Hypnic Jerk—it's that feeling of falling while sleeping, jolting the body awake with a sudden jerk.
Some experience falling from great heights—like from a building. Others from an airplane. Some simply from a small platform, like a chair.
And when they wake up, they realize it was all just a dream, often laughing nervously after being scared for their life.
However, one person experiences this strange sleeping phenomenon for minutes, while most only feel it for a second.
"D*mn, when is this going to end?" a voice echoed through the falling space. Stars and planets blurred past him as his body dropped endlessly through the void, their lights reflected in his eyes.
He had the face of a middle-aged man—black hair, serious, calm eyes. Not particularly handsome, but still appealing in a quiet way. As the man continued falling through the infinite space, with miniature planets and galaxies passing through him, he didn't realize his face was changing.
At first, it was clearly the face of someone in their forties. But as time passed, it began to shift—youngening, becoming that of a 17- or 18-year-old. It lasted only a moment before reverting, but the youthful face kept returning. And with each return, it lasted longer.
"But why me, kid? I'm just a level 50 Bubble Mage who couldn't even see what we were fighting," he muttered, voice distorting and fading as it echoed through the void.
The Bubble Mage closed his eyes, too tired of watching the endless cascade of stars. "Just get this over with."
As his words reverberated, the stars and galaxies vanished, leaving only the void. He continued falling—falling into eternity.
But eternity came to an end.
A burst of light was born.
Even with his eyes closed, he could see it—so intense it pierced through the lids.
Slowly, he opened them.
Nothing but white.
It was deathly silent.
"Where… am I?" the Bubble Mage muttered in confusion. He tried to look around, but couldn't feel his body. He couldn't even hear his own voice.
"Hey!"
Suddenly, a voice cut through the overwhelming whiteness—young, energetic, like someone untouched by the weight of a dying world.
"Who… are you?" the Bubble Mage asked, though as expected, no sound came from his mouth.
"Wake up, River! You're about to be late for work!"
That voice…
River—the Bubble Mage—recognized it instantly.
Then, a flood of emotion. Countless memories surged back, both painful and joyful, crashing into him all at once.
"Barn!" River used every ounce of strength to shout, even if no voice left his lips.
Or so he thought.
Because the moment he remembered his brother, the white world cracked.
Then, it shattered.
And River's vision returned.
His body jolted upright, his shout echoing through the room.
"F*ck! You scared the hell out of me!" a shocked voice called from his left.
River turned, eyes landing on the young man. And the moment he did…
Tears welled up.
"Bro… why are you crying? Don't be weird, man," the young man said, staring at his brother sitting on the bed with eyes that looked at him like he was crazy.
Hearing the spiteful words, River Faelan didn't get angry. Instead, he let out a smile—a smile of relief, and of sadness.
With a heavy sigh, River calmed his racing heart and chaotic mind. A few seconds later, his entire demeanor shifted—replaced by the presence of a man who had walked the earth for dozens of years.
"Did you hit your head or something?" Barn asked, a hint of concern in his voice as he noticed the change in his older brother's expression.
Barn had black hair and a young face with bright, sparkling blue eyes. He stood at about 160 centimeters tall, wearing an oversized jacket and pants that made him look like a human coat hanger.
Though anyone might think he looked innocent, River Faelan knew all too well how despicable and annoying his little brother could be.
"No, no," River waved a hand dismissively.
"Alright then. You only have an hour to get ready for work. Don't be late—I don't want you losing your job. I still need your money to support me in becoming the greatest Hunter!" Barn Faelan declared enthusiastically, then glared at his brother. "Once I become successful… d*mn, do I have to take care of you?"
"Barn," River said, voice low and serious as memories of his brother's fate surfaced. "Just take care of yourself, alright?"
Barn frowned. "What happened to you? You're acting weird."
"Haha," River chuckled and waved his hand. "Just go. I can take care of myself."
"Oh shoot!" Barn suddenly remembered he had school. He hurried to the door. "I'm heading out! If you go crazy for whatever reason, just call me! I might not be there for you though—but hey, the thought still counts!"
A loud bang echoed as the door slammed shut, Barn's voice lingering a moment before the room returned to silence.
"Still a dckhead," River muttered with a sigh. "Being the dckhead he is… he's going to save a lot of people when the time comes. Speaking of time, what timeline did I come back to?"
River looked around. Familiar furniture stirred long-lost memories. It was the same room he'd used for years before becoming a Hunter.
A simple table with chairs. A cabinet where he hung his everyday clothes and work uniform. The room was plain and grey, but its simplicity always calmed River whenever he stepped inside.
Even after dozens—maybe even a hundred—years, that same calm remained. Especially now, standing here again, back in time.
The soft bed creaked as River stood and grabbed his phone from the table. He quickly checked the date and time.
"Two years before my Awakening…" River whispered, frowning. "Why this far back?"
His mind was still a mess, even as he tried to stay calm. He returned to the bed and sat down, trying to gather his thoughts. Everything was happening too fast. Meeting his brother again almost made him forget why he was here in the first place.
River was no longer the same person his brother knew. He was the experienced one—the one from the future. His mind now worked in ways that let him adapt to nearly anything instantly.
And right now, he needed to figure out his plan—now that he was back in the past.