The Stigma of Darkness Control
Sergeant: Baek Jaesung 16
Darkness Control
What if you grabbed a random person on the street and asked, "Do you know what Darkness Control is?"
Eight out of ten would probably reply, "Isn't that the ability bad guys use?" It's got kind of the same vibe as Aladdin's magic lamp, but darker.
Anyone with a brain doesn't look down on users of Darkness Control. Strip away the fact that it's tied to the world's worst criminals, and it's a natural ability with unmatched destructive power—no rival among elemental affinities. Old-fashioned folks might despise it as a symbol of demons, though.
If you asked me what image Darkness Control has, I'd say it's just one of many abilities.
And that's because I'm a user myself. Not as skilled as Han Seungjin, but it's still one of my powers.
"It's just an ability."
That's how I answered. Han Seungjin nodded.
"Seungjin, did that kind of stuff ever bother you? I wouldn't have thought so."
"Haha. Hard not to, with an ability like this."
I wouldn't know the burdensome stares a Darkness Control user gets. I've never used it publicly, after all.
Ever gotten cursed out by a stranger on the street for no reason?
Actors who specialize in villains say it happens all the time.
"Sometimes I envy your Light Control. Unlike mine, people see it in a good light from the start."
Light Control
A top-tier ability, one of the best three for versatility. As Han Seungjin said, Light Control has a great reputation. When I use it, people's gazes toward me change noticeably.
"Still, Darkness Control is a good ability too. Especially in terms of raw destructive power."
The conversation flowed like that. I had no idea what Han Seungjin was getting at. But somehow, this short exchange made the distance between us feel shorter. Not that getting closer to another guy is ever a win.
I've thought this before, but damn, Han Seungjin is ridiculously handsome for a dude, yet his mannerisms and demeanor have this subtle femininity. Unlike his destructive Darkness Control, even his speech nuance feels delicately refined. He's not gay, is he...?
Our back-and-forth naturally tapered off. Just as the conversation was wrapping up, Han Seungjin dropped a bombshell that grabbed my ear.
"Jaesung, what would you do if you saw a 1st-grade Demonic?"
1st-grade Demonic
The pinnacle of the three-tier Demonic ranking system.
Only the ringleaders of Demonic organizations qualify as 1st-grade. Spot one, and it's an instant kill order—no questions asked, no crime for pulling the trigger.
"Probably... run? A 1st-grade is way out of my league."
"Heh. Is that so?"
Light Cure 6Lv (C-rank)
↳ Heals status ailments by consuming stamina and mana.
It was supposed to take five hours, but we didn't reach our destination until a full seven. It was pushing 3 p.m.
"We're here! Everybody out."
Colonel An Seokho, who had barely woken up thirty minutes before arrival, urged us on.
We disembarked into a makeshift refugee camp in the middle of a field packed with shabby tents. Even at a glance, there were thousands gathered. Over ten such camps dotted the area.
"This is disaster-level."
The Special Purpose Peacekeeping Force arrived alongside us. As the soldiers appeared, the bustling refugees quieted down noticeably.
Their wariness toward us was palpable. They couldn't trust us yet.
Survivors of calamity, their nerves were on edge.
"Supplies won't arrive for a while... I'll talk to the camp reps."
The company commander, along with the combat company commanders and HQ company officers, went to find the refugee leaders.
We stood around awkwardly in the meantime. Then, a grubby-looking black boy emerged from the crowd and approached us.
"@#$!!"
A woman who seemed to be his mother rushed out from the refugees, shouting something urgently. But the boy ignored her and tried speaking to us in broken English.
"Water?"
He looked thirsty. Jisu moved to give him some from her canteen, but I grabbed her arm.
"Don't hand out stuff recklessly."
Scanning the surroundings with a hawk's eye, I spotted several refugees eyeing us like predators.
Gaunt faces—most hadn't eaten in at least a day. With so many refugees, food aid wasn't keeping up.
"In situations like this, even a single drop of water can spark a riot."
"R-right. I didn't think it through."
Jisu sheepishly stowed her canteen. Soon, his mom dragged him away.
The company commander returned after about an hour.
"Talked to the reps. Jaesung, how far can you go with your healing technique?"
"Fractures are no problem. Diseases are tougher. I can ease fevers, coughs, runny noses, that sort of thing."
"Perfect. See that cross-shaped tent over there? Green Cross volunteers—they're short on meds. Help with patients there until we call you."
True to its versatility, Light Control proved useful even in disaster zones.
"Got it."
I headed to the tent marked with the Green Cross as Colonel An Seokho ordered.
The Green Cross tent was a bit cleaner than the others. But the endless line of refugees made it far more chaotic.
Inside, five bearded guys—no women.
'Fuck.'
The men spotted my uniform and spoke in English.
"From the Landing Battalion?"
"Yeah. Light Control user."
"Great timing. We're out of meds and bandages. Can you help?"
"I'll give it a shot."
Patients poured into the medical tent endlessly.
I quickly assessed and treated them. Some had minor cuts; others had legs rotting from infection. The line was so long and messy, triaging by urgency was nearly impossible.
I treated around two hundred in a flash. Mana was running low.
'Date palm fruit would recharge me... but no need to push it.'
Prime time to slack off.
"Whew, getting tired. That's it for me."
"Ah, thanks for the help. Hunters really aren't human. Healing that many in under an hour—makes me as a doctor feel inadequate."
True enough. Studious doctor types know their place.
I left the medical tent, scouting for a good spot to goof off. But the company commander caught me immediately.
"Jaesung, perfect timing. Relief supplies arrived. Help unload."
"Uh, I still have untreated patients..."
"This is more important. Meds included."
No excuses. I headed to where the supply trucks were parked. Refugees had swarmed them. Up close, they looked like a mob.
"@#$%$#!!!!"
One refugee raised his arm, yelling something unintelligible. From the vibe, demanding food?
A peacekeeping interpreter shouted back at them. But the refugees showed no sign of backing off.
"Happens all the time. These folks haven't eaten in days. Eyes glaze over at the sight of food—normal."
The company commander stayed calm even on the brink of chaos.
"That bad?"
"Dozens of camps like this. Even armed guards don't always stop it. Worse in conflict zones."
"So what do we do? Can't unload like this."
"This."
The company commander thrust his arm skyward. Blue mana erupted from his fist with a resonant hum.
Woooong!
A deafening roar as blue light blasted outward. Not gathering power—just a showy release to intimidate.
The refugees, who had been growling like wolves ready to loot, fell back. The intense mana wave triggered primal fear.
'Stick beats carrot, after all.'
"Unload and distribute right away. Seungjin, 3rd and 4th Companies handle rations. Round up the guys and manage it. Precise portions only."
He delegated to his XO, Han Seungjin. Unloading began at once. First out: bread, water, canned fruit.
"Portion: two bread slices, one water bottle, one can. Distribution starting!"
We stacked bread, water, and cans to form a serving line.
"Jaesung and Cheolmin, line 'em up. Rest of you, split for serving. Three lines should do."
Refugees swarmed like they had a sixth sense. No lines, no order. Time to apply the company commander's lesson.
"Line up, you fuckers!"
I fired a holy missile skyward, pumping extra mana for brightness.
"@#$%$#@!!!"
Startled refugees retreated. They glanced around, then clumsily formed lines. But problems persisted.
"Jaesung, those guys are cutting hardcore."
"Hey! That one's already got his."
"There! One can per person!"
Controlling starving people was harder than I thought. Worse than fighting monsters. If I could go ham, I'd nail holy missiles everywhere.