As we step into the garage, the dim light casts elongated shadows on the concrete floor. Rachel glances around, expecting silence, her steps cautious as if not to wake Evandel. "So, it's finally done?" Her voice, a hushed whisper, holds a glimmer of hope.
I nod, gesturing toward the metallic structure in the center of the room. "Yeah, but it's not foolproof. There might be hiccups, glitches, who knows."
A mixture of excitement and nervousness plays on Rachel's face. "It's worth the shot, isn't it? Anything to get us back to where we belong." Her gaze fixes on the device, determination sparking in her eyes.
I walk closer, my hand resting on the sleek surface of the Interdimensional Router. "I've fine-tuned it as much as possible, but it's uncharted territory. We've been stuck here for too long."
Rachel nods, her hand reaching out to touch the structure tentatively. "Four years... it's been a lifetime." She pauses, her fingers tracing the contours of the apparatus. "Our life here, with Evandel, it's beautiful but... it's not ours."
I understand, my heart heavy with the weight of our predicament. "I know. This isn't our reality. It's time we try to find our way back."
With a determined breath, I step aside, allowing Rachel a clearer view. "This is it. Our ticket out of here, hopefully."
Rachel's smile is both hopeful and bittersweet. "Optimism is all we have. Let's do this."
The hum of the device fills the garage as Rachel steps forward, her hand hovering over the controls. "Here goes nothing... or maybe, everything." The anticipation in her voice is palpable.
I stand beside her, my hand lightly touching hers. "We'll make it through, together."
As she presses the activation sequence, a faint glow envelops the Interdimensional Router. For a moment, everything seems suspended in time before the room plunges into darkness. A low, resonating hum echoes through the garage, signaling the device's activation.
Faintly, a flicker of light appears at the heart of the machine, and a surge of hope courses through us. It's a small step, but it's the first towards reclaiming our true lives. And then sparks… I sigh.
“What happened?” Rachel asks.
I answer to her, “It is a good try, but I guess I still need to work with it… Sorry for getting your hopes up.”
“Awww…” Rachel moans in disappointment but takes a calm sigh in the end. “It is fine Hyon, but from how you sound, I reckon you are close.”
“Yes, very close…” I nod positively at her assessment. I am indeed very close.
Rachel's eyes scan the Interdimensional Router, a device she's seen only in glimpses before. Now, face to face with the towering structure, she can't help but voice her curiosity. "It looks different from what I imagined, from your original designs. Why?"
I glance at the intricate network of wires and pulsating lights. "It's a necessity. Some of the parts are so small that it's nearly impossible to build them precisely with the current technology. I had to scale it up to ensure functionality, even if it's not the most efficient design."
She studies the machine, nodding slowly. "I trust your judgment. You've always been good at this."
A grateful smile tugs at the corners of my lips. "I appreciate that. But you don't need to be so vocal about it. I see the effort you put into this, too. Working, providing funds, being the backbone of our makeshift family."
Rachel's expression softens, a mix of gratitude and understanding. "We're a team, remember? Whatever it takes to get back to where we belong."
I take a deep breath, my eyes meeting hers. "Speaking of which, there's something else you should know. I've been monitoring magic power activity for the past week."
Her brows furrow in concern. "Magic power activity? What do you mean?"
I motion toward the various instruments scattered around the garage. "I've been using these to detect anomalies. There's been a significant rise in magical energy, and it's not a good sign."
Rachel's eyes widen with realization. "Complications?"
I nod solemnly. "Yeah. The increased magic power could interfere with the functioning of the Interdimensional Router. It's a wild card, and we need to be prepared for the unexpected."
She takes a moment to absorb the information, a mixture of determination and concern in her eyes. "We've come this far. We'll face whatever comes our way. Together."
As she stands beside me, a silent agreement passes between us. The journey back to our original timeline is fraught with challenges but united, we are determined to overcome them… More than that, I worry about the implications of magic power slowly coming into the atmosphere. This might be sign that this world is about to face some real nasty changes.
In the dimly lit garage, I motion towards a cushioned seat for Rachel to make herself comfortable. She eyes the chair skeptically but eventually sits down as I lean against the frameless car I've been working on.
"You know, Rachel," I start, my gaze fixed on the intricate machinery spread out before us, "there's something peculiar happening. I can feel it – the rise of magic power."
Rachel looks at me with furrowed brows, uncertainty etched on her face. "Magic power? Are you sure, considering where we are now?"
I nod, my eyes reflecting a sense of nostalgia. "Back in our timeline, magic power was the norm. But here, it's different. We're not in the chaotic beginning of Outcall, where monsters, towers, dungeons, and magic power sprang up one after another. This is the First Iteration, a timeline where none of that magical chaos has occurred yet, but it's the origin of all those timelines."
Rachel's doubt lingers as she contemplates my words. "So, what are you saying? This place is supposed to be a haven, untouched by the magic power nonsense?" She sighs. “We have already established that as fact, right?”
I glance around the garage, my mind delving into the intricacies of this independent dimension. "Yes, exactly. From what I understand of the First Iteration, it's like a blank canvas – a world on its own. And perhaps, this holds true for every alternate timeline out there."
Rachel leans forward, her expression searching. "But why is magic power rising here, then? Shouldn't it be different in the First Iteration?"
I push myself out of the car and meet her gaze. "That's what worries me. The rise of magic power might indicate the beginning of an Outcall in this otherwise perfectly peaceful world. It's like a storm brewing on the horizon, and we might be witnessing the calm before it hits."
Rachel's eyes widen with realization, and a chill settles in the air as the gravity of the situation sinks in. This world is honestly a paradise, and knowing that any time soon, it will stop being a paradise, then that is just sad.
Rachel's frustration is evident as she frowns, her patience wearing thin. "Do you even remember my Lionheart Sword?" she demands, her tone exasperated.
I rack my brain, recalling the magical weapon she brought with her from our original timeline. "Yeah, of course. The Lionheart Sword, right?"
She nods, her eyes searching mine. "What if, in this world where magic power is yet to be discovered or understood, someone found the sword? What if they're using it as a material for study, and that's what's causing the rise of magic power? It might trigger an Outcall."
Concern creases on my forehead. "That's a chilling theory, Rachel. We've been searching for that damn sword for the past four years, and we've got nothing to show for it. It's frustrating."
Rachel takes a deep breath, her expression grave. "We can't panic, though. We need to get our priorities straight."
I nod, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "You're right. Let's not lose focus. We've done everything in our power, but maybe it's time to make some choices here."
Rachel raises an eyebrow, prompting me to continue.
"We can wait for magic power to naturally rise in this world. Once it does, we can use the Interdimensional Router to get back to our timeline. It's the easy choice," I suggest.
She nods in agreement, but a shadow of hesitation crosses her features. "But what about the ethical dilemma? By ignoring the source of the rise of magic power, aren't we leaving this world vulnerable to another Outcall? It's like condemning them to chaos."
I sigh, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders. "Exactly. The presence of magic power will throw this world into anarchy—almost guaranteed. It's a choice we have to make, and it won't be an easy one." But honestly, I rather we just wait for the supposed-to-be Outcall to explode and run away.
Feeling uncomfortable while standing, I slip into the frameless car, finding myself a seat. Rachel and I are still in the garage, engaged in a discussion.
"Look, we can't just forsake this world," Rachel insists, her expression serious. "We have to take responsibility for our mistakes, especially mine." I see Rachel’s face in a grimace, she must be feeling guilty.
I lean back, wincing slightly from back pain. "Rachel, it's not your fault. You were heavily injured, and so was I. We didn't exactly have a smooth entrance into this timeline."
She sighs, her eyes distant as she recalls the day we arrived. "I lost my Lionheart Sword then. I failed to protect it."
"It's not about failing," I reassure her. "We were both disoriented and injured. It could have happened to anyone."
Rachel's gaze lingers on me, concern etched on her face. "But I worry for this world. We can't just abandon it."
I nod, understanding her sense of responsibility. "I get it, Rachel. And, truth be told, I've grown to love this world. Not just out of righteousness, but for selfish reasons too."
She raises an eyebrow, prompting me to elaborate.
"I want to live in this timeline," I admit, but quickly add, "Not that I'm telling you to doubt your resolve. It's just... I've seen myself here, belonging in this timeline, despite being a transmigrator."
Rachel looks puzzled, her curiosity evident. "What do you mean?"
I recall the day I woke up in the gymnasium at the Agent Military Academy, a nostalgic smile forming on my face. "I can't explain it fully, but it just feels right. Like I've always belonged here."
She quirks an eyebrow, sensing something more. "Why are you smiling then?"
"I'm kind of excited to go home," I confess, trying to lighten the mood. "And hey, the four years we spend in this timeline will only be a week in our original timeline. I've done the math."
Rachel looks at me, a mix of understanding and skepticism in her eyes. "You and your calculations. I hope you're right."
"I'm sure of it," I reply confidently. "We'll make it back, and it'll be like we never left."
Rachel sits across from me, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "Think about it, staying here longer might yield more than chasing after the Lionheart Sword."
I lean in, nodding. "Yeah, I know. But Chae Nayun—"
"It's a sacrifice we have to make," Rachel interrupts gently. "There might be answers in this iteration about why time's warped."
I recall our timeline's history. "The Outcall hit in the 1940s for us. But here, it's 2028 and just starting.” However, we are not sure if the Outcall is actually happening anytime soon. For all I know, it might be a false alarm.
"Exactly," Rachel says, her eyes lighting up with a theory. "Each regression shifts the Outcall further back.” That says something. This is a lead worth pursuing.
"Like a ripple effect," I add. "The more regressions, the earlier the Outcall happens."
Rachel nods, a cycle forming in her mind. "Eventually, it distorts time irreversibly."
I scratch my head, pondering. "What's the significance of 1940 and 2028?"
"Maybe something pivotal happened then," Rachel suggests. "Like meeting Shin Myungchul and Chae Joochul young in this iteration."
"Both alive and kicking," I mumble, connecting the dots. "In our timeline, one's dead, the other's aged."
"We need to dig deeper into that era," Rachel asserts.
"Yeah, find the root cause," I agree. “But first, we need to find that damn sword. With the magic power returning to the atmosphere, I should be able to make some decent tech finally to radar search for it.”
As we step into the garage, the dim light casts elongated shadows on the concrete floor. Rachel glances around, expecting silence, her steps cautious as if not to wake Evandel. "So, it's finally done?" Her voice, a hushed whisper, holds a glimmer of hope.
I nod, gesturing toward the metallic structure in the center of the room. "Yeah, but it's not foolproof. There might be hiccups, glitches, who knows."
A mixture of excitement and nervousness plays on Rachel's face. "It's worth the shot, isn't it? Anything to get us back to where we belong." Her gaze fixes on the device, determination sparking in her eyes.
I walk closer, my hand resting on the sleek surface of the Interdimensional Router. "I've fine-tuned it as much as possible, but it's uncharted territory. We've been stuck here for too long."
Rachel nods, her hand reaching out to touch the structure tentatively. "Four years... it's been a lifetime." She pauses, her fingers tracing the contours of the apparatus. "Our life here, with Evandel, it's beautiful but... it's not ours."
I understand, my heart heavy with the weight of our predicament. "I know. This isn't our reality. It's time we try to find our way back."
With a determined breath, I step aside, allowing Rachel a clearer view. "This is it. Our ticket out of here, hopefully."
Rachel's smile is both hopeful and bittersweet. "Optimism is all we have. Let's do this."
The hum of the device fills the garage as Rachel steps forward, her hand hovering over the controls. "Here goes nothing... or maybe, everything." The anticipation in her voice is palpable.
I stand beside her, my hand lightly touching hers. "We'll make it through, together."
As she presses the activation sequence, a faint glow envelops the Interdimensional Router. For a moment, everything seems suspended in time before the room plunges into darkness. A low, resonating hum echoes through the garage, signaling the device's activation.
Faintly, a flicker of light appears at the heart of the machine, and a surge of hope courses through us. It's a small step, but it's the first towards reclaiming our true lives. And then sparks… I sigh.
“What happened?” Rachel asks.
I answer to her, “It is a good try, but I guess I still need to work with it… Sorry for getting your hopes up.”
“Awww…” Rachel moans in disappointment but takes a calm sigh in the end. “It is fine Hyon, but from how you sound, I reckon you are close.”
“Yes, very close…” I nod positively at her assessment. I am indeed very close.
Rachel's eyes scan the Interdimensional Router, a device she's seen only in glimpses before. Now, face to face with the towering structure, she can't help but voice her curiosity. "It looks different from what I imagined, from your original designs. Why?"
I glance at the intricate network of wires and pulsating lights. "It's a necessity. Some of the parts are so small that it's nearly impossible to build them precisely with the current technology. I had to scale it up to ensure functionality, even if it's not the most efficient design."
She studies the machine, nodding slowly. "I trust your judgment. You've always been good at this."
A grateful smile tugs at the corners of my lips. "I appreciate that. But you don't need to be so vocal about it. I see the effort you put into this, too. Working, providing funds, being the backbone of our makeshift family."
Rachel's expression softens, a mix of gratitude and understanding. "We're a team, remember? Whatever it takes to get back to where we belong."
I take a deep breath, my eyes meeting hers. "Speaking of which, there's something else you should know. I've been monitoring magic power activity for the past week."
Her brows furrow in concern. "Magic power activity? What do you mean?"
I motion toward the various instruments scattered around the garage. "I've been using these to detect anomalies. There's been a significant rise in magical energy, and it's not a good sign."
Rachel's eyes widen with realization. "Complications?"
I nod solemnly. "Yeah. The increased magic power could interfere with the functioning of the Interdimensional Router. It's a wild card, and we need to be prepared for the unexpected."
She takes a moment to absorb the information, a mixture of determination and concern in her eyes. "We've come this far. We'll face whatever comes our way. Together."
As she stands beside me, a silent agreement passes between us. The journey back to our original timeline is fraught with challenges but united, we are determined to overcome them… More than that, I worry about the implications of magic power slowly coming into the atmosphere. This might be sign that this world is about to face some real nasty changes.
In the dimly lit garage, I motion towards a cushioned seat for Rachel to make herself comfortable. She eyes the chair skeptically but eventually sits down as I lean against the frameless car I've been working on.
"You know, Rachel," I start, my gaze fixed on the intricate machinery spread out before us, "there's something peculiar happening. I can feel it – the rise of magic power."
Rachel looks at me with furrowed brows, uncertainty etched on her face. "Magic power? Are you sure, considering where we are now?"
I nod, my eyes reflecting a sense of nostalgia. "Back in our timeline, magic power was the norm. But here, it's different. We're not in the chaotic beginning of Outcall, where monsters, towers, dungeons, and magic power sprang up one after another. This is the First Iteration, a timeline where none of that magical chaos has occurred yet, but it's the origin of all those timelines."
Rachel's doubt lingers as she contemplates my words. "So, what are you saying? This place is supposed to be a haven, untouched by the magic power nonsense?" She sighs. “We have already established that as fact, right?”
I glance around the garage, my mind delving into the intricacies of this independent dimension. "Yes, exactly. From what I understand of the First Iteration, it's like a blank canvas – a world on its own. And perhaps, this holds true for every alternate timeline out there."
Rachel leans forward, her expression searching. "But why is magic power rising here, then? Shouldn't it be different in the First Iteration?"
I push myself out of the car and meet her gaze. "That's what worries me. The rise of magic power might indicate the beginning of an Outcall in this otherwise perfectly peaceful world. It's like a storm brewing on the horizon, and we might be witnessing the calm before it hits."
Rachel's eyes widen with realization, and a chill settles in the air as the gravity of the situation sinks in. This world is honestly a paradise, and knowing that any time soon, it will stop being a paradise, then that is just sad.
Rachel's frustration is evident as she frowns, her patience wearing thin. "Do you even remember my Lionheart Sword?" she demands, her tone exasperated.
I rack my brain, recalling the magical weapon she brought with her from our original timeline. "Yeah, of course. The Lionheart Sword, right?"
She nods, her eyes searching mine. "What if, in this world where magic power is yet to be discovered or understood, someone found the sword? What if they're using it as a material for study, and that's what's causing the rise of magic power? It might trigger an Outcall."
Concern creases on my forehead. "That's a chilling theory, Rachel. We've been searching for that damn sword for the past four years, and we've got nothing to show for it. It's frustrating."
Rachel takes a deep breath, her expression grave. "We can't panic, though. We need to get our priorities straight."
I nod, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "You're right. Let's not lose focus. We've done everything in our power, but maybe it's time to make some choices here."
Rachel raises an eyebrow, prompting me to continue.
"We can wait for magic power to naturally rise in this world. Once it does, we can use the Interdimensional Router to get back to our timeline. It's the easy choice," I suggest.
She nods in agreement, but a shadow of hesitation crosses her features. "But what about the ethical dilemma? By ignoring the source of the rise of magic power, aren't we leaving this world vulnerable to another Outcall? It's like condemning them to chaos."
I sigh, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders. "Exactly. The presence of magic power will throw this world into anarchy—almost guaranteed. It's a choice we have to make, and it won't be an easy one." But honestly, I rather we just wait for the supposed-to-be Outcall to explode and run away.
Feeling uncomfortable while standing, I slip into the frameless car, finding myself a seat. Rachel and I are still in the garage, engaged in a discussion.
"Look, we can't just forsake this world," Rachel insists, her expression serious. "We have to take responsibility for our mistakes, especially mine." I see Rachel’s face in a grimace, she must be feeling guilty.
I lean back, wincing slightly from back pain. "Rachel, it's not your fault. You were heavily injured, and so was I. We didn't exactly have a smooth entrance into this timeline."
She sighs, her eyes distant as she recalls the day we arrived. "I lost my Lionheart Sword then. I failed to protect it."
"It's not about failing," I reassure her. "We were both disoriented and injured. It could have happened to anyone."
Rachel's gaze lingers on me, concern etched on her face. "But I worry for this world. We can't just abandon it."
I nod, understanding her sense of responsibility. "I get it, Rachel. And, truth be told, I've grown to love this world. Not just out of righteousness, but for selfish reasons too."
She raises an eyebrow, prompting me to elaborate.
"I want to live in this timeline," I admit, but quickly add, "Not that I'm telling you to doubt your resolve. It's just... I've seen myself here, belonging in this timeline, despite being a transmigrator."
Rachel looks puzzled, her curiosity evident. "What do you mean?"
I recall the day I woke up in the gymnasium at the Agent Military Academy, a nostalgic smile forming on my face. "I can't explain it fully, but it just feels right. Like I've always belonged here."
She quirks an eyebrow, sensing something more. "Why are you smiling then?"
"I'm kind of excited to go home," I confess, trying to lighten the mood. "And hey, the four years we spend in this timeline will only be a week in our original timeline. I've done the math."
Rachel looks at me, a mix of understanding and skepticism in her eyes. "You and your calculations. I hope you're right."
"I'm sure of it," I reply confidently. "We'll make it back, and it'll be like we never left."
Rachel sits across from me, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "Think about it, staying here longer might yield more than chasing after the Lionheart Sword."
I lean in, nodding. "Yeah, I know. But Chae Nayun—"
"It's a sacrifice we have to make," Rachel interrupts gently. "There might be answers in this iteration about why time's warped."
I recall our timeline's history. "The Outcall hit in the 1940s for us. But here, it's 2028 and just starting.” However, we are not sure if the Outcall is actually happening anytime soon. For all I know, it might be a false alarm.
"Exactly," Rachel says, her eyes lighting up with a theory. "Each regression shifts the Outcall further back.” That says something. This is a lead worth pursuing.
"Like a ripple effect," I add. "The more regressions, the earlier the Outcall happens."
Rachel nods, a cycle forming in her mind. "Eventually, it distorts time irreversibly."
I scratch my head, pondering. "What's the significance of 1940 and 2028?"
"Maybe something pivotal happened then," Rachel suggests. "Like meeting Shin Myungchul and Chae Joochul young in this iteration."
"Both alive and kicking," I mumble, connecting the dots. "In our timeline, one's dead, the other's aged."
"We need to dig deeper into that era," Rachel asserts.
"Yeah, find the root cause," I agree. “But first, we need to find that damn sword. With the magic power returning to the atmosphere, I should be able to make some decent tech finally to radar search for it.”
