Chapter 1

00001 Zero Code, Reversing 10 Years of Time.

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< Player Status >

1. Name: Kim Suhyun (10-year veteran)

2. Class: Normal, Sword User, Master

3. Nation: Terra

4. Clan: -

5. True Name · Nationality: A hermit who observes the world and desires seclusion, Jeongjang (頂上) · Republic of Korea

6. Sex: Male (33)

7. Height · Weight: 181.5cm · 75.5kg

8. Alignment: Lawful · Chaos

[Strength 86] [Endurance 92] [Agility 96] [Health 78] [Magic 48] [Luck 36]

(You have 0 remaining ability points.)

< Achievements (21) >

< Special Abilities (1/1) >

< Potential Abilities (4/4) >

No thoughts come to mind. I absentmindedly roll the small bead in my left hand.

"User Kim Suhyun."

Ten years. During that long period, I achieved what I had so desperately yearned for and dreamed of. But even so, it doesn't disappear. The overwhelming sense of loss and the piercing pain in my heart still torment me.

"User Kim Suhyun, may I ask you again?"

A soft but beautiful voice rings in my ear. Drawn by the sound, I slowly lift my head. As I raise it, the gray brick floor comes into view. Eventually, when I take in the space of about thirty square meters, my gaze stops.

The 'Summoning Room,' where everything begins and ends. On the rectangular altar in the center of the room, a pair of wings emitting a faint white light are shimmering. I feel a sense of emptiness as I fix my gaze on the 'angel' sitting on the altar.

"Let me reconfirm User Kim Suhyun's request. Do you truly wish to reverse the time in the Hall Plane?"

"Yes."

I slowly nod, staring at the angel before me. Her appearance, which could be called the pinnacle of beauty, her flawless, smooth skin, and her daring attire that occasionally reveals a glimpse of her skin—all of it is focused solely on me.

But no desire stirs within me. The angel's beautiful form and affectionate gaze cannot shake my dead heart. I lost all my emotions after 'that day.'

"I cannot comprehend it. All the angels, including myself, cannot understand you."

"No, you're wrong. I don't want your understanding. Seraph."

The voice I hear is so cold. Seraph's voice, which is usually calm, is now trembling slightly. I have never seen Seraph shaken before today. Does that mean my words are that shocking?

After a moment of hesitation, Seraph quickly regains her expressionless demeanor. She begins to calmly reason with me in her usual soft voice.

"User Kim Suhyun, you are the first user to achieve all the missions in the Hall Plane and reach the summit."

"But—"

"That's not a 'but.' You obtained the Zero Code, which you so desired. You have the 'qualification.' Within the limits of that 'qualification,' you can achieve anything you want."

"Seraph. The conversation is over."

"Return to Earth? Fine. You can return to Earth while maintaining your current abilities. Stay in the Hall Plane? That's fine too. With the Zero Code, you can become a king ruling all continents, or even more than that."

It seems she won't stop, so I sigh and place my right hand on my waist. The hilt of the sword in my grip feels familiar.

"Phew, I've had enough of such sweet talk for 10 years. I'm tired now. Seraph? I won't say anything more. No matter what you say to persuade me, I won't reconsider using the Zero Code."

I grip the hilt so tightly it creaks and channel my magic power along the circuit. Sensing the energy rising from my body, Seraph falls silent for a moment. But it's only a moment. Soon, a look of pity appears on her face as she looks at me. She doesn't seem to have given up on persuading me.

"The ownership of the Zero Code belongs solely to User Kim Suhyun. We have no right to interfere with it. That's why it's even more regrettable. Using such a powerful item just to reverse time is absurd."

"..."

"Let me confirm one last time. Does User Kim Suhyun really want to repeat those 10 painful years?"

Seraph's tone is almost pleading now. Suddenly, a laugh bubbles up from within me. It's a laugh with no reason.

I laugh silently for a while.

*

This is not Earth. It's the 'Hall Plane,' a world where a completely different, extraordinary life is lived, unlike the daily lives of modern people.

I close my eyes tightly. I start to trace back the events I've experienced so far.

When I first entered the Hall Plane, I was 23 years old, with a bright future ahead of me. My last memory on Earth is of returning home happily after completing two years of military service.

I fell asleep on the train on my way home after reporting my discharge, and when I came to, I was summoned to this 'Summoning Room.' In front of me was an angel with shimmering white wings, something I had only imagined.

In a situation where I knew nothing and could understand nothing, it was like a bolt from the blue to me, who was filled with the dream of finally returning home.

It wasn't a dream or an illusion. I barely accepted it as reality and pleaded with the angel to send me back. But the next place I was moved to was the 'Rite of Passage,' a place to prove the user's qualifications. I had to take a forced test, being chased by monsters I had never seen before.

The test period was 7 days. It was a battlefield where survival was the only goal. Amid countless threats to life, I barely survived a week and finally obtained the 'User' qualification to enter the 'Hall Plane.'

But the Rite of Passage was not the end. The Hall Plane was the true beginning. If the Rite of Passage was a 7-day survival war, the Hall Plane was an endless hell where death could come at any time.

And so began my life in the Hall Plane.

I just wanted to live. I desperately adapted to the nonsensical world of the Hall Plane because I wanted to live. I pinned all my hopes on the angel's words that I could return when I reached the end, and I spent 10 years. Yes, I just wanted to live and return, along with the unbreakable ties I had.

"User Kim Suhyun. What are you thinking so deeply about? Are you...?"

The moment I think of the word 'ties,' a surge of emotion rises. I shake my head vigorously. It's not important to be lost in memories right now.

"Ah, just thinking about the past. Anyway, about repeating those 10 painful years... Seeing you say that, I guess you have at least some conscience, right?"

"..."

"Right. Thanks to you, I experienced unnecessary pain for 10 years."

"User Kim Suhyun."

Seraph's gaze seems to be trying to read my mind, observing me closely. Just as I'm about to tell her to stop, her beautiful lips part, and a calm voice flows out.

"If you're thinking about User Kim Yuhyun and User Han Soyoung... I think I understand what you want. User Kim Suhyun, I have a very reasonable idea. The GP you currently have is enough to activate wishes multiple times. You don't need to use the Zero Code to go back in time..."

'Reluctantly, that guy was right.'

I knew she would say that. Before Seraph could finish, I draw my sword from its sheath and swing it with all my might.

Ping!

A sharp sound tears through the air. The wave I sent shakes the altar where Seraph is sitting. But that's all. The wave disappears without a trace against the white barrier she raises.

"User Kim Suhyun... I understand your feelings, but it's a meaningless action. I believe you know that yourself."

Of course, I know. Users cannot harm angels. Still, I swung my sword to show my firm resolve not to change my mind.

"Astaroth said before he died that you're all the same."

"Are you going to believe the words of a demon now? Of all people, you?"

"That's the truth. This can't be done, that can't be done. In the end, the conclusion is the same."

"Just a moment, a moment. I think I've already explained your request sufficiently."

"You said I don't have the qualification. I don't have the qualification, so I'll go back in time and get it again. What's so unsatisfactory about that?"

"Suhyun!"

Ping! Ping!

"Stop shouting, I'm not deaf. And call me with my surname, like you always do."

Another wave flies and fades. Seraph looks at me with a sad gaze, unable to believe this sudden outburst. Regardless, I grip the sword, which is emitting a cold, fierce light, more firmly. I pour my magic power into it, and a blue flame begins to rise from the blade. Seraph bites her lip as she looks at the tip of the sword.

"Let me give you one last warning. Put your sword away immediately. Even if you can use the setting, your origin is human. If you think you can kill a being of a vastly higher dimension, you are mistaken."

"Is that so? Then let's test it. If I destroy everything and ask the Zero Code for the authority to kill you, it will work, right?"

"Indeed, the usage rights belong to you. However, the activation of the Zero Code must go through us. I hope you will abandon this futile dream."

"You're so confident. Is there really no way?"

"Su... User Kim Suhyun. It... It's a meaningless argument. Still..."

Seraph's lips move as if she wants to say something more. But feeling the cold anger and genuine emotion emanating from the sword, she quickly closes her mouth.

"..."

"..."

For a moment, a heavy silence hangs between Seraph and me. I calm my rising excitement and slowly lower my sword. I look at the Zero Code in my left hand with a melancholic feeling. A small, beautiful bead emitting a deep blue light. What is this thing...

"Seraph. I don't want to fight anymore, and I don't want to talk anymore. If you understand my feelings and really care about me, please, I'm begging you."

The moment I say 'begging,' Seraph's sad eyes widen. I extend the hand holding the Zero Code toward her. I have made my decision.

"I'm asking you one more time. I want to go back 10 years. To the time when I first entered this place."

Perhaps she reads my earnest will. At that moment, the Zero Code, which had been emitting a faint light, begins to radiate a bright light. I calmly open my tightly clenched hand. The glowing sphere rises and flies to the altar where Seraph is sitting, drawing a thin parabola. She catches it with a dazed look.

Seraph's empty gaze meets mine and intertwines in the air.

How long did we just look at each other? Soon, her lips slowly, very slowly, part.

"If you truly want it."

"..."

"I will respect your decision."

"Seraph."

Seraph gazes at me blankly and continues with a listless face.

"Don't misunderstand. As I said before, User Kim Suhyun currently has a considerable amount of GP. It's not a rational action to just destroy it."

I shake my head. Since I'm going back anyway, what use is Gold Point (GP) now? But Seraph seems to think differently. She moves her hands at a speed I can't see, as if manipulating something.

"Although it's unbelievable, your will has triggered the Zero Code's response. Fine. Using my assistant's authority, I will adjust the details. Of course, nothing will harm User Kim Suhyun. I will see you soon after the process is complete."

What process? What does she mean by 'see you soon'? Just as I'm about to ask what she's up to, a majestic voice fills the Summoning Room, one I've never heard before.

"User Kim Suhyun's request has been received. 27%, 58%, 77%, 100%. Loading... Approval complete. Approved. Now announcing the execution of Code Name, Zero. Please prepare."

Creak, creak.

At that moment, a sound like a rusty machine moving is heard. Simultaneously, the Zero Code, which had entered Seraph's arms, scatters into the air, emitting a clear light.

Boom!

A bright light fills the room, blinding my vision. The sound of the rusty machine continues, and strange sensations I can't describe quickly sweep through my body. It's not unfamiliar. The sensation of space warping and the feeling of passing through something quickly. It's similar to the sensation of the world warping when the Archduke of Hell appeared during the Atlanta liberation battle.

As the light grows stronger, Seraph's figure is no longer visible. Eventually, I close my eyes tightly, resigning myself to whatever happens.

============================ Author's Note ============================

1. Modified the Player Status window.

2. Added conditions and content for activating the Zero Code.

3. Corrected typos and context.