I've turned back time by ten years. The Seraph who accompanied me throughout that decade is now gone.
'So… what happens now?'
The altar is empty for now, but soon, an angel will be summoned. It could be someone new, or perhaps Seraph again. If it's the former, I wouldn't really care. But if it's the latter… what then? I figured she'd probably have no memories of our time together—but still, I couldn't help but wonder.
After about three minutes, I felt a familiar shift. The space above the altar began to ripple like waves. Back in the first round, I would've passed out by now. I'd never actually seen the summoning process before, so I watched the altar with deep curiosity.
From the center of the expanding concentric waves, a beam of white light began to leak through. That light flickered momentarily, then exploded brightly like fireworks, forming a humanoid figure. I observed every part of the angel's creation.
Finally, the figure took full form on the altar. Though her eyes were still closed, her appearance was overwhelmingly familiar. Her fluttering wings radiated holiness. The noble glow exuded grace and majesty no mortal could approach. The angel that emerged looked exactly like Seraph.
As if sensing my gaze, Seraph slowly opened her eyes. For a brief second, her emerald eyes shimmered with something unfamiliar.
Beautiful. Noble.
Seraph had a presence straight out of a novel or comic—a divine, ethereal aura that was impossible to describe with words.
Her silver-white hair shimmered like moonlight, silky and radiant. Her skin was pale like fresh snow, flawless and smooth. Her light double eyelids framed jade-colored eyes that sparkled with depth. And even the subtle glimpse of skin added to the unreal atmosphere.
Yet despite her beauty, not a single desire stirred within me. There was no lust, not even a hint of it. She was a being on another plane entirely. What we felt for one another would never be the same.
Perhaps surprised that I remained conscious, Seraph examined me with her calm eyes, as if scanning me. And just like always, I could feel her gaze—just as I remembered from ten years ago.
'Seraph. It's you. From ten years ago.'
Then her gentle lips parted.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Yeah."
"Welcome to the Room of Summoning. Planet Earth, Republic of Korea. Age 23. Name: Kim Soo-hyun. Identity verified. From this point forward, you will be referred to as 'User' for convenience. I am your assistant, Seraph."
"Okay."
"User Kim Soo-hyun, you will now receive basic information before being transferred to a location known as the Rite of Passage. There, you must prove your qualifications as a true user."
"Got it."
"..."
Seraph, who had been speaking at rapid-fire speed, suddenly paused. She tilted her head with a look that said, 'Wait, something's off.' Her reaction brought a flicker of amusement. Still, I needed to get what was mine.
"I've got a question…"
"If it's about where you are or why you're here, I advise against asking. You have just two hours before the Rite of Passage begins. Of course, I understand this situation must be confusing. But if you want to live—and if you want to return…"
Seraph, seizing the moment, resumed her speech like a machine gun. I may be used to it now, but to be honest, it was pretty scary the first time. Her emotionless face and quiet tone made her seem more like a ghost than an angel.
Thinking back to that made me chuckle. I smirked and answered plainly.
"Ah. Alright."
"It is recommended that the user utilize the remaining time to adapt to their situation as best as possible…"
"Okay, okay. I get it."
"..."
Even though I agreed, Seraph furrowed her brows slightly. Her hand moved slowly in the air, and after blinking a few times, she murmured under her breath.
"Not mentally unstable… extremely stable emotional state. Unusual."
"Who are you calling unstable… Anyway, doesn't it make things easier for you if I go along with your script?"
"Well, that is true."
"Then what's the problem? Why the attitude?"
"I did not express any attitude. Regardless, very well. User Kim Soo-hyun's cooperation is appreciated. Maintaining this attitude will significantly improve your chances of survival. Now then…"
This time, I just raised my hand. Seraph paused mid-sentence once again.
"You said I could ask a question."
"Of course. As long as it does not pertain to previously restricted topics, I will permit it."
"It's not that. Do you have something for me?"
"Something for you? I do not understand the context of the question. Please elaborate."
"Hmm~. I heard I could say 'Tanay' to get it?"
"!"
As soon as I said "Tanay", Seraph visibly reacted. Just as I thought. Her reaction was amusing—but a part of me worried she might actually deny me the reward. I couldn't let that happen. Even if I had to push a little, I was going to get what was promised.
"Tanay. I'm telling you—it's Tanay. You can start however you want, but give me what's mine first…"
"..."
Seraph quickly composed herself, but only on the surface. I could clearly see she was trying hard not to show how flustered she was. Her wings, which usually moved slowly, were now fluttering with panic.
"P-please wait a moment."
She closed her eyes, and her fingers began moving rapidly through the air. Her lips moved without pause. She was probably confirming the Tanay contract and communicating with other angels.
It took about as long as it would to drink a cup of tea. During that time, Seraph went through a myriad of expressions while I watched silently. It wasn't something you saw every day, so it wasn't boring at all.
Eventually, Seraph opened her eyes. Her face still looked dissatisfied.
"I would like to speak directly with User Kim Soo-hyun."
"Nope."
"It'll only take a moment."
"If it's about where I am or why I'm here, I advise against asking. You have just two hours before the Rite of Passage begins. Of course, I understand this situation must be confusing. But… hmm, how did you say it again…"
I repeated her earlier words exactly. She fell silent at once.
"Anyway, like you said, time's short. So just give what you need to give, and I'll take what I need to take. Doesn't that sound like the reasonable thing to do?"
I emphasized the word "reasonable," and Seraph bit her lip. Yeah. Must be frustrating. She never thought a human would turn the tables with words.
Honestly, I'd always wanted to try this at least once. The first time I met her, Seraph's attitude had been cold—like she was looking at a lab rat. She ignored my pleas and threw me around like trash when I panicked and tried to escape.
Maybe that's why this situation gave me such a strange sense of satisfaction.
A smug smile crept across my lips. Seraph stared at me, then snapped her fingers.
Snap!
There was a faint shift in the flow of the air. My body was reset, so I couldn't sense it in detail—but with ten years of experience, I could still tell something had changed.
Then Seraph spoke.
"User Kim Soo-hyun's claim is reasonable. Therefore, compensation for lost time will be provided. I have slowed the flow of time in the Summoning Room. Are you satisfied?"
"Yes."
I answered calmly. Seraph studied me for a moment, then spoke softly.
"I, too, have questions about you. But if you do not wish to answer, I will not ask."
"Oh? I was actually going to tell you."
I shrugged, teasing. Her eyes sparkled.
"Really? Currently, I and the other assistants are in great confusion. If possible, I would very much like to hear your story."
"But I don't want to."
Only then did she realize I'd been messing with her. Her cheeks flushed bright red. I nearly burst out laughing. She glared at me, then composed herself and said firmly:
"Excessive behavior may result in appropriate sanctions. However, the first rule of assistants is to never harm users. Therefore, please refrain from unnecessary provocation in the future."
"You're beings from a higher dimension, right? Just show a little divine tolerance."
"…Verification of Tanay is complete. It is a pre-approved contract that cannot be denied. The perks assigned have been thoroughly reviewed and confirmed to belong exclusively to User Kim Soo-hyun."
"Hm. That was quick. A bit anticlimactic."
"To us, Tanay is binding. We may review it, but we have no authority to alter or reject it. You may rest assured that your perks are secure."
"But starting from zero with these perks… won't that throw off the balance?"
"It will not affect the balance."
Seraph answered without hesitation, then added with a serious expression:
"I have reviewed the perks. While many are exceptional, overconfidence is dangerous. Even with all perks applied, there exist beings capable of surpassing them."
That's just like Seraph—still repeating the same lines. But this time, she said "there exist beings" instead of "there are many." A huge difference. I accepted it.
"Yeah, no need to limit things to just users. If there are other beings, they could be out there in Whole Plane."
"Correct."
When I mentioned "Whole Plane," Seraph's eyes briefly shimmered.
"It will take considerable time to fully configure your perks. Remaining time: 1 hour 47 minutes and 26 seconds. It may be tight. I suspect you're already aware of how Whole Plane operates…"
"Okay. Skip it. That's exactly what I wanted."
"I've manually slowed time, but only within the compensated range. Some preparation is required before moving to the next stage. Please wait a moment."
While Seraph prepared, my thoughts turned to the Rite of Passage.
Simply put, it's a test to prove your worth as a user—a place where people like me, abducted without warning, gather. There are only two conditions to pass: survive for 7 days or reach the warp gate within 7 days. In other words, survival is the minimum requirement for qualification.
Those who survive are summoned back to the Room of Summoning, assigned a class based on their potential, and then sent to the real world—Whole Plane. It's a harsh and unfair trial. Failing to meet the condition results in death.
"User Kim Soo-hyun. All preparations are complete."
Lost in thought, I heard Seraph's signal that everything was ready.
"The details of your perks—"
"I know. It's all in my head. Let's just begin."
"Understood. Then, which perk would you like to receive first?"
"Hmm…"
I recalled the first ability:
'1. A perk related to User Kim Soo-hyun's original stat data. First: You may load the user information from Round 1. Second: Of the six base stats, four will be randomly selected and increased. The degree of increase is also random.'
I can't choose perks arbitrarily. There's a reason Seraph suggested an order. And it makes sense to start with stats. If I inherit my previous stats, I'll probably go the swordsman route again—but I need to see the new values first.
Without hesitation, I spoke.
"I'll start with the load and stat increase perks."
"Yes. Loading data registered to User Kim Soo-hyun. 27%, 56%, 87%, 100%. Complete. Load successful."
As soon as she finished, I felt power surge through my body. The slowed flow of time felt clearer against my skin. Even at 23, fresh from the military, this body couldn't compare to one that had reached sword master level.
Bang!
I thrust my right arm, and the air cracked with sound. Satisfied, I checked my status screen.
"..."
My stats were inherited. Everything else was reset. I was a little regretful to lose my true name and achievements, but I nodded—it couldn't be helped.
"User data load confirmed. Now to use the stat increase perk?"
"Yes. Just to reiterate: Four out of six stats will be randomly increased. The stats and amount are random, but they follow the user's potential and growth. Please keep that in mind."
"I already know."
Simply put: the higher a stat is, the less it increases. Lower stats rise more. It's a universal rule, aside from bonuses from items, potions, or achievements.
Strength, Stamina, Magic—those were the three I desperately hoped would increase.
Magic is most important to me. Then Stamina. Strength, Endurance, and Agility are equal. Luck is last. A lopsided build could be risky, but with solid secondary stats, Magic offers the most value.
"Then I'll apply the perk now."
'Please, not Luck. Strength, Stamina, Magic… at least Stamina and Magic…!'
Whether my wish reached the heavens or not, I could tell the perk had activated. The moment Seraph waved her hand, four system messages appeared in the air before me.