations, and specific permissions to even use correctly. Or consider a remote tech deployment in enchanted zones—things often go wrong, and it's the leaders responsible for those tools who must adapt the spaces themselves. You are now the one leading here, Jin-Su."

She paused, letting the information settle. "Essentially, we're preparing you for the complexities of real-world logistics that no single staff member can anticipate. This is a first step in building that self-sufficiency."

"Understood," Jin-Su replied, realizing that she was ready for any kind of questions that could come from him. Unless he reveals that he has knowledge not only about the classes and subjects, but also things about all these [Professional Mumbo Jumbo] and how they worked, it would signify something too extra from him.

Dean Moon's voice softened, a hint of amusement slipping through. "Do you need more reasons, Jin-Su?"

Mina gasped, covering her mouth, in a whisper. "There's more?"

Dean Moon chuckled one last time, the sound both knowing and playful. "If you find the need, I'll be more than happy to explain in even greater detail. Maybe you should read the fourth attachment." And with that, the line went silent, leaving Jin-Su and his classmates with a new level of awareness about the magnitude of his new role.

There wasn't a fourth attachment.

As they took their seats, Jin-Su settled himself at the front and let his gaze pass over his classmates, pulling up each of their status pages to assess their capabilities once more.

Starting with Min-Ho:

Min-Ho's Stats:

Strength: 11/25

Agility: 18/35

Endurance: 12/25

Intelligence: 15/25

Willpower: 14/28

Charisma: 17/40

Min-Ho glanced up as Jin-Su looked his way. When asked what he excelled at, Min-Ho rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh… good question. I'm not exactly… sure. I guess I'm okay with figuring things out on the go?"

Jin-Su nodded slightly, his expression, a small smile as this is a the same line Min-Ho used in his last life. as he moved on to Mina:

Mina's Stats:

Strength: 10/25

Agility: 12/30

Endurance: 8/20

Intelligence: 15/20

Willpower: 10/18

Charisma: 12/14

Magic Potential: 60/500

??? Stat: 72/500

Mina blinked, thoughtful. "Well, I've been studying magic since I was young… but honestly, I'm not exactly sure what I'm good at specifically, I know I am not strong physically and I don't like talking to others...they scare me." she admitted taking a small peek at Kang-Woo in the corner seat. A faint blush coloring her cheeks looking at Jin-Su. "I'm still figuring it out, I guess."

Jin-Su shifted his focus to Ji-Sung and Sae-Rin, studying them both for a moment before asking, "And what are each of you good at?"

Ji-Sung glanced at Sae-Rin, a subtle look of exasperation crossing his face before he answered. "Well, we're siblings," he said, almost as if that were a skill in itself.

Sae-Rin immediately chimed in, "Yep! I'm the little sister!" She smiled proudly, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to her brother's reserved demeanor.

Jin-Su raised an eyebrow, still waiting for them to elaborate on their skills. But instead, their answers drifted off-track, each mentioning something entirely unrelated to the strengths listed in their status pages.

Ji-Sung's Stats:

Strength: 32/50

Agility: 46/60

Endurance: 35/55

Intelligence: 54/70

Willpower: 48/68

Charisma: 36/50

Skills: Concealed Combat Mastery, Sharp Focus, Tactical Analysis

Ji-Sung, however, spoke up. "I've been told I'm pretty good at, uh… map-reading," he said, as if grasping for something on the spot.

Sae-Rin's Stats:

Strength: 27/45

Agility: 52/70

Endurance: 34/55

Intelligence: 60/80

Willpower: 55/65

Charisma: 44/60

Skills: Rapid Calculation, Precision Casting, Adaptive Movement

Sae-Rin chimed in, "And I'm excellent at organizing!" she said brightly, a proud smile on her face. "Especially my tea collection."

As he listened to Sae-Rin's enthusiastic response and watched Ji-Sung's quiet resignation, Jin-Su felt a twinge of impatience beneath his carefully controlled exterior. Why am I here, teaching a group of students who hardly know their own strengths, he wondered, when I could be preparing for something infinitely more critical?

Nyas could be out there even now, growing stronger, gathering forces.Causing some chaos from behind the veil in another corner of the world. Every moment spent here felt like a delay, and the weight of that awareness gnawed at him. He took in Kang-Woo's hollow gaze and thought of his future allies. What am I doing in this university? Training students who aren't even battle-ready when I should be out there preparing?

But he forced himself to reason it out. Kang-Woo, for example. I know his potential, but I would never have known him as he is now. He glanced at the others. Any one of them could be critical when the time comes. Maybe my presence here can shape them into the allies I need.

Jin-Su tried to quiet his doubts, though others surfaced in their place. And yet… what if this is all misdirected? What if my future fighters are beyond my reach? Or worse, what if they never even come to this academy?

A deeper uncertainty lingered. How will I know if they'll actually follow me, even if I find them? What if they are different from what I knew them as compared to what they are in the future. He thought of Kang-Woo's broken state, wondering if all the training in the world could truly prepare someone to face what lay ahead.

He felt the questions simmer beneath his rationalizations, each one refusing to settle. And for every answer he found, another question took its place, a quiet reminder that some things were still out of his control. So he pushed the thought away, imagined he'd get back to it tonight in bed. For now, he looks at Kang-Woo who looks distant.

Kang-Woo's Stats:

Strength: 70/100

Agility: 35/60

Endurance: 80/90

Intelligence: 18/40

Willpower: 65/90 (Broken Will)

Charisma: 10/35

Skills :

Berserker's Rage

Enduring Stamina

Will of Iron

Ground Shaker

Intimidation Aura

Divine Blessing: [Goddess of Preservation]

Enduring Spirit

[locked]

[locked]

[locked]

Kang-Woo's gaze was vacant, his eyes fixed somewhere in the distance, his jaw clenched in a way that looked more defeated than resolute.

"Kang-Woo," Jin-Su addressed him, his tone firm. "What's your specialty?"

Kang-Woo blinked, barely seeming to register the question. "Strength," he muttered, though it sounded almost like an afterthought, as though even that word lacked meaning.

Jin-Su's brow furrowed as he pressed on. "Anything more specific?"

For a moment, Kang-Woo said nothing. Then, with a voice that barely held itself together, he added, "It doesn't… matter anymore."

Jin-Su's eyes narrowed. "One defeat shouldn't break you, Kang-Woo. You're better than this." Jin-Su tried to console Kang-Woo.

At that, Kang-Woo's face contorted, his fists clenching as his gaze turned inward. Jin-Su's words seemed to hit some unspoken nerve, and he visibly crumbled. His shoulders shook, and a choked, barely audible sob escaped him. Visible tears began to fall, tracing silent paths down his cheeks as he struggled to regain composure.

As the tears hit the wooden table, a small golden shimmer occurs and a tiny leaf grew from it before it crumbled away into dust again. Jin-Su, could see what others cannot, a very vague ghostly golden shimmer of the Goddess wrapped her arms around Kang-Woo who sobbed in front of him.

Something comes to Jin-Su, 

"Isn't he loved by the Goddess of "Perseverance"? She is still with him when he...isn't...persevering? Something is not right."

The others watched in stunned silence, unable to reconcile the image the "Bully" who was broken in front of them. The heavy quiet settled over the room as Kang-Woo covered his face with his hands, his resolve shattered.

Jin-Su remained still, feeling the weight of the moment, his mind turning over the unexpected transformation in the one who was meant to be the future paladin.

The sun was almost down.