I never truly believed I could use my old technique with this body.
But if I somehow could… it would change everything.
It would make me unstoppable.
A true Crimson-tier ability.
In my previous life, I called it Bloodweave — the art of manipulating my own blood.
With it, I could shape my life's essence into weapons or armor — a blade sharp enough to split steel, or a shield that no strike could pierce.
Every time I fought, it turned the tide.
The more blood I lost, the stronger I became.
But it always came at a cost.
Lose too much, and the body collapses. Push too far, and you die.
I found a spot near the river — quiet, hidden, surrounded by trees.
No one would come here. Perfect for training.
"Alright… let's start." (I muttered, taking a knife and cutting into my palm)
Blood flowed, but nothing happened.
No pulse of mana, no connection, no movement.
Just pain.
"Damn it… why isn't it working?" (I whispered, watching the red drip down my hand, feeling frustration eat away at me)
I tried to heal the wound with my own blood — a reflex from before — but nothing.
"Why doesn't it work?" (I asked the air, desperation rising)
"Do I need something to trigger it?"
And then a stupid, reckless idea struck me.
What if the ability only awakens under extreme stress — when the body reaches the edge of panic, drowning in fear and blood loss?
I knew it was insane. But I also knew I had no other choice.
I took a deep breath, raised the knife again… and stabbed myself a few more times.
Pain shot through me, white and sharp.
My vision began to blur. My heartbeat slowed. My body trembled as it tried to cling to life.
"Come on… it has to work now… or I'm dead."
(A bitter smile crossed my face through the agony)
Still nothing.
"WHY!? Why won't you WORK!?" (I screamed, my voice cracking.
The forest swallowed the sound)
"Please… just heal…" (I begged, half-conscious, my voice trembling.
But my blood didn't obey.
It just kept falling to the ground — red and useless)
"Damn it… I need bandages. Anything."
(But I could barely stand)
I tried to walk back toward the village. Each step heavier than the last.
Then — nothing.
The world went dark.
---
When I opened my eyes, everything was hazy.
Shapes moved.
I was lying on someone — their face right beneath mine, framed by golden hair.
"He's waking up!" (a voice said)
"Good. Tell him to hurry up — we need to move," (another replied)
"Who… who are you?" (I managed to whisper, still dizzy, my throat dry)
"I'm Senna Lee. Once you're better, you'll remember me," (said a woman's voice — calm, kind, strangely familiar)
So… another dream? Or maybe… another memory?
"And the other one?" (I asked weakly)
"Your partner? That's Yuna Choi," (Senna said) "She carried you all the way here."
"Can you stand?" (Yuna asked, pacing back and forth, chewing her nails)
"We have to leave. They could find us any moment!"
"Who?" (I asked. Even if this was a dream, I wanted to know more. Everything felt too real)
"Faldora," Yuna answered quickly. "They're taking back their lost lands. Our commanders sent every high-ranked fighter to the other front… and left only us here."
"What happened? I don't remember…"
(My heart tightened — this wasn't a vision anymore. It was too vivid)
"They attacked at night," (Yuna continued, voice trembling) "They slaughtered everyone. You told the soldiers to run, told me to get help.... When I came back…"
(She bit her lip, eyes burning with guilt)
"I found hundreds of Faldori soldier corpses — and you, lying in your own blood."
"Thank you," (I said quietly) "You saved my life."
"A real partner doesn't leave the other behind," (she said bitterly, blaming herself)
"You did what you had to. My job was to hold them back. Thank you for coming back for me."
I tried to smile, to ease her pain — but I wasn't sure it worked.
"Senna Lee… thank you for—"
Then I stopped.
I looked at her properly for the first time since my vision is back— and my heart froze.
Her face… it was Nari's.
Older, calmer — but unmistakably her.
Even the light in her eyes was the same.
That warm, radiant expression that made you feel safe just by looking at her.
"Hey!" Yuna shook me out of it. "We need to go. Now."
They pulled me up, and Yuna handed me my sword.
But before we could move —
A knock came at the door.
Yuna froze instantly.
"No… no, it can't be them," (she whispered)
"We can't escape now. What do we do?"
"Hide," (Senna said firmly) "I'll handle it."
We slipped into a closet, peeking through a small crack.
Senna walked toward the door.
And then —
"It's time to return to reality,"
whispered the same voice from the darkness — the woman's voice — and everything vanished again.
---
When I opened my eyes, Nari was kneeling beside me.
No pain. No wounds. The cuts were gone.
"There's… no trace of the injuries," (I said, staring at my hands)
"I used my ability on you," (she replied softly, smiling — that gentle smile that made the world brighter for a second)
"You have that kind of power and you didn't tell me?" (I asked, half in awe)
"I didn't want to brag," (she said shyly. Then her face grew serious)
"But what happened? Don't tell me you—"
I realized what she must've seen when she found me… blood everywhere.
I had to calm her down.
"It's not what you think," (I said quickly) "I was just… testing something. It went wrong."
"What kind of test requires stabbing yourself?" (she asked, voice shaking) "Why would you go so far away from everyone?"
(Her worry wasn't anger. It was pain — the kind that comes from caring too much)
"I promise I won't do anything reckless again," (I said quietly) "I don't ever want to see you sad because of me."
Her eyes softened. That warmth again. The one I'd come to rely on.
Then… I tried something.
"Thank you for helping me, Senna." (I said, watching her face carefully)
"Senna? Who's that?" (she asked, blinking in confusion)
Wait — what?
Wasn't she—? Damn it.
"Oh— sorry," (I stammered, face burning) "In my dream there was a woman named Senna. She looked… a lot like you."
Nari burst out laughing — pure and free, like sunlight after rain.
"So, while I was worried sick, you were dreaming about other women?"
"No— no, that's not—" I sighed, defeated, and laughed too. "Forget it."
We talked for a while longer until the sun dipped behind the trees.
Then we said goodbye.
I still couldn't use Bloodweave.
That could be a huge problem for what's coming.
Maybe once I get stronger… it'll return to me.
Until then, there's only one thing I can do —
destroy the gate,
and protect the village.