Zero Code, Rewinding 10 Years

[ Player Status ]

• Name: Kim Suhyun ( 10th Year )

• Class: Sword User ( Normal, Master )

• Nation: Terra

• Clan: -

• Title: The Observer and Recluse, Summit

• Nationality: Republic of Korea

• Sex: Male ( 33 )

• Height & Weight: 181.5 cm • 75.5 kg

• Alignment: Lawful Chaos

[Strength 86] [Endurance 92] [Agility 96] [Stamina 78] [Magic 48] [Luck 36]

( Remaining stat points: 0 )

[ Achievements (21) ]

[ Special Abilities (1/1) ]

[ Potential Abilities (4/4) ]

- - - - -

I feel nothing. Just a vague numbness as I roll the small orb in my left hand.

"Kim Suhyun."

Ten years. I achieved what I longed for and dreamed of during that lengthy time. Yet, as I slowly nod, I gaze at the angel before me. A figure of beauty at its peak, with flawless skin and a tantalizing outfit that occasionally revealed glimpses of her bare skin—all eyes were on me.

But I felt no desire. Not even the angel's breathtaking appearance or her longing gaze stirred my already dead heart. Since 'that day,' I lost all emotions.

"It's inconceivable. None of us angels, including myself, can understand you."

"No, you're wrong. I don't expect you to understand, Seraph."

My voice sounds so cold to my ears. The angel, Seraph's voice trembles slightly, unlike her usual calm demeanor. Excluding today, I have never seen her so unsettled. Could it be that my words were that shocking?

Seraph briefly shows signs of agitation but quickly regains her expressionless demeanor. She begins to speak to me in her usual low voice, trying to calm me down.

"Kim Suhyun, you've completed every mission in Hall Plain and became the first to reach the summit."

"And?"

"And, nothing. You acquired the Zero Code that you so desperately desired. You have the 'right.' Within the permissions granted, you can achieve anything you wish."

"Seraph, the discussion is over."

"Return to Earth? That's fine. You can return while retaining your current abilities. Stay in Hall Plain? That's also fine. With the Zero Code, you could become a king who rules over all continents, or even more."

Seeing she wouldn't stop, I sighed and placed my right hand on my waist. The hilt of my sword felt familiar in my grasp.

"Enough, Seraph. Ten years of falling for such sweet talk is enough. I'm tired. No matter what you say, I won't reconsider using the Zero Code."

I gripped the hilt tightly and channeled my magic through the circuits. Seraph, sensing the energy emanating from my body, fell silent, though only momentarily. Soon, an expression of pity crossed her face, indicating she wasn't ready to give up on persuading me.

"The ownership of the Zero Code belongs solely to you, Kim Suhyun. We have no authority to interfere with it. That's why it's even more tragic that such a powerful object is simply being used to turn back time."

"..."

"Let me ask you one last time. Do you really want to relive those painful ten years?"

Seraph's tone had turned almost pleading. Unexpectedly, a laugh bubbled up from within me—a laugh without any reason.

I laughed silently for a while.

This place is not Earth. It's 'Hall Plain,' another world entirely different from the ordinary life that modern people enjoy.

I closed my eyes gently and began to recount all the experiences I've had so far.

The first time I entered Hall Plain was ten years ago, when I was a 23-year-old with a bright future ahead of me. My last memory of Earth was returning home happily after completing two years of military service.

On the way home after reporting my discharge, I fell asleep on the train. When I woke up, I found myself summoned to this 'Room of Summoning.' And there, before me, was an angel with white wings, something I had only ever imagined.

Not knowing anything, unable to know anything, the situation was nothing short of a nightmare for me, who had been dreaming of finally returning home.

It wasn't a dream or imagination. Once I barely accepted it as reality, I begged the angel to send me back. But the next place I was transported to was the 'Rite of Passage,' a place to prove a user's qualifications. There, I was forced to take a test, pursued by monsters I had never seen before.

The set duration for the test was seven days. It was a battleground solely for survival. Only after barely surviving those countless threats to my life for a week did I finally earn the qualification of a 'User' and could enter the world called 'Hall Plain.'

But the Rite of Passage was just the beginning. Hall Plain was the real start. If the Rite of Passage was a seven-day survival war, Hall Plain was an endless hell where you never knew when you might die.

And so began my life in Hall Plain.

I just wanted to live. I desperately adapted to the irrational world of Hall Plain because I wanted to survive. Clinging to the angel's words that I could return once I reached the end, I spent ten whole years struggling. Yes, I just wanted to live and return. To reconnect with the bonds I could never sever.

"Kim Suhyun, what are you thinking about? Are you reconsidering?"

As I thought of the word 'bond,' emotions welled up inside me. I shook my head vigorously. Now was not the time for nostalgia.

"Oh, I was just reminiscing. As for the painful ten years... it's considerate of you to put it that way, but it shows you have at least a little conscience."

"..."

"Yes. Thanks to you, I went through unnecessary suffering. For ten years."

"Kim Suhyun."

Seraph's eyes studied me as if trying to read my thoughts. Just as I was about to tell her to stop, her beautiful lips opened, and a calm voice emerged.

"If you're thinking about Kim Yoo Hyun and Han So Young... I think I know what you want. Kim Suhyun, I have a very reasonable suggestion. Your current GP is enough to grant multiple wishes. There's no need to use the Zero Code to go back in time..."

'I hate to admit it, but that Seraph was right.'

I knew she'd say that. Before Seraph could finish her sentence, I drew my sword and swung it with all my might.

Ping!

The sharp sound of air tearing filled the room. The shockwave I sent out shook the pedestal Seraph was sitting on. But that was all. The wave dissipated without a trace against the white barrier she had raised.

"Kim Suhyun... I understand your feelings, but this is meaningless. I believe you're aware of that."

Of course, I knew. A user cannot harm an angel. Nevertheless, I swung my sword to express my unyielding resolve.

"Astaroth said before he died that in the end, you angels are no different."

"Are you going to believe the words of a demon? You, of all people?"

"Isn't it true? This can't be done, that can't be done. The conclusion isn't much different."

"Please, let's continue this conversation. I believe we've already explained your requests sufficiently."

"You said I'm unqualified. That I can't do it because I'm not qualified. So I said I'd go back and create new qualifications, yet you still have complaints."

"Suhyun!"

Ping! Ping!

"Don't shout, I'm not deaf. And address me properly with my surname, as you always have."

Another wave was sent out, and another was dissipated. Seraph watched me with a sorrowful gaze, seemingly unable to believe my unexpected actions. Ignoring her, I tightened my grip on the sword emitting a fierce blue light. As I infused the blade with more magic, blue flames began to rise along its edge. Seeing this, Seraph bit her lip.

"I'm giving you one final warning. Put away your sword now. No matter how powerful the Zero Code is, you're still fundamentally human. If you think you can kill a being of a higher dimensional rank, you're mistaken."

"Really? Then why don't I just use the Zero Code to ask for the authority to kill all of you?"

"Indeed, the usage rights are yours. However, the activation of the Zero Code must go through us. Please abandon such futile dreams."

"You sound confident. Is there really no way?"

"Suh... Kim Suhyun. Ha... this is a pointless argument. But still..."

Seraph's lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say more. However, sensing the cold anger and sincere emotion emanating from the blade, she closed her mouth firmly.

"..."

"..."

A heavy silence hung between us for a moment. I calmed my rising anger and slowly lowered my sword. With a sense of resignation, I lifted the Zero Code orb in my left hand. It was a small, beautiful orb emitting a deep blue light. What could such a thing possibly be...?

"Seraph, I don't want to fight or talk anymore. If you understand my feelings and truly care about me, then I ask for one last favor."

Upon hearing the word 'favor,' Seraph's sorrowful eyes widened. I extended my hand, holding the Zero Code towards her. I had made my decision.

"Please, I want to go back ten years. To the time when I first arrived here."

As if responding to my resolve, the Zero Code began to radiate a bright light. I released the orb, which floated towards Seraph, landing in her hands. She looked at it, then back at me, her gaze filled with complex emotions.

After a moment, Seraph spoke, her voice soft but firm.

"If this is truly what you desire."

"..."

"I will respect your decision."

"Seraph."

Seraph, maintaining her calm demeanor, continued, "As I mentioned earlier, Kim Suhyun, you currently possess a significant amount of GP. Discarding it would be irrational."

I shook my head, indifferent to the Gold Points (GP) since I was going back. However, Seraph began manipulating something quickly, her actions barely visible.

"It's incredible, but your determination has activated the Zero Code. As a helper, I will adjust the settings. There will be no harm to you. We will meet again once the process is complete."

As I was about to question her, a deep, resonant voice filled the room.

"Request from Kim Suhyun received. 27%, 58%, 77%, 100%. Loading... Authorization complete. Request approved. Initiating Code Name, Zero. All personnel, please prepare."

At that moment, the Zero Code, now glowing brightly, shot into the air.

Whoosh!

A blinding light enveloped the room, and an indescribable sensation washed over me. It was familiar, like the world warping during past experiences. As the light intensified, I closed my eyes tightly, bracing myself for what was to come.