- The Oracle's Guardian: A Story of Two Worlds -

Marjorie's eyes snapped open, a cold sweat clinging to her skin. The sterile white walls of the hospital room seemed to press in on her, suffocating her with their starkness. The scent of antiseptic, a sharp, metallic tang, made her head spin. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting an unnatural glow that intensified the feeling of confinement. It was as if she were trapped in a white void, her thoughts scattered like dust motes in a sunbeam.

A dream, vivid and unsettling, clung to the edges of her consciousness. She had been in a world of collapsing buildings, a cacophony of screams, a chaotic symphony of destruction. She'd felt the tremors of a power she couldn't comprehend, the tremors of the Gate.

And then, there he was: a man shrouded in shadows, yet radiating a warmth that seemed to defy the sinister world around him. She could still feel his presence, a comforting weight on her shoulder, a whisper of reassurance against the encroaching chaos. "Don't worry," he had said, his voice a calming balm to her fear, "I will protect you both."

Marjorie shuddered, trying to dispel the dream's chilling grip, but the memory of his hand on her shoulder, the weight of his words, remained.

"Mama?"

A small hand tugged at her sleeve, pulling her back to reality. Elijah, her son, his face etched with concern, peered down at her.

"What is it, Elijah?"

"Are you okay, Mama?" He asked, his voice a soft murmur.

She wanted to assure him that she was fine, but she couldn't. The dream had left a residue of confusion and fear.

"N-Nothing.. she managed, but the words felt hollow even to her own ears.

"Who brought me here?"

A familiar voice broke through the stillness of the room. Kim Dokja, a mischievous glint in his eyes, hovered near her bed.

"The hunters found you at the school," he explained, his words laced with a hint of amusement.

"Hunters?" Marjorie echoed, the word feeling foreign, like a whisper from a world she hadn't quite grasped.

"Yeah, definitely hunters. Judging by their gear, they weren't low-ranking. I saw about four A-rankers and one S-rank show up at the school," Dokja said, his gaze fixed on something beyond her. "They seemed rather surprised at the commotion."

"S-rank?" Marjorie's head swam. Her mind struggled to grasp the impossible. "How do you know? How could an S-rank hunter be at a Low Gate?"

"I can tell a strong one from a weak one. I called him S-rank because of the incredible energy radiating from him. I'm certain that's the only S-rank you're referring to in this world."

Marjorie tried to process the information, but her confusion only deepened. "That's impossible. I don't understand how a Hunter of that level could be at the school."

"You're more extraordinary than you think, Marjorie," Dokja said, his voice tinged with a hint of mystery, "Perhaps there's more to you than meets the eye. And," he added, a playful smile curving his lips, "you're not the only one who might be a little surprised."

Just then, Elijah's voice interrupted their conversation. ""Mama, it was Kuya Idol who I saw come in. He even carried you and brought you here to the hospital."

Marjorie's heart leaped at the mention of her idol, Sung Jinwoo. She couldn't help but feel a fleeting sense of warmth at the thought of him holding her, caring for her, a small ember of hope igniting in her chest.

Yoo Jonghyuk, who had been silent until now, scoffed. "I'd admit, that Jinwoo is strong, but he's not the strongest. I'm the strongest." He paused, his gaze fixed on Kim Dokja, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. "Always the showman, aren't you?"

Kim Dokja simply shrugged, his smile widening. "You always say that, Jonghyuk-ssi. But this world is full of surprises. You know what they say: there's always a bigger fish."

Elijah, his eyes wide with curiosity, looked at Dokja. ""Kuya Dokja, why are you making that face?"" He pointed to Dokja's face, which was contorted in an exaggerated expression of surprise.

Yoo Jonghyuk, who'd been watching the exchange with a stoic expression, couldn't help but smirk. "Don't worry, Elijah. It's just Dokja's way of... expressing himself."

Marjorie was slightly surprised because this was the first time Yoo Jonghyuk had acknowledged Elijah. Even though Elijah had mentioned his name, Yoo Jonghyuk had been silent until now. This made Marjorie glance towards Yoo Jonghyuk, who was floating a short distance away, still with his arms crossed. When their eyes met, Yoo Jonghyuk quickly averted his gaze, his face still serious, and he realy didn't believe Marjorie's words at all.

Marjorie, caught in the middle of this strange, almost playful, exchange, tried to refocus her thoughts. "Wait, I forgot. What happened at the school? And why am I in the hospital now?" Her voice held a note of urgency, a desperate need to understand the events that led her to this sterile room.

Kim Dokja, as if sensing her distress, sighed. "Hm, you fainted after a lot of fighting, and the hunters found you. They thought you might be in danger."

"Fighting?" Marjorie's mind raced, trying to piece together fragmented memories of the chaos. The Goblin. The attack. The searing pain in her shoulder…

She touched the bandage, her fingers tracing the smooth gauze. Her gaze fell on the scarred wall, a jagged reminder of the Goblin's attack. The hospital room felt smaller, claustrophobic. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting an antiseptic glow on the white walls. The air was heavy with the scent of disinfectant and a lingering undercurrent of fear.

She tried to recall the details, but her memory was a blurry wasteland.

Marjorie was about to speak when there was a knock on the door. It opened, revealing a man who stepped inside. He wore the standard garb of a low-ranking hunter: ? 'well, base with his cloths he's definitely a hunter..' a simple black tactical vest with a few pockets, a pair of worn-in cargo pants, and sturdy boots. His hair was neatly cropped, and he had a scar running diagonally across his left eyebrow, a mark of past battles.

"H-Hello...?" he said, "I...I just wanted to say t-that... You... you fought so bravely." A young man, his face pale and drawn, stood in the doorway, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and admiration.

"Who are you?" Marjorie asked, her voice laced with confusion.

The young man's shoulders slumped. "I... I know you're probably confused about who I am. Well, I'm just a low-rank Hunter. A D-rank. I saw what happened. I... I was a coward. I didn't try to help you."

"You… you fought so bravely. I've never seen anything like it. You were like... like a warrior."

The hunter's eyes widened, as if trying to convince himself of his own words. He stared at her, his face pale, his body tense.

Marjorie shook her head, unable to comprehend the man's words. "You must be mistaken. I don't remember fighting anyone."

"It's okay, Miss. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. You don't have to talk about it.--- "I just wanted to say that..." the hunter mumbled, a touch of shame in his voice as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I was a coward and just watched you fight those Goblins. But I'm really sorry..." He seemed to be drowning in regret. "I'll leave you now. Get well soon, Miss." He paused, his voice soft, his eyes pleading. "I know you're not powerless. You're strong. You could be the greatest hunter this world has ever seen." He then left completely, leaving Marjorie confused by the hunter's words.

"What's going on?" she whispered, her gaze shifting from Kim Dokja to Yoo Jonghyuk. "What is this hunter talking about? Why does he think I fought those Goblins?"

"Ah, the Goblins," Kim Dokja chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Those creatures can be quite the nuisance. They're like pesky cockroaches, always popping up in the most inconvenient places. But in this case, they weren't simply pesky. They were a Gate. A small one, a C-Rank Gate, but dangerous nonetheless. Think of it as a window to another dimension, a portal to another world."

"Typical. You think you can just charm your way out of this. This is reality, not a story." Yoo Jonghyuk's voice was laced with irritation. "Just tell her the truth. The Gate is a threat. She needs to be prepared." He turned away, his gaze fixed on something beyond them, avoiding their eyes.

Kim Dokja ignored Yoo Jonghyuk, focusing his attention on Marjorie, who was still grappling with the unfolding events. "Marjorie, I know this might sound crazy, but what happened at the school..." he began, his voice gentle and reassuring. "You just cleared it."

"But… But I don't remember any of it!" Marjorie protested, her voice laced with disbelief. "I remember running to the school, and then that Goblin… It attacked me, and then… darkness. What happened?"

"You cleared it," Kim Dokja repeated, his voice a soft murmur, "You fought those Goblins and saved Elijah. You were… amazing." He gave her a reassuring smile, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.

Marjorie stared at him, her mind reeling. "But... how? I don't remember anything. I don't remember fighting. I don't remember..." She trailed off, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and fear. "What happened?"

Kim Dokja leaned back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, a contemplative expression on his face. "It's complicated," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Remember how I mentioned that this world is different? Well, it's not just different in terms of the Gate and the monsters. It's different in terms of the system, too. And you, Marjorie, you're... well, you're different, too."

He paused, his eyes meeting hers, a hint of seriousness in his gaze. "You have a system, Marjorie. A system that's connected to the Oracle's domain. It's a system that grants you unique abilities, powers that are beyond the ordinary. It's a system that..." He hesitated, his voice softening, "It's a system that's connected to us."

Marjorie's eyes widened in disbelief. "Connected to you? What do you mean?"

"It's a long story," Kim Dokja said, a sigh escaping his lips. "But I'll try to explain. You see, this world... it's not just a world. It's a story. A story that's connected to another story, a story that's connected to us. And you, Marjorie, you're the bridge between these stories. You're the key to connecting these worlds."

He paused, his eyes searching hers, a flicker of concern in his gaze. "And that's why you have this system, this Oracle's Guidance. It's a system that's designed to help you navigate this world, to help you protect yourself and your son. It's a system that's designed to help us."

He took a deep breath, his voice a low murmur. "And that's why you were able to fight those Goblins. That's why you were able to save Elijah. You were able to do it because of your system. You were able to do it because of the Oracle's power. And you were able to do it because of us."

He glanced at Yoo Jonghyuk, who was still staring out the window, his expression unreadable. "It's a complicated system, Marjorie. It's a system that's still unfolding, a system that's still being revealed. But it's a system that's powerful. It's a system that can change everything."

He turned back to Marjorie, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. "And that's why you need to learn about it. That's why you need to understand it. That's why you need to control it."

He paused, his voice a soft whisper. "Because this world is dangerous, Marjorie. And you're not just a single mother anymore. You're a warrior. You're a protector. You're the Oracle's Guardian."

Marjorie stared at him, her mind racing, her heart pounding. The world around her felt different, the air thick with an undercurrent of power. She felt a strange sense of responsibility, a weight that settled upon her shoulders. She was no longer just a woman trying to make ends meet. She was something more. She was something powerful.

"But... how?" she whispered, her voice a mere tremor. "How did I fight those Goblins? How did I save Elijah? I don't remember anything."

"You don't have to remember everything," Kim Dokja said, his voice a gentle reassurance. "Your system remembers for you. It remembers your skills, your abilities, your potential. And it remembers our connection. It remembers that we're a team."

He paused, his eyes meeting hers, a flicker of understanding in his gaze. "And that's why you were able to use my skills. You were able to use my power. You were able to do it because of the Temporary Possession skill. It's a skill that allows us to share our abilities, to connect our minds, to become one."

Marjorie was at a loss for words. No matter how hard she tried to grasp it, she couldn't recall anything, and Kim Dokja's explanations remained shrouded in a confusing fog. She was lost in a sea of bewilderment, the weight of the unknown pressing down on her.Her hands, small and slender, clutched the edge of the blanket, pulling it closer to her chest, as if seeking solace in its familiar texture. Her gaze was fixed on the floor, her expression a mix of fear and confusion, the events of the past few hours swirling in her mind, threatening to consume her.

"I know it's hard to explain, especially since this is all new to you. But isn't this what you've always wanted? An awakening? Well, it's happened, so stop overthinking it," Kim Dokja said, his voice a low rumble. He stood several feet away, suspended in the air, a shadowy figure against the sterile white backdrop. His arms were crossed, his posture relaxed, yet he seemed to radiate a sense of power, of control. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips, a subtle, knowing glint in his eyes, suggesting an awareness that transcended the chaos swirling around them. He was a silent observer, watching Marjorie, waiting, calculating, as if he were already mapping out the next chapter of their story.

As Kim Dokja mentioned the awakening, Marjorie felt a sense of clarity wash over her. It was as if a veil had been lifted, but she was unsure if she should embrace this revelation. She swallowed, her gaze dropping to the blanket she clutched, feeling a sense of helplessness.

"I-I'll believe what you say. I trust you. But... if this is real, I'm begging you. Help me," Marjorie pleaded, her voice soft, her head still bowed.

The events at her son's school replayed in her mind: Elijah's terrified face, her own fear of losing the only life that truly mattered to her, the horrifying images of the Goblins, the blood, the children who had no idea what was happening, their lives snuffed out in a cruel twist of fate. She wouldn't let that happen to her son. Not to any child in this world.

She lifted her gaze, her eyes locking onto Kim Dokja's, who was still hovering in the air, his gaze steady, as if waiting for her answer.

"P-Please, help me become stronger. I-I don't want to be just a civilian, helpless while the world becomes unsafe. Especially... especially for my only child," Marjorie whispered, her voice trembling.

A slight smile touched Kim Dokja's lips as he crossed his arms. "That's what I like to hear. If that's what you want, then we need to help you control your powers."

"You learn to control your power, to use your skills, and to unlock the secrets hidden within your system."

Marjorie's eyes widened at the mention of a "system".

"B-But... System?" she questioned, confusion clouding her features.

Yoo Jonghyuk stood by the window, his back to the room, his gaze fixed on the distant cityscape. He seemed to be a silhouette against the fading sunlight, his broad shoulders a testament to his strength, his stance an embodiment of vigilance. His arms were crossed, his fingers digging into the fabric of his black tactical vest, as if he were physically restraining himself, suppressing a deep-seated anger that threatened to erupt. He was a silent guardian, a protector who moved through the shadows, always alert, always watchful, always ready to defend.

"You're not just a normal person anymore, Marj," Kim Dokja explained, his voice a low murmur, his gaze intense, as if peering into her very soul. "You're a vessel, a conduit for a powerful force. The Oracle has chosen you. And you're not alone."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in.

"It's a system that's designed to help you navigate this world, to help you protect yourself and your son. It's a system that's designed to help us."

He took a deep breath, his voice a low murmur. "And that's why you were able to fight those Goblins. That's why you were able to save Elijah. You were able to do it because of your system. You were able to do it because of the Oracle's power. And you were able to do it because of us."

He glanced at Yoo Jonghyuk, who was still staring out the window, his expression unreadable. "It's a complicated system, Marjorie. It's a system that's still unfolding, a system that's still being revealed. But it's a system that's powerful. It's a system that can change everything."

He turned back to Marjorie, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. "And that's why you need to learn about it. That's why you need to understand it. That's why you need to control it."

"But how do I learn?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and excitement.

Kim Dokja's eyes met hers, and a wide, almost predatory grin spread across his face. "We figure it out."

Marjorie's eyes widened, a mixture of excitement and apprehension flooding her face. She was no longer just a single mother, a struggling cashier. She was something more.

An awakening…

The air crackled with an unspoken tension as Kim Dokja's words hung in the air. Yoo Jonghyuk, who had been silent, now turned, his gaze fixed on Marjorie. He seemed to be assessing her, as if analyzing her potential. The air around them thickened, a palpable energy swirling in the room.

This was just the beginning.

The silence stretched between them, a tangible presence that pressed down on Marjorie. The only sound was the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor, a constant reminder of her fragility, a symbol of the fragile line separating life from death, a world of normalcy from the chaos that had invaded her reality..