The air is thick with the stench of decay. Undead skeletons, once rummaging around, now fall one after another, their bones clattering against the cold stone floor. A mysterious presence looms, and I instinctively feel the weight of someone powerful approaching.
My Interdimensional Router, a towering structure that stands 200 meters tall, catches the eye, a beacon in the desolate surroundings perhaps. I let out a sigh as the distant echoes of gunshots grew louder, signaling the imminent arrival of an intruder. The abandoned factory, my refuge, is about to face an unexpected guest.
By the wide gates, a familiar face emerges into view. It's Kim Hajin but from this timeline. Clad in leather armor, he appears rugged and battle-worn, a testament to the adventures he must have endured. A plan forms in my mind—I've been waiting for the first human to make contact, and fate delivers an old acquaintance. I can't help but feel a twinge of happiness at the thought.
Raising my hands, I shout over the chaos to get Hajin's attention. "Kim Hajin, Kam Hajin, ceasefire!" I call out with all the gravitas I can muster. However, he seems entirely focused on the mayhem around him, shooting bullets and resorting to the blunt force of his steel-clad shoe to dispatch foes.
Undeterred, I try again. "Kim Hajin!" I call louder, attempting to make myself heard over the cacophony. Finally, he glances in my direction, a momentary pause in his relentless assault. I seize the opportunity to make my pitch.
"Calm down, Hajin. I've got an offer for you," I say, hoping to pique his interest. But Hajin, in his battle-hardened state, pays little heed. Instead, he draws his shotgun, aiming it directly at me. In a split-second decision, I cast , an ability designed to redirect his attention.
The shotgun blast rings out, but I've successfully diverted it. I can't blame him for being wary—I am, after all, a monstrous sight. Yet, I'm determined to make him see reason and, hopefully, join forces with me in this dungeon of uncertainties.
Kim Hajin narrows his eyes as the bullets whiz past me, missing their mark. "What the hell are you?" he grumbles, adjusting his aim.
I smirk, confident in my magic's protection. "," I say with a grin, "your aim's as crooked as your writing."
Hajin scowls, "Shut up and die, you pretentious prick."
"Not happening," I retort, "my powers are beyond your comprehension."
He rolls his eyes, "Bullshit. Prepare to meet your end." He pulls out a grenade and hurls it toward me.
Anxiety tightens my chest as I glance at the towering Interdimensional Tower behind me. In a split-second decision, I snatch the grenade from the air, my skill on full display. With a quick flick of my wrist, I send it flying far away.
"Nice try," I taunt, "but you'll have to do better than that."
Ignoring my banter, Hajin finally stops in his tracks as I call to him for the nth time. "Kim Hajin, listen to me… The Returnee Hero!?" I shout over the chaos, "That's your novel, right? I know it, and I know you. I am a friend!"
He hesitates, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Friend?" I continue, hoping my words break through.
Kim Hajin lowers his weapon, skepticism etched on his face.
The dungeon is eerily silent, the air heavy with tension. Kim Hajin, the author of "The Returnee Hero," eyes me suspiciously as I stand before him, a supposed monster born from the depths of this dungeon.
"How do you know my novel?" he questions, narrowing his eyes. "Are you some fan who's taken their love for the story a bit too far? No… you are clearly a dungeon monster…"
I sigh, knowing that explaining my situation won't be easy. "I'm from the future, Kim Hajin. Your novel is known far and wide, even in my time. But proving it to you would be difficult."
Kim Hajin smirks, seemingly uninterested. "The Returnee Hero is just one of many series I've written. Knowing it means nothing to me."
His nonchalance triggers a sense of urgency in me. I can't afford to lose my precious skeletons.
"Skeletons, run! Get out of here!" I command.
The skeletons, my loyal minions, start to scatter. Hajin's grin widens as he deduces my ability to control them.
"So you're the puppet master, huh?" he mocks.
His gaze shifts to the tower of bones behind me, and I feel a bead of sweat forming, even though my skeletal face is incapable of expressing it.
"Nice tower you got there," he smirks.
Instinctively, I know I need to protect it at all costs. I can't let him destroy my valuable manpower and tower. All of this is precious to me!
"You're such an asshole," I grumble.
Hajin, unfazed by my complaint, raises his shotgun, ready to take a shot at the tower.
"No!" I urgently exclaim.
In a swift motion, I intercept the bullet, a powerful slug tinged with magic. With a karate chop, I redirect its trajectory away from the tower, ensuring it remains unharmed.
Hajin smirks, realizing that he has my attention.
"Nervous, are we?" he taunts.
Despite my skeletal appearance and mask, I can't help but feel the pressure. Kim Hajin is perceptive, and I need to be careful not to reveal too much about my abilities in the future.
Kim Hajin frowns as I effortlessly parry a slug from a shotgun. He didn't expect that, and it shows on his face. "Stop playing, Hajin," I say, my tone firm. He looks at me, skepticism in his eyes. Ignoring my warning, he readies himself for another attack.
"If you don't want to listen to me," I continue, "then maybe you'll think differently if you understand the difference in our power." I need him to realize that he can't just dismiss what I say. I can't afford to let him go on thinking I'm some kind of monster.
Out of curiosity, I decide to address the elephant in the room. "Why do you see me as a monster?" I ask, my voice muffled by the mask I wear. My silhouette is humanoid, and my speech is intelligent. I expect a rational answer.
Hajin, without hesitation, replies, "I have very good eyes." I can't help but grin behind my mask. That's the Hajin I know – straightforward and honest.
Seizing the opportunity, I cast and teleport right in front of Hajin. A feigned punch follows, enveloping my fist. He seems rattled, unsure of how to react. Well, that’s to be expected. I must be quite fast in his perception.
When he tries to block, I've already tripped him, and in a seamless motion, I tap his guns. I imbue on his weapons, leaving him momentarily blinded. In the blink of an eye, I return to my initial position, ready for whatever comes next.
Kim Hajin stands up, his embarrassment is palpable after being tripped. "What was that for?" he asks, a hint of irritation in his voice.
I theatrically snap my fingers. "For this." Abruptly, all of Hajin’s guns teleport to my side, a result of me imbuing in his weapons. His eyes widen in surprise.
"If you want to live," I demand, my tone unwavering, "listen to me from now on." Hajin, though reluctant, nods in agreement.
To disarm his aggressiveness, I decide to take a different approach. "I'm actually a fan," I say casually, watching as Hajin relaxes slightly. "A big fan."
Hajin looks puzzled, so I decide to drop a bombshell. "I come from a timeline where your novel has become a reality."
He still doesn't quite get it, so I elaborate. "I've met the protagonist of your novel, The Returnee Hero. I've even met the other characters you've written about."
Kim Hajin is speechless, absorbing the information. I continue, describing the characters and the plot of The Returnee Hero in vivid detail. "Suho is now my friend, and so are the others. Suho is having a blast by the way, dude is also trapped in another timeline like I am now. If you want to test me, then feel free to do so."
Hajin's disbelief is evident as he processes the surreal claims I'm making.
The air is thick with the stench of decay. Undead skeletons, once rummaging around, now fall one after another, their bones clattering against the cold stone floor. A mysterious presence looms, and I instinctively feel the weight of someone powerful approaching.
My Interdimensional Router, a towering structure that stands 200 meters tall, catches the eye, a beacon in the desolate surroundings perhaps. I let out a sigh as the distant echoes of gunshots grew louder, signaling the imminent arrival of an intruder. The abandoned factory, my refuge, is about to face an unexpected guest.
By the wide gates, a familiar face emerges into view. It's Kim Hajin but from this timeline. Clad in leather armor, he appears rugged and battle-worn, a testament to the adventures he must have endured. A plan forms in my mind—I've been waiting for the first human to make contact, and fate delivers an old acquaintance. I can't help but feel a twinge of happiness at the thought.
Raising my hands, I shout over the chaos to get Hajin's attention. "Kim Hajin, Kam Hajin, ceasefire!" I call out with all the gravitas I can muster. However, he seems entirely focused on the mayhem around him, shooting bullets and resorting to the blunt force of his steel-clad shoe to dispatch foes.
Undeterred, I try again. "Kim Hajin!" I call louder, attempting to make myself heard over the cacophony. Finally, he glances in my direction, a momentary pause in his relentless assault. I seize the opportunity to make my pitch.
"Calm down, Hajin. I've got an offer for you," I say, hoping to pique his interest. But Hajin, in his battle-hardened state, pays little heed. Instead, he draws his shotgun, aiming it directly at me. In a split-second decision, I cast , an ability designed to redirect his attention.
The shotgun blast rings out, but I've successfully diverted it. I can't blame him for being wary—I am, after all, a monstrous sight. Yet, I'm determined to make him see reason and, hopefully, join forces with me in this dungeon of uncertainties.
Kim Hajin narrows his eyes as the bullets whiz past me, missing their mark. "What the hell are you?" he grumbles, adjusting his aim.
I smirk, confident in my magic's protection. "," I say with a grin, "your aim's as crooked as your writing."
Hajin scowls, "Shut up and die, you pretentious prick."
"Not happening," I retort, "my powers are beyond your comprehension."
He rolls his eyes, "Bullshit. Prepare to meet your end." He pulls out a grenade and hurls it toward me.
Anxiety tightens my chest as I glance at the towering Interdimensional Tower behind me. In a split-second decision, I snatch the grenade from the air, my skill on full display. With a quick flick of my wrist, I send it flying far away.
"Nice try," I taunt, "but you'll have to do better than that."
Ignoring my banter, Hajin finally stops in his tracks as I call to him for the nth time. "Kim Hajin, listen to me… The Returnee Hero!?" I shout over the chaos, "That's your novel, right? I know it, and I know you. I am a friend!"
He hesitates, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Friend?" I continue, hoping my words break through.
Kim Hajin lowers his weapon, skepticism etched on his face.
The dungeon is eerily silent, the air heavy with tension. Kim Hajin, the author of "The Returnee Hero," eyes me suspiciously as I stand before him, a supposed monster born from the depths of this dungeon.
"How do you know my novel?" he questions, narrowing his eyes. "Are you some fan who's taken their love for the story a bit too far? No… you are clearly a dungeon monster…"
I sigh, knowing that explaining my situation won't be easy. "I'm from the future, Kim Hajin. Your novel is known far and wide, even in my time. But proving it to you would be difficult."
Kim Hajin smirks, seemingly uninterested. "The Returnee Hero is just one of many series I've written. Knowing it means nothing to me."
His nonchalance triggers a sense of urgency in me. I can't afford to lose my precious skeletons.
"Skeletons, run! Get out of here!" I command.
The skeletons, my loyal minions, start to scatter. Hajin's grin widens as he deduces my ability to control them.
"So you're the puppet master, huh?" he mocks.
His gaze shifts to the tower of bones behind me, and I feel a bead of sweat forming, even though my skeletal face is incapable of expressing it.
"Nice tower you got there," he smirks.
Instinctively, I know I need to protect it at all costs. I can't let him destroy my valuable manpower and tower. All of this is precious to me!
"You're such an asshole," I grumble.
Hajin, unfazed by my complaint, raises his shotgun, ready to take a shot at the tower.
"No!" I urgently exclaim.
In a swift motion, I intercept the bullet, a powerful slug tinged with magic. With a karate chop, I redirect its trajectory away from the tower, ensuring it remains unharmed.
Hajin smirks, realizing that he has my attention.
"Nervous, are we?" he taunts.
Despite my skeletal appearance and mask, I can't help but feel the pressure. Kim Hajin is perceptive, and I need to be careful not to reveal too much about my abilities in the future.
Kim Hajin frowns as I effortlessly parry a slug from a shotgun. He didn't expect that, and it shows on his face. "Stop playing, Hajin," I say, my tone firm. He looks at me, skepticism in his eyes. Ignoring my warning, he readies himself for another attack.
"If you don't want to listen to me," I continue, "then maybe you'll think differently if you understand the difference in our power." I need him to realize that he can't just dismiss what I say. I can't afford to let him go on thinking I'm some kind of monster.
Out of curiosity, I decide to address the elephant in the room. "Why do you see me as a monster?" I ask, my voice muffled by the mask I wear. My silhouette is humanoid, and my speech is intelligent. I expect a rational answer.
Hajin, without hesitation, replies, "I have very good eyes." I can't help but grin behind my mask. That's the Hajin I know – straightforward and honest.
Seizing the opportunity, I cast and teleport right in front of Hajin. A feigned punch follows, enveloping my fist. He seems rattled, unsure of how to react. Well, that’s to be expected. I must be quite fast in his perception.
When he tries to block, I've already tripped him, and in a seamless motion, I tap his guns. I imbue on his weapons, leaving him momentarily blinded. In the blink of an eye, I return to my initial position, ready for whatever comes next.
Kim Hajin stands up, his embarrassment is palpable after being tripped. "What was that for?" he asks, a hint of irritation in his voice.
I theatrically snap my fingers. "For this." Abruptly, all of Hajin’s guns teleport to my side, a result of me imbuing in his weapons. His eyes widen in surprise.
"If you want to live," I demand, my tone unwavering, "listen to me from now on." Hajin, though reluctant, nods in agreement.
To disarm his aggressiveness, I decide to take a different approach. "I'm actually a fan," I say casually, watching as Hajin relaxes slightly. "A big fan."
Hajin looks puzzled, so I decide to drop a bombshell. "I come from a timeline where your novel has become a reality."
He still doesn't quite get it, so I elaborate. "I've met the protagonist of your novel, The Returnee Hero. I've even met the other characters you've written about."
Kim Hajin is speechless, absorbing the information. I continue, describing the characters and the plot of The Returnee Hero in vivid detail. "Suho is now my friend, and so are the others. Suho is having a blast by the way, dude is also trapped in another timeline like I am now. If you want to test me, then feel free to do so."
Hajin's disbelief is evident as he processes the surreal claims I'm making.
