I open my eyes, greeted by the sterile expanse of a white ceiling. My mind races to piece together the fragments of memory that flood my consciousness. The Miracle Stone, the abandoned factory, the undead monsters carefully stowed in my Witch King's Storage—it all converges the moment I activated the Extradimensional Router with the Miracle Stone. Time unraveled, and I found myself thrust into the Zeroth Iteration, the true origin of all timelines.
Attempting to rise from the bed, I'm met with an unexpected resistance. I scan the room, taking in the familiar hospital surroundings—the white ceiling above, the rhythmic beeping of a machine to my left monitoring my vitals, and the mundane yet strangely comforting standard white bed beneath me. Confusion settles in; why am I in a hospital?
A survey of my current state reveals a surprising twist. In the First Iteration, my form was that of an undead being, bones intact. Now, however, I seem to have reclaimed my fleshy existence. I attempt to move, but an invisible force restrains me. Turning my attention downward, I uncover the mystery beneath the blanket.
To my astonishment, my legs are encased in a sturdy cast. The revelation prompts a bewildered reaction. "Wow. That looks new to me."
The incongruity of my situation deepens, and questions swirl in my mind like a tempest. Quickly, I arrive at several conclusions. First, it seems I have returned to my real body before my transmigration. I can fairly recall the truck accident. Second, it appears that the ‘Zeroth Iteration’ is real, and my theory as to how the 666 timelines work seems to have gaps. Third, if I understand it right, there are actually a total of 667 timelines with the Zeroth Iteration being the original.
Here I am, back in the timeline where it all began. The 666 timelines have been a whirlwind of adventure, each iteration bringing its own set of challenges and peculiarities… though the only timeline I experienced is the 666th and the 1st timelines.
But now, in this supposed-to-be original timeline, everything feels oddly mundane.
Gone are the whispers of magic that used to dance around me, and the supernatural inclinations in the atmosphere are conspicuously absent. In the First Iteration, there were at least a few uncanny coincidences (superstitions with active occult influence), but the Zeroth Iteration appears to be truly deprived of anything beyond the ordinary.
As I ponder this, the door suddenly swings open, and in walks my elder sister, Hyon Hee. Her eyes are red, and tears trickle down her cheeks. A dramatic entrance, typical of her.
"Oh my gosh," I mutter under my breath. "Such a drama queen."
Hyon Hee presses her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs, and then rushes towards me, enveloping me in a tight hug. "Thank god, thank god," she whispers.
I sigh, feeling a mix of annoyance and guilt. "God is not real," I tell her, perhaps a bit too bluntly.
"Shut up," she responds, her voice muffled against my shoulder.
I gently push her away, insisting, "Let go of me."
Reluctantly, she releases her grip, and I decide to play along, engaging her in conversations. We talk about mundane things, and I find myself keeping my secrets close, trying my best to act normal in front of her.
The weight of my impending departure lingers in the air, casting a shadow over our interactions. While talking with my sister, my mind’s keep on coming back to the 666th timeline, my friends, my little Evandel, and then Rachel.
"So, how's the afterlife?" Hyon Hee asks, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh, you know, the usual," I reply vaguely, avoiding details that might raise suspicion. “Believe me, hell is an easier place than one might imagine… I even made a few friends there…” I snicker.
She furrows her brow. "Is everything okay?"
I force a smile. "Just some near-death hangover, nothing to worry about."
She studies my face for a moment before changing the subject. "Remember that old friend of ours, Jenny? She called me the other day."
I nod, my mind elsewhere. "Oh, really? How's she doing?"
Hyon Hee shrugs. "Seems like she's doing well. Got a promotion at work and all that. It's been ages since we caught up. We should meet her sometime."
"Sure, sure," I say absentmindedly, mentally calculating how much time I need to allocate in this timeline.
The conversation continues, but my thoughts are a million miles away. As Hyon Hee talks about her daily life, I find myself wondering how I'll break the news to her when the time comes.
"What is the problem? Should I call the nurse?" she finally remarks, her eyes searching mine.
I offer a half-hearted chuckle. "Just preoccupied with being thankful for being alive, you know? But hey, let's not ruin the day with heavy talk. We should do something fun together."
Hyon Hee brightens at the suggestion. “How about a 1VS1 MOBA?”
“Eh? You still playing that, sis? Come on…” I receive a smartphone from my dear Noona, the game is already running and loading. Hyon Hee drags a chair beside me and takes out a smartphone of her own. All throughout the day, me and my sister just played, not even bothering to call any nurse or doctor to inform them of my waking up from what I believed to be a coma.
But hey, me and my sister are irresponsible like that.
As night descends, Hyon Hee, my sister, takes it upon herself to stay by my side. Her brown hair, mirroring mine, frames her tall figure. I sit quietly, observing her as she peacefully slumbers on the sofa.
In the embroidery of my life, every thread weaves a tale of fulfillment. In the realm of academics, I excel effortlessly, earning the reputation of a diligent student with a likable demeanor. Adopted into a caring family, I share this journey with my blood sister, Hyon Hee, who has been my steadfast companion for as long as I can remember.
It is funny… I reckon my pals from the 666th timeline won’t be able to imagine me being actually an Honor Student.
The memories of our shared past, my sister, flicker like old film reels in my mind. Despite occasional bouts of tyranny, I have come to value and cherish the bond we share. A soft snicker escapes me as I reminisce about the antics of our youth.
I recall a particular incident when Hyon Hee, in a fit of romantic excitement, kicked me out of the house to make room for her boyfriend. A chuckle escapes my lips as I reflect on the amusing twists of fate.
How fortunate I am to be living this life, surrounded by the warmth of family and the quirks that make it uniquely mine. And then there are my parents too whom I don’t share their blood but treat me like their own son as if I am their flesh and blood.
I am truly blessed.
I take a deep breath, the sterile hospital air filling my lungs. Glancing around the room, I search for something, anything that could serve as a makeshift bowl. My gaze falls on the cold, metal tray by the bedside, but it's too shallow. I remain seated on the unforgiving hospital bed, contemplating my options.
With a sigh, I decide to make do with what I have. I stretch out my two fingers, poking at my uvula, a strange sensation that makes me want to gag. And then it happens—I feel the nausea rising, an overwhelming urge to vomit. I don't fight it; instead, I let it come, retching as the contents of my stomach spew out. I catch the lump of something in my palms, the acidic liquid splattering on the bed.
In my hands rests the Miracle Stone, a peculiar object I acquired from a previous iteration. Its smooth surface glows with an otherworldly energy. The Miracle Stone is not just a ticket to the past; it possesses an inexplicable amount of magic power, a revelation that still baffles me. Holding it now, I can feel the pulsating energy within.
Determined, I decide to harness the power of the Miracle Stone. With it as a conduit, I begin to circulate my magic power throughout my body. I may lack healing abilities, but the heightened metabolism triggered by the surge of magic should expedite my recovery. As the magic courses through me, I can almost sense the mending of my wounds, a subtle yet tangible change.
The hospital room fades into the background as I focus on channeling the power within the Miracle Stone. Time seems to blur, and I can feel the past and present converging. The magic responds to my will, a force that transcends the limitations of the ordinary.
With each passing moment, I sense the restoration of strength and vitality, a testament to the incredible capabilities hidden within the Miracle Stone. This one very unique way to use the stone, and slowly but surely, I begin to perspire.
I lie irritably in my bed, the monotony of the hospital room exacerbating my frustration. Memories of the accident flood my mind—Truck-kun, that relentless conveyance, had ruthlessly taken me down. I remember the absurdity of answering a survey on my phone while walking, the seemingly innocent question about my favorite novel. The response, "The Novel’s Extra," sealed my fate.
The collision with Truck-kun catapulted me into the world of The Novel’s Extra, and from that point onward, my life took a surreal turn. All kinds of incidents happened around me. I sigh. Now, lying in bed, I gaze at the Miracle Stone nestled in my palm. It appears deceptively mundane, a beautiful rock with no apparent significance, yet I can sense a hidden power pulsating within its core.
This Miracle Stone is my insurance in this untampered world. Glancing at my elder sister, still asleep in the hospital room, I summon the determination to free myself from the constraints of my injuries. With a difficult effort, I remove the cast encasing my legs and, fueled by sheer willpower, manage to stand.
A deep breath steadies my resolve as I activate my Flash Ability, teleporting outside. I plummet through the air, feeling the cool breeze caress my cheeks. The hospital building stands beside me, and above, a peaceful night is dominated by a solitary moon. Surveying the city's nocturnal activities below, I employ my Flash Ability intermittently, arriving at the location where I believe I met my demise.
The empty street stretches before me, illuminated only by the single lamppost. Seated on a bench, I clasp my hands in prayer, staring at the silent surroundings. With a solemn promise, I steel my resolve, knowing that the Miracle Stone in my possession holds the key to gaining the answers I don’t even know whether I want or not.
“Let’s go…” I psyche myself, “Let’s meet God.”
Alfir What is Hyon Hyung's destiny? And if it is going to be fulfilled... Why?
I open my eyes, greeted by the sterile expanse of a white ceiling. My mind races to piece together the fragments of memory that flood my consciousness. The Miracle Stone, the abandoned factory, the undead monsters carefully stowed in my Witch King's Storage—it all converges the moment I activated the Extradimensional Router with the Miracle Stone. Time unraveled, and I found myself thrust into the Zeroth Iteration, the true origin of all timelines.
Attempting to rise from the bed, I'm met with an unexpected resistance. I scan the room, taking in the familiar hospital surroundings—the white ceiling above, the rhythmic beeping of a machine to my left monitoring my vitals, and the mundane yet strangely comforting standard white bed beneath me. Confusion settles in; why am I in a hospital?
A survey of my current state reveals a surprising twist. In the First Iteration, my form was that of an undead being, bones intact. Now, however, I seem to have reclaimed my fleshy existence. I attempt to move, but an invisible force restrains me. Turning my attention downward, I uncover the mystery beneath the blanket.
To my astonishment, my legs are encased in a sturdy cast. The revelation prompts a bewildered reaction. "Wow. That looks new to me."
The incongruity of my situation deepens, and questions swirl in my mind like a tempest. Quickly, I arrive at several conclusions. First, it seems I have returned to my real body before my transmigration. I can fairly recall the truck accident. Second, it appears that the ‘Zeroth Iteration’ is real, and my theory as to how the 666 timelines work seems to have gaps. Third, if I understand it right, there are actually a total of 667 timelines with the Zeroth Iteration being the original.
Here I am, back in the timeline where it all began. The 666 timelines have been a whirlwind of adventure, each iteration bringing its own set of challenges and peculiarities… though the only timeline I experienced is the 666th and the 1st timelines.
But now, in this supposed-to-be original timeline, everything feels oddly mundane.
Gone are the whispers of magic that used to dance around me, and the supernatural inclinations in the atmosphere are conspicuously absent. In the First Iteration, there were at least a few uncanny coincidences (superstitions with active occult influence), but the Zeroth Iteration appears to be truly deprived of anything beyond the ordinary.
As I ponder this, the door suddenly swings open, and in walks my elder sister, Hyon Hee. Her eyes are red, and tears trickle down her cheeks. A dramatic entrance, typical of her.
"Oh my gosh," I mutter under my breath. "Such a drama queen."
Hyon Hee presses her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs, and then rushes towards me, enveloping me in a tight hug. "Thank god, thank god," she whispers.
I sigh, feeling a mix of annoyance and guilt. "God is not real," I tell her, perhaps a bit too bluntly.
"Shut up," she responds, her voice muffled against my shoulder.
I gently push her away, insisting, "Let go of me."
Reluctantly, she releases her grip, and I decide to play along, engaging her in conversations. We talk about mundane things, and I find myself keeping my secrets close, trying my best to act normal in front of her.
The weight of my impending departure lingers in the air, casting a shadow over our interactions. While talking with my sister, my mind’s keep on coming back to the 666th timeline, my friends, my little Evandel, and then Rachel.
"So, how's the afterlife?" Hyon Hee asks, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh, you know, the usual," I reply vaguely, avoiding details that might raise suspicion. “Believe me, hell is an easier place than one might imagine… I even made a few friends there…” I snicker.
She furrows her brow. "Is everything okay?"
I force a smile. "Just some near-death hangover, nothing to worry about."
She studies my face for a moment before changing the subject. "Remember that old friend of ours, Jenny? She called me the other day."
I nod, my mind elsewhere. "Oh, really? How's she doing?"
Hyon Hee shrugs. "Seems like she's doing well. Got a promotion at work and all that. It's been ages since we caught up. We should meet her sometime."
"Sure, sure," I say absentmindedly, mentally calculating how much time I need to allocate in this timeline.
The conversation continues, but my thoughts are a million miles away. As Hyon Hee talks about her daily life, I find myself wondering how I'll break the news to her when the time comes.
"What is the problem? Should I call the nurse?" she finally remarks, her eyes searching mine.
I offer a half-hearted chuckle. "Just preoccupied with being thankful for being alive, you know? But hey, let's not ruin the day with heavy talk. We should do something fun together."
Hyon Hee brightens at the suggestion. “How about a 1VS1 MOBA?”
“Eh? You still playing that, sis? Come on…” I receive a smartphone from my dear Noona, the game is already running and loading. Hyon Hee drags a chair beside me and takes out a smartphone of her own. All throughout the day, me and my sister just played, not even bothering to call any nurse or doctor to inform them of my waking up from what I believed to be a coma.
But hey, me and my sister are irresponsible like that.
As night descends, Hyon Hee, my sister, takes it upon herself to stay by my side. Her brown hair, mirroring mine, frames her tall figure. I sit quietly, observing her as she peacefully slumbers on the sofa.
In the embroidery of my life, every thread weaves a tale of fulfillment. In the realm of academics, I excel effortlessly, earning the reputation of a diligent student with a likable demeanor. Adopted into a caring family, I share this journey with my blood sister, Hyon Hee, who has been my steadfast companion for as long as I can remember.
It is funny… I reckon my pals from the 666th timeline won’t be able to imagine me being actually an Honor Student.
The memories of our shared past, my sister, flicker like old film reels in my mind. Despite occasional bouts of tyranny, I have come to value and cherish the bond we share. A soft snicker escapes me as I reminisce about the antics of our youth.
I recall a particular incident when Hyon Hee, in a fit of romantic excitement, kicked me out of the house to make room for her boyfriend. A chuckle escapes my lips as I reflect on the amusing twists of fate.
How fortunate I am to be living this life, surrounded by the warmth of family and the quirks that make it uniquely mine. And then there are my parents too whom I don’t share their blood but treat me like their own son as if I am their flesh and blood.
I am truly blessed.
I take a deep breath, the sterile hospital air filling my lungs. Glancing around the room, I search for something, anything that could serve as a makeshift bowl. My gaze falls on the cold, metal tray by the bedside, but it's too shallow. I remain seated on the unforgiving hospital bed, contemplating my options.
With a sigh, I decide to make do with what I have. I stretch out my two fingers, poking at my uvula, a strange sensation that makes me want to gag. And then it happens—I feel the nausea rising, an overwhelming urge to vomit. I don't fight it; instead, I let it come, retching as the contents of my stomach spew out. I catch the lump of something in my palms, the acidic liquid splattering on the bed.
In my hands rests the Miracle Stone, a peculiar object I acquired from a previous iteration. Its smooth surface glows with an otherworldly energy. The Miracle Stone is not just a ticket to the past; it possesses an inexplicable amount of magic power, a revelation that still baffles me. Holding it now, I can feel the pulsating energy within.
Determined, I decide to harness the power of the Miracle Stone. With it as a conduit, I begin to circulate my magic power throughout my body. I may lack healing abilities, but the heightened metabolism triggered by the surge of magic should expedite my recovery. As the magic courses through me, I can almost sense the mending of my wounds, a subtle yet tangible change.
The hospital room fades into the background as I focus on channeling the power within the Miracle Stone. Time seems to blur, and I can feel the past and present converging. The magic responds to my will, a force that transcends the limitations of the ordinary.
With each passing moment, I sense the restoration of strength and vitality, a testament to the incredible capabilities hidden within the Miracle Stone. This one very unique way to use the stone, and slowly but surely, I begin to perspire.
I lie irritably in my bed, the monotony of the hospital room exacerbating my frustration. Memories of the accident flood my mind—Truck-kun, that relentless conveyance, had ruthlessly taken me down. I remember the absurdity of answering a survey on my phone while walking, the seemingly innocent question about my favorite novel. The response, "The Novel’s Extra," sealed my fate.
The collision with Truck-kun catapulted me into the world of The Novel’s Extra, and from that point onward, my life took a surreal turn. All kinds of incidents happened around me. I sigh. Now, lying in bed, I gaze at the Miracle Stone nestled in my palm. It appears deceptively mundane, a beautiful rock with no apparent significance, yet I can sense a hidden power pulsating within its core.
This Miracle Stone is my insurance in this untampered world. Glancing at my elder sister, still asleep in the hospital room, I summon the determination to free myself from the constraints of my injuries. With a difficult effort, I remove the cast encasing my legs and, fueled by sheer willpower, manage to stand.
A deep breath steadies my resolve as I activate my Flash Ability, teleporting outside. I plummet through the air, feeling the cool breeze caress my cheeks. The hospital building stands beside me, and above, a peaceful night is dominated by a solitary moon. Surveying the city's nocturnal activities below, I employ my Flash Ability intermittently, arriving at the location where I believe I met my demise.
The empty street stretches before me, illuminated only by the single lamppost. Seated on a bench, I clasp my hands in prayer, staring at the silent surroundings. With a solemn promise, I steel my resolve, knowing that the Miracle Stone in my possession holds the key to gaining the answers I don’t even know whether I want or not.
“Let’s go…” I psyche myself, “Let’s meet God.”
Alfir What is Hyon Hyung's destiny? And if it is going to be fulfilled... Why?
