The throne room of Melromarc was vast, its ceiling adorned with intricate carvings, and the walls lined with banners that depicted the kingdom's long history of triumph and hardship. In the center, Queen Mirelia Q. Melromarc stood, her presence commanding yet calm. Before her, emerging from the glimmering blue light of the summoning circle, stood a figure cloaked in shadow—Sung Jin Woo.

For a moment, silence reigned, save for the faint hum of magic fading from the air. Sung Jin Woo's dark eyes took in the room around him, the unfamiliar surroundings, the unfamiliar power that pulsed beneath his feet. This world was different. 'This is it...' he thought. 'The world they wanted me in.'

Mirelia spoke, breaking the silence with a regal yet gentle tone. "Welcome, Hero of the Dagger. I am Queen Mirelia, ruler of Melromarc. You have been summoned here by the will of our world to aid in the dire conflicts we face." Her words were formal but not devoid of warmth. "While the Four Cardinal Heroes already serve their roles, you… are different."

Sung Jin Woo remained silent for a moment, processing her words. 'A fifth hero... but separate from the others?' He knew there was a reason he had been chosen, something deeper than just a simple need for power. He felt the eyes of Mirelia on him, waiting for his response.

"I understand," he finally said, his voice steady, yet quiet, like a blade waiting to strike. "What is it you need from me?"

Mirelia's gaze softened slightly. "For now, I ask only that you learn of our world. I will not burden you with the immediate tasks of the others. Take your time, explore our lands, and discover for yourself the nature of our conflict."

Jin Woo gave a slight nod, a respectful bow of acknowledgment. He had no need to argue; he preferred to gather his own information anyway. Meeting the other heroes could wait.

--

The sun hung low in the sky as Jin Woo left the castle, its golden light bathing the capital city in a warm glow. People bustled about, haggling in the market, children running through the streets, knights patrolling the city walls. It was a strange contrast to the dark, war-torn worlds he had seen in the past, but this calmness only hid the tension beneath. He could feel it in the air.

'This world may look peaceful on the surface,' he thought to himself, 'but there's something more going on.'

As he walked through the streets, keeping to himself, his thoughts drifted inward, and the familiar voices of his most trusted Shadow Soldiers echoed in his mind.

Bellion's voice rumbled first, ever vigilant "My liege, this world's magical currents are unlike any I have sensed before. Strong, but primitive. They flow through every living thing, but their control seems… limited."

Beru, always keen to analyze, clicked in agreement "Indeed, my king. The humans here are weak, though they mask it with their will. But none could hope to challenge your might."

Jin Woo's lips twitched, almost into a smile, but he maintained his neutral expression. "That's not what I'm worried about." he responded silently, sending his thoughts to his soldiers. "There's more to this than just strength. The rulers didn't send me here for no reason."

As he continued walking, his attention was pulled to the nearby square, where a crowd had gathered. A street performer juggled flaming torches, much to the delight of onlookers. Sung Jin Woo paused, watching the display for a moment.

Igris's calm voice spoke next, analyzing with precision "These people live with joy amidst their ignorance. But should war come to their lands, they will not be prepared."

Jin Woo could feel Igris's underlying concern, though the soldier would never say it outright. He understood. These people were living their lives unaware of the greater danger lurking in the shadows. The tension in the air, the summoning of a fifth hero—this world was on the brink of something, and the rulers had sent him here for a reason.

Jin Woo slipped into a quieter part of the city, away from the bustling marketplace, into the alleyways where shadows clung to the stone walls. Here, the noise faded, and his thoughts grew sharper. The world he had come from had prepared him for conflict, for leading armies and tearing down monsters. But here… he needed to learn, to understand the threats that lay beyond sight.

His soldiers continued to communicate with him as they patrolled the area around him, their presence unseen but always felt.

Bellion, cautious and dutiful, spoke again "My liege, would you have us scout beyond the city walls? The kingdom's borders may hold secrets yet unrevealed."

Sung Jin Woo considered it for a moment before responding. 'Not yet. Let's gather more information in the capital first.'

As he moved through the shadows, Jin Woo's senses remained on high alert, always attuned to danger. His eyes scanned every alley, every rooftop, every passerby. "This is where I'm supposed to be.." he reaffirmed to himself. "But why? What's really at play here?"

Beru, loyal and perceptive, chimed in once more "Whatever the reason, my king, we are with you. Always."

Jin Woo allowed himself a small smile this time, a rare display of emotion. His Shadows had always been with him, through battles, through victories, through worlds. And now, here, in Melromarc, they would stand by him again.

"I'll figure it out-" he murmured under his breath, his voice lost to the wind as he continued his exploration of the city. "One step at a time."

As the evening set in and the last rays of sunlight faded from the horizon, Jin Woo found himself standing atop the city's outer walls, gazing out over the rolling hills that surrounded the capital. The world stretched out before him, full of unknowns. He would explore, he would learn, and when the time came, he would meet the other heroes.

But until then, he would move in the shadows, gathering strength and information.

'This world may not know me yet,' he thought, clenching his hand into a fist, his dagger glinting faintly in the dim light. 'But they will soon enough.'

With that silent vow, Sung Jin Woo descended from the walls, disappearing into the city streets once more, his loyal Shadows watching over him as always.

--

Night had fully descended on the kingdom of Melromarc, cloaking the city in a veil of darkness. The moonlight shimmered faintly on the cobblestone streets, and the last of the merchants closed their stalls, retreating into the warmth of their homes. The once bustling capital now had an eerie stillness to it, broken only by the occasional clatter of armor from a passing knight.

Jin Woo moved silently through the streets, his footsteps barely a whisper. He preferred the night—when shadows grew long and thick, concealing his presence. It was a natural fit for him. His eyes, sharp and ever vigilant, scanned the surroundings, while internally, the dialogue with his Shadow Soldiers continued.

Igris, always mindful of their surroundings, spoke first "The city grows quiet, my liege. It is easier to move unnoticed now. But there are many eyes still watching from the shadows."

Beru's voice clicked through the silent connection, ever perceptive "There is fear here, my liege. These people live with uncertainty… as if they expect an unseen threat."

Jin Woo continued his path, weaving through the narrow alleyways. 'Fear-' he thought to himself. 'It's everywhere, isn't it? Whether it's the unknown threat of the Waves or the instability among their rulers, these people know something is coming. They just don't know when.'

It was the same in every world, wasn't it? The calm before the storm, the tension before chaos reigned. Jin Woo knew all too well what it was like to be thrust into a world unprepared. That's why he was here now—to bring his experience to this strange new place, to become a weapon they needed, whether they knew it or not.

As he continued to walk through the shadowed streets, Jin Woo felt something odd—a presence, faint yet familiar. He halted, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the darkness. There was someone—or something—watching him.

Without hesitation, he extended his senses, sending a ripple of dark energy through the alleyways. The presence remained, but it did not retreat. Curious. He had encountered such beings before, creatures of the night that thrived in the dark like he did. But this presence didn't feel malevolent. In fact, it seemed almost… curious.

Bellion's voice rumbled in warning "My liege, I sense a disturbance ahead. Shall we confront it?"

Jin Woo smirked slightly. "No need." he replied. "Let them come. We're not the ones in danger here."

Stepping forward, he emerged into a small clearing between the buildings, where the moonlight shone brighter. A figure stepped from the shadows opposite him—a cloaked individual, their features hidden beneath a hood, but their aura pulsed with a strange energy. Not quite human, but not fully monstrous either.

The figure regarded Jin Woo with wary eyes, studying him carefully. They hadn't expected him to sense them so quickly, and now they stood at a crossroads—fight or flee.

"I don't have time for games." Jin Woo's voice broke the silence, low but commanding. "If you want something, speak. Otherwise, leave."

The cloaked figure hesitated before speaking, their voice low and hoarse, like someone who hadn't used it in some time. "You… are not from here, are you?"

Jin Woo remained silent for a moment, considering his response. He didn't need to give away his origins, but neither did he feel the need to lie. This figure wasn't an immediate threat.

"No." he answered, his voice even.

The cloaked figure stood still, absorbing Jin Woo's blunt response. Beneath the hood, their eyes flickered with intrigue, but caution still lingered in their posture. The faint light from the moon reflected off their cloak, casting long shadows on the walls behind them.

After a long pause, the figure spoke again, their voice rasping with uncertainty, "Then… you must be the fifth summoned hero, the one the queen keeps hidden."

Jin Woo remained silent, his expression unreadable as he weighed the situation. This figure knew more than the average citizen, which meant they either had connections within the castle or had been watching closely for some time. Either way, he didn't like the implications. He was supposed to remain discreet for now, and it seemed his anonymity was already at risk.

Bellion's voice rumbled in his mind, ever cautious "My liege, shall we eliminate this intruder? They know too much.."

Igris, always the tactician, added calmly "It would be swift and quiet. They pose no real threat, but their knowledge could complicate matters."

Jin Woo considered the advice of his loyal soldiers. While it would be easy to end this here and now, he needed information more than he needed another body to discard. If this person had been watching him or had knowledge of his summoning, they might know more about the deeper dangers lurking in this world.

Instead of answering his soldiers, Jin Woo fixed the figure with a cold stare. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice carrying an edge of authority. He didn't raise his voice, but there was something in the way he spoke that made it clear he wasn't asking. He was demanding.

The cloaked figure shifted uneasily but didn't retreat. "I am… a messenger." they began, choosing their words carefully. "There are those in this world who wish to see the balance of power maintained. The Cardinal Heroes are vital to that balance. And you… are a disruption."

Jin Woo narrowed his eyes slightly. 'A disruption' He was beginning to see the picture more clearly now. It wasn't just about summoning a fifth hero. There were forces in this world—political or otherwise—that weren't happy with his sudden appearance. That explained the secrecy around his summoning. Mirelia hadn't just wanted to hide him from the other heroes; she had wanted to keep him hidden from the enemies within.

The figure continued, "I was sent to observe you, to see what kind of man the queen summoned in secret. If you are indeed a hero, then you must understand—this world is more fragile than it seems."

Jin Woo kept his posture relaxed, but his mind raced, connecting the pieces. He didn't need to play along. He was no stranger to manipulation and hidden agendas. However, he was willing to let this person think they held some leverage.

"What do you want?" he asked bluntly.

The figure hesitated again, their voice dropping to a whisper. "There are those who believe the four heroes alone can't protect this world. That is why you were summoned, isn't it? A fifth hero, wielding power beyond their understanding. But the waves… they are not the only danger. If the balance shifts too much in favor of one power, this world could fall into chaos."

Jin Woo's expression remained neutral, though he couldn't help but internally scoff at the mention of balance. 'Balance?' he thought to himself. 'That's not why I'm here.' His purpose wasn't just about maintaining some fragile equilibrium. He was here for something much bigger than that.

As the figure's words hung in the air, Jin Woo silently communicated with his soldiers again.

Beru, always loyal yet aggressive, hissed softly in his mind "These are the words of a coward, my liege. They seek to control the future out of fear. Shall we show them their place?"

Igris spoke next, more measured but no less cautious "They seek information as much as we do, my liege. Proceed with care. They may reveal more if we let them speak longer."

Jin Woo agreed with Igris's assessment. For now, it was best to let the figure speak, to see if they would reveal anything useful. He could always deal with them later, once he knew more.

The cloaked figure stepped forward, their presence feeling heavier now that they were closer. "The queen trusts you, but there are others in the kingdom who see you as a threat—someone who could upset the power structure. Be careful who you align yourself with, Dagger Hero. The fate of this world rests on delicate threads, and even a small tug could unravel it all."

Jin Woo's eyes sharpened. He could sense the underlying warning. It wasn't just a plea for caution; it was a veiled threat. 'There are forces moving in the background, pulling strings, and trying to control this world's destiny. Typical.'

"And what about you?" Jin Woo asked, his tone neutral. "Why are you telling me this? What's your role in this so-called balance?"

The figure lowered their hood slightly, revealing just a glimpse of their face—a young man, perhaps no older than Jin Woo himself, though the lines of worry and fear etched into his features made him seem older. "I am no one.." he said quietly. "Just a servant of those who believe in preserving what remains of this world's order."

Jin Woo tilted his head slightly, considering the man's words. 'A servant, huh? Someone who serves a higher power but doesn't have the strength to act on their own. Pitiful.'

Before Jin Woo could respond, the figure took a step back, their cloak billowing in the night wind. "Heed my words, Dagger Hero. There are those who would see you fall before you can even rise. Trust no one."

Without another word, the figure disappeared into the shadows, leaving Jin Woo standing alone in the alleyway.

For a moment, Jin Woo stood still, processing the encounter. He wasn't surprised that there were those in this world who saw him as a threat. It was the same in every world he had been to—people feared what they didn't understand. And right now, they didn't understand him.

Beru's voice buzzed in his mind, a mix of excitement and hunger "Shall we pursue them, my liege? They dare to threaten you…"

Jin Woo shook his head slightly. "..No let them go for now. They'll show themselves again when the time comes."

He began walking again, blending into the night as easily as the figure had. He had learned something important tonight—there were forces in this world that were afraid of him, and they were already moving against him. He needed to be cautious. But that was fine. He preferred it this way.

'I'll move in the shadows.' he thought to himself, 'and when the time is right, I'll strike. Just like always.'

As the night deepened, Jin Woo returned to the outer edges of the city, where the walls rose high and the watchmen's torches flickered in the distance. The path ahead was still uncertain, but he was used to walking through darkness.

'This world may not understand why I'm here,' he thought, his resolve hardening. 'But I will carve my own path, as I always have. And nothing will stand in my way.'

With that, he disappeared into the night, his Shadow Soldiers following in silence, always watching, always waiting.