The evening sky over Seoul bled into orange and crimson, the last glow of sunlight bouncing off glass towers and fading into the narrow streets below.
I sat at the corner of a small open restaurant, slurping cold noodles and scrolling through my phone.
It had been another dull day at the comic store—dusty shelves, bright posters, and endless chatter about new releases I'd already read twice over.
Being an orphan never really bothered me anymore. The comics had always been my family — worlds where I could belong without needing a name or a past.
Still, life wasn't kind. Rent was high, the pay was low, and dreams didn't buy dinner.
Across the street, my friend Minho used to wave from the same restaurant. We'd worked together part-time at the comic store, reading every new manhwa that hit the shelves. He studied at the University of Arts, hoping to become a writer one day.
He devoured every story — from Solo Leveling to Naruto, from Attack on Titan to One Piece.
And after every binge, he'd start writing fanfics — his own twisted versions of those worlds. I used to read his drafts, give him feedback, tell him where to make his heroes shine brighter.
But lately, he'd gone silent.
Two months back, after a flood of negative comments, he just… stopped. His words dried up. His confidence, crushed.
But tonight, he texted me again.
Minho: "Bro, I'm broke. I need to write something, anything. Even trash. Just for the money."
He sent a link. A strange one — "FANFIC ENTRY FORM: Create Your World."
It looked like some interactive site for fanfic contests, maybe AI-assisted or something.
Curious, I opened it.
---
World Selection:
All anime worlds available. Custom worlds optional.
I smirked. "Let's pick one I actually know."
Without hesitation, I tapped Naruto.
Even if Boruto ruined half the fun, the Naruto world still had the best depth — clans, legends, and that endless war between light and shadow.
---
Character Info:
Family Affiliation:
Uchiha. Hyuga. Senju. Uzumaki. Nara…
No Otsutsuki? Weird.
I hovered over "Orphan" for a second — fitting, but boring. Finally, I selected Nara Clan. Calm, calculating, and lazy geniuses — just like Shikamaru.
---
Abilities: Two only. One system, one unique.
So many to choose from: Sign-In System, Template System, Chakra System...
I chose Absolute Mastery System — the ability to instantly master anything I learn.
For the unique skill, I wrote:
"Chakra and ability absorption upon killing. Attack on the shadow affects the person directly."
It sounded overpowered, but hey, it's fanfiction.
Satisfied, I hit Submit.
A pop-up appeared.
"Are you sure you want to submit this form?"
I chuckled, took another bite of noodles, and tapped Yes.
---
The next second — everything changed.
A deafening roar of an engine. Screeching tires.
Then — CRASH.
A blinding light. Screams. Shattered glass rained like stars.
A massive truck burst through the restaurant barricade, metal twisting, tables flying.
I barely had time to move.
Pain exploded through my chest — then, nothing.
---
Silence.
Darkness.
No sound. No air. No body. Just… floating.
Then a voice echoed inside the void — calm, mechanical, yet oddly familiar.
[System initializing...]
Welcome, Host. Your request has been accepted.
World: Naruto
Clan: Nara
Abilities: Absolute Mastery System | Shadow Absorption
Reincarnation commencing…
My last thought before the darkness swallowed me whole was a single line:
"Minho, looks like I'll be reviewing fanfics from the inside this time."