Overwhelmed by a surge of fear, I stared wide-eyed at the monstrous three-headed hydro dragon. My body shook uncontrollably. Park Jum, ever the comforting presence, patted my shoulder, his gaze fixed firmly on the beast. His grip on his giant shield was unyielding. "Don't worry," he reassured, "We will get past this."

Suddenly, a loud 'boom' echoed around us. The chilling voice of my comrades resonated in the air, "Su-Jin-ssi...forgive us...Goodbye...Su-Jin..." My head throbbed with pain as I clutched it tightly. The haunting memories of the past were relentless, invading my dreams and my waking thoughts.

「...Sung Il-yeong, Ahn Shin, Park Jum...」

「These people are the ones destined to die by the hands of the hydro dragon designed by "Fate"」

"Fate?" I whispered, my voice barely more than a rasp. My body quaked, lips trembling as my eyes wavered, a tell-tale hint of red at their corners. Veins traced a stark pattern on the back of my hands, a physical manifestation of my inner turmoil.

Breathing became an effort, a struggle akin to the one I experienced eight years ago, only magnified now.

I sought solace in the darkness behind my closed eyelids, leaning back to draw in a deep, steadying breath.

'This can't be real...it simply can't be...'

I fought against accepting the truth, convincing myself that it was merely a desperate cry for attention from an unknown source.

I yearned to reject it, to dismiss it outright, but...

My frown deepened, teeth grinding in frustration as I forced myself to continue reading the book.

The more I read, the more my reality seemed to blend with the narrative. The book didn't just know everyone's secrets, it painted my past with an uncanny accuracy, as if it was the author of my of the world itself.

No, it was not just the world.

As I read further, I found that it not only tells about the world 「Earth」 but also other worlds that I don't find in the solar system. No, to be more precise, another dimension.

'This...'

I stared intently at the book and couldn't help thinking, 'Is this really, the true 「Kismet」?'

Before I could delve deeper, the ground shook violently, throwing everything into chaos. I stumbled, holding onto the wall for support. Then, I saw it - a gigantic crack in the crimson red sky, and from it descended three human-like entities.

Just then the one on the right flicked their finger before three bright orbs suddenly appeared and scattered in the sky, and from it, we heard their voices clearly no matter how far away we are.

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『Earthlings, listen closely to what we are about to say』

Many people had already moved as they spoke and pointed their guns and cannons at them but to their surprise, the entities had no reaction and were indifferent.

They continued, 『We, are the 「Walkers」, and we seek something that is said to be found in this world』

『The one we are looking for, is called 「Kismet」』

Hearing this my eyes widened. 'What?'

I glanced at the book and a thought flashed in my mind, 'It's real'

Then, as I turned my gaze back to the entities called 「Walkers」, our eyes suddenly met and I shuddered greatly, feeling cold all over my body.

Without a second thought I moved and packed my things inside my hang bag. Then...

'Boom!'

Behind me the entire wall exploded and I crouched down.

Then as I slowly turned around I met a frightening scene.

Behind me, all of the people along with the walls and buildings were destroyed as if it was ran over by something gigantic.

It started from beneath the 「Walkers」and ended behind me.

There was only one thought in my mind at this moment.

'Run!'

Immediately I stood up and ran outside with my bag.

The 「Walkers」smirked before they all flew towards my direction at the same time.

"Fire!"

'Bang!'

'Bang!'

The cannons and guns all were triggered directly towards the 「Walkers」 but with just a sway from their hand, all of the people were thrown away.

"Monster! They're Monsters!"

"Retreat!"

Everyone panicked and ran whether they are soldiers or citizens they all fled away in horror.

I fled in the opposite direction and continued to run and run without looking back.

In the ensuing chaos, I ran. I ran until my lungs burned, until my legs felt like jelly.

'Why?'

Not long after I got out of the base and still continued to run. Despite all my efforts, I can still hear and sense that the 「Walkers」 are just right behind me.

One of them raised their finger and pointed at me before a beam of light appeared and shot at my direction.

I turned to the side and barely dodged it. As I rolled on the ground I gritted my teeth and continued to ran.

'Why?'

'Why is this happening to me?'

Then, I reached a cliff.

I panted as I stood at the very edge.

Hearing the sound of people landing lightly on their feet I knew that it's the 「Walkers」.

They then spoke, 『Hmph! You dare try to outrun us with your weak body? How laughable!』

'Weak?'

'Until now, why am I still being called that?'

'I know, compared to you 「Walkers」, I'm just a weak human who is far inferior compared to others...'

'But!'

'Why? Just why?!'

Seeing me not speaking the 「Walkers」laughed and reached out their hand as they said 『Hand over the 「Kismet」right now』

I was silent before I took a deep breath, reaching my hand inside the bag I took out a book and turned around. "Here" I threw the book towards them.

They all scoffed before the 「Walkers」in the middle pointed his finger at me.

Then, a beam of light appeared and before I could react, it pierced right through my chest.

Slowly, I fell off the cliff but, the 「Walkers」, for a moment saw me smiled and just as they were confused I already disappeared from their sight.

『What a wierd earthling』they muttered and just as they picked up the book and turned it around, they widened their eyes in horror before screaming 『No!』

The book I threw, was not the 「Kismet」but a book that I recently have been reading since there is no longer any web-novels to read.

The 「Walkers」walked to the edge but found that my body couldn't be seen anymore in the dark void.

『How dare that earthling!』

『Tsk, we've been fooled』

The three of them looked at each other with a frown before one of them asked 『What do we do now?』

The leader of them, the one who was in the middle, looked down at the void before they said 『Let's keep searching for it, no matter if it is in the deepest part of the world』

....

As I fell, I clung to the 「Kismet」, my mind a whirlpool of thoughts. 'How pitiful,' I thought to myself, 'In the end, I'm nothing but a weak, pathetic being, destined to meet a pathetic end.' I wondered, if given a second chance, could I alter my fate?

Slowly, I closed my eyes, the smiling faces of my friends flashing before me. Their voices echoed in my mind, calling out to me.

- Su-Jin-ssi!

- Hyung!

- Su-Jin!

'I'm sorry, everyone,' I thought, 'I discovered the truth behind your deaths, but I was powerless to change anything.'

As consciousness slipped away, my body went numb. 'So, this is it,' I thought, 'Goodbye.' But just when I was on the brink of hitting the bottom of the void, a figure with giant, angelic wings appeared, cradling my body in their arms.

『What a pitiful creature indeed』the entity chuckled, 『You want to know the true reason behind your friends' deaths, don't you?』They continued, 『Then, I shall grant you a chance. But remember, don't lose sight of your goal, and most importantly, don't lose your sanity.』

『The "Angel of Mysteries" has bestowed their 「Blessing」 upon the epitome "Kim Su-Jin"』