Kim Hajin watched as the self-proclaimed clairvoyant walked away, a mix of wariness and curiosity swirling in his mind. It was only natural for him to feel this way, considering he was still an outsider in this world, a visitor who had somehow become part of its narrative. Despite his inclination to return home, the circumstances surrounding him made that impossible.
[Kim Hajin— has become a character.]
As a character within this world, he realized he was bound to its fate. The weight of his existence pressed down on him, intertwined with the events yet to unfold. The resources at his disposal provided him with insights, yet they also reinforced his sense of entrapment. He had to find a way to untangle the threads of his destiny. Something larger loomed over him, a power manipulating the strings of fate.
His mind drifted back to Nayun's confession, a moment that echoed in his heart like a haunting melody. Her words had been filled with both love and sorrow, an emotional mix that left him grappling with a sense of loss. How could he reconcile his feelings for her with the reality of their situation? He was a character in a story, yet the emotions he experienced felt profoundly real.
In this world, every decision he made would ripple through the fabric of fate, affecting not only him but those around him. He felt the urgency to act, to understand what role he was meant to play in this unfolding narrative. The thought of Nayun, her smile and her tears, lingered in his mind like a specter, urging him to uncover the truth and protect what he held dear.
He turned his gaze toward the horizon, the sun dipping low and painting the sky in shades of orange and crimson. This world, with its complexities and challenges, was now his home, and he was determined to navigate its treacherous waters. The path ahead was uncertain, but he felt a flicker of resolve ignite within him. He would seek the truth, confront the looming shadows, and perhaps—just perhaps—find a way to forge his own destiny.
Kim Hajin absently touched the necklace around his neck, its cool metallic surface grounding him in a moment of aimless ponder. It was a small gesture, yet it stirred a tumult of thoughts within him. How can he reach the epilogue now? The question lingered, heavy and unanswered.
If this world was merely another novel, what would its title be? The thought flitted through his mind like a restless specter. Was it The Returnee Hero? That title held a familiar weight, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it was too simplistic, too on-the-nose. Or perhaps it was The Novel's Extra, as Hyon Hyung claimed. That seemed closer to the truth, but it felt incomplete, lacking the depth he sought. Then another title emerged in his mind—The Returnee Regressor. It was a fitting twist, yet it left him wondering about its implications.
In his reflections, Hajin contemplated the core of this world. If it had a central essence, it could only be Chae Nayun. She was the linchpin of this story, the one who seemed to hold the key to happiness. If she was now the protagonist, and her perceived happy ending revolved around being with him, he felt a surge of conflicting emotions. How could he reconcile that with his own desire to return home? The weight of her expectations pressed heavily on him, a constant reminder of the choices he had to make.
The thought of being bound to Nayun's fate sent a pang of unease through him. He didn't want to become a mere plot device in her story, yet the idea of leaving her behind gnawed at his conscience. If he stayed, he risked entangling himself in a narrative that might not end the way he hoped. But if he left, what would become of her? The fragile connection they shared felt precarious, teetering on the brink of something profound yet deeply uncertain.
Hajin took a deep breath, steeling himself against the whirlwind of emotions. He needed clarity. If he was to navigate this world, to face whatever challenges lay ahead, he had to understand his role. Was he destined to be a hero, a support character, or something entirely different?
Kim Hajin sat on the bench. The requirement for him to go home was simple: he had to reach the epilogue. Yet, without the Co-Author, who had guided the story's flow, he felt like he was grasping at straws in a storm, unable to find solid ground.
His mind drifted back to Chae Nayun, the central figure in this unfolding narrative. He understood that in the original timeline, she must have shared a romantic relationship with the past version of himself. However, for reasons he couldn't quite pinpoint, that romance had failed. The memories of that failure hung heavy in the air, a lingering specter that taunted him. Was it because he had wanted to go home?
As he contemplated the nature of their relationship, he began to form a theory. Perhaps they were trapped in a loop, a cycle that Nayun herself was oblivious to. Every time Hajin and Nayun grew close, it always ended with disappointment. He had to confront the reality that his longing to return to his past life—the memories of his parents, his friends, the world he had known—had become a barrier, a wall between them. The heart-wrenching truth settled in: he might be the reason for their repeated failures.
Would she ever truly understand? The question nagged at him like a persistent itch. How could he explain that every moment they shared seemed fated to unravel, to twist into something that left them both in despair? Each time he hesitated, each time his heart ached for the past, it felt as if he were pulling the thread of their connection, unraveling the fabric of what they might have together.
Hajin rubbed his temples, trying to ease the tension coiling in his mind. If the original story was built on the premise of his relationship with Nayun, then how could he rewrite it to lead to a different conclusion? He had to find a way to navigate the complex emotions that swirled around them, to untangle his desires from the narrative that had been woven.
But how?
He needed to redefine his approach. Perhaps it wasn't just about avoiding the past or resisting the urge to return. What if he could change his perspective, find a way to be present in this world without losing himself? If he focused on understanding Nayun, on embracing the time they had, maybe he could alter the trajectory of their story.
Kim Hajin took a moment to let the weight of his decision sink in. He had resolved to stay for now, but deep down, he knew it was a complete lie he needed Hyon Hyung to hear. The truth was more complicated; while he was surrounded by the allure of adventure, a part of him still yearned for home.
The looming threat of the apocalyptic disaster that Hyon had described—the Devil King descending into this world—wasn't just an abstract fear; it was a reality that hung over him like a dark cloud. If Hajin was going to face that, he needed to become stronger. But more than that, he wanted to ensure that Chae Nayun found happiness with someone else, someone who could give her the love and life she deserved.
Initially, Hajin had envisioned writing Nayun as Kim Suho's heroine in The Returnee Hero. But given the failures of the past timeline, he knew that plan was dead in the water. It didn't even work out the first time around. He needed a new character to fill that role, and conveniently, Hyon Hyung fit the bill perfectly.
Hyon was a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, the very epitome of suspicion. His crazy antics alone could make anyone question his motives. Yet, that was precisely what made him valuable. Hajin had seen firsthand how unpredictable Hyon could be; one moment he was a potential villain, and the next, he could shine as a hero. His potential was limitless, a blank slate Hajin could mold in any direction.
With that in mind, Hajin made the conscious decision to join Hyon's Devil Hunter Club. It wasn't just about the thrill of adventure or gathering intel; it was about keeping a close watch on Hyon and ensuring the possibility of transforming him into a protagonist who could fulfill Nayun's happy ending remained alive.
As he sat there, staring at the horizon, Hajin felt the twinge of hope rise within him. If he played his cards right, perhaps he could navigate this complex narrative and achieve a true happy ending—not just for Nayun but for himself as well. If everything fell into place, if he could orchestrate the story just right, there was a chance he could return home.
For now, he would bide his time. He would keep Hyon close, observe his moves, and subtly guide him toward a path that could lead to Nayun's happiness. It was a long shot, and the stakes were incredibly high, but Hajin had never been one to shy away from a challenge. With the sun dipping below the horizon, he stood up and prepared to meet Hyon, ready to embrace the uncertainties of this new chapter.
"Let's see where this crazy ride takes us," he thought, a determined grin spreading across his face. The possibilities were endless, and he was ready to dive in.
At the disappearance of the Co-Author, Hajin realized that for him to reach the epilogue, it was not just his survival that mattered anymore, but also the other characters. Novel or not, he still had strong feelings about returning home.
So whatever this Devil hiding in Cube was... He also had to do his fair share of the job, lest the consequences.
"The Devil Hunter Club... The Devil... Club... The Devil's Club..." He uttered playing with the words in his mouth as he stood up from the bench, thinking of the future far ahead.