RG 1

The smell of disinfectant tickled my nose. Amidst my gradually sharpening consciousness, a rigid sensation pressed against my shoulders. 

I slowly opened my eyes and saw a grimy cement ceiling and a brightly shining incandescent bulb. I gazed blankly at the swaying bulb hanging from a wire for a moment before slowly raising my upper body.

“Ugh…”

Having lain on the cold, hard floor for so long, even that simple movement brought a wave of soreness. I lifted my head and looked around.

By the dirty cement walls like the ceiling was an iron door. Calmly scanning the surroundings several times, I bit my lip in perplexity.

“Isn’t this…”

It was a place incredibly familiar to me. If my memory served me right, this was the solitary confinement cell in the Awakened Research Institute where I was forcibly brought two years ago.

This makes no sense. The lab was supposed to have been demolished two years ago, the entire building collapsed.

Then where on earth am I? Why am I here?

At that moment when I, unable to comprehend the situation, could only blink in confusion—

《All data except errors has been successfully altered.》

《To access the system, please state your name.》

“…!”

The crimson text, something I’d seen in my dream, appeared in the air. Feeling so disconnected from reality, I stared blankly at the text for a while as it blinked as if urging me on.

《Please state your name.》

My name? It’s asking for my name? After hesitating for a moment, I said, “Cha Seohu.”

《Access granted as Cha Seohu.》

《Please wait a moment. This won’t take long.》

《Loading……》

The message continued, mirroring what I’d seen in my dream. I cautiously reached out towards the text. But it just passed through, the text remaining as clear as ever.

Am I still dreaming? As I spiraled into confusion, the content began to change.

《Connection complete. Please use the system.》

“System…?”

With that, the text disappeared.

Even in my bewildered state, the word ‘system’ lingered in my mind. Frankly, the information displayed by the text wasn’t as unfamiliar to me as I thought it would be. Having spent ample time reading web novels, webtoons, and enjoying a fair share of games, seeing system messages floating before my eyes wasn’t as strange as I’d imagined.

Swallowing dryly, I glanced at the empty air. Having come this far, I couldn’t resist trying. Hesitating, I cautiously uttered, “Status window.”

Ding!

User Information: Cha Seohu

Age: 26 (28)

Primary Skill: Guardian’s Bond (Class B)

Attack Power: Class F

Attack Speed: Class F

Movement Speed: Class F

Agility: Class F

Specialty

ㄴ Drenched Cat (Class F)

With a cheerful sound effect, the status window indeed appeared in the empty air, and without realizing it, I instinctively recoiled, uttering curses, as a new set of text scrolled through the status window.

《First system use complete! Rewards have arrived.》

《Characteristic: Stay as You Are (Class F) obtained!》

《Hidden Quest has been unlocked!》

《Hidden Quest: Cannot End Like This (Class L)》

《Hidden Quest: Cannot End Like This (Class L) cleared!》

《Hidden Quest cleared. Rewards are granted.》

《Hidden Skill: Silver Protection (Class S) obtained!》

“What… What’s this?”

The flood of messages surged so overwhelmingly, enough to cover my field of vision.

Furrowing my brow, I meticulously read through each message. Among them, I quietly murmured the most bothersome content, “Hidden Quest… Cannot End Like This? What in the…”

The very idea of a hidden quest was absurd, and to top it off, it had been cleared? An inexplicable sense of unease washed over me like a wave.

If what I was thinking… No, but… It doesn’t make sense. Is that really possible? It was that moment of sheer disbelief.

Hidden Quest: Cannot End Like This (Class L)

Turn back time in the face of death.

Reward: Obtain a Hidden Skill

A detailed system window with explanations appeared as with my mere thought.

“…It even gives explanations?”

Now, it was almost laughable.

Well, it wasn’t all bad. There were still plenty of things I was curious about. If messages come with detailed explanations like this, maybe I can understand not just quests but other messages too.

For now, the hidden quest. I kept echoing the very first sentence written.

Turn back time in the face of death. So, does this mean that all of this isn’t a dream but a reality? Considering my current location, the time reversal was roughly around 2 years and 6 months ago.

“I’ve become a regressor.” I lowered my head in dismay.

Regressing two years back was beyond my belief. The events I experienced right before death were so vivid.

‘The Calamity.’

As I recalled that existence, a chill ran down my spine. A being that swallowed the world. Even S-class Hunters couldn’t stop the Calamity; they all perished.

The Calamity wasn’t a being, as its name suggests, but a natural disaster itself. It took on the shell of humanity, annihilating every visible living being. Recalling the excruciating pain that permeated my entire body just before losing consciousness made my fists tremble. The power the Calamity held was immense, enough to evoke fear just by reminiscing about it.

Those whom I considered family were ruthlessly killed at the mere gesture of the Calamity. They were remarkable individuals who stood at the forefront for the sake of the world. Their lives were not meant to end like that.

‘I can’t allow such a tragedy to happen again.’

How much regret did I have right before dying?

I had vowed to do everything in my power to prevent those dear to me from dying in such a way if given one more chance.

“…Yes, whatever happened, this is an incredible opportunity.”

I have to prevent the Calamity somehow and save everyone. Whether it’s possible or not isn’t important. At least this time, I want to die without regrets.

With determination, I carefully examined the contents of the system messages. The system closely resembled the interfaces from the games I usually played.

The terms ‘class’ and ‘skill’ were common words used since the appearance of the Awakened, but ‘characteristics’ or ‘quests’ were words more commonly seen in games.

Seeing the rewards given upon clearing a hidden quest, it made me wonder if by clearing more quests like this, I could gain even greater strength.

‘Then the chances of preventing the Calamity would also increase.’

In short, utilizing this system and status window effectively could be the shortcut to protecting everyone. No, rather than a shortcut… it seemed more like a guide.

I wasn’t blindly trusting or following everything, but there was no reason to ignore something so advantageous. I started by checking the rewards I just received.

《Specialty: Stay as You Are (Class F) obtained!》

《Hidden Skill: Silver Protection (Class S) obtained!》

One was a reward for using the system for the first time, and the second was obtained by clearing the hidden quest.

“A hidden skill?”

Ever since the appearance of creatures called ‘monsters,’ countless people gained special abilities through awakening, becoming Hunters. I was one of them, and being trapped here against my will in this illegal research facility was also due to the skill I gained through awakening.

The skill I had allowed me to replenish others’ energy through contact. Upon using skills, Hunters consumed energy and strength, which directly affected their lives. So, my skill of replenishing energy wasn’t bad. But apart from that, I didn’t have anything else. That meant my place was always at the back. I could only watch others fight.

But then…

“A new skill has appeared?”

My heart raced. As I thought about wanting detailed explanations this time too, a system message appeared anew.

Hidden Skill: Silver Protection (Class S)

Strengthens under moonlight. Takes effect during the night and in dark interiors.

Strength: Increased to Class S

ㄴ Attack Power: Increased to Class S

ㄴ Attack Speed: Increased to Class S

ㄴ Movement Speed: Increased to Class S

ㄴ Agility: Increased to Class S

Reading the flooding details, I voiced the contents blankly, “Every stat increased…”

Reflexively, I lowered my gaze to my hands. I clenched and unclenched my fists several times but didn’t notice any noticeable change.

It mentioned strengthening under moonlight, so if it’s not nighttime, does that mean there’s no difference?

I was in an isolated cell for experiments, surrounded by walls with no way to tell the time. Should I punch the wall or something to find out? 

As I pondered, biting my lip, a cheerful sound echoed.

Ding!

《Main Quest has arrived!》

《Main Quest: Encounter the antagonist ‘Seed of Calamity.’ (Time Remaining: 1 hour 59 minutes)》