Son of the Heaven is a modern fantasy hunter story and the worst-selling novel in Korea. The basic summary is that the main character, Moon Myung, turns back in time after making a deal with a god to save his people. Although he could never save anyone or the world from its doom, near the end of the story, he goes crazy and destroys the world and his soul.
Everyone thought, "What a waste of a good story plot about a character who goes through all these hardships only to be unable to reach a happy ending."
I also thought it was a waste since I liked the main character, Moon Myung, a lot. As a fan, I was quite sad to see that he never got his happy ending.
You may be wondering why I even read the story in the first place.
Personality: I wouldn't have read such a horrible story, but there was a character who piqued my interest, and that is the only reason I picked up that story.
A minor character in the initial chapters who shared my name. Song Hajoon.
Song Hajoon appeared as the evil cult leader's lover in the beginning chapters when 16-year-old Moon Myung got kidnapped. However, he isn't much of a loyal lover or follower of the evil cult, as he often helps Moon Myung.
When Moon Myung made trouble, he would cover for the teen, and when Moon Myung needed information, he would supply it. Through this, they grew fond of each other's presence and eventually understood one another on a deeper level.
Later, Moon Myung's older brother and the Hunter Association would come and save him.
As for Song Hajoon, he didn't leave with them and stayed behind in the evil cult because he had unfinished business. Afterward, it was briefly mentioned he had died at the hands of Moon Myung's older brother, and nothing of him is ever mentioned again in the story.
I stopped reading the story after his death because I did not find it interesting anymore. No matter how much I like Moon Myung, the killing of a character with the same name as me draws the line.
Maybe I'm just being petty but no one actually wants a character with their name to be killed.
But again, I must have been born a petty person because the story wasn't worth reading anymore and I forgot about it in the back of my head.
However, I wonder if my disinterest in the story is related to my sudden circumstances.
"This... this is too crazy." I groaned and frowned at the unfamiliar face in the mirror.
The man in the mirror looks about in their mid-twenties with noticeable dark eye bags and deadly pale skin, making him look like a zombie. He has dyed pink hair, with his natural black hair peeking through the crown and a pair of bright pink eyes with a slight tint of red in the pipul.
Moon Myung described Song Hajoon in the novel as a beautiful and out-of-this-world character, while everyone else in the Evil Cult looks like ugly mushrooms. I would also agree if the dude looking at me weren't so pale and zombie-looking.
"I can't make sense of this reality." I sighed, massaging my temple because I suddenly had a headache. "Isn't this body too weak? I barely did anything."
I left the bathroom and went to the bedroom to lie on the bed. The headache didn't stop even after I lay down, but it hurt less.
I often read stories about situations like this, but honestly, I didn't expect it to happen to me either. This is just utterly ridiculous.
How does one even survive when this kind of situation hits them like this?
I'm calm right now, but I'm petrified to step outside this house. What if a dungeon gate opens, and the monsters kill me in one swoop?
I envy those strong-willed people who can put something into their minds and act it out without a problem.
"The novel didn't mention anything about Song Hajoon's past, and his current memories are too foggy to understand." I curled up on the bed in misery and cried to myself.
My stomach then growled in hunger. I sighed, pushing myself to get off the bed and out of the room.
I found the kitchen, but when I opened the fridge, there was no food other than a bag filled with sunflower seeds.
"This guy... how can one even live like this?" I questioned this type of living. How did Song Hajoon survive as long as he did in the novel?
I searched the cabinet, but I found nothing. There was no bread, jam, or even something easy to eat. I left to the living room when I saw nothing in every cabinet.
In the living room, there's a coffee table in front of the couch, and on top of the table is a small white wallet with a sunflower design and a green jade bracelet. For a rather depressing-looking guy, his taste in things is quite cute.
I went over to the couch, sat down on the couch, and grabbed the wallet. I mentally apologized to Song Hajoon before opening his wallet and checking the items. He had four items: his driving license, ID, bank card, and a hunter license. It's very plain and simple.
The plainness and simplicity of everything match his personality in the novel. He is noted to be a very calm, simple, and carefree guy in any situation.
"Although his personality made it seem like he didn't have much to live for, and that probably was true in a way," I mumbled and leaned back on the couch.
I stared at the wallet in my hand for a few more seconds before placing it back on the table.
I grabbed the jade bracelet next and examined it. You can't tell much about it from a glance, but the closer you look at it, you can tell that it's a beautiful bracelet made with care and love. I don't know much about jade, but I heard that green represents growth, abundance, and good luck.
I wonder if this bracelet is something important to him because, in the novel, it wasn't mentioned at all.
After staring at the bracelet for a bit longer, I put it on and apologized again to Song Hajoon for wearing his stuff.
When I put on the bracelet, I felt an intense sensation of cold breezes flowing through me, and my whole body felt lighter. I no longer felt a lack of energy or the constant headache bugging me.
Then, a light blue hologram screen appeared before me, displaying some text.
[The Jade Bracelet of Protection has been acquired.]
[Your health, which has been deteriorating, is now fully restored.]
[All Blessings from the Goddess of Protection have been unlocked.]
[Blessing of the Youngest One has been active.]
"What… ha, this is crazy."
Reality hit me the longer I stared at the screen with disbelief. Although my headache disappeared, a different kind of headache appeared, and I couldn't help but want to ignore the screen in front of me.
In the next second, another screen appeared next to the first one with a different color of blue and text.
[Hello, Song Hajoon. You must be wondering how you ended up here. I can provide some context if you wish to ask some questions.]
I narrowed my brows and stared at the two screens without saying a word. I honestly don't know what to say or ask of this system. I was confused and lost when I woke up as Song Hajoon and didn't want to do anything because of the unfamiliar world.
I wanted answers, but I remained blank and lost when a solution came.
After thinking to myself for a while and wishing I could jump out the window to the left of me to go back home, I finally did come back to the reality in front of me.
"I have many questions, but I'll ask the ones I can think of right now." I sighed, frowning at myself, and leaned on the couch with my arms crossed. "Did I die in my world?"
[Yes. Blood loss from a nosebleed from being overworked.]
"Okay, that's just crazy." I couldn't help but scoff at the ridiculousness.
I honestly did not think anyone would die from a simple nosebleed. It feels like a plot in a movie or novel.
Although considering where I am right now, I must have died from a nosebleed. I don't even work that hard with my five-hour minimum-wage job!
This whole situation is rather ridiculous.
Enough of me though. Moving back to the questions.
I am here then that must mean Song Hajoon either has died or his soul remains inside of me but I don't think the second option will be considered since I can't feel his soul. Although maybe he is inside me and I just don't have a clue.
"What happened to the real Song Hajoon?"
[Due to an unexpected accident on our end, Song Hajoon's soul was damaged, so he is in recovery.]
"What did you guys even do?" I questioned, narrowing one of my brows.
Suddenly this doesn't feel like a safe environment. Do I trust this kind of thing or should I be cautious?
[Due to the last world being destroyed, Song Hajoon's soul got caught up and damaged alongside Moon Myung's soul.]
What? Wait, if they're talking about the world being destroyed, does that mean we're here after the novel's ending?
"But wait, I thought that if Moon Myung died, the regression would stop."
[Yes, was the original plan; Moon Myung should have destroyed the world and his soul together. We thought it would be fine for this world to disappear entirely after the old world's destruction, but in the end, a new timeline had been born, so we're in a pinch.]
"So, there's no end to this even after Moon Myung did all that? Did the god that Moon Myung made a deal with turn back time even after their sponsorship ended?"
[We're trying to figure out why this new timeline has been born, and as for our God, he is no longer here after the destruction of the old world, so there is no possible way for him to turn back time again.]
"Are you joking with me? How can a god die like that? Then is Moon Myung supposed to do everything again?" I feel too confused and too uncertain about everything that is happening.
[Not entirely. Moon Myung cannot help us, nor is he in a normal state right now to do anything. Unlike Song Hajoon, who we could save, Moon Myung's soul remains broken and scattered around this world.]
"What do you mean? Is Moon Myung alright?"
[He is fine. However, due to his broken soul, he remains unable to think for himself and is a blank doll.]
"Is that why… I'm here? You need me to save this world now that Moon Myung can no longer do so?" I sneered, thinking everything about this situation was unfair to Moon Myung and me.
[I will not lie to you. You were brought here to save this world because Moon Myung could no longer do it.]
"But tell me, what's worth does this world have to be saved? Why ask me to save a world that even Moon Myung couldn't? Also, have you ever thought that it's quite unfair to Moon Myung, asking me to save this world?" I wrinkled my brows and squinted my eyes at the screen.
[Yes, I know it's unfair to Moon Myung, and we honestly thought this world would end, but now that it's here once more, it's our duty to save it again.]
I sighed, messaging my template because this situation was too complicated. It's very confusing why another timeline has been born and why the god of this world is dead, either. Plus, why do I need to save this world?
"I don't understand anything of what's going on, and I don't want to save this world either, but…" I bit my lower lips and frowned even more.
I'm scared of a new world. I don't know anyone here, and the whole world is unfamiliar to me, but if I don't do anything, I will regret it later. I'm not strong-willed, but I hate bad endings the most. Also, I don't even know if I'll be able to return to my old world anyway because, after all, I did die from a nosebleed.
"I'll try… I can try to save this world, but don't expect much from me." A small smile appeared on my face to lighten up my horrible mood.
[Thank you, Song Hajoon.]
[Would you like to take on the Main Task?]
"Yeah, hit me up."
[Main Task: Please find all ten missing pieces of Moon Myung's soul.]
[Rewards: 1,000 H-Coins.]
[Time Limit: None.]
"You guys give out rewards for this?" I questioned, pointing at the second screen.
[A requirement told by our God.]
Although I have many questions about that God of theirs, I decided not to comment on it for my peace of mind.
"Is this the only task you need me to do?"
[There's one side task. Would you like to receive it?]
"Sure, go ahead." I nodded my head.
[Side Task: Find a way to leave the Iron Heart Guild.]
[Rewards: 1,000 H-Coins.]
[Time Limit: 10 days.]
"Iron Heart Guild, and why in ten days?" I cocked my head to the side, questioning.
[The Iron Heart guild plans to sell Song Hajoon to the Evil Red Cult in ten days. So please find a way to leave the guild within that time.]
"What? They're selling me, no wait, Song Hajoon to the Evil Red Cult? Isn't that illegal?" My eyes narrowed in disbelief, and I frowned.
[Whether it's legal or illegal, they are still planning to sell him to the Evil Red Cult in ten days. Please find a way to leave the guild.]
My head hurts more each time new information is dropped on me. But now, a little bit of Song Hajoon's backstory is known to me. When I read the story, I also wondered why Song Hajoon joined the Evil Red Cult in the first place despite not being a loyal follower.
"Hmm, alright then." I sighed, nodding my head. "By the way, what should I call you?"
[Please call me 444.]
"Alright then. Let's go now, 444."
I got up from the couch, grabbed the wallet from the coffee table, and went to the door.
[Where are you going? Are you going to find Moon Myung's soul?]
"No, I'm hungry, so I'm going to buy food. Finding his soul will be a side quest for now."
I cannot save the world on an empty stomach.