The System Update
The familiar blue glow of Hansoo's System Interface illuminated the darkness of his quarters. It had been two weeks since his speech in Seoul, and the resistance was gearing up for their next major offensive. However, Hansoo's mind was preoccupied with the system's Future Info Function.
He hesitated for a moment before activating it. The interface flickered, displaying new data with a sharp chime.
[SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETE]
Future Info:
Predicted Death Age: 21 (reduced from 36)
Cause of Death: [Data Obscured]
Current Power Level: 10,400 (Void Ascendant Tier)
Future Events:
Age 20.5: "The Last Zodiac General Appears."
Age 21: "The Abyss Devours the Void."
Age 21: "End of All Paths."
Hansoo's blood ran cold as he processed the update. His lifespan had drastically shortened, and the new events painted an ominous picture of his future.
The system didn't stop there. Another notification appeared, one he hadn't seen before.
[WARNING: Remaining Time to Critical Event – 8 Months, 13 Days]
Hansoo leaned back, his breathing heavy. He stared at the holographic interface, his mind racing. Eight months? That's all I have left?
The system seemed to sense his turmoil and displayed additional information.
Legacy Rewrite Option Available: [Condition Locked]
The next day, Hansoo summoned his closest allies—Sung Min Ki, King D, and a handful of resistance leaders—to a private meeting. He didn't reveal everything but shared enough to alarm them.
"So, what you're saying is... you're on a timer?" Sung Min Ki asked, his fists clenched.
Hansoo nodded. "I don't know how or why, but the system has always been accurate. If I'm destined to die in eight months, I need to make sure everything is ready before then."
King D leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, kid. Maybe it's time we take some of that load off."
Hansoo shook his head. "This isn't just about me. The Zodiacs are evolving. The Void Energy alone might not be enough. If my death is the key to stopping them, then so be it. But I need you all to prepare for what comes after."
A Glimpse
That night, Hansoo had another dream. He found himself in a void-like space, surrounded by the remnants of shattered worlds.
In the distance, he saw the Zodiac Throne, a monolithic structure adorned with symbols of the 13 Zodiacs. On the throne sat Vanik, his face hidden by a mask etched with shifting symbols. Around him stood beings that radiated unfathomable power—alien Zodiacs, more advanced and terrifying than anything Hansoo had faced.
At the center of the vision, a countdown appeared:
Year 7510
Hansoo tried to move, but his body felt heavy. A voice echoed in his mind—it was Vanik's voice, cold and mocking.
"Even the strongest insect has its end. Your legacy? A flicker in the dark. Prepare yourself, Hansoo. The Void will consume you, as it has consumed all before you."
The dream ended abruptly, leaving Hansoo gasping for air.
With the future growing more uncertain, Hansoo dedicated himself to leaving behind a legacy that could outlive him. He began assembling a team of the strongest resistance fighters, training them personally in the use of Void Energy and advanced tactics.
He also sought out the remnants of ancient human technology, hoping to unlock secrets that could level the playing field against the Zodiacs. One of these missions led him to a ruined laboratory in Tokyo, where he uncovered blueprints for a weapon known as the Abyss Breaker—a device capable of destabilizing the core energy of Zodiac leaders.
Despite his efforts, the weight of his impending death loomed over him. Every moment felt bittersweet—every victory, every laugh with his friends, every glance at the stars.
In a quiet moment, Sung Min Ki confronted him.
"You're hiding something," Min Ki said, his voice firm. "You've been pushing yourself harder than ever, like you're running out of time. What's really going on, Hansoo?"
Hansoo hesitated, then sighed. "The system updated my future. I don't have years left, Min Ki. I have months."
Min Ki's eyes widened, his shock quickly replaced by determination. "Then we'll find a way to stop it. Screw destiny. We've beaten the odds before, haven't we?"
Hansoo smiled faintly. "Thanks, Min Ki. But if I can't change my fate, promise me you'll carry on the fight. Humanity needs you."
As the months passed, Hansoo's power continued to grow, but so did the challenges. The Zodiacs launched increasingly brutal attacks, and whispers of a new Zodiac leader began to spread.
Hansoo's final mission loomed on the horizon, and with it, the question that haunted him: Could he change the course of his fate, or was he merely playing out a role in an unchangeable script?
The chapter ended with Hansoo standing atop a mountain, overlooking the remnants of Seoul, as the sky darkened with the arrival of a new threat.
"Eight months," he whispered to himself. "Let's make them count."