Troller #001
Suddenly, Ga-on's eyes snapped open.
"……?"
A forest stretched before him. Lush green foliage filled the woods, and the crisp, clear air seeped into his nostrils, filling his lungs to the brim.
But what truly captured Ga-on's attention was something else entirely—a thin, transparent window hovering in midair amid the trees.
Welcome to the Union of Integrated Dimensions.
A welcome message. It might piss off people dragged here without warning, but for others, it offered a sliver of reassurance.
The problem came right after.
Survive for one month.
Survive. That was it. No explanations, no nothing—just dumped into the forest, told to stay alive by some unknown entity, and left to rot.
…Then a new window appeared.
A status window. It listed the bare basics about himself. The endless stats from before he blacked out were gone, leaving just one lone Unique Ability. Pathetic.
"Is this… really regression?"
His previous life. No, his life before that. While wandering uncharted lands, Ga-on had stumbled upon some ruins by chance. At its heart lay an orb of unidentified light on a pedestal, and touching it had hurled him into the past.
Naturally, once he'd built up some power, he'd gone back to check—and unlike before regression, found the pedestal empty.
So he'd assumed there'd be no more chances…
Whatever the case, here he was.
As Ga-on sank into solitary thought, the others summoned to the same spot erupted in chaos, voices rising in panic.
"Wh-what the hell is this?!"
"Where are we?!"
They tilted their heads at their status windows, then scanned the crowd warily, seeking someone to explain this madness. Of course, no such person existed.
Ga-on, now in his third run, could explain—but they had no clue.
I used to be like that too…
A strange feeling. Like a game veteran eyeing noobs—complicated, inexpressible.
Utterly different from his second run. Back then, joy at regressing faded fast, and he'd tuned them out. Useless, he'd thought, mind racing with plans: how to grow strong, who might get in his way. No time for mingling.
Now… it felt different. Just knowing there were people to share ideas with, connect with—it stirred joy from deep within.
Not even talking, just watching unilaterally, yet his chest tightened.
This isn't the time.
He snapped out of it, staring blankly. Time to set a course.
In his previous life, obsession with power had made him selfish. But now? No such intent.
Even a talentless, gritless guy like him had gained an edge from over twenty years' experience.
Plus, those final years alone amid total annihilation had somewhat mended his rotten tenacity.
Proof? That Unique Ability he'd glimpsed.
Indomitable
Physical abilities rise as limits are reached.
Simple, yet versatile enough for any situation.
First run: some garbage "Observe" skill. Second: "Tenacious Vitality," minor regen.
Not certain, but based on data, initial abilities tied to one's past life.
Then Indomitable could be reward for enduring five years of suicidal urges while scraping by.
A sign there was room for redemption.
…He wanted to believe that.
"H-hey, kid! You know something? Where the hell are we?!"
"I don't know either. Do you remember what you were doing before you got here? We should share info first. Name's Kim Min-jun."
The reason he'd alone survived last time? Hogging everything.
Snatching every opportunity, he'd weakened everyone else. They couldn't handle the dimensional invaders, dying off one by one.
Ga-on should've protected them, but his overgrown power swept allies and foes alike.
Reduced to watching them perish, control came too late—everything gone but him.
And even then, he couldn't kill the Dimensional Eater.
Can't do it alone. Needed others to finish it for good.
I can do this.
The Union of Integrated Dimensions gathered races from all dimensions. Population dwarfed Earth's; geniuses aplenty.
Last life, he'd nipped threats early or stole their breakthroughs, crippling the world's potential.
No more. With future knowledge, he'd support them to higher heights.
Distribute fitting opportunities—power would skyrocket.
Not giving everything away to rot in the back, though. Villains existed; some better dead.
Snag their fitting abilities for himself or allies.
Plans solidified in his mind.
This'll work.
As Ga-on immersed in his world, the others—having exchanged names—gathered to talk.
"Everyone saw that weird window, right? The one saying survive a month."
"Kid! So what're you getting at?"
The man who'd introduced himself as Kim Min-jun glanced at the plump woman with what looked like spare-tire rolls around her waist, then jabbed the air like clicking something.
Whoosh—clang!
A black void tore open in midair; a sword tumbled out.
"Eek!"
"Wh-what the—?!"
As everyone freaked at the sudden weapon, Kim Min-jun carefully picked it up and explained.
"Can everyone pull up their status windows? There's a gift icon in the corner. Weapons from there."
At his words, they stared blankly into space, summoning theirs. Gasps followed, then cautious pokes.
Voids opened; swords, spears, shields, clubs poured out.
Fearsome, yet reassuring now. The clearing filled with armed folks, faces bright—until they paled.
Weapons meant one thing: fighting.
As they scanned warily, Kim Min-jun tapped the air casually.
Thud! Thud! A translucent dome shimmered into view.
"As you see, we're enclosed. Safe for now."
"You sure? Move!"
The skinny guy stepped up, irked that all eyes were on Kim Min-jun—ignoring the two women and the plump one.
He swung his sword clumsily at the dome past Kim Min-jun.
Kang!
"Argh!"
Dome unmoved; recoil shattered his arm. He screamed, dropping the blade.
The women, who'd hoped briefly, darkened. Useless attack.
Would've been fine—but numbers appeared.
60… 59… 58…
Floating at eye level, ticking down. Ominous dread spread; glares turned to the skinny guy.
But karma wasn't done—bushes rustled behind; ten green-skinned dwarves waist-high burst out.
"Kieeeek! Wh-what are those?! M-monsters!"
"Lady, calm down! Dome's holding—for now."
"You say that seeing them? They're eyeing me creepy!"
The plump woman clutched her chest defensively. Kim Min-jun's eyes chilled—their gazes were on the other two women.
But he didn't call it out.
"Group up! We have weapons! Size difference favors us. We can win!"
"F-fight those? You're nuts! I can't! This is that guy's fault! How?!"
Meanwhile, as they bickered, someone eyed Ga-on: Yi Cho-rin.
She'd been staring at him blankly gazing into space. His vacant look tugged at her—partly her kind heart.
Alternating glances between the dagger-clutching group and him, she approached cautiously.
"Um, excuse me."
"……."
"Hey!"
Her sharp call turned his head.
Plans set.
Seeing them armed variously, Ga-on nodded. "Let's go."
"Wha—w-wait…!"
Heading calmly to the group, he summoned his status, selected spear.
Void spat it out; he snatched it deftly, turning to find Yi Cho-rin staring blankly—probably about to explain.
"We trustin' the kid, right? Yeah?!"
"Yes, of course. First, gather and assign roles. Shield upfront, spears behind—"
The burly man chatting with the plump woman barked orders. Men grumbled but complied.
Four men, three women. Better than expected—no kids or elders.
How'd it go last time…?
Memory fuzzy on details. Second run, he'd struggled organizing info too.
Not total wipe, I think.
Some casualties probably—because he'd bailed. Now, joining actively, zero losses.
For future fights, saving as many as possible was key.
As he neared, eyes turned. The ordering man approached.