"Did you ever love me?" the young woman asked, tears brimming in her eyes and heartbreak etched on her face. The other person, however, looked at her expressionlessly, refusing to answer.

"Even... not even a little?"

"Not even once," came the heartless response, shattering the last sliver of hope she clung to. "I hope this is the last time you ask me. I don't want my bride-to-be to misinterpret our friendship."

"Friendship? Is that what it is?"

The man walked past her without a backward glance, leaving her standing there, tears streaming down her face.

"You said you never liked me. You said you didn't love me and chose to be with someone else," she murmured through clenched teeth, her fists trembling. "But why? Why do you still sacrifice your life for me?"

Now, the man's lifeless body lay in her arms. "Nine hundred ninety-nine times. I've turned back time nine hundred ninety-nine times to stop your death, yet you always make the same choice. Seriously, why would I do this for someone who doesn't love me?" Still, she never regretted it as she prepared to reverse time for the thousandth time.

"My lady," a serene voice interrupted her. "Are you sure you wish to defy nature again? Reversing the lives of all living beings has pushed your life core to its limit. If you're caught in turbulence, you won't reincarnate. The world will fall to demons, and the balance of the god realm will shatter."

The woman bit her lower lip, tears spilling over. "I don't care about the three realms, and I don't care about my life. I just want to save him."

"My lady, he was born to be your sacrifice. That is his fate, and you cannot change it."

Her reddened eyes brimmed with pain, knowing she could never alter the cruel fate of the man most precious to her. In her life, she had only ever loved once. By some cruel chance, she fell for a man who never loved her. And as if that weren't enough, that same man was destined to die so she could pass through heavenly thunder and ascend as Space Master.

Though he rejected her love and married another, he never forgot his duty. He willingly offered his life and soul to help her survive the deadly trial.

Yes, the man's life and soul were hers—but his heart was not, and never would be.

"Born to die for someone you didn't even know... No wonder you never loved me. You must hate me," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Even so, I couldn't stop myself from falling for you—deeply, helplessly."

"My lady!" a voice cried out in despair as the Space Master began chanting. Above, a black vortex appeared, swallowing the sunlight.

"I know this is my last chance," she said softly. "And I know the outcome will never change, no matter the family I'm born into. If this is the last one, let me live as a normal girl for once. I hope I won't fall in love with him—or anyone. I hope my power as Space Master will never awaken."

Her gaze softened as she looked at the man. "I hope I die as an ordinary girl and never meet you. Only then will you be free of this fate."

The black vortex expanded, engulfing the three realms and four worlds. Time rewound once again, unnoticed by anyone.