Chapter 7
Dogju didn't knock; instead, he burst through the rooftop door like a bolt of lightning in combat boots.
Thunderclap surged through him, electricity crackling along his arms as he dropped into the stairwell. He charged through the deserted university building, his boots pounding the floor, sparks flying in his wake.
Same spot where they had taken him down. Not this time. A guard rounded the corner—Dogju smashed his face into the wall mid-stride.
Another guard raised his interface. Too slow. Dogju was already in front of him, his fist slamming into the guy's jaw.
[SYSTEM REWRITE: 4h 51m] [SYSTEM CONSUMPTION: 4h 51m] [SYSTEM REGRESSION: 6 Days]
Still on cooldown. But that didn't matter. Thunderclap was still active, enhancing his reflexes, speed, and impact. More than enough. He wasn't going in blind. Every move was deliberate.
Three turns left. Left-right-left. His memory was sharp. He recalled the faces. Remembered the pain. Another trio blocked the hallway. One lunged—Dogju ducked and shoulder-checked him into a locker.
The second guy caught a punch charged with voltage. The third turned to flee. Dogju dropkicked him right through a vending machine. "Hydrate."
The hallway ended at a reinforced door. He kicked it in. Inside, the chamber looked just as he remembered. Ark lounged at the table, too relaxed, legs crossed. Three others stood nearby—Enforcers.
Oracle appears behind Dogju from the rooftop
Dogju slowed his pace. "You again."
Oracle raised a hand, calm. "Dogju, listen."
Lightning crackled up his arm. "Funny," Dogju muttered. "You weren't this talkative when I was bleeding out."
"She didn't give the order," Ark said, standing up. "I did." Dogju smirked. "Good. That saves me some time." He stepped forward. Then it hit him. Everything froze. Thunderclap disappeared. The electricity faded. His limbs felt heavy, like someone had yanked the plug. Dogju staggered.
[WARNING: ALL SYSTEM ABILITIES TEMPORARILY NULLIFIED IN A 15m FIELD]
"Nullification field," Ark stated, his tone steady. "That's my ability. barried-type."
Dogju froze, taking slow breaths. The pain was sharp. His passive [Reflex Adaptation] should have kicked in by now. It always did. He wasn't caught off guard back then—he was just held back.
His eyes narrowed. "So that's how it is."
Ark moved in closer. "You never stood a chance. Just like now."
"Still standing," Dogju muttered under his breath.
"Barely," Ark replied. "You were quick, clever. Too clever, really. You knew the layout, dodged every trap. You had a plan to break in. That can only mean one thing."
He paused for effect.
"You've done this before, haven't you?"
Dogju stayed silent, but his lack of response spoke volumes.
"A regression ability," Ark mused. "A time-resetter. That explains your attitude, your confidence, your precision."
Ark let out a breath. "You'll be a great asset for us."
Dogju tilted his head, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Glad to know I'm living rent-free in your head."
"You're not walking out of here again," Ark warned. "I've shut down your system, you're just like any other people, ordinary"
Dogju took a calm step back. "So, what's the deal? Follow your orders or die?"
Ark nodded. "Pretty much."
Dogju glanced at Oracle.
She remained unfazed.
Turning back to Ark, he lowered his voice.
"You think this ends with you coming out on top. You think this is your game, your strategy, your rules."
Dogju smiled wider.
"Wrong page."