A scene flickered across my computer screen.
I leaned back in my chair, eyes fixed on the final moments of the battle. This was Path of Destiny—an RPG I had spent years helping bring to life. A story about a hero determined to end humanity's suffering, no matter the cost.
For now, it wasn't the world playing it.
It was just me.
Testing. Fixing. Repeating.
Making sure everything worked perfectly before release.
"How did you become like this, Raul!? How could you turn so cruel!?"
A girl with platinum hair stood trembling, tears streaming down her face. Even through the screen, her pain felt real. Beside her stood a blonde man, sword in hand, his stance firm—ready to strike.
"You never understand, Ariel!" the black-haired man roared, his body battered and barely standing. "I did all of this for you! Why did you choose him!? Brian is nothing but a commoner—unworthy of standing beside a Saintess like you!"
Raul.
One of the game's major antagonists.
And one of the most frustratingly cliché ones.
His love for Ariel wasn't love—it was obsession. Control. Possession.
At first, he didn't realize how far he had fallen. But when Brian entered the picture, everything spiraled. Jealousy consumed him. Harassment turned into hatred.
And eventually—
Desperation led him to a demon.
"You're delusional, Raul!" Brian stepped forward, shielding Ariel. "You think this was for her sake? You've lost your mind!"
"Shut up, commoner!" Raul spat, eyes blazing. "If it weren't for you, Ariel and I wouldn't be like this!"
"You're wrong," Ariel said, her voice steady despite her tears. "I chose Brian. That was my will. He is a far better man than someone who sold his soul to a demon."
Something inside Raul snapped.
Darkness erupted from his body, thick and suffocating. His form twisted, bones cracking, flesh mutating into something monstrous.
"If I can't have you…" his voice distorted into a guttural growl, "…then no one will!"
He lunged.
Brian didn't hesitate. His sword flashed free, glowing with a radiant golden aura. Lightning crackled beneath his feet as he charged forward.
"You've fallen too far, Raul," Brian said quietly. "I thought we could've been friends… but now, I'll end this."
Steel clashed against claws.
Magic tore through the air.
The battlefield shook with every strike.
And then—
Silence.
When the dust settled, only one figure remained standing.
Brian.
Raul lay motionless at his feet, his monstrous form fading, returning to that of a broken man.
His final sight—
Ariel rushing into Brian's arms.
A kiss.
The man he hated… had won everything.
Victory appeared across the screen.
I exhaled slowly, rubbing my eyes.
"Well… no performance issues," I muttered. "But why does the story have to be so cliché?"
A famous writer had been hired for the narrative. My team and I only handled development. The investors insisted this kind of story would sell.
Maybe they were right.
Still…
It felt hollow.
My gaze drifted to the framed photo beside my monitor.
A man and a woman smiled back at me.
Me… and Liana.
My chest tightened.
Ding…
The doorbell.
I checked the camera.
And there she was.
Exactly the same.
"Hey, I'm here to pick up the things I left with you," her voice came through the intercom.
"…Come in," I said, pressing the unlock button.
Moments later, I heard her footsteps.
Then my bedroom door opened.
"Morning, Evans," she said softly. "Sorry for coming unannounced. Do you still have my clothes?"
She looked the same.
Long black hair.
Pale, flawless skin.
Familiar… in every way that hurt.
"They're in the wardrobe," I replied, pointing. "I packed them."
"Thanks."
She walked over, pulling out the bags.
I glanced outside.
A man leaned casually against a luxury car.
Well-dressed. Confident.
Her fiancé.
"He's a good and responsible man," she said when I spoke, her tone short—as if ending the topic before it began.
Of course he is.
He has everything I don't.
Then—
Her hand touched my cheek.
Soft. Warm.
Familiar.
"Evans…" she whispered. "I'm leaving now."
I looked at her.
Really looked.
Her eyes… were trembling.
Why?
Hadn't we already moved on?
"Take care of yourself, okay?"
And just like that—
She left.
That was it.
My last chance.
My last moment to tell her the truth.
…I still love you.
The words never came out.
They stayed buried, like everything else I chose to sacrifice.
I touched my cheek.
Wet.
A tear.
When did that happen?
I collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion pulling me down.
Twenty hours of testing.
No sleep.
No thoughts.
Just—
Regret.
I hope you're happy… Liana.
…My body hurts.
Is it from yesterday?
Slowly, I opened my eyes.
Cheers echoed around me.
Loud. Overwhelming.
"…What?"
I sat up.
An arena.
Crowds.
Voices shouting—
"Come on, Lord Raul!"
"Don't lose to a commoner!"
My heart skipped.
In front of me—
A blonde-haired boy approached, gripping a wooden sword.
"…Brian?"
He raised his weapon, glaring.
"Is this the extent of your ability, Raul? You're weak, yet you dare belittle others!?"
Raul…?
My breath hitched.
"Pick up your sword!" Brian shouted. "Let's settle this like men!"
No.
No way.
This place—
This scene—
The Grunbelt Academy Duel Arena.
And this moment…
…the very beginning of Path of Destiny.