Kimichi

  Chapter 5

  “Kimichi’s Little Sister”

  Phoenix, Arizona.

  The church stood in silence, ancient stone walls towering over the empty city block as if they had been abandoned by time itself. Cracks lined the foundation, creeping upward like veins on aging skin. Inside, the air felt heavy—thick with something unnatural, something watching.

  Near the center of the church stood a gigantic well, its circular stone edges worn smooth by centuries of use. Water rested inside it, unnaturally still, as though even ripples feared to disturb its surface. Candles flickered weakly along the walls, their flames trembling as if they sensed danger.

  A man wearing a mask stood beside the well.

  His posture was relaxed—too relaxed for a place so tense. One hand rested casually against the stone rim while the other hung loosely at his side. His masked face tilted downward, eyes hidden, staring into the depths of the water.

  Slowly… images began to emerge.

  The surface of the well shimmered, distorting like glass under heat. Shapes formed. Faces. Scenes.

  Kimichi appeared within the water—his movements replayed like a memory stolen from reality itself. The masked man let out a soft giggle, the sound echoing unnaturally through the church.

  “Hehehe…”

  His shoulders shook slightly as he watched, fascinated.

  “So you really do exist…”

  Suddenly—

  BOOM!

  The massive doors of the church burst open.

  Two shadows flooded the room, stretching across the cracked floor and colliding with the light from the candles. The masked man didn’t turn immediately. He didn’t need to.

  Kimichi and Kuowon stood at the entrance.

  Frustration radiated from them like heat from a fire. Their breathing was sharp, uneven—signs they had arrived ready for battle.

  Kimichi’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the church. Then he froze.

  There.

  Standing beside the masked man.

  The Shadowy Monster.

  His chest tightened. His breath caught.

  That thing…

  It was exactly as he remembered.

  The same twisted silhouette. The same unnatural presence that haunted his memories. Fear crawled up his spine like ice.

  Kuowon stepped forward, his voice firm but edged with caution.

  “Who are you?”

  Each step echoed loudly as they approached. The masked man finally turned.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  He laughed.

  A slow, deep, diabolical laugh that vibrated through the stone walls.

  HAHAHAHA…

  He spread his arms wide, almost welcoming them, laughter growing louder as he faced them fully.

  Kimichi and Kuowon exchanged glances—confusion mixing with anger.

  “This is just incredible!!!” the masked man exclaimed. “Tell me, spiky boy… are you really even human?!”

  He pointed directly at Kimichi.

  Kimichi blinked, surprised, instinctively pointing at himself.

  “You mean me?!”

  Before either of them could react—

  WHOOSH.

  The masked man vanished.

  In an instant, he reappeared behind Kimichi, gripping his shoulder tightly. His presence slammed into both of them like a wave.

  Kuowon spun around in shock.

  Kimichi froze.

  Fear paralyzed his body as an overwhelming aura pressed down on him. His knees almost buckled under the pressure.

  The masked man leaned closer.

  Hahaha… hahaha…

  “Why so… serious?”

  The voice crawled into Kimichi’s ears, sending chills through him.

  Something snapped.

  Anger surged.

  Kimichi twisted violently, throwing a punch with everything he had.

  FWISH!!

  The attack cut through air.

  But the masked man was gone.

  “Ohhh… come on now,” the voice mocked. “Did I make ya’ angry?”

  He stood back near the well, exactly where he had been before.

  Kuowon clenched his jaw.

  “What are you exactly?!” he demanded.

  A glowing magical circle formed over Kuowon’s right hand, humming with energy.

  The masked man tilted his head, unimpressed.

  “Who are you again?”

  Kuowon’s eyes burned with fury.

  “Are you mocking me?!”

  “Hahahahaaa!”

  A magical portal opened behind the masked man, swirling with distorted light.

  Kimichi turned sharply. His aura flared, energy radiating violently as he clenched his fists.

  The masked man paused mid-step.

  “Ohhh… what do we have here?”

  “You ain’t going anywhere!” Kimichi shouted.

  “Yeah,” Kuowon added. “You ain’t leaving here.”

  The Shadowy Monster stepped closer, its presence thickening the air.

  “It looks like my friend here disagrees!” the masked man said cheerfully.

  He stepped into the portal.

  Kimichi charged.

  A magical circle formed instantly, reshaping itself into a razor-sharp disk. With a furious roar, Kimichi hurled it forward.

  The Shadowy Monster raised its arm to block.

  The blade sliced clean through.

  The monster’s hand was severed, shadow matter exploding outward as the razor followed the masked man into the portal just before it closed.

  Elsewhere.

  A portal opened violently.

  The masked man leapt out, rolling across the ground as the razor cut through the air behind him. His mask cracked, falling away partially as he grabbed his face.

  “This kid…” he muttered. “Is no joke.”

  Back at the church.

  Kimichi stood trembling, breath heavy, legs weak.

  Kuowon rushed to him as he collapsed.

  “You still need training,” Kuowon said firmly. “Your power is overwhelming—but uncontrolled.”

  The Shadowy Monster regenerated its arm, shadows knitting together as a sword formed in its hand. It pointed directly at Kuowon.

  “Hahahaha… you got a death wish or what?!”

  Smoke poured from the monster’s mouth.

  “My order was to eliminate Kimichi. You’re standing in my way.”

  Their attacks collided.

  The church shattered.

  Kimichi fell.

  Darkness swallowed everything.

  Fire.

  Kingdoms burning.

  A man called the Watcher.

  A voice calling him.

  I’ll be waiting…

  Hospital. Phoenix, Arizona.

  Kimichi woke to white ceilings and the sound of quiet breathing.

  His mother slept beside him.

  “Mom…?” he whispered.

  Tears. Embrace. Fear masked by anger. Love stronger than words.

  I’ll be waiting…

  Phoenix Arizona HQ.

  Legacies.

  Zexus.

  God of Gods.

  A sealed past stirring.

  Kuowon smiled as he walked away.

  A rare collection added.

  The destroyed church.

  Squad 7 searched.

  Unireai.

  A Shadowy Beast of legend.

  Commander Kai-raisu stood atop the rubble.

  Kimichi’s little sister.

  Fire in her eyes.

  Prodigy.

  Commander.

  Adopted brother.

  “Team, let’s head out.”

  Her eyes glowed red.

  “I think it’s time to pay my adopted brother a visit.”

  The Legacies – Development:

  The Legacies were not born from chaos alone—they were born from belief.

  Long ago, Zexus, a master beyond kings, believed the world was flawed by division. Multiple kingdoms meant endless war, endless weakness. In his eyes, peace could only exist under one rule, one kingdom, one absolute order.

  But his vision terrified the gods.

  Loki sealed Zexus away before his ideology could reshape reality itself.

  Yet beliefs do not die with their creators.

  The Legacies were formed by those who remembered Zexus not as a tyrant—but as a savior. Loyal servants, scholars, warriors, and monsters bound by devotion. Their goal never changed.

  Free Zexus.

  Restore the Fallen Kingdom.

  Unify the world—by force if necessary.

  The masked man was one of them.

  A servant from the old era.

  A shadow from history now walking again.

  And Kimichi—

  Whether he wanted it or not—

  Was now part of that legacy.

  To be continued…