The screaming didn't stop.
It ricocheted off the blood-red windows, sharp and endless, filling the room with a raw, jagged terror. Some students clung to each other, gripping sleeves and arms as if letting go would mean disappearing next. Others were frozen in place, eyes wide and unblinking, staring at the empty space where their teacher had stood only seconds ago… as if she might suddenly reappear.
But she didn't.
Yoorie sat there, her fingers gripping the sides of her wheelchair, her mind blank, unable to process what was happening.
She didn't know what to do.
Ding.
A high-pitched, digital chime sliced through the chaos, unnaturally clear. It didn't come from the room.
It came from inside their heads.
Suddenly, a flicker of light appeared in the air.
A transparent blue interface materialized in front of Yoorie's eyes.
She flinched, her hands instinctively flying to the wheels of her chair, but the screen followed her movement, hovering exactly a foot from her face like it was tethered to her existence.
[SYSTEM INITIALIZED: WELCOME TO THE ASCENSION]
[NAME: KIM YOORIE]
[CLASS: High Class Mage]
[LEVEL: 999]
Yoorie's breath hitched.
999?
The number didn't feel real. It sat there, glowing gold against the blue, heavy and impossible—like a crown placed on her head without permission.
She slowly turned her head.
Every student was staring into thin air, their faces illuminated by the same ghostly blue glow. The classroom, once noisy, had transformed into something eerie—silent except for whispers filled with fear.
"Level 1? I'm a… Healer?" Minnie's voice trembled, barely holding together.
"I got 'Swordsman level 1' and a 'Newbie Wooden Blade' in my inventory!" another boy yelled, panic cracking through his words.
Most of them were Level 1.
Weak.
Scared.
Human.
But Yoorie looked back at her own screen.
Level 999.
It felt like a secret.
A dangerous one.
Suddenly—
she felt it.
A presence.
She turned her head.
Jeesuk was standing just a few feet away.
His interface glowed faintly in front of him, but his eyes weren't on it.
They were on her.
For the first time in three years of being in the same class, their gazes locked without interruption.
There was no "Class Monitor" mask now.
No calm authority.
No distance.
He looked pale, his chest rising and falling unevenly under his blazer. His fingers twitched slightly at his side, as if he wanted to reach out—but didn't know if he should.
Yoorie felt that familiar, sharp skip in her heart.
The world outside had turned into something terrifying—red sky, vanished people, unknown danger—but somehow, looking at Jeesuk felt more overwhelming.
He was cold to everyone else.
Distant.
Untouchable.
But never to her.
He always looked at her like she was just a girl… not someone fragile, not someone to pity.
And right now—
he was looking at her like she mattered.
They didn't speak.
They had never even shared a full conversation before.
But in that silent moment, something passed between them.
Are you okay?
I'm scared.
Stay.
The digital chime returned—but this time, it didn't ring.
It vibrated.
A deep, humming sound spread through the floor, through the walls, through their bones.
On every floating blue interface, the text began to blink.
[TRANSFORMATION INITIALIZING… 3… 2… 1…]
The world exploded into light.
A kaleidoscope of colors burst around Yoorie, blinding and overwhelming. She gasped as a strange force pulled at her chest—not painful, but powerful.
For someone who had spent her entire life feeling the weight of her own body…
This felt unreal.
She began to feel light.
Weightless.
Her fingers slipped from the cold metal of her wheelchair.
The chair remained below—
but she didn't.
Yoorie slowly rose into the air.
Around her, magic unfolded like a storm made of starlight. Icy-blue light swirled around her legs, wrapping them gently, protectively… almost reverently.
Her breath caught.
She could feel them.
Not just see—
feel.
As she ascended, her school uniform dissolved into shimmering particles, replaced by a flowing red and black gown that moved like living flame. Golden heels formed around her feet, delicate yet radiant. A small golden crown, adorned with teardrop-shaped red beads, settled gently onto her head, holding her dark hair in place.
She closed her eyes.
Below her—
Jeesuk stared.
Concern. Shock. Something deeper.
Then—
gravity returned.
Yoorie descended slowly, her gown drifting around her like a fading ember.
Her feet—
touched the ground.
For the first time in her life.
Her eyes flew open.
Her legs trembled.
She tried to take a step—
but her balance shattered.
She began to fall.
Suddenly—
strong arms caught her.
Firm.
Warm.
Steady.
Jeesuk.
His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her upright before she could hit the ground. She could feel the tension in his grip… and the rapid rhythm of his heartbeat.
Fast.
Unsteady.
Just like hers.
He didn't let go immediately.
Instead, he adjusted his hold, helping her stand properly, carefully—as if she might disappear if he moved too quickly.
"I am level 5 swordsman," he said quietly, his voice low but firm. "I will protect you."
Yoorie looked at him.
Then nodded.
Around them, chaos continued—but something had shifted.
Most of the class assumed she was just another Level 1 mage.
They had no idea.
And before she could say anything—
a loud, monstrous roar echoed from outside.
Everyone turned toward the window.
Something moved.
Big.
Too big.
Students began forming groups quickly, fear pushing them together.
"We should team up and go outside by groups," Jeesuk said, his voice regaining its authority as class rep. "We can't stay here any longer."
Yoorie's friends rushed to her side.
Minnie.
Liyana.
Kyna.
Jeesuk stepped closer.
His friend Joel followed, a playful grin on his face despite the situation.
"Hey girls, do you need our protection?" Joel said lightly. "We have a level 5 swordsman—Jeesuk."
Jeesuk shot him a sharp look.
Joel immediately quieted.
"Don't mind him," Jeesuk said, more calmly. "We both want to team up with you. Can we?"
"Okay… we can," Minnie replied.
"I'm level 1 healer," Minnie said softly.
"I'm fighter level 1," Kyna added.
"I'm fighter too—level 2," Liyana said.
Yoorie hesitated.
"I'm… I'm a mage. Quite special… well, level 1 as well."
"Mages are rare," Jeesuk said, glancing at her briefly. "You're the only mage in our class. Maybe other classes have one too."
Yoorie nodded.
"I'm healer level 2," Joel added.
Outside—
the monsters roared again.
And this time—
they sounded closer.