Chapter 1: The Devil in Grey

If one thing could be said about humans, it was that they had a great imagination. During humanity's short existence, many folk tales and myths were spun to try to make sense of the mysteries of the world. After thousands of years of constant progress, humanity had reached a state in which dreams were not permitted to be translated into reality. Magic and all that resulted from it, was born out of a fear of the unknown and a tendency to romance all that remained a mystery to the men's eyes.  At the very least....That is what an entire race had been more comfortable believing.

Before Humanity could reach the stars, before it could destroy itself, its history caught up to it. At the dawn of the 21st century, all that was once mere dreams or nightmares became a reality.

Creatures born from the imagination of earth's dominant species poured out of tears in the air, portals that could appear at any time, at any place. Ten years later, a spent humanity has destroyed the greatest threat to date and slowly, but surely, started to exploit the realms beyond the portals. But to enter those realms and take advantage of their resources before they could close forever, one had to explore them first. Preferably, one who had been selected in their dreams to fight against the numerous nightmares that constantly harassed Mankind.

And that is where this tale takes us, to a nation that never quite recovered and is now taking its first steps on crutches. 

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( Republic of Korea, Seoul, 11th of May 2016 )

A new tear in the sky, a new opportunity to make some cash. That is what most people would think in the current situation. But with an unholy headache and enough vodka in his body to make him regret his life choices, this young alcoholic would be the first to disagree. Well, at the very least, that was the case for him this time because he had been selected to help. Curse his love for the not-so-sweet nectar and its outrageous price.

"Should I just stop giving him what he asks for because you worry for him? I need to make a living, you know!?"

A voice harassed his ears and the young man looked to his right as he winced. This wasn't the right time to yell right next to him. He had to teach those who interrupted his break a lesson. Or perhaps he would just sleep on the wooden floor his face had just met. In hindsight, he was in no state to teach anyone a lesson.

Another voice, much sweeter, responded.

" You are making more than just a profit. We are close to the headquarters, so the rent must be quite high. Is it? I am only asking because if that is the case, you don't appear to be struggling that much. Are you?"

The man who had previously spoken grumbled to himself and went back behind the corner to clean the numerous glasses that had been emptied with no amount of moderation. Now that calm had once again settled around him, the young man tried to stand up, but found out that his legs simply refused to listen. Then again, the floor was quite soft, wasn't it?

A hand came to shake his shoulders. He threw his right arm around to push back whoever disturbed him but only ended up getting shaken some more.

"You are that out of it, huh? Try not to scream, I'm going to heal you."

The warning seemed entirely pointless as the pain followed immediately after, giving the young man no time to prepare. He yelped in pain and looked at the angel in front of him.

"What do you mean, I am not ready yet!?" He exclaimed, shooting up to meet her face. She only furrowed her brows as she helped him get on his feet.

"I didn't say that. Did you actually fall asleep on the floor, Sen? You better start praying that I never disappear from your life, otherwise you will have to deal with the alcohol you so dearly love...." She poked his nose and pushed him against the chair he had previously fallen from. He seemed a bit lost due to her response. "All alone. No magical healing, nothing of the sort."

He massaged his forehead and chuckled. "Yeah, would be a damn shame. It's good as new." He cheekily said, tapping his left temple with a smile. Looking around, something seemed amiss. He checked his pockets, but could not find what he was looking for.

"Hey, uh, Jeol have you seen my card?" He tentatively asked. A sigh followed, but the beauty looked around as he had, and her eyes seemed to have found what he could not. She bent under one of the tables and grabbed a small metallic card. It appeared to be similar to an ID Card, however, it also featured a number of specific details. A rank could be found under the man's name, next to a picture that looked like it had been taken not too long ago. A record of missions accomplished, as well as a success rate, could also be seen. The number appeared to be quite small, but the percentage was surprisingly high.

"You do know your entire life depends on this tiny card, right? You don't exactly look like a Sleeper and nobody, except your dear old caretaker, could or would vouch for you." The black-haired beauty answered, giving him a pointed look with her narrowed azure eyes. As warm as her attitude was, her appearance suggested a much colder personality, specifically her black lipstick and her short haircut devoid of any fantasies.

The young man glared at her, clearly unimpressed, before he ripped the car out of her hands and placed it in one of his many pockets. "You are not my caretaker, and you don't look like a sleeper yourself, smartass."

She looked down at her attire and giggled. "I supposed I don't. Then again I am usually torn between work at the headquarters and the amount of mending I do because of your temper tantrums. I don't have much time to go play Sleeper inside some random beacon." She sat on her own chair and sipped her cocktail. It was surprisingly simple-looking for a cocktail.

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The young man nodded his head while exploring his mouth with his tongue before clicking it." Alright, I see how it is. Well, since you're in a smartass mood, I'll just excuse myself and go to that random beacon. Not everyone gets offered good beacons. " He muttered something else under his breath and grabbed his coat. He was dressed in a grey suit that had seen better days but was quite elegant. It did match his grey hair, as unnatural as it looked. He had grey hair, not salt and pepper hair, not hair that had turned grey due to age. No, he had hair the colour of dolphins. A colour that he despised but had to put up with. Dyed hair wasn't necessarily seen in a better light after all.

"Yes, yes do that. Try not to forget your dagger. It is the only piece of equipment you possess after all." Jeol responded, still sipping on her cocktail and without even looking at him. As he went to add something, she stopped him with her hand.

"As much as it would be funny for me to see you running around in one of my skirts, no I am not lending you any of my own equipment. Yes, I know you weren't going to talk about this kind of equipment, but no, I do not care. Shoo, shoo." She moved her hands in his direction, angering him even further, but he simply left with a huff.

As he closed the bar's door, the bartender who had remained silent until now, spoke with uncertainty.

"Are you not going to watch over him this time, Ma'am?"

She put her head over her crossed arms and sighed.

"I cannot always be there for him, as much as it pains me. He will end up resenting me for it. As he should. Any self-respecting Sleeper would hate to be treated like that. I'll simply remain available to heal him at any time, and that should suffice."

She looked down at her phone as it vibrated, a small smile settling on her face.

"And...I did do some research on the Beacon they asked him to help with, as well as the team of Sleepers that will be doing the heavy work while he takes care of the 'loot'. Ah, he is rubbing off on me a bit too much". She went to the counter and offered the bartender more than enough to pay for what they had drunk.

"I am even starting to use the same terms as him. Let's hope my new boss doesn't hear me say such things." She whispered, shocking the bartender.

"Wait...You actually got the job? I thought your connections with Seneos looked bad on your resume!" The bartender exclaimed before cursing himself for speaking loudly.

Jeol looked at the door and then answered.

"I guess I shone enough in their eyes for them to see beyond that. It will be even better after this Beacon. Sen should get into enough trouble to get a better reputation. " She said, trying to be vague. However, he caught onto what she said.

"Enough troubles? What kind of death trap did he get himself into this time?" He asked with a half-smile. He did not seem that thrilled at the idea of his best customer getting into trouble. He was simply offered a mysterious smile.

"Well...He is entering that Beacon with people just as reckless as he is. Perhaps that'll teach him a lesson or two. He will get cool scars out of it, I am certain."

With another giggle, the tall beauty left. The bartender could only sweat and mutter something to himself.

"Better pray that it's he who gets in trouble, and not whoever is with him. The Devil he is, that fucking booze leech."

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