《Revend and Retournement》


 Information(Updated)

    First Main character information;


    Main Character: Nam was of above average intelligence, usually few friends and was a loner but the reason he has few friends is not because he doesn''t want friends, he just doesn''t want to be bothered


    Nam had black hair and black eyes, He was 1.85 cm tall, he usually liked simple things, he didn''t like fancy things, he didn''t like the color red for some reason, he didn''t know why, also, because his eyes were dark, everyone at school called him ''The Eye of Darkness,'' but Nam never liked that nickname


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    His favorite activity is reading books, and his favorite candy is lollipop, but the reason he likes lollipops is that he enjoys playing with the stick

 Mysterious Dream(Detailed)

    Nam was a university student. As the school day came to an end, he was packing his bag when his only friend, Acchi, approached him with a cheerful expression. His bag was already packed, as if he had been waiting for this moment.


    Acchi wore a neatly buttoned navy blue shirt, a matching outfit underneath, gray pants, and brown shoes. He placed his hand on the desk and smiled.


    "Can I come over?"


    ¡ª"No."


    Acchi''s smile faded slightly, but hope still lingered in his eyes.


    "Okay¡­ what about tomorrow?"


    His eyes sparkled, as if certain Nam would eventually agree. But at the same time, he was growing tired of being refused.


    ¡ª"No."


    "Then¡­ how about the weekend?"


    Nam was beginning to lose patience.


    "I said no. I have things to do."


    ¡ª"Ugh, fine."


    With a sigh of disappointment, Acchi turned and left the classroom, waving as he walked away.


    Nam remained silent, watching him go. Then, as he walked home, an old memory resurfaced.


    When he was a child, people used to say his eyes were frightening. They weren''t wrong¡ªafter all, his pupils were completely black.


    At first, he didn''t care. But one day, his best friend stepped back in fear upon looking into his eyes. That moment had burned itself into his mind. No matter how much time passed, he could never forget it.


    By the time he arrived home, the memory still lingered in his thoughts.


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    His mother, Lenora, was in the kitchen, most likely watching the news on her phone. The faint sound of a news anchor''s voice could be heard from the other room.


    "Is that you, Nam?" she called out.


    "Yeah," Nam replied.


    As he entered the house, his gaze landed on a necklace sitting on the table¡ªone he had never seen before.


    "Did you just get this?"


    His mother looked up. "Your brother bought it. He said it''s an antique."


    Nam didn''t dwell on it and simply went to his room.


    The room was simple, with two beds¡ªone on the left, one on the right. His bed was on the left, next to a small desk. There were only a few textbooks, a lamp, and scattered papers on it. His brother''s side, however, was filled with books. Other than the shared wardrobe, there wasn''t much else in the room.


    Dropping his bag beside the bed, Nam let out a quiet sigh. He spent most of his time here. Occasionally, he would talk to his family or play games with Acchi, but more than anything, he preferred reading novels and drawing.


    After changing his clothes, he sat down at his desk, unlocked his phone, and stared at the screen. His wallpaper was a simple apple.


    "What should I do?"


    Every day felt the same. Nothing exciting ever happened.


    His eyes drifted to the sketchbook on his desk.


    "Maybe I should draw something¡­"


    Tapping his fingers against the wooden surface, he muttered to himself, "What should I draw?"


    Then, a thought struck him.


    "That dream¡­ should I draw it?"


    He hesitated.


    "Or should I just forget about it?"


    "But if I draw it¡­ maybe I can make sense of it."


    His grip on the pencil tightened. The indecision was frustrating, but in the end, he flipped open the sketchbook, flipping past old drawings until he reached a blank page.


    In his dream, Nam found himself standing behind a door.


    He couldn''t move.


    Sunlight streamed into the room, illuminating the dust floating in the air. The door was slightly open, just enough for him to peek inside.


    Inside, someone familiar¡ªan older relative¡ªwas playing with a toy.


    But someone else was there too.


    "Who is that?"


    No matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t see their face. His body felt heavy, completely unresponsive, as if something had paralyzed him.


    A terrifying thought crossed his mind.


    "Am I paralyzed?"


    Even blinking felt like a struggle.


    Then, everything shifted.


    A strange sensation washed over him. Suddenly, he was no longer himself.


    Looking down, he saw small hands¡ªa tiny body. He was a child, no older than four.


    His mouth moved on its own, words spilling out that weren''t his own.


    "This¡­ isn''t my voice."


    The things he was saying¡ªno child should be able to say them.


    "What''s happening to me?"


    With great effort, he turned toward the door.


    But the body that had been there¡ªthe one he had seen just moments ago¡ªwas gone.


    A chill ran down his spine.


    And then¡ª


    Nam jolted awake, his pencil digging into the page.


    His heart was pounding.


    "That dream¡­ what does it mean?"

 Succinylcholine

    Nam started drawing the dream, but it felt as if something was pressing down on his mind. The dream wouldn''t leave his thoughts.


    His mind became clearer, yet his body started to tense up. He gripped the pen tightly, as if he were at a turning point in his life. His fingers trembled. He couldn''t draw anything.


    His chest tightened, his heart felt heavy. He could no longer hold the pen, yet he didn''t want to let go. He barely managed to draw the door.


    But he dropped the pen, even though he didn''t want to. He went to the kitchen to take a painkiller. He swallowed it immediately, but nothing changed. When he looked to his side, he saw the same necklace. He reached out to grab it.


    "Why did Mom put this here?" he muttered.


    As he extended his hand, he felt fear creeping over his body. He didn''t know why, but he had started trembling. He couldn''t move any part of his body¡ªit was as if a wolf was hunting him down.


    "N-Ngh¡­ what''s happening?" he stammered, his voice shaking. He tried to speak again but failed.


    His heart was pounding like crazy, his breathing was becoming irregular. He had never felt this kind of fear before. He slowly sank to the floor, barely able to stretch out his hand. But the moment he reached out, the fear intensified.


    He was sweating even more, and his heart was beating even faster. His vision started to fade. Once again, he stretched out his hand and managed to grasp the necklace, though with great difficulty. Yet, the moment he held it, a wave of unease washed over him.


    The necklace had the symbol of a snake eating its own tail. He felt uncomfortable all the way back to his room and slammed it onto the desk. Thoughts raced through his mind:


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    "What exactly happened?"


    "Why couldn''t I move my body, and why did I start sweating?"


    Nam looked at his hand. There was a wound. He didn''t care much and wiped the blood off with a tissue. He got up and returned to his desk.


    After thinking for a while, an idea crossed his mind:


    "Did someone put a curse on me?"


    "But no one hates me¡­ right? Or do they?"


    He took out a lollipop and started licking it.


    He tried to stand up, but he couldn''t. His body felt paralyzed. His limbs wouldn''t obey him, as if they were rebelling against him. That''s when he realized¡ªhe had been poisoned.


    But how? The only thing that came to his mind was the wound on his hand. Could the necklace have been coated with powdered poison? Nothing else made sense.


    He couldn''t speak. There was fear in his eyes, but it wasn''t the fear of death. Even he didn''t know what it was. A warmth spread through his body, and his eyes widened.


    What happened to his mother?


    He could see his younger sibling''s toy doll on the bed. A shadow appeared behind the door, slightly shifting. Someone was there. Then, a mocking giggle echoed from behind the door.


    Nam didn''t recognize the voice. He had never heard anything like it before. In fact¡­ was it even human? He didn''t know. Right now, his only wish was to move.


    He wanted to see who was giggling.


    "Who the hell is that? Why are they laughing? Is this thing even human?"


    He was angry, but more than that, he was worried. Not for himself¡ªfor his mother.


    Then, it struck him like lightning. The dream¡­ this was just like the dream. But he was powerless to stop it. He tried to move. Again and again. But it was useless. His time had already run out.


    February 10, 2020 ¨C Nam died.


    A few days later, the news reported:


    "University student Nam Larod was found dead in his room. The cause of death was determined to be poisoning. The only suspicious item found at the scene was a necklace¡ªbecause there was blood on it. On the same day, his mother was shot and killed in their home. The only family members left behind are the father and the young sibling. Authorities are investigating the connection between the incidents."


    The end?


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Or was it just the beginning of an even greater nightmare?

 Funeral

    It was a perfect day for a picnic. However, the same could not be said for the atmosphere. Nam and his mother were being buried. Many acquaintances had attended the funeral.


    The gravestones stretched out one by one, and the wind whispered a sorrowful tune. Nam and his mother''s graves were side by side, flowers placed on them. Some people were crying, while others stood still, quietly.


    Nam''s father, Wonho, only shed tears. He was in pain, wanting to tear himself apart. But he knew it was pointless. He adjusted his glasses and, with a deep breath, looked at Jihun''s devastated state.


    Jihun looked devastated; it was a huge trauma for him. Clenching his fists, he sobbed uncontrollably. The joy and hope in his eyes had completely vanished. His eyes were red.


    "I will avenge you¡­ I will kill the one who took your lives¡­ I will find them!" His gaze shifted back to the graves, and his crying intensified. The wind picked up a little more.


    It was as if the wind, in support of the little brother seeking revenge, began to sing a battle song.


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    As for Acchi¡­ He hadn''t shed a single tear. But that didn''t mean he wasn''t grieving. He felt like he was in a void. He wanted to scream, but his voice wouldn''t come out. His eyes were misty, but he held himself back.


    Memories of their first meetings flashed before his eyes. The times he annoyed Nam, the moments they wandered together¡­ He missed him.


    The funeral ended, and Wonho and Jihun returned home. As they stepped inside, Jihun, still crying, turned to his father:


    "Dad¡­ why aren''t you sad? Mom and brother are dead¡­ but why? Why aren''t you grieving?"


    Wonho took a deep breath. "I am grieving, Jihun¡­ deeply. But what is the point of crying? What does crying change? Will they come back?" He looked away. "Isn''t it better to accept the reality instead of struggling?"


    Jihun didn''t respond. He stormed into his room and slammed the door shut. Wonho sighed deeply.


    "I hope he can accept it someday¡­" he muttered. There was nothing else he could do. He had been wounded in two places at once: one in his heart, one in his mind. He had lost the two people he loved most, and he had to accept that.


    Acchi didn''t attend university for about a week. During those days, he visited his friend''s grave. When he finally returned to school, he was no longer as energetic as before.


    "Why¡­ why did you have to die?" he whispered. He was staring out the window, watching the birds fly freely. But there was nothing he could do. Nam was gone from this world, and he would never return.

 In Uncertainty

    Moon: "Why is this story so boring?" she sighed as she approached the table. The room was a bit messy, with papers filled with formulas and stories scattered everywhere. Some of them were important.


    The air smelled slightly of mold. The wind coming in through the window disturbed the silence. The other, unknown person was angry. They were gripping their pen so tightly that it could break at any moment. Their voice was high-pitched, almost like a girl''s.


    Sun: "It''s not like I''ve written tons of books before!" he snapped. "And besides, you all made me do all the work!"


    Earth was calm, reading a philosophical book. In reality, he didn''t understand much of it. He just wanted to look smart. He placed the book on the table in the center of the room. On the table, there was also a glass and a pitcher. He sighed, looking out the window, tired and sleepy. Then he spoke.


    Earth: "You''re doing all the wo¡ª"


    Sun''s anger flared even more, and it looked like he could tear Earth''s head off at any moment.


    Sun: "What did you say?"


    Moon quickly jumped in, panicked.


    Moon: "He didn''t say anything!"


    Earth, also flustered, quickly added, "Yes, I didn''t say anything," while taking a step back.


    Sun: "Alright then, but if you say it again, you''ll regret it!" His voice was threatening, and he wasn''t lying.


    Moon leaned against the door, suddenly realizing something. "Wait a minute¡­ why are we waiting?" she asked quickly.


    Sun started biting his pen.


    Sun: "You''re right! Why are we waiting? We should just attack!" His eyes sparkled as he spoke, like an innocent angel.


    Earth: "We''re just following orders. Be patient," he said, switching from his philosophical book to a storybook beside him.


    All of them, at the same time, sighed. "I''m really bored¡­"


    Moon glanced at the story Sun was writing and giggled.


    "Is this really the story you''re writing?"


    After hitting Moon on the head a few times, Sun returned to the table and continued writing. In the background, Earth seemed a little scared but didn''t show it.


    Sun: "You idiot, if you used your brain even a little, I wouldn''t have hit you."


    Sun furrowed his brows. "And also, why are we using code names? And why is mine ''Sun''?"


    Moon, recovering from the pain, chuckled teasingly. "Maybe because you spread your anger like the sun spreads its heat?"


    Sun got even more annoyed and smacked Moon''s head a few more times.


    Moon collapsed on the floor. He was still breathing but unconscious.


    Sun calmed down and asked Earth, "Why are our code names so bad?" He said it mockingly.


    Earth, still tired, replied, "It''s not like I chose them. The mission giver did. What do you expect me to do?"


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    Sun sighed and took a deep breath. "So, what are you going to do with that necklace?"


    Earth glanced at the Ouroboros necklace on the table, closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then replied calmly, "Nothing at all."


    Nam felt like he was trapped in a void. He couldn''t open his eyes. He couldn''t move his limbs. He didn''t understand what was happening. Was this the place after death? Or was it something else? He wanted to know.


    Questions kept running through his mind:


    "Where am I¡­?"


    "What happened to me?"


    "Did I really die?"


    "Is this¡­ the afterlife?"


    But there was nothing he could do. So far, the only thing he had heard was "S¡ìal=*e." He didn''t know what it meant, nor did he want to.


    An indescribable fear wrapped around his entire body.


    His body trembled as if he was about to die again. Time passed, but he had no idea how much. Eventually, he realized he could open his eyes.


    He saw a light, but he couldn''t move toward it. He tried again and again, hundreds of times, but it was useless¡ªhe was completely immobilized as if he were chained down.


    Something began pulling him. As he was dragged, his fear started to fade. But after a while, he found himself shifting between light and darkness. In the end, he was yanked forcefully into the light.


    He heard a voice but couldn''t fully understand it.


    "Na- wak- up- qui-"


    The voice belonged to a girl, seemingly around 13 or 14 years old.


    Nam barely opened his eyes. He was in an old-fashioned hospital. The hospital was built of wood and timber, with beds lined up on both sides. Some of them had patients lying in them.


    In front of him, a 13- or 14-year-old girl was crying. She was sobbing more and more intensely, gripping the blanket tightly. Her tears had already soaked the fabric.


    She had brown hair and black eyes. She wore a tunic, accompanied by a shirt underneath.


    On the other side of the room, there was a doctor and another man.


    It was obvious the man was a soldier¡ªyears of training were etched into his body. He had a light beard and looked deeply sorrowful.


    Nam couldn''t understand what was happening.


    The man spoke. His voice carried both sadness and relief. It was deep.


    "My son¡­ I''m sorry¡­ I won''t make the same mistake again!" As he spoke, he started crying, as if he had nearly lost something precious but managed to save it at the last moment.


    The doctor smiled and, in a calm voice, said, "I''ll leave you alone." He then left the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor before fading into silence.


    The girl immediately threw herself onto Nam, hugging him tightly.


    Nam was still in shock, but he managed to stammer out a few words.


    "S-sorry, b-but w-who a-are y-you?"


    The man collapsed to the floor, his crying intensifying. It was as if his world had ended.


    The girl, now panicked, spoke quickly.


    "Brother! Don''t you remember me?!"


    Nam shook his head no.


    The man, filled with fear, approached him and hugged him. Tears streamed from his eyes.


    "Even if you''ve lost your memories¡­ you are still my son!"


    Wiping his tears, he asked with a sliver of hope, "At least¡­ do you remember anything?"


    Nam shook his head again.


    The last spark of hope in the man''s eyes vanished, like a candle burning out.


    Nam remained calm and tried to maintain his composure as he looked into the man''s eyes. Though he still stuttered, he asked,


    "W-what''s m-my n-name?"


    The man stared into Nam''s eyes for a moment.


    "Nam¡­ Nam Larod."


    Nam was shocked. His name was still the same. That was possible, but how could his surname be the same?


    The man smiled warmly.


    "You''ll have to stay here for a week" he said, though he didn''t seem happy about it.


    Behind him, his supposed sister clenched her fists with determination and declared,


    "When you get out of the hospital, I''ll help you remember!"


    Nam''s supposed father and sister left the hospital room.


    The first day passed without much happening.


    On the second day, a new patient arrived¡ªsomeone roughly Nam''s age.


    The new patient was placed in the bed next to Nam.


    He had blond hair and he might be blind, though Nam wasn''t entirely sure. His height was average.


    After checking his condition, the doctors left.


    It seemed they didn''t know what to do. His disease was a mystery to them.


    Nam decided to talk to the boy. His voice was a bit weak, but still audible.


    "You look worse than the other patients."


    The boy smiled slightly and spoke.


    "I have an unidentified illness, but the doctors said I''ll be fine." He coughed a little, then added in a weaker voice, "My mom says I got sick because evil spirits are haunting me."


    Nam studied the boy. He looked like someone suffering from cancer. He was far too thin for his age, his body covered in scars and bruises.


    Nam thought to himself, "Judging by the hospital and what his mother said about evil spirits¡­ I''m in the Middle Ages. This is bad."


    The boy, curious, looked at Nam.


    "Ah, um¡­ what''s your name?" he asked, smiling like an innocent child.


    Nam smiled back and answered,


    "My name is Nam¡­ Nam Larod."

 2.?nformation

    Powers are generally something you could have when you''re born. Additionally, powers can also be obtained through external spirits. Powers are chosen based on the individual''s personality. These powers have both passive powers (super intelligence, analysis, mastery of a particular skill, etc.) and active normal powers.


    Of course, these powers have side effects and limits (this applies to active powers, not passive ones). These side effects can be reduced through special meditation techniques. However, these meditation techniques also have their own limits.


    Can a normal person stand up to someone with powers? Yes and no. To elaborate, those with special weapons can defeat those with powers, but these weapons are incredibly expensive. Therefore, the chance of encountering them is less than 0.01%, but it is not impossible!


    Inner and Outer Spirits: Every person with a power has an inner spirit. Generally, spirits resemble their host''s body, but some spirits do not. Some have no will of their own, while others do. As for outer spirits, they can be found all over the world, but you need to be lucky.


    If you encounter an outer spirit and prove yourself, you can make a pact with it to gain a power, but it is not as effective as a born power. If you want it to be as powerful as a natural-born power, you must have a good relationship with the spirit and share a similar mindset.


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    Types of Spirits:


    Achita type: This is a rare type of spirit, typically with water and ice powers. Some may be aggressive. Achita-type spirits get along well with humans and generally don''t cause conflicts with them. They have wills of their own.


    Sekhmet type: This is a very rare type, spirits bound to their goddess. They generally use fire powers, but some Sekhmet-type spirits can use both fire and earth. This makes them leaders in the future. However, those who wield both fire and earth powers might lose control of their minds due to the overwhelming power. Some have good relations with humans. They also have wills of their own.


    Tengri type: This is an extremely rare type, usually found in high mountains. They wield lightning powers, but some can also use water. This gives them a kind of power that might lead them to be excluded from their Tengri type. Their relationship with humans is poor. They travel with their own will and do not want to bow to anyone. Some are hot-tempered, while others are calm.


    Apollo type: This type has telekinesis powers. They are aggressive towards all types except their own. Encountering them is almost impossible. These are the known facts about the Apollo type.


    Spirit Classes:


    Artia Class - LOW RANK


    Birtia Class - MEDIUM RANK


    Altora Class - HIGH MEDIUM RANK


    Krein Class - HIGH RANK


    Utarine Class - ???


    Nature-based powers that can be acquired: Fire, Water, Lightning, Telekinesis. If we include rare ones from Tengri and Sekhmet types, these are the 6 known.


    -Daily Writer ???

 Unknown Voice

    The child looked at him with a confused expression and asked,


    "South and North?" He placed his hand on his chin and chuckled softly.


    Nam didn''t pay much attention to what the child said. Some of the other patients were coughing, while others were fine. Nam looked out the window at the city, only able to see the houses, and people walking around.


    Some were dressed elegantly, and it was clear they were nobles. As Nam continued to look outside, he asked in a normal tone,


    "What''s your name?"


    After coughing, the child responded,


    "Luth Averin!" with a cheerful smile.


    Curiously and anxiously, he asked,


    "Why did you come to the hospital?"


    Nam thought for a moment, actually pausing to avoid drawing suspicion.


    "I don''t really know, but the only thing I know is that I lost my memory."


    A moment later, Nam asked,


    "Is your mother a nun?" Luth nodded in affirmation. Nam, still curious, asked,


    "Luth, what''s your dream?"


    Luth thought for a while, his eyes shining with excitement as he eagerly said,


    "I want to be a doctor with superpowers!"


    Nam was a bit surprised and tilted his head,


    "Superpowers?"


    Luth brought his forehead to his palm.


    "Right... you lost your memory," he said, coughing a few times before continuing,


    "If you''re lucky, you can have superpowers, and these powers are determined by your personality. But if you''re not lucky, you can still gain power from external spirits!"


    Nam asked in a cold tone,


    "How are you so sure you''ll have powers?"


    Luth stuck his tongue out,


    "I''m not sure, but there''s a possibility, right?"


    The hospital attendants came into the room to serve food. They placed soup, porridge, and bread in wooden and clay dishes.


    Nam looked at the simple meal placed in front of him, remembering the scent of his mother''s warm meals. He felt a void in his chest, and a tear silently slid down his cheek.


    Luth had been served broth. The patients started eating their meals. Some didn''t eat at all, and others left half of their food. Nam finished everything on his plate and looked over at Luth.


    He was still eating. He wasn''t very hungry, slowly bringing the spoon to his mouth. The hospital attendants took Nam''s plate and collected the uneaten food from others. That day, nothing else happened.


    In the following days, Nam asked Luth many questions. Some of the things he asked were: "Which kingdom are we in? What city are we in? What year is it?"


    Luth didn''t know all of the answers but was able to respond to some.


    "We''re in the Asiria Kingdom," Luth said after thinking for a while, "If I remember correctly, it''s one of the two largest kingdoms. We''re also in Ansur City."


    "And we''re in the 18th century."


    Nam stared at the ceiling for a moment and thought, "I''ve never heard of such a kingdom or city. So, I must have traveled to a different world, not just the past."


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    The following days were the same. In the morning, the hospital attendants would bring breakfast, and they''d stay like that until the evening. Some of the patients were allowed to go outside to the garden.


    When evening came, dinner would be served, and then a few attendants would extinguish the candles, signaling it was time to sleep. Today, Nam was leaving the hospital.


    After saying goodbye to Luth, Nam opened the door to the hospital and stepped outside, his mind preoccupied with the fact that he had reincarnated and even had the same last name.


    His father and sister were there. His only goal now was not to draw any suspicion. Nam thought to himself, "Whatever danger this body went through, they immediately believed that my memory was lost."


    His father quickly hugged Nam, holding him tightly, followed by his sister hugging him as well. His father spoke emotionally,


    "Finally, you''re out!" His voice softened as he squeezed Nam''s hand even tighter.


    "Uh, maybe calm down first, dad?" Nam said. His father let go and took a few steps back.


    "You''re right," his father said. His sister was still clinging to Nam. Nam wasn''t sure what to say, but he turned to his sister and asked,


    "Could you let me go, please?"


    His sister shook her head no. His father immediately pulled her away.


    "Come on, Elara, let go of your brother." Elara puffed her cheeks and said,


    "Fine."


    Nam coughed lightly and glanced at his father, then asked,


    "What exactly happened that got me brought to the hospital?"


    His father lowered his head and knelt down. Nam was a bit surprised when he saw this. He stared blankly at his father, and then his father spoke with regret.


    "I was training with you for sword fighting. I knew you didn''t like the sword, but I didn''t pay much attention to it. Then you took a hit to the head, and we brought you to the hospital¡­ I''m really sorry. I won''t ever do something like that again!"


    Nam thought to himself, "What a simple reason for this!" It echoed in his mind. To calm his father down, Nam said,


    "Well¡­ at least I didn''t die, right?"


    His father nodded in affirmation. Then, standing up, he said,


    "Let''s go home then." Elara grabbed Nam''s hand.


    As they walked home, Nam looked around at the city. The sidewalks were made of stone, and some streets were wide while others were narrow. As they walked, he saw a market with many people shopping.


    They reached the place they were supposed to go. The house was made of brick and stone. All three of them entered the house. The walls were made of stone, brick, and plastered wood.


    The floor was a mix of wood and stone, and the ceiling had wooden beams with simple plaster. Elara and his father removed their shoes, and Nam did the same behind them.


    Elara smiled and handed him a slipper,


    "Here you go!" Nam smiled back and put the slipper on. His father went to the kitchen.


    "Nam, go rest in your room, go straight and then turn right!" Nam nodded in agreement and went to his room.


    The room was simple. There was a bed in the corner, and a desk right next to it. On the desk were a candle, a pen, books, and papers. Some of the papers had things written on them.


    There was a wardrobe in the back. Nam approached the desk and looked at the papers. Although he didn''t understand the language, he could still read some of it. The books were about philosophy, mathematics, history, and physics.


    Except for philosophy, he didn''t like any of them. Behind the books, he saw a necklace. It was the same necklace he had seen before he died. His eyes widened, and his body trembled.


    He was afraid. It felt like his body was pinned to the ground with chains. The fear inside him increased, and the wolf that was coming to hunt him grew stronger.


    He started sweating. He dropped to his knees, his breathing became uneven. He kept his eyes fixed on the necklace. He wasn''t going to reach out like last time.


    Elara smiled and opened the door with her hand.


    "Bro, dinner''s ready!" Seeing her brother on the floor, sweating, she quickly ran over.


    "Bro! Bro! Are you okay?"


    Hearing the sound, his father immediately came to the room.


    He rushed to Nam, calling, "Nam! Nam!"


    "Are you okay?"


    Nam had fainted. Just like last time, it felt like he was trapped in a void, but this time it was slightly different. He could move his body and see.


    He was hearing the same thing again, "S¡ìal=*e," and he started hearing it more and more.


    "S¡ìal=*e," "S¡ìal=*e," "S¡ìal=*e," "S¡ìal=*e," "S¡ìal=*e," but after a while, he started to understand the word.


    "Seal=*e" "Hello Nam." The voice sounded like his own but slightly different. The voice came from behind him, but he couldn''t turn around. He was still feeling fear, but this fear was less than the one from the necklace.


    He turned his head, and the thing there spoke mockingly,


    "Long time, no see, Nam."

 …

    The thing behind him asked in a questioning tone, "Hmm? Why don''t you turn around?"


    Nam frowned, "Do I have to look?"


    His body moved against his will and turned around. His eyes widened¡ªhe was facing himself.


    Was this the spirit Luth had told him about? Or was it something else?


    The spirit in front of him had a smirk on his face.


    It was as if the spirit represented the yang in the yin-yang symbol, while Nam was the yin.


    The spirit floated in the air, holding a lollipop in his hand. He was wearing a white suit, but his tie was black.


    Nam, startled and slightly afraid, spoke, "What... what are you?"


    The spirit removed the lollipop from his mouth and answered calmly, "What am I? Come on, didn''t Luth tell you anything about spirits?"


    After a short pause, he continued, "Right... Luth told you about inner and outer spirits."


    Nam''s eyes widened even more. How did he know Luth?


    Nam pointed his finger at the spirit. "How do you know Luth?" His voice was loud.


    The spirit gazed into the black void and spoke in a relaxed manner, "How do I know him? Come on, we''ve been through so many adventures together, and this is what you ask?"


    Nam didn''t understand. What did he mean by ''adventures''?


    "It''s like we''ve been together since the day I was born," Nam thought to himself.


    The spirit snapped his fingers. "Bingo, correct guess."


    Nam was shocked. "What?!"


    The spirit moved behind Nam and placed a hand on his shoulder.


    "Come on, we share the same body. The only reason you''re in control is that your soul is the dominant one."


    Nam couldn''t even react. When had he moved behind him?


    The spirit''s smirk turned into a mocking grin.


    "Do you remember Risa? The girl you used to be friends with?"


    His grip tightened. "Ah, right. I''m sorry... she died, didn''t she?"


    He started laughing.


    "She was your second friend¡ªthe one who made you laugh, who entertained you, who was always by your side!"


    His mocking tone grew even sharper.


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    "She was bound to die anyway. She was like an angel who had descended from heaven, wasn''t she?"


    His grip tightened even more.


    "Oh, that reminds me¡­ HER DEATH!"


    Nam was furious. He clenched his fist, ready to throw a punch at any moment.


    The spirit spoke normally, "Are you planning to kill me?"


    His voice was firm. "You can''t kill me. Even if you manage to, you will die too, Nam."


    Nam was still angry. His fists were clenched, his brows furrowed, veins visible. He had never fought anyone before, but right now, he felt like he could. His voice came out serious.


    "How can you be so sure?"


    The spirit didn''t seem fazed by Nam''s state.


    "I just told you¡ªtwo souls, one body. Think of it like yin and yang. If one ceases to exist, so does the other."


    After a short pause, he continued,


    "Why do you think my tie is black? Not because I want it to be¡­ but because I have no choice."


    Nam loosened his fist.


    Sweat dripped down his forehead. "Then... where is the white part of me?"


    The spirit looked at Nam with disdain.


    "You still don''t get it, idiot? Look at your necklace!"


    Nam didn''t understand what the spirit meant, but he was right¡ªthere was something in his pocket.


    He reached in and pulled out a necklace. Unlike before, he didn''t tremble or collapse in fear.


    Nam examined the necklace. "Why is this in my pocket?"


    The spirit floated in a sleeping position. "Why? Man, you really are dumb. Who would leave their master?"


    Nam was shocked. "M-Master?"


    The spirit muttered under his breath, "I was supposed to be in control of this body¡­ Damn, neither the Asiria Kingdom nor the Bardion Kingdom would''ve stood a chance."


    Nam didn''t hear what the spirit said, nor did he care. He locked eyes with him. "What''s your name?"


    The spirit let out a sigh. "Do you think an ordinary spirit like me would have a name?"


    Nam pointed downward. "Do you think I''m an idiot? You''re not an ordinary spirit. You have a shadow."


    The spirit smirked slightly. "I deliberately hid my shadow, but you noticed, huh? Fine, my name is Larod."


    Nam''s eyes widened. "L-Larod? But... Larod is my surname!"


    A short dagger appeared in the spirit''s hand. "If that''s the case, then my surname is Nam."


    Nam stared at Larod. "You''re neither an inner spirit nor an outer spirit! What are you!?"


    Larod spoke calmly. "I am a joint spirit."


    Nam was shocked. What was a joint spirit? Had Luth never heard of it? Or were joint spirits extremely rare?


    Larod tossed the dagger into the air and caught it repeatedly. "Joint spirits are almost nonexistent. But that doesn''t mean they''re strong¡­ or that they have any special abilities."


    He caught the dagger one last time. "My power is just a passive ability."


    Nam couldn''t respond at first but then asked, "Then how many people have joint spirits? And what is your passive ability?"


    Larod landed on the ground and sat down. "Why do you think I would tell you that?"


    Nam locked eyes with Larod. "If joint spirits are so rare, there must be a reason for it, right?"


    After a pause, he added, "And the most logical reason would be a war among joint spirits, wouldn''t it?"


    Larod stuck out his tongue. "Wrong."


    He stood up. "Actually, there is a reason¡­ but it''s not war. If it were, we would''ve been dead long ago, don''t you think?"


    He stepped closer. "The real reason is to determine the next sovereign¡­ or the one who will change fate itself"


    Nam didn''t understand what Larod had just said. "What?!"


    Larod responded, "Of course you wouldn''t understand. But I can do you a favor."


    Nam asked calmly, "What kind of favor?"


    Larod answered proudly, "Find the journal writer. They have information that will be useful to you."


    Nam nodded. "There must be a time limit to our conversation. When will it end?"


    The spirit quickly turned to Nam. "In 20 seconds."


    Nam nodded again and asked, "Give me a lollipop."


    Larod placed his hand on his forehead. "You never change."


    After a short pause, he added, "I can''t give you one. Even if I did, it would disappear."


    Nam nodded in understanding.


    Just as Larod was about to say something, Nam suddenly woke up.


    He looked around¡ªhe had returned. There was a chair next to him, and someone was sitting on it.


    It was Elara. She had fallen asleep.


    It was probably evening. Nam felt extremely exhausted.


    He tried to get up but couldn''t.


    This must have been a side effect.


    Since there was nothing else he could do, he went back to sleep.

 Twin Contrasts

    Elara had woken up, still feeling drowsy. After Nam had fainted, his father had called a doctor, and they had watched over him all night. Elara yawned and slowly opened her eyes.


    She noticed that Nam wasn''t in bed. Her eyes widened¡ªshe was both worried and scared. Where had he gone? More importantly, how had he left?


    Just as she was about to call her father, time stopped. The world and the sun were watching from the rooftop of another house.


    The sun played with his hair and sighed, "Who played with the rules of the universe again?" He sounded irritated.


    The world replied calmly, "Who else? Of course, them!"


    The sun let out another sigh. "So, are you going to deal with it, or should I?"


    The world smirked slightly. "Of course, I''ll go. You keep holding time still."


    The sun continued to play with his hair, feeling even more bored. "Understood..." The world then disappeared.


    Yin and Yang is a concept from Chinese philosophy that represents the balance of opposites in the universe. It symbolizes the coexistence of contrasting elements in nature and all aspects of life.


    Nam was in an endless void. Unlike before, it wasn''t black¡ªit was gray. He felt afraid, as if he were about to die.


    He could hear a few voices, but he didn''t understand them. On one side of him stood a completely black figure with white eyes, while on the other was a completely white figure with black eyes.


    The black one grinned mischievously. "Is he asleep? Let''s draw on his face with blood!"


    The white one touched Nam''s arm. "I don''t know. Should we wake him up? Also, no, I can''t draw. Let''s just wake him!"


    The black one grabbed the white one''s hand. "Don''t touch him! You''ll wake him up."


    A wide, sinister grin spread across the black one''s face. "Can I kill him? Please, please, I''ll do whatever you want!"


    The white one shook his head. "Of course not! First, let''s cut off his arm. If he doesn''t scream, we''ll kill him. If he does, we''ll make him suffer!"


    The black one placed a hand on his forehead. "Ah, you''re right. I always forget. Let''s cut off his arm!"


    Both of them grinned wickedly, but their fun was interrupted by a cold voice from behind.


    The world had arrived. He wore a high-collared, dark navy fitted jacket with slight armor pieces on his shoulders. A hat rested on his head. Below, he wore dark brown fitted pants and plain leather boots¡ªnot flashy, but sturdy.


    "Who are you?" his voice was steady, unimpressed.


    The grins on the black and white figures'' faces vanished, turning into expressions of anger instead.


    The black one spoke furiously. "Are you the one they call ******?"


    The world lifted his hat slightly and gave a slight bow. "The one and only."


    The white one pointed a finger at him. "Then why are you here?" His anger intensified. "According to the rules, you can''t be here!"


    The world smirked mockingly. "Oh, really? But weren''t you the ones who broke the rules first?"


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    The black and white figures summoned Crescent Reapers¡ªblack held the white one, while white held the black one. They stood close together, their backs barely touching. Both gripped their scythes tightly.


    The black one lunged first, while the white one attempted to trap the world from behind.


    The world swiftly drew his Cosmic Fangs, holding one in reverse and the other normally. His stance was balanced, feet slightly apart, arms flexible and ready. Then, he charged forward.


    The black one swung his scythe quickly but couldn''t make a wide arc. He stomped the ground to gain more speed, but the world barely dodged, stepping back swiftly.


    Now, the black one was in front of him, and the white one was behind him. Normally, he would have formed a plan, but this time, he had forgotten to.


    Both figures lunged at the same time¡ªyet suddenly, the world vanished.


    They both looked around, surprised.


    The black one huffed, "Hey, that''s cheating! You disappeared!" He scratched his head in frustration.


    The world reappeared diagonally behind the black one, and before he could react, a dagger was already flying toward him.


    The black one barely managed to dodge, but the dagger still left a cut on his cheek. Strangely, no blood came out. The dagger continued flying past him.


    The white one took the opportunity and rushed forward from behind, aiming to strike.


    Realizing he couldn''t dodge in time, the world used his telekinesis to call back the dagger.


    The white one noticed and tried to block it with his scythe, but he was too late.


    The returning dagger pierced straight through the black one''s head.


    The black one let out a painful scream¡ªhe hadn''t even seen it coming.


    The world scoffed. "Aren''t you mad about your friend''s death?"


    The white one remained calm. "It''s just a game, isn''t it? He''ll come back once the game ends."


    He suddenly spun and swung his scythe at full speed, but the world disappeared once more. His attack struck


    The white one''s attack struck nothing but empty air. The black one had collapsed to the ground, motionless.


    The white one scanned his surroundings cautiously¡ªthere was no sign of the world anywhere. He was beginning to feel uneasy.


    Then, without warning, the world appeared directly above him. Before the white one could react, a dagger slashed through his neck in a swift, clean motion.


    The world landed gracefully, retrieving the dagger from the black one''s skull. He shook his head with mild disappointment. "Stop pretending."


    At his words, both figures stirred.


    The white one smirked. "Oh? So you figured it out?"


    The black one let out a sigh. "Sorry, but we''re in a bit of a hurry."


    The white one narrowed his eyes. "We''ll leave the kid with you."


    Without another word, both figures vanished into thin air.


    The world exhaled. Fighting two people at once wasn''t easy. He turned to Nam, his sharp gaze locking onto him.


    "Stop pretending to be unconscious. I''ve seen far better actors in my lifetime."


    Nam opened his eyes and frowned. "It''s not like I was trying to be perfect at it."


    The world didn''t respond, but Nam couldn''t ignore the question burning inside him.


    "Why did you save me?" His voice was serious, almost demanding. He wasn''t particularly grateful¡ªjust curious.


    The world smirked slightly. "Why? Because it was my job."


    Nam was taken aback. Was this a normal isekai situation, or was this some kind of death-filled mystery where everyone eventually died?


    (Author''s Note: Don''t worry, not everyone will die.)


    The world continued, his tone firm. "You''ll be returning soon. When you do, act normal."


    Nam hesitated for a moment but then nodded.


    The next time he blinked, he found himself back in his bedroom, drenched in sweat. His muscles ached from tension.


    Elara, who looked both worried and scared, was just about to call for her father when she noticed Nam moving.


    "Nam?! What happened?" Her voice was shaken with concern.


    Nam was confused. "E-Elara? What''s wrong?"


    Elara blinked, seeming a little disoriented. She muttered to herself, "Maybe I was too sleepy to notice earlier..."


    Scratching her head, she sighed. "It''s nothing. But are you okay? You fainted yesterday."


    Nam forced a small smirk. "I''m fine, don''t worry."


    Elara puffed her cheeks in mild frustration. "Liar. You wouldn''t be like this if you were fine! Whatever, just stay here¡ªI''ll go get your medicine."


    She left the room, and Nam was left alone with his thoughts.


    "Who were those people?" he muttered to himself.


    He pulled back the blanket and sat up slightly. His eyes drifted toward the bedside table, where the necklace lay. Yet... he wasn''t afraid.


    He realized something strange¡ªhe truly didn''t feel any fear. Was it because he had met Larod? Or was it because of what had just happened?


    No matter what the answer was, Nam still felt a deep, lingering sadness.


    He lay back down and waited for Elara to return.


    Meanwhile, the world had returned. The sun was still lying on the rooftop, eyes closed. Without opening them, he lazily spoke.


    "Judging by your face, I''m guessing you won?"


    The world smirked proudly. "Of course. Do you really think¡ª"


    The sun cut him off. "I don''t have time to listen to you brag."


    The world sighed.


    "Move quickly. We still need to go further south."


    The sun nodded in understanding

 Echoes of the Lost

    Elara entered the room, carrying a tray with a glass of water and a pill. She placed it on the bed. Nam took the pill, and as Elara picked up the tray to leave, she spoke firmly,


    "If you''re really not feeling well, tell me next time!"


    Her tone was serious. Nam simply nodded.


    He glanced at the bedside table¡ªthere was a book, a candle, scattered papers, and most importantly, the pendant. Gathering his courage, he reached for it.


    It felt strange.


    Was Larod telling the truth? Or was he lying?


    As Nam picked up the pendant, he examined it carefully.


    It was made of iron. On the front, there was an Ouroboros symbol; on the back, a sword emblem.


    Something was off about the sword symbol. Its tip wasn''t sharp, and the hilt was broken¡ªas if it was incomplete.


    The moment Nam touched the tip of the sword, the pendant clicked open.


    Inside, there was a picture.


    A girl.


    She looked familiar, yet he couldn''t remember her.


    At that moment, Elara entered the room again, smiling.


    But¡­ her smile was terrifying.


    The room darkened.


    Nam reacted quickly, stepping back as a voice echoed around him.


    "Do you remember¡­?"


    Nam woke up, drenched in sweat, his breath shaky.


    It felt as if Elara had spoken to him while he was looking at the pendant, yet he couldn''t remember clearly.


    The only thing echoing in his mind was that voice¡ª"Do you remember¡­?"


    He sat up and walked over to the table, looking out the window. His hand rested on the wooden surface as he took a deep breath.


    Fear lingered on his face.


    He touched his forehead, as if trying to ground himself. Then, a realization hit him.


    "Why the hell am I in Nam''s body?!"


    Larod''s voice trembled.


    The last thing he remembered was writing a book in the void.


    Then, in the blink of an eye, he found himself here.


    "Wait a minute¡­ Does this mean Nam''s soul is missing?!"


    His voice sharpened with frustration. He slammed his fist onto the table, then turned toward the window.


    "Who the hell took Nam''s soul?!" he growled.


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    Then, something clicked in his mind. A sinister grin spread across his face.


    "So that means¡­ the whole world is mine!"


    He paused.


    "Oh, right. My power is passive."


    He turned toward the door.


    "I need to find Nam immediately, or I''m done for!"


    He stepped out and glanced around.


    His father was nowhere to be seen.


    Larod tried to walk quietly, but¡ª


    "Hey! Brother! You need to rest!"


    Elara had heard his footsteps.


    As Larod put on his shoes, he replied, "Don''t worry. I''ll be fine."


    Elara was about to protest, but before she could, Larod had already left.


    When he stepped onto the street, the city was bustling¡ªchildren laughing, couples walking together, merchants calling out their prices.


    Ignoring them, Larod kept walking.


    And got lost.


    By the time night fell, he had wandered for hours, unable to find his way home.


    The night wind was harsh.


    Cold enough to freeze him.


    "Damn that idiot Nam. Why didn''t the pendant protect him?"


    He turned into a narrow alleyway. The ground was paved with uneven stone. It was an abandoned-looking street, littered with a few broken barrels and scattered rocks.


    Then, he felt it.


    He was being watched.


    Larod tensed, then turned sharply, his eyes serious.


    "Come out, Vaelis Duskbane!"


    A slow clap echoed through the alley.


    "Oh? So you noticed," a playful voice responded.


    Vaelis stepped into the dim light.


    He had gray hair¡ªnot too long, but slightly messy.


    His outfit was regal.


    A long, deep burgundy coat draped over his shoulders, its collar and cuffs embroidered with silver patterns.


    Underneath, he wore a fitted black shirt. His dark, slim-fitting pants ended just below the knees.


    Larod clenched his fists. He didn''t want to say it, but¡ª


    "Vaelis, you''ve realized it too, haven''t you? Our original souls¡­ are missing."


    Vaelis scratched his head, looking up. "Of course, I noticed. But why are you so worried about the original soul?"


    He paused, then let out a sly, mocking chuckle.


    "Oh, don''t tell me you¡ª"


    Larod grabbed a nearby barrel and hurled it at him.


    Nam sat up in bed, still sweating.


    With difficulty, he pulled off the blanket and forced himself to stand.


    "What''s happening¡­?"


    A strange scent was seeping into the room.


    Nam walked over to the table, glancing out the window.


    A thought crossed his mind.


    Should I visit Luth?


    He opened the door and stepped into the hallway.


    The only sound in the house was his father''s snoring. There was no sign of Elara.


    Slipping on his shoes, he stepped outside.


    The streets were alive with people.


    Even though he wasn''t sure where the hospital was, he had a rough idea.


    Along the way, he passed through a crowded marketplace. Vendors were calling out their prices, customers haggling. Some carried heavy bags, others counted their coins.


    Nam kept walking.


    And got lost.


    The sky had darkened.


    Neither the hospital nor his home was anywhere in sight.


    He entered an empty alley.


    Scattered stones. A few barrels.


    Then, that feeling crept over him.


    He was being watched.


    Nam turned sharply.


    "Show yourself, whoever you are!" His voice was firm.


    Larod hurled a second barrel at Vaelis.


    Vaelis, still dizzy, staggered but quickly steadied himself.


    Annoyed, he shattered the barrel mid-air.


    "That hurt, damn it! Why the hell did you attack me out of nowhere?!"


    Larod let out a mocking chuckle.


    "Revenge. 600 years of it."


    His tone was taunting.


    Vaelis grabbed a nearby rock and threw it full force.


    "And how the hell do you even remember 600 years ago?!"


    Larod barely dodged it, but the rock crashed into a wall, shattering it.


    He pointed at the broken wall.


    "You know you''re gonna get fined for that, right?"


    Nam was still staring at the empty alleyway.


    No one was there.


    Then¡ª


    The wall beside him collapsed.


    His eyes widened in shock.


    Something had struck it. Hard.


    Yet¡­ he wasn''t hurt.


    The silence of the night pressed against him.


    Then¡ª


    A song drifted through the air.


    "~ Shadows whisper in the dark,A name I used to know,Fading echoes call me back,To places I can''t go. ~


    ~ Footsteps lost in silent streets,Moonlight paints the sky,Memories like falling leaves,Drift before my eyes. ~


    ~ Tell me, tell me, who am I?A voice without a name,Searching for the past I lost,In dreams that feel the same. ~


    ~ If I reach beyond the night,Will I find the truth?Or will I fall into the light,And fade away with you? ~


    The melody was hauntingly peaceful.


    Nam''s heart pounded as he quickly scanned his surroundings.


    No one was there.


    Where had that voice come from?


    Without hesitation, Nam ran out of the alley.


    Vaelis rubbed his hand. "Forget the fine. We''re in deep trouble right now."


    Larod glanced around and nodded.


    "Whatever''s happening here¡­ we''re screwed."


    Vaelis, slightly pale, muttered, "Yeah¡­ you''re right."

 The Point of No Return

    Nam was running fast. There was no one around, and the absence of the night made itself known. He looked up at the sky, then glanced behind him. What was happening here? Even though he was out of breath, he kept running. The song grew louder and more intense.


    ~ Silent hands reach through the veil,


    Tracing lines of fate,


    A shadow walks where I once stood,


    Yet time won''t let me wait. ~


    ~ Echoes call from far beyond,


    A place I used to be,


    Whispers dance upon the wind,


    Like ghosts that follow me. ~


    ~ Tell me, tell me, do you see,


    The path that leads me home?


    Or am I chasing memories,


    That never were my own? ~


    ~ If I reach beyond the night,


    Will I find the truth?


    Or will I fall into the light,


    And fade away with you? ~


    The feeling of peace the song gave was quickly replaced by the sense of death. The voice singing was deep and masculine, yet it did not belong to a human.


    Nam turned another corner and saw someone ahead. He couldn''t see clearly, but it was obvious she was a girl. She was slightly taller than him and held a rapier in her hand. Pointing her sword at Nam, she charged at him.


    Meanwhile, Vaelis and Larod had stepped out of an alley. As Larod looked around, he asked, "Is there anyone else here besides us?" Vaelis shook his head. Larod pulled out two daggers and handed one to Vaelis.


    As they continued to move, they noticed the broken walls and barrels in the alleyway. Vaelis'' mouth hung open, fear evident on his face.


    "Expiria magic?"


    Learning with Nam! Nam asked, "What is Expiria magic?"


    They were in a classroom, surrounded by desks and chairs. Larod sat at one of the desks. Raising a finger, he explained, "Expiria magic creates a connection between the past and the future, trapping them in a paradox. If someone who has died in the past is brought back, it can create an alternate timeline."


    "This magic isn''t something just anyone can use. Only a god or a demigod can wield it, making it impossible to stop." Nam nodded in understanding.


    Back in the alley, Larod took a step back, grabbed Vaelis'' hand, and started running. "If we stay here, the future will change. We have to leave immediately!"


    Just as Vaelis was about to use his power, Larod slapped him. "Idiot! Do you remember what happened last time you used it?!"


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    Vaelis snapped back, "Then what else am I supposed to do?!"


    They both froze.


    Someone stood in front of them, radiating a deadly aura. Death was moments away.


    Meanwhile, Nam barely managed to dodge the attack, his body moving on its own. He was terrified¡ªwhat if he had died just now? The girl''s strike had hit the wall. Now that he could see her properly, he took in her appearance.


    Her hair was white, straight, and neatly cut to a medium length, with a braid woven into it. Her sharp eyes were black. She wore a long, navy-blue coat, her hands wrapped in bandages. She had light boots on her feet and a faint scar on her face.


    Nam realized there was no escape. He was either going to live or die, and the thought drove him insane. The girl lunged at him again. There was no way to dodge. Closing his eyes, he prepared for death.


    She cut off Nam''s head! The end! Just kidding¡ªlet''s go back five seconds.


    The girl pressed her sword against Nam''s neck and asked seriously, "What are you doing here?"


    Nam smirked slightly. "Aren''t I here for the same reason you are? If you don''t believe me, ask the guy behind you."


    A slow clap echoed through the alley. "So, you noticed? Impressive!" The clapping stopped. "Reina, let him go."


    Reina withdrew her sword and stepped back. The man had medium-length silver-gray hair and wore a dark, long coat. His mature-looking face was accompanied by serious blue eyes. He took a step closer.


    "B¡ª"


    Larod took a step back. "H-Hey, Vaelis, didn''t you say there was no one else here?! Liar!"


    Vaelis also took a step back. "I was wrong!"


    Wait a minute¡ªwhat was in front of them? Human? No. Spirit? No. Then what was it?


    Vaelis began to panic. "What the hell is an Eonhuld doing here?!"


    The tension broke. The being before them was powerful enough to wipe out entire galaxies. Its mere presence on Earth was unnatural.


    Larod''s mouth hung open. "V-Vaelis, we''re so screwed¡ª"


    The thing before them was an Eonhuld. It had no fixed form, yet this time it had taken on a human-like appearance. Just as Larod and Vaelis tried to run¡ª


    They died.


    But¡­ how?


    The man''s head had been cut off. Reina quickly stepped back, while Nam remained calm. He swiftly got to his feet, and both he and Reina looked toward the entrance of the alley.


    There stood someone. Pure blackness itself.


    "It''s been a long time, my friend. Can I kill you this time? Oh, wait¡ªno killing! I''ll torture you instead!"


    The voice was both childlike and brutal. They held a white scythe, just like always.


    In a flash, they lunged at Nam. Reina didn''t even have time to react.


    Nam died.


    But¡­ how?


    Black killed Reina as well.


    Larod''s eyes snapped open. He was in the void again, panting. He remembered everything. "What the hell just happened?!"


    "Damn Eonhuld bastards!"


    Larod quickly tried to meditate, attempting to create a temporary form on Earth.


    Everything was going fine¡ªuntil he realized his power had already been sealed. That meant he couldn''t reach Nam.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me!" Larod clenched his fist, his brows furrowing. "If I leave this to Nam, we''re doomed!"


    As he thought about what to do, frustration overtook him.


    "If Nam were the protagonist, none of this would be happening right now!"


    Despair set in. They had already entered a different timeline. If this continued, they would be erased.


    Meanwhile, Nam woke up in bed, drenched in sweat. His eyes were wide open, fear still gripping him. He clutched the necklace in his hand.


    But¡­?


    The necklace looked damaged.


    Quickly, he jumped out of bed. He remembered everything.


    Ignoring Elara''s words, he rushed outside. The necklace was in his pocket.


    Just as he was about to step in a different direction, someone called his name from behind.


    "Hi, Nam."

 Trapped in an Unseen Cage

    Nam froze for a moment. He had no acquaintances¡­? Or was this someone who knew the previous owner of his body? With some effort, he turned around.


    Luth was smiling at him. His long, black cloak swayed slightly, and his head was tilted to the side. He wore gloves that reached his wrists. Underneath, he had dark-colored pants that didn''t restrict his movements and lightweight yet sturdy boots suitable for long walks.


    Nam''s fear faded. But¡­ wasn''t Luth supposed to have cancer? There was a chance he could recover, sure, but the odds of him dying were much higher.


    Luth lowered his hand and asked with a curious expression, "Hmm? Is there something on my face?" He began wiping his face.


    Nam rubbed his eyes before responding, "N-No, I''m just tired."


    Luth walked up to him, looking slightly concerned. "Are you really okay?"


    Nam started walking. "Yeah, I''m fine."


    Luth followed behind, raising his head slightly as if deep in thought. "What should we do this time?" His gaze shifted, noticing a chain peeking out from Nam''s pocket. Without hesitation, he grabbed it.


    Nam couldn''t even react in time and could only grumble internally, "He''s even worse than Acchi!"


    Luth''s eyes sparkled as he examined the pendant. "What a beautiful antique! Where did you find it?"


    There were many shops around¡ªtailors, bookstores, restaurants, and more. The streets were lively, filled with finely dressed people and children running around.


    Nam didn''t know what to say, so he went with the most classic excuse. "It belonged to my grandfather. He gave it to me."


    Luth continued inspecting the pendant. "Your grandfather must''ve had an eye for antiques."


    Nam scratched his cheek. "Is that so?"


    Luth flipped the pendant over, raising an eyebrow when he noticed the sword emblem was broken. "Why would they design the sword to be broken?"


    Nam had never thought about that before. Why was it broken?


    "I don''t know." After saying that, he took the pendant back and stuffed it into his pocket.


    For the rest of the day, Luth dragged Nam all over the place. By the time they finally sat down on a bench, Nam was out of breath¡ªhe had never walked this much before. Meanwhile, Luth seemed completely fine.


    Stretching, Luth stood up and casually said, "Well, I''m off!"


    Nam forced a smile and waved. "Is he insane? Who walks around this much?"


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    Nam got up, realizing once again that he had no idea how to get home. But¡­ maybe it was better not to be home right now.


    ~ Shadows shift beneath my feet, As echoes start to break, A fleeting dream, a silent cry, A past I can''t escape. ~


    ~ Tell me, tell me, can you hear, The voices lost in time? Or am I drowning in the dark, A fate no longer mine? ~


    ~ If I step beyond the veil, Will the stars still shine? Or will I fade into the dusk, A ghost of my own mind? ~


    Nam heard the song again. He quickly looked around, but it seemed to have ended. The melody alone was enough to hypnotize someone, but Nam wasn''t going to fall for it.


    He hurried out of the street, picking up a nearby pipe as he kept moving. The area was still empty. Nam stopped, a sense of unease settling in his chest.


    Meanwhile, elsewhere¡ª


    Larod was still deep in thought. There was almost nothing he could do. What could he even try? All his abilities were sealed¡ªeven flying was impossible.


    The only thing he could do was trust Nam.


    Alright, first, I need to head south before the timeline shifts.


    Wait.


    Why¡­ why isn''t it working?


    Is there a mistake?


    Se¡ª


    Nam glanced around. There was no one in sight, yet he still felt uneasy. As he kept walking, he could hear faint noises¡ªmostly animal sounds.


    And then, right in front of him, stood Reina again¡ªthis time, looking even angrier.


    She drew her sword and took a combat stance.


    Nam tightened his grip on the pipe in his hands. He knew he couldn''t win, but¡­ if he could find a way to slow her down, maybe he had a chance.


    There was a restaurant nearby. Without hesitation, he dashed inside.


    Reina hesitated for a moment before lunging after him.


    Nam ran into the kitchen, grabbing whatever oil he could find. He shattered a window, jumped out, and quickly moved to the side.


    A second later, Reina burst through the wall.


    Nam hurriedly poured the oil onto the ground.


    Would this be enough to stop her? He had no idea. But it was the only thing he could do right now.


    Then, he ran.


    He made sure to take the narrowest paths he could find.


    Reina was right behind him. The oil on her shoes slowed her down, but not by much¡ªshe was still fast.


    Nam scanned his surroundings. There was nothing but stone and brick.


    At this rate, he was going to die.


    Reina lunged forward.


    Nam barely managed to throw himself to the ground in time.


    He had nowhere left to run.


    Reina pressed her sword against his neck.


    "What are you doing here?" she asked.


    The same question again.


    Nam smirked. "Why? I was just passing through."


    Reina applied more pressure to the blade.


    Nam remained calm. "If you kill me, it''ll only be bad for you. Do you really think we''re the only ones here?"


    Reina knew he was right. If she killed him, she''d only cause trouble for herself.


    She pulled her sword away and took a few steps forward.


    "¡­Reina," Nam muttered. He was a little surprised, but then added, "Nam Larod."


    Reina walked a few more steps. "Tell me everything you know about this place." Her voice carried a threatening edge.


    Nam stood up, dusting himself off. "All I know is that we''re trapped here."


    Reina started walking again. "Follow me."


    Nam stumbled after her.


    Meanwhile¡ª


    Larod was still floating in the void, growing more frustrated by the second. There were random objects around him¡ªa book, a pen, a pillow¡­


    "I wonder what Vaelis is doing¡­" His voice was weak.


    "Damn those Eonhuld bastards¡­!" His temper snapped as he clenched his fist and punched the emptiness around him.


    But punching the void was no different from punching air.


    Back with Nam and Reina¡ª


    They continued walking. Not a single person was in sight. And yet¡­ it felt like someone was watching them.


    As they walked, Nam suddenly asked, "Have you ever heard a song?"


    Reina shook her head.


    That was strange. It was impossible for her not to have heard it.


    Nam reached into his pocket, checking his pendant.


    For some reason¡­ it was even more broken than before.


    He didn''t dwell on it. Instead, he simply kept moving forward.

 The Fabrication of Truth

    Reina and Nam''s footsteps echoed through the ruins as they continued walking. Everything was destroyed¡ª


    it was like a city from World War II. Reina and Nam remained calm and kept moving forward. The surroundings were still quiet, as if the past was affecting the future¡ª


    "Bzzzt... Shhh... Krrk..."


    The voice was trembling yet determined. The person was breathing heavily in panic.


    "Listen! If you are watching, reading, or listening to this right now, none of it matters! The only thing you need to know is that this story is a lie!"


    A door creaked open¡ªit sounded like the door to the room before the one the person was in. They seemed to glance around nervously, their breathing growing more erratic.


    "This story is fake! Don''t believe it! Everything was made up by him! No one knows the real story!"


    Their panic increased.


    "Please!"


    There was a brief pause, as if they were looking directly at the reader. Their brows furrowed slightly.


    "Don''t trust h¡ª"


    The door to their room burst open. A gunshot rang out. They were probably dead.


    Oh well. They died, didn''t they? And the words of the dead don''t mean anything, right? You won''t trust them, will you?


    Nam let out a slow breath and looked around. Was this really the same city from before?


    After thinking for a moment, Nam muttered, "There''s no way a normal person could be this strong¡­ is it their soul''s power, or their swordsmanship?"


    Reina simply nodded.


    The city was completely destroyed. Some buildings were still burning. Every time they blinked, the ruins seemed to collapse further.


    Why are you reading this story???


    With so many better stories out there, why this one? Are you really wasting your time on this? But why?


    "Even if you''re born lucky in this world, you''re still not lucky."


    That phrase sounds iconic, doesn''t it? Oh, sorry¡ªyou must have forgotten(!) The one who said that was ***¡ª oh, wait, you already know them.


    Do you trust them? Just because they''re the main character, do you trust them? Maybe you shouldn''t. Because they are ********''s *********. If you understood that, I''m glad.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Anyway, let''s continue the story.


    Nam climbed to the highest point they could reach. The place they stood on trembled slightly, but they paid it no mind and continued scanning the area. There was nothing but ruins.


    Reina, growing impatient, started walking away without waiting for Nam to come down.


    Noticing this, Nam quickly called out, "Hey, wait for me!" and hurried after her. Still, there wasn''t a single person in sight.


    Larod had been trying to meditate for hours, but he failed every time. And each failure made his body ache more and more.


    "Why me?"


    The fear of vanishing had nearly driven him mad. He lay on the ground, exhausted.


    Suddenly, a white rift opened in the void.


    "W-What the hell?!"


    Larod was shocked¡ªwhite voids weren''t normal. From the rift, Ay stepped out. Their appearance¡­ ah, sorry, I''m not authorized to reveal that.


    Larod pointed at Ay.


    "What are you doing here?!"


    His brows furrowed. Ay scratched their head and spoke.


    "What am I doing? I was assigned a mission to get you out of here, that''s what."


    Larod was confused.


    "And how is that supposed to work?"


    Ay gestured toward the rift.


    "This is an Expiria spell. It was developed for soul transportation. Only souls can pass through."


    Larod''s confusion deepened.


    "Wait a second¡ªdoes that mean you''re a soul?"


    Ay grabbed Larod by the back of his collar and threw him into the rift before stepping in themselves.


    "Don''t overthink it."


    Inside the rift was an indescribable space, almost like the fourth dimension.


    Larod and Ay arrived in the ruined city. Everything was in ruins, crumbling. Larod groaned as he threw up behind them.


    Ay looked around calmly.


    "You''ll get used to it."


    Larod wiped his mouth.


    "You do realize that Nam and I are from different timelines, right?"


    Ay started walking forward.


    "Of course, I know."


    They climbed to the highest point and scanned the area. Larod simply looked around before asking,


    "Who could have done this?"


    Ay jumped down.


    "You have sharp eyes."


    The two continued walking. Meanwhile, Nam and Reina were still searching for others. So far, they had only explored about 25% of the city.


    As they walked, a voice called out from behind them.


    "Hey, Nam! Are you okay?!"


    The voice belonged to Luth. His clothes were slightly torn, but he seemed fine. He quickly approached Nam.


    "Hey, Na¡ª"


    His eyes landed on Reina.


    "Oh, uh¡­ you?"


    Reina turned around.


    "Reina."


    Luth nodded.


    "Ah, I see."


    Nam interrupted.


    "Instead of talking, keep moving."


    He had already started walking. Luth and Reina followed.


    Curious, Luth muttered, "I wonder what happened here?"


    Nam and Reina didn''t answer. Luth simply nodded as if he understood and kept walking with them.


    And then, they all heard it¡ª


    "Do you really think you''re contributing to the story?"


    The voice was terrifying. The three of them froze, glancing around in fear.


    Reina drew her sword. Nam and Luth prepared to run.


    But there was no one there.


    Larod and Ay were wandering the ruins. Larod kept bombarding Ay with questions.


    "What''s your name?"


    "How was my power sealed by Eonhuld?"


    "What was that rift?"


    Ay didn''t answer any of them.


    And then, someone appeared before them¡ª


    Ay ignored Larod and kept walking.


    Larod frowned and quickened his pace, stepping in front of Ay.


    "Hey! Answer me!"


    Without a word, Ay simply walked past him.


    Realizing he wasn''t going to get an answer, Larod sighed and followed.


    End of Chapter!


    "Hey, I''m diary writer Vera Mirvay, and today, I need to talk about something very important."


    Her voice carried the tone of a woman who had seen too much. She paused for a moment, then continued.


    "Whoever the god of this world is, they seem to enjoy mocking us."


    She clenched her hands into fists, swallowed hard, and placed a hand on the desk.


    "I want to tell you everything I know, but I can''t¡ª"

 Shadows of the Ruined City

    Nam, Luth, and Reina began to move forward, albeit cautiously. The city lay in ruins, and as they advanced, they searched for the source of the sound.


    However, there was no one in sight. The complete absence of people was strange, but soon, a scream echoed through the streets. It belonged to a man. Without hesitation, Reina and Luth rushed toward the sound, with Nam following behind.


    When they arrived, they found a man trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed house. Even if they managed to free him, his death from blood loss was inevitable.


    Luth tried to lift the debris, and Reina helped him, while Nam stood behind them, motionless. He knew the man was beyond saving.


    This wasn''t a place where a heroic protagonist would go out of their way to help everyone in need.


    Nam watched the man coldly and spoke.


    "Do you really think you''ll survive even if you get out of there?"


    The man, still screaming, answered in the same desperate tone.


    "N-No¡­ but! There''s still a chance, right?"


    Reina understood what Nam was trying to do. Luth, however, continued struggling to move the rubble.


    Nam fixed his gaze on the man.


    "A chance? And what do you think the odds are? That chance does not exist. No matter what, you''re going to die."


    The man knew Nam was right, but he still didn''t want to die.


    Without another word, Nam turned and walked away. Reina hesitated for a moment, then followed him.


    When Luth saw them leaving, he stammered, "H-Hey, wait! If we take him to a hospital¡ª"


    Nam shot him a sharp look. Luth, without saying another word, let go of the debris he had barely managed to lift. He glanced back at the injured man with regret before following the others.


    The man, shocked by what he saw, screamed after them.


    "Don''t go! Please!"


    But only Luth turned to look at him one last time.


    The three of them continued on in silence.


    Meanwhile, Larod and Ay were also moving forward. Ay remained quiet, while Larod scanned their surroundings.


    "Nam is here, isn''t he?" Larod asked.


    Ay rubbed his eyes and looked around before replying, "Yeah." His gaze shifted forward.


    A dead end blocked their path, but instead of worrying about it, they simply walked around it.


    Back with Nam''s group, he led the way, pointing towards the palace in the center of the city.


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    "We need to go there. What do you think?" He turned to Reina and Luth.


    Reina glanced at the palace and then at Nam. "Fine," she muttered.


    Luth hesitated slightly before responding, "Alright."


    They headed toward the palace, but the surrounding walls made it difficult to enter. The first wall had partially collapsed, making it difficult but not impossible to pass through. The second wall had crumbled sideways, allowing them to cross more easily.


    Nam pushed open the palace doors, and the others followed him inside. A straight corridor led to the throne room.


    Luth felt uneasy. The palace was lined with red carpets, its walls painted gray, with blue banners hanging at intervals. Torches illuminated the halls, casting flickering shadows.


    The three of them walked forward, Luth trying to suppress his fear, while Reina and Nam remained composed.


    When they reached the throne room, they saw eight columns¡ªfour on each side. Several paintings adorned the walls. The throne itself was plain, made entirely of stone.


    Nam and Luth approached the throne, while Reina examined the paintings.


    The room was dusty, and its atmosphere was... difficult to describe. It felt as if every step carried them further from death.


    Elsewhere, Larod and Ay continued their journey¡ªuntil blackness itself appeared before them.


    The entity wielded a scythe, black instead of white, and its voice was filled with anger.


    "Because of you, I couldn''t kill him!"


    Before it could finish speaking, it lunged at Larod. He had only two seconds to react.


    The best choice was to fall.


    Larod kicked his own foot, making himself stumble backward. Seeing this, the entity hurled its scythe at him.


    Ay quickly threw several potions, causing the scythe to change its trajectory.


    The entity clenched its teeth and scowled. Using the remains of a shattered wooden beam as a foothold, it leaped up to retrieve its weapon.


    Meanwhile, Ay grabbed Larod by the back of the neck and started running. Larod quickly adjusted to the situation and ran alongside him. It was as if Ay had foreseen all of this.


    The entity sprinted after them. Its power had been sealed by an Expiria Spell, allowing it to use only a fraction of its strength.


    Ay threw another potion¡ªthis one red. It spread throughout the area, though its effect was unclear. Perhaps it was meant to stun.


    The entity staggered slightly. Seizing the opportunity, Larod veered to the side and began leaping over broken debris.


    Ay noticed his sudden movement. "Hey, what are you¡ª"


    "Just follow me!" Larod''s voice carried urgency.


    Without questioning further, Ay chased after him. The entity pursued them relentlessly, its speed increasing.


    Larod maneuvered through narrow paths, forcing the entity to struggle to keep up. He analyzed every step, knowing his mind would eventually fail to keep pace with his instincts. But for now, there was no other choice.


    Ay checked his potions. Only one was useful in this situation. Timing his throw perfectly, he hurled it at the entity''s head.


    This potion revealed a person''s deepest traumas.


    The entity dropped to one knee, gripping its scythe tightly.


    "Damn it! If only Ay weren''t here, this would be easier!" It swayed slightly, overcome by the visions in its mind.


    "They don''t call him the Keeper of Forgotten Formulas for nothing."


    It steadied itself and began running again¡ªbut by then, Larod and Ay had already disappeared.


    Back in the palace, Nam inspected the area behind the throne but found nothing.


    Reina, still observing the paintings, muttered, "Whatever happened here, it''s shrouded in mystery."


    Neither Nam nor Luth heard her.


    Luth sat on the throne. It wasn''t particularly comfortable, yet it had an oddly calming effect.


    Nam, seeing that nothing else of interest was present, sighed. He was tired¡ªand hungry.


    Luth stood up. Reina had finished examining the paintings.


    One depicted the sun and the moon. Another showed an octopus and a lion locked in battle, while a rabbit hid in the background.


    On the opposite wall, a massive painting covered the entire surface. It showed three figures gazing down at the world.


    Reina approached the throne and sat down. Meanwhile, Nam looked out the window behind it.


    Then, a voice echoed through the room.


    "N-Nam?"

 Trapped Within Exparia

    Reina, Luth, and Nam flinched at the sudden voice. It was eerily familiar to Nam. The room fell silent again, the stillness pressing upon them. Nam swallowed hard and turned around.


    Luth and Reina hesitated, afraid to look back. Standing at the entrance of the throne room were Larod and Ay. Their clothes were slightly torn, but they still looked fine.


    Nam''s lips parted slightly. "Larod?"


    A strange exchange of glances followed as if they were speaking telepathically. Reina and Luth, sensing something unusual, finally turned around.


    Upon seeing Larod, who bore a striking resemblance to Nam, both instinctively stepped back. Reina drew her sword, while Luth positioned himself protectively in front of Nam, ready to sacrifice himself if needed.


    Nam pinched himself, ensuring he wasn''t dreaming. When the pain confirmed reality, he rubbed his eyes. "How... How are you here?" His voice was as sharp as a blade.


    Larod casually brushed off the dirt from his clothes. "You don''t know much about souls, do you?" Ay, meanwhile, was busy organizing her potions.


    Reina kept her sword raised, eyes filled with suspicion. Larod glanced at her indifferently.


    Nam stepped closer to Reina, placing a hand on her sword. "They are not our enemies."


    After a moment of hesitation, Reina lowered her weapon. Luth quickly moved forward, standing beside them.


    Nam fully turned his body toward Larod. "What exactly is going on here?"


    Larod crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly. "We''re under the effects of Expiria magic."


    The three of them exchanged confused glances. None had ever heard of Expiria magic before.


    Luth immediately stepped in. "And what exactly is Expiria mag¡ª"


    "It would take too long to explain," Larod interrupted, his tone unwavering. "What you need to know is that we''re trapped here."


    Ay finished sorting her potions and spoke up, "We need to leave. There''s nothing left here anyway." Without another word, she walked out of the throne room, Larod following closely behind.


    Before exiting, Larod turned slightly, glancing at Nam. "You can trust her."


    Nam lowered his gaze for a second before silently following.


    Seeing Nam leave, Reina and Luth exchanged a wary look and then followed as well. Reina, however, still didn''t trust them.


    No one spoke until they left the ruined palace.


    Outside, the landscape remained unchanged¡ªruins stretching as far as the eye could see. However, right in front of them stood a large dog.


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    It resembled a shepherd dog, its black fur thick and sleek. Its deep, dark eyes were intelligent, its body muscular and athletic¡ªclearly a guard dog.


    Luth immediately ran forward and embraced the animal. "Brutus! You''re okay!"


    The dog wagged its tail, panting happily as it licked Luth''s face.


    The others approached, Reina being the first to step forward. The dog sniffed her before accepting her presence, allowing her to pet it.


    Larod and Ay soon followed. Brutus acted cautiously toward them but wasn''t openly hostile.


    As Larod ran his hand over the dog''s fur, he muttered, "Why is this dog here?"


    Luth stood up and shrugged. "I don''t know. But as long as he''s alive, that''s what matters."


    Nam, standing at the back, was frozen. His breathing became unsteady, his pupils constricted, and cold sweat trickled down his back.


    Everyone turned to look at him.


    Larod tilted his head. "Nam, why aren''t you coming closer?" He gestured with his hand for Nam to approach.


    Nam couldn''t even form a response. His entire body was trembling. "N-N-No, I''m fine."


    Reina stopped petting the dog and looked at Nam with mild amusement. "Are you afraid of animals? For someone as cold as you, that''s pretty embarrassing."


    Luth blinked in surprise and glanced at Reina. "That can''t be right. He used to love Brutus."


    Brutus finally noticed Nam. Their eyes met.


    Nam stopped shaking for a moment. The dog''s gaze felt as if it was piercing into his very soul.


    Not wanting to stay any longer, Nam turned and walked toward the ruined structures ahead.


    Luth grabbed Brutus''s collar and followed him, with the others close behind.


    The ruins remained eerily quiet. There wasn''t even a clue as to how this place had fallen apart.


    Nam slowed his steps until he was walking alongside Larod. "Do you have any idea how we get out of here?"


    Larod placed a hand on his chin, deep in thought. "There are multiple ways to break Expiria magic, but all of them are incredibly difficult."


    A heavy silence followed, a strange sense of unease settling over them.


    Meanwhile, Ay entered the ruins of a collapsed house, rummaging through the broken remains. Luth joined her, moving debris aside.


    Eventually, they found a passage leading underground.


    A memory surfaced in Nam''s mind¡ªa horror movie he had watched before. In it, a group of friends descended into a hidden underground passage¡­


    It wasn''t particularly scary, but it had been an exciting film.


    Ay peered down into the darkness and simply said, "Follow me." Without hesitation, she descended.


    The others glanced at each other before following her down.


    ¡ª


    Elsewhere, in the vast emptiness of darkness, Black returned to his domain. With a swift motion, he hurled his scythe toward White.


    White smirked. "What''s the matter? Did you fail to kill our prey?" His voice was mocking.


    Black''s expression darkened, veins pulsing on his forehead. "I killed him in one timeline, but¡­" His body trembled as he collapsed to the ground, fists clenched. "I couldn''t make him suffer!"


    White watched him writhe on the ground as if it were nothing more than a passing inconvenience. "Well, that''s unfortunate. But next time, invite me along." His tone carried a hint of irritation.


    ¡ª


    Back underground, the air grew thick with dust and the faint stench of decay. At the end of the passage, they found a wooden door.


    Ay pushed it open.


    The room was old and rotting, filled with the scent of mildew. A single table stood in the center, and bookshelves lined the walls, their contents in disarray.


    Brutus walked to a corner and curled up, resting.


    Everyone else instinctively covered their noses, except Ay, who casually sat on a chair.


    She grabbed a book from the table, flipping through its pages. "Alright. Here are the ways to break the Expiria magic."


    Holding up one finger, she began, "First, we kill the one who cast the spell. But considering that the caster is likely a god or demigod, that''s impossible."


    She raised a second finger. "Second, we use an opposing force to counteract the magic. But only the Chronis race can manipulate time, so that''s out of the question."


    A third finger. "Third, we destroy a specific object tied to the spell."


    She closed the book with a dull thud. "Even if we break the spell, not everything will return to normal. Some things will remain unchanged for those trapped inside."


    A heavy silence filled the room as everyone exchanged uncertain glances.


    Then, their eyes turned toward the exit.

 The Song That Echoes in the Void

    Underground, nearly twenty minutes had passed. The teams had been formed, and the plans were set. They decided to search for the object that could break the Expiria magic.


    The first team¡ªNam and Larod¡ªwas tasked with finding the object while keeping an eye on their surroundings.


    The second team¡ªLuth and Reina¡ªhad the same goal, but more importantly, they had to make sure no one else was nearby.


    Ay was left alone. His only task was to search.


    ¡ª


    Nam and Larod moved through the ruins, prioritizing collapsed buildings. But there was nothing.


    Nam lifted a wooden plank as he kept searching. "How did you manage to get a body?"


    Larod pushed some stones aside. "This body is only temporary."


    After that, neither of them spoke again.


    ¡ª


    Luth and Reina wandered through the area, checking the less damaged buildings. But it felt like they were just aimlessly walking.


    Meanwhile, Ay calmly flipped through the pages of a book.


    ~Whispers dance upon the air, echoes lost yet always there. Shadows weave in silent flight, bound to neither day nor night.~


    ~A name forgotten, a fate untold, a voice that lingers, quiet and cold. Steps unseen in empty halls, a song that fades, yet never falls.~


    ~Distant stars begin to wane, threads of time unspool in vain. What was once will be again, yet never quite as it had been¡­~


    This time, everyone heard the song. Not just Nam.


    Ay shot up from his seat, quickly rushing out of the underground toward the source of the sound.


    Luth and Reina stood frozen. But Reina quickly snapped out of it, grabbing Luth''s hand and pulling him away.


    ¡ª


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The voice was close. Nam could feel it. Something was off.


    He didn''t hesitate and started walking toward the sound. With each step, it felt like he was walking through emptiness.


    And the song¡­ it only grew more beautiful.


    Larod followed behind, his sharp eyes scanning the area.


    This time, the voice was not masculine¡ªit was feminine.


    Nam turned a corner and stopped.


    A figure sat atop the ruins, gazing into a mirror. Their body was not entirely physical, shifting like mist. Sometimes clear, sometimes distorted.


    And yet, they spoke without moving their lips.


    Larod, seeing Nam stop, followed his gaze. His eyes widened.


    "A Song Spirit?! I hope we don''t lose our memories¡­"


    Nam noticed Larod''s reaction. His fingers twitched slightly, but there was no turning back now.


    The spirit kept looking into the mirror. "I am Ariax. What are your names~?"


    Nam glanced around. There was no one else. "Nam. The one beside me is Larod."


    Larod stiffened and took a step back.


    "Larod?" Ariax frowned, glancing up at the sky. "That name¡­ sounds familiar."


    A moment of silence passed before a smirk formed on their lips.


    Nam''s eyes flickered toward the mirror. "That mirror¡­ It''s needed to escape Expiria magic, isn''t it?"


    A soft chuckle. "You don''t think you can take it from me, do you?"


    Nam tensed. He knew he couldn''t defeat Ariax. But if Larod had heard the song, that meant the others had too.


    Ay was probably on his way. Luth and Reina had likely retreated.


    All they had to do was buy time.


    ¡ª


    Ay ran through the ruins, trying to reach the voice. But no matter which path he took, he kept ending up in the same place.


    Someone was interfering.


    He grabbed a stone and scratched a mark onto a wall. Then, he ran again.


    He stopped. The mark was right in front of him.


    "...I see." His eyes darkened.


    "Come out, Vaelis!"


    His sharp gaze locked onto the bell tower.


    ¡ª


    Reina pulled Luth into a hidden spot. "You''ll be safe here." She grabbed her sword from the ground and left.


    Luth blinked before realization struck him.


    "H-Hey, but Brutus is still underground¡ª"


    But Reina was already gone.


    ¡ª


    Larod moved quickly, pulling out four small stones¡ªjust big enough to fit into an ear. Two for himself, two for Nam.


    "Put these on. Now."


    Nam obeyed without question. The moment the stones were in place, Ariax spoke.


    "Now I remember." Their eyes gleamed.


    "Larod Nam. Light of the Shadow!"


    Larod clenched his fists. "That title belongs to the past, Ariax!"


    Their gazes locked, a silent battle unfolding.


    Nam took the chance and searched for something¡ªanything.


    There. A rope. Torn, but still usable.


    ¡ª


    Vaelis stepped down from the bell tower, a faint smirk on his lips. His clothes¡ªthe same as before. The same as in the previous timeline.


    "I have just one question." His gaze bore into Ay.


    "Why are you helping them, Selinor Nyxborne?"


    Ay reached up, slowly removing his mask and letting it fall.


    "Why?" A small smirk appeared on his lips as his hand slipped into his coat.


    "Of course¡ªbecause of her."


    Three potions flew through the air.


    Vaelis dodged, barely. His foot caught on a plank, but he quickly regained his balance.


    Then¡ªmore potions.


    Vaelis dodged again.


    But this time¡ªhis foot slipped. He fell.


    For a moment, there was silence.


    Then, a quiet voice.


    "Is it really¡­ for her?"


    No answer.

 Echoes of Deception

    The world seemed to spin for Selinor. He threw a blindness potion upward, then swiftly hurled his dagger, shattering the bottle in midair.


    Poison spread everywhere. Vaelis quickly pulled back, channeling energy into the wooden plank before hurling it toward Selinor. Due to the potion''s fumes clouding his vision, Selinor couldn''t see it in time. The plank struck his arm, leaving a deep wound.


    He let out a small cry, but he was still standing. Or so he thought.


    Vaelis had vanished.


    Selinor immediately tried to find a healing potion, but it was nowhere to be seen. His head started spinning¡ªthis feeling was unfamiliar. He despised it.


    Suddenly, there were dozens of Vaelises. He knew they were illusions, yet he couldn''t tell which one was real.


    ¡ª


    Nam swiftly grabbed the frayed rope and moved, crouching behind the ruins, trying to get behind Ariax.


    Larod clenched his fists. The kind of person he hated the most was standing right before him¡ªa narcissist.


    Ariax continued gazing into the Echoing Mirror, as if expecting praise, as if he saw himself above all others.


    Larod''s brows furrowed even more. "Enough already! Do you have any idea how many of my missions were canceled because of you?!" His anger was like an erupting volcano.


    Still, Ariax kept staring at his own reflection.


    "Oh, come on~ They were just missions, weren''t they?"


    Larod''s fury only intensified.


    Nam had made it behind Ariax.


    Noticing this, Larod kept him distracted. "Did you really sing that song?"


    For the first time, Ariax looked away from the mirror. His arrogance seemed to fade, his body almost surrendering to reality.


    "The second song... that was me. But the first song... I didn''t sing it. He is above me."


    Larod''s pupils dilated, and his body trembled.


    He stammered, "W-What?! You¡­ you actually acknowledge someone as superior?!"


    Unease crawled up his spine. Two songs? But he had only heard one. That meant¡­ the other one must have come from someone at a demi-god level.


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    Larod instinctively stepped back, but the moment he did, Nam threw the rope.


    The rope wrapped around the mirror. Nam pulled it toward himself in one swift motion, seizing the Echoing Mirror.


    Ariax did not panic. He simply turned, looked at Nam, and then vanished.


    Larod took a moment to compose himself before making his way to Nam''s side.


    ¡ª


    Reina had been going in circles, always ending up in the same place. The power guiding her was fading¡ªit was clear the source was engaged in battle.


    She had no time to waste. She sprinted toward Luth''s location.


    ¡ª


    Selinor frantically searched for the real Vaelis. They all looked too lifelike. His arm was still bleeding. If this continued, he would lose consciousness from blood loss.


    There was only one option left. Escape.


    Selinor scattered every potion he had left.


    Vaelis hesitated, pulling back. A foul stench filled the air, thick smoke clouding his vision.


    "They don''t call him the Keeper of Forgotten Formulas for nothing¡­ If he knew my power, I''d already be dead."


    Vaelis scanned his surroundings. But Selinor was already gone, leaving behind only shards of broken potion bottles.


    Vaelis clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth.


    "Damn my luck!"


    ¡ª


    Reina reached Luth. He was still there, drawing something in the dirt.


    In a panic, Reina shouted, "We need to leave! Now!"


    Without waiting for an answer, she turned and started running.


    Luth didn''t understand what was happening, but he had no choice but to follow.


    They both hurried toward the underground passage.


    The same went for Nam and Larod.


    Nam was suspicious. Ariax had given up the Echoing Mirror too easily.


    Larod, on the other hand, was disturbed by something else. The idea that Ariax saw someone as superior made him uneasy¡ªno, terrified.


    He had spent decades working with Ariax. And as much as he hated to admit it¡­


    Ariax was powerful.


    "Based on manipulation and sheer power alone, he was among the top ten strongest spirits," Larod thought to himself.


    Nam''s footsteps grew heavier.


    "Larod, I know you''re thinking the same thing as me," Nam said, glancing at him.


    Larod kept his gaze forward. "Do you think I care?"


    They walked in silence until they reached the underground passage.


    ¡ª


    Reina knew they were the luckiest ones. They hadn''t encountered any enemies.


    Right now, the only safe place was underground.


    They arrived at the entrance.


    Luth pulled the hatch open. Reina went in first, followed by Luth.


    Nam and Larod were already there.


    Nam was flipping through books, while Larod sat deep in thought. His hands trembled slightly, his eyes twitched, and strange noises escaped his lips.


    Selinor hadn''t arrived yet.


    Reina glanced around. Luth grabbed a chair near Nam and sat down. The Echoing Mirror was still in Nam''s hands.


    Reina''s gaze landed on it.


    "That thing¡­" She pointed at the mirror. "That''s what we needed, right?"


    Nam and Larod nodded in unison.


    ¡ª Three minutes earlier ¡ª


    Larod had grabbed one of the chairs and slumped into it.


    He lazily looked toward Nam. "Do you even know how to use that mirror?"


    Nam pulled out the mirror. His hands trembled slightly, sweat ran down his back, but he ignored it.


    "Nope."


    He started experimenting.


    First attempt¡­


    Nam held the mirror at eye level.


    "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who''s the¡ª"


    A book flew straight into Nam''s face.


    "This isn''t a fairy tale, you idiot! And you''re a guy!" Larod yelled.


    Second attempt¡­


    Nam posed dramatically, mimicking the stance of a certain blond-haired man with a time-stopping ability.


    "The World!"


    Larod clenched his fists, his face twisting in frustration.


    "This isn''t an anime, you moron!"


    Third attempt¡­


    Nam simply stared at the mirror.


    And stared.


    And stared.


    Would you believe me if I said he stared some more?


    Larod couldn''t take it anymore. He smacked Nam''s head several times

 The Forgotten Clue

    The Falling Pendant and Larod''s Gaze


    Nam put the book back on the shelf. There were no clues. Just as he was about to take a step, the pendant in his pocket slipped out and fell to the ground.


    The sharp clinking sound echoed through the room.


    Nam barely glanced at it, unconcerned, and placed it on the table. But Larod''s eyes flickered toward it¡ªhis gaze lingered, sharp and calculating, as if he was trying to understand something.


    Reina''s Determination and Nam''s Exhaustion


    Reina walked toward the bookshelf, running her fingers across the dusty covers. The books were old, incomplete¡ªantiques that had long lost their purpose.


    She turned to Nam. "If we break the mirror, will we be free?" Her voice was steady, filled with determination.


    Nam slowly sat down on the floor. His exhaustion was obvious. His hands trembled slightly, sweat beading on his forehead. His breathing was uneven.


    He rested a hand on his head, closing his eyes for a brief moment. "And if we break it and we''re still trapped?" His voice was quiet but firm.


    Reina hesitated. "You''re right..."


    Nam looked around. Brutus isn''t here... But why isn''t Luth worried?


    Luth stood up from the chair and reached for the mirror.


    That instant, it felt like lightning struck both Nam and Larod at the same time.


    Larod grabbed Luth''s arm and slammed him to the ground. Nam lunged forward, catching the mirror before it could shatter. His arm hit the edge, but right now, the mirror was the bigger concern.


    He held onto both his arm and the mirror, pulling them into a corner.


    Larod walked up to him.


    Luth lay on the floor, screaming in pain. His bones had snapped¡ªhis arm was in particularly bad shape. But his screams weren''t filled with hatred, only agony.


    Reina swiftly unsheathed her sword and pointed it at Nam and Larod.


    For the first time, she looked directly into Nam''s eyes.


    White sclera, pitch-black irises... No human could have eyes like this.


    A shiver ran through her. A drop of sweat rolled down her cheek, but she didn''t lower her sword.


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    "Come on! How much longer are we going to play this game?" Larod''s voice was steady, his tone sharp like an order. "We all know how we got here, don''t we, Reina?"


    Reina took a step back.


    Luth''s screams had quieted, but the pain was still there, echoing in the air.


    Sweat glistened on Reina''s forehead.


    "A role? Do I look like I''m acting right now?!"


    Nam finally spoke. "If you''re not acting, then you should know the secret code, right, Reina?"


    She froze. Her mind scrambled for an answer.


    "Come on, Reina. If there was a code, you would''ve figured it out already, wouldn''t you? But the truth is¡ªthere never was one."


    Larod raised a hand toward her.


    Nam continued. "Reina and Luth being here in the first place was already suspicious."


    They took turns speaking, their words flowing seamlessly.


    "They went in the same direction as that masked man. But he never returned."


    "If he didn''t return, that means he was fighting someone. That means the area turned into a battlefield, making it nearly impossible to leave."


    Nam kept going. "So if reaching this place was that difficult, then how did you two get here in just three minutes¡ªwithout even a second of delay?"


    Larod smirked. "That should''ve taken at least twenty minutes, Reina."


    Reina stood frozen.


    Luth got up.


    They didn''t move¡ªjust stood there.


    Until¡ª


    "You''ve gotten rusty."


    They spoke at the same time.


    Nam stiffened slightly. Larod, however, remained calm, as if he had seen this before.


    And then¡ª


    They vanished.


    Nam collapsed to the floor. "For a second, I really thought we were going to die."


    Larod was still standing.


    Nam stood up, brushing off his pants. "Now that I think about it¡­ where''s the dog?"


    Larod, still staring at the spot where the two had disappeared, replied. "Dog? I don''t remember encountering a dog. But if you have proof, I''ll admit that part of my memory has been erased."


    Nam''s eyes widened. His breathing turned ragged. Sweat dripped from his face.


    "T-That''s impossible!"


    Larod turned to him, unimpressed. "Are you going to tell me what''s wrong, or just keep acting like a lunatic?" His tone was mocking.


    Nam grabbed the mirror and started heading toward the exit.


    "Nam?"


    He didn''t respond.


    "Hey, Nam! Wait for me, you idiot!"


    Larod followed him out of the underground.


    "Hey! What''s going on in that head of yours? If you give me a logical explanation, I''ll believe you. But right now, you''re just acting crazy!"


    Nam finally turned around.


    "Larod, you saw the paintings in the palace, didn''t you?"


    A realization struck Larod like lightning.


    "Then we need to find Reina and Luth, don''t we? After all, each pillar had two names on it."


    Nam kept walking. He could last about two more hours before hunger and exhaustion caught up with him.


    "Yes, and I''m not going to ask how you knew their names."


    Nam''s voice was cold¡ªso was his expression. But his tone carried an unmistakable threat.


    Larod hesitated slightly. "Good. That makes things easier."


    They began searching for Reina and Luth.


    Selinor''s Desperation


    Selinor stepped into a collapsed house.


    He tore a piece of his clothing and wrapped it around his injured arm.


    There was nothing around to disinfect the wound.


    His only option was to trust the others.


    Reina and Luth''s Struggle


    Reina and Luth trudged forward, shielding their noses with their arms.


    The air was thick with smoke. The ground was uneven.


    Luth found it hard to move, but not impossible.


    "How do you know Nam?" he asked, struggling to see through the smoke.


    "I don''t. We''re just working together to get out of here."


    Luth was naturally social¡ªhe could get along with anyone.


    But in this situation, making friends seemed impossible.


    The smoke thinned as they moved forward.


    And then¡ª


    Two figures stood before them.


    Nam and Larod.


    Larod smirked. "Told you they''d be here."


    Nam scratched his head. "Yeah, yeah. You were right."

 Mirror’s Awakening

    Luth glanced at Nam and asked, "Why did you come here?" His exhaustion was evident; he could barely stand.


    "We need to return to the palace."


    Reina and Luth didn''t object much and agreed to go back. No one spoke on the way. When they arrived at the palace once more, the atmosphere remained unchanged¡ªstill indescribable.


    Nam turned to the others and spoke in a cold tone:


    "I don''t know how to use the mirror, but the only thing I''m certain of is that we have to use it in the palace."


    Luth stepped forward slightly, his exhaustion evident in his half-closed eyes.


    "How do you know that, Nam?"


    Nam approached the throne and placed the mirror on it.


    "Larod and I encountered someone. When I took the mirror from them, I thought they were looking at me¡­ but I was wrong. They weren''t looking at me¡ªthey were looking at the palace."


    Nam lowered his gaze and continued,


    "In short, we might find a clue here, or the mirror might only work in this place."


    The lighting was dim, but the faint glow from the corridor was enough to make out their surroundings. Reina and Larod began examining the paintings. Larod ran his fingers over the images, trying to decipher their meaning. Reina simply observed, attempting to connect the pieces in her mind.


    Meanwhile, Luth and Nam were scanning the palace corridors. But¡­ was this truly a palace? A palace was supposed to be vast. Yet, this place only had a throne room. Still, what else could they call it?


    The paintings depicted strange scenes:


    One portrayed the sun and the moon. Another showed a battle between an octopus and a lion, while a rabbit hid in the background. The last one depicted three people watching the moon.


    Reina furrowed her brows, muttering,


    "The sun and the moon¡­ Why is the rabbit hiding instead of running? And why are the octopus and lion fighting? More importantly, why are those three watching the moon?"


    Larod wasn''t sure either, but he understood two things. The lion attacked using its strength, while the octopus used its intelligence to evade. The rabbit, on the other hand, was neither strong nor intelligent¡ªit simply observed.


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    The other thing he realized was that the sun and the moon were two opposing forces. Beyond that, nothing made sense.


    Nam and Luth continued searching the corridors, but there was nothing there. However, Luth''s mind was elsewhere¡ªhe was still thinking about the man he had failed to save.


    Returning to the throne room, Nam glanced at Reina and asked,


    "Did you find anything?"


    Reina and Larod shook their heads. Nam sighed deeply. The journey to the palace alone had taken an hour, and now he was completely drained.


    "Larod, give the pendant back."


    A smirk formed on Larod''s lips, revealing his sharp teeth. Nam had spoken in an almost commanding tone.


    Larod reached into his pocket and pulled out the pendant.


    "So, you saw me take it?" he said mockingly before tossing it to Nam.


    Nam caught it effortlessly mid-air.


    "I didn''t see you take it, but I noticed you looking at it several times. I figured you''d take it sooner or later."


    Nam stepped toward the throne. Luth, Reina, and Larod resumed examining the paintings and columns. Nam picked up the mirror and sat down on the throne.


    Then, he heard a voice.


    "You will give to receive. To use it, you must speak the word¡ªJiko."


    It sounded like an old saying or a proverb.


    Nam''s eyes widened, his heartbeat quickened, and his breathing grew unsteady. His body was already drenched in sweat. The others¡­ didn''t seem to hear it.


    "W-What just happened?!"


    Reina and Luth rushed to his side, while Larod simply shot a cold glance before returning to his examination.


    Luth knelt in front of Nam, concern in his voice.


    "Hey, Nam! Are you alright?"


    Reina stood behind him, silent.


    "Ji-" Nam was about to say Jiko when Larod suddenly sprinted toward him, eyes wide, arms outstretched. His stance was aggressive¡ªone foot forward, the other pushing off the ground.


    But¡­ he was too late. Maybe if he had been closer, he could have stopped it.


    Nam''s body felt unbearably heavy. His eyes shut, and a wave of fear spread through his veins.


    "J-Jiko¡­"


    The mirror activated.


    Everyone froze.


    Even Nam.


    Four visions flashed before their eyes:


    First Vision


    It was blurry. In a dimly lit tavern with stone floors and wooden furniture, three people sat at a table, laughing. One of them, with white hair, seemed especially cheerful.


    Second Vision


    This one was harder to make out. A single person sat at a desk, writing a letter. Darkness surrounded them, except for a single candle flickering on the table. The person suddenly crumpled the paper and threw it down in frustration.


    Third Vision


    The scene was clearer now. A battlefield. Three people. A man stood in front of a woman, her sword pointed at him. Meanwhile, a third figure hid, though their exact location was unclear. The man wasn''t using brute strength¡ªhe was trying to outthink his opponent.


    Fourth Vision


    Is death truly a relief? After all, it frees one from life''s cruelty¡­ But this time, it wasn''t life''s cruelty that had found him¡ªit was death''s.


    Neither the woman nor the man had killed him. His cause of death was unknown.


    But the only thing that was certain¡ªhe had died smiling

 Into the Wild

    Nam lay on the forest floor. Birds were singing, animals were dancing, and the air smelled fresh and pure. Yet, his body felt numb. His clothes were covered in dirt, and every inch of him ached. Slowly, he opened his eyes.


    "Ah¡­ What happened to me?"


    He groggily lifted a hand to his head and remained on the ground, eyes half-open, until he heard a sound.


    "Pffft! Psshhht!"


    A deer? The noise startled him, sending a shiver down his spine. Instinctively, he reached for support, gripping the rough bark of a nearby tree as he struggled to stand. The deer wasn''t close¡ªperhaps it had sensed some other danger.


    Nam scanned his surroundings. His body still ached, exhaustion weighing him down. Trees stretched endlessly in all directions, the forest appearing peaceful¡ªtoo peaceful.


    "W-Where am I?!"


    He stumbled onto a nearby rock, resting his trembling hands on his knees as he tried to recall what had happened before he got here.


    "The mirror¡­ Those strange memories¡­ Larod, Luth, and Reina¡­ The palace¡­ The masked man, and¡­ and?"


    He pressed a hand to his chin, struggling to remember. But nothing else came to mind. He sighed, shaking his head. It didn''t matter now. Pushing himself up, he started wandering through the forest¡ªuntil he reached a cliff.


    And that''s when he saw it.


    A burning city.


    Nam''s breath hitched. His eyes widened. His heart pounded violently against his ribs, each beat like a war drum. His throat went dry, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. His vision blurred.


    Terror. Helplessness.


    "I-I¡­ If I hadn''t said that word¡­ would none of this have happened?"


    A hollow laugh escaped his lips.


    "Haha¡­ Hahahahahaha!"


    Tears welled up in his eyes, his body trembling as if an invisible force had wrapped around him, refusing to let go. His exhaustion, his hunger, his thirst¡ªhe forgot them all. The sight before him was burned into his mind, a scar that would never fade.


    Larod''s temporary body wasn''t an issue, but what about Luth? What about Reina? Could they be lost in this forest too?


    Unlikely.


    And his father? His sister? Were they still trapped under that spell? He knew nothing. The only certainty was the flames rising high, so fierce they could devour flesh in an instant.


    Normally, the Kingdom of Asiria would send aid. But Nam''s city was small¡ªperhaps they didn''t care, or perhaps they hadn''t even heard the news yet.


    There was nothing he could do.


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    He turned his back on the burning city and walked away.


    Where would he go? Another city? No, that was too risky. The forest was his best option. He knew nothing of this time period, but if it was the 18th century, then he would need permits to travel. That would only make things harder.


    Survival was his priority now.


    He thought back to a game he had played before¡ªa world made of blocks. He had enjoyed it, not because it was like real life, but because of the freedom it offered.


    Freedom¡­


    Nam surveyed his surroundings again. The animals had disappeared. A relief, in a way. If he was going to survive here, he had to get along with them.


    But that was nearly impossible for him.


    His fear of animals stemmed from two events in his childhood.


    The first happened when he was six. He had visited a town with his mother¡ªa place with paved roads and single-story houses. His father had been busy, and his sister had refused to come.


    The visit had gone smoothly. The return, however, had not.


    That was when he saw the dog.


    He didn''t know why, but the dog had growled at him. Then barked. Then lunged.


    Then it sank its teeth into his leg.


    The second incident was almost the same. But this time, it wasn''t just one animal¡ªit was several. And for a six-year-old, that was more than enough to leave a scar.


    Nam spent the entire day looking for a shelter but found nothing. The sounds of the forest weren''t always beautiful¡ªnever forget that.


    As night fell, he slumped beneath a tree. His stomach had been growling since morning, but he could last one more day.


    The forest whispered in his ears. The howl of a wolf. The clash of antlers as two stags fought for dominance. A symphony of untamed nature.


    Nam''s gaze fell on a patch of mushrooms growing beside the tree. His lips, cracked from thirst, barely moved as he mumbled:


    "Amanita¡­ and what was it? Phyllo¡­ Phalloides?"


    He knew they were poisonous. Thanks to Acchi''s obsession with mushrooms, he had learned more names than he ever cared to remember.


    "So you were useful after all¡­"


    His voice was weak, hoarse.


    With nothing else to do, he allowed himself to drift into sleep.


    As he did, some of the once-green leaves above him turned yellow.


    He only managed to sleep for four hours. His body, worn and sluggish, fought to move, but he forced himself to his feet, using the tree for support.


    He needed food.


    Dragging himself through the forest, he searched for anything edible. That was when he found it¡ªa boletus mushroom.


    "B-Boletus edulis?"


    His eyes widened. It was safe to eat¡ªeven used in modern cuisine. There weren''t many, but it was enough.


    As he reached for the mushroom, a small, white rabbit appeared.


    Nam wasn''t afraid of rabbits. They were weak.


    The rabbit watched him, seemingly waiting to see if the mushroom was poisonous.


    Without hesitation, Nam took a bite. It tasted awful raw, but it was food. The rabbit, convinced it was safe, hopped closer.


    Just as it was about to take a bite¡ª


    Nam grabbed it by the neck.


    He hesitated. His fingers trembled. Should he let go?


    But then a thought crossed his mind.


    "If I don''t kill it¡­ someone else will, won''t they?"


    Even so, he didn''t loosen his grip.


    He had no choice. If he wanted to survive, he had to kill. That was the cruelest law of nature.


    Nam was no longer a person.


    He was just another animal, struggling to stay alive.


    The rabbit stopped moving.


    Nam let it go.


    First, he finished the mushroom. Then, he broke a branch from a tree and sharpened the tip with a stone.


    Next, he gathered firewood.


    Rubbing stones together, he tried to create a spark.


    The first attempt failed. The second, too. And the third.


    Again.


    And again.


    And again.


    His hands burned red. Pain throbbed through his fingers.


    But he didn''t stop.


    Finally¡ª


    A spark.


    The fire crackled to life.


    The rabbit''s organs and bones had to be removed first. The process made him gag¡ªhe even vomited a few times¡ªbut he had to do it.


    He skewered the rabbit on his makeshift spit, turning it over the flames. Blood still stained his hands and clothes.


    "Disgusting."


    The smell of blood and death clung to the air.


    He could barely stomach it, but he endured.


    Three hours passed. He added more wood to the fire, unwilling to let his meal be stolen by another predator.


    Once it was cooked, he doused the flames with nearby stones and took a bite.


    It tasted¡­ bad.


    The blood hadn''t been cleaned properly.


    He didn''t finish it.


    Moving away from the fire, he curled up beneath a tree and let sleep take him.


    The first day of survival had passed.

 The Weight of the Unknown

    Nam woke up, his body feeling even more numb than before. Yet, there wasn''t a single animal in sight. It was as if they were deliberately avoiding him.


    He sat there, waiting for the numbness to fade. His lips were dry, his throat parched¡ªhe needed water. When the sensation finally returned to his limbs, he pushed himself up. He was still exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes making it obvious.


    "A new place, a new life¡­ and still, my luck sucks. Damn it," he muttered, taking slow but determined steps forward.


    There were no animals around, yet he was sure he had heard some earlier. Still, something else was bothering him. His pendant¡ªthe one that had always followed him¡ªwas missing. That alone was enough to put him on edge.


    For nearly three hours, he walked. His legs ached, but he pressed on. Then, in the distance, he spotted a cabin. Narrowing his eyes, he leaned against a tree for support.


    "Another clich¨¦, huh?" A bitter chuckle escaped him. He was sick of clich¨¦s, yet he knew that every story was built upon them.


    He had put enough distance between himself and the burning city. If he wanted, he could check out the cabin. But that would only move the story forward¡ªsomething he wasn''t particularly interested in. So instead, he turned east.


    That''s when a cold voice echoed from behind.


    "Do you need help, young man? You look exhausted."


    A woman''s voice.


    Nam didn''t turn around. He didn''t even flinch. "I don''t need anything. Got it?"


    She didn''t sound convinced. "Really? Your lips are dry, and you''re barely walking straight. That alone is proof that you''re dehydrated."


    Nam didn''t reply. Because she wasn''t wrong.


    But he didn''t want help. If he accepted, the story would move forward, and more things would unfold. He didn''t want that. He just wanted a simple life.


    "Are you sure you don''t need help?" she asked again.


    Nam gave the same cold response. "I said I don''t need help. Got it?"


    The woman examined her nails. "Swear it."


    Nam frowned. If there was one thing he hated, it was people asking him to swear on something. "Do I really need to swear? Can''t I decide that on my own?" He hesitated for a moment but then continued. "Ha! But if you''re so sure that I need help, then tell me¡­ If you really wanted to help, why did you wait until I started heading east?"


    The woman smirked. "So, you figured it out?" She paused for a moment before adding, "If you want to survive, just keep going east. You''ll find what you''re looking for."


    And with that, her presence vanished.


    Nam felt uneasy. There was no way she was normal. But at the moment, he didn''t care. He needed water.


    He moved forward, each step echoing in the forest''s silence. Eventually, he spotted two young deer¡ªone male, one female¡ªplayfully chasing each other.


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    Then they saw him.


    Nam froze as if bound by invisible chains.


    The moment their eyes met, the deer bolted. The female stumbled, twisting her ankle, yet she forced herself to keep running. The male, even more terrified, leaped over obstacles, desperate to get away.


    A chill ran down Nam''s spine. Were they¡­ running from him?


    His breath caught in his throat. What if there was a wolf behind him? What if he was about to die? His body stiffened as he slowly turned his head.


    Nothing.


    The forest was completely silent.


    No wolf.


    No predator.


    Just him.


    His fingers trembled slightly. "Are the animals¡­ running from me?"


    It didn''t make sense. He had seen a rabbit earlier, and it hadn''t reacted that way. So why now?


    He didn''t dwell on it. The woman was right¡ªthere really was a river ahead. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees and drank as if he had never tasted water before.


    Yet, even as he drank, his mind wandered back to the woman. Who was she? And why had she helped him?


    Beside the river, large stones were scattered, and at the river''s source stood a monument.


    It depicted a figure with long hair, its hands pressed together in a gesture of offering. The head was tilted slightly, as if waiting for something.


    Fish swam lazily in the clear water, indifferent to his presence. After washing his face, Nam approached the monument.


    "Nael Corven, may you live on forever," the inscription read.


    Beneath it, another line of text:


    "Nael Corven, a wise man and mentor to all. Though beloved by many, he has never taken a single disciple."


    Something about it felt familiar.


    Nam stared at the monument. A wise man. A mentor. Someone beloved by all.


    Someone like that should have been treated as royalty. So why was his monument in the middle of nowhere?


    Maybe he had chosen this place himself. Maybe he had wanted it this way.


    Nam examined the monument more closely. It was plain. Just stone¡ªnothing extravagant.


    He glanced at the years carved into the base.


    1540 ¨C 1567.


    His breath hitched.


    His hands trembled.


    A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.


    "Twenty-seven¡­?" he whispered. "He was only twenty-seven when he died?"


    It was absurd. How could someone become a wise man, a mentor, and a legend¡ªall in just twenty-seven years?


    "Wait¡­ Does that mean¡­ he was the protagonist?!


    This time, Nam didn''t just stare¡ªhe looked at the monument with admiration. "But how did he die at twenty-seven¡­?"


    Then, at the base of the monument, he noticed something.


    A pendant.


    His pendant. The Ouroboros.


    Larod''s words echoed in his mind.


    "No one abandons their master."


    A shiver ran down his spine.


    Nam picked up the pendant. "So, you came back to your old master''s grave, huh? You useless hunk of metal."


    He slipped it into his pocket, but something else caught his eye.


    The monument¡­ was slightly tilted


    A suspicion formed in his mind. Carefully, he placed his hand on the stone and examined it more closely.


    Then, realization struck.


    "I see," he muttered coldly.


    Taking the pendant out again, he placed it into the statue''s hands.


    Nothing happened.


    "What? Come on! In stories, this kind of thing always works!"


    Just as he was about to give up, the statue''s hands clenched tightly around the pendant.


    Nam barely reacted. Somehow, this felt¡­ normal.


    Then, a parchment appeared.


    Nam grabbed it and reached for the pendant¡ªbut the statue wouldn''t let go. No matter how hard he tried, it held the pendant in an iron grip.


    "So, I have to give something up to take this," he mused.


    Without much thought, he grabbed one of the large stones nearby and hurled it at the statue.


    The stone shattered, and the statue crumbled.


    The pendant, however, remained unharmed. Nam retrieved it, then turned his attention to the parchment.


    Unfolding it, his eyes scanned the words inside.


    "If you''re reading this, know this¡ªright now, you will either kill or be killed. We are nothing but pawns in this world. Nothing here is normal. Everything is built on lies. We live in a world where even gods mock us."


    "The entire world is trapped in a cycle. No, not just the world¡ªthis entire galaxy is stuck in a never-ending loop. I tried to break free, but I failed. Maybe no one can. No spirits, no Chronis, no other race¡ªnone of them can win against that bastard."


    "Or rather¡­ those bastards."


    "This life is a joke. We''re treated not as people, but as disposable tools. Everything I worked for, everything I dreamed of¡ªit was all destroyed. And yet, they still weren''t satisfied. It''s impossible to please them."


    "If you''ve read this far, then read the rest. This message will disappear after you finish it, and the materials will reveal themselves. I''m sorry for leaving this to you¡ªNio¡­ or should I say, Nam."

 The Parchment’s Secret

    Nam stood still, staring at the parchment. A minute had passed. Yet¡­ nothing.


    No fear. No excitement. Not even the faintest sense of unease.


    His breathing remained steady, his heartbeat unchanged. It felt¡­ normal. Too normal.


    Just as the parchment had claimed, the written words faded away, only to be replaced by a new set of names¡ªingredients, inscribed in a language he could now understand.


    Birds chirped in the background, their melodies weaving into the silence as if to accompany him.


    1. Immortal Blood ¨C The Blood of an Ancient Being


    Blood that carries the concept of immortality itself. It once flowed through those who walked beside gods or defied death itself. Unlike ordinary blood, it never dries, never evaporates, and always seems alive.


    ? It grants immunity to the passage of time and death''s grasp.


    ? It does not heal, but it temporarily halts the effects of aging.


    ? When in contact with flesh, it whispers echoes of the past.


    2. Fractured Time Stone ¨C A Relic Shattered by Time


    A stone broken by a direct impact on the flow of time, now possessing a power that bends its course. Those who hold it can glimpse the echoes of the past and sense the possibilities of the future, though true control remains elusive.


    ? It can create fractures in time, but such use is dangerous¡ªuncontrolled, it could erase the wielder or throw them into an unknown era.


    ? Those who touch it may begin to dream of forgotten memories.


    3. Tear of the Silent Soul ¨C A Secret Even the Dead Could Not Speak


    A single tear shed by a singing spirit bound to Expiria, born from a secret that even the dead dared not utter. Those who obtain it can hear the whispers of souls and uncover what was once erased from history.


    ? It purifies the soul but also burdens it with knowledge.


    ? It can restore forgotten and erased memories.


    ? Should an immortal touch it, they will be forced to bear the full weight of their past.


    4. Ash of the Burning Shadow ¨C The Last Remnant of a Forgotten Being


    The remnants of a once-powerful entity, erased from history. Even as ashes, it holds a power that defies time.


    ? The ash takes the form of a flickering, sentient shadow.


    ? Those who possess it can intuitively perceive lost knowledge, though they may struggle to distinguish reality from illusion.


    5. A Drop from the River That Flows Backward ¨C Water That Defies Time


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    An anomaly in nature, this river''s flow defies logic, running not forward but into the past. However, obtaining a mere drop is not so simple¡ªone must first find a way to make time itself move in reverse.


    ? Drinking it will plunge one into a dream of the past.


    ? But this past may not be real, and one risks losing themselves within it.


    ? If misused, an event or a person could be erased entirely.


    6. Seal of the Lost Fate


    This seal is connected to the parchment written by Nael and the signs left behind in Nam''s past life. Instead of allowing him to remember himself, **** ****** *** ********


    ? The seal carries fragments of the past within it, but one must use a specific key to decipher them.


    ? Until it is broken, the cycle cannot be escaped.


    Nam''s gaze remained empty as he read through the list. "Are these¡­ real?" He carefully examined the parchment once more.


    "Seal of the Lost Fate? What does that even mean? This is like something straight out of a novel about a resurrected protagonist."


    His eyes drifted toward Tear of the Silent Soul.


    "Expiria¡­ a singing spirit? What does that have to do with anything¡ª"


    Then it hit him.


    His body stiffened.


    "Wait! That means I''ve already lost one of these materials without even realizing it!"


    Frustration surged through him as he threw the parchment to the ground.


    "This world¡­ it truly doesn''t care about me at all, does it?"


    Nam''s eyes flickered back to the monument before him. The parchment couldn''t have been responsible for its odd tilt. Something else was there.


    He reached out, grasping a wooden object wedged into the base of the monument. A rectangular plaque. Words were etched into its surface¡ª


    "Passage Permit."


    His doubts soared.


    "Who¡­ exactly are you, Nael Corven?"


    A memory flashed through his mind¡ªthe moment he had shattered the monument. Panic flickered in his eyes as he scanned his surroundings. He quickly snatched up the parchment and hurried away.


    By the time he stopped, his breath was ragged.


    "If anyone had seen me¡­ I would''ve been executed on the spot."


    His gaze fell upon the wooden plaque once more.


    "That man¡­ Nael. Was he a lunatic? Just how far ahead did he plan all of this?"


    Nam stood there for a while, lost in thought.


    Then, he frowned.


    "Wait. But¡­ where is the city?"


    He looked down at the ground, his thoughts spiraling.


    "And who is Nio? How do they know me?"


    His hand instinctively moved to his chin as he pondered.


    "Could Nael be a prophet? No, if that were the case, they''d have called him a sage instead."


    He raised a single finger.


    "I''ve got nothing."


    Frustration welled up within him as he closed his eyes, diving deeper into his thoughts.


    "What if¡­ I have some kind of special ability? And the previous users of this power could see the memories of future wielders?"


    His head ached.


    "No, that''s way too complicated¡­ Also, this world doesn''t even have Titans."


    His body felt exhausted¡ªno, beyond exhausted. His mind, too, felt like it was on the verge of collapsing.


    Sighing, he forced himself to his feet and continued walking.


    He walked.


    And walked.


    And walked some more.


    Would you believe me if I said he kept walking?


    You shouldn''t.


    Because he took a break before continuing.


    The forest around him was strange¡ªso strange that even I struggle to describe it.


    Nam encountered a few animals along the way.


    Yet all of them ran.


    That was expected for the herbivores.


    But why did the predators flee as well?


    Three wolves had appeared before him. His body instinctively collapsed, his vision darkening, his heartbeat slowing.


    Yet instead of attacking, they had fled.


    The seasons had begun to shift. Leaves drifted from the trees in gentle spirals, painting the earth in shades of gold and amber.


    Nam''s steps slowed.


    Just as he was about to complain¡ª


    Another cliff.


    He exhaled sharply. "Am I drawn to cliffs, or are cliffs drawn to me?"


    But as he lifted his gaze¡ª


    His breath caught in his throat.


    Vast fields stretched out before him. A sea of golden wheat swayed in the wind, rippling like an endless tide.


    The sky, the land, the very air itself¡ªit all felt like a scene pulled straight from a fairy tale.


    And at its heart, resting like a hidden jewel, lay the city of Anusa.


    For a moment, Nam forgot everything. His mouth slightly agape, one foot hovering in the air from an earlier misstep.


    His arm braced against a nearby tree. His clothes were covered in dirt


    But none of it mattered.


    Yet, despite the breathtaking view, something unsettled him.


    Something he couldn''t shake.


    Even as he stood there, staring at the legendary city before him¡ª


    Nam could not find peace.

 Weary Steps and Stone Walls

    Nam raises an eyebrow, a triumphant smirk on his face.


    "So the city was here all along¡­ But who is Corven, really? I guess I need to find a library."


    He pulls back the cuffs of his sleeves, but a new problem presents itself¡ªhow to climb down. A realization strikes him like lightning.


    "Damn you, Corven! You could''ve at least given me a pouch of coins!" He starts grumbling, his frustration echoing through the air.


    Nael''s words still linger in his mind: "How was I supposed to know you were just a kid?!"


    As the mountain''s steepness gradually decreases, Nam spots a possible path down. He heads toward it, and the descent takes a grueling five hours. The parchment is tucked safely in his pocket, the pendant hanging around his neck. Yet, a nagging feeling gnaws at him¡ªsomething tells him he won''t be welcomed in the city.


    The moment his feet hit flat ground, it feels as if a seven-kilogram weight is lifted off his body. His legs burn from hours of climbing, every step sending dull pain through his muscles.


    "I swear, this life¡­ these people¡­ and that damn pendant¡ª" he mutters under his breath before dropping onto a smooth, oval-shaped rock.


    "Hff¡­ hff¡­" He pants heavily, catching his breath. After resting for ten minutes, he forces himself to keep moving.


    The last stretch of the journey is the easiest¡ªjust a sloping dirt and grass path. He descends quickly, but even after that, the city is still hours away. Carriages pass by on another road, all heading toward the city gate. People inside glance at him, their gazes filled with either curiosity or indifference. Not a single one offers help.


    As he trudges forward, his eyes wander to a golden wheat field.


    "Did they use spirits for this too?" he murmurs.


    Then, exhaustion finally catches up with him. His body gives out, and he collapses. He had expected this. After walking for hours without food, it was inevitable. Even keeping his eyes open feels like a struggle.


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    "I should''ve eaten those mushrooms¡­" He regrets it now, though there''s nothing he can do.


    A shadow falls over him, blocking the harsh sunlight. He barely manages to lift his gaze, but it''s clear¡ªsomeone is standing over him.


    "Hm? What are you doing here, boy?"


    The man has a mix of orange and red hair, a thick beard trailing down to his chest. His belly is round, his broad frame wrapped in a loose white shirt with long sleeves. A gray wool vest, buttoned at the front, rests over it. His pants are simple, made of rough wool, ending just below his knees, tied with a string belt. A wide-brimmed felt hat shields him from the sun, and thick leather boots cover his feet.


    The man glances back toward the direction Nam came from.


    "So, you''re from the burning city, huh?" His eyes narrow as he squints at the horizon. "If you weren''t so impatient, the rescue team would''ve found you."


    Nam doesn''t respond. He barely comprehends the man''s words, his mind clouded by exhaustion.


    "Ah, wait¡­ Here it is!"


    The man pulls out a loaf of bread and a piece of cheese.


    To Nam, at this moment, they are worth more than any treasure.


    "Can you eat by yourself?" the man asks.


    Nam weakly reaches for the bread, his fingers trembling. He brings it to his mouth, taking slow, deliberate bites. It takes time, but he finishes it. Strength returns to his body, though his head still spins when he stands.


    He bows his head multiple times, thanking the man profusely before forcing himself to continue toward the city.


    By the time he reaches the gates, the sky is painted in deep shades of orange and purple. The city walls stand tall, built from granite and brick, stretching over four and a half meters high. Soldiers patrol the top, their silhouettes dark against the evening sky.


    The entrance is adorned with engravings and the kingdom''s emblem. A heavy wooden gate, reinforced with iron, guards the city. Torches flicker on either side of it, casting shadows on the stone.


    Nam pulls out his entry permit and approaches.


    As soon as he nears the gate, two guards cross their spears in front of him.


    They wear metal chest plates, their shoulders adorned with fabric embellishments. Their helmets, sleek and sturdy, feature decorative plumes. Thin, long swords hang from their waists. Their uniforms include thick cloth pants reaching their knees and tall leather boots.


    One has a light beard, the other only a mustache.


    "Entry permit," one of them demands. His tone is sharp, disciplined¡ªexactly what Nam expected from a city guard.


    Nam hands it over. The guard takes the paper, glances at it, and then


    The gate opens.


    Nam stares, dumbfounded.


    "H-Hey, how did you do that?!"


    The guard doesn''t respond. But Nam has a guess¡ªspirit energy.


    Still, his priority is clear. He steps into the city, his gaze scanning the unfamiliar streets. He needs to find the library.


    Yet, as he looks around, a realization dawns on him.


    "¡­Where do I even start?"

 What is Essentia?(3.Information)

    Essentia - The Source of Soul Power


    Essentia is the fundamental energy found within all living beings. Unlike magic or ordinary life energy, this power sustains life and enables extraordinary abilities. Essentia is the very essence of a being¡ªthe purest reflection of its soul.


    The Nature of Essentia


    ? An Innate Power: Every individual possesses a certain amount of Essentia from birth, but its usage and strength vary from person to person.


    ? Limited but Developable: Essentia is a force that can surpass physical and mental limits, but excessive use can lead to exhaustion, depletion, and even damage to the soul.


    ? Connected to Emotions and Willpower: The strength of Essentia is directly influenced by an individual''s emotions, determination, and beliefs. Fear and doubt weaken it, while conviction and passion strengthen it.


    Uses of Essentia


    ? Physical and Spiritual Enhancement: Users can channel Essentia to strengthen their bodies, enhance reflexes, and increase endurance.


    ? Sensory Amplification: A skilled Essentia user can perceive their surroundings on a deeper level¡ªsensing people''s intentions, emotions, and even detecting lies.


    ? Key to Unique Abilities: Some individuals can direct their Essentia into specific techniques or skills. These abilities are often shaped by personal experiences, soul strength, and the nature of the individual.


    Essentia and the Balance of the Soul


    Essentia must be in harmony with its wielder''s soul. If a person follows a path that contradicts their true self, their Essentia becomes unstable, making it difficult to use. Thus, someone who does not understand their own soul cannot unlock the true potential of Essentia.


    Essentia is a reflection of who a person is and what they believe in and fight for. Controlling it is not just a technical skill but also a journey of self-discovery.


    Origins and History of Essentia


    ? The exact origins of Essentia remain unknown, but ancient texts and legends suggest it is one of the fundamental forces of the universe. Some myths claim that Essentia is the legacy of the first beings who shaped the world¡ªthe echo of their souls that has existed since the dawn of time. Others believe Essentia is the essence of life itself, varying in concentration across living beings and changing over time.


    ? Throughout history, many civilizations and groups have sought to understand and master Essentia. Ancient societies discovered that Essentia was not only useful in battle but could also be applied to agriculture, art, healing, and even divination. However, much of this knowledge has been lost over time or remains in the hands of select groups.


    ? Various ancient writings describe beings who fully mastered Essentia. These individuals, having unlocked its secrets, became more than human. However, legends claim they eventually vanished or paid a great price for their power. In modern times, very few people truly understand or can fully wield Essentia.


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    ? Certain locations and ruins hint at places where powerful Essentia users once lived or died. These sacred or cursed areas remain inaccessible to ordinary people, containing strong Essentia flows. According to myths, these places hold secrets that could alter the nature of Essentia itself, but those who misuse them face dire consequences.


    The Lost Wisdom and Techniques of Essentia


    ? In ancient times, Essentia was not just seen as a tool for battle but also as part of a path to spiritual growth and enlightenment.


    ? Some groups believed that mastering Essentia required not only physical strength but also inner harmony.


    ? According to this philosophy, to use Essentia in its purest form, one had to be in alignment with their own soul.


    ? Forgotten techniques included purifying Essentia through rituals, strengthening it through meditation, and even merging it with other beings.


    ? However, most of these techniques have either been forgotten or deliberately erased from history. The remaining knowledge can only be found in secret sects, ancient manuscripts, or dangerous ruins.


    Essentia''s Interaction with Different Beings


    ? Other beings besides humans can use Essentia. Some animals possess Essentia instinctively and channel it naturally. Spirits and ancient deities, on the other hand, have purer and more powerful forms of Essentia.


    ? Essentia is in harmony with nature. It can be more concentrated or weaker in different areas. For example, it exists in a purer form in sacred places but can be corrupted in cursed lands.


    ? Essentia can also interact with elements. Depending on the user, it may help them manipulate fire, water, earth, or air, though this ability is not universal.


    ? Two individuals'' Essentia can merge. This phenomenon is particularly possible among those who share a strong bond. However, if incompatible Essentia forces merge, it can lead to chaotic results or irreversible consequences for the users.


    Dangers and Side Effects of Essentia


    ? Overuse of Essentia exhausts the body and can cause a deep sleep. This is the body''s way of recovering. However, it can also lead to severe spiritual consequences. If the soul is harmed or loses balance, the body may lose control.


    ? A corrupted version of Essentia exists. Corrupted Essentia is inherently unstable and, while it grants great power, it ultimately destroys the user. The exact cause of corruption is unknown, but any corrupted Essentia user caught is sentenced to death.


    ? If Essentia is completely depleted, the user becomes entirely powerless for a period of time. During this phase, they cannot use Essentia physically or spiritually. If one drains their Essentia to the very last drop, even their soul may suffer irreversible damage.


    Legends and Myths of Essentia


    ? There are many myths about the origins of Essentia. Some believe Essentia was born from the world itself. Others theorize that it came from a divine source and was eventually harnessed by humans.


    ? In the past, Essentia users were much stronger. Ancient texts suggest that people were born with greater concentrations of Essentia, but over time, this power weakened, leaving only a few individuals with extraordinary abilities.


    ? Legends speak of individuals who mastered Essentia perfectly. These beings were revered as divine entities, and it is said that they transcended mortality by turning their bodies into pure Essentia. However, this is regarded as mere legend.


    Essentia Training and Learning Systems


    ? Essentia users often belong to the elite class of society. Regardless of their origins, anyone discovered to possess Essentia is highly valued.


    ? There are official academies dedicated to teaching Essentia mastery. These institutions follow strict guidelines and structured training methods. However, some individuals learn through illegal means or independent mentors.


    ? Some people manage to unlock Essentia on their own. However, this is extremely risky, as improper use can cause both physical and spiritual harm.


    ? Strict rules govern the use of Essentia, particularly to prevent corruption and reckless misuse.


    As Nael and Nio once said:


    ? Nael: "Essentia is a gem shaped with patience. The more carefully you refine it, the brighter it shines."


    ? Nio: "Essentia is an untamed fire. No matter how strong it is, if it falls into the wrong hands, it leaves nothing but ashes."

 The Man of Failure

    Nam took a step into the city. The roads were wide, paved with stone, but there were also narrow alleyways at the corners.


    There were bustling markets and lively streets. As for the houses, they were built from stone and marble¡ªsturdy, yet elegant. Some even had grand columns and archways.


    The area Nam found himself in seemed to be where the middle class lived, with workshops for craftsmen scattered around.


    "Rome?!" Nam''s mouth nearly fell open. This place¡ªit bore an uncanny resemblance to the Roman Empire. That fact alone was enough to make him uncomfortable. I mean, I''d be uncomfortable too, to be honest. If you ignore the small differences, of course.


    One question echoed in his mind: Why Rome?


    Without dwelling on it too much, he kept moving, his eyes still scanning his surroundings with a mix of surprise and caution. You''d be looking around like that too, admit it.


    As he walked, he came across a market. Normally, he would have ignored it and kept going, but¡ª


    "Come here, young man! Special discount just for you!"


    The market was filled with the scent of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and bread. Vendors shouted at the top of their lungs, trying to attract customers.


    "Come, my friend! Fresh fish, only 8 Lunor!"


    Some stalls had already drawn in buyers.


    "That''ll be 1 Lunor, sir."


    The stalls were mostly wooden or stone tables, many of them set up against walls. The goods ranged from fruits and vegetables to fish, spices, and more.


    To shield themselves from the sun, some vendors used leather canopies, while others relied on cloth awnings for shade. Their products were neatly arranged on wooden or stone platforms; some were stored in large amphoras, while grains and cereals were displayed in sacks.


    One of the vendors caught Nam''s attention¡ªa man selling fruits and vegetables. Truth be told, Nam did want some fruit, but¡­ he had no money. That reminded me of the times I stole fruit.


    Anyway.


    "I don''t have any money, old man," Nam admitted.


    The vendor frowned, placing the pears a little more aggressively on the stall. He was bald, without a beard or mustache, and wore a simple tunic made of linen that reached his knees. His footwear? Sandals.


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    "Could you not call me old man?"


    Nam continued to stare at him, and the man, clearly uncomfortable, sighed.


    "You don''t have money, huh? Here, take this."


    Before Nam could react, an apple was thrown at him. It happened so fast that he barely managed to catch it.


    "Why are you giving me an apple?" He asked¡ªbut by the time he finished his sentence, he was already taking a bite.


    The vendor yawned, probably tired from standing there all day. "Why, you ask? Why does everyone always ask that when someone does something nice? Youth these days¡­"


    Nam quickly finished the apple, but his eyes lingered on the rest of the apples.


    "Can I have another one, old man?"


    The vendor grabbed another apple¡ªthis time, a hard one¡ªand threw it farther away.


    "Stop calling me old man!"


    Nam rushed after it, caught it mid-air, and started eating as he walked away.


    That was when he saw it¡ªthe statue in the center of the city.


    It depicted a man with slightly curly hair, his hand extended outward despite holding nothing. Because the statue was made of stone, it was hard to tell what kind of clothes he was wearing.


    Nam found himself staring at it, an inexplicable feeling washing over him. It was as if he recognized someone familiar.


    There was an inscription at the base of the statue:


    "The Man of Failure¡ªNio Valterin!"


    As he read the words, an elderly man approached.


    He was slightly hunched, with short white facial hair and thinning hair. He wore the same kind of clothing as the others¡ªhis wrinkles were deep, though not excessive.


    Nam narrowed his eyes at him.


    "Oh! I see the young still appreciate art," the old man said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.


    Nam found himself irritated by his attitude.


    The man continued, "Nio¡ªNio Valterin, to be precise."


    His voice grew more serious, as if he were speaking about someone he had sworn to protect.


    "Valterin was intelligent, hardworking, strong¡­ he had so many things. And yet¡ª"


    The words seemed to get caught in his throat. As if they were too painful to say. But he forced himself to continue.


    "They framed him. At least, that''s what I hope happened¡­"


    A surge of emotions suddenly crashed over Nam¡ªanger, hatred, even vengeance.


    His fingers clenched into a fist, pressing into the ground. Every muscle in his body tensed, his veins bulging. His stance grew rigid, his expression sharper.


    His eyes¡ªcold before¡ªbecame even colder.


    "What did you just say?" Nam shot the old man a piercing glare.


    The man merely sighed, folding his hands behind his back.


    "I see¡­"


    He looked back at the statue.


    "They made this statue to mock him."


    Nam''s eyes widened.


    "To mock¡ª"


    "They inscribed those words¡ª''The Man of Failure''¡ªas a joke," the old man continued, ignoring Nam.


    "But tell me, look at this statue."


    He turned toward Nam, his gaze unreadable.


    "Does this look like a man who accomplished nothing?"


    Nam was about to speak, but¡ª


    "Of course not¡ª"


    The old man was already walking away.


    He raised a hand in a half-hearted wave.


    "Forget what I said. Go home, young man."


    And with that, he left.


    Nam clenched his teeth, his frustration growing. Honestly, I''d be mad too.


    "H-Home?"


    That''s when it hit him. It was getting late. And he had nowhere to stay.


    His only option was to sleep outside. But that was risky¡ªespecially in an unfamiliar city.


    As he kept walking through the stone-paved streets, he noticed something.


    The people around him¡­ they were all happy.


    But why? Why were they so happy?


    He couldn''t understand it.


    Raising his gaze to the moon, a single thought crossed his mind.


    "Have they all been brainwashed?"


    That was when he spotted something.


    ESSENTIA REALM!


    His first reaction?


    "Boring."


    Yeah. That was literally the first thing Nam said. And honestly? I agree. It looked boring.