Chapter 1: Prologue to Etterra

Year 2085, 2 more weeks until the New Years. Families are preparing for Christmas including the people of South Korea are peacefully and happily enjoying their daily lives.

Suddenly, a missile flew across the skies of Seoul. A huge explosion can be seen from kilometres away occur in Incheon. This marks a tragic beginning to South Korea’s new year.

The South Korean government give the report to the media that North Korean dictator Kim Jung Ho, is ‘testing’ their new psionic missile is the cause of the Incheon tragedy to the press.

Psionic energy is created in 2062 by a mysterious scientist, called himself Eden. He persuaded people to stop using perishable resources as fuel as there are not many left on Earth. He started a company around the world to supply psionic energy to the people for cheap.

He said in an interview that psionic energy uses left over potential energy of sound that reflected out of special material to create electrical energy.

It does not release any chemicals but weaponizing it can cause a terrible shockwave that could even bend metal.      

Following the incident, the President of South Korea, Lee Ji Won personally wishes his condolences and apologize to the victims on live TV. The world is watching the broadcast and reporters around the world are covering the incident.

After that the president made an unexpected move. He reaches out to his pocket and pull out a thick phone and give command “Fire”. The command carries an expressionless but stern tone.

A carry-on sonic boom of mech 7 can be heard from the distance as the reporters from the press hall of the Blue house were shocked and feeling scared for what was coming.

“For decades we have been neighbours, North Korea is at arm’s length threat that is next to us. Oppressing your people to believe you are above others is bad enough. In the name of ‘testing’ your weapons, you point it at us? You are really asking for war. Today, the actions of the people of the North is the last straw. The South will retaliate!”

The last sentence echo throughout the press hall and the world. The media is going crazy and showing a satellite view of South Korea retaliation to the north. Hamhung royal villa was devastated along with the area in a 20km radius.

The whole world reactions are mixed with support or ire, world’s superpowers were taking action, other countries are putting a finger on the trigger because history holds grudges.

While the whole world is panicking, South Korea Disaster control are already in Incheon try search for survivors among the rubble and debris. After 2 hours of search, they only found corpses. Some rescuer shed a tear seeing these corpses.

Another 30 minutes had passed, a shout came from a rescuer asking for assistance. Hearing this they are a bit reluctant because they don’t want to see any more dead bodies of their countrymen keep piling up but they clench their teeth keep praying for someone to be alive.

After carefully removing the debris, the space in between the rubbles gave them enough to shed some light in. They can see 2 unmoving bodies curling up like a ball trying to protect something.

One of the unmoving body was a male shielding a boy who is about 15 years old from a rubble. The other one was a female which is more gruesome. Her body cannot shield from the metal rods, taking her daughter who is about 20 years old with her.

This scene made the rescuers burst into tears but they keep their hearts hard as a rock while tears still streaming down their cheeks. As a rescuer get closer to retrieving the bodies of the family, he suddenly heard a voice came from the family’s direction.

“appa, umma, noona” a small weak mumble can be heard on repeat with much delay. The rescuer that is task of retrieving the corpses felt like his heart is on a rollercoaster. He shouted on top of his lungs,

“A SURVIVOURRR!!!”

The party outside heard the scream, their will and hope are reignited. Putting on serious expressions, they continue to search for more survivors.

Ten years have passed since the eve of the beginning, the wars are still on going. The war between North Korea and South Korea are at a moment of high tension. South Korea has a slight upper hand over North Korea but the sacrifices on the south side is larger.

Around the world triggers are pulled, many countries holding smoking guns pointing at neighbours or across. The countries that bit the bullet are taking action following South Korea steps and retaliate.

NATO disbanded, America is facing a civil war and attacks from others like the middle east, China spread propaganda around Asia guaranteeing countries that allied with them will be safe. Russia attacks for more land to conquer Europe, the 2^nd and 3^rd world countries are at civil unrest.

In a chic office room, on the table placed a name plate reads ‘Captain Park Jae Sung’ sits a 25 year old youth is holding a file reading the reports regarding the current situation. He is the only lucky survivor of the Incheon incident.

After the incident, the orphaned boy braved through many challenges and work hard without wasting a single second to become the best. Only by becoming the best, he would not lose anything anymore.

After finishing high school, Park Jae Sung joined the military, registering as a special operations agent. That is where he learned many skills from veteran experts. He lives in an orphanage during high school years so by joining the military he can obtain free housing.

“Aria, how is my condition today?”

[Body condition: Optimal]

[Blood flow is perfectly normal]

[Fatigue accumulation is at 0%]

[Overall evaluation: Perfect]

A robotic woman’s voice is heard through his right ear. It’s an Artificial Intelligence that he modified by himself. He cleverly named it Aria [Another Replicated Intelligent Assistant] too.

About 7 years ago, an AI production company employee expose the codes of the company’s signature AI to the public as a protest towards the war. This opens up an opportunity for ‘keyboard warriors’ to slow down the war and they manage to stop a nuclear war from happening.

Park Jae Sung’s AI is self-made by using the codes he brought from the black market as the base. After millions of trials and simulations, Park Jae Sung finally created ARIA tailored for his use. He created programs as the highlights of ARIA’s features included, ‘Body scan’, ‘Communication’, ‘Advice’, ‘Manage’, ‘Learn’ and ‘Emergency procedure’.

“Aria, send a message to the special ops agents to gather up.” Park Jae Sung ordered Aria

[Responding. Messages sent to 4 people. Complete]

A few minutes later, Park Jae Sung enter a dimly lit meeting hall and saw 4 figures sitting around the table.

“You are late ‘captain’.” A bald man with a moustache bearing a muscular build named An JiHo greeted him sarcastically.

“Don’t lie, the door is not closed properly and there is a scent of perfume lingering at the entrance of the room. Yoo Iseul just came in here a minute ago.” Park Jae Sung take the remark as a joke and let it slide.

He knew every one of these guys personality because they were training with him in their military days. They became squad mates in many different occasions until Park Jae Sung is promoted to captain of the squad. An JiHo is still salty about it but that did not break each other’s bonds.

“No way you know it was me just by that. Are you a stalker? You should just say yes when I ask you out long time ago.” Yoo Iseul let out a flirty remark.

Everyone got used to it over the years. Yoo Iseul is very pretty but their captain is a tough nut to crack. Woman, alcohol and money did not even make him venerable. They just concluded it is the mentality of a ‘lone survivor’.

“The captain is built different so let’s just not waste time anymore. Also, what do you mean captain is a stalker? You are the only woman in this group that wears perfumes in meetings.” Jin Si Woo retorted standing by his captain’s reputation.

The last man, Baek Dae Seong, is sitting quietly crossing his arms nodding to Jin Si Woo’s words.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Park Jae Sung’s order suddenly make the room turn cold. Although, it’s not a loud shout but the tone made their spines tingle. This is one of the reasons they have no qualms of letting the youngest among them became captain. The ‘perfect’ leader, easy going and open minded on the outside and a skilled, efficient and a scary demon on the inside.

“As you all read the files. Three information telling signs of attack was received today. One, is our soldiers telling they saw tanks preparing to strike 60 km a way from south Paju. Two, a North scouting drone is caught surveying Incheon port. And lastly, news that they are relocating their base to the destroyed Hamhung.” Park Jae Sung concluded while putting his hand on his chin.

“I want you hear your opinion. What do you guys think about this?” Park Jae Sung already had his thoughts on this but he kept it to himself.

“The information gives three different locations. The mission asks us to know what their plan is. I think we should put our focus on Paju. Stalling the tanks can get us many information carrying on.” Jin Si Woo gives his thoughts.

“That’s right. Bringing heavy tanks surrounding a parameter extends a lot of resources. We can take advantage of this.” An JiHo support those claims

“I think we check the east. With them moving their base to Hamhung their maritime warships can infiltrate the east and took the land.” Baek Dae Seong finally opened his mouth and state his stance.

“Th… That’s right I think they want to take the land on the east side.” Yoo Iseul replied anxiously by supporting Baek Dae Seong’s theory.

“Hmm… I think the same way too. Paju’s terrain is complex and difficult to travers through with tanks and Incheon is a destroyed city nothing comes out from it. Alright, you guys get ready for a scouting mission at the east coast. We will be scouting for a month. Pack your things and take the plane there by today. I come by later bringing the helicopter as and escape plan.” Park Jae Sung give his verdict with reason.

“Understood” they nodded with the captain’s decision because during the times they spend with him, he’s never wrong.

“Alright, all of you dismiss.” Park Jae Sung wore a calm expression while walking back to his office. Midway when nobody is around his expression turn fierce.

“These bastards” Park Jae Sung silently cursed through his mouth

“Aria, make record a video and put it to these three names. When keyword ‘release’ is spoken by me. Send it to the 3 names.

[Notice. Recording message…]

[Command input enable]

After recording a message, Park Jae Sung gear up in his self-improvised combat suit as it provides thicker psionic shield than standard ones. He only equipped with two pistols, a short sword, grenades and a few extra magazines clips.

After quickly getting ready he drove his motorcycle to another military branch and ask for a helicopter. He gets on the helicopter and flew to Incheon.

It was already evening, the sun almost completely set beyond the horizon painting a beautiful scene. In a secluded place near Seorak Sunrise Park, four individuals are having a standoff under the sunset. Three guns a pointed towards one person.

“You bastard how dare you lie to us. Want all of us to die huh? Captain sent us a message telling us the story, the North want him dead and us as a bonus. All these years are just a lie. Luckily captain saw right through you, is it that right Yoo Iseul?” Jin Si Woo reveals the traitor in their midst.

“Humph. It doesn’t matter if I got found out or not. If he just wrapped around my finger, I should be done with this sooner. Captain… what a monster but he is also an idiot. He saw right through the bluff and went to the trap alone after knowing we wanted to kill him. You guys may have escaped a death trap but the captain will die for sure. Hahahaha…” Yoo Iseul admitting that she is a spy and ready for a trade between her and Park Jae Sung.

“You d*mn witch.”

“F***ing b*itch”

“Die traitor”

The three of them let their emotions took over hearing Yoo Iseul remark. They knew that their captain will be angry if someone hurts the one he cares about. Even though the North wanted to kill Park Jae Sung, if he drags them with him they would die. The three pull their triggers.

Three gunshots are heard on one beautiful evening sunset. The three that pull the trigger silently praying for Park Jae Sung to return alive.

It was getting dark and the darkness had already mildly enveloped Incheon but currently the darkness is a blessing. It hides the gruesome scene of dismembered body parts and pools of blood.

Park Jae Sung vs North Korean Army. 1 vs 100. Only one left standing, but not for long. He leaned his body to a wall, not feeling so good. He wanted to close his eyes.

Park Jae Sung begin to think about life. Reliving his life one last time. He didn’t blame anyone but he genuinely felt sorry that the world is as it is.

[Master’s life in danger. Emergency measures proceeding]

[Results: FAIL] [Attempt 2: FAIL] [Attempt 3: FAIL] [Attempt 4…….]

[ARIA protocol initiated: One with the Host] 

On his last breath, he heard a heavenly voice among Aria’s warning.