Darkness was not merely the absence of light—it was something far deeper, something suffocating, vast, and endless. It stretched beyond comprehension, as if existence itself had long been erased within it.
At the very core of that void… something remained.
Not a body.
Not a soul.
But a will.
An ancient, worn-out will that should have faded long ago… yet refused to disappear.
Time had no meaning there. Moments, centuries—there was no difference.
Yet suddenly, that will trembled.
A disturbance.
A pull.
Something… was calling it back.
(…This feeling…)
It was not unfamiliar.
Then —
Memories flooded in.
Not gradually, but violently, like a dam shattering all at once.
A battlefield appeared.
Ruined land stretched endlessly. Countless corpses lay scattered. Magic raged in the sky like a storm born from destruction itself.
And at the center of it all…
He stood.
Norsin ( Hero name )
He was not merely a mage.
He was a catastrophe given form.
His long black cloak was torn by violent currents of power. His dark hair moved wildly, and his eyes… did not reflect the world.
They devoured it..
(…This is me.)
There was no doubt. No hesitation.
This was not a dream....!
This was truth,
He slowly raised his hand
No incantation.
No symbols.
No preparation.
Only intent.
And that alone was enough to make the earth tremble and the sky fracture, as if the world itself could no longer endure his existence.
Then—
Everything stopped.
Space above him split open.
A blinding light descended—pure, overwhelming… and utterly suffocating.
(…Them.)
Four figures descended slowly.
Their faces could not be seen, yet their presence alone carried absolute authority.
The Sages.
Those who believed themselves to be the guardians of the world.
The Sages.
Those who believed themselves to be the guardians of the world.
(…How tedious.)
One of them spoke, their voice not emerging from a mouth, but from the very laws of existence.
Sage: It ends here, Norsin.
Silence followed.
A heavy silence.
Then—
Norsin smiled.
A faint smile.
One filled with absolute disdain.
Norsin: Ends? Your imagination is truly limited.
In the next instant, everything exploded.
Light and darkness collided. Space twisted Even the laws that governed reality began to fracture.
Norsin was struck directly.
His body tore apart.
Blood flowed from his mouth.
Yet—
He did not take a single step back.
(…This pain means nothing.)
He raised his hand toward his chest.
And for the first time —
Something strange appeared.
A black circle.
Not magic.
Not something known.
Something older.
Something deeper.
One of the Sages reacted instantly.
Sage: Stop him! He's using—
But it was too late.
Norsin: I will return… even if nothing remains of this world.
And in a single moment —
Everything vanished.
----------------------------------------------------
Kim Noryeon opened his eyes slowly.
There was no shock.
No panic.
Only a strange, unnatural calm.
A white ceiling.
A small room.
Morning light slipping through the window.
Everything was ordinary.
Unbearably ordinary.
He remained lying still for a moment ,staring upward without blinking.
Then, slowly, he sat up.
He placed his feet on the cold floor and raised his hand in front of his eyes, observing it carefully.
(…Weak.)
This was not an opinion.
It was a fact.
This body held no trace of power.
No magic.
No presence.
Nothing.
(…A human body.)
He stood up and walked toward the mirror.
When he stopped in front of it, a young Korean man stared back at him.
Black hair.
Calm features.
Dark eyes.
But those eyes…
Were empty.
He stared at his reflection for several seconds.
(…So this is me now.)
He raised his hand and touched the surface of the mirror, as if confirming reality itself.
(…It doesn't matter.)
He lowered his hand and turned away.
There was no frustration.
No anger.
Only acceptance.
(As long as I have returned… the rest is only a matter of time.)
He got dressed calmly and stepped outside.
------------------------------------------
The university courtyard in South Korea was lively.
Students laughed, shouted, and practiced magic openly.
Small bursts of energy filled the air.
To them, this was normal.
To him…
(…Pathetic.)
He watched a student create a small flame in his hand.
The crowd clapped in admiration.
Student: I finally reached Rank 2!
Excitement spread.
Applause followed.
But Noryeon felt nothing.
(…Has magic fallen this low?)
He began walking through the
crowd.
Calm.
Unnoticed.
Until—
A voice stopped him.
Student: Look who it is. Isn't this the one who hasn't even reached Rank 1?
Laughter erupted.
Another student smirked.
Student: Why are you still here? This place isn't for the weak.
Noryeon said nothing.
He simply turned to continue walking.
Then—
A hand shoved him.
Hard.
He lost his balance and fell to the ground.
Laughter grew louder.
Student: Even standing is difficult for you?
For a brief moment, he remained still on the ground.
(…Annoying.)
Slowly, he began to rise.
Then—
Something changed.
Just for a fraction of a second.
His eye turned a deep crimson.
Then returned to normal.
The laughter stopped.
Not because they understood…
But because something felt wrong.
Noryeon raised his head and looked at them.
No emotion.
No anger.
Nothing.
Yet—
Something in his gaze made them step back unconsciously.
(…Insects.)
He said nothing.
He simply walked past them.
This time…
No one dared to stop him.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
From a distance…
Choi Yuna watched silently.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Choi Yuna (thinking): That student… is not normal.
At that exact moment—
Noryeon stopped.
He did not turn around.
But a faint smile appeared on his face.
(…I found you.)