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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.
The air was thick with tension as the three men sat together in the dimly lit room, the quiet hum of the city outside a stark contrast to the turmoil inside their minds. Kim Rok Soo, Choi Jung Soo, and Lee Soo Hyuk huddled around a small table, their expressions grim yet resolute. The battle that lay ahead loomed over them, a reminder of the deadly stakes they faced.
Lee Soo Hyuk broke the silence first, his deep voice steady but laced with concern. "Rok Soo-ya, are you absolutely sure about the monster's arrival time and its weaknesses? We need every advantage we can get."
Rok Soo nodded, his eyes dark with determination. "Yes, hyung. I've lived through this. The monster will appear at the park at precisely 5:42 PM. Its weakness is a small, barely noticeable scar on its back. We need to hit that spot with everything we've got."
Choi Jung Soo, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up, his voice betraying his anxiety. "Rok Soo, what if... what if we can't do it? What if we fail again?"
Rok Soo turned to Jung Soo, his expression softening. "Jung Soo-ah, I know this is terrifying. I've watched you both die, and I don't want this to happen again. But we can't let fear control us. We've trained for this. We've prepared for this. We will win this time."
Jung Soo clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "I don't want to see you suffer anymore, Rok Soo. Every time you regress, it takes a piece of you with it. I don't want to lose you. I know that you only regressed once, but we will make sure this is the only regress for you."
Rok Soo placed a reassuring hand on Jung Soo's shoulder. "I know, and I don't want to lose either of you. That's why we have to fight with everything we have. Together, we can change the outcome."
Lee Soo Hyuk nodded in agreement, his eyes meeting Rok Soo's. "We've come this far because of you, Rok Soo. Your strength and resilience have kept us going. We're not just fighting for our lives; we're fighting for each other."
Rok Soo took a deep breath, the weight of his responsibility pressing heavily on his shoulders. "We need to stick to the plan. Jung Soo, your agility will be crucial in distracting the monster. Soo Hyuk Hyung, you'll provide the heavy attacks. I'll focus on hitting its weak spot. We have to trust each other completely."
The room fell silent again, each man lost in his thoughts. The bond between them had been forged in the fires of countless battles, and despite the fear and uncertainty, they knew they could rely on one another.
Jung Soo broke the silence with a determined grin. "Alright, let's do this. For once, let's make sure our Rok Soo doesn't have to go through this again."
Lee Soo Hyuk chuckled, a rare sound in these dark times. "Agreed. Let's show that monster what Team 1 is made of."
Rok Soo felt a surge of hope and gratitude as he looked at his friends. "Thank you, both of you. Let's give it everything we've got."
Jung Soo managed a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, remember the first time we fought together? You were so green, Rok Soo. I thought you were going to trip over your own feet."
Rok Soo chuckled, the memory bringing a brief moment of levity. "Yeah, and you weren't much better, Jung Soo. I seem to recall you getting stuck in a tree."
Soo Hyuk laughed, the sound a rare but welcome comfort. "We were a mess back then. But look at us now. We've come a long way."
The laughter faded, replaced by a solemn determination. The camaraderie between them was palpable, a bond forged through countless battles and shared hardships.
Soo Hyuk's expression grew serious. "This might be our toughest fight yet, but we have each other. We fight not just for ourselves, but for everyone we've lost and everyone we still need to protect."
Jung Soo took a deep breath, his nerves settling. "You're right, hyung. We're stronger together. No matter what happens, we'll face it head-on."
Rok Soo stood, his resolve firm. "Let's give it everything we've got. For our team. For our future."
They clasped hands, a silent promise passing between them.
Whatever the outcome, they would face it together as brothers-in-arms.
As they geared up for the impending battle, the weight of their shared determination filled the room. They were ready to face the monster that had haunted them for so long. Together, they would fight, and together, they would either triumph or fall.
As they stood up, ready to face the impending battle, the camaraderie and determination in their eyes spoke volumes. They were more than just teammates; they were family. And together, they would fight to change their fate.
The first light of dawn began to filter through the window, casting a pale glow over the three men. They took a moment to savour the calm before the storm, drawing strength from their shared resolve. The battle awaited, and they would face it head-on, united in their determination to protect one another.
They stepped out into the light, ready to confront the monster that would haunt their lives. No matter the outcome, they knew they would face it together, their bond unbreakable in the face of any adversary.
The battle began under a sky streaked with the fiery hues of dawn. Kim Rok Soo, Choi Jung Soo, Lee Soo Hyuk and the rest of the team took their places and stood side by side, their faces set with grim determination. They had meticulously planned for this moment, each movement and strategy mapped out to exploit the monster's weaknesses.
The unranked monster emerged from the shadows, a colossal beast of sinew and rage. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent intelligence, and its roar shook the ground beneath their feet. This was the creature that would haunt their lives.
"Stick to the plan!" Rok Soo shouted, his voice cutting through the cacophony of the monster's roars. He moved to the rear, ready to provide the crucial support his team needed. His role was to guide, heal, and strategize while his teammates engaged the beast directly.
Jung Soo and Soo Hyuk, along with the rest of their team, charged forward. Jung Soo's agility allowed him to dart in and out, delivering quick strikes that distracted the beast. Soo Hyuk's formidable strength kept the monster at bay, his blows landing with bone-crushing force. The other members of Team 1 worked in perfect unison, each executing their roles with precision.
For a moment, it seemed as if their plan was working. The monster staggered under their combined assault, its movements growing sluggish. Hope flickered in their hearts. They could do this. They could win.
But hope is a fragile thing.
The ground beneath them trembled, and with a deafening roar, the monster unleashed a devastating attack. A shockwave of dark energy erupted from its body, shattering its formation and sending it sprawling.
Rok Soo scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding. "Jung Soo! Team leader! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine!" Jung Soo called back, though his voice was strained. He was bleeding from a deep gash on his arm but still standing. Soo Hyuk was slower to rise, his face pale but resolute.
"Keep moving!" Soo Hyuk ordered, his eyes locking onto the monster with renewed determination. "We can't let up now!"
They regrouped, pressing the attack once more. But the monster was enraged, its movements becoming more erratic and unpredictable. It lashed out with a fury that defied their strategies, its claws tearing through their defences.
One by one, their comrades fell. The air was thick with the scent of blood and the cries of the dying teammates. Desperation clawed at Rok Soo's heart as he watched his friends fall around him. They had come so far and sacrificed so much, and yet the monster seemed unstoppable.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that they were losing. The monster's resilience was terrifying, and their strength was waning. In a final, desperate bid, Rok Soo directed his team's movements with every ounce of strategy he had, his heart pounding with the effort.
But the monster anticipated their moves. With a swift, brutal swipe, it knocked Rok Soo to the ground, leaving him vulnerable and defenceless.
"No!" Jung Soo's voice was a raw scream of anguish as he saw Rok Soo in danger. Without hesitation, he threw himself in front of the monster's deadly attack, his body taking the full brunt of the blow meant for Rok Soo.
"Jung Soo! No, no, no." Rok Soo's voice broke as he saw his friend's body crumple to the ground, lifeless.
Before he could react or reach for his friend, the monster turned its attention to him once more, its eyes burning with hatred. It reared back, ready to deliver the killing blow.
But then, in a heart-stopping moment, Lee Soo Hyuk stepped between Rok Soo and the monster. His face was set with a fierce determination, a final act of defiance.
"Hyung, no! Go away from here!" Rok Soo's voice was hoarse with grief and terror.
Soo Hyuk turned to him, a sad smile on his face. "It's okay, Rok Soo... You've always been like a brother to me... No, you're my brother... Stay strong... Finish what we started."
The monster's attack struck Soo Hyuk with a force that seemed to shake the very earth. He fell to the ground beside Jung Soo, his body broken but his spirit unyielding.
Rok Soo was left alone, surrounded by the bodies of his fallen friends. The monster loomed over him, its victory assured.
A tidal wave of grief and rage surged through Rok Soo. He could barely see through his tears, but he continued to direct his remaining team members with a desperate fury. They fought with everything they had, every ounce of strength, every shred of willpower.
But it was not enough.
The monster's clawed hand struck down the last of his comrades, leaving Rok Soo completely alone.
"No... no... this can't be happening..." he muttered, his vision blurring.
Rok Soo's hands trembled as he took in the scene. The air was thick with the stench of death, and the silence was deafening. His heart pounded in his chest, a painful rhythm that echoed in his ears. The realization that he was the only one left, the sole survivor of Team 1, hit him like a physical blow. Once again, he was the only one. The only survivor.
"No... no, no, no," he muttered, stumbling back. "This can't be happening. Not again."
He fell to his knees, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps. The weight of his grief and guilt was unbearable. He had failed them. Despite everything, he had failed to save his friends, his family. The memories of their smiles, their laughter, and their unwavering support all came crashing down on him.
The edges of his vision began to blur, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. His chest tightened, and he struggled to breathe. Panic surged through him, overwhelming his senses. He clutched at his throat, gasping for air, his mind spiralling into a dark abyss.
"Help... someone, please," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
But there was no one left to help him. The world seemed to close in around him, the weight of his failure pressing down like a vice. His vision went black, and he felt himself falling, the ground rushing up to meet him.
In his final moments of consciousness, he heard Soo Hyuk's voicework but was resolute. "Rok Soo... stay alive... being alive is the best..."
Rok Soo fainted, his body and mind overwhelmed by the horror and grief. The monster loomed over him, ready to deliver the final blow.
As darkness claimed him as the monster struck Rok Soo's body, Rok Soo's last thought was a desperate wish to change this fate to save his friends, no matter what.
When Rok Soo regained consciousness, he was no longer on the battlefield. He found himself in his old shared apartment, the familiar surroundings a stark contrast to the horrors he had just witnessed. He sat up abruptly, his heart still racing, and looked around in confusion.
The room was exactly as he remembered it. The cluttered desk, the unmade bed, the faint smell of ramen from the kitchen. It was as if the last few hours had been nothing but a nightmare. But the vividness of the battle, the pain of losing his teammates once again, felt all too real.
A soft voice broke through his thoughts. "My child, you have regressed once more."
Rok Soo turned to see the GoD standing in the corner, a look of pity on his face. "Why?" Rok Soo croaked, his voice hoarse. "Why did you bring me back?"
"Because you asked for it," the GoD replied gently. "In your last moments, you wanted a chance to save them, to change the past. This is that chance."
Rok Soo's mind reeled. The pain of the recent loss was still fresh, and the thought of facing it all again was almost too much to bear. But the image of his fallen friends, the memory of their sacrifice, gave him the strength to push through his fear.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I won't fail this time," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I'll save them. I'll save them all."
The GoD nodded a faint smile on his lips. "Remember, you are not alone. You have the power to change your fate to save those you love. Use it wisely."
As the GoD's presence faded, Rok Soo felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would not let their deaths be in vain. This time, he would fight with everything he had, and he would ensure that no one else had to suffer the way he had.
With a deep breath, he rose to his feet, ready to face the challenges ahead. The past could be changed, and he would be the one to change it.
Once again, the city trembled with the arrival of the unranked monster, its grotesque form casting a shadow of terror over the land. Team 1 stood ready, their resolve hardened by the memory of their previous defeat. Lee Soo Hyuk, Choi Jung Soo, and Rok Soo led the charge, their determination unwavering despite the odds stacked against them.
They fought with everything they had, unleashing their abilities and coordinating their attacks with precision. But the monster was relentless, shrugging off their blows and retaliating with devastating force. Each strike seemed to drain their strength, pushing them to their limits.
As the battle raged on, Rok Soo felt a sense of déjà vu wash over him. The scenes of their previous defeat played out before his eyes, a haunting reminder of the consequences of failure. But he refused to let history repeat itself. He pushed himself harder, driving back the fear and doubt that threatened to consume him.
But despite their best efforts, the monster proved too powerful to defeat. Its monstrous form seemed to regenerate with each blow, its attacks growing more ferocious with every passing moment. Lee Soo Hyuk, Choi Jung Soo, and the rest of the team fought bravely, but it was clear that victory was beyond their grasp.
As the battle reached its climax, Rok Soo felt a surge of desperation wash over him. He knew that they couldn't keep fighting like this. They were running out of time, their strength waning with each passing moment.
And then, just as it seemed like all hope was lost, Rok Soo made a split-second decision. With a determined cry, he unleashed the full extent of his power, channelling every ounce of energy he had into a single, devastating attack.
The air crackled with electricity as his attack struck true, sending shockwaves rippling through the monster's form. For a brief moment, it seemed like they might actually succeed, that victory was within their grasp.
But then, in a cruel twist of fate, the monster let out a deafening roar and unleashed a final, devastating blow. Lee Soo Hyuk, Choi Jung Soo, and the rest of the team who were near the monster were knocked to the ground, their bodies broken and battered beyond recognition.
Rok Soo watched in horror as his comrades fell, their faces twisted in agony as the monster's attack ravaged their bodies. He tried to reach out to them to offer some semblance of comfort in their final moments, but it was too late.
And then, just as darkness threatened to consume him, Rok Soo felt a familiar sensation wash over him. It was the sensation of regression, the feeling of time unravelling and rewriting itself.
As the world faded away around him, Rok Soo closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer. He knew that he would have to face this nightmare again, that he would have to relive the pain and suffering of losing his comrades.
But he was ready. Ot he thought so until he didn't want to think about that anymore.
The cycle of regression had become an endless nightmare for Kim Rok Soo. Each time he awoke in his shared apartment, the weight of his previous failures hung heavily over him. He had tried countless strategies, each one meticulously planned and executed, yet every single time, he watched helplessly as his friends and his family fell before the monstrous onslaught.
The first few regressions were filled with hope and determination. He meticulously noted every detail, every weakness of the unranked monster, and every possible tactic. He believed that with enough preparation, he could save them all. But no matter what he did, no matter how hard he fought, the outcome was always the same. Lee Soo Hyuk, Choi Jung Soo, and the rest of Team 1 would perish, leaving him as the sole survivor, drowning in guilt and despair.
As the regressions continued, Rok Soo's resolve began to wane. The vivid, recurring nightmares of his friends' deaths gnawed at his sanity. He started to lose count of how many times he had seen them die. Each regression blurred into the next, the horrific scenes replaying in an unending loop.
The sleepless nights and constant battles wore him down. He began to dread waking up, knowing that another day of futile struggle awaited him. The once hopeful and determined leader slowly turned into a shadow of his former self. His eyes grew hollow, his spirit broken by the relentless torture of repeated failures.
Rok Soo's mind started to fracture under the strain. He heard the screams of his fallen friends even when he was awake, their faces haunting his every moment. He began to question his own reality, wondering if he was trapped in some twisted purgatory, doomed to relive their deaths for eternity.
"Why won't it end?" he would mutter to himself, his voice filled with desperation. "What have I done to deserve this?"
The GoD's presence, once a source of hope, became a bitter reminder of his endless torment. "You asked for this chance," the GoD would say, his voice echoing in Rok Soo's mind. "You wanted to save them."
"But I can't," Rok Soo would scream back, his voice breaking. "No matter what I do, I can't save them!"
His mental state deteriorated rapidly. The lines between regression and reality blurred, and Rok Soo found himself trapped in a perpetual nightmare. The faces of his friends, their dying breaths, and the unrelenting monster haunted his every waking moment.
In one particularly brutal regression, Rok Soo found himself standing over the lifeless bodies of his teammates once again. The crushing weight of his failure was too much to bear. He stumbled away from the scene, his vision swimming with tears and the overwhelming despair threatening to consume him.
He couldn't do it anymore. The cycle of death and rebirth had driven him to the brink of insanity. His mind screamed for an escape, any escape, from the relentless agony.
With shaking hands, Rok Soo found a knife among the debris. He stared at the blade, the cold steel reflecting his tormented eyes. "Maybe this is the only way out," he whispered to himself, his voice hollow.
Tears streamed down his face as he raised the knife. "I'm sorry," he choked out, his vision blurring with tears. "I can't do this anymore."
With a final, desperate cry, Rok Soo plunged the knife into his chest. The pain was sharp, but it was a different kind of pain—a release from the endless torment he had endured. Darkness crept over his vision, and he welcomed it, hoping it would bring an end to his suffering.
But as his consciousness faded, he felt a familiar, mocking presence. The GoD's voice echoed in his mind, a cruel reminder of his endless cycle. "This is not the end, my child."
Rok Soo's eyes snapped open, and he found himself once again in his shared apartment, the familiar surroundings a cruel mockery of his torment. The knife wound was gone as if it had never happened. The nightmare continued, unbroken.
He let out a guttural scream, the sound filled with the agony of countless deaths and endless despair. The walls seemed to close in around him, the room suffocating him with the weight of his torment.
He was trapped, forever caught in the cycle of regression, forced to watch his friends die over and over again, his sanity unravelling with each repetition. There was no escape, no end to his suffering. The GoD's promise of salvation had turned into a curse, a never-ending torment that had driven him to the brink of madness.
Kim Rok Soo was left with a broken shell, his mind shattered by the relentless horror of his existence. In the end, he was not the saviour of his friends but a prisoner of his own despair, trapped in a hell of his own making.