"Your time has ended…"
A black shadow emerged from the corner of the room, its form rippling like smoke yet heavier than iron. It leaned close and whispered directly into my ear, the words chilling my spine.
Suddenly, endless darkness spilled across the room like an ocean. Time itself stopped. The flickering candles froze mid‑flicker, the dust hung motionless in the air. My heartbeat was the only sound left.
---
This… this is the perfect time for escape, I thought, forcing myself to breathe. I'm bored of being trapped here. Let's see if any guard is near—
…ghhhhhhkkk…
A horrible sound clawed into my skull.
"Ahhh… why do I feel so dizzy—"
Slash!
A man stepped out from behind the frozen time and cut my head clean off.
---
Huh… am I going to die again? Just like this?
My vision is fading. Even after using my ability, I can't feel my body. Is this really… my end?
I feel pity for myself.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
---
Knock. Knock.
"Master… it's morning already."
My eyes snapped open.
I'm… alive? How? Was that a nightmare?
I blinked. My vision was sharp, clearer than ever.
Wait… something's different. How am I able to see directly with my eyes? My body feels heavy… and bigger than before.
I sat up, the sheets sliding off my shoulders like silk. Across the room stood a full‑length mirror.
This… this isn't my room.
I walked to the mirror, each step heavier than the last.
A servant entered, bent low.
"Good morning, Family Head…"
Family Head? What is he talking about?
The servant didn't look up.
I glanced at the mirror.
Wait… why is he bowing to me?
The man in the mirror wasn't me.
He was taller, older, with sharp eyes and a face carved from stone. The very image of the man who once terrified me.
Selgor Nightreign.
The Family Head.
Am I still hallucinating? Or… is this real?
---
"Master, it's time for your breakfast," the servant said from the doorway.
This felt too real for a dream.
What happened to me?
Wtf—
A sudden blue light flashed in front of my eyes. A translucent panel appeared, floating in the air like an illusion from a fairy tale. The words glowed, clear and sharp:
[SYSTEM]
Character Info
────────────────────────────
Name: Selgor Nightreign
Age: 55
Ability: Locked
────────────────────────────
[STAT UPDATE]
Level: —
Strength: —
Agility: —
Intelligence: —
────────────────────────────
Status: Awaiting Unlock
What the f** is this? And why does it show my name like this?*