제목: 거인의 계약 - 통제할 수 없는 힘

쨍쨍한 햇살이 내리쬐는 메트로폴리스. 고층 건물들이 빼곡하게 들어선 도심에는 활기찬 기운이 감돌고 있었지만, 평화로운 일상은 곧 거대한 그림자에 잠식될 운명이었습니다.

토끼, 알렌 토플러는 고급스러운 카페 테라스에 앉아 있었다. 잘 다려진 슈트와 번쩍이는 구두, 그리고 고급스러운 서류 가방은 그의 성공적인 사업가로서의 면모를 여실히 드러냈다. 그는 커피를 홀짝이며 계약 체결을 기다리고 있었다. 그의 회사, 토플러 중공업은 도시에서 가장 큰 회사 중 하나였고 그는 우영에게 큰 기회를 주게 될 예정이였다.

"또 늦었잖아…" 알렌은 시계를 보며 짜증스럽게 중얼거렸다.

그는 중요한 계약을 앞두고 있었고, 상대방은 바로 흑호 우영이었다. 우영은 최근 떠오르는 신성으로, 그의 기업인 블랙 퓨리 코퍼레이션은 파격적인 기술력과 과감한 투자로 업계의 주목을 받고 있었다. 알렌은 우영과의 협력을 통해 토플러 중공업의 새로운 성장 동력을 확보하고자 했다.

"부디 좋은 사람이길…"

하지만 알렌은 우영에 대해 아는 것이 거의 없었다. 그의 회사에 대한 정보는 많았지만, 그에 대한 정보는 거의 없었다. 그가 아는 건 단 하나, 우영의 회사에는 그가 필요로 하는 기술이 있다는 것뿐이다.

그때, 갑자기 알 수 없는 진동이 도시 전체를 뒤흔들었다. 사람들은 혼란에 빠져 웅성거렸고, 테이블 위의 커피잔은 덜덜 떨렸다. 알렌은 불안한 눈빛으로 주위를 둘러보았다.

"지진인가?"

그의 질문이 채 끝나기도 전에, 거대한 그림자가 하늘을 뒤덮었다. 알렌은 고개를 들어 믿을 수 없는 광경을 목격했다.

거대한 맹수의 발이 그의 바로 앞, 카페를 덮칠 듯이 다가오고 있었다.

"으악!"

알렌은 비명을 지르며 의자에서 넘어졌다. 순식간에 카페는 아수라장이 되었고, 사람들은 혼비백산하여 도망치기 시작했다. 맹수의 발은 천천히, 하지만 거침없이 카페를 짓밟았다. 알렌이 앉아 있던 테이블과 의자는 산산조각이 났고, 주변 건물들은 마치 폭탄이라도 맞은 듯 처참하게 파괴되었다.

"뭐, 뭐야… 이게 대체 무슨 일이야!"

간신히 몸을 피한 알렌은 믿을 수 없다는 듯 폐허가 된 카페를 바라보았다. 그의 눈앞에는 믿을 수 없을 정도로 거대한 흑호의 다리가 우뚝 솟아 있었다. 다리의 근육은 마치 살아있는 듯 꿈틀거렸고, 발톱은 날카로운 칼날처럼 빛났다.

"설마… 우영?"

알렌은 덜덜 떨리는 목소리로 중얼거렸다. 그때, 흑호가 고개를 숙여 알렌을 바라보았다. 그의 눈은 마치 심연처럼 깊고 어두웠고, 알렌은 그 눈빛에서 헤아릴 수 없는 힘과 광기를 느꼈다.

"미안, 늦었지?"

흑호의 목소리는 마치 천둥소리처럼 웅장했고, 그의 입김만으로도 알렌은 날아갈 듯한 압력을 느꼈다. 알렌은 공포에 질려 굳어버렸다. 그는 지금껏 한 번도 느껴보지 못했던 압도적인 공포에 짓눌려 숨조차 제대로 쉴 수 없었다.

"네가 알렌 토플러 씨 맞지?"

흑호는 거대한 발을 움직여 알렌을 향해 내밀었다. 알렌은 본능적으로 뒷걸음질쳤지만, 흑호의 발은 순식간에 그의 코앞까지 다가왔다. 알렌은 흑호의 발에서 뿜어져 나오는 압도적인 힘에 질려 꼼짝도 할 수 없었다. 그의 뇌는 극도의 공포로 마비되었고, 그는 자신의 운명을 그저 받아들일 수밖에 없다는 것을 깨달았다.

"계약서 가져왔어."

흑호는 짐짓 미안한 표정으로 말했다. 하지만 그의 입가에는 희미한 미소가 번져 있었다. 그는 지금 벌어지고 있는 상황이 재미있다는 듯, 알렌을 완전히 가지고 놀고 있었다.

알렌은 흑호의 손에 들린 서류 가방을 바라보았다. 서류 가방은 마치 장난감처럼 작아 보였고, 그 안에 담긴 계약서가 그의 삶을 완전히 바꿔놓을 것이라는 사실이 믿기지 않았다. 그의 회사는 며칠 전까지만 해도 번성했고 지금은 파괴되었다.

"자, 그럼 계약을 시작해 볼까?"

흑호는 서류 가방을 열어 계약서를 꺼내 알렌에게 건넸다. 알렌은 흑호의 손에 들린 계약서를 받아 들었다. 계약서는 마치 종잇장처럼 가벼웠지만, 알렌은 그 무게에 짓눌리는 듯한 기분을 느꼈다.

"읽어보고 사인해."

흑호는 알렌을 재촉했다. 알렌은 덜덜 떨리는 손으로 계약서를 펼쳐 내용을 확인했다. 계약서는 복잡한 법률 용어로 가득 차 있었지만, 알렌은 한 가지 사실만을 알 수 있었다.

그것은 알렌에게 불리한 계약이라는 것

"이건… 말도 안 돼."

알렌은 굳어진 얼굴로 중얼거렸다. 계약서에는 토플러 중공업의 모든 권리를 블랙 퓨리 코퍼레이션에 양도한다는 조항이 명시되어 있었다. 이는 곧 알렌이 자신의 모든 것을 잃게 된다는 의미였다.

"이런 계약은 절대 받아들일 수 없어."

알렌은 용기를 내어 흑호를 올려다보며 말했다. 그의 목소리는 여전히 떨리고 있었지만, 이전과는 달리 단호함이 느껴졌다.

"계약을 거부하겠다는 건가?"

흑호의 눈빛이 차갑게 변했다. 그는 더 이상 장난스러운 표정을 짓지 않았다. 그의 얼굴에는 맹수의 본성이 고스란히 드러났고, 알렌은 다시 한 번 압도적인 공포에 휩싸였다.

"나는… 나는 단지 정당한 계약을 원할 뿐이야."

알렌은 필사적으로 말했다. 그는 흑호의 분노를 샀다는 사실을 깨닫고 후회했지만, 이미 늦었다.

"정당한 계약이라… 흥."

흑호는 코웃음을 치며 알렌을 비웃었다.

"힘 있는 자가 모든 것을 결정하는 법이지. 네가 힘이 없다는 건 이미 증명됐잖아."

흑호는 손을 뻗어 알렌의 서류 가방을 빼앗았다. 알렌은 저항하려 했지만, 흑호의 힘에 압도되어 꼼짝도 할 수 없었다.

"이건 내 거다."

흑호는 서류 가방을 짓밟아 부쉈다. 억소리도 못 낸 채, 흩날리는 종잇조각들을 알렌은 멍하니 바라봤다.

"계약은 끝났다."

흑호는 알렌을 내려다보며 싸늘하게 말했다.

"하지만… 내 회사, 내 모든 것…"

알렌은 절망에 빠져 웅얼거렸다.

"네 회사는 이제 내 것이다. 그리고 너는… 내 장난감이 될 것이다."

흑호는 알렌을 손바닥 위에 올려놓았다. 알렌은 자신이 마치 벌레처럼 작아진 기분을 느꼈다. 그는 흑호의 손바닥 위에서 꼼짝도 할 수 없었고, 자신의 운명이 그의 손에 달려 있다는 사실에 절망했다.

"싫어… 안 돼…"

알렌은 필사적으로 저항하려 했지만, 흑호의 힘에 압도되어 아무것도 할 수 없었다.

"자, 그럼 어디 한번 놀아볼까?"

흑호는 능글맞은 미소를 지으며 알렌을 쥐었다. 알렌은 비명을 지르며 흑호의 손아귀에서 벗어나려고 발버둥쳤지만, 소용없었다.

그때, 갑자기 흑호의 몸에서 빛이 뿜어져 나오기 시작했다. 그의 근육은 더욱 팽창했고, 그의 몸은 믿을 수 없을 정도로 거대해졌다.

"이, 이건… 또 뭐야!"

알렌은 공포에 질려 소리쳤다. 그는 흑호의 몸이 걷잡을 수 없이 커지는 것을 보며 혼란에 빠졌다.

흑호는 자신의 몸에서 뿜어져 나오는 힘을 느끼며 흥분에 휩싸였다.

"크하하하! 그래, 바로 이 힘이야!"

흑호는 하늘을 향해 포효했다. 그의 포효는 마치 천둥소리처럼 웅장했고, 그의 힘에 짓눌린 알렌은 정신을 잃었다.

얼마나 시간이 흘렀을까. 알렌은 희미한 빛에 눈을 떴다. 그는 자신이 낯선 장소에 있다는 사실을 깨달았다. 주변에는 거대한 가구들이 놓여 있었고, 모든 것이 알렌에게는 너무나 거대했다.

"여긴… 어디지?"

알렌은 혼란스러운 표정으로 중얼거렸다.

그때, 그의 앞에 거대한 그림자가 드리워졌다. 알렌은 고개를 들어 그림자의 주인을 확인했다.

그곳에는 믿을 수 없을 정도로 거대한 흑호가 서 있었다. 그는 알렌을 내려다보며 능글맞은 미소를 지었다.

"잘 잤어, 알렌?"

흑호가 알렌에게 말을 걸었다. 알렌은 흑호의 목소리를 듣는 순간, 모든 기억이 되살아났다. 그는 자신이 흑호에게 속아 모든 것을 잃었고, 그의 장난감이 되었다는 사실을 깨달았다.

"네가… 네가 어떻게 나한테 이럴 수가 있어!"

알렌은 분노에 휩싸여 흑호를 향해 소리쳤다.

"왜 안 되겠어?"

흑호는 어깨를 으쓱하며 알렌을 비웃었다.

"나는 힘이 있잖아. 그리고 너는… 힘이 없지."

알렌은 아무 말도 할 수 없었다. 흑호의 말은 마치 칼날처럼 그의 심장을 꿰뚫었다. 그는 흑호에게 철저하게 패배했고, 그의 모든 것을 빼앗겼다. 그는 이제 흑호의 손아귀에서 벗어날 수 없는 가련한 존재였다.

흑호는 손가락으로 알렌을 가볍게 튕겼다. 텅, 하는 소리와 함께, 알렌의 의식은 다시 한 번 칠흑 같은 어둠 속으로 잠겨 들어갔다. 이제 그의 앞에는 어떤 운명이 기다리고 있을까. 그것은 오직 알 수 없는 일이었다. 거인의 변덕에 모든 것이 달렸을 뿐이다.

Art by   dudenahel

Title: The Titan's Contract - Uncontrollable Power

Sunlight blazed down on Metropolis. A vibrant energy coursed through the downtown core, its towering skyscrapers symbols of modern ambition, but the peaceful scene was soon to be engulfed by a colossal shadow.

A rabbit, Allen Toffler, sat on the terrace of an upscale café. His well-tailored suit, gleaming shoes, and expensive briefcase spoke volumes about his successful career as a businessman. He sipped his coffee, waiting for the contract signing. His company, Toffler Industries, was one of the largest in the city, and he was about to offer Wooyeong a great opportunity.

"He's late again…" Allen muttered irritably, glancing at his watch.

He was on the verge of a crucial deal, and his counterpart was Black Tiger Wooyeong. Wooyeong was a rising star. His company, Black Fury Corporation, was garnering industry attention thanks to its groundbreaking technology and bold investments. Allen hoped that partnering with Wooyeong would secure a new engine of growth for Toffler Industries.

"Hopefully, he's a reasonable man…"

However, Allen knew very little about Wooyeong personally. There was plenty of information about his company, but little about the man himself. All Allen knew was that Wooyeong's company had technology he desperately needed.

Suddenly, an inexplicable tremor shook the entire city. People murmured in confusion, and the coffee cups on the tables rattled. Allen looked around anxiously.

"An earthquake?"

Before his question could even finish forming in the air, a gigantic shadow blotted out the sky. Allen craned his neck and beheld a sight that defied belief.

A massive paw, belonging to some kind of beast, was descending directly towards him, as if poised to crush the café into dust.

"Aaaah!"

Allen screamed and tumbled backwards out of his chair. In an instant, the café dissolved into pandemonium, and people scattered in terror. The monstrous paw descended slowly but inexorably, obliterating everything in its path. The table and chair where Allen had been sitting shattered into splinters, and the surrounding buildings were devastated as if they had been hit by a bomb.

"W-what… what in the world is going on?!"

Barely managing to scramble out of the path of destruction, Allen stared in disbelief at the ruined café. Before his eyes stood the impossibly colossal leg of a Black Tiger. The muscles in the leg rippled as if alive, and the claws gleamed like sharpened blades.

"Could it be… Wooyeong?"

Allen muttered in a trembling voice. Then, the Black Tiger lowered his head, peering down at Allen. His eyes were as deep and dark as the abyss, and Allen sensed within their depths an immeasurable power… and perhaps even a touch of madness.

"Sorry I'm late, " Wooyeong rumbled.

The Black Tiger's voice was as majestic as the roar of thunder, and Allen felt a tremendous pressure just from his breath. Allen froze in terror, completely overwhelmed by a primal fear unlike anything he had ever experienced before. He could barely breathe.

"You're Allen Toffler, right?"

The Black Tiger moved his enormous paw, extending it towards Allen. Allen instinctively stumbled backwards, but the paw closed the distance in a heartbeat, looming mere inches from his face. Allen was paralyzed by the oppressive power emanating from Wooyeong's paw, his mind numb with terror. He realized that he had no choice but to accept his fate.

"I brought the contract," Wooyeong said as if he was embarrassed about what was going on. His face showed a lot more interest in it though.

The Black Tiger wore an expression of feigned apology. But a faint smile played across his lips. He was thoroughly enjoying himself, toying with Allen like a cat with a mouse.

Allen stared at the briefcase in Wooyeong's hand. The briefcase seemed tiny, like a child's toy, and it was impossible to believe that the contract within could completely alter the trajectory of his life. His company had been successful just a few days before, and now it was destroyed.

"Well, shall we get started with the signing?"

The Black Tiger opened the briefcase, took out the contract, and offered it to Allen. Allen accepted the contract from Wooyeong's hand. The contract felt as light as a piece of paper, but Allen felt weighed down by its significance.

"Read it over, and then sign,"

The Black Tiger urged Allen. With trembling hands, Allen unfolded the contract and began to review its contents. The document was filled with complex legal jargon, but Allen could understand one thing:

It was a deeply unfair contract, rigged entirely in Wooyeong's favor.

"This… This is absurd."

Allen muttered, his face a mask of disbelief. The contract clearly stated that all rights to Toffler Industries were to be transferred to Black Fury Corporation. This meant that Allen would lose everything he had ever worked for.

"I can never accept this contract,"

Allen gathered his courage and looked up at the Black Tiger. His voice was still trembling, but it now carried an air of resolve that had been absent before.

"You're refusing to sign?"

The Black Tiger's eyes turned icy. His playful expression vanished, replaced with the raw, predatory nature of a wild beast. Allen was once again overwhelmed by terror.

"I… I just want a fair deal."

Allen said desperately. He realized that he had incurred the Black Tiger’s wrath, and deeply regretted it. But it was too late.

"A fair deal… Hmph."

The Black Tiger scoffed, mocking Allen's desperate plea.

"Power decides everything. And you've already proven that you have none."

The Black Tiger reached out and snatched Allen's briefcase. Allen tried to resist, but he was no match for Wooyeong’s strength and could do nothing.

"This is mine now,"

The Black Tiger stomped on the briefcase, crushing it into a mangled ruin. Mute with shock, Allen watched the scattered pieces of paper fall to the ground.

"The contract is over,"

The Black Tiger said coldly, looking down at Allen.

"But… my company, everything I own…"

Allen muttered

Lost in despair, Allen muttered, his voice barely audible above the distant wail of sirens and the ominous creaking of the Black Tiger's colossal form.

“Your company is mine now,” the Black Tiger countered, his voice devoid of warmth or remorse. “And you… you’ll become my little toy.”

With lightning speed, the Black Tiger swooped down and scooped Allen up into the palm of his hand. Instantly, Allen felt as if he had shrunk to the size of an insect. He gazed up in horror at the gargantuan figure towering above him, the striated muscles and sharp claws now seeming impossibly massive and menacing. He was utterly helpless, his fate sealed in the grip of a being he could never hope to understand, let alone defy.

“No… no! Please, no!” Allen pleaded, his voice a pathetic squeak lost in the vastness of the air. He thrashed and struggled, attempting to pry free from the Black Tiger’s grasp, but his efforts were futile. He was trapped, a mere plaything in the hands of a capricious god.

“Now then, shall we have some fun?” Wooyeong’s lips curled into a predatory grin, revealing a flash of sharp teeth. He curled his fingers inward, tightening his grip ever so slightly. Allen screamed, his voice cracking with panic as he tried to squirm free from the Black Tiger’s tightening grasp.

Then, without warning, a blinding light erupted from the Black Tiger’s body. Power coursed through him, now not just as a display of domination, but to undergo something new. The already massive contours of his physique rippled and swelled to grotesque proportions, his muscle fibers contorting and shifting as if undergoing some alchemical transformation. Allen felt the ground tremble beneath him, the air crackling with raw, untamed energy.

“W-what is this now?!” Allen cried out in abject terror. He watched in a frenzied daze as the Black Tiger's body grew, twisting and warping into something beyond comprehension. The transformation threatened to tear him apart as it was happening.

Wooyeong's eyes widened, consumed with an expression of feverish ecstasy, and for the first time, it became clear that even he was no longer in control. He was simply a vessel for some chaotic, untamable force that was now being unleashed. He was consumed by power and was not going to change.

“Kyahahaha! Yes, this is the power, ahhh…the POWER!!” The Black Tiger roared, his voice shattering the sky. He raised his hand up. In his wake, he was leaving death.

"Let's see what I can do."

The wind howled. The world was his, the power was within, and it was now all too late.

Wooyeong threw his head back and howled to the sun.

“What have I done?”

And at that moment, Allen Toffler lost consciousness, his mind unable to comprehend the sheer scale of what was unfolding before him. He could not help but to lose himself and what was happening to him.

How long he was unconscious, Allen could not say. He awoke to a gentle warmth caressing his skin, and a strange sense of disorientation washed over him. He found himself lying on a surface, his mind slowly piecing together fragments of memory. The feeling of being crushed, the monstrous figure of Wooyeong, his twisted words all came flooding back.

A wave of nausea washed over him as he turned.

As he woke, Allen found himself in a place that he did not know but was also now forced to accept. All he could remember was power and it was only clear that with that power, there were new decisions to be made. The room was enormous, the walls stretching up to dizzying heights, and the furniture towered above him like colossal monuments. He was a mere speck in this vast space.

"W-where am I…?" He muttered with a slurred voice. His memories were vague at best. The power of Wooyeong and the promise that he had once brought were now but dreams.

"Oh, you're finally awake."

And then, an enormous shadow blocked out the light. A heart attack nearly struck him. A low rumble reverberated through the room and Allen found himself craning his neck to find the source. Towering over him was the now-gigantic form of Black Tiger Wooyeong, his muscled frame eclipsing the sky. He grinned down at Allen. And was he wearing something different? Allen was in an unknown area.

His voice was a deafening thunder, his words resonating in Allen’s very bones. He had been tricked, robbed of everything, and now he was a prisoner in the hands of a mad god. The promise and excitement were gone.

"Wh-What did you do to me!?" Allen blurted, attempting to scramble to his feet. However, his limbs felt like lead and his efforts were futile.
"Why? With this new height, I can see what was meant to be."

The power and the glee in his eyes was gone.

Wooyeong squatted slightly, the floorboards beneath him groaning under the strain. He gazed into Allen’s widened pupils and reached for him. At that moment, Allen felt himself shrinking. The transformation was like nothing he had experienced. This was not a kind look but one of complete disgust. "You don't deserve it," Wooyeong muttered.

It was as if Wooyeong had heard his thoughts.

With one quick flick of his finger, Wooyeong sent Allen tumbling through the air. His head hit the floor and once more the world turned dark.