As midnight drew closer, the once-deafening festival began to quiet. Groups of people drifted away from the bonfire, each carrying lanterns that left warm trails of orange light fading into the night.
Jisung watched parents and young children disappear into the distance, leaving mostly the youths behind.
Everyone had broken off into their own small groups, the five of them sat together in their own little corner, yet it felt like pieces of a bigger family gathered in one place.
Empty plates lay scattered around them. The massive tray Sam had nearly died carrying was completely spotless. They had eaten to their fill and now sat sipping drinks in comfortable silence.
Jisung let out a long exhale. "I don’t know what this thing is... but I love it."
Angela giggled. "Me too."
"Me... three," Ashley added softly from beside him.
Jisung’s face grew hot. He quickly turned to his drink and downed the rest in one go.
Sam noticed and nudged his shoulder with a grin. Jisung smiled, embarrassed.
Earlier, Sam had asked where he was from.
"District 23, South Korea," Jisung had answered. "You?"
"District 118, in the US." Sam had replied.
Angela butted in. "District 12, Canada. Zhang Wu is from District 18 in China, right?"
Zhang Wu nodded.
When Jisung looked confused, Sam explained that Paradise’s residents came from every corner of the world.
"Paradise doesn’t belong to one country Jisung," he’d said. "People arrive here from every district there is. Different languages, different cultures... but after a while, none of it matters. Paradise becomes home to everyone."
"That’s why it’s called Paradise," Zhang Wu had added. "It gathers survivors from everywhere, and over time turns them into one community. Everyone working and functioning as one."
It made sense, in a strange way. Jisung had never met any of these people before tonight, and yet they’d welcomed him like an old friend returning home.
’Oh, Seojun...’ Jisung smiled softly. ’If only you were here to see this. I’m happy now. And I think... I’ve finally found a place I can call home.’
"What’s making you smiling?" Sam asked, suddenly.
Jisung glanced over. "I had a family back home. Just... wondering how they’re doing."
"Whattttt?!" It was Angela. She stared, mouth wide open in shock. "You were married?!"
"Dude..." Jisung laughed. He knew she was joking.
After a while, Sam nudged his shoulder and smiled. "I’m sure they’d be proud you made it."
Before he could respond, he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up. Someone was walking toward their little circle.
It was a man walking toward them. He was tall and lanky, but even as a silhouette against the bonfire, his presence commanded attention. The chatter around the festival grounds died down when he passed by and when he got to their section, the group quieted. Angela sat up straighter and Zhang Wu lowered his drink.
The man, broad-shouldered, with a neat beard and calm, steady eyes reached them and everyone’s focus shifted at his arrival.
"Who’s that?" Jisung whispered.
The man stood before him and offered a handshake. "I’m Maxwell."
Jisung blinked before instinctively trying to reach for it, then remembered he still couldn’t stand properly. Sam quickly explained the situation.
Maxwell smiled understandingly and took a seat on a chair someone brought over. Up close, he looked to be in his late twenties, maybe older. It was hard to tell.
"What is your name?" He asked.
"Yu Jisung."
He nodded and leaned forward.
"Welcome to Paradise, Yu Jisung."
Jisung chuckled. "If I got a coin every time I heard that today, I’d be a millionaire."
His funny bone struck before he realized who he was talking to. ’Shit.’
Thankfully, everyone laughed, including Maxwell.
"Well," Maxwell began, "...it seems your friends have already handled part of my job, so I’ll keep this short. I was busy earlier and couldn’t come sooner. My apologies."
Jisung smiled politely.
"You’re not crazy," Maxwell continued.
"Wow. What a way to start a speech, Maxwell," Angela teased.
"I know, right," Zhang Wu added, and the two of them snickered quietly.
"Shhh!" Sam shot a look at them and they went quiet, giggling silently.
Maxwell smiled, cleared his throat, and continued more gently.
"Sorry. What I meant to say is, I know exactly what it feels like. Leaving your home and family, surviving the terrifying Awakening Trials, and then suddenly landing here... in a place you’ve never seen or heard of before, right after unlocking a System. I understand what you’re feeling right now and I want you to know that it’s completely normal. You’ll get the hang of it soon."
Jisung caught on to something.
’Hold on...Unlock a System after the Awakening Trial?’
He frowned. ’Nobody ever said that.’
His own System had appeared before everything else.
’...Was that normal?’
He wanted to ask, but kept the thought to himself.
"Paradise is home to all who successfully awaken. To awaken means to unlock a system." Maxwell said. "I won’t give you a full lecture tonight because I know you’re tired. So just keep this in mind. You are safe here. I’ll assign someone tomorrow to help you settle in comfortably. If you have questions, I’m sure your friends will be happy to answer them. Right?"
"Yes!" the group chorused.
Jisung couldn’t help giggling.
Maxwell offered his hand again. This time Jisung could reach it. "Welcome once again."
He turned to Ashley. "Ashley, I came to get you. Jisung, I’ll see you around."
They waved goodbye as Ashley and Maxwell disappeared into the night.
Zhang Wu and Angela quickly fell into their usual banter while Sam and Jisung sat laughing quietly at them.
Just then, Jisung remembered something. "Sam." He called out.
"Hmm?"
"Where is Ashley from? She didn’t say earlier."
"Ashley?" Sam smiled. "She’s from here."
He went on to explain that Paradise was governed by the Equin Rulers.
"You see those walls?"
Jisung nodded. He’d noticed them the moment he stepped out of the infirmary. They rose dozens of feet into the sky, wrapping around the entire city. They were impossible to miss.
"Paradise is an enclosed city," Sam continued. "The Equin Rulers created it to protect humanity."
"From... what?" Jisung had to ask.
Sam let out a slow breath. "Nobody knows exactly what’s beyond those walls, Jisung. Rumors say that the outside world is dangerous. Even one of the original Rulers died because of it."
He stopped to look at Jisung and whispered. "It depends on which history book you read. No one really knows anything."
"But don’t you worry, my friend." He sounded hopeful. "These walls were built for our safety. I’ve been here for close to three months. I can tell you boldly that there’s nothing to worry about."
He smiled and rested, leaning his back on the bench when Angela smacked his head lightly. "Ow!"
"He asked about Ashley not your awkward take on history."
Sam mouthed a curse word, rolling his eyes before speaking.
Jisung giggled.
"The Equin Rulers have led Paradise for generations. Ashley was born into one of those ruling families."
Jisung’s eyes widened. "Like... royalty?"
"Pretty much," Angela chimed in. "Her uncle is one of the Equin Rulers. Don’t worry, you’ll see them tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Jisung frowned. "Why... What’s happening tomorrow?"
The three friends exchanged glances.
"Jisung," Sam said with a grin, "... don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten what Maxwell said."
"Huh?"
"About assigning someone to help you settle in?"
Jisung blinked.
Sam laughed at Jisung’s confused expression. "Someone help me out here."
"Jisung," Zhang Wu clapped a gentle hand on his shoulder. "What Maxwell meant by ’settling in’ is assigning you a duty. We all have roles here." He gestured to Angela and Sam. "Here in Paradise, we believe that for everyone to grow and prosper, we must contribute in the ways we can best."
"Not entirely true though," Angela added with a sly smile. "It’s a secret, so I can’t tell you. But your ability matters a lot too."
"It’s biased," Sam sulked.
"Speak for yourself... nurse," Zhang Wu teased, slapping hands with Angela.
Jisung was deep in thought when something clicked. He sat up suddenly.
Everyone flinched.
"Jisung, what is it?" Sam asked.
Jisung didn’t answer right away. A slow, knowing smile spread across his face as he stared into the distance like he was in a trance. The others whispered among themselves, but he barely noticed.
"Ability..." he murmured.
He slapped his forehead. ’Gosh, why didn’t I think of that sooner?’
He let out an exhale. He knew what to do.
Ding!
[Massive Adaptability To Any Situation Lv.0 (Muscle Memory): Activated]
A strange warmth spread through his legs. Feeling rushed back into muscles that had refused to obey him before.
Jisung stood up abruptly and began to run. He sprinted around their little corner of the festival grounds, jumping, spinning, and giggling like a little kid. The others stared with their mouths wide open.
For a moment, they exchanged the same stunned look before turning back to him.
Sam spoke first, voice barely a whisper. "Is this... a miracle?"
"That can’t be it," Angela whispered back.
"Jisung," she called out. "H-how?"
He finally slowed down, still grinning ear to ear, and dropped back onto the mat beside Sam.
Their eyes followed his every move. Zhang Wu studied him carefully. "Jisung, what’s your ability?"
Jisung scratched the back of his neck. He wasn’t sure how much he should reveal, so he kept it vague. "Insight. I can connect random ideas and memories to solve problems."
’It wasn’t technically a lie...’
Zhang Wu nodded in approval. "Then tomorrow won’t be a big deal for you." He smiled.
"I hope so."
"Cool ability," Sam said, nudging his shoulder.
Jisung smiled back. "What’s yours, Sam?"
"Oh, y’know... nothing special," Angela chimed in. "Just..." She glanced at Zhang Wu and they both dramatically echoed, "Jazz hands!"
"You guys are the worst," Sam laughed, covering his face.
"Really?" Jisung whispered, giggling.
Sam’s smile faltered a little. "It’s... not exactly a combat ability." He looked embarrassed, a quiet sadness flickering behind his eyes.
"It’s okay, Sam. You don’t have to say." Jisung said and Sam nodded, quietly.
He watched as Sam went strangely quiet for the first time. He wondered what the reason could be.
Ting!
He felt a light ring in his head. A window popped up in front of him. He caught his breath.
It was Sam’s profile.
[PARTICIPANT PROFILE]
[NAME: Sam Valdés
AGE: 24
CLASSIFICATION: Participant
STATS: Strength Lv.7, Speed Lv.5, Agility Lv.3, Stamina Lv.5, Health Lv.1, Mana Lv.2
UNIQUE ABILITY: Magic Hands Lv.1, Intellect Lv.1, ???, ???, ???
ACTIVE STORY: None
RECORDED STORIES: None
TOTAL COINS IN POSSESSION: 2,800]
｢This participant has yet to realize his true worth.｣
Jisung smiled softly. "Sam, I think whatever it is, it’s a cool ability. I’m alive because of you... so it couldn’t be that bad."
Sam nudged his shoulder again and whispered, "Thanks."
Jisung looked back at the floating window, then up at the night sky.
A message rang out.
Ding!
[You Have Taken A Liking To This Participant]
Jisung chuckled silently.
’You’re awfully nosy, aren’t you?’
His System, of course, couldn’t answer. But somehow... that made him smile even more.
’’’
Author’s Note: Just a quick clarification. Jisung and Sam’s relationship is platonic. As the story continues, you’ll see why they bond so well and why their friendship becomes important to both of them. That’s all I’ll say for now. Enjoy the Chapter!
’’’