A surge of energy pulsed through Jiwon's core, foreign yet strangely familiar, like a spark igniting kindling.
His amber eyes widened, breath catching as the SYSTEM chimed:
"PURCHASE COMPLETE! 'ELECTRIC PULSE' WAS ADDED TO HOST'S LISTS OF ABILITIES"
Neko, perched on his lap, tilted her head, sensing the shift. Jiwon's fingers tingled, faint blue arcs crackling across his knuckles before fading.
'Whoa' he thought, heart racing. 'That's… new'
The Electric Pulse energy meshed with his kinetic core, a restless hum that felt like an extension of his Force Control. 'This could be big!'
He glanced at the Market screen, his balance now 40 points.
'Not bad' he thought, but his mind was already on his theory.
Electric Pulse could amplify the electric shocks he'd theorized generating with his Super Speed and kinetic energy.
'If I redirect my core's energy, like with Healing Touch, I can make this stronger!' The idea thrilled him, but caution lingered. 'Gotta test it. Can't wait.'
He glanced at the clock—midnight neared.
'Perfect time'
The Yamamoto house was silent, Hana and Taro asleep, Taro recovering under Hana's watchful care.
Jiwon slipped on a dark hoodie, careful not to wake Neko, and ran to his secret cove using his Super Speed, the sea's restless hum matching his pulse. The jagged cliffs loomed under the moon, rain clouds gone, leaving a crisp, salty breeze.
At the cove, Jiwon stood on the wet sand, the SYSTEM's screen open. His stats glowed:
[World]Eleceed
[Character Info]
〔Name〕Seo Ji-Won
〔Age〕13
〔Level〕10「Exp」■■□□□□□□□□
『HP 250/800』
『MP 368/600』
"Stats"
『ATK』13
『DEF』11
『DEX』22
『INT』14
「Extra Points」25
[Abilities]
●Super Speed - lvl.13
●Kinetic Absorption/Release - lvl.11
●Force Control (Unique) - lvl.6
●Healing Touch - lvl.1 (Rare)
●Animal Synergy (Rare) - lvl.1 (New Addition!)
●Electric Pulse - lvl.1 (New Addition!)
'Time to test this' he thought, core humming. He sprinted, Super Speed blurring his form, kinetic energy crackling.
Focusing on Electric Pulse, he redirected his core's energy to his hands, like channeling Healing Touch. Blue sparks flared, stronger than the initial crackle, dancing across his fingers.
'Yes!' He punched the air, a weak electric shock arcing outward, singeing a nearby pebble.
'My theory's right! Super Speed's kinetic energy amps Electric Pulse. I can generate shocks by redirecting core energy!'
He tested again, using 'Animal Synergy' to mimic a cat's precision. He leaped, feline synergy sharpening his balance, and released a shock mid-spin, the arc zapping a boulder with a faint scorch mark.
'It's weak now, but with training…' He imagined stunning foes, pairing shocks with Force Control's pinpoint strikes, and maybe eventually control lightning itself. 'Would I be able to achieve Kayden's level?'
His exhilaration faded as Taro's weak voice—"Hiro…?"—echoed in his mind.
'I almost failed dad' The storm had shown his limits— 'Healing Touch, Animal Synergy, Electric Pulse… they're tools. I need real battles to wield them properly.'
As if sensing his urge for combat, a system mission suddenly popped up in front of him:
"NEW MISSION: INVESTIGATE THE HASHIMA ISLAND. REWARD: INT +2, EXTRA STAT POINT +1"
'??? The hashima island?' Jiwon was confused at first as to why a new mission suddenly showed up.
'Is there like, something suspicious about that island? And where the hell even is that island in the first place!?' Jiwon sighed, not knowing where to start.
'I should probably go home for now and search this island on the internet' Jiwon decided that proving his theory regarding his abilities was enough for now.
Now, what he needs to do is to investigate the Hashima island.
Using Super Speed, Jiwon ran home, the cool night air soothing the electric hum still buzzing in his veins.
The SYSTEM's mission looped in his mind, as puzzling as it was urgent.
'Hashima Island? Why there?'
Slipping into the Yamamoto house, Jiwon toed off his sneakers, the wooden floor creaking faintly. Neko greeted him with a soft meow, her newly healed stride a quiet joy as she nudged his shin.
In his room, Jiwon powered on his laptop, its faint glow casting shadows across the wooden boat Taro had carved beside his desk.
He opened a browser and typed "Hashima Island Nagasaki," curiosity piqued. The SYSTEM's missions were never random—combat, training, academics—but an island? 'What's out there?'
The search results loaded, and Jiwon's eyes widened. Hashima Island, nicknamed Gunkanjima—"Battleship Island"
The island's seawall and battleship-like silhouette gave it an eerie, post-apocalyptic vibe, like something out of a sci-fi manga.
The island was abandoned overnight, left to decay until it reopened for tourists in 2009.
'So it's a tourist spot now huh?'
He leaned back, processing. 'A ghost town with a coal mining past… why's the SYSTEM pointing me there?'
'Maybe a secret evil organization hideout?' Jiwon furrowed his eyebrows, remembering his past with his brother Jiwoo.
Another article detailed tourist restrictions: only guided boat tours from Nagasaki Port could visit, with landings limited to a 220-meter walkway and three observation platforms due to crumbling structures.
'It's June now. Perfect timing!' But the restricted access nagged him.
'If the SYSTEM wants me to investigate, I'll need to see more than a tourist path.'
Jiwon's gaze drifted to a photo of Hashima's seawall, waves crashing against it. 'Could I just run there?'
'I mean, I can probably do that, but the risk was high. What if there really was a secret organization hiding there? Running straight to enemy territories is never really a good idea'
'Except maybe if you're Kayden' A flash of Kayden just destroying everything in his path with a bored face suddenly popped in his mind.
'Yeh, he would do that'
'I'd need to train more' For now, a tour was safer—and he'd need Hana and Taro's permission.
And with the research done, Jiwon decided that that was enough as it was already dawn. 'Damn, the sun is almost peeking out'
'It's a good thing I learned how to sleep effectively' With years of training, Jiwon had been able to sleep well, just needing 3 hours for a full rest. And with that, He slumped on his bed and went to sleep right away.
Morning light filtered through the shoji screens, and Jiwon joined Hana and Taro for breakfast.
The scent of miso soup and grilled mackerel filled the air, Neko weaving between their legs. Taro, bandaged but upright, sipped tea, his gruff voice lighter than yesterday.
"Feeling better, Hiro. Don't scare your mom like that again," he said, winking at Hana.
Hana swatted his arm, her gray-streaked bun bobbing. "You're the one scaring us, old man."
Her eyes softened on Jiwon. "Hiro, you were so brave, checking the pier."
Jiwon forced a smile, guilt gnawing. 'If they knew what I really did…'
"Just glad you're okay, Dad," he said, voice thick.
After clearing the table, Jiwon hesitated, then spoke. "Hey, Mom, Dad… I read about this place online—Hashima Island. It's a UNESCO site, like a ghost town from the old coal mines. They do boat tours. Can we go? It sounds cool." He kept his tone casual, a curious kid pitching a family outing.
Hana raised an eyebrow, setting down a dish. "Hashima? That's Gunkanjima, right? I heard it's popular with tourists now, but it's a bit eerie."
Taro grunted, rubbing his bandaged forehead. "Battleship Island? Used to hear stories from old fishermen—said it was a fortress of concrete. Tours are pricey, though, and the sea's rough."
"I checked," Jiwon said quickly, pulling up a tour site on his phone.
"It's safe with guides, and summer's the best time. They've got a walkway, and you only see a small part, but it's history, y'know? I thought… maybe a family trip." He glanced at Taro, eyes earnest. "After everything, it'd be nice to do something together."
Hana's expression softened, her maternal instinct kicking in. "You're right, Hiro. We could use a day out." She looked at Taro. "What do you think? You're recovering, but a boat ride's gentle enough."
Taro sighed, his weathered face cracking into a smile. "Kid's got a point. Been years since we did a proper trip. Fine, but you're helping with the nets tomorrow, Hiro."
Jiwon grinned, relief flooding him. "Deal!"
'Step one, done' He'd book a tour for next weekend, giving him time to train Electric Pulse and Animal Synergy at the cove. 'If Hashima's hiding something, I'll be ready.'
That night, Jiwon sat at his desk, the SYSTEM open. His Market balance—40 points—He eyed Aura Suppression (40 points), tempted to hide his core's energy, but his theory from last night lingered.
'Force Control, Healing Touch… I made those myself. Maybe I can train Aura Suppression, too' He'd try at the cove, muffling his aura like redirecting kinetic force.
Neko leaped onto his desk, her amber eyes mirroring his. Jiwon hugged her, her warmth easing the weight of his secrets.
The SYSTEM flickered:
"MISSION UPDATE: INVESTIGATE HASHIMA ISLAND. PROGRESS: 06%"
'Only 6%?' He frowned, the blue screen's glow casting faint shadows across his room. 'Research barely counts, huh?'
He tapped the Market screen, its menu glowing: Abilities, Powers, Items, Enhancements.
His balance—40 points—felt like a lifeline after spending 60 on Electric Pulse. Training Weights (15 points) caught his eye.
'Perfect!'
They'd boost his stat growth during training, helping him hone Electric Pulse, Animal Synergy, and his plan to develop Aura Suppression naturally.
'Force Control and Healing Touch came from me pushing my limits. I can do this, too, I could probably try developing the energy sheild...'
He'd train at the cove before the Hashima tour next weekend, muffling his aura like redirecting kinetic force.
Jiwon confirmed the purchase, the SYSTEM chiming:
"PURCHASE COMPLETE! 'TRAINING WEIGHTS' ADDED TO INVENTORY. MARKET BALANCE: 25 POINTS"
"HIDDEN SYSTEM ACHIEVEMENT COMPLETED! BUY ITEMS FROM SHOP. REWARD: NEW SYSTEM FUNCTION: INVENTORY"
"NEW SYSTEM FUNCTION: INVENTORY"
'...'
'SO THERE'S INVENTORY ALL ALONG? JUST NOT ACTIVATED??? THANK GOD! I thought i was gonna be one of the unfortunate isekai protagonists to just carry all their things around!'
'This is great!'
'Now, how do i access it?'
"SYSTEM: You can access the INVENTORY by calling it out and thinking what you are going to put inside or out."
'well that was convenient'
'Inventory!' Jiwon called out the inventory through his head, and a blue panel consisted of several empty squares except for one where the Training Weights are contained appeared before him.
He thought about bringing out the item. A soft glow materialized sleek wristbands on his desk.
'...'
'Isn't this just bracelets?' Jiwon was confused. He for sure bought training weights...now what he is looking at in front of him were seemingly 4 black metallic bracelets.
He grabbed one to examine it, and it surprised him on how light it was!
'Is this supposed to help me with my traing progress, its too light!' He grumbled. Maybe the SYSTEM is fucking with him?
'Sigh, at least it looks cool, I guess..' He sighed in a defeated tone before putting it on his left wrist when suddenly the weight of the bracelet suddenly increased making him stumble on the ground with a thud.
'WOAH!' Jiwon was surprised! he didn't expect that it was one of those items where it only works if the user is equiping it. 'I don't know if that's a bad thing or not...'
And with that, he also equipped the remaining Weights to his ankles and other wrist.
'Damn, these are heavy! Maybe like 30 kilogram each?' Jiwon examined, amazed by how a small thing can be so heavy.
'Walking is manageable, but I could barely run right now with these weights...YES!!!'
'I could already imagine my gains when im done training!' The self glazing is high on this one.
"Hiro! Time to eat dinner!" Called out Hana from the kitchen. "Taro is already eating!" She added as I heard a loud slap.
"Damn woman! You shouldn't slap someone's back when they're a patient!" Complained Taro.
"You're eating all the food, old man! What is Hiro gonna eat then huh? No consideration whatsoever" retorted Hana.
Taro sounding guilty, he said with an exaggerated tone "You're right... I have brought great dishonor to my ancestors, for that crime, i shall now commit senpu- OW!" Was the last thing i heard from dad before hearing another slap.
'Hahahaha!' I love this family.
"Coming!" Jiwon replied to Hana's call out earlier. As he readied himself to go to the kitchen.
=========================
Jiwon slipped out after dinner, using Super Speed to streak to the cove, not as fast as before because of the training weights but fast enough to have time to train, the sea's salty breeze whipping past.
The Training Weights added a subtle strain, his muscles warming under their resistance.
'Good. Push me harder' The jagged cliffs loomed, moonlight glinting off wet sand.
He opened his SYSTEM:
[World]Eleceed
[Character Info]
〔Name〕Seo Ji-Won
〔Age〕13
〔Level〕10「Exp」■■□□□□□□□□
『HP 800/800』
『MP 600/600』
"Stats"
『ATK』13
『DEF』11
『DEX』22
『INT』14
「Extra Points」25
[Abilities]
●Super Speed - lvl.13
●Kinetic Absorption/Release - lvl.11
●Force Control (Unique) - lvl.6
●Healing Touch - lvl.1 (Rare)
●Animal Synergy (Rare) - lvl.1
●Electric Pulse - lvl.1
'Let's do this, he thought, core humming' He started with Aura Suppression, focusing on his core's kinetic pulse, willing it to dim like softening a Force Control strike.
Visualizing his aura as a faint glow, compressing it inward. Sweat beaded his brow, MP dipping to 550, but the SYSTEM flickered:
"ABILITY CREATION PROGRESS DETECTED: AURA SUPPRESSION (RARE).CURRENT PROGRESS: 10%"
Jiwon grinned, panting. 'It's working!'
Just like Force Control. He'd keep training, aiming to hide his aura before Hashima.
Next, he tested Electric Pulse, sprinting with Super Speed to generate kinetic energy. The Training Weights strained his limbs, amplifying the effort.
He redirected core energy to his fists, blue sparks flaring brighter than last night.
A shock arced outward, scorching a rock with a faint crackle, MP dropping to 545.
'Stronger already!' The weights were boosting his control, his DEX syncing with Animal Synergy's feline precision.
He leaped, mimicking Neko's grace, and released a mid-air shock, singeing a boulder.
'I can stun foes with this. Maybe even match Kayden's lightning one day.'
He shifted to Animal Synergy, focusing on Neko's agility. Running along the cliffs, he dodged imaginary attacks, his balance sharper, movements fluid like a cat's.
The Training Weights pushed his endurance, his muscles burning, but he felt stronger, faster.
'If Hashima's got enemies, I'll need this.'
He sensed a stray cat nearby, its curiosity brushing his mind through Animal Synergy.
'Could animals help me scout?' The idea sparked excitement—Hashima might have strays or seabirds he could sync with.
Hours later, Jiwon collapsed on the sand, sweat-soaked but exhilarated. The Training Weights had intensified his session, his stats tingling with growth.
The SYSTEM chimed:
"TRAINING BONUS: +0.5 DEX DUE TO TRAINING WEIGHTS. CURRENT DEX: 22.5"
'Half a point already?' He grinned, wiping his brow. 'Keep this up, and I'll be untouchable'
After that, Jiwon ran home with Super Speed, slipping into his room before dawn. Neko curled beside him, her purrs syncing with his slowing heartbeat.
The SYSTEM glowed: "MISSION UPDATE: INVESTIGATE HASHIMA ISLAND. PROGRESS: 08%". Jiwon's jaw set.
Training's just the start. He'd book the Hashima tour, train harder, and unravel the island's secrets. 'No one will know Hiro Yamamoto's more than a kid'
Exhaustion pulled him under, dreaming of sparks, seas, and Jiwoo and Mom's laugh.