"D… Am I really Jihoon Kang from that novel, SSS Rank Conductor?"
Jihoon Kang, at only two months old, stared out the window with wide eyes. His tiny body, wrapped in a soft blue blanket, trembled slightly as the bright morning sun peeked through the curtains. A tall building stood outside—a modern skyscraper that seemed impossibly high.
His breath hitched.
This was wrong. Completely wrong.
Just yesterday—no, in his last memory—he was Eliezer Fravie Revuskee, a prince struggling for survival, clawing his way through blood and war, desperately trying to escape the chains of fate. He remembered the poison, the war, the pain of betrayal, and finally, his untimely death.
And now, he was here.
In the body of an infant.
Panic surged through him, but he had no way to express it. His tiny hands clenched into fists, but they were weak, powerless.
Did I transmigrate?
He thought about SSS Rank Conductor, the book he had read in his past life. It was an epic filled with challenges, quests, and power struggles—one that bore a terrifying resemblance to his own experiences. But that was just a novel, wasn't it?
So why did he wake up in this world?
Was this transmigration? Or… was something else at play?
Days passed, and Jihoon slowly adjusted to his infant body. His parents, whom he could now recognize, were an elite couple in South Korea's entertainment industry.
His mother, Seo Suha, was a highly respected company manager, known for her intelligence and strict work ethic. His father, Kang Jun-hoo, was a top actor, beloved by the nation.
At first, Jihoon couldn't understand the language they spoke. The words felt foreign, incomprehensible. But gradually, something inside him clicked.
As if a hidden skill was unlocking, he began to understand bits and pieces of their conversations.
At K-Star Entertainment, one of the leading entertainment companies in South Korea, a staff meeting was in session.
Suha, Jihoon's mother, stood at the head of the conference table, her sharp gaze scanning the room.
"We need fresh talent," she stated firmly. "Actors with a strong presence, someone who can hold the screen like Kang Jun-hoo."
At the mention of her husband, the room buzzed with quiet admiration. Kang Jun-hoo wasn't just a talented actor—he was a legend in the industry.
Just then, the door opened, and the man himself walked in, exuding an effortless charisma that silenced the room.
"Sorry for interrupting," Jun-hoo said with a playful smile. "I just came to see my wife at work."
Suha rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile on her lips. "And our son?"
"He's growing fast. His eyes look just like yours."
The conversation shifted, but for Jun-hoo, nothing was more important than his small family waiting at home.
The First Word: "Mwaney"
At six months old, Jihoon sat on the floor of his nursery, surrounded by plush toys. His parents were watching him, their gazes filled with love and curiosity.
Suha leaned down and gently poked his cheek. "Jihoon-ah, can you say 'Mommy'?"
Jun-hoo chuckled. "Or maybe 'Daddy'?"
Jihoon, who had been observing them carefully, opened his mouth. His voice, though soft and childlike, carried a clear pronunciation.
"Mwaney."
Silence.
His parents blinked.
"…What?" Suha whispered, unsure if she heard correctly.
Jihoon stared at them with his big, innocent eyes. "Mwaney."-money
Jun-hoo burst into laughter. "Hahaha! That's my son!" He clapped his hands, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Suha, I think we have a businessman in the making!"
Suha, on the other hand, sighed, rubbing her temple. "And here I was hoping for 'Mommy' first…"
Inside, Jihoon smirked. If he was going to survive in this world, he needed to understand the power structures—and in modern society, money ruled all.
First Step
By the time Jihoon was eleven months old, he had grown stronger. His body, though still small, no longer felt as fragile as it once did.
One evening, while his parents were in the living room, he decided it was time.
He gripped the edge of the couch, pulling himself up. His legs trembled, unused to supporting his weight, but he refused to fall.
Step.
Another step.
Then—
"Suha!" Jun-hoo's voice rang out, filled with excitement.
Suha turned just in time to see Jihoon wobble towards them, his tiny feet making slow but determined steps.
"Jihoon-ah!" She rushed forward, catching him before he could topple over.
Jun-hoo laughed, lifting him high into the air. "Our son is walking already! At this rate, he'll be running before he turns one!"
Jihoon, caught up in the warmth of their excitement, allowed himself a small smile.
It was strange…
He had spent lifetimes suffering, abandoned in a cold palace, betrayed by those he trusted. But here, in this new world, he was loved.
Could he allow himself to believe in this happiness?
Or was this just another illusion, another carefully crafted story meant to lead him into an endless cycle?
Before His First Birthday
As the days passed, a nagging thought remained at the back of Jihoon's mind.
If this was really SSS Rank Conductor, then he was in the prologue—the time before the first main quest began.
But then why did things feel… off?
And then there was that dream.
A dream of an abandoned palace, of a cursed child, of a prince's death.
Each time he closed his eyes, he was there again—back in his past life. He heard the whispers of the robed man, the turning pages of the mysterious book, and the laughter of the Eminences watching from beyond.
A question lingered in his mind.
Was he truly reborn… or was he simply playing into their hands?
And just before his first birthday, a chilling system message flashed before his eyes.
[System Awakening: The Harbinger Protocol Activated.]
[Warning: Entity has exceeded the 99,999 regression limit. Forced deviation initiated.]
[Designation Assigned: The Fractured One.]
Jihoon's breath caught.
The system was awakening.
But this… this wasn't part of the novel. Jihoon supposed to awakening when his 16.
To Be Continued...