My name is Ryo.
I have come back to the past—exactly twenty years into the past. Right now, the towering spires, the watching Constellations, and the encroaching demons still haven't appeared in this world. Before everything fell apart, I was just an average medical student at the University of Korea. But the sudden appearance of the Tower, the celestial beings, and the magic hunters from other worlds changed my life completely. Not only mine, but the entire world turned completely upside down.
Fortunately, there is still some time left until the Tutorial officially begins.
Fortunately, there is still some time left until the Tutorial officially begins.
As I sat there processing my reality, a hand suddenly reached out from behind me. Instinctively, my combat reflexes flared, and I reacted sharply, grabbing her hand before she could surprise me.
"Ouch! Senior!"
I blinked, letting go. It wasn't an enemy; it was my friend and underclassman, Park Minsoo.
Rubbing her wrist, she started talking immediately. "Senior, why aren't you going to your classes? Why are you just sitting out here in the park?"
"I'm just not interested in the classes today," I replied quietly, looking around at the peaceful campus.
"Is that so?" Minsoo said, tilting her head with a smile. "Well, you're already gifted, so I guess you wouldn't really need them anyway."
I let out a sudden laugh at her statement.
"What's wrong, Senior? Why are you laughing?" she asked, turning defensive. "Did I say something bad? Everything I said is completely true!"
No, it's just..." I replied, shaking my head. "Calling myself a genius is kinda pushing it."
"Are you kidding? You're the top prospect of this entire year!" she insisted, launching into a whole speech about my academic performance and experience.
But my mind was completely elsewhere. Soon, the real problem would start. I needed to move; I had to prepare for the upcoming Tutorial.
I abruptly stood up from the park bench.
"Senior, where are you going?" she asked, her face practically turning into a giant question mark.
I looked down at her, my expression dead serious. "Minsoo, you should go find a safe place soon. The world is about to change drastically."
Hearing my ominous warning, she just burst out laughing. She stepped closer, reaching up to touch her palm to my forehead to check my temperature. "Are you feeling okay? Seriously, Senior, you really need to stop playing those MMORPG games. It's rotting your brain."
She kept talking without taking a single break. At first, it felt a little awkward listening to her cheerful chatter again, but a wave of familiarity washed over me and I got used to it. I didn't mind her teasing. In fact, hearing her voice was an immense relief.
Because in my past life's Tutorial... she died while protecting me.
Park Minsoo was a truly kind, nice girl. When the Tutorial first started twenty years ago, a massive horde of monsters ambushed us. I was completely weak and defenseless back then. She threw herself into harm's way, sacrificing her own life to shield me from the attack. For two decades, I lived with the crushing regret of not being strong enough to protect her.
But this time, things will be entirely different.
I already know exactly how the monsters will attack. I know their patterns, their spawn points, and most importantly, I know that a hidden boss monster resides within this very Tutorial. This time, I will be the one to monopolize everything—the rewards, the hidden titles, and the power.
I will grow strong enough to change our fates. And one day, when I possess absolute power, I am going to kill those damn Constellations.