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It has been four long years since the day when the second unranked monster appeared and caused widespread devastation and numerous casualties, including members of Team 1 and their leader Lee Soo Hyuk, a legendary figure in the Korean apocalypse. Any ability user in Korea must have known or heard about him.
Ever since then, the only survivor in Team 1, the new team leader Kim Rok Soo, has taken over as the leader. However, he was put in an unenviable position when he was kidnapped.
As he slowly opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar place, and a sense of uneasiness started to creep up on him. He tried moving his arms, and to his surprise, there were no restraints. He couldn't help but wonder why his captor hadn't restrained him. After he checked his body to make sure nothing was wrong with him, he started analyzing the place he was in. As he looked around, he saw that he was in a room painted entirely in plain white, with no windows, doors, or any other means of escape.
Kim Rok Soo immediately started thinking of a way to escape from the room. He knew that his abductor wouldn't make it easy for him. Suddenly, he saw a person enter the room - a tall, muscular man with tanned skin and white hair. Kim Rok Soo's heart began to race, and he couldn't help but wonder what kind of trouble he had gotten himself into. If his former leader, Lee Soo Hyuk, were still alive, he would undoubtedly be nagging him right now.
The man snapped his fingers, and they were teleported to another room. Rok Soo found himself sitting on a white sofa while the man sat on his chair. The sudden teleportation startled him, but he didn't show any fear or weakness. As a team leader, he knew he had to be strong and show no weakness because his team members' lives depended on him.
The man was about to speak, but Rok Soo interrupted him. "Why did you kidnap me? Is it because you want me to work with your company, or do you want me to reveal the weaknesses of our company? Don't waste my time and let me go back. I won't say anything, anyway."
The man sighed. "You didn't let me talk, and you said that I kidnapped you. You hurt me, child."
"Are you crazy? You brought me here against my will, to a place I don't know. Of course, this is kidnapping." Kim Rok Soo looked at the man with a firm expression.
"No, of course not. Let me introduce myself." The man coughed once. "I am the GoD, and I brought you here to make a deal with you."
"I refuse to accept your deal. I don't believe in gods anyway. Bring me back; I have important work to do. And what kind of nonsense is this? Who are you to make such an offer? Even if you were a god, I wouldn't be interested."
The GoD let out a sigh and muttered to himself, "My child is the same in every universe."
Turning to face Rok Soo, the GoD said with confidence, "Listen, I am a god, and I want to strike a deal with you."
"Why should I believe you?" Rok Soo asked sceptically.
"I'll prove it to you," the GoD replied.
With a snap of his fingers, they were transported to a room where a young girl dressed in priestess clothes stood before them. "Meet my priestess - she is like a daughter to me," the GoD said with a smile before turning to speak to the young girl. "Cage, my child, how are you doing? Did you miss me?"
"Leave me alone! You fucking annoying god!" the young girl shouted back.
"See, do you believe me now?" the GoD asked Rok Soo, grinning.
Rok Soo was taken aback by the young girl's language, but he pushed the thought aside, "Okay, you are a god, but that doesn't change the fact that you brought me here without my consent."
"Alright, I brought you here to make a deal with you," the GoD admitted, "And I believe it's in your best interest to listen to me."
"I don't want to make any deals with you," Rok Soo replied firmly.
"But what if I told you that you could see your loved ones again?" the GoD said, knowing it would catch Rok Soo's attention.
The mere idea of reuniting with his loved ones made Rok Soo tremble with anticipation. His mind was fixated on two individuals in particular: his team leader, Lee Soo Hyuk and a punk named Choi Jung Soo.
"What do you want from me in return?" Rok Soo asked, suspicious.
"I want you to be my saint," the GoD said, getting straight to the point.
"And what do I get from being your saint?" Rok Soo asked, not willing to agree to anything without knowing what was in it for him.
"You get to talk to me whenever you want, and you can use my powers to heal people, kill monsters, and more. I am a very strong god," the GoD explained.
Rok Soo contemplated the offer, realizing that the healing power and the power to kill monsters would be useful. "Alright, I'll accept your offer," Rok Soo said assertively.
"Very well, I shall be your saint. However, I must know, how can I meet the team leader and Choi Jung Soo?" Rok Soo's heart raced as he spoke. He had waited for four long years, filled with longing and loneliness, to see them again.
"I will assist you in regressing to the day when the unranked monster appeared. You will awaken at midnight on that day, and you will have ample time to devise a strategy to defeat the monster. You possess the knowledge of the monster's weaknesses and its record. You can do this. You are no longer the 25-year-old team member Kim Rok Soo; you are now the 29-year-old team leader, Kim Rok. You have acquired experience and knowledge that will enable you to vanquish the monster." God smiled gently at Kim Rok Soo.
Kim Rok Soo was in awe. The deity was commanding him to rescue them and allowing him to modify his past, a chance to alter his despair. But what if he failed again? What if he couldn't save them once more?
"Do not fret. Even if you fail, I will help you regress each time until you succeed," the deity said as if he had read Kim Rok Soo's thoughts.
"...Very well," Rok Soo replied, staring at the deity with a serious expression. "Then, how can I become your saint?"
"I will bestow my blessings upon you," the deity said. He placed his hand on Kim Rok Soo's head and muttered something incomprehensible. Suddenly, an unfamiliar power surged through his body, a ticklish sensation.
Having finished his blessings, the deity proclaimed, amused, "You are the first Saint in history to receive a direct blessing from God."
Rok Soo, however, inquired, "How can I utilize this power?" He disregarded the part about being the first saint blessed by God, for he was determined to never give up on his slacker life dream, no matter what.
"Just envision how you want the power to function, and it shall be so," the deity replied.
"That is surprisingly simple," Rok Soo said, astonished.
"How can I regress now?" Rok Soo asked.
"You only need to shake my hand, and you shall awaken in your 25-year-old body," the deity extended his hand to Rok Soo.
Rok Soo clasped his hand. Suddenly, he felt his senses slipping away, and he fainted.
Rok Soo woke up with a sharp gasp and looked around the room. He recognized the familiar space of his shared apartment. He felt weak and noticed his old friend, Choi Jung Soo, clinging to him while snoring loudly.
Despite the noise, Rok Soo smiled and tears gathered in his eyes. He had missed his friend and was glad to be reunited after all these years. He knew Jung Soo would tease him about his smile.
Suddenly, the voice of the annoying God interrupted his thoughts. "My child, you should start to put your plan to fight the monster now. You have about 15 hours, 40 minutes, and 55 seconds now. If you need any help, just tell me."
Rok Soo replied with a simple "Okay" before untangling himself from Jung Soo's tight embrace. He went to the kitchen, drank a cup of cold water, and settled into the living room to prepare for the upcoming battle.
Around 3 a.m., Rok Soo was still working on a plan to effectively and quickly kill the monster that was due to appear in a few hours. Lee Soo Hyuk woke up to drink some water and saw Rok Soo working intently. He had been complaining about work all day, yet here he was, working late into the night.
Lee Soo Hyuk wiped the sweat from Rok Soo's face and noticed some bloody spots on his sleeve. It seemed like Rok Soo had been using his ability too much.
"Rok Soo-ya, go to sleep. It's already 3 a.m. Why are you awake at this hour?" Lee Soo Hyuk said softly.
Rok Soo's mind went blank when Lee Soo Hyuk sat beside him and wiped his sweat away. He felt safe and comforted by the older man's gentle presence, the same he regretted not calling him Hyung before his death
As Rok Soo gazed at Lee Soo Hyuk's countenance, he inquired, "Hyung, what brings you here at this hour? The work shift is still a few hours away."
Lee Soo Hyuk beamed with joy and patted Rok Soo's head. "It's like my birthday has arrived early this year, Rok Soo-ya. I am truly ecstatic that you finally addressed me as Hyung."
Rok Soo gazed at Lee Soo Hyuk's elated expression and pondered, 'If I had called him hyung earlier, would he have been this pleased before he passed away?' Unbeknownst to him, his eyes welled up with tears.
Lee Soo Hyuk noticed Rok Soo's tears and his heart immediately sank. The same punk who always appeared to be annoying was now crying, and Lee Soo Hyuk didn't appreciate this expression on his dongsaeng's face. Without hesitation, he pulled Rok Soo into a tight embrace, and while ruffling his hair, he asked, "Hey Rok Soo, what's going on? Why are you crying?" Lee Soo Hyuk was certain that someone like Rok Soo wouldn't cry without a serious reason, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Rok Soo's cries became louder, and he couldn't hold back his feelings anymore. The regret and pain in his heart were overwhelming, and he didn't want to be vulnerable. He had to be strong enough to save them both.
However, he wasn't crying because he was sad. He was crying because he was happy to see them again after a long time. Suddenly, they heard a gasp, and they all turned to see Jung Soo looking at them.
Jung Soo panicked, "A-ah... wait! Why are you crying...?! Oh no...! Gods, what do I do?! Hey! Wait... wait! Don't cry...!"
Jung Soo ran towards Rok Soo and hugged him from the side. Rok Soo felt annoyed by that, so he pushed Jung Soo away. "Go away, you dog," he said.
Jung Soo shook his head hard and screamed, "No!! I won't until I know why you are crying, Rok Soo."
Rok Soo grumbled, "I am not crying. Go away."
The three of them stayed hugging in silence until Rok Soo stopped crying. Lee Soo Hyuk made hot chocolate for them, and he went back to find Jung Soo trying to cheer up Kim Rok Soo, who looked very out of it.
"Rok Soo-ya, Jung soo-ah, drink your hot chocolate," he said while handing them the cups.
"Hyung, we are not children," Rok Soo said with a pout, but he drank it anyway.
Meanwhile, poor Jung Soo was left in shock. "H-hyung, I think I am dreaming. Rok Soo just called you hyung and cried. That didn't happen in my wildest dreams. Hyung, I-" Before he could continue talking, Rok Soo punched his face, and Jung Soo fell off the couch dramatically. "Gasp, hyung, I am not dreaming. Is it the end of the world?"
Soo Hyuk sighed at his two dongsaengs. "We are at the end of the world already, Jung soo-ah."
"Then why is Rok Soo-ya crying?"
"Lee Soo Hyuk called out to Rok Soo in a sweet tone, which Rok Soo found too sickly sweet for his liking. "Rok Soo-ya, won't you tell this hyung why you are crying? Hmm?"
Jung Soo joined in, "Yes, Rok Soo, tell us why you are crying. It's not like you to cry."
Rok Soo was in his world, chatting with the GoD in his head, and wasn't paying attention to them. He asked the GoD, "Hey, GoD, can I tell them about my regression?" while staring at the wall.
"Of course, you can. This might help you change your fate," GoD said in a rare, serious voice.
Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo, who were waiting for his answer, started to worry because Rok Soo was so absent-minded. Lee Soo Hyuk started to poke Rok Soo's cheek to make him focus on him.
Rok Soo got irritated and grabbed Soo Hyuk's finger that was poking his cheek and said, "Hyung, stop it."
Lee Soo Hyuk didn't let Rok Soo's evasive reply slide, "You didn't answer my question, punk."
Interrupting the tense silence, Rok Soo spoke up in a small voice that was barely audible, "There is something I want to tell you..."
Lee Soo Hyuk reassured him in a firm voice, "You can tell us anything. I will believe you, no matter what. That's what a good hyung should do." Ruffling Rok Soo's hair, he waited for him to speak up.
Summoning up his courage, Rok Soo blurted out the shocking revelation, "Hyung, Jung Soo, I... I regressed from 4 years in the future."
Jung Soo's mouth fell open in shock, but Lee Soo Hyuk remained stoic, waiting for Rok Soo to elaborate. It was evident that Rok Soo wasn't lying, and Lee Soo Hyuk knew it.
Rok Soo continued with a heavy heart, "And today, both of you and our teammates will... Will die. Another unranked monster will appear, and we won't be able to kill it. Hyung, you died in my place, taking the monster attack that was meant for me. And Choi Jung Soo fought until he couldn't hold his sword anymore. I was the only survivor from that massacre."
Rok Soo's eyes looked dull, and it was clear that he was reliving the nightmare all over again. But he knew he had to take charge, "Then I have to be the team leader in your place, hyung. I worked my ass off at work until Team 1 became stable again. I continued to work to keep all my team members alive. I don't want to experience something like this again."
Lee Soo Hyuk and Jung Soo were left stunned and speechless, unable to find the words to express their shock. Despite their faith in Rok Soo, the information he had just shared was simply overwhelming.
"How did you manage to regress to the past then, Rok Soo?" Lee Soo Hyuk demanded, wanting to know the details of Rok Soo's journey.
"I was kidnapped by the GoD, who struck a deal with me. I became his saint, and he regressed me to the day when the unranked monster appeared, but don't worry, I took everything I could take from." Rok Soo replied, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance as he thought about that irritating God who had caused him so much trouble.
Lee Soo Hyuk stared at Rok Soo with a mixture of shock and disbelief and asked, "Did you really scam the god?" Rok Soo, with a proud and satisfied expression, replied, "Yes, I did. I now possess the power to heal wounds, bruises, and even lost limbs. I can also use this power to kill monsters." Despite their initial scepticism, both Soo Hyuk and Jung Soo were forced to accept the truth and could only sigh at Rok Soo's self-assurance.
"Good job, Rok Soo." Lee Soo Hyuk said affectionately.
Rok Soo, stop dwelling on it. He may miss his hyung's patting but it's not like he'll admit it anytime soon.
Lee Soo Hyuk's face became serious, "I want to know what happened, but we have an upcoming battle."
Lee Soo Hyuk remained calm and looked at Rok Soo with a serious expression, "I believe you, Rok Soo. We need to take action and prevent this from happening again. What can we do to prevent this from happening?"
Rok Soo handed over the monster's information to the other two men, "Here, take a look. I've compiled every piece of information about that bastard."
They analyzed the information and discussed the possible strategies to kill the monster until the sun rose.
Lee Soo Hyuk smiled at them assertively, "Get ready for work now, we have a long day ahead of us."
As they finished getting dressed, they quickly had a light breakfast and headed to the day started with a bustling office filled with the buzz of people discussing the day's assignments. Kim Rok Soo, Lee Soo Hyuk, and Choi Jung Soo moved with a sense of purpose, their usual camaraderie intensified by the weight of what they knew was coming.
Upon arriving at the headquarters, they were greeted by their fellow team members. Some were joking around, and others were lost in their thoughts, but all were unaware of the looming danger. Lee Soo Hyuk, as usual, commanded attention with his presence. "Alright, Team 1, gather around," he called out, and everyone quickly formed a circle.
Lee Soo Hyuk glanced at Rok Soo, who gave a subtle nod, indicating that he would take the lead in briefing them. The usual banter quieted down as Rok Soo began to speak.
"Today is going to be different," he started, his voice steady but carrying an urgency that wasn't typical of him. "We've received information about a high-level threat. An unranked monster will appear. This isn't just any monster. It's one of the deadliest we've ever faced."
Murmurs spread through the group. The term "unranked" carried a heavy weight, invoking memories of past devastations. The team members looked at each other, and they faced a mix of concern and determination.
Lee Soo Hyuk stepped in to reinforce Rok Soo's words. "We have a plan," he said, his voice strong and reassuring. "Rok Soo has spent the night devising strategies to take this thing down. We need to be ready, and we need to work together flawlessly."
Rok Soo laid out the plan in detail. Each member was assigned specific tasks and positions, ensuring they would be in the best possible formation to combat the monster's known abilities. He didn't sugarcoat the danger but emphasized their collective strength and the importance of precision and teamwork.
As they finalized the plan, the atmosphere shifted. The usual light-heartedness was replaced with a steely resolve. They knew what was at stake, and they trusted their leader's judgement.
The hours passed quickly. They spent the remaining time checking their equipment, rehearsing their roles, and mentally preparing for the battle ahead. Rok Soo found a moment to speak privately with Lee Soo Hyuk and Choi Jung Soo.
"Hyung, Jung Soo," he said, looking each of them in the eye. "I know this is a lot to take in, but I believe in us. We can change the future. We have to."
Lee Soo Hyuk clapped a hand on his shoulder. "We've got your back, Rok Soo. We'll make it through this together."
Jung Soo grinned, though there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "Yeah, let's show that monster what Team 1 is made of."
As the appointed time approached, they moved to the designated site where the monster was expected to appear. The city was eerily quiet, the calm before the storm. They took their positions, every sense on high alert.
And then it began.
The air crackled with energy, and the ground trembled. The monster emerged as a towering, grotesque figure that seemed to defy nature itself. Its roar was deafening, shaking buildings and rattling the team's nerves.
Rok Soo took a deep breath, channelling the power bestowed upon him by the GoD. He felt the unfamiliar yet comforting surge of divine energy coursing through him. He looked at his team, their faces set with determination.
"Now!" he shouted, and they launched into action.
The battle was fierce and chaotic. The monster was relentless, its attacks powerful and unpredictable. But Team 1 moved with precision, each member executing their part of the plan with remarkable coordination. Rok Soo's healing abilities proved crucial, mending wounds and giving his teammates the strength to keep fighting.
Despite their efforts, the monster's strength seemed insurmountable. It absorbed their attacks, retaliating with devastating force. For a moment, doubt crept into Rok Soo's mind. But he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.
As the battle reached its peak, Lee Soo Hyuk took a daring move, drawing the monster's attention and creating an opening. "Rok Soo, now!" he yelled.
Rok Soo seized the opportunity, channelling all his energy into a single, powerful attack. The divine power within him flared, creating a big, long arrow, and with a surge of determination, he struck it at the monster's core.
There was a blinding flash of light, and the monster let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing. The ground shook one last time before everything went still.
Panting and exhausted, the team gathered around Rok Soo. They had done it. The monster was defeated, and they were alive.
Lee Soo Hyuk smiled, his usual calm demeanour tinged with pride. "We did it, Rok Soo. You led us through this."
Jung Soo, though battered and bruised, laughed with relief. "Damn, that was intense. But we showed that thing, didn't we?"
Rok Soo looked at his team, feeling a mixture of relief and disbelief. They had changed the future. They had saved their comrades. For the first time in four years, hope sparked in his heart.
As they stood there, catching their breath and processing their victory, Rok Soo heard the familiar, annoying voice of the GoD in his head.
"Well done, my saint. Well done."
Rok Soo allowed himself a small smile. They had done it. And with his team by his side, he knew they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city as Team 1 made their way back to headquarters. Their bodies were weary from the battle, but their spirits were high. They had faced the unranked monster and emerged victorious with Small, almost non-existent losses to the infrastructure. It was an impossible victory worth celebrating.
Lee Soo Hyuk, ever the leader, clapped his hands together as they reached the entrance. "Alright, team. Tonight, we celebrate! We've earned it."
The members cheered, their fatigue momentarily forgotten. They quickly cleaned up and changed into fresh clothes. The adrenaline from the battle still coursed through their veins, making them feel more alive than they had in years.
Lee Soo Hyuk led the way to a nearby restaurant, one they had often frequented in the past. It was a cosy place with warm lighting and a friendly atmosphere. The owner, Mr. Min greeted them with a wide smile.
"Lee Soo Hyuk! It's been a while. What brings you here tonight?"
Lee Soo Hyuk grinned. "We just saved the city from a monster. Thought we'd celebrate with some of your famous barbecues."
Mr. Min's eyes widened in admiration. "Well, congratulations! Your meal is on the house tonight."
As they settled into their seats, the smell of grilling meat filled the air. Choi Jung Soo immediately started joking around, his usual energetic self back in full force. "Did you see how I dodged that monster's attack? I was like a ninja!"
Rok Soo rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah, and then you tripped over a rock right after. Real ninja-like."
"Hey!!"
The team burst into laughter, the tension from earlier melting away. Plates of food arrived, and they dug in, the combination of delicious food and good company lifting their spirits even higher.
Rok Soo found himself seated between Lee Soo Hyuk and Jung Soo. He glanced around the table, taking in the sight of his teammates laughing and chatting. It felt surreal to be here, celebrating with them after everything that had happened. For a moment, he allowed himself to relax, to soak in the joy of the moment.
Lee Soo Hyuk raised his glass, and the table fell silent. "To Team 1," he said, his voice filled with pride. "To our victory today and to many more in the future. We are stronger together, and as long as we stand by each other, there's nothing we can't overcome."
"To Team 1!" Everyone echoed, clinking their glasses together.
Rok Soo took a sip of his drink, feeling a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the soju. It was the warmth of camaraderie, of knowing he was surrounded by people he could trust with his life.
The night wore on, filled with stories of past battles, teasing, and laughter. At one point, Jung Soo stood up, slightly tipsy, and started singing an old pop song, much to everyone's amusement. Rok Soo found himself recording this moment, his usually reserved demeanour melting away in the face of such happiness, moments like these have to be recorded.
As the evening drew to a close, they paid their respects to Mr. Min made their way back to headquarters. The city was quiet, the stars twinkling overhead. Lee Soo Hyuk walked beside Rok Soo, a content smile on his face.
"You did good today, Rok Soo," he said quietly. "I'm proud of you."
Rok Soo looked at his leader, his friend, his idol, mist importantly his family, and nodded. "We did good. Together."
Lee Soo Hyuk slung an arm around Rok Soo's shoulders, pulling him into a half-hug. "Let's keep it that way."
Back at headquarters, they went to their shared apartment, each heading to their respective rooms. Rok Soo lay on his bed beside him the snoring Jung Soo once again, staring at the ceiling. The events of the day replayed in his mind, but now, there was a sense of peace. They had faced a monumental challenge and had come out on top. And more importantly, they had done it together.
Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, the annoying voice of the GoD echoed in his mind. "You did well, my saint. Enjoy this moment. There will be more challenges ahead, but for now, rest."
Rok Soo sighed, but a small smile played on his lips. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
"Goodnight, Rok Soo."
As he closed his eyes, Rok Soo felt a sense of contentment. He was ready to face whatever the future held, knowing that he had his family by his side. And for the first time in a long while, he slept without the weight of regret on his shoulders, dreaming of the victories yet to come.