The Devouring Genius of a Destroyed World

When Seongho first met Im Chan and Go Ji-hoon, he experienced a similar sensation.  

The man standing before him, bearing the name **Jang Hyeong-soo**, was undeniably a character from the original story.  

For a moment, Seongho froze, processing the realization, but Jang Hyeong-soo spoke first.  

"My name is Jang Hyeong-soo. I came to introduce myself after hearing about the arrival of a new Awakener."  

Seongho masked his turmoil and extended a hand.  

"Han Seongho."  

"Welcome to our camp," Jang Hyeong-soo said with a pleasant smile, firmly shaking Seongho’s hand.  

In the brief moment their hands were clasped, Seongho quickly analyzed the man before him.  

‘The man who will one day become the camp leader of the New Humanity Association.’  

In the original timeline, Jang Hyeong-soo possessed a terrifying ability: the power to create illusions so realistic that they were almost impossible to escape.  

He could conjure a bridge connecting the rooftops of ten-story buildings, tricking people into walking across it.  

He could make starving people believe they were feasting on a banquet, erasing their hunger.  

His illusions extended to creating sensations of insects crawling over one's body or even the excruciating pain of being burned alive.  

In the original story, his abilities were described as having no limits, capable of deceiving all five senses and even the most subtle neural responses.  

That was the Jang Hyeong-soo Seongho remembered—a man who had to be eliminated before he could fully develop.  

Suppressing the sharp emotions welling up inside him, Seongho forced a neutral expression and gestured toward the room.  

"It’s cold outside. Why don’t you come in?"  

"Thank you. I’d appreciate that," Jang Hyeong-soo replied with a polite nod.  

---

As soon as Jang Hyeong-soo stepped inside, the door to the master bedroom opened, and Im Chan emerged.  

"Seongho? Who is this—"  

"I thought it’d be rude to leave a guest standing outside," Seongho explained.  

"Ah, a guest… Hello, I’m Im Chan."  

"Pleasure to meet you. Jang Hyeong-soo."  

After a brief handshake, Jang Hyeong-soo handed over a paper bag.  

"It’s nothing special, but I heard there’s a child here, so I brought this."  

Inside the bag was a small, cute rabbit doll.  

"Oh my, I don’t know how to thank you…" Im Chan said, clearly touched.  

"No need for thanks. It was just collecting dust in a corner, but now it has a proper owner."  

"Still, I really appreciate it. My daughter will love this."  

After the brief exchange of gifts, the three men sat around the dining table.  

---

"I hear Mr. Im Chan specializes in growing plants, while Mr. Han Seongho is combat-oriented. Is that correct?"  

"Combat-oriented?" Seongho asked.  

"Ah, we categorize Awakeners based on their abilities for convenience. It’s nothing formal, so don’t take it too seriously," Jang Hyeong-soo explained.  

He elaborated that abilities were loosely divided into two categories: combat and support.  

‘Not a very useful system,’ Seongho thought. Abilities categorized as "support" could often be just as effective in combat depending on their application.  

In the middle stages of the original story, when Awakeners became more active and their powers evolved, a more detailed classification system emerged.  

- **Physical Transformation**: Abilities that enhance or transform the body.  
- **Manifestation**: Powers that create or control elements or substances, like fire or metal.  
- **Support**: Abilities that require existing objects, like plants, to be effective.  
- **Special Abilities**: Unique powers that don’t fit into other categories, such as illusions or mind control.  

‘If I were to classify the people here…’  

- Im Chan: Support, due to his reliance on plant-based mediums.  
- Mi-joo, with her web-like creations: Manifestation.  
- Jang Hyeong-soo: Special Abilities, due to his illusions.  

‘I claimed to have enhanced strength, so I’d fall under Physical Transformation.’  

---

Feigning curiosity, Seongho asked, "It seems word about me has already spread. That hardly seems fair since I don’t know what your ability is."  

"Haha, if you’re curious, I’d be happy to show you," Jang Hyeong-soo said, his voice light and friendly.  

He locked eyes with Seongho, and suddenly, the world shifted.  

A vast meadow stretched before Seongho, the grass swaying gently.  

Seongho’s gaze sharpened.  

‘There’s no wind.’  

Although the grass appeared to move in a breeze, Seongho couldn’t feel any air on his skin. There was also no scent of grass in the air.  

Jang Hyeong-soo’s illusion hadn’t reached the level of tricking all five senses yet.  

"This is an illusion, isn’t it?" Seongho said.  

At his words, the meadow dissolved into dust, revealing the living room once more.  

"Ah, so quick to break free! Your observation skills are impressive," Jang Hyeong-soo said, clapping lightly.  

"It felt unnatural for a movement ability," Seongho replied.  

"Haha, I still have a long way to go," Jang Hyeong-soo admitted. "The more memories I have, the more detailed I can make my illusions."  

To demonstrate further, he created the illusion of a safari ride, complete with the vibration and hum of the vehicle. But outside the vehicle's windows, the scenery was pitch black.  

"This ability is why I have the best record in slave hunting," Jang Hyeong-soo said, pride evident in his voice.  

Seongho seized the opportunity to ask, "Speaking of records, I’ve heard people here mention contributions and achievements. What exactly does that mean?"  

---

Jang Hyeong-soo explained that Awakeners were evaluated based on their contributions to the camp.  

Bringing in resources was valued, but capturing slaves was considered the most significant contribution.  

The points earned from contributions could be exchanged for goods, allowing Awakeners to acquire items beyond the basics provided by the camp.  

---

As the conversation progressed, it became evident that Jang Hyeong-soo was more interested in Seongho than Im Chan.  

‘Understandable,’ Seongho thought. ‘Im Chan’s ability benefits the entire camp, but my combat strength is a direct asset to their power.’  

Deciding it wasn’t the right time to alienate Jang Hyeong-soo, Seongho responded to his hospitality with just enough warmth to keep the conversation flowing.  

---

The next morning, Seongho retrieved his reward from Mokgap’s hunt: a hand grenade.  

‘Good thing I waited until I was inside the camp to claim this. It would’ve been confiscated during the inspection.’  

The grenade was a valuable card to hold, and he carefully stashed it deep in his bag before heading to the kitchen.  

He poured a packet of instant coffee into hot water from the electric kettle and moved to the balcony.  

---

The crisp winter air hit his face as he opened the window.  

"Haah."  

Seongho exhaled a warm breath into the cold morning air, sipping his coffee.  

---

This camp offered a certain comfort—a stark contrast to the apocalyptic chaos outside.  

It almost felt like being back in the real world.  

But Seongho knew better.  

‘I can’t let myself grow complacent.’  

He had a clear goal: to return to the original world. And to achieve that, the New Humanity Association and its camp needed to be dismantled.  

---

As he resolved himself, Seongho noticed a figure jogging on the pathway below.  

It was Jang Hyeong-soo, dressed in workout clothes.  

The man spotted him and waved cheerfully.  

Seongho returned the gesture, lifting his coffee cup in acknowledgment.  

‘That man isn’t a threat just yet,’ Seongho thought. The illusions Jang Hyeong-soo had demonstrated so far lacked the sophistication to be a significant danger in combat.  

---

Seongho’s musings were interrupted by a quiet voice.  

"Hyung. Seongho-hyung."  

The sound seemed to come from below. Peering down, Seongho spotted a pool of water reflecting a familiar face.  

It was Jo Gyu-hyeon, his voice transmitted through his water manipulation ability.  

"Your skill’s improved," Seongho commented, filling a glass with the water.  

"Hehe, I’ve been practicing," Jo Gyu-hyeon replied, his face appearing in the reflection.  

"I see you’ve really infiltrated the camp," Gyu-hyeon said.  

"Min-hee’s with you, I assume?"  

"...She’s here," Jo Gyu-hyeon replied, shifting to reveal Seo Min-hee’s face.  

"Not surprising," Seongho said, meeting her gaze.  

Seo Min-hee nodded, her expression tense.  

---

The three exchanged words, and Seongho began to outline his plans.  

Just then, Jang Hyeong-soo returned from his jog, calling out from

 below.  

"Seongho! Let’s grab breakfast together!"  

Seongho smiled faintly and motioned for him to come up.