I could hear the voice of the system resonating inside my head.
< Congratulations, Player! Your ⬛ has finally reached its peak. >< [] Rate: 1% >"Please... stop. I can't bear losing anyone else..." I pleaded, my head bowed in despair.< [] Rate: 3% >Before me stood the withered man, his grin stretching wider as he loomed over me.< [] Rate: 7% >'Why was I even brought into this world? Just to endure unending suffering...?' I pounded the ground weakly with my fist, tears streaming down my face.< [] Rate: 15% >'Why am I so feeble and detached? How did everything I held dear only end up shrouded in agony, slipping away?'< [] Rate: 25% >His voice sliced through the air, a chilling whisper that pierced my soul. "Look at yourself... Has the toll of each loss, each setback, finally shattered you?"< Rate: 37% >"As I told you from the start, surrender. Abandon this struggle. Let THAT curse consume you. Cast aside your facade and embrace your true nature."< [] Rate: 50% >With a grasp on my chin, he whispered, his breath cold against my skin. "You and I are nothing alike. You attempted to rescue all, but forfeited everything. While I began with naught. I grow stronger, while you became weaker..."< [] Rate: 75% >In an instant, his grin warped into an unholy grimace, his eyes ablaze in crimson red as he glared at me. He hissed between clenched teeth, "You know you'll never be hailed a hero in this story. Though destined to be, we shall never be able to embody it. But enough, I'll end this swiftly."< [] Rate: 89% >His fist clenched, he let go of my chin and lunged his fist forward."Goodbye... old me."I braced for the impact against my face, but nothing ensued.< [] Rate: 98%... Do you wish to alter this timeline? >"....."Echoing within me, the question left me silenced.< [] Rate: 99% >As the counter neared 99%, reality, the universe, suspended in stillness.Only I could move..."I'll ask once more. Do you wish to alter this timeline?"The earlier voice emerged distinct. I opened my eyes, beholding a white-haired man with ruby eyes, seated upon an ebony throne, his gaze locked onto mine."I..." My words faltered. Tears welled up, tracing trails down my cheeks.This time, rather than carrying on, the man holding the timer fell silent, his expression grave.His silence compelled me to steel my resolve."I... I want to!" My voice quivered. Raising my head, I met his gaze with unwavering determination."Are you certain? If you embrace my terms, suffering shall be your companion... yet, you'll gain a guide."Clutching my chest, I declared, "I'm beyond caring... Even if I must endure deaths countless times over, I'll strive to save them again... No! I'll ensure that I..."Gradually, motion stirred in the stagnation."I'll rescue them!"< [] Rate: 100% >< Congratulations, Player! The ⬛ is finally... initiating Reversing Protocol. >"Very well," the man sighed, weariness etched across his features, his form sinking into the throne."See to it that this time, you save them, Athan."With those words resounding, a reversal surged through existence.[Initiating Project Rewrite...]......[You have mail!]Staring at my computer screen, I found myself rubbing my temples in exasperation."This mail again..."It all happened a couple of years ago when I suddenly received a mail from an unknown sender on my computer.[Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 01H : 03M : 56S]A timer ticking away, counting down to something I couldn't fathom.At the start, I brushed it off, letting it slide as I continued with my daily routine. However, as days turned into weeks, those relentless messages intruded even as I tried to immerse myself in a novel on my phone. Frustration pushed me to hire someone to crack the enigmatic account...But..."Sorry, but that account doesn't exist." Those words were the refrain of the excuses I kept encountering.Growing fed up with the perpetual excuses, I resolved to take matters into my own hands and hack into the elusive account."What in the world is this firewall made of?!" I vented my frustration.After a few months of trying, I finally decided to give up, forced myself to throw in the towel.With a deep sigh, I allowed my head to rest against the pillow.Well, it's been six years had passed since the timer started. Although everything had returned to normal, I still couldn't help but be curious about who was behind the account.[Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 01H : 03M : 56S]Checking the timer on my phone, I gazed upward at the opulent expanse of my mansion's ceiling.I wasn't one to boast, but truth be told, I epitomized the archetype of a genius and millionaire.From my earliest days, my intellect soared beyond my age, reaching a college-level grasp of knowledge. Upon graduation, the seeds of a small business blossomed into an empire, augmented by the success of apps I designed.Oh, right!Even though I had everything, I still somehow felt a bit lonely. However, it was all thanks to a novel that kept me going.My favorite novel was [Reawakened The Hero].The story was about a talented youth named Arthur, the reincarnation of an old hero. He sought revenge against the one who destroyed his village but found himself having to save the world from an unknown enemy. As he questioned the reason for his reincarnation, he met the goddess after two hundred chapters and learned the truth of his origin.The story wasn't too popular, but for me, it was the best."Hmm... Today marks my birthday." I sighed softly. "But who'd bother visiting, even if they knew?"Stepping out of bed, I made my way outside, embarking on a leisurely stroll.'Where to today?' I pondered. 'Perhaps a visit to the arcade—a personal celebration.'After a few minutes of aimless wandering, I paused — awaiting the traffic light's crimson shift.Sighing, a girl suddenly bumped into my shoulder while walking, not paying attention to her surroundings.She crossed the road even though the traffic light was green. When onlookers saw this, many tried to raise their voices, hoping the girl would notice the traffic light.[Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 00H : 00M : 36S]"Hey! The light is still gr--!!"Abruptly, a speeding truck careened forth, heedless of slowing down. My gaze flickered to the oblivious girl, my throat constricting.The bystanders clamored, striving to break through her obliviousness, but her headphones rendered them futile.'Haa... Life is boring anyway...' I thought.[Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 00H : 00M : 25S]Clutching my fist, I sprinted towards her, propelling her out of harm's way.The truck's impact sent me hurtling several meters."Ugh..."I tried to speak but only managed a groan. I held onto my phone, thinking about [Reawakened The Hero].'I won't even know the ending...' I regretfully thought, losing vision in my right eye. 'I just wanted to read the last three chapters, but...'Gotta admit, I'm quite stupid for doing this just to save someone I don't know.Nonetheless, the novel was supposed to end today.I had also bought the last three chapters and the epilogue, but before he could read them, he got hit by the truck, leaving him on the brink of death.'I guess I'll never find out the ending...'[Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 00H : 00M : 03S][Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 00H : 00M : 02S][Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 00H : 00M : 01S][Timer left: 00Y : 00M : 00D : 00H : 00M : 00S]With a loud tick ringing in my ear, I lost consciousness.***In the darkness of the room, an unfamiliar voice spoke in a language I couldn't understand.I tried to comprehend my surroundings, feeling a force nudging me."It's a healthy baby boy, congratulations." A woman's voice, speaking in an unknown tongue.I struggled to open my eyes against the harsh brightness..."Celestia, he looks handsome, just like his dad." Another woman's voice in a language that eluded my understanding.Gradually, my vision adjusted to the light.Before me stood a woman with ashy-brown hair, emerald-green eyes, and fair skin. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties and wore a black nightdress adorned with a white fox crest on its right side.'Fox?' I thought.The crest triggered a sense of recognition, as if I'd encountered it before. No, it felt more like I had read about it.And then, a particular line from my memory struck me.[The boy had ashy-brown hair and aquamarine eyes, making him stand out the most at the party. He wore a black and aquamarine-colored uniform with the white fox crest...]'Don't tell me...'Recalling those lines, only one possibility formed regarding the situation I was in.'Damn it...'It seemed that I had been reincarnated within the world of [Reawakened The Hero].Chuckles echoed through the air as Athan's voice sliced through the tension."Pathetic peasants, you truly don't grasp the art of surrender."Athan's laughter resonated, punctuating his scornful words."You, pathetic lot, forever stuck in your insignificance. Can't you see? Money and power are the threads weaving this world's tapestry."His mischievous grin reflected his amusement as he cast an apathetic glance at ArArthu"Strength is your claim, yet I find you pitiable. You remain blissfully unaware of your place. Eventually, your apathetic demise will claim you."Athan's words jabbed at Arthur, eliciting a clenched jaw."You really talked too much."Arthur began excluding his killing intent and the mana he had been releasing began increasing. The only thing he could think was to kill the brat that was insulting his family that died and his current friends.The cage he was currently in was slowly melting due to the immense mana he was releasing. Seeing this, Athan slowly backed away i
A day has passed after my argument with my mother.As I was currently reading a book inside my mini library, I suddenly heard a knock outside the door.Tok Tok-Placing my book down at the table, I stretched out my arms and sat up from my seat, then went towards the door to open it."Young master, the dinner is ready." The butler bowed his head slightly and waited silently for my reply.Nodding, I smiled gently and replied, "Oh, I see... Go on ahead. I'll just put my books back on the bookshelf before I leave." "...Right away."Soon after the butler left, I closed door and went back to the table."Let's get started, shall we?"............A moment later.As I was about to pick up the last book from the table, I felt that both my hands became warmer for a secondOut of curiosity, I raised my hands up and saw something unexpected.At the back of my hands, I saw a black dot in the middle."Oh... this might be the first phase of the awakening."Awakening is the reason people can use ma
"Sigh..."After I arrived at the garden, I decided to walk around the garden for a bit."They should be here by now... I wonder if her personality was still the same according to the novel when she was still a child. If she was, the plan could really work."As I recalled the scenes I remember about her, I sighed deeply.According to what I've read about her, Alicia wasn't really a cold narcissist back when she was just a child. Rather, she was your typical gloomy and aloof-type of person. But because of a certain event where she got kidnapped and awakened her crest early, the changes of her personality began. This made her receive praises from adults, and soon she got addicted to this kind of attention.Though, after spending quite some time with the main character, she will eventually get a character development and mellowed down, becoming a sweet, lovable tsundere.She instantly became many of the reader's favorite."Young master.""...Huh?"Breaking free from my thoughts, I turned a
"I look like a mess..."Examining my disheveled reflection in the mirror, I decided to freshen up by washing my face and taking a quick shower.Unlike the standard showers on Earth, the showers in this world were powered by magic stones.Magic stones came in various types and categories. For instance, there were water stones, typically used for showers, dishwashing, and other water-related tasks. Some magic stones could also be used for training and combat, even if your elemental crest didn't align with the stones' attributes. It only required a small amount of mana to operate these magic stones, making them highly convenient in this world.As I took a step toward the shower and turned it on at half-intensity, water began to gently cascade down over my small body."Sigh..."I contemplated deeply about what I had heard the previous day – the gathering of monsters. It could only mean one thing.It was connected to the organizations that had attacked Arthur and his parents.In essence, th
"How did it come to this...?"My gaze was fixed on the bandits, who were leisurely enjoying their meals while engaging in jovial banter. My expression darkened involuntarily.At this moment, Alicia and I were confined together in an iron cage. She appeared to be grappling with her own regret over her impulsive actions earlier....Like her, I couldn't help but berate myself for letting her slip away like that.I'm such a fool... Simply because the novel mentioned that Alicia's kidnapping scene would occur tomorrow, I hadn't bothered to formulate any backup plan.I could sense my fists clenching as I buried my face in my knees.From this day on, I learned the importance of having backup plans... In a hard way, that is.While I was absorbed in self-criticism, the laughter of the bandits filled the air as they reveled in their misdeeds."Hahaha, boss, we've hit the jackpot!"One of the bandits chimed in."Great work, lads!" Their leader applauded, bending down to peer at both of us inside
"Hey, baldy!"The bandit leader swiftly turned his attention to me, his brows furrowing as he observed my grin. Alicia, too, seemed taken aback by my sudden outburst."Athan, what are—" Alicia began to speak, but I raised my hand, silencing her."Don't worry," I reassured her, glancing in her direction. "I promise I'll get you back home safely."Alicia opened her mouth to respond, but no words emerged. Eventually, she nodded in agreement."Huhu, do you want me to teach you a lesson, brat?" The bandit leader's expression grew more serious.Before I could reply, one of the bandit behind him chimed in, "Boss, maybe we should educate this kid on the importance of good manners."...Is this guy serious?Hearing his comment, I couldn't help but chuckle. "Good manners? How can you teach me that when you lot can't even grasp the concept yourselves? Besides, isn't it a bit ironic coming from the mouth of a bandit?"As I opened my eyes slightly, I noticed the bandit gritting his teeth out of frus
[Glacial Epoch]Fooosh~!"I can't... Move...!?" the bandits exclaimed, struggling but failing to move due to their lower halves being frozen. Unfortunately, the archer above the trees remained unaffected.In response, they shot their arrows towards us."Alicia!"I quickly pulled her close, hopping backward. We narrowly dodged the attacks, flying backward until my back hit a tree trunk.-Thud!"...Athan!!?"Seeing the contorted expression on my face, Alicia turned her attention towards the direction of the archers."How dare you!"With fury in her eyes, she raised both of her hands, creating a crystal-like ice ball with spikes above her palms.[Icicle Shot]She launched the crystal ball towards the archers' direction.Shuuuop-!The spiked ice shards shot out at high speed, hitting the archers, including the ones frozen on the ground, from all directions."Guah...!"The archers who were struck fell to the ground. Upon contact with the earth, their bodies immediately froze, just like the
Onyx, a humanoid creature that was 8 foot tall. It has long pair of arms and legs, it can also be considered like the slenderman but instead of his face being white, this creature has long sharp teeth, and has deep green eyes. It's body were made of roots, and the cloak it wore was made from a fine leather.The Onyx was also considered as one of the myth that came originally from the real world, as this creature was also called to be one of the guardian of the forest after the Dryad.A Dryad, or you can say as the spirit that was residing within the forest was like an Onyx. But, unlike the Onyx that was relaying on it's physical body as a protection or weapon, the Dryad was more relaying on mana, whilst it's soul was residing inside one of the tree.There are ten mythology that was involved in the novel in total. From weapons, armor, creatures and even island. The Onyx is one of them so there's only nine for us to uncover.In the novel, Arthur will uncover the nine, involving the Onyx