Five | Back to 15 Years Ago (1)

IPT Guild Main Building Lobby, LIPA, Batangas

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Ace’s eyes fluttered open, and the bustling sound of voices and footsteps filled his ears. He squinted against the fluorescent lights above, the hum of the building’s air conditioning a sharp contrast to the crisp night air he had been standing in just moments ago.

His head spun. He sat upright and glanced around, his surroundings a strikingly familiar mix of old-fashioned furniture and polished marble floors. The lobby was busy with staff in suits and hunters in gear, each carrying documents or equipment.

"Huh?" Ace muttered, rubbing his temples. His confusion deepened as he took in the scene. Wasn’t I just drinking with that old man?

He squeezed his eyes shut and reopened them, half expecting the rooftop of LIMA Hotel and the eerie SS-Rank gate to reappear. But instead, his gaze landed on a crisp letter sitting in his lap.

The elegant text on the paper caught his attention.

Congratulations!

Dear Hanny Ace Jimuel De Leon,

You have passed the initial assessment of Iron Pulse Technologies (IPT) Guild.

We are hereby inviting you to our final interview, June 02, 2030, 2:00 PM, at IPT Main Building, LIMA, Lipa, Batangas, Philippines.

Ace froze. His heart raced as he read the letter over and over, unable to believe his eyes.

June 02, 2030.

With trembling hands, he lowered the paper and stared at his palms. They were young—unscarred, uncalloused, and smooth. Gone were the marks of countless battles, the burns from mana overuse, and the cuts from handling sharp blades.

'What is happening?'

It felt like looking at a stranger’s hands.

“Is this... real?” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the lobby. His mind buzzed with questions. How is this possible? What happened to the rooftop? That gate? The old man?

Before he could dive deeper into the storm of thoughts, a cheerful voice interrupted him.

“Ah!” someone gasped, his voice brimming with excitement. “I passed the initial assessment too!”

Ace turned toward the source of the voice immediately and felt his breath catch in his throat. Sitting a few sits away, holding his own invitation letter with a wide grin, was a face Ace thought he’d never see again.

'Vince...? Vince Ivan Gallos?'

Ace’s heart pounded as if it had been struck by lightning. 'Vince... but he’s dead. He died because of me. How is he here?'

And it finally sinked to him. The Vince standing before him was younger—his smile untainted by the burdens of guild politics or the crushing weight of hopelessness. His enthusiasm was contagious as he looked at Ace with a spark of camaraderie.

'Its the young Vince Ivan Gallos?!'

“It’s amazing, right?” Vince beamed, holding up his invitation. “IPT Guild! I’ve wanted to work here since I was a kid. Now I’m just one step away.”

Ace felt his mouth go dry. 'This is impossible. How could I be here? How could he be here?'

Vince didn’t notice Ace’s shock, continuing on with an excited energy that filled the room. “Only the final interview left! Hey, you passed too, right? What do you think? Isn’t this guild incredible?”

Ace barely managed to nod, his mind racing. This place. This moment. This conversation. It’s felt like a huge amount of deja vu.

But before Ace could answer Vince, a commotion nearby drew their attention.

“Wah!”

While Ace was trying to deep dig his memories, a staff member carrying a tray of juice cups stumbled, the tray slipping from her grasp. Bright orange liquid splashed through the air, landing squarely on Ace’s suit.

“Oh, shit!” the woman gasped, horrified. She dropped to her knees, attempting to gather the mess with trembling hands. “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!”

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Ace stared at her, stunned—not by the spill, but by the overwhelming sense of familiarity.

'This already happened. This exact accident happened!'

The staff member scrambled to her feet but slipped on the wet floor, her purse flying from her hand. Its contents scattered across the ground.

“Are you alright, miss?” Vince, looking worried at the staff, was at her side in an instant, helping her stand.

Ace bent down, still dazed, and began gathering the fallen items. His hands moved automatically as his mind reeled.

"Its alright, miss. There's nothing to worry about. My initial assessment is also done...", he reassured lightly though his mind is a bit out of what's happening.

Fifteen years ago, this same scene played out.

As he reached for a small hand mirror, the reflection caught his eye. It wasn’t the face of a grizzled veteran or a weary CEO staring back at him. It was the face of a twenty-year-old—a young man with bright eyes and unblemished skin.

'It’s me. My twenty-year-old self.'

Ace’s hand trembled as he picked up the mirror. 'This is real. This isn’t a dream. I’ve regressed. Somehow, I’m back in 2030.'

His thoughts turned to the old man, the rooftop, and the strange business card he’d tucked into his pocket. The old man... Was it him? Is this his doing?

'If it was really him... then perhaps?!...'

Ace then began pickpocketing himself, checking for something. And as sure as he was, it really was in the frontpocket of his messed up suit spilled with juice.

(December 12, 2045, 2:35 AM)

(SS-Rank Gate, LIMA, Lipa, Batangas)

The card was tangible proof of the impossible.

'Is this as real as it can get?' Ace thought as he inspected the business card name written on the front.

( Hunter Nico Baja )

'That old man's name is Nico? Nico Baja? As far as I know, one of the five national hunters of USA has a family name of Baja, but I'm certain his name was not Nico....'

( Hunter Nico Baja )

( IPT Guild Raiding Deparment )

Ace eyes widened when he finally processed the guild written on the card.

'IPT Guild? Raiding Department?! But I never heard of that old man before!'

“Hey, are you okay?” Vince’s concerned voice broke through Ace’s thoughts. He saw Ace's paling face.

Ace quickly pocketed the card, forcing a smile. “Yeah. I’m fine.” He immediately finished cleaning the scattered belongings of the staff. After he cleaned, he handed over the handbag at the apologetic staff.

The staff member handed him a business card, her face red with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry about your suit! Please call me about the laundry expenses. I’m really sorry, but I have to go. I’m already late!”

She dashed off, leaving Ace and Vince alone again. She came like a storm, she also left like a storm.

As Ace saw her off the long hallway, his eyes caught the digital clock hanging by the wall.

The date was burned inside Ace's mind and it felt like a huge mind mine has been hauled. It was the beginning of the everything.

'2030? I really regressed back in time! This is the year I joined IPT Guild!'

"How are the operations for the farm gates at San Jose?"

Ace heard an an old man asked passing through them. As he looked at them, there was a group of staff passing by them.

"We are transitioning to tri-shift raid schedule run now sir. Efficiency and mining rate is going up by 37% sir."

A familiar voice and face. It hit Ace like a reality. 'Franz Sebastian Castillo?!'

It was the younger Franz. The same Franz that confronted him during the strike.

"We are still unsure about the situation though in Alitagtag..." Franz continued as they pass by.

"Alitagtag? I already contacted the raid department about that! Follow up on them always!"

"Yes, sir!" Franz answered the grumpy manager.

'He looks so young!' Ace was amazed, yet at the same time, he remembered the words shouted by Franz the last time they met.

"Vince! He killed himself last night! Because of your protocols, he commited suicide!"

The words started haunting him as he stared at the young Vince looking at the group of staff with Franz that passed through them.

"Hey! Aren't those guys from IPT Guild?! They look so awesome! Will I also look cool wearing those suits?! But what a problem, I want to apply for raiding deparment too... So my main uniform will be raiding armors, right?"

Ace forced a smile. “Maybe.”

Vince has not a single clue of what Ace is going through. But Ace thought its fine. Its fine to have this peace even though maybe this is just a dream.

But there's a tinging part of his heart that wanted to warn Vince.

'Don't continue here Vince. This place will destroy you!'

"Aren't you excited?" Vince asked.

"More than excitement, I really want to change clothes right now." Ace answered. His clothes is dyed with orange stain and it is very unsightly.

“You’re handling this pretty well,” Vince said, grinning. “I’d be freaking out if someone spilled juice all over after an important interview. You know, like it is a bad omen or bad sign of job hunting.”

Ace glanced down at his stained suit, remembering how mortified he’d been the first time this happened. But now, it felt insignificant—just a small piece of a puzzle he was seeing for the second time.

“It’s just a suit,” Ace said, brushing it off.

“Wow, you’re calm,” Vince laughed. “Are you a mage or something? You’ve got that cool, unshakable vibe.”

Ace smiled faintly. “Yeah. I’m a mage.”

"That's great! I want a calm mage guarding my back! I'm a front-liner tank! My name's Vince! Vince Ivan Gallos." Vince extended his arm towards Ace. "If we ever get a chance to raid together, it will be amazing! I hope we both pass!"

"I'm Ace. Hanny Ace Jimuel De Leon." Ace grabbed Vince's hand and exchange shaking. "It feels like fate will allow it."

'You may not know it Vince, but in the future, we will be working for so many dungeon raids even though we are in different departments... You are my most trusted front and I'm your most trusted back.'

As their hands parted, Ace’s chest tightened. You don’t know it yet, Vince, but in the future, you’ll trust me with your life. And I’ll fail you.

But only Ace know what will happen in the future.