As I sat down, my breath felt heavy. My heart beat faster as memories from the past flooded in.

  Everyone I loved had died. What was there left for me to live for?

  Darkness crept in as I faded into it. I stared down at my lifeless body—and in that moment, I was swallowed by complete darkness.

  “Congratulations, Pyeha. Jungjeon Ma-Ma has delivered a healthy young Hyeon Daegun.”

  When I opened my eyes, a man stood before me in a royal Gonryongpo robe, smiling proudly as he looked down.

  “Why isn’t the baby crying?” asked the King.

  “Nothing is wrong, my King. The baby is healthy,” said the doctor.

  It was in that moment I realized—I had been reborn into the past.

  I tried to laugh, but instead, all that came out was a baby’s giggle.

  “Hey, the baby is laughing, my dear,” said the woman.

  “I wonder what’s going on inside that little mind,” said the King.

  I had been granted a new beginning. A new mother. A new father.

  And in this life, I would protect the ones I love—no matter what.

  “I will return soon, my dear Jungjeon. I must attend the court meeting,” said the King.

  He kissed the Queen on the forehead, then looked at me and gave me a soft kiss as well.

  He turned and left the room.

  “Guard the royal baby and the Queen,” he commanded before the doors shut.

  “Keep your eyes sharp. Report to me if anything happens.”

  A warmth came from my mother as her gentle, soft-spoken voice whispered:

  “Your name will be Jinseo.

  You will be thunder and mercy—a force that shakes the ground your enemies stand on,

  yet shields the innocent and the ones you love.”

  I responded with a happy baby noise.

  “You like the name I gave you, my dear little Jinseo?” she said, snuggling up to me.

  Her soft face touched mine, and she smelled like peach blossoms.

  “It’s time to feed you milk,” said my mother.

  Aaaah! Noooo! I’m not a baby! I’m a man! Get that thing away from me—

  My stomach growled.

  …I gave in and started drinking.

  “There, there, my little handsome Jinseo… my lovely boy,” she cooed.

  A voice called from outside the chamber door.

  “Ma-Ma, there are three children sent by the King to be royal and loyal servants to the newborn prince,” said the guard.

  “Let them in,” said my mother.

  The three entered together and bowed deeply.

  “Jungjeon Ma-Ma, we have been sent by Jeonha to present ourselves to the newborn prince,” they said in unison.

  Behind the white curtains, my mother’s voice answered,

  “What are your names?”

  “My name is Baekho,” said the first, his voice sharp and determined.

  “I am to be trained as Wangja Mama’s personal guard, Jungjeong Ma-ma.”

  “My name is Eunchae,” said the second, calm and composed.

  “I am a eunuch, trained to serve and protect Wangja Mama.”

  “My name is Sohwa,” said the third with a soft, quiet voice.

  “I am a maid. My duty is to serve Jungjeong Ma-ma and Wangja Mama.”

  With a seal of approval, I let out a loud, giggly baby noise.

  “Hee-hee!”

  “It looks like little Jinseo likes you all,” my mother said with a warm smile.

  These short limbs were troublesome, if you ask me.

  I couldn’t do anything adults could—I could only roll around, cry, poop, and pee.

  By the age of three, while my father was busy with court officials and my mother managed palace matters, I began secretly training my body.

  I lifted small weights—baby-sized ones, of course. I ran, stretched, and pushed myself every night.

  Anything to become strong again.

  My three servants often watched me with confusion.

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  By the age of five, I had grown more curious.

  I snuck out of the palace with Baekho, Eunchae, and Sohwa to see what the outside world was like.

  With a pouch full of coins, I walked the streets, helping the poor where I could.

  Baekho wore his usual serious look, while Eunchae and Sohwa had worried expressions glued to their faces.

  I knew they were afraid we’d get in trouble.

  Hehehe… I laughed to myself, amused.

  For the record, Baekho is the oldest, Eunchae the second, and Sohwa the youngest of the three.

  We strolled along the quiet trail, my servants close behind, when I saw them—five children, laughing near the bushes.

  A moment of peace.

  Then the leaves shook.

  A low growl crawled out of the earth.

  The children froze. So did my servants. Baekho stepped forward, hand on his sword.

  “Your Highness, we should go—”

  The words died in his throat as the beast lunged from the brush.

  A young bear, but massive. Foam clung to its teeth. Wild eyes locked on the children.

  “RUN!” Eunchae shouted.

  But I didn’t move. Not away.

  Toward.

  I tore the sword from Baekho’s belt with all the strength my small body had. It was too big, too heavy—but it was enough.

  I didn’t swing it. I aimed.

  One breath. One step.

  I hurled it like a spear.

  The air split. The blade flew true. And with a wet, sickening sound—it struck.

  The bear dropped, its last growl fading in its throat.

  Silence.

  The children stared. My servants did too—eyes wide, mouths slightly open.

  Then the oldest boy stepped forward and dropped to his knees.

  “Wangja Mama!” they cried. “You have saved our lives—we will be forever grateful!”

  Behind me, my three servants stood frozen, mouths open, eyes twitching.

  It was as if they had never seen anyone slay a bear before.

  “It’s time for us to return to the palace, Agissi,” Baekho said, still in disbelief.

  “Okay,” I replied calmly.

  We snuck back into the palace as quietly as we could—but it didn’t matter.

  My mother caught me.

  That evening, I was properly lectured.

  “Jinseo, why did you go out without permission?” Eomeoni scolded me.

  “Do you know how worried I was?”

  I snuggled up to her with the cutest voice and expression I could muster.

  “Eomeoni, I just wanted to see what it’s like outside the palace… I want to help people…”

  My voice softened into a gentle, innocent plea as I leaned against her.

  Her angry expression shifted. She sighed… then grabbed my ear and tugged.

  “Are you trying to soften my heart, young man?”

  “Gaahhhh!” I let out a dramatic yelp of pain.

  Behind me, my three servants giggled as I was punished.

  Urgh… I’ll get my revenge on these three one day, I muttered in my thoughts, serious as ever.

  The morning sun rose over the palace.

  “Wangja Mama, your food has arrived,” Sohwa said.

  As I reached for the tray, Eunchae suddenly grabbed a spoon and started eating before I could touch it.

  His mouth full, he muttered,

  “The food is safe to eat.”

  I stared at the plate. Most of the food was already gone. Eunchae had eaten half of it.

  I sighed.

  “Hhhh…”

  “Wangja Mama,” Baekho said, stepping forward. “Jeonha has requested your presence.”

  I stood up and made my way toward my father’s chamber, my three servants trailing behind.

  My father greeted me with a soft gaze.

  “It’s time for you to begin attending royal classes,” he said.

  Get yourself ready my son, I'm sure you well like it.

  “I heard you snuck out of the palace.”

  I gave a quiet, guilty laugh.

  “Hee-hehe…”

  “Don’t make your mother worry again,” he said. “If you want to leave, ask her first.”

  “Yes, Nae Wangnim,” I replied respectfully.

  “Now go, and keep your servants with you at all times.”

  “Yes, Nae Wangnim,” I repeated.

  I hugged my father and took my leave.

  “I’ll be heading to my secret training ground,” I told my servants.

  “Are you doing those weird workouts again?” Eunchae asked.

  Baekho slapped the back of his head.

  “Do not question Agissi.”

  “Ouch!” Eunchae cried.

  Sohwa giggled.

  For the rest of the day, I trained, while my servants stood guard to make sure no one caught

  At age ten, my body felt strong—stronger than most grown men. I could do things others only dreamed of.

  I could crush coal into a diamond with my bare hands.

  It was my birthday. I had turned ten, and my loyal servants had grown alongside me.

  “Happy birthday, my dear boy Jinseo. I wish you a happy and long life,” said my mother with her soft voice.

  “Happy birthday,” said my father with warmth. “May your life be long and full of greatness.”

  “Happy birthday, Wangja Mama!” my three servants shouted in unison, bowing low.

  As I made my way back to my room, my gaze met with three palace maids standing in front of my mother’s quarters.

  My head throbbed with a familiar ache.

  Their faces… they looked just like the women I once loved.

  They bowed as our eyes met. I walked past them—but then stopped and turned back.

  I entered my mother’s room.

  “Eomeoni, who were the three maids outside your quarters?”

  “Hana, Yura, and Mirae,” she replied. “They’re training to be my personal maids.”

  Their names. Their faces.

  It was them.

  With a shy but firm voice, I said,

  “Eomeoni… I want them to be my maids.”

  She smiled gently.

  “I thought you might. I’ll send them to your quarters this evening.”

  I hugged her tightly.

  “Thank you, Eomeoni.”

  A wide smile spread across my face.

  That very evening, the three girls arrived.

  “Wangja Mama,” they greeted in unison.

  “Come in,” I replied.

  My three servants stood nearby, silently analyzing them.

  “Let’s go for a walk,” I told the maids.

  I took them to the flower fields—I knew they loved flowers.

  Hana loved roses. Yura loved daisies. Mirae loved orchids.

  I picked their favorite flowers and gently tucked them behind their ears. They blushed.

  “Thank you, Wangja Mama,” they whispered in unison.

  We played together in the fields, laughing and smiling.

  It was the happiest I had felt in a long time.

  We were walking back from the flower field.

  Laughter still echoed behind us. Hana wore her rose. Yura had a daisy tucked behind her ear. Mirae held her orchid gently, like it was alive.

  Then we heard it.

  A rumble.

  The ground trembled beneath our feet. Birds scattered from the trees.

  And then—

  “Get back!” I shouted.

  A wild elephant burst through the treeline—massive, dust-covered, wild-eyed. Its tusks glinted in the sun. Its roar shook the forest.

  The girls froze.

  Baekho stepped forward, but I raised a hand.

  “Stay back.”

  I dropped to one knee, grabbing the thickest broken tree limb I could find. My fingers moved fast—shaving the wood to a jagged, lethal point with the dagger tucked at my side.

  The elephant was already charging.

  I breathed. Once.

  My hand tightened.

  And with all my strength—I hurled the makeshift spear.

  It spun through the air, screaming.

  Then—impact.

  A sickening crack rang out as the spear drove into the elephant’s skull. Its legs buckled. The beast crumbled into the earth with a final, thunderous groan.

  Silence.

  Dust floated through the air.

  When I turned, they were all staring—Baekho, Eunchae, Sohwa… and the three girls.

  There face said it all!.. They stood there, Shocked and in awe. Unable to speak.

  Death couldn't keep me.

  Fate bent to grief. and in this life... I will rise.

  As thunder to my enemies.

  As Jinseo -- the name they will never

  Forget.

  My legend begins here.