Finding Paradise: Heavenly Ascension

The moonlight streamed through the large windows of Joel's room, bathing the interior in a pale glow. Shadows stretched across the room, flickering as the faint breeze outside disturbed the branches of nearby trees.

The air was thick with tension, yet a fragile calm seemed to bind Joel, Seo Hye-jin, and Lillian together as they sat in the quiet space. Lillian's eyes were heavy, her body trembling slightly from the strain of the day's events. Her small frame seemed even more fragile now, curled into the soft cushions of the bed.

Her breathing was uneven, her lips slightly parted as though she were still fighting some unseen battle even in the refuge of this room.

Joel knelt beside her, his broad shoulders hunched, his expression grim but tender. He reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face, his hand lingering for just a moment before retreating. "You're safe now, Lillian," he said softly, his voice steady despite the storm within him. "We're right here. Just rest."

The weight of his words hung in the air, his own doubts threatening to crush him. He couldn't shake the image of her tear-streaked face, the terror in her eyes when the Unseen Evil had almost consumed her. The memory gnawed at his resolve, even as he tried to convince her—and himself—that everything would be fine.

Seo Hye-jin stood nearby, her figure silhouetted by the dim light. Her delicate hands moved with precision, weaving intricate patterns in the air. Small orbs of light flickered between her fingers, pulsating in rhythm with her whispered incantation. As her spell took form, a shimmering barrier began to envelop Lillian. It sparkled faintly, the light reflecting off her peaceful yet pale features, before fading into invisibility.

"There," Seo Hye-jin said, stepping back and lowering her hands. Her breathing was calm, though her eyes betrayed the weight of her efforts. "She won't be able to break free, even if the Unseen Evil takes over again. This will keep her contained, no matter what."

Joel nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he exhaled. He sat back on the chair near Lillian's bed, his eyes fixed on her fragile form. She seemed so small, so vulnerable, and yet she had endured more in a single day than most would in a lifetime. It made him feel helpless, a feeling he had grown all too familiar with since coming to this world.

"She'll be okay, Joel. You've done everything you can," Seo Hye-jin said, her voice cutting through the silence. She stepped closer, her presence steady and reassuring, like a lighthouse guiding a lost ship.

Joel ran a hand down his face, his fingers dragging over the stubble on his jaw. "I hope so," he murmured. His gaze never left Lillian, as though he feared she might disappear if he looked away.

Minutes stretched into an eternity as the room fell into a heavy silence. The only sounds were the soft crackle of the fire in the corner hearth and the rhythmic rise and fall of Lillian's breathing. Joel leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant, lost in thoughts that were heavy with regret and uncertainty.

Seo Hye-jin, seated across from him, studied him quietly. Her sharp, observant eyes traced the tension in his features, the lines of weariness etched into his face. She knew there was more to him than he let on—more than the man named Joel Robbins, more than the mysterious figure who had faced the Emperor's enemies with a sharp mind and a firm hand.

"Joel," she said finally, her voice firm but not unkind. The sound of his name broke through the fog of his thoughts. He glanced at her, his eyes dark and guarded. "I need to know. Who are you, really? And why does the Unseen Evil keep calling you Kale?"

For a moment, Joel said nothing. His expression was unreadable, his thoughts a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. Then, slowly, he leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he met Seo Hye-jin's gaze.

"You deserve to know the truth," he said at last. His voice was steady, but there was a weight to his words, as though they carried a burden he had been reluctant to share.

He exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging as he gathered his thoughts. "My real name is Kale Jin. I'm not from this world—or this realm, I guess. Where I'm from, things are... different. No magic. No realms. Just people, machines, and skyscrapers that touch the clouds."

Seo Hye-jin tilted her head slightly, her brows furrowed in curiosity. The words he spoke were foreign, yet there was a sincerity in his tone that held her attention.

"I was a Gamer," Joel—no, Kale—continued. "It was my job to play games and have fun while doing it. I worked for clients, not kings or emperors. And my life was... ordinary, I guess." He let out a dry laugh, his lips curling into a faint, self-deprecating smile. "My favorite movie was The Godfather. Ever heard of it? No, of course not. It's about mafia families and betrayal. Great film."

Seo Hye-jin blinked, clearly lost. "Movies? Mafia?"

"Never mind," Kale said, waving it off with a faint chuckle. "Let's just say it's something from my world. My favorite food was lasagna. My daughter Stacy hated it, though. She always said it was too cheesy."

At the mention of Stacy, his expression softened, and a flicker of pain crossed his face. His voice grew quieter, tinged with regret. "I... wasn't the best father," he admitted. "I tried, but I think I failed. Stacy and I were... distant. After the divorce, she lived with her mother, and I only saw her on weekends. She'd barely talk to me."

Seo Hye-jin leaned forward, her gaze softening as she absorbed his words. "You were doing your best, weren't you?"

"Maybe," Kale said bitterly, his jaw tightening as his eyes dropped to the floor. "But my best wasn't enough. She deserved more. And now... now I'm here, in someone else's body, with someone else's daughter. And I don't even know if Stacy is okay."

There was a long silence as Seo Hye-jin processed his words. She could see the weight of his guilt, the way it hung over him like a storm cloud. "It sounds like you cared for her deeply," she said finally, her voice gentle but firm. "Even if you think you failed, you're still trying to do what's right. That matters."

Her words lingered between them, a fragile comfort in the midst of their shared uncertainty. Kale glanced at her, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes, though the storm within him remained. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sliver of understanding, a connection that grounded him in this unfamiliar world.

Kale looked at her, surprised by her gentle tone. "What about you?" he asked. "You've seen my baggage. What's yours?"

Seo Hye-jin smiled faintly, leaning back in her chair. "My story isn't as... peculiar as yours. I was born into a family of mages. My father was a court mage, and my mother was an alchemist. They had high expectations for me."

"And?" Kale prompted.

"And I didn't exactly live up to them," she admitted with a chuckle. "I was more interested in exploring the world than studying ancient texts. I wanted to see the mountains, the oceans, the stars. So, I left. I joined an adventurer's guild and spent years traveling."

She glanced at Lillian. "But then the corruption started. People I knew, friends I'd made... they were taken. That's why I came back. To help, in whatever way I could."

Kale nodded, his respect for her growing. "You're braver than I am."

"Hardly," Seo Hye-jin said, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You fought side by side with the Emperor today. That takes courage."

Before Kale could respond, a voice interrupted their conversation.

"Finally, I'm awake."

Kale froze. The voice was in his head, but it wasn't his.

"Who said that?" he asked aloud.

Seo Hye-jin looked at him in confusion. "Who said what?"

The voice spoke again, its tone dry. "Oh, great. He's clueless. Look, Joel—or Kale, whatever you're calling yourself—I'm your system."

Kale blinked. "My system? You mean... you've been here all along?"

"Obviously," the voice said with exaggerated patience. "I'm Ascension Number 5. Gave myself that name. Cool, right? Anyway, I've been recovering after protecting you from corruption. That's why I've been... quiet and stiff"

Kale's mind raced. "Protecting me? Wait—are you saying Stacy doesn't have a system like you?"

"Exactly," Ascension Number 5 replied. "Your daughter has nothing keeping her safe from corruption. Which is... unfortunate."

Kale's jaw tightened. "Can you help her?"

"I'm a system, not a miracle worker," it said bluntly. "But I can help you ascend. That's my job."

Before Kale could ask more questions, a low, menacing chuckle filled the room.

Seo Hye-jin's head snapped toward Lillian, who was now sitting up, her eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

"Did you really think I wouldn't return?" the Unseen Evil said, its voice dripping with malice.

Kale and Seo Hye-jin stood, their bodies tense but prepared.

"We've been waiting for you," Seo Hye-jin said, her tone cold.

The Unseen Evil smiled, Lillian's face twisting unnaturally. "Oh, good. Then let's talk, shall we?"