The golden gates of the 100th Floor stood open, but Kael would never see what lay beyond them.
He looked down at the glowing broadsword protruding from his chest. The blade belonged to Arthur, the S-Rank Guildmaster of Aegis—the man Kael had trusted with his life.
"Sorry, Kael," Arthur said, his voice entirely devoid of emotion. "The prophecy says only the strongest can claim the throne. We can't have an F-Rank Scavenger tagging along and taking up a slot in the new world."
Kael coughed, thick blood spilling over his lips. He had appraised every trap, carried their heavy burdens, and guided these so-called "heroes" through the deadly labyrinth of the Tower. And this was his reward. A blade in the back right before the finish line.
The other heroes looked away in shame. The S-Rank Ice Empress, Elara, simply closed her eyes, unwilling to intervene.
"You bastards..." Kael wheezed, falling to his knees as Arthur ruthlessly ripped the blade out.
Darkness crept into the edges of Kael's vision. The 100th floor was supposed to be humanity's salvation. Instead, it was going to be his graveyard.
If I get another chance... Kael thought, his vision fading to pitch black as he hit the cold obsidian floor. I won't be the baggage. I won't be the stepping stone. I'll be the king.
As his heart stopped beating, a bizarre sound echoed in the void of his fading consciousness. It sounded like a massive pane of glass shattering.
[Error.]
A blinding blue holographic screen cut through the darkness.
[The final player has perished. The 'Earth' server has failed.]
[Wait. Anomaly detected in Player Kael's soul: Resentment exceeds System parameters.]
[Initiating Protocol: Zero. Reversing the chronological axis...]
GASP!
Kael's eyes snapped open. He lunged forward, violently knocking his wooden desk over with a loud CLATTER!
He was panting heavily, his hands desperately clawing at his chest. There was no hole. No blood. No golden gates.
"Kael! Do you think my classroom is a place for your disruptive outbursts?!"
The sharp, nasal voice was unmistakable. Kael blinked against the harsh fluorescent lights. Mr. Harris, his high school history teacher, was glaring at him over the rim of his glasses. Around him, thirty teenagers giggled and whispered at his clumsiness.
Kael stared at his unblemished hands. He flexed his fingers. He looked out the window at the peaceful, brilliant blue sky.
I went back. I actually went back.
Suddenly, a digital chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[The Global System Initialization will begin in 00:04:59.]
Five minutes. Kael's shock instantly morphed into cold, focused clarity. He remembered this exact moment. May 15th. The day the world ended. In five minutes, Mr. Harris would mutate into a Level 5 Goblin, kicking off a bloodbath.
Kael stood up slowly, ignoring the fallen desk. His cold eyes drifted to the front row. Elara Vance sat there, currently just a scared teenager, not the S-Rank hypocrite who had watched him die.
I'm not carrying your potions this time, he thought.
He turned his back to the teacher and calmly walked to the back of the classroom, wrapping his fingers around the heavy metal fire extinguisher mounted on the wall.
"Kael! What are you doing? Put that down this instant!" Mr. Harris shouted, his face turning red with anger.
[00:00:10]
Ten seconds. Kael hefted the extinguisher, feeling its solid weight. A dark, predatory smile spread across his face. The weak, cowardly F-Rank Scavenger was dead.
"Class," Kael said, his voice eerily calm, cutting through the murmurs. "Cover your ears and whatever you do, don't scream."
[00:00:03][00:00:02][00:00:01]
[Welcome, Humans of Earth, to the Tutorial.]
A/N: A new beginning! Betrayal fuels the ultimate regression. Drop your Power Stones if you're ready for Kael's revenge!