That day, I was bullied by my own friends.
They laughed at my weak body, shoving my shoulder until I fell onto the dusty ground. My breath was ragged, my chest burning—but my ears hurt even more from their insults.
"Weak! What do you even plan to become?" one of them mocked, followed by bursts of cruel laughter.
I could only clench my fist, gripping the dirt, trying to hold back my tears. But suddenly, the laughter stopped. Heavy footsteps echoed on the ground.
A tall man in a soldier's uniform appeared. His eyes were sharp, his face stern. He didn't have to say a word—just one look from him, and the bullies scattered like terrified rats.
I looked up. The soldier glanced at me briefly, then extended his hand. I grabbed it and stood, my knees trembling. At that moment, a voice whispered in my heart:
"I want to be like him… a soldier. I want to be strong. I want to protect others. I want to defend my country."
Six years later, at the age of sixteen, I enrolled in the National Defense University. There, I was forged through war training, strategy, and discipline. My once frail body became stronger and more resilient.
Four years passed quickly. At twenty, I finally earned the title of a soldier. On my very first day as an official member, I was given my first mission.
We stood before a massive map, the operations room silent except for the commanding officer's voice giving orders.
"Listen carefully," he said firmly. "We'll move according to plan. If anything changes, wait for my signal. Follow orders without hesitation."
Our mission: to rescue civilians attacked by an invading nation from the east. They sought to conquer our land and steal our resources. I gripped my weapon tightly. This wasn't training anymore—this was real war.
The battle was fierce, but we prevailed. Our first mission was a success.
But I didn't know… that was only the beginning of a much heavier fate.
A few days later, I was summoned by Professor Kaju, my former lecturer at the university. He greeted me warmly when I arrived at his lab.
"Hikou! Over here!" he called excitedly.
"Professor, what's going on?" I asked, puzzled.
"Do you still remember the project I once told you about in class?"
I frowned. "Project?"
"Yes, the project to create enhanced humans—super soldiers. Its purpose is to strengthen our military and improve national defense."
My eyes widened. "So… you succeeded?"
The professor smiled proudly. "Almost. Now, I just need someone to volunteer as the test subject."
I froze. "Why me? There are many soldiers more qualified than I am."
His expression turned serious. "True, but this project carries great risk. If successful… the subject might be tempted to use the power for selfish gain. I can't trust just anyone. You're the only one I truly believe in, Hikou."
His words struck me deeply.
"Promise me," he said again, locking eyes with mine. "If this experiment works, you will remain loyal to your country—you will never betray it."
I took a deep breath, looked down for a moment, then nodded. "I promise, Professor. I will always remain a soldier."
The professor smiled with relief. "Good. Then let's begin."
I stepped into a large cylindrical machine, my body enclosed in thick glass. Green lights flickered.
"Hikou, are you ready?" the professor's voice echoed through the intercom.
I clenched my fist. "Yes. Do it now!"
"Alright. Test sequence one… starting now!"
He pressed the red button. The machine vibrated, bright blue light flashed, and energy surged through my body. I bit my lip, enduring the searing pain that coursed through every nerve.
70%... 80%... 90%...
Suddenly—BANG! BANG! Gunshots from outside! I flinched, trying to turn, but my body was locked in place.
100%!
The chamber opened with a hiss. I stumbled out, gasping for breath. But what I saw froze me solid.
Professor Kaju was being choked by a man dressed in all black, his face hidden behind a metal mask.
BANG!
A bullet pierced the professor's abdomen. Blood splattered across the floor as his body collapsed.
"PROFESSOR!!" I screamed, eyes wide, body shaking.
The masked man ran, trying to escape. I chased after him.
Instinctively, my hand stretched—morphing like water—trying to grab him. I was shocked by my newfound power, but still missed. The man leapt out the window and vanished in a burst of teleportation light.
I stood before the shattered glass, chest heaving, my heart torn between sorrow, rage, and disbelief.
"No… I can't let this happen. I must save the professor!"
I rushed to the time machine chamber in the lab. Setting the coordinates, I stood within the glowing circle.
"Coordinates set. Time destination locked. Temporal travel initializing…" the system announced.
Light enveloped my body. The portal began to open.
But suddenly—BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
"Temporal travel error… coordinates failed… system malfunction!"
"What?!" I shouted in shock. My body was caught in the unstable time vortex.
Meanwhile, someone planted a bomb in the lab. It detonated just as the machine malfunctioned.
I was thrown into an endless void.
Moments later, a blinding light tore through the sky. The portal opened, and I fell hard onto grassy ground.
"AAAAARGHHH! Ugh!" I rolled across the dirt, groaning in pain.
When I finally looked around, I saw towering trees, chirping birds, and air that felt… foreign.
"Great… now I'm stranded in a time I don't even recognize…" I sighed heavily.
I looked up at the sky, teeth clenched, and let out a half-crazed laugh.
"HAHAHAHA…! AARRGGHHHH! So… what am I supposed to do now?!"