Chapter 2

00002 Zero Code, Reversing 10 Years of Time.

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The light that had been relentlessly pounding my eyelids gradually weakened. When I felt it was weak enough, I slowly opened my tightly shut eyes. The light that had filled the entire room was now fading, leaving only a faint glow. After blinking a few times, my blurry vision gradually came into focus. Once I could clearly see my surroundings, I began to calmly observe my environment.

‘It’s different.’

Even though I had only closed my eyes for a moment, many things had changed. The knife in my right hand and the equipment I was wearing had all vanished without a trace. Lowering my gaze from my empty hand, I saw a camouflage uniform. The moment I noticed the badge attached to my left chest, I momentarily held my breath. That was when it happened.

“Code Name Zero. Complete. I confirm the activation of Zero Code. I confirm the normal activation. Congratulations, user Suhyun Kim.”

At the familiar voice, I raised my head to see Seraph still sitting on the altar, looking at me. At that moment, I furrowed my brow slightly. Her condition was visibly serious, to the point where it was clear she was far from normal.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Her beautiful white wings had faded to the point of being almost invisible, and her entire body had become translucent, revealing what was behind her. Only her expressionless face remained unchanged.

As I silently maintained my silence, Seraph tilted her head and said, “It seems like it’s been a while since I’ve received such a worried look from you. But don’t worry. It’s currently December 27, 2011, Thursday, in Earth time. You have returned to the point when Earth’s Suhyun Kim first entered the summoning room, as per your request. I repeat, your request has been successfully processed and completed.”

“Yeah… I see. So, Seraph, did you come back with me?”

Speaking softly, Seraph slowly shook her head from side to side.

“I can’t say for sure, but for now, the answer is No. I requested a very brief extension of force from Zero Code to explain some things to you, and fortunately, Zero Code agreed with my reasoning and accepted my request.”

“You have something to explain?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Even as I frowned, Seraph responded with a gentle smile. It was the first time I had seen such an angelic smile in the 10 years I had been active in the Hall Plane. The sudden and refreshing feeling made me unconsciously relax my furrowed brows.

For a moment, an awkward silence settled over us. But it was Seraph who broke the silence first. She swept her silver hair behind her ear, half-closed her eyes, and spoke quietly.

“I remember the day you were first summoned to the Hall Plane. Do you remember the first words you said to me?”

“No idea.”

There was no way I could remember something like that. I didn’t know what kind of nonsense she was trying to bring up, but I decided to listen silently. After all, Seraph had always been the one to give appropriate advice from the perspective of a ‘helper.’

“You said, ‘Where am I? Uh, who are you?’”

“Really? Even the stuttering? You remember everything.”

“Haha. Not just that. There’s more….”

Crack!

At that moment, a tearing sound echoed through the space, and Seraph’s entire body twisted violently. It looked like the static interference on a poorly connected TV.

“Ah!”

After twisting, she returned to her original state, letting out a pained groan. The more this phenomenon repeated, the more translucent she became. Her appearance was so unfamiliar that it was hard to believe she would return to her usual calm demeanor just by closing her eyes for a moment. The Seraph in front of me now looked as fragile as a candle in the wind.

When the noise finally subsided, Seraph, who had barely regained her composure, showed a bitter expression.

“It seems unlikely that Zero Code will approve. But after 10 years together… we don’t even have time to say goodbye.”

‘I really can’t get used to this.’

In the past, she would have never said such things and would have immediately gotten to the point. Angels, as Seraph had said, always acted rationally. After seeing her consistent attitude for 10 years, her sudden change was impossible to adapt to.

“Alright… then hurry up and explain.”

In the end, I snapped at her. Seraph looked at me with sad eyes, then sighed and continued.

“User Suhyun Kim, you hardly used any GP from the middle of your journey. I plan to grant you a few special privileges using the points you earned during that time.”

“Huh? Special privileges?”

“Of course, I will also leave the remaining GP as it is.”

“Special privileges… I don’t know what they are, but it’s nice to be treated well after all this. I’m so grateful, I could cry.”

My tone was filled with sarcasm, but Seraph slightly shook her head, as if to say it wasn’t that.

“Please consider it a gesture of goodwill. All the angels, including myself, understand, empathize, and sympathize with your feelings.”

“Sympathy? Hahaha….”

“If the word ‘sympathy’ offends you, I apologize. I didn’t mean to belittle you. However, within the Hall Plane, angels are tasked with helping users. Have I ever given you harmful advice? Think about it. Whether you accept this gesture or not is entirely up to you, user Suhyun Kim.”

Even though she said it was entirely up to me, Seraph was trying to make sure I accepted the ‘special privileges’ without giving me any room to argue. Moreover, I couldn’t think of anything to say to push back, so I reluctantly nodded.

“Excellent choice. I have no doubt that this choice will make achieving your goals much easier.”

As I nodded in agreement, Seraph’s eyes showed a sense of relief, and she smiled faintly. She then flapped her almost invisible wings forcefully. The distance between us quickly closed, and soon I felt a soft touch on my head. Lifting my eyes, I saw Seraph continue in a calm voice.

“Please bear with it for a moment. We don’t have much time left. I will directly input and transmit the content to your mind.”

As soon as she finished speaking, I felt a flashing sensation on the top of my head where her hand was placed. It didn’t hurt; instead, the information Seraph was transmitting was clearly entering my mind. I closed my eyes and calmly absorbed the information she was giving me.

<User Suhyun Kim's Exclusive Privileges (Tanay)>

1. Grant special privileges related to the ability stats you originally possessed. First, you can ‘load’ the user information you achieved in the first cycle. Second, randomly select and enhance four out of the six basic ability stats. The degree of enhancement will also be randomly determined.

2. Grant special privileges related to classes. You can choose your class before entering the initiation ritual. This includes not only regular classes but also Rare and Secret classes, all of which are shrouded in mystery.

3. Grant special privileges related to special abilities and latent abilities. Users typically have one special ability slot and four latent ability slots, but for user Suhyun Kim, I will open an additional latent ability slot. This includes all hidden special and latent abilities, and you can choose what you want.

Alternatively, you can open a ‘Unique Ability’ slot. A Unique Ability is a higher-level ability than a special ability. If you choose to forgo the Unique Ability, you can select one special ability and five latent abilities of your choice. (In this case, the open slots will automatically be included in the latent abilities.)

However, if you choose to have a Unique Ability, you will consume one latent ability slot, and you can choose half of the remaining four slots (two slots) as you wish. (The other two will be randomly determined.)

4. You can receive a single body modification procedure.

5. You can choose one piece of equipment of your choice, with no restrictions on type. However, EX-grade equipment is not selectable.

The information about the special privileges filled my mind without a break. Opening my eyes with a complex feeling, I saw a faint afterimage of Seraph. She still had her hand on my head, but the sensation was gone.

After barely organizing the inputted information, I quietly exhaled.

“This is….”

Honestly, I never imagined I would be granted such privileges, so I was a bit taken aback. If I could start with these privileges, it would be no different from using character editing before starting the game.

Reading my reaction, Seraph smiled faintly and said,

“These privileges are created from the points you earned. Of course, my goodwill is also a part of it, but since all the angels agreed, there’s no problem.”

“I appreciate it, but you’re about to disappear. Won’t you be stopped for balance issues?”

“No, that’s not the case. And I sensed a bit of arrogance in your tone just now. I’ve told you numerous times over the past 10 years: never let your guard down in any situation.”

“I’ll be careful. But about the balance… think about it. What would a new user think if they started with these privileges?”

“That part can be handled by Tanay, so there’s no need to worry. And about the balance… while I did consider it….”

Seraph paused, then started to read my expression. She then continued hesitantly,

“Considering the potential you originally possessed, this could actually be seen as balancing.”

Seraph’s words were full of meaning, but I understood them immediately. After all, ‘potential’ is the key to determining ‘user information.’

I can understand Seraph’s intention, but why does a bitter taste linger in my mouth?

No matter what anyone says, I am the only user who has reached the pinnacle of the Hall Plane. I don’t deny that I achieved this through many miracles and coincidences. However, as the old saying goes, it’s not the strong who survive, but the survivors who become strong.

If we’re talking about general strength, I can confidently say I am strong. I know I can’t claim to be the best or the strongest, but even so…

“…Sigh.”

“Arrogance is dangerous. Don’t let your guard down.”

It seems that what Seraph really wanted to say was this. I felt a bit embarrassed, as if she was right. I sighed and nodded. After all, she wasn’t wrong. My pride was slightly hurt, but seeing Seraph, who was almost completely faded, made it fade away.

“Now… it’s really time to… part….”

It seems the end has truly come, as Seraph said. She was now flickering like a TV screen about to break down, and she wasn’t recovering. I could only watch helplessly.

“Farewell… there’s something… I really… wanted to… say….”

Her voice was becoming harder to hear, and her presence was gradually fading. Still, she was desperately trying to tell me something.

“Th… really….”

“Seraph, I’m sorry for being like this until the end, but I can’t hear you well.”

She seemed to hear me, and sadness filled her face. But there was nothing I could do in this situation. This was something I had wished for and brought upon myself. But she didn’t give up.

“P… le….”

Bang!

The noise intensified, and suddenly a bright light flashed. Brilliant rays of light appeared around Seraph and quickly disappeared. It seemed the end was truly approaching. She bit her lip and then, with a determined look in her eyes, slowly parted her lips.

“Please… be happy….”

Sigh…

With those words, Seraph disappeared. The noise stopped, but her final words, spoken with all her strength, were clearly heard in my ears. She seemed to smile broadly at me in the last moment, but I was too focused on her words to notice.

For a moment, I stood there, staring at the spot where Seraph had been.

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

1. Deleted the content about reminiscing about Yoo-hyun Kim.

2. Deleted the content about the Hall Plane and Suhyun Kim.

3. Corrected typos and refined the context.