Up until now, I've been fighting to retrieve a world that left scars all over me.
Yes, I'm still clinging to that world—despite having forgotten what it even looks like. My apartment, my neighborhood, my school, even the halls of the company I've slaved away for over ten years… all of it has become nothing but a disjointed slideshow in my head, each flash more painful than the last.
That world, though unbearable, still feels like it can be saved.
A tattered Russian novel lay beside a dumpster on my way home—one about a man who killed a pawnbroker. I picked it up and started reading. Page after page turned, and before I knew it, I was already at the end.
"I'm already finished?! Only two days?" I chuckled to myself. "I got so fixated on this book… I forgot I still have work tomorrow."
I grabbed a glass of water, needing to pause and let the story linger in my head. I couldn't remember the characters' names, but the theme stuck with me—redemption. A broken man, drowning in guilt, trying to change.
"Can the world be like him? Redeemed?" I asked myself while gazing out the window, the city lights flickering like dying embers.
The world is riddled with issues. Injustices. Endless conflicts. Fix one problem, and another takes its place—uglier than the last. Can something so broken still be fixed?
The next morning, I woke up late. I didn't eat. Didn't shower. Just bolted out the door and caught the first bus to work.
Panting, I sprinted from the second floor all the way to the seventh.
"I made it..." I exhaled, trying to catch my breath.
Inside, the room was already buzzing with people. A sharp click of heels approached—fast and furious.
"Lee Yunji-nim."
She stood before me: 26, long black hair cascading down her back, beauty fit for a model, and confidence that could command an army. I always wondered how someone like her was merely the CEO's adopted daughter. I've seen her break down in hidden corners of the building—crying silently where no one else would go.
Behind that strong front, she was struggling. And yet, she still showed up. Still led.
"You're late for the celebration, Han Jisoo!" she barked. "I told you 15 times last week someone would be promoted today!"
"Sorry, Yunji-nim. I guess I forgot… hah." I scratched my head with an awkward laugh.
Of course I didn't forget. I just didn't care.
This company stole my dreams. I should be sailing the seas, chasing horizons. Instead, I'm stuck here—printing papers and talking to strangers.
Another average day, one that blurred into the next. Over 1000 papers processed daily. Work hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m and 15 minutes of break every two hours.
Most of my breaks were spent drinking coffee and reading web novels.
That's when a senior staff member approached me, stern-faced.
"You'll be taking Kim Junseo's papers today. He's the one who got promoted."
"Really? Huh, I was rooting for the guy next to him."
The man looked like he'd been slapped.
"You two went to high school together. You should be supporting him."
Right. High school. A small fragment of my life that held more than I cared to admit.
"I'll treat him to a drink later," I said half-heartedly, guilt creeping in.
Nine hours later, the sun had set.
Everyone had gone off to the celebration—except me. No one even thought to invite me.
I sighed and cleaned my station. My body ached, but the work was done.
Just as I was about to leave, I realized I forgot something—my phone. I rushed back upstairs, fished it out of the trash can where I'd mistakenly thrown it.
I waited for the elevator again.
It opened—and there she was.
"Yunji-nim, how are you?" I asked, forcing a smile.
"I'm alright, Jisoo," she replied quietly, a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
She had cried again. I could tell.
I remembered my promise to Junseo, but something compelled me in that moment.
"Say, Yunji-nim… Want to grab a drink?"
It took her two floors to reply.
"Are you okay with that? You sounded like you're resisting," she teased.
"I was joking! Jeez, men these days... Of course I accept."
That calm demeanor… was it real, or just another mask?
Either way, I wanted to know more.
We ended up at a bar—nothing fancy.
"Neat whiskey cocktail," I told the bartender.
Yunji-nim raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
"Well, you didn't tell me which bar."
She smirked. "You sound like a baby who didn't get his milk."
I tried to fire back, but she asked for a whole bottle of whiskey. Then another. Then another.
Three bottles in—and I was stunned. She held her liquor like a veteran.
"Yunji-nim… Are you still there?"
No response.
The bartender looked at me. "200.5 won. But hey, take care of her. She's going through something."
I nodded. He was right.
"I want to help her… but not force her to open up."
"Young man, don't worry about the payment. It's on me."
I stared, baffled.
"You can still rest," he added gently.
We left the bar. I carried Yunji-nim on my back. At the train station, I sat with her by my side.
Her scent was calming. I didn't even drink, but my head spun from exhaustion.
"Maybe it's time to rest… rest for tomorrow."
Just as I closed my eyes, a whisper reached me.
"I… still want… to… drink with you…"
I looked at her, eyes soft.
"Why do I feel the same way?"
Then everything changed.
Darkness.
A white void.
Screams. Destruction.
Meteorites rained from the sky. The ground split open. Korea was falling.
[Your World is now Ruined.]
I woke up in a forest. Wet grass beneath me. Same clothes. Same memories.
But I wasn't in the train station anymore.
"Where… am I?"
A battle raged nearby—armies clashing on horseback, catapults launching.
Suddenly, a screen appeared before me.
"Your world is experiencing judgment. The chaos has reached the Abyssal Gods of the Void."
My heart pounded.
"Do you wish to revert the Ruined World… knowing the price will be even worse?"
"Or…"
"Stay in this world. Walk a journey to find the truth… and save your world."
[60 seconds to choose…]
I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. The world I hated was gone, and I had to decide its fate.
After 30 seconds, I chose.
"Wise choice. You are now Identity 869."
"This world does not seek heroes or villains. Do as you will."
[Commencing Path Selection]
[Path of the Warrior]
Strength and Endurance +15, Axe & Shield.
[Path of the Wise]
Intelligence +15, D+ Mage book, 300 coins.
[Path of the Ruler]
Influence I, Ring of Command, 500 coins.
[Path of the Blade]
Strength +3, Agility +6, Speed +3, Rusty Double-Edged Sword.
[Path of the Savior ]
Healing/Shielding skills (usable on others only), HP & Endurance +5.
[Path of the God]
No perks. Only potential. Awaiting an Outer God's selection.
I chose [Path of the Blade]
As I strapped the sword to my waist, I looked toward the battlefield, then back to the woods.
"Wait for me, Yunji-nim. I'll find you!"
[Path of the Blade – Identity 869]