* * *

A decade after entering the research facility, I—who was no more than a test subject—succeeded in a rebellion and seized control of the Black Sea Guild.

I exploited those beneath me, much like those who tormented me before, committing countless atrocities.

To destroy this world.

To rid it of filth and finally find peace.

I lured humans and monsters alike to serve under me, continuing a spree of carnage.

Humanity teetered on the brink of annihilation, and its complete extinction was merely a matter of time.

I succeeded.

Or so I thought.

But without my knowledge, the flow of time reversed.

Back three years before I obliterated the world.

Thus began what they call the “second round.”

I retained no memory of the events, blindly repeating the same actions.

Though this time there were minor obstacles, I nearly brought humanity to its knees again.

And then time rewound once more, this time to four years prior.

Unaware, I repeated everything again. Each time, the clock would reset.

An endless cycle of struggle unfolded.

Sometimes I succeeded; other times I failed.

At first, my victories were overwhelming.

But over time, my chances diminished.

It was only natural—the clueless me battling someone who seemed to know everything.

And so the battle continued, until the twelfth round.

At thirteen years old, I began to experience a strong sense of déjà vu about this world.

It was a sensation I’d felt in previous cycles but never understood.

This time, however, I overheard a story from Baek Gunho.

That was when I started to piece things together.

Time in this world kept repeating, and at the center of it all was Baek Gunho.

As long as Baek Gunho could rewind time, I would never truly win.

The realization enraged me.

Since escaping the research facility, I had never allowed myself to be at the mercy of others.

The idea of being trapped in an endless cycle of failure, manipulated by someone else, was intolerable.

So, I made a move.

Even if I couldn’t fully transfer my memories and powers to the past as Baek Gunho could, I sought to send fragments of them forward.

So that in the next cycle, I could confront Baek Gunho on even ground and uncover the secret of the rewinds, finally claiming victory.

I selected the most capable and obedient monsters I had tamed—simple-minded fools who believed my feigned affection.

But they were useful.

“Dungeons are spaces where time and space intertwine. If there’s a way to transmit memories, it has to be through them.”

Taking a gamble, I shoved a few monsters into a dungeon and sealed it.

My hope was that they would return to me in the next cycle and deliver the truth, becoming weapons to tear apart Baek Gunho.

The twelfth round ended in my favor.

Knowing it wasn’t a perfect victory, I didn’t feel joy.

I obliterated the world, fell asleep, and prayed that in the next cycle, things would go my way.

When the thirteenth round began, I was prepared.

---

“Hey, you.”

“…What?”

“I’ll be your friend. So, get a grip and live properly.”

Baek Gunho came to me.

Not after my uncle’s death or my abduction by the Black Sea Guild.

He approached me before any of that, when I was still an innocent, powerless child.

Before I could execute the measures I’d prepared in the previous round, Baek Gunho had already ensnared me.

He stayed by my side.

At first, it felt like surveillance, but over time, he grew more relaxed.

I couldn’t blame him for feeling secure—I was growing into a harmless, naïve individual.

Time passed, and I became someone completely unlike the “Seo Heewon” of the past.

Kind, innocent, and perhaps a little foolish.

---

• That’s right.

I opened my eyes, surrounded by black, amorphous shapes.

I now understood what they were and why they couldn’t be stopped.

They were my past—a manifestation of the twisted, destructive obsession of the old Seo Heewon, clinging to the corners of the dungeon.

These shadows were my power, simply returning to their rightful owner.

My own strength couldn’t harm me.

As the dark mass forced its way into me, the system’s notifications blared incessantly.

New skills appeared; old ones were upgraded.

I never wanted this kind of power.

• Don’t make me laugh.

A voice, cold and filled with contempt for humanity, whispered.

It was mine, but it wasn’t me.

It belonged to the old Seo Heewon.

• I am you.

A pale hand shot out, gripping my cheek.

Its sharp nails dug in, raking downwards and drawing blood.

As I writhed in pain, a figure emerged from the darkness.

It was my past self.

The Seo Heewon I had discarded yet could never deny.

This wasn’t a hallucination or a dream.

The dark, vile obsession had merged with my being, synchronizing its memories with mine.

I was still myself, but I was also Seo Heewon.

Yet, in the end, I am me. Not Seo Heewon.

---

The hand lowered, now wrapping around my neck.

Bloodshot eyes glared at me with murderous intent.

• This is unacceptable.

I couldn’t accept this existence either.

As if hearing my thoughts, Seo Heewon gritted his teeth.

• Tamed by someone like Baek Gunho…

Tamed…

The word lingered in my mind as Seo Heewon stared coldly.

• Now do you see? Who you are… and who he is?

“…”

I shut my eyes tightly.

• Baek Gunho is just using you.

“No…”

• Don’t deny it. I told you—I am you.

“Don’t deny reality.” A whisper from Seo Heewon tickled my ear.

Then, he began to laugh.

At first, it was a small, muffled chuckle, but it quickly swelled into a booming sound, echoing like the laugh of a madman.

The blackened vision in front of me flickered.

Slowly, the surroundings began to brighten. I saw light beyond my closed eyelids.

“…Seo Heewon!”

“Heewon!”

Voices were calling my name from all directions.

Forcing my heavy eyelids open, the first face I saw was Baek Gunoh’s.

My heart sank coldly.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah… Where are we?”

“We’re outside what used to be the gate. You and another Hunter were unconscious, and then the gate just disappeared…”

“…What about the other Hunter?”

“They’re fine. Worry about yourself first.”

Baek Gunoh’s blunt remark brought a faint smile to my lips.

I pushed myself upright, and my movement caused a stir among the others.

“Wait, you shouldn’t move like that—”

“I’m fine.”

“You could have aftereffects—”

“I’m really fine.”

The paramedic tried to stop me urgently, but I wasn’t in the mood to comply.

Baek Gunoh exchanged a glance with the paramedic before leaning in to whisper.

“Let’s go home.”

“…”

Home.

I wanted to return as quickly as possible.

I nodded.

We drove to my place in Baek Gunoh’s car.

The moment I stepped inside, I headed straight for the master bedroom.

Seeing traces of the old man left behind brought a wave of relief.

As I stood there, Baek Gunoh spoke from behind me.

“The old man probably hasn’t heard about this yet. He’s busy in a dungeon.”

“…Yeah.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You look pale…”

“…”

I found myself unconsciously studying Baek Gunoh’s face.

The worry etched on his expression made a cold sweat break out on my back.

“You don’t seem okay.”

“…”

“This won’t do. I’ll call a healer—”

“What happens if you kill me?”

The question spilled out suddenly.

Baek Gunoh turned to look at me, his brows furrowing deeply as if I’d just said something absurd.

His confusion, frustration evident on his face, made me dig further into my memories.

“You killed me before. Was it the third time? Or the fourth…?”

“…What?”

“You were so thrilled to finally kill me. But it didn’t end there. That’s why I’m still here, right? Isn’t that so?”

“Seo Heewon, what the hell are you talking about—”

“I remember everything now.”

It would’ve been better if I didn’t.

If I could’ve stayed the clueless Seo Heewon, oblivious and naive.

It would’ve been better for everyone.

“I remember everything.”

* * *