One World Away(English Version)

The Chosen One

Darkness engulfed him.

No sound. No gravity. Just endless nothingness.

He couldn’t tell if he was falling or standing still in midair. Then suddenly, a streak of light tore through the void. It wasn’t large, but bright enough to make his eyes sting. A line of glowing text appeared before him:

[Welcome.]

[You have been chosen.]

A white flash burst forth. In front of him, luminous words materialized in the air, like an invisible interface booting up:

[Initializing new world… Confirmed: you have died in the previous world.]

[Soul verification: complete.]

He tried to speak, but no sound came out. Before he could grasp what was happening, the ground cracked beneath him. Light exploded. His body was pulled downward, tearing through a thin veil of space, and he fell straight into a strange new world that was unfolding below.

He opened his eyes.

It was no longer total darkness — but a forest, pitch-black and silent. Pale moonlight filtered through thick canopies, scattering across the ground like silver blades. The air was damp, heavy with the scent of wet earth. Every breath hurt, as if his lungs weren’t used to the air here.

“...Where… am I?” he whispered.

No answer. Only the wind brushing through the leaves, carrying a faint whisper — like voices from afar. He took a step, cautious and slow. The dried leaves beneath his feet rustled softly, blending with the distant murmurs of the forest. Everything was so quiet that even the sound of his own heartbeat felt deafening. The moonlight above flickered faintly, as if guiding him — and then he saw it: a glimmer between the dark tree trunks.

He moved closer.

In the clearing lay a field of flowers. They glowed faintly, their petals trembling as though breathing. Then, a sound rose — soft, pure, almost like a lullaby.

“...la la... la la... the moon sleeps in the deep woods...”

He froze.

The flowers were... singing. And worse — they had faces. Each flower bore tiny eyes and a smiling mouth between its soft petals, innocent as children.

“What the hell…?” he muttered, stepping back.

The singing stopped. The entire forest fell silent. Dozens of small eyes turned toward him all at once. In a heartbeat, their sweet smiles warped — twisted, cracked, stretching all the way to their ears.

Then a shrill voice pierced the air, shaking the leaves:

“A HUMAN!!!”

The sound rippled through the forest like a wave, making his heart tighten. The flowers began to twitch, their petals turning into jagged fangs that gleamed under the cold moonlight. Their screams echoed through the forest like a distorted, maddened symphony. He spun around, heart pounding, searching for a way out.

Then the ground shook.

A low, thunderous BOOM rolled through the forest, making the treetops quiver. He froze, breath caught in his throat. The darkness behind him split apart. Something enormous was coming. Each of its steps left deep craters in the damp soil. He turned — and his heart nearly stopped. the creature towered twice as high as the trees, its gray skin cracked like dried stone. On its shoulders — two heads. One snarled, baring teeth like blades; the other giggled madly, its high-pitched laughter echoing through the forest.

Its eyes didn’t match — one glowed bright red like burning coal, the other was milky white like fog.

The stench of its breath made him gag.

“...Human…”

one head growled, its voice scraping like stone on metal.

“...A chosen one…”

He backed away, trembling, not knowing what to do.

Behind him, the screaming flowers; before him, the two-headed monster.

No escape. Only the pounding of his heart and the cold moonlight over a forest drenched in death. He stumbled backward — and before he could comprehend, a figure shot forward, stepping between him and the beast.

“Behind you!” the man shouted, his voice deep and commanding.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, sharply handsome, with dark, tousled hair. In his hand gleamed a bright sword, its light scattering across the forest, making the monster recoil. With a single swift slash, he severed one of the creature’s heads. It roared in agony, swinging the other head toward him. The man moved like lightning — his sword flashed several times, and the remaining head fell. The giant collapsed, shaking the ground with its dying breath. The boy stood frozen, speechless, eyes wide in disbelief.

The man turned to him, stern but calm.

“You… all right?”

He could only nod, heart still racing.

Under the pale moonlight, the man looked like a hero from legend — powerful and mysterious, so much that the boy couldn’t look away.

He finally spoke, voice cold but steady:

“So… I’m dead, aren’t I? Or is this just a dream?”

The man frowned slightly but kept his composure.

“You have… died in your previous world.”

The boy tilted his head, unafraid.

“They chose me… for what? Is this world real, or just an illusion?”

The man took a slow breath, his tone low and grave.

“You are one of the chosen. Those like you are brought to this world — where magic exists, where the gods watch over all. The chosen do not merely live again… they are given power — to save others.”

The boy narrowed his eyes.

“Save… others? What about me? Do I get saved, or must I save myself?”

The man stepped closer, gaze firm.

“You must find your own path. But the power within you… will help you survive. And perhaps… help others, if you choose to.”

The boy tilted his head slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

“Granted power, but no guidance? So I just stumble around until I figure it out?”

The man nodded gravely.

“Yes. You are not alone — but not everyone will help you.”

The boy gave a faint nod, as if slowly accepting it. Before he could gather his thoughts, footsteps echoed — figures emerging through the trees.

The man glanced toward them and said quietly:

“These are my comrades. They’ll help you get settled.”

The group approached — serious, but not hostile. The boy stepped back slightly, watching them with caution.

A young man with silver hair and kind, gentle eyes knelt beside him, inspecting a scrape on his leg.

“Let me bandage that for you,” he said softly.

The boy frowned slightly but didn’t resist. The silver-haired man took a clean cloth from his pouch and wrapped it deftly around the wound — quick, careful, efficient.

“Thanks…” the boy murmured, his tone calm but a bit warmer now.

The silver-haired man smiled faintly, said nothing, and stood up, scanning the surroundings. The others moved around, forming a protective perimeter.

The man who saved him spoke again, his deep voice steady:

“You don’t need to worry. They’ll take you somewhere safe. But remember — this world isn’t easy.”

The boy nodded.

“Yeah… got it.”

He followed them out of the forest, eyes fixed on the vast village ahead. Wood and stone houses lined the clean cobblestone streets. People bustled about — orderly, respectful, bowing their heads when the distant castle was mentioned.

The silver-haired man beside him said gently:

“Watch closely. Everyone here deeply respects the Sovereign. Not just for power or authority — but because he governs and protects this land.”

The boy stopped, eyes turning toward the massive stone castle towering at the end of the village. Its tall spires and iron gates radiated authority and solemnity. The entire village seemed to live under its rule.

He frowned softly.

“So… they live under his will, or out of true respect?”

The silver-haired man smiled faintly, eyes calm yet deep.

“Both. They scared of him, but they respect him too. Lord Neolux is not easy to approach — but deep down, he’s a kind man.”

He led the boy into a large building. Light from stained-glass windows cast colorful reflections on the stone floor. Around them, people were practicing magic — hands glowing with small spells, others moving objects with ease.

The silver-haired man explained gently:

“Everyone here has power. Most of them are chosen, like you. You’ll live with them, learn, and discover how to use your own strength.”

The boy narrowed his eyes slightly.

“So… not everyone is like me, huh? Are there any normal people here?”

The silver-haired man nodded.

“Almost all here are chosen and gifted.

If there are ordinary ones, they’re rare. You’ll soon see the difference.”

They reached a large room upstairs with a sturdy wooden door.

He pointed to the bed.

“This room is yours. Rest. When you’re ready, meet the others. But remember — everyone here has power. Never underestimate anyone.”

The boy stepped in, glancing around the spacious room as moonlight shimmered across the stone floor.

Then the silver-haired man turned back with a small smile.