Warm sunlight filtered through thin white curtains, casting soft golden lines across the ceiling.
The faint sound of traffic drifted in from outside, distant car engines and the muffled chatter of people starting their day.
He slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he did not move.
The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, plain white, slightly textured, with a small modern light fixture in the center. The air felt cool against his skin. He could feel the softness of the mattress beneath him, the weight of the blanket over his legs, and the steady rhythm of his own breathing.
"So it wasn't a dream." His voice sounded younger. Smoother.
He lifted his hand in front of his face and flexed his fingers. The skin was firm and unblemished. No scars. No signs of fatigue. He clenched his fist gently, feeling the strength in his grip.
A perfectly healthy body.
He slowly sat up.
The room was simple but elegant. A medium sized bed, a wooden desk neatly arranged with books, a wardrobe beside it, and a tall mirror standing near the corner. Sunlight illuminated polished wooden floors.
He swung his legs off the bed and stood.
No dizziness. No stiffness. His balance felt perfect. He walked toward the mirror.
The reflection staring back at him was undeniably handsome. Sharp but not intimidating features. Clear skin. Well proportioned frame. His hair fell naturally over his forehead, slightly messy but stylish without effort.
"So this is my customized appearance…"
He turned his head slightly, examining himself from different angles. It felt strange recognizing that the face in the mirror was his, yet entirely new. He took a deep breath.
The air smelled faintly of fabric softener and something sweet drifting in from outside, perhaps a nearby bakery.
"So this is my life now," our MC said. Or rather, let's call him Zet Legend.
He looked around his room for a minute before stepping out to check the house, wondering if he would see Sebas. As soon as he came out of his room, he saw a staircase leading down.
"Oh, a two story house. Nice," Zet said as he headed down the staircase.
The house was quiet. No television. No footsteps. No sign of another presence.
"Eh, where is Sebas?"
As soon as Zet spoke, he felt a slight sting in his mind, followed by a familiar, composed voice.
'Young Master, you are awake.'
"Yeah, I just woke up. How are things going for you?"
'Everything is going well, Young Master. If only you had not insisted on starting things ordinarily, you would have awakened in a villa.'
Zet chuckled softly as he reached the bottom of the stairs. The living room was clean and minimalist. A sofa set, a glass coffee table, and large windows that let in natural light.
"Haha, Sebas. I want to take things slowly this time. By the way, how is the task I left you?"
'It is progressing smoothly. I have become a major shareholder in multiple large corporations. The foundations are stable. Your future assets are secured.'
Zet nodded, even though Sebas could not see him.
"That's good to hear. It must be tiring to juggle multiple corporations. Thank you for your hard work, Sebas. I really appreciate it."
There was a brief pause before Sebas responded.
'Thank you for your praise, Young Master. However, there is no need to worry. Most of my involvement consists of attending meetings when the CEOs request discussions between us. I have capable subordinates managing daily operations.'
"Oh, alright. So where are you right now?"
'I am currently in Cuba, Young Master.'
Zet blinked.
"Cuba? Nice. So when will you come back?"
'I will instruct my men to book a flight immediately. I shall arrive tomorrow.'
"Alright. Give me a call… wait. I don't even have a phone."
'There is no need to worry, Young Master. On the dining table, I have left one of my cards. Use it to purchase whatever you need.'
Zet walked toward the dining area. On the table, a sleek black card rested neatly inside a small envelope.
He picked it up and smiled.
"Thank you, Sebas. Also, tomorrow, I don't want some kind of grand welcome that will alert the media. Just a low key meeting between us."
'As you wish, Young Master.'
After talking with Sebas for a few more minutes, Zet decided to prepare for the day. He went upstairs, took a quick shower, and let the warm water run over his body.
Even the sensation of water felt different.
Clear.
Alive.
Real.
He dried himself, changed into casual clothes a simple fitted shirt, jeans, and clean sneakers and headed back downstairs.
Standing near the entrance, he paused.
"Uhm… where exactly am I in South Korea?"
He opened the door and stepped outside.
The neighborhood looked peaceful. The houses were modest but well maintained. Small front yards. Parked cars lined the streets. Electrical wires stretched overhead.
It felt slightly suburban, but not completely rural.
Zet walked slowly along the sidewalk, observing everything with quiet curiosity.
Local residents were already outside. An elderly woman watered her plants. Two middle school students in uniforms walked past him, chatting energetically. A man in a business suit hurried toward what looked like a nearby bus stop.
The language flowing around him was Korean.
And he understood every word effortlessly.
His second wish.
Languages mastered.
He passed a small convenience store. The sign above it was written in Hangul, bright and familiar to his enhanced mind. A delivery truck was unloading crates of bottled drinks.
He looked around carefully.
The streets were wider than typical rural areas. In the distance, he could see taller buildings rising above the neighborhood.
"This doesn't look like the countryside," he murmured.
He continued walking, letting instinct guide him. His new memories provided subtle guidance. He knew the general layout of the area. Bus routes. Nearby facilities. Even the name of the district surfaced in his mind.
He stopped near a street sign and read it carefully.
Seoul.
He exhaled slowly.
"So I'm in Seoul."
The capital of South Korea.
The city felt alive even in the morning. The further he walked, the busier it became. Small shops lined the streets. Restaurants displayed menus outside. The smell of grilled meat and fresh bread lingered in the air.
Cars passed steadily. A city bus roared by, painted in bright colors. Pedestrians crossed intersections confidently.
Even though the year was 2006, the city already carried the energy of a fast developing metropolis.
Zet slipped his hands into his pockets and continued walking at a relaxed pace.
He passed by a small bakery. The sweet scent he had noticed earlier must have come from here. Through the window, he saw trays of freshly baked bread and pastries.
His stomach growled.
"Perfect body, but still human," he muttered with a small smile.
He stepped inside.
A bell chimed above the door.
The interior was warm and cozy. Glass display cases showcased various breads and cakes. A young employee greeted him politely.
He responded smoothly in Korean, ordering a few pastries and a drink. His pronunciation was flawless.
The employee did not even blink.
To everyone around him, he was simply a local teenager.
He paid in cash from the wallet he found earlier in his room. Everything felt natural. Legal identification. Resident registration. It was as if he had truly lived fifteen years here.
After finishing his quick breakfast outside on a bench, Zet decided to head toward a larger commercial area.
According to the memories in his mind, there was a shopping mall not too far from his neighborhood. It would take around twenty minutes on foot.
He walked steadily, observing billboards and storefronts along the way.
Posters advertised music CDs, electronics, and fashion brands popular in the early 2000s. Flip phones were displayed in shop windows. Internet cafés advertised high speed connections, which were considered impressive at the time.
Eventually, the mall came into view.
It was not ultra modern like malls decades later, but it was lively and busy. A large glass entrance reflected the afternoon sunlight. People moved in and out constantly.
Zet stepped inside.
Cool air greeted him immediately.
The mall was filled with small boutiques, electronic stores, clothing brands, and food stalls. Music played faintly from overhead speakers.
He headed directly toward the electronics section.
Inside one store, rows of mobile phones were displayed in glass cases. Most were compact flip phones or candy bar models, with small monochrome screens.
A salesman approached him politely.
Zet examined several models carefully. His enhanced mind processed specifications quickly battery life, signal strength, durability.
He chose a sleek silver flip phone that looked simple but reliable.
He also purchased a SIM card and requested activation.
The process took a few minutes. The salesman explained the basic features, but Zet already understood everything.
Once finished, he stepped aside and opened the phone.
The screen lit up.
For a moment, he simply stared at it.
His first phone in this life.
He entered Sebas's contact number, which surfaced naturally in his memory. After saving it, he sent a short message confirming his new number.
Next, he moved toward the supermarket area inside the mall.
He grabbed a small basket and walked through the aisles.
Instant noodles.
Bread.
Milk.
Eggs.
Basic necessities.
Even though Sebas had secured immense wealth in the background, Zet chose simple items.
He did not want to rush.
At the checkout counter, he paid using the card Sebas had left.
The cashier processed it without hesitation.
No suspicion.
No complications.
Everything smooth.
With two shopping bags in hand, Zet stepped outside the mall.
The afternoon sun was brighter now. The streets were busier.
He stood there for a moment, observing the people around him.
Students laughing.
Couples walking together.
Office workers heading back to work.
This world felt ordinary.
And that was exactly what he wanted. Not chaos. Not immediate domination.
Just a steady beginning.
He adjusted the bags in his hands and started walking back toward his house.
Each step felt grounded.
Alive.
This time, he would not rush.
This time, he would build carefully.
And this time, he would truly live.