A sharp ringing filled my ears. My vision blurred as I gasped, feeling my body jerk like I had just fallen from a great height. My heart pounded against my ribs, my breath shallow.
*What the hell just happened?*
I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision. The ceiling above me wasn't the charred remains of my burning house. It was familiar—too familiar. A dull white with tiny cracks near the corner. The same ceiling I had stared at for years.
I turned my head. The walls, the old wooden desk piled with books, the worn-out gaming chair—I knew this place.
My room.
I bolted upright, my hands flying to my face. No burns. No scars. My skin was smooth, untouched. My fingers trembled as I reached for my phone on the bedside table.
February 14th.
The same date.
My heart stopped.
*No way…*
I scrambled out of bed, my feet hitting the floor with a thud. My legs felt weak, but I forced myself up and ran out of my room.
I nearly tripped as I rushed down the hallway. My breathing was erratic, my chest tight with an unbearable mix of fear and hope.
I skidded to a stop in front of the living room.
And there they were.
My mother stood in the kitchen, humming as she prepared breakfast. My father sat at the table, reading the newspaper, occasionally taking sips from his coffee.
They were alive.
A choked sob escaped my lips. My knees buckled, and I dropped to the floor.
Both of them turned at the sound.
"Juhyun?" My mother's voice was full of concern as she quickly walked over. "What's wrong?"
I couldn't speak. My throat was tight, and my vision blurred with tears.
She knelt in front of me, cupping my face. "Are you sick? Did you have a nightmare?"
I shook my head violently. I didn't care if this was a dream or some cruel trick—I just needed to feel them, to know they were real.
I threw my arms around her, holding on as tightly as I could.
She stiffened in surprise. "Juhyun…?"
I buried my face in her shoulder, my body trembling. "Mom…" My voice cracked. "I missed you."
She let out a soft laugh, confused but gentle. "Silly boy, I've been here all along."
I squeezed my eyes shut, taking in her warmth, her scent—everything I had lost before.
A hand rested on my shoulder. My father. "Juhyun, what's going on?" His tone was firm but laced with concern.
I pulled away slightly, turning to look at him. His face was exactly as I remembered—calm, strong, the lines of worry on his forehead from years of hard work.
I reached out, gripping his hand.
He was warm. Alive.
I let out a shaky breath, wiping my tears. "Nothing… I just…" I forced a laugh, though my voice still wavered. "I guess I had a really bad dream."
My mother gave me a searching look before sighing. "You scared me, Juhyun." She reached out, smoothing my hair like she used to when I was little. "You're acting strange today."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled. "I just… really love you guys."
My father scoffed, but his lips twitched in amusement. "Are you trying to ask for money?"
I laughed for real this time, shaking my head. "No, Dad."
"Good." He sipped his coffee. "Because the answer would be no."
I smiled, my heart still aching, but now for a different reason.
This wasn't just a second chance.
This was a miracle.
And I wasn't going to waste it.
The reflection staring back at me wasn't the one I had last seen. It wasn't the face of a dead man. It was me—seventeen-year-old Kang Juhyun.
I stumbled backward, my breath catching in my throat.
The old man wasn't lying. I really had come back.
*Today… Today is the day Yoon Jihee betrays me.*
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
But this time, I knew what was coming.
This time, I wouldn't be the fool.
++++++++++++++++++++
I walked to school with a strange sense of detachment. Everything looked the same—the streets, the trees lining the sidewalk, the students rushing ahead, laughing and chatting as if nothing had changed.
To them, nothing had.
But to me? This was a battlefield.
I clenched my fists. My body felt weaker than I remembered. I was no longer the skilled player from *Battlefront Online*. I wasn't the hardened version of myself who had died in a fire.
I was just Kang Juhyun, the loser who had walked into Jihee's trap.
But not this time.
I entered the school gates, my eyes scanning the crowd. There she was—Yoon Jihee, standing with her usual group. She looked so innocent, smiling and laughing like she wasn't planning to rip my heart out for fun.
Hatred simmered in my chest.
*Not this time, Jihee.*
I took a deep breath, walking past them like I didn't know anything. I could feel her eyes on me, her practiced, sweet voice calling out, "Juhyun!"
I turned, forcing a hesitant smile. "Oh… Jihee."
Her smile widened. "Are you free later? I wanted to talk to you about something."
*Right. The setup.*
I played along. "Yeah, sure. After school?"
She nodded. "Great! I'll be waiting at the back of the school. Don't be late, okay?"
I forced a chuckle. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but I saw it now—the cruel edge hidden beneath.
I had been blind before, but now? Now I saw everything.
++++++++++++++++++++
The day dragged on, but I wasn't focused on the lessons. I was preparing.
By the time the final bell rang, my mind was razor-sharp. I slipped out of the classroom, making my way toward the back of the school—but this time, I wasn't alone.
I had already spread the word, dropping hints here and there that something *big* was about to happen. I knew how this school worked—people loved drama. And if there was one thing that drew a crowd, it was a public humiliation.
Too bad for Jihee, she wouldn't be the one enjoying the show this time.
When I arrived, she was already there, pretending to look nervous, clutching her bag as if she were some innocent girl waiting for a confession.
I almost laughed.
"Juhyun," she greeted, her voice laced with fake sweetness. "I…" She bit her lip as if she was shy. "I heard… that you like me."
Right on cue.
I tilted my head, pretending to be confused. "Really? Who told you that?"
Jihee blinked. She clearly hadn't expected that response. "I—I mean, I just… noticed. The way you look at me, the way you always help me with my homework…"
I let out a small chuckle. "Oh. That's interesting."
Jihee shifted uncomfortably. She was supposed to be in control, but my reaction was throwing her off.
I sighed dramatically. "You know, Jihee… I actually overheard something really *interesting* today."
Her smile faltered. "O-oh? What was it?"
I took a step closer. "Something about a bet? About how you were going to humiliate some loser today?"
Jihee's face paled. "W-what are you talking about?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I turned to the side—where I knew a group of students had gathered, whispering among themselves. Jihee followed my gaze, and that's when she realized.
People were watching.
She panicked. "Juhyun, I—I don't know what you heard, but—"
"Let me help you out." I pulled my phone from my pocket, playing the voice recording I had taken earlier.
*"It'll be so funny when he hands me that stupid love letter and chocolates. He really thinks I like him."*
Jihee's face drained of all color. The whispers grew louder.
I smiled. "Ring any bells?"
She lunged for my phone, but I stepped back, holding it up. "Relax. I already sent it to a few people. Just in case you try to claim this is fake."
Jihoon and his gang arrived just in time to hear that. His expression twisted in rage. "You bastard!"
He swung his fist at me.
And that's when it happened.
My body moved—no, *reacted*—before I even thought about it. I dodged.
Not in a clumsy, desperate way like before. My body flowed naturally, like it *knew* what to do.
Jihoon's fist cut through the air where my face had been a second ago. He stumbled forward, caught off guard.
I didn't let him recover. I moved, instinct kicking in. My knee shot up, slamming into his stomach.
He let out a strangled gasp, doubling over.
The crowd erupted.
"What the hell?!" Jihoon coughed, glaring at me with disbelief.
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly. My body felt… lighter. Stronger. Like something inside me had awakened.
Then, a glowing screen appeared in front of me.
[Quest Complete.]
[+1 Strength]
[+1 Agility]
[New Skill Unlocked: Combat Instinct]
I stared at the screen, my heart pounding.
Jihee took a step back, horror written all over her face.
I smirked.
"Game on."