The Power of a King

“Fuck this! Fuck this life! What the fuck do I have to do to get out of this miserable mediocre life!?”

Baek Jin-Woo yelled as he walked alone along the street on the way home.

“What time is it anyway?”

“Holy shit! That’s just great. 2:43 AM? I’m supposed to be working a 9 to 5! Fucking higher ups and their pathetic excuses to dump all the work to us at the bottom.”

Baek Jin-Woo, 24, an accountant in a local firm somewhere around Seoul. He’s been out and about. Hopping from jobs to jobs since he graduated at 21 trying to fit in, struggling to make a name for himself.

Upon arriving at the sorry excuse for a studio apartment he called home, the first thing he always does is to take day in, sit on his worn out couch, play some good music, maybe watch a few Newjeans fancams and maybe rub one off. It’s what peak relaxation looks like to Baek Jin-Woo. It’s the only thing that’s keeping himself from trying to off himself.

—

About a year ago

“Dear Baek Jin-Woo,

We regret to inform you that due to underperformance, the management has decided to part ways with you and not push through with your regularization. While this decision deeply saddens us, we assure you that we have taken this matter under careful consideration.

Moving forward, should we have any other vacancies that would fit your expertise, we will be sure to reach out.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Jendeuk

HR Manager

X company”

—

That’s when it all spiralled down. After getting terminated at his dream job, Baek Jin-Woo had been so depressed, so devastated that he tried to off himself after drinking more than he can handle by taking a trip to Hangang Bridge and just end it all.

“HAHAHAHA!!!” Jin-Woo laughed histerically while looking at the vast body of water below him. Trembling in fear yet shows no sign of stopping what he is about to do.

“So this is it, huh? Graduating as the top student in our class, after working myself so hard doing part-times just to graduate and achieve my dreams without the help of my shitty parents! What do I get? A FUCKING TERMINATION!?” He exclaimed towards the endless view of the night.

“I’m so done. I can’t live like this. It’s like the world gave me a little spark of hope only to slam me down to the ground so hard while I’m at my very peak!” Baek Jin-Woo softly mutters what seems to be his final goodbyes.

“HAHAHAHAH!!!! TILL THE VERY END, I REFUSE TO BOW TO THE WORLD! I WILL END THIS IN MY OWN WAY! FUCK YOU ALL! FUCK THIS WORLD! FUCK-”

“Hey can you like, tone it down a bit? I’m trying to enjoy my evening walk here.”

The world stopped.

No voices can be heard, cars on mute, not even the crashing of the water below made a sound. Baek Jin-Woo was surprised when he was cut-off by a woman while he was expressing his hatred to the world. He was confused.

“Wha- How? Who?” He tilted his head, can’t even finish his question out of confusion.

“Me, what? if you’re going to jump, just do it already! You keep shouting as if anyone can hear you. Duh? It’s literally 2:00 AM! People are sleeping!” The woman replied.

“The fuck? You think I’m doing this for fun? To get attention? Is that what it is?” Jin-Woo angrily responded.

“No, what I’m saying is the noise is unnecessary. If you’re going to jump, jump already! Isn’t that why you’re here?” The woman calmly replied.

“Yes! I was about to jump but then you cut me off!” Says the still angry half sober Baek Jin-Woo.

“I knew my luck is bad, but I did NOT expect it to be this bad.” The woman whispered.

“Wha- what do you mean by that! Huh!?” Baek Jin-Woo questions the lady before him.

The woman teared up. Baek Jin-Woo did not know what to do.

“I said, I’m so miserable I might be the very incarnate of misfortune.” The woman chuckled which confused Baek Jin-Woo.

“Had it rough too, huh? Wanna join me?” Baek Jin-Woo gestured for the woman to come beside him.

“No way! I’ll get through this. I don’t care what happens, I am NOT backing out without a fight. It is unfair, yes. But I know my sisters and my family will be sad if I give up, and I don’t want that.” The woman replies.

“Perhaps YOU should join me instead” the woman suggested.

“Uhh, I don’t know if you noticed but I’m kinda busy over here trying to, you know?” Jin-Woo protested.

“Yeah but, can’t you do whatever you’re doing after our date? My day is ruined enough as it is and this is NOT the thing I want to witness today. Come on babe, join me. It’ll be fun, I swear!” The woman cutely replied.

“B-babe!? And what date are you talking about!? I don’t even know you! You’re ruining my moment, woman! I was just about to-” and he was cut off by the woman again.

“Oh come on already! Please?” The woman exclaimed.

“But I’m not supposed to have fun! The world has proven it! The world wants me gone and so here I am!” Jin-woo tearily replied. The fear he thought he did not have was suddenly rushing through his veins, the world is now again drawing him back in. Keeping his senses alive.

“That’s only what the world wants you to think! The world is just like that! It will give you a spark of hope only to slam you down to the ground while you’re at-”

“Your very peak”

“Your very peak”

The both uttered simultaneously.

These words shocked Jin-Woo.

“Fine woman, I’ll play your game. I’ll join you and your so called date. I’ll remember you and the words you said. I’ll strive hard to reach my peak and even greater heights! And when I do, I’ll be sure to rid of this world and claim the Power of a King!” Jin-Woo claimed. Embarrassed for the use of words. (Perhaps it’s due to watching too much anime) It was cringe, he knew. He did not care. He only wanted to express his feelings and set himself free.

He stepped off the edge, climbed over the barricade and finally stood face to face with the woman.

“My name is Baek Jin-Woo. I’m sorry for the display I just did. Trust me, I’m embarrassed. I know you only talked to me to keep me from jumping off. Thank you.” Jin-Woo held out his hand to shake the hand of the woman in front of him.

Only then did he finally get a good look at the woman, how stunningly beautiful she was. She did not look like any Korean. In fact, she did not look Korean at all.

She had long brown hair and beautiful eyes. She was a ball of sunshine, he thought. He found himself staring, awkwardly holding his hand out until she spoke.

“Mo Jihye, but you can call me Dani. It’s nice to meet you Jin-Woo. Apparently the future king?” She introduced herself back and took Jin-Woo’s hand to shake.

“I have a feeling I’ve seen you somewhere.. have we met?” Jin-woo asked.

“No, maybe? No, probably not. You may have seen me in TV’s or billboards, I’m in a girl group called NewJeans. Are you familiar?” Dani asked.

“Newjeans.. wait-THE Newjeans!? You guys are like the talk of the town- no, the world the right now!” Jin-Woo exclaimed.

“Apparently so, yeah I guess.. anyway, are we getting on that date?” Dani replied, seemingly trying to steer away from the topic.

“O-oh, the date. Yes, wait- you were serious?” Jin-Woo shockingly replied.

He initially thought Dani was just saying those words to keep him from committing something he would regret. (Even if he won’t be around to even feel regret) Turns out Dani had other plans. He sobered up from the realization.

“Yes! What, you think you’re the only one having a shitty day? What could be better than enjoying the company of others? Besides, you seem like a good guy.”

“C’mon, let’s get outta here, King.” Dani teased.

Dani ran the opposite side of the bridge that they were facing. Jin-Woo, not knowing what to do ran after her. She was surprisingly quick on her feet. Although Jin-Woo never wanted to admit, he struggled to keep up with Dani.

They ran and ran and ran to what feels like an hour, turns out it only took them 12 minutes to reach the end of the bridge. From there both Dani and Jin-Woo created memories neither one of them will ever forget.

They went drinking, bar hopping, only going to those shitty ones where anyone rarely ever comes, it’s to avoid being recognized by the public. Afterwards, they decided to visit a nearby beach and there they talked about their struggles.

Jin-woo shared how his parents split up at an early age and had to keep moving from time to time, living with his mother most of his early educational years, then moved in with his father on his high-school years. He then entered a university in which he got a scholarship in. This is when he decided to move out, live on his own and be a cashier in a nearby convenience store. He asked both his parents for support on his first 2 months of rent, to which they both agreed. He was able to support himself from his part-time job and a few gigs here and there recommended by his friends.

He pretty much aced through college and was expecting a bright future ahead. Putting his sour past behind, and focusing more on what’s coming ahead. To his surprise, the world is more unforgiving than he could have ever imagined. He was never really permanent at a job, always in probation and not getting in cuts. He got tired of it and eventually led to where he was now.

Listening to this, Dani sympathized with Jin-woo, even finding herself leaned on his shoulder as an attempt to give him comfort. In this, Jin-Woo was grateful.

Dani shared her story, pleading Jin-woo not to tell anyone what she is about to say. There seems to be a struggle in her experience with her company, they may be what they call global stars now, but people does not really know what’s happening inside their company. She tearily shared how they are mistreated and prepared thoroughly to sue their company with the goal of ending their contracts. This stressed her and her band mates greatly. To cope up, she runs along the bridge at night when no one is really around, feeling the breeze in her hair, cruising through the bridge while thinking about her dreams and her future.

Upon hearing this, Jin-Woo felt sorry, he thought idols would only have it good. As if they are set for life. He apologized to Dani. They fell silent eventually split paths, him going back to his apartment and figure things out, Dani to live another day fighting for her career. They felt something for each other, the sympathy connected their hearts, they both know this day would end and this may as well be your last day seeing each other. Dani will be busy from then on, and Jin-woo needs to piece his life back together. Both of them are so caught up in the moment trying to savor each other’s company while it lasts that none of them even thought of getting the contact details of the other.

Idiots, right?

Present time

“How long has it been since that encounter with Dani? God, I miss her. Though I don’t really wanna see her right now, it’s been so long and I have not even get a foot in being a King.” He muttered to himself, often day dreaming about Dani whenever he watches her fancams.

After jerking off to yet another fancam, Jin-woo went for a walk. He has a habit visiting the beach he and Dani ended up with after their drinking session. Hoping he would see Dani doing the same.

“How does one even become a King? Fuck, I would do ANYTHING to become a king it’s so frustrating! I’m so tired of this mediocre repetitive life. I can’t achieve anything at this rate. I can’t face Dani, I’d be sooo humiliated! Ugh! HOW?!? HOW DO I GET POWER!?”

Jin-woo angrily says as he strides along the beach. The sound of the waves and the chilly wind breezing through his skin calmed him down eventually.

“The beach is eerily empty tonight.. Usually I’d find a few people chilling around this time of the evening. Hmm, I feel so booooreeeeeddd and but I’m so far from home. Why did I walk this far? GODDD WHY DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF AAAHHHH!” Jin-woo whined. A few more minutes of contemplating and he took the walk back while entertaining himself, talking to himself.

“I mean, what even is a king Mr. Jin-woo? You keep talking about being a king, about wanting to be a king, yet we don’t even know your definition of a king?” He asked himself.

“Well, a king RULES, I mean I don’t even want to rule the world. I don’t want politics, not that kind of king! The king I want to be is free, one who gets whatever he wants, and gets people to do whatever he wants. I want to do good and be good, I don’t want to struggle anymore. I want a carefree life. I want power. Maybe I’ll succumb to power, and let it corrupt me. I don’t really care, I just want to do whatever I want without anyone telling me what to do. I’m tired of being mediocre. If there’s anything, I’m willing to do anything to live a carefree life. Like a Ki- ”

Jin-woo was talking to himself when he tripped and rolled over the sand. He stood up and checked to see what he hit so hard it caused him to fall. Upon closer inspection, the object seemed to be a brown ceramic, it was round and is definitely old, like REALLY old because of the cracks and the look of the surface. It looked more like a relic, like a.. pot? The pot was buried and had sand covered all over so it was kind of hard to see, especially when you are not paying attention.

“What the fuck is a pot doing buried in the beach!?” Jin-woo picked up the pot and noticed an etching at the very bottom of the pot, initials that seem to say “W.M.” To which Jin-woo didn’t really put it into mind. He then faced the sea and threw it as far as he can.

“That’s for tripping me. Bitch!” He yelled towards the sea where he threw the pot, and away he goes to continue his trip back home.

“Fucking pot, tripping people. Ugh! I’m so annoy-” Then, Jin-woo tripped again. He fell and rolled on the sand once again. He quickly stood up, almost running to see what caused him to fall again.

“OH MY GOD WHAT IS UP WITH THESE POTS!? THEY’RE EVERYWHERE! UGH!” Once again, Jin-woo faced the massive body of water and threw yet another ancient pot towards the sea. He continued his path once again.

“Seriously? Two pots? Tripped on both!? Just my luck! Fuck you world for messing with me again. Huh!? Is this your way of punishing me for not offing myself? Huh!? You just really want me t-” To his surprise, he tripped and fell yet again.

Jin-woo laid on sand face up, he stared at the stars above, inhaled deeply and exhaled. He grinned eerily, curling up both of his fists so hard they turned white. Yet he did not say anything. He pent up his anger this way. This is a method he just learned to do whenever he is so annoyed but can’t do anything about it. Literally no one is around him and even if there are, his outbursts would only make him look like a mad man.

Jin-woo exhaled and slowly stood up once he felt a bit calmer. He approached the pot, inspected it carefully.

“Am I tripping? This seems exactly like the pot I’ve thrown the first time. No way, right? No way..” Jin-woo whispered while inspecting the pot. It had the same markings, same cracks that he can remember and what confirmed his suspicions was the etching at the bottom of the pot that portrays the letters “W.M.”.

“Holy shit! I must be tripping this must be made by the same manufacturer or something, there has to be a logo or something, W.M.? Don’t think I’ve heard of it. I think I’ll just take this home with me and figure it out with a better lighting.” Jin-woo felt shivers down his spine thinking about throwing the same pot thrice. He had his suspicions, he rubbed the dust off the pot to inspect it further.

To his surprise, after dusting off the pot, it seemed to slowly become heavier and heavier. He struggled to carry the pot until it was impossible for him to carry it anymore causing the pot to fall on the sand.

Clear smoke started coming out of the pot, Jin-woo panicked and started throwing sand inside the hole of the pot. He thought the fire must be extinguished. He did not think of anything else like why it got too heavy for him to carry or why it started smoking all of a sudden. He just thought there must be a fire inside which is why it was smoking.

“ *cough* *cough* Master, can you stop throwing sand on my pot!? I’m allergic to dust, please! stop! ugh!” A voice came out of nowhere.

Materializing before Jin-woo is a man. He had purple glowing pupils, a long-ass beard, dark skin, long muscular arms. The man had no legs. He’s only complete on the upper half, the lower half seems to be smoke connected in the pot.

Jin-woo stumbled backwards, wanting to run. He struggled to stand back up from the panic. He wanted to scream but there are no sounds coming out of his mouth. He felt helpless, only watching the man materialize before him.

“Don’t be scared, master. I shall do you no harm. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the wish master! Your people often call me Genie. I appear before the desperate and I deem worthy.” The wish master declared and introduced.

“Wait, what? Genie? Like THE genie that grants 3 wishes?” Jin-woo did not bother questioning the wish master’s credibility. The man literally had smoke for legs!

“Indeed you are correct, master. However I do not know where you got the number 3. You have 5 wishes that I shall grant. However do keep in mind these rules: No wishing for love, no killings, and no extra wishes.” The wish master replied.

“This is it! I’ve been waiting for this my whole life! Finally, I will be booking my ticket to my throne. Just you wait Dani, I’ll save you! I’ll be together with you soon.” Jin-woo said while visualizing all the thing he wants to and wish for.

“Genie, for my first wish, I wish for-”