Location: Ryusei VII Island
Date: September 25, 2081
The ocean waves crashed against the steel hull of the military ship as Gok Sun Ji and Sung Min Ki stood at the deck, staring at the island ahead. The air was thick with tension. Even with all the technological advancements in the world, they were forced to rely on an old retired radio signal to communicate, ensuring secrecy from other countries.
Sung Min Ki sighed, stretching his sore shoulder.
Sung Min Ki:
"Ah… what a damn hassle. I just got out of the hospital three days ago, and now the president calls me for a mission? Crazy, right?"
Gok (chuckling slightly):
"True… but we can't let King D and Wu-Ji's sacrifices be in vain. Never mind the complaints—let's focus."
A week ago, Korea's Ranker HQ had detected a signal from the East—a signature similar to Entic energy. But something felt off about it. It wasn't exactly the same… it was almost like a copy.
The ship finally landed on Ryusei VII Island. But the moment they set foot on the shore, an invisible force surged around them.
Suddenly—
Time Stopped.
The army soldiers and the S-rank Rankers that accompanied them froze in place. They weren't moving. It was as if they had been turned into statues.
Only Gok and Sung Min Ki remained conscious, able to move.
Then, a hologram flickered into existence.
A tall man appeared in front of them, his presence commanding yet casual. His costume was unbuttoned, his posture relaxed. He had a handsome yet rugged face, with a few scars, giving him the appearance of a warrior who had seen many battles. He looked like he was in his mid-30s.
The man grinned.
Tall Man:
"Ahh… my idols have arrived, huh? Haha, Gok Sun Ji, you've gotten old. What was it when I first saw you…? Age 24? Damn, headache's killing me."
Gok's eyes narrowed.
Gok:
"You… you know me?"
Sung Min Ki (tense, whispering):
"Gok… don't say anything. He's dangerous."
The tall man laughed.
Tall Man:
"Chill, I don't have any bad intentions… at least, not today."
He tilted his head slightly, then finally introduced himself.
Tall Man:
*"First, my name is Tengis. Second—hahaha, as you guys know, the one you called Venik was actually a fake. That wasn't my real name. That was just a clone of me that you guys defeated all those years ago.
And that whole Entic invasion? That was just a failed experiment."*
Gok's fists clenched.
Gok:
"So you're the one we've been searching for all these years."
Tengis smirked.
Tengis:
*"On Third—you're all inside a Fifth-Grade Simulation World.
Everything—the Ranker system, the Blossom Dimension, the Entics, the Zodiacs—all of it never existed in the original world.
This whole thing started when you, Gok, first played the Rankers Game. That game was never just a game… it was a simulation experiment I created. And somehow, by some bad luck, you slipped into it, making it your reality."*
Gok's breath hitched. A part of him had suspected this for decades, but hearing it confirmed… it shattered everything he thought he knew.
Sung Min Ki (angrily):
"How can I believe this bullshit?!"
Gok (quietly, looking down):
"Wait, Sung… he's not lying. I've… known it for a long time. I just didn't want to believe it."
Tengis smiled knowingly.
Tengis:
"And Fourth— live a happy life in this simulation. Die of old age, and then you'll wake up in the real world. That's all I can tell you."
Gok clenched his fists.
Gok:
"Then tell me… who the hell are you really?"
Tengis chuckled, his smirk widening.
Tengis:
"Me? I'm just a man with the Infinity Blade."
Gok and Sung Min Ki's eyes widened in shock.
If that was true, then…
Tengis was Gok's Alternate Version.
The hologram faded, Tengis smirking one last time before vanishing.
The barrier around the island disappeared.
The soldiers and Rankers snapped back to reality, scratching their heads, confused. They had no memory of what had just happened.
Gok and Sung Min Ki exchanged a glance.
There was nothing left to do here.
They returned to Seoul.
What Happened to Them Until the End?
Gok Sun Ji
Retired as the Grandminister.
Married an Italian woman named Lia Enorita.
Had two children.
Lived peacefully in Italy.
Died of old age at 94.
Sung Min Ki
Chose to return to the Blossom Dimension.
Lived there until his death from Blossom Cancer at 71.
Dave
Returned to the Blossom Dimension.
Became the Northern King.
Was killed by the Son of Ashwaln at 64.
The White Light
Gok's eyes flickered.
A bright white light suddenly surrounded him, consuming everything.
When he opened his eyes…
He was lying in a bed.
A familiar ceiling. A familiar room.
He sat up quickly, breathing hard. He ran to the mirror.
His reflection—
A young 19-year-old Gok Sun Ji.
Gok (whispering, in disbelief):
"No way…"
He turned around. Everything in his room was normal. No weapons, no rankers, no supernatural entities.
Except for one thing.
Hanging on his wall…
The Infinity Blade.
Gok (narrowing his eyes):
"The hell… why is this here?"
He shook his head and left his apartment, stepping outside.
The world was normal. No monsters, no wars.
He ran into a coffee shop.
There, sitting at a table, was a long-haired guy wearing a white hoodie.
Wu-Ji.
Gok's heart ached.
He had missed his friend for so long.
But Wu-Ji looked up and scowled.
Wu-Ji:
"Hey, brat. Why the hell are you staring at me? Do I know you?"
Gok smiled.
Gok:
"Hah… Strange. Maybe you don't know me… but I know you."
Wu-Ji raised an eyebrow.
Wu-Ji:
"Huh?"
Before Gok could say more, the TV in the coffee shop flickered to life.
Breaking News.
News Reporter:
"Today, a man named Su Chinseol—who calls himself King D—has arrived here to tel—"
Gok's breath hitched.
"No way…