Kang Ye-jun—no, Lee Jun-woo—stood at the entrance of his luxury tent, watching the training camp with entirely different eyes than before.
The moonlight painted everything in silver, and for the first time in a hundred days, he wasn't looking at this world through a lens of pain and humiliation.
He was looking at it as a hunter.
'System,' he called out mentally. 'Explain something to me. In the original novel "Emperor of New Emperors," Kang Ye-jun was supposed to be a talent. An A-rank Flame attribute awakener. So why did I have to suffer for a hundred days to awaken an EX-rank talent instead?'
The mechanical voice responded instantly: [The original Kang Ye-jun died three months ago during a training accident. When Host's soul transmigrated into this body, it created a paradox. The body's original talent was incompatible with Host's soul composition.]
Jun-woo's eyes narrowed. 'So you're saying the real Kang Ye-jun is dead? I'm not possessing him—I replaced him?'
[Correct. Host Lee Jun-woo's soul completely overwrote Kang Ye-jun's remaining consciousness. To compensate for the incompatibility and prevent Host's death, this system initiated the 100-day tribulation to reconstruct Host's existence from the ground up.]
'That's why everyone thought I went crazy...'Jun-woo realized. 'The personality change was too drastic. They assumed I'd lost my mind from the training accident.'
[Affirmative. The original Kang Ye-jun was arrogant but calculated. Host's behavior of deliberately provoking beatings was completely illogical to observers, earning you the "Masochist Kang" moniker.]
Jun-woo let out a bitter laugh. 'So I suffered because of a compatibility issue. Great. Just great.'
[However, the result far exceeds the original Kang Ye-jun's potential. EX-rank 〈Absolute Counter Evolution〉 is infinitely superior to A-rank flame awakening.]
'Isuppose that's true...' Jun-woo clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling the overwhelming power contained within. 'So what's next? You mentioned I need to steal the protagonist's opportunities and women?'
[MAIN SYSTEM OBJECTIVE: Rewrite the fate of "Emperor of New Emperors"]
[Primary Method: Prevent protagonist Kim Si-woo from obtaining his destined opportunities]
[Secondary Method: Recruit heroines who were destined to fall for Kim Si-woo]
[Current Reversal Points: 0]
[Reversal Shop: Accessible]
'Show me the shop.'
A translucent window materialized in his vision, displaying an overwhelming catalog:
[REVERSAL SHOP - FEATURED ITEMS]
〈Immortal Emperor's Cultivation Manual〉 - 100,000,000 RP
〈Dragon God Bloodline〉 - 50,000,000 RP
〈Time Reversal Token〉 - 10,000,000 RP
〈SS-Rank Skill: Absolute Dominion〉 - 5,000,000 RP
〈Fate-Severing Blade〉 - 1,000,000 RP
The list went on endlessly, each item more absurdly powerful than the last.
Jun-woo whistled mentally. 'These prices are insane. How much do I get for stealing opportunities?'
[Reward depends on opportunity value:]
- Minor opportunity (skill books, weapons): 100-1,000 RP
- Major opportunity (legendary encounters, ancient inheritances): 10,000-100,000 RP
- Destiny-class opportunity (protagonist's core power sources): 500,000+ RP
[Recruiting heroines provides ongoing RP based on their importance to the original story:]
- Minor heroine: 50 RP/month
- Major heroine: 500 RP/month
- Main heroine: 5,000 RP/month
Jun-woo's mind raced. 'So if I steal Kim Si-woo's biggest opportunities and recruit all his women, I could become an Immortal Emperor in a fraction of the time it took him in the novel?'
[Theoretically, yes. However, Host must survive the protagonist's retaliation. Kim Si-woo possesses the SS-rank talent 〈Emperor's Heavenly Body〉, which makes him the heaven's chosen one. Attempting to interfere with his fate will trigger intense karmic backlash.]
'Karmic backlash?'
[The world's will favors protagonists. When Host interferes with Kim Si-woo's destiny, Host may experience "bad luck," dangerous encounters, or even assassination attempts orchestrated by fate itself.]
Jun-woo's expression darkened. 'So the universe will literally try to kill me for going against the story?'
[Correct. This is why Host's talent 〈Absolute Counter Evolution〉 is critical. Every attempt to kill you makes you stronger. The world's will becomes your training partner.]
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Jun-woo's face. 'So I'm supposed to get beaten up by fate itself and use it to evolve? That's poetic, considering what I just went through.'
[URGENT ALERT: First Reversal Opportunity Detected]
[Location: Training Ground Section 7 - 300 meters northwest]
[Opportunity: Kim Si-woo is currently attempting to break through to E-rank before tomorrow's evaluation]
[Action: Interfere with his breakthrough to steal partial awakening experience]
[Reward: 5,000 RP + Skill Fragment]
[Warning: This will make Kim Si-woo aware of your existence as a rival]
Jun-woo didn't hesitate. 'Let's go.'
He moved through the camp like a shadow, his newly enhanced agility making it effortless to avoid detection. The accumulated stats from his hundred days of suffering had already pushed him beyond normal F-rank limits.
Within minutes, he reached Training Ground Section 7—a secluded area surrounded by dense trees and protected by basic barrier formations to contain aether fluctuations.
Through the gaps in the trees, he spotted his target.
A young man knelt in meditation at the center of a small clearing. He had the classic protagonist look: handsome features, determined eyes, and an aura of righteousness that practically glowed in the moonlight.
Around him, aether swirled in visible currents, drawn into his body like water spiraling down a drain. His skin gleamed with sweat, and his expression showed intense concentration.
'So that's Kim Si-woo...' Jun-woo observed from the shadows. 'In the novel, he's supposed to successfully break through tonight, reaching E-rank before the evaluation. It gives him a massive advantage over all the other F-rank trainees.'
[Opportunity Analysis: Kim Si-woo is currently absorbing a concentrated aether crystal he obtained from a C-rank gate raid last week. This is a minor opportunity, but critical for his early development.]
[Recommended Action: Disrupt his breakthrough at the critical moment. He will fail to advance and waste the crystal. Host can then absorb the residual aether.]
Jun-woo's eyes gleamed. 'How do I disrupt it without revealing myself?'
[Host has absorbed trait 〈Berserker's Fury〉 from Park Min-ho. This trait can be weaponized. Throw a rock infused with hostile killing intent toward Kim Si-woo during his most vulnerable moment. The sudden murderous aura will break his concentration.]
'That simple?'
[Sometimes the simplest methods are most effective. Begin now. His breakthrough enters critical phase in 30 seconds.]
Jun-woo picked up a smooth stone from the ground. He focused, channeling the absorbed 〈Berserker's Fury〉 trait into it. The stone began to emit a faint crimson glow, pulsing with aggressive energy.
Kim Si-woo's aether absorption accelerated. His aura began to solidify, preparing to condense into E-rank essence.
'Now!'
Jun-woo hurled the stone with all his strength—523 points of it.
The rock whistled through the air like a bullet, trailing crimson energy. It struck the barrier formation protecting Kim Si-woo.
CRACK!
The barrier shattered. The sudden breach sent shockwaves of disrupted aether exploding outward. Kim Si-woo's eyes snapped open in shock as the carefully controlled aether flow detonated inside his meridians.
"ARGH!"
The protagonist was blown backward, coughing blood. The aether crystal he'd been absorbing cracked and shattered, its energy dissipating into the atmosphere.
[Breakthrough Disrupted Successfully!]
[Residual Aether Detected: Grade C Aether - 847 units escaping into environment]
[Recommendation: Absorb immediately using 〈Trait Absorption〉]
Jun-woo didn't need to be told twice. He activated his passive skill, and the dissipating aether suddenly changed direction, flowing toward him like iron filings to a magnet.
[Absorbing...]
[+847 units of Grade C Aether acquired]
[Magic Power stat increased by +350]
[New Trait Acquired: 〈Aether Affinity (Minor)〉 - Increases aether absorption rate by 15%]
[Reversal Points Earned: +5,000 RP]
[Bonus: Skill Fragment (Beginner Aether Manipulation) acquired]
Jun-woo felt the surge of power course through his body. His Magic Power stat had just jumped from 150 to 500—firmly in E-rank territory.
From the clearing, Kim Si-woo struggled to his feet, his face pale and lips stained with blood. His eyes scanned the darkness furiously.
"Who's there?! Show yourself!"
Jun-woo remained perfectly still in the shadows. Kim Si-woo couldn't possibly detect him—not with their current power difference.
After several minutes of fruitless searching, the protagonist finally gave up. His expression was one of frustrated confusion as he stumbled away, clutching his injured chest.
Jun-woo waited until Kim Si-woo disappeared before emerging from hiding.
'First reversal: complete. And the protagonist has no idea what hit him.'
[QUEST UPDATE]
[Main Quest: Rewrite Destiny - Progress: 2%]
[New Status Effects:]
- Kim Si-woo's fate slightly weakened
- Protagonist's luck temporarily reduced by 10%
- Host's fate strengthened
[Warning: Karma system activated. Expect minor retaliation from world's will within 24 hours.]
Jun-woo checked his updated status:
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Kang Ye-jun (Lee Jun-woo)
Rank: F+ → E-Rank Hunter (Awakened)
Reversal Points: 5,000 RP
Stats:
- Strength: 523 (E-Rank)
- Agility: 150 (F-Rank)
- Endurance: 624 (D-Rank)
- Magic Power: 500 (E-Rank) ⬆
- Luck: 125 (F-Rank)
New Traits:
- 〈Aether Affinity (Minor)〉
Skill Fragments:
- Beginner Aether Manipulation (25% complete)
---
'This is just the beginning,' Jun-woo thought as he made his way back to his tent. 'Tomorrow's evaluation will be when I truly announce my existence to this world.'
As he walked, he mentally browsed the Reversal Shop, already planning his purchases.
[Items Under 5,000 RP:]
〈Recovery Elixir (High-Grade)〉- 500 RP
〈Skill: Shadow Step〉 - 2,000 RP
〈Weapon: Crimson Fang Dagger (C-Rank)〉- 3,000 RP
〈Talent Evolution Token (Minor)〉 - 4,500 RP
'System, what does the Talent Evolution Token do?'
[Allows Host to evolve one absorbed trait or skill fragment into a complete skill. Can also be used to merge multiple traits.]
'Perfect. Purchase the Talent Evolution Token and Shadow Step.'
[Purchase confirmed: -6,500 RP]
[Current RP: 5,000 - 6,500 = -1,500... ERROR]
[Insufficient funds. Transaction cancelled.]
Jun-woo face-palmed. 'Right. I can't math at 2 AM. Just get me Shadow Step.'
[Purchase confirmed: 〈Skill: Shadow Step (C-Rank)〉 acquired for 2,000 RP]
[Remaining RP: 3,000]
A rush of information flooded his mind as the skill integrated into his consciousness. He instinctively understood how to blend into shadows and move with supernatural stealth.
'This will be useful for stealing more opportunities without being detected.'
When he finally returned to his tent, Jun-woo collapsed onto the silk bedding, exhausted but exhilarated.
Tomorrow, the Hunter Academy entrance evaluation would begin. In the original story, Kim Si-woo would dominate the assessment with his E-rank power and awaken his SS-rank talent during the final trial.
But now? Kim Si-woo was injured, his breakthrough failed, and his luck compromised.
'The story is already changing,' Jun-woo thought with satisfaction. 'And I'm just getting started.'
As sleep began to claim him, one final system notification appeared:
[WARNING: Protagonist Kim Si-woo has gained trait: 〈Unyielding Will〉]
[Effect: When facing impossible odds, protagonist's power increases proportionally to the threat]
[Note: This is a natural protagonist defensive mechanism. The more Host suppresses him, the stronger his comebacks will be—unless Host completely overwhelming him before he can recover]
Jun-woo's eyes snapped open. 'So I need to crush him completely, immediately, before the world's will can buff him?'
[Correct. Half-measures will only make him stronger. Host must commit fully to each reversal.]
A cold determination settled over Jun-woo. 'Then that's what I'll do. No mercy. No hesitation. Every opportunity stolen. Every heroine recruited. Every advantage seized.'
'Kim Si-woo... your reign as protagonist ends tomorrow.'
Outside, the moon hung heavy in the sky, watching as fate itself began to bend and twist around two young men whose destinies were now locked in conflict.
The reversal had begun.
---
13 Hours Until Evaluation
[To Be Continued...]