Chapter 2: Zero Code, Turning Back Ten Years
Chapter 2: Zero Code, Turning Back Ten Years
Just as I felt the light that had been relentlessly beating against my eyelids begin to fade, I cautiously opened my tightly shut eyes. The light that had filled the entire room was now gradually dying down, leaving only a faint glow. I blinked once, twice, and my blurry vision slowly came into focus. Once my sight had recovered enough to distinguish objects, I calmly began to survey my surroundings.
It’s different.
I had only closed my eyes for a moment, but so much had changed. The sword in my right hand, the gear I was wearing—it had all vanished without a trace. My gaze fell from my empty hands to the camouflage-patterned military uniform I was wearing. The moment I saw the name tag on my left breast, my breath caught in my throat. It was then.
“Code Name Zero. Complete. Confirming activation of Zero Code. Normal activation confirmed. Congratulations, User Kim Soohyun.”
At the familiar voice, I lifted my head to see Seraph, still seated on the altar, looking at me. And in that instant, I couldn't help but frown slightly. A single glance was enough to tell that her body was in a critical state, far from normal.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Her beautiful, shimmering white wings had faded to the point of being invisible, and her entire body was translucent, revealing the space behind her without obstruction. Only her usual expressionless face remained the same as before.
As I remained silent, Seraph tilted her head and spoke.
“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve received such a worried look from you. But it’s alright. By Earth’s time, it is Thursday, December 27, 2011. As per your request, you have returned to the moment Kim Soohyun of Earth first entered the Summoning Room. I repeat, User Kim Soohyun’s request has been successfully processed and completed.”
“Right… I see. Then Seraph, did you come back with me?”
As I spoke softly, Seraph slowly shook her head from side to side.
“I cannot give you a precise answer, but for now, I will say no. There are still things I must explain to User Kim Soohyun, so I requested a brief Override from the Zero Code. Fortunately, the Zero Code deemed my reasoning valid and granted my request.”
“There’s something you need to explain?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
I asked, my brow still furrowed, but Seraph responded with a gentle smile. It was the first time I had ever seen the angel smile in the entire 10 years I’d spent in the Hall Plain. The feeling was so sudden, yet so refreshingly new, that I unconsciously relaxed the frown on my face.
An awkward silence descended for a moment. But it was Seraph, not I, who broke it first. She swept her silver-white hair behind her ear, half-closed her eyes, and quietly began to speak.
“I remember the day User Kim Soohyun was first summoned to the Hall Plain. Do you remember the first words you said to me then?”
“No.”
How could I possibly remember something like that? I had no idea what kind of nonsense she was about to spout, but I decided to listen quietly for now. As a ‘Helper,’ Seraph had always given me appropriate advice.
“‘Wh-where am I? Huh? Who, who are you!’ is what you said.”
“Seriously, even the stuttering? You remember every little thing.”
“Hehe. And that’s not all. Besides that…”
Crack!
At that moment, a sound like space itself was tearing apart echoed, and Seraph’s body, which had been continuing her trivial story, distorted violently. It looked like the static on a TV with a bad connection.
“Ugh!”
She distorted, then returned to her original form. Seraph let out a pained groan. With each repetition of the phenomenon, her translucent state grew more severe. Seeing her like this felt so unfamiliar. It seemed like if I just blinked, she would return to her usual calm demeanor, but the Seraph before me now looked as precarious as a candle in the wind.
When the static-like phenomenon finally subsided, Seraph, having barely managed to compose herself, wore a bitter expression.
“It seems it’s too much to hope for any consideration from the Zero Code. After all the 10 years we spent together… It won’t even allow us time for a proper farewell.”
Man, I really can’t get used to this.
The old Seraph would have gotten straight to the point instead of saying something like that. As she herself said, angels were a race that always acted rationally. After seeing her maintain the same attitude for 10 years, I just couldn’t adapt to this sudden change.
“Right… Then you should hurry up and explain so we can get this over with.”
In the end, I couldn’t help but snap at her bluntly. Seraph gazed at me with sorrowful eyes before letting out a short sigh and continuing.
“User Kim Soohyun, you barely spent any GP from the midpoint onwards. I intend to use some of the points you’ve earned to grant you a few privileges for your new start.”
“Huh? Privileges?”
“Of course, your remaining GP will also be left untouched.”
“Privileges, huh… I don’t know what they are, but I guess they’re giving me some special treatment since I saw it through to the end once. Wow, I’m so grateful I could cry.”
My tone was dripping with sarcasm, but Seraph shook her head slightly as if to say that wasn’t it.
“I would be grateful if you thought of it less as special treatment and more as a gesture of goodwill. Myself and all the other angels fully understand, empathize with, and sympathize with your feelings.”
“Sympathize? Hahaha…”
“I apologize if the word ‘sympathize’ offended you. I had no intention of belittling you. However, within the Hall Plain, angels are tasked with helping Users. Have I ever once given User Kim Soohyun advice that could be considered harmful? Think carefully. Whether you accept this goodwill or simply pass on it is entirely up to you, User Kim Soohyun.”
Although she said it was entirely up to me, Seraph was leaving no room for argument, as if determined to make me accept the ‘privileges.’ Besides, I couldn’t think of anything to say even if I wanted to press the issue further, so I nodded reluctantly, a sour feeling in my gut.
“An excellent choice. I have no doubt that this decision will make achieving your goals significantly easier.”
The moment I expressed my consent, Seraph smiled faintly, a look of relief in her eyes. Then, she gave a powerful flap of her faint, nearly invisible wings. The distance between us closed in an instant, and soon I felt a soft touch on top of my head. As I gently looked up, Seraph continued in a relaxed voice.
“Please bear with it for a moment, even if you don’t like it. There isn’t much time left. I will directly input and transfer the information into your head.”
As soon as Seraph finished speaking, I felt a flashing impact on the crown of my head where her hand rested. It didn’t hurt. Rather, miraculously, the information she was trying to convey was flowing clearly into my mind. I closed my eyes and calmly savored the information she was giving me.
〈User Kim Soohyun Exclusive Privilege Settings (Tanay)〉
1. Privileges regarding User Kim Soohyun’s original stats will be granted. First, you may “load” the Player Status data from your first playthrough. Second, four of the six basic stats will be randomly selected and their values increased. The degree of increase will also be determined randomly.
2. Privileges regarding Class will be granted. You may decide on a Class before entering the Rite of Passage. You may choose from all available classes, including not only normal Classes but also Rare, Secret, and all other hidden classes.
3. Privileges regarding Special and Latent Abilities will be granted. Users normally have 1 Special Ability slot and 4 Latent Ability slots, but an additional Latent Ability slot will be opened for User Kim Soohyun. This also unlocks all Special and Latent Abilities, including hidden ones, allowing you to choose what you desire.
Alternatively, you may open a ‘Unique Ability’ slot. A Unique Ability is a tier above Special Abilities. If you forgo the Unique Ability, you may choose 1 Special Ability and all 5 Latent Abilities as you wish. (In this case, the unlocked slot is automatically included among the Latent Abilities.)
However, if you choose to acquire a Unique Ability, you will consume one Latent Ability slot, and you may only choose the abilities for half of the remaining 4 slots. (The other 2 will be determined randomly.)
4. You may receive a Body Modification Procedure one time only.
5. User Kim Soohyun may select one piece of equipment of his choosing, with no restrictions on type. However, EX-grade equipment cannot be selected.
Information about the privileges filled my head without giving me a moment to rest. When I opened my eyes with a complicated feeling, I could see Seraph, who had faded into a faint afterimage. Her hand was still on my head, but I could no longer feel the same touch as before.
After barely managing to organize the information, I let out a quiet gasp.
“This is…”
Honestly, I never dreamed I would be granted privileges of this magnitude, and I was left slightly dumbfounded. If I could really start with these kinds of benefits, it would be no different from using a character editor before starting a game.
As if reading my expression, Seraph smiled faintly and said.
“These privileges were created with the points User Kim Soohyun earned. Of course, I won’t deny that some of my own goodwill is mixed in. But since I obtained the consent of all the angels, there is no issue whatsoever.”
“I mean, it’s great for me, but you’re about to disappear anyway. Won’t this be blocked due to balance issues?”
“It will not. And just now, I sensed a hint of arrogance in User Kim Soohyun’s tone. I have told you time and time again over the last 10 years. Complacency is forbidden under any circumstances.”
“I’ll be careful. No, but the balance is the problem. Think about it. What would anyone think if a brand-new User started with privileges like these?”
“That part can be resolved with Tanay, so you need not worry. And as for the balance… Of course, it’s true I considered the balance, but…”
Seraph paused, then began to study my expression. Then, in a hesitant voice, she carefully continued.
“Considering the potential User Kim Soohyun originally possessed, this could actually be seen as creating balance.”
Seraph’s words held many implications, but I understood her meaning immediately. It was because ‘Potential’ was, in fact, the most crucial factor in determining a User’s Player Status.
I could understand her point, but why did I still have a bitter taste in my mouth?
No matter what anyone said, I was the only User to have reached the summit of the Hall Plain. I had no intention of denying that I had climbed there on the back of countless miracles and coincidences. But isn't there an old saying? It’s not the strong who survive, but those who survive who are strong.
If we were talking about general strength, I could confidently say I was strong. Of course, I knew I couldn't claim to be the best or the strongest. But even so…
“…Hah.”
“Arrogance is forbidden. Do not let your guard down.”
That seemed to be what Seraph had wanted to say in the end. I felt a little embarrassed, as if I really had been feeling arrogant, just as she said. I let out a short sigh and nodded. She wasn’t wrong, after all. My pride was a little hurt, but that feeling immediately subsided when I saw Seraph, who had faded so much she had almost lost her form.
“Now… it is truly… time… to part…”
It seemed the end had truly come, just as Seraph said. She was distorting back and forth like a TV screen on the verge of breaking down. She wasn't even returning to her original state anymore. All I could do was watch her helplessly.
“Farewell… You… I really… wanted… to…”
Her words were becoming harder to hear. Her presence was slowly fading away. Still, Seraph spoke to me with what could only be described as desperation.
“That… really…”
“Seraph. I’m sorry to be like this at the very end, but I can’t hear you well.”
She seemed to hear me, though, as sorrow colored her face. But there was nothing I could do in this situation. This was what I had wished for, what I had brought upon myself. But she didn’t give up.
“Please…”
Flash!
Just as the static seemed to worsen, a white light suddenly flashed with a sharp pop. Brilliant rays of light burst out from around Seraph before vanishing in an instant. The true end seemed to be near. She bit her lip once, then gathered strength in her gaze and slowly parted her lips.
“Please, be happy…”
Ssshhh…
With those final words, Seraph vanished. The static phenomenon ceased. But her last words, uttered with all her remaining strength, had reached my ears clearly. She might have smiled brightly at me in her final moment, but I had been too focused on her words to see clearly.
For a brief moment, I stood there, staring blankly at the spot where Seraph had been.