[POV — Seongji Yuk]
The morning fog clung to the mountain like a shroud. Seongji Yuk watched as the children of Cheonliang Fam stretched and prepared for their first proper training session with Vin Jin now among them.
Mary Kim was already moving with precision, practicing judo rolls and throws, her body flowing like water. Jewoo, Hyungjae, Wooseok, and Taebong followed clumsily, their movements raw and unrefined—but there was potential in every swing, every misstep.
Vin Jin stood apart, arms crossed, observing. The boy's face betrayed nothing, but every muscle in his frame screamed tension. His polycoria eyes scanned the group, measuring, calculating, comparing.
Seongji spoke calmly, his voice cutting through the fog. "Strength isn't just power. It's timing. Awareness. Adaptability. Today, you begin learning the difference."
[POV — Vin Jin]
Vin Jin's first instinct was to ignore the others. They were weak, amateurish. Not worth his attention. But Seongji's gaze anchored him. The man didn't demand respect—he expected it earned, and that intrigued Vin.
He stepped forward, testing the terrain, his every movement precise, deliberate. Mary Kim noticed and smirked, stepping into his path. "You move like you know how to fight," she said. "But can you keep up?"
Vin Jin's lips twisted into a small, dangerous smile. "Try me."
They circled each other. Mary lunged first—a textbook judo grab—but Vin was ready. He twisted, shifted his weight, and countered smoothly. The two collided in a controlled clash of skill, strength, and instinct.
Around them, the others watched wide-eyed. Jewoo whispered, "She's incredible…" Hyungjae muttered, "And he… he's not holding back."
[POV — Seongji Yuk]
Seongji observed silently, noting their reflexes, their instincts, and most importantly—their mindset. Vin Jin's joy in testing Mary's skill was clear, his smile a dangerous mixture of amusement and hunger. But he didn't strike to hurt; he struck to learn and challenge.
Mary Kim's confidence shone. Her judo throws were flawless, flowing naturally with the momentum, but Vin Jin adapted almost immediately, his counters precise. He wasn't trying to win—yet he dominated enough to command respect.
This was exactly what Seongji wanted. The mountain would teach them all. The first steps of real growth were messy, chaotic, but essential.
[POV — Cheonliang Fam Members]
The others began training under Seongji's guidance. Jewoo Park struggled at first, Hyungjae Lee tried brute force and fell, Wooseok Choi miscalculated distances, and Taebong Lim's swings were sloppy.
But Mary Kim and Vin Jin inspired them. Even the weakest among them tried harder, adjusting after every mistake. For the first time, they weren't just children learning to survive—they were students learning to fight properly.
Vin Jin, after several sparring exchanges with Mary Kim, stepped back, breathing evenly. "Not bad," he said quietly, almost to himself. Then, louder, "You all have potential… don't waste it."
Mary Kim smirked, wiping sweat from her brow. "You'll have to do better than that to impress me."
Vin Jin only grinned, eyes glinting like a predator testing prey.
[POV — Seongji Yuk]
As the sun climbed, Seongji called a halt. "Enough for today," he said. "You learned more than you think. Observe, adapt, and respect each other's strengths. Tomorrow, we go further."
He looked at Vin Jin. The boy's polycoria eyes followed every movement in the group, calculating, assessing. He wasn't just a survivor—he was a fighter in the making.
Vin Jin met Seongji's gaze. "This place… it's different," he said quietly. "I think I like it."
Seongji's lips curled into a small smile. "Good. Cheonliang is unforgiving, but it builds strength. And you'll need that strength… for what's coming."
The Fam gathered around the fire that night. Tired, bruised, but alive—and stronger than when the day began.
Vin Jin sat slightly apart, watching Mary Kim demonstrate techniques to the others. For the first time in a long while, he felt something like belonging.
The mountains loomed, silent and dangerous, but the Cheonliang Fam had taken the first real steps together. And for Vin Jin, the mountain was no longer just a place to die—it was a place to grow, fight, and survive.