As Sung Jin Woo moved further into the depths of the city, he knew that the real threat was now more apparent. The noble who had orchestrated this attack was not just testing him; they were trying to eliminate him. But they underestimated his strength—and the power he commanded through his loyal Shadow Soldiers. Whoever this noble was, they would soon understand the consequences of crossing him.
--
Back in the throne room of Melromarc, Queen Mirelia stood at her balcony, gazing out over the capital. The faint whispers of trouble had already reached her ears, and she knew that Jin Woo would not remain hidden for long. She had summoned him for a reason—he was the wild card, the hero that could change the fate of their world.
But she also knew there were forces within her own kingdom who would stop at nothing to keep the status quo, even if it meant undermining her rule and the safety of the world. She sighed deeply, her mind swirling with the weight of her responsibilities. The summoned heroes were only the beginning; the real battle was yet to come, and the Fifth Hero was crucial.
"My queen," a voice called from behind her. She turned to see her trusted aide bowing respectfully. "There are reports of unrest in the slums. A group of mercenaries has been found... but they were all defeated by a single man."
Queen Mirelia's expression remained calm, though her thoughts quickened. The mention of a single man easily defeating a group of mercenaries left little room for doubt—it had to be Sung Jin Woo. His power was unlike anything this world had seen before, and even the Four Cardinal Heroes, impressive as they were, could not match his sheer overwhelming force.
"Did anyone survive?" she asked, her voice steady, but there was a sharpness in her tone.
The aide shook his head. "No, my queen. The mercenaries were found incapacitated or… unaccounted for. Witnesses described seeing dark figures moving in the shadows, too quick for the eye to follow."
Mirelia nodded, absorbing the information. Sung Jin Woo had already taken action, and swiftly. It was only a matter of time before his presence disrupted the fragile balance within the kingdom. She had to act carefully; otherwise, the very forces she sought to protect would turn against him—and perhaps even her.
"Keep watch over the city," Mirelia ordered. "Do not engage him directly. For now, he is still an ally, but I want to know if anyone else tries to approach him."
The aide bowed again and left the room, leaving the queen alone with her thoughts.
Mirelia returned to the balcony, looking out over the capital once more. She knew that summoning Jin Woo had been a calculated risk, but the alternative—leaving the kingdom's fate solely in the hands of the four heroes—was a greater gamble. The world needed a new kind of strength, one that could face threats from beyond the waves and within their own borders. Yet even she couldn't predict how Jin Woo would navigate this complicated political landscape.
--
In the shadowed alleyways of the capital, Jin Woo continued his silent pursuit. His encounter with the mercenaries had been brief, but it had confirmed what he suspected: there were forces within the kingdom trying to eliminate him before he became a real threat. But instead of feeling anger or frustration, he felt a familiar sense of determination.
This was no different from the worlds he had conquered before. Politics, power struggles, hidden agendas—they all followed the same pattern. But this time, Jin Woo wasn't just a player in someone else's game. He would control the board, bending it to his will.
His mind reached out to his Shadow Soldiers, sensing them spread across the city, always vigilant. Bellion, his loyal general, had taken position on the rooftops, watching the movement of the city's watchmen. Beru, ever hungry for action, prowled the dark streets below, his senses sharp and ready.
"My liege," Bellion's voice rumbled through their mental link. "I have observed movement from the castle. It seems the queen's guards are wary, but they are not preparing for confrontation."
Jin Woo nodded internally. "Good. Let them watch for now."
He didn't want a confrontation with Queen Mirelia—not yet. She had summoned him, after all, and she likely had her reasons for keeping him separate from the Four Cardinal Heroes. For now, he needed more information, and he knew just where to find it.
As he made his way through the streets, his thoughts returned to the noble the mercenary had mentioned. A hidden hand, moving in the shadows, directing forces to eliminate him. That would be his next target. Jin Woo had no patience for those who played games with his life.
He stepped into an abandoned building, a crumbling structure deep in the slums that had once been a storehouse. Now, it was a hideout for those seeking to avoid the law or find refuge from the kingdom's authorities.
Inside, a man waited for him. He was a shadow broker of sorts, one who dealt in secrets and information. Sung Jin Woo had made contact earlier in the night, ensuring that this meeting would happen without any prying eyes. The man looked nervous, clearly aware of who Jin Woo was, or at least what he represented.
"I—uh, I have what you asked for," the man stammered, offering a scroll with shaking hands. "Everything I could find about the noble who's been hiring mercenaries and gathering support against the queen."
Jin Woo took the scroll without a word, his gaze piercing. The broker swallowed nervously, stepping back as if afraid to make any sudden movements.
Jin Woo glanced at the scroll, then back at the broker. "Is there anything else?"
"N-no, that's all I could gather. The noble remains hidden, but there are whispers that he's part of a larger faction—one that opposes the queen's reliance on the Cardinal Heroes. They think she's putting too much power in their hands and neglecting the rest of the kingdom."
Jin Woo didn't need to hear any more. It was exactly as he thought. The noble wasn't acting alone. There were others in the kingdom who feared the heroes, not just because of their strength, but because of the changes they represented. Change always brought fear, and fear led to resistance.
Without another word, Jin Woo turned and left the building, disappearing into the night once again. His next move was clear: he would uncover the noble's identity, and then he would deal with him—and anyone else who stood in his way.
--
Meanwhile, in a dark chamber beneath the capital, the noble sat at a long table surrounded by his conspirators. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with anticipation. They had all heard about the failure of their mercenaries to deal with the Fifth Hero.
"This changes nothing," the noble said, his voice calm but filled with conviction. "We cannot allow this outsider to upset the balance. The queen has made a mistake in summoning him, and we must correct it."
One of his allies, a man with sharp features and a scar across his face, leaned forward. "You're playing a dangerous game, Lord Fennrick. If the queen finds out what we're planning—"
"She won't," Fennrick interrupted sharply. "She may be the queen, but even she cannot watch every corner of the kingdom. We will move carefully, and when the time is right, we will remove the Fifth Hero from the equation. Permanently."
As the conspirators nodded in agreement, none of them realized that Sung Jin Woo's shadows had already begun to infiltrate the room, listening, watching, and preparing for what was to come.
Jin Woo was always one step ahead. And soon, the noble would learn that no amount of scheming could protect him from the shadow that now loomed over Melromarc.
Sung Jin Woo moved through the shadows of Melromarc, the scroll in his hand, his thoughts focused on his next target—Lord Fennrick, the noble behind the conspiracy. Jin Woo had no interest in the politics of this world, but when someone made an attempt on his life, they became his problem. And he always dealt with his problems personally.
It didn't take long for Jin Woo to track down the noble's estate. Fennrick had taken care to remain hidden, using intermediaries and false leads to cover his tracks, but there was no place Jin Woo couldn't reach. As he approached the grand mansion at the edge of the city, his Shadow Soldiers spread out, scouting the grounds and ensuring no one would escape.
"Bellion-" Jin Woo's voice rang through their mental link. "Make sure no one leaves the estate. I want him alone."
"Yes, my liege," Bellion responded, his deep voice filled with determination. The towering Shadow General moved to position, his dark figure blending into the night.
Jin Woo strode toward the entrance, his presence concealed as he slipped through the front gates. The guards posted outside never even sensed him passing by. Inside, the mansion was lavish, with gold-trimmed decor and tapestries lining the walls—a stark contrast to the world outside, where poverty and fear reigned.
With swift, silent steps, Jin Woo moved deeper into the mansion, guided by the information the broker had provided. Fennrick's private study lay ahead, the door slightly ajar, as if the noble expected no danger in the heart of his estate.
Jin Woo pushed the door open and stepped inside. Lord Fennrick sat behind an ornate wooden desk, poring over documents by the dim light of an oil lamp. He looked up, startled, as Jin Woo's shadow fell over him.
"You—" Fennrick's eyes widened, but before he could shout for help, Jin Woo's shadows surged forward, sealing the room and cutting off any sound from escaping.
"You know why I'm here.." Jin Woo said, his voice cold and sharp, cutting through the tension in the room.
Fennrick's face twisted in fear for a moment, but the noble quickly regained his composure, forcing a sneer. "So, the queen's pet has come to play the role of enforcer. You're too late. Even if you kill me, you won't stop what's already in motion."
Jin Woo took a step forward, his eyes narrowing. "You sent men to kill me. Now you'll tell me why."
Fennrick swallowed hard, but he didn't cower. "Because you're a threat," he spat, leaning forward in his chair. "You and the other heroes—the queen puts all her faith in your kind, but what do you know of this world? What do you care about its people? You're outsiders, summoned to fight battles that aren't yours, and when it's over, you'll leave, leaving us to pick up the pieces!"
Jin Woo stared at him, his gaze unflinching. "So, you thought getting rid of me would solve your problem?"
Fennrick scoffed. "It's not just about you. The other nobles—the people—they see what's happening. The queen's reliance on you heroes has made her blind to the real problems in this kingdom. The Waves aren't the only threat. The people are suffering, starving, while she pours all the kingdom's resources into your campaigns. We're the ones who will be left to deal with the aftermath."
Jin Woo's expression remained unreadable, but inside, he understood the noble's reasoning. It wasn't about personal power or greed—it was about control. Fennrick feared the changes the heroes represented, changes that could upset the balance of power he and others like him had carefully maintained for years.
"You're afraid," Jin Woo said, his voice low and dangerous. "You're afraid that I'm stronger than you, that the queen will no longer need people like you once I've done my job."
Fennrick gritted his teeth. "This isn't about fear. It's about survival! You heroes have no place here!"
Before Jin Woo could respond, he felt the shift in the air. His Shadow Soldiers had already sensed it—an ambush was coming. Fennrick's men had been lying in wait, and now they moved into position, surrounding the estate.
Jin Woo's lips curled into a faint smile. "You've made a mistake, Fennrick."
The noble's eyes flickered with confusion for a moment before the walls around them burst open, and a massive force of armed soldiers flooded the room. They were mercenaries, much more skilled and better equipped than the previous group, and they moved with precision, surrounding Jin Woo from all sides.
"You're outnumbered!" Fennrick said with a smirk, standing up from his desk. "You may be strong, but even you can't take on an entire army."
Jin Woo remained calm, standing still as the soldiers closed in. He glanced around at the men, their weapons drawn, each one waiting for the order to strike.
Then, without warning, Jin Woo released a wave of his dark energy, the shadows around him expanding outward in an instant. The soldiers froze in place, their expressions turning from confidence to horror as they realized too late who they were dealing with.
"What's an army of 100 compared to 10 million?" Jin Woo questioned, his voice deadly quiet.
Before Fennrick could react, Jin Woo moved. In a blur of motion, he disappeared from sight, his form flickering like a shadow through the ranks of the soldiers. One by one, the men fell—swords and spears shattering against the force of his power as he cut through them with supreme ease with Kamish's Wrath.
The battle was over before it even began.
Jin Woo stood in the center of the room, the bodies of Fennrick's men lying scattered around him. Fennrick, his face pale and trembling, stared at the carnage in disbelief. His carefully laid plans had crumbled before his eyes, and now he stood alone, helpless against the overwhelming power of the Shadow Monarch.
Jin Woo approached the noble, his gaze cold and unyielding. "You thought you could stop me with this?" He gestured to the fallen mercenaries, his voice filled with disdain.
Fennrick collapsed to his knees, his bravado completely shattered. "P-please… spare me," he begged, his voice shaking with terror. "I-I'll do anything you ask. Just… don't kill me."
Jin Woo stared down at him, his expression unreadable. For a moment, it seemed like he might finish what he had started, but then he stepped back, letting the shadows around him recede.
"I'm not going to kill you," Jin Woo said, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Not yet."
Fennrick looked up at him, his eyes wide with fear and confusion.
"You're going to live," Jin Woo continued. "And you're going to spread the word. Tell everyone what happened here. Tell them that the Fifth Hero isn't to be trifled with."
Fennrick nodded frantically, too terrified to refuse.
Jin Woo turned his back on the noble, his voice carrying one final warning. "But if you try to cross me again, there won't be a second chance."
With that, Jin Woo disappeared into the night, leaving Lord Fennrick alive but broken. The message had been sent, and now the kingdom would know that the Fifth Hero was not someone to be taken lightly.
--
The sky over Melromarc darkened as clouds gathered on the horizon, a sudden shift in the air sending a chill through the city. The streets, once bustling with life, grew quiet as people looked to the heavens in fear. They had felt this before—the telltale sign that something terrible was coming.
And then it happened.
A piercing sound, like a horn from the depths of the abyss, echoed across the land. The ground trembled, and in the distance, a great wave of energy surged toward the capital.
A new Wave had begun.
Sung Jin Woo stood on the outskirts of the city, his gaze fixed on the horizon as the Wave approached. He could feel the shift in the atmosphere, the dark energy that accompanied the monstrous threat descending upon the world.
"This is it.." he muttered to himself, his hand instinctively gripping his dagger. His grip loosened a bit as a sudden thought entered his mind.
Why don't he observe the Four Cardinal Heroes first and see what they're made of?
"Wouldnt hurt to see how powerful these heroes really are." He said and with that, he figured he would.
--
As the Wave surged across the land, Jin Woo remained in the shadows, his sharp eyes surveying the battlefield from a distance. From his vantage point, he could see the Four Cardinal Heroes—Naofumi, Ren, Itsuki, and Motoyasu—engaged in a fierce struggle against the monstrous forces that had emerged from the Wave.
The battle was intense. Naofumi, the Shield Hero, stood at the forefront, protecting his companions with his near-impenetrable defenses, while Raphtalia and Filo fought valiantly by his side. Ren, the Sword Hero, moved with precision, his strikes clean but unable to completely take down the larger creatures. Itsuki and Motoyasu unleashed their own abilities, but despite their combined efforts, the monsters kept coming.
Jin Woo narrowed his eyes. The heroes were strong, but they were clearly struggling against the sheer number and power of the enemies. The monsters emerging from this Wave were different, more powerful than the ones the heroes were used to fighting. As the battle dragged on, it became evident that the Four Cardinal Heroes were losing ground.
Naofumi, despite his best efforts to shield everyone, was being pushed to his limits. Filo darted across the battlefield, trying to take out the smaller monsters, but even she was tiring. Raphtalia's movements were swift and deadly, but her strikes weren't enough to stop the larger beasts. The monsters kept regenerating, their resilience far greater than anything the heroes had encountered before.
Sung Jin Woo stood in the shadows, his expression unreadable as he watched the battle unfold. He could see the exhaustion setting in on the heroes, their movements slowing, their coordination faltering. They were going to lose.
A quiet voice in the back of his mind urged him to act. He couldn't ignore it—perhaps it was his instinct as a ruler, as someone who had seen countless battles and knew the value of strength.
"They're not ready for this." he muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing as he made his decision.
Without another moment's hesitation, Jin Woo reached out with his power, summoning three of his Shadow Soldiers: Tusk, the massive orc shaman, Tank, the fearsome armored beast, and Jima, the towering stone golem. In an instant, the shadows surged around him, and his soldiers appeared, their presence immediately shifting the balance of power.
"Tusk, Tank, Jima," Jin Woo commanded, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Take care of the monsters."
The three Shadow Soldiers moved forward without hesitation, their massive forms thundering across the battlefield toward the monsters that were overwhelming the heroes.
Tusk, wielding his orb, began chanting in his deep, guttural voice, summoning powerful magic that surged through the air like a storm. Lightning crackled from his orb, striking the regenerating monsters and slowing their advance. Tank barreled through the battlefield, his armored body smashing into the creatures, crushing them with ease. Jima, towering above the rest, swung his massive fists, pulverizing anything that dared to come close.
The sudden arrival of Jin Woo's Shadow Soldiers completely shifted the momentum of the battle. The monsters that had been overwhelming the heroes were now being torn apart with brutal efficiency.
But Jin Woo wasn't done.
He stepped out from the shadows, his presence cloaked in dark energy as he moved toward the battlefield. His hand reached for his dagger, and with a flick of his wrist, he summoned Kamish's Wrath—the massive, dragon-like blade that crackled with black lightning. The air around him seemed to hum with power as the weapon appeared in his grasp.
With fluid grace, Jin Woo entered the fray. The first monster that lunged at him was met with a swift, clean strike. Kamish's Wrath cleaved through the beast as if it were nothing, the black lightning surrounding the blade disintegrating the creature's body before it even hit the ground.
Another monster roared and charged at him, but Jin Woo moved faster, his body a blur as he sliced through the air, cutting the creature into pieces with ease. Each strike was precise, calculated, and devastating, and the monsters had no chance against him.
Naofumi, Raphtalia, and the other heroes could only watch in awe as Jin Woo carved his way through the battlefield. His movements were so fast, so fluid, that it almost looked like he was dancing through the chaos, his blade cutting down everything in his path.
Raphtalia, her chest heaving from exhaustion, couldn't tear her eyes away from him. The way he moved, the sheer power and control he exuded—it was unlike anything she had ever seen before. Her heart raced, not from fear, but from something else. Something deeper. She felt a strange pull toward this mysterious warrior, an attraction she couldn't quite understand. He wasn't like the other heroes. There was something darker, more dangerous about him, but also something… compelling.
"Who… is that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible as she watched him tear through the monsters with supreme ease.
Filo, standing beside her, tilted her head. "He's strong… really strong!"
Naofumi, his shield still raised, frowned as he watched the mysterious figure. Whoever he was, he had just saved them, but there was an undeniable aura of danger surrounding him. This wasn't someone who fought for glory or recognition. This was someone who had seen countless battles and emerged victorious every time.
Jin Woo continued to cut through the monsters, his expression calm and focused. To him, this was nothing more than routine. These creatures, though stronger than most, were still nothing compared to the foes he had faced in the past.
Within minutes, the battlefield was cleared. The monsters lay in pieces around him, their bodies disintegrating into the air as the energy of the Wave began to dissipate. Jin Woo lowered Kamish's Wrath, the blade still crackling with dark energy as he surveyed the area.
The Four Cardinal Heroes, Raphtalia, and Filo stood frozen, still trying to process what had just happened.
Without a word, Jin Woo sheathed his blade and turned, his body fading back into the shadows. He had no interest in introducing himself—not yet. He had done what needed to be done, and that was enough.
As he disappeared from sight, Raphtalia felt a strange sense of longing, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know who he was, but something inside her told her that this wasn't the last time they would meet.
Naofumi, still gripping his shield, turned to the others. "We need to find out who he is."
Ren nodded in agreement, his sword still in hand. "Whoever he is, he's not one of us. But… he's strong. Stronger than any of us."
Itsuki and Motoyasu exchanged uneasy glances. They had never seen power like that before, not even from the other heroes.
Raphtalia's gaze lingered on the spot where Jin Woo had disappeared. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than just his strength. There was something deeper, something that drew her to him. And she wasn't the only one.
As the Wave finally subsided, leaving the battlefield in an eerie calm, everyone's thoughts were on the mysterious figure who had saved them.
As Jin Woo moved silently through the shadows, he thought back to the Four Cardinal Heroes and their companions. They were strong, but not strong enough—not yet. If this was the best this world had to offer, they were going to need a lot more than courage to survive the battles to come.
"I can see why I was summoned to this world. They need me because the others are not ready-" he muttered to himself as he disappeared into the night. "Not yet."
With that, he vanished, leaving behind only questions and the lingering presence of his overwhelming power. But the world would soon come to know him—and when they did, they would realize that the true hero of this world was not one of the summoned.
It was the Shadow Monarch.
A/N:
Who should Jin Woo be paired with?