Zero Code: Turning Back the Clock by Ten Years

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1. Name: Kim Soo-hyun (10 years in)

2. Class: Normal Sword User, Master

3. Nation: Terra

4. Clan: –

5. True Name & Nationality: The Observer and Recluse, Summit · South Korea

6. Sex: Male (33)

7. Height & Weight: 181.5 cm · 75.5 kg

8. Alignment: Lawful · Chaos

[Strength 86] [Endurance 92] [Agility 96] [Stamina 78] [Magic 48] [Luck 36]

(Remaining stat points: 0)

My mind is blank. I absentmindedly roll a small orb in my left hand.

“User Kim Soo-hyun.”

Ten years. A decade spent chasing a dream, a longing finally fulfilled. Yet, the emptiness remains. The loss and the aching void within me refuse to fade.

“User Kim Soo-hyun. May I ask you once more?”

A soft, melodious voice gently nudges my consciousness. Drawn by the sound, I slowly lift my head. As I do, the gray brick floor comes into view, and my gaze halts as it takes in the thirty-square-meter room.

The ‘Summoning Room,’ where everything begins and ends. In the center, on a rectangular altar, faintly flickering wings of white light hover. I fix my gaze on the ‘angel’ seated there, feeling a hollow emptiness.

“Let me confirm your request, User Kim Soo-hyun. Do you truly wish to turn back the time of the Hall Plane?”

“Yes.”

I nod slowly, staring at the angel before me. Her beauty, flawless skin, and the tantalizing glimpse of her form beneath her ethereal attire—all of it is focused solely on me.

Yet, no desire stirs within me. Her beauty, her tender gaze—none of it can shake my deadened heart. Since ‘that day,’ I’ve lost all emotion.

“We cannot comprehend it. None of us angels can understand you.”

“No, you’re wrong. I don’t seek your understanding, Seraph.”

My voice, echoing in my ears, is chillingly cold. Seraph’s voice trembles slightly, unlike her usual calm demeanor. I’ve never seen her so unsettled, except today. Could my words have shocked her that much?

Though momentarily shaken, Seraph quickly regains her composure and begins to speak in her usual calm tone.

“User Kim Soo-hyun, you have completed all missions in the Hall Plane and are the first to reach the summit.”

“And yet.”

“No ‘and yet.’ You have obtained the Zero Code you so desired. You have the ‘right.’ Within the bounds of that right, you can achieve anything you wish.”

“Seraph, the discussion is over.”

“Returning to Earth? That’s possible. You can return with your current abilities intact. Staying in the Hall Plane? That’s fine too. With the Zero Code, you could become a king ruling over all continents, or even more.”

Tired of her endless persuasion, I sigh and place my right hand on my sword’s hilt. The familiar grip feels reassuring.

“Enough of the sweet talk. Ten years of that was more than enough. I’m tired, Seraph. No matter what you say, I won’t reconsider using the Zero Code.”

I grip the hilt tightly, channeling my magic through the circuits. Sensing the energy emanating from me, Seraph falls silent, though only briefly. Her face soon reflects a mix of pity and determination, showing she hasn’t given up on persuading me.

“The Zero Code belongs solely to User Kim Soo-hyun. We have no authority to interfere with it. That’s why it’s so regrettable. Using such a powerful artifact merely to turn back time is absurd.”

“……”

“Let me confirm one last time. Do you truly wish to repeat those ten painful years?”

Seraph’s voice, now almost pleading, trails off. Suddenly, a laugh bubbles up from within me, inexplicable and without reason.

I laugh silently for a while.

*

This is not Earth. It’s a world called the ‘Hall Plane,’ where life is anything but ordinary.

I close my eyes gently, retracing the steps of my journey.

I first entered the Hall Plane ten years ago, at the age of 23, with a bright future ahead. My last memory of Earth was returning home happily after completing two years of military service.

I fell asleep on the train home, only to awaken in this ‘Summoning Room.’ Before me stood an angel, her white wings fluttering—a sight I had only imagined.

Clueless and bewildered, I begged the angel to send me back. Instead, I was transported to a place called the ‘Rite of Passage,’ a test to prove my worth as a user. There, I was hunted by monsters I’d never seen before, forced to survive.

The test lasted seven days, a battlefield of survival. Only after enduring countless threats to my life did I earn the right to enter the Hall Plane as a ‘User.’

But the Rite of Passage was just the beginning. The Hall Plane was the true start—a hellish place where death lurked at every corner.

In the Hall Plane, I just wanted to survive. I clung to the angel’s promise that I could return home if I reached the end. For ten long years, I fought to live, to return, alongside the unbreakable bonds I formed.

“User Kim Soo-hyun. What are you thinking about? Are you reconsidering…?”

The word ‘bonds’ stirs a surge of emotion. I shake my head vigorously. Now is not the time for reminiscing.

“Ah, just lost in old memories. But calling it a painful ten-year repeat… at least you have some conscience.”

“……”

“Thanks to you, I endured unnecessary suffering for ten years.”

“User Kim Soo-hyun.”

Seraph’s gaze scrutinizes me, perhaps trying to read my mind. Just as I’m about to tell her to stop, her beautiful lips part, and a calm voice flows out.

“If you’re thinking of User Kim Yoo-hyun and User Han So-young… I understand your desire. User Kim Soo-hyun, I have a very reasonable suggestion. The GP you currently possess is enough to grant several wishes. You don’t need to use the Zero Code to return to the past…”

‘As much as I hate to admit it, that demon was right.’

I knew this was coming. Before Seraph could finish, I drew my sword and swung it with all my might.

Ping!

A sharp sound of air being torn apart. The wave I sent shook the altar where Seraph sat, but that was all. The wave vanished against the white barrier she conjured.

“User Kim Soo-hyun… I understand your feelings, but this is futile. I’m sure you know that.”

I know. Users can’t harm angels. Yet, I swung my sword to show my unwavering resolve.

“Astaroth said it before he died. That you’re all the same.”

“Are you going to believe a demon’s words? You, of all people?”

“Isn’t it true? This can’t be done, that can’t be done. In the end, there’s no real difference.”

“Wait, let’s talk… I believe I’ve explained your request thoroughly.”

“You said I lack the qualifications. So I’m going back to earn them again. What’s your problem?”

“Soo-hyun!”

Ping! Ping!

“Don’t shout, I’m not deaf. And address me with ‘User’ like you always did.”

Another wave flies and dissipates. Seraph, seemingly unable to believe my actions, looks at me with a sorrowful gaze. Regardless, I grip my sword, its blade glowing with a fierce light, and channel my magic into it. As blue flames begin to rise from the blade, Seraph bites her lip.

“I’ll give you one last warning. Put down your sword immediately. Even if you can use the settings, you’re still human. If you think you can kill a being of such a high dimensional rank, you’re mistaken.”

“Oh, really? Then why don’t we test that theory? I could just scrap everything and ask the Zero Code for the authority to kill you all.”

“You do have the authority to use it. However, the activation of the Zero Code must go through us. It’s time to wake up from your delusions.”

“You’re confident, aren’t you? Let’s see if there’s really no way.”

“User Kim Soo-hyun… this is a pointless argument. Still…”

Seraph seemed like she wanted to say more, but sensing the cold fury and genuine emotion emanating from the sword, she clamped her lips shut.

“……”

“……”

A heavy silence hung between Seraph and me. I took a deep breath, calming the excitement boiling within me, and slowly lowered my sword. With a sense of melancholy, I raised the Zero Code in my left hand—a small, beautiful orb glowing a deep blue. What on earth is this thing, really?

“Seraph, I don’t want to fight or talk anymore. If you understand how I feel, and if you truly care about me, I’m asking you.”

The moment I uttered the word “asking,” Seraph’s eyes, filled with sadness, widened in surprise. I extended the hand holding the Zero Code toward her, my resolve now firm.

“Please, one more time. I want to go back ten years, to when I first came here.”

Did she sense my earnest desire? The Zero Code, which had been emitting a soft light, began to shine brightly. I opened my hand, and the now radiant orb floated gently, tracing a delicate arc toward the altar where Seraph stood. She caught it with a dazed expression.

Our eyes met, her vacant gaze intertwining with mine in the air.

How long did we just stand there, looking at each other? Eventually, her lips parted slowly, very slowly.

“If that’s truly what you want.”

“……”

“I will respect your decision.”

“Seraph.”

She looked at me blankly, then continued in a weary voice.

“Please don’t misunderstand. As I mentioned earlier, User Kim Soo-hyun currently possesses a significant amount of GP. Erasing it all would be far from rational.”

I shook my head. What use is Gold Points (GP) when I’m going back anyway? But Seraph seemed to think differently, her hands moving at an invisible speed as if manipulating something.

“Unbelievable as it may be, your will has triggered a reaction from the Zero Code. Very well. As your assistant, I will adjust the details at my discretion. Rest assured, nothing will harm you, not even a little. I’ll see you once the process is complete.”

The process complete? See me soon? Just as I was about to ask what she meant, a deep, resonant voice filled the summoning chamber.

“Request from User Kim Soo-hyun received. 27%, 58%, 77%, 100%. Loading… Approval complete. Code Name, Zero, is now executing. Prepare yourselves.”

Creak, creak.

Suddenly, the sound of rusty machinery echoed from somewhere. At the same time, the Zero Code, which had been in Seraph’s hands, soared into the air, casting a clear light.

Flash!

A blinding light filled the room, obscuring my vision. The rusty mechanical sound continued, and an indescribable sensation swept over my body. It wasn’t unfamiliar—the feeling of space twisting, something rushing past. It was similar to the sensation when the Grand Duke of Hell appeared during the Atlanta recapture.

As the light grew stronger, Seraph’s figure disappeared from view. Resigned to whatever might come, I squeezed my eyes shut.

—————————= Author’s Note —————————=

1. User information window updated.

2. Zero Code activation conditions and details added.

3. Typos and context corrections made.