Death and Rebirth
The last thing Han Seojun remembered was the blinding headlights of a truck.
He had been walking home from another grueling shift at the convenience store, earbuds in, listening to the audiobook of his favorite web novel—Chronicles of the Radiant Hero. It was a guilty pleasure, a story about a chosen hero named Lucien Ashford who attended the prestigious Celestia Royal Academy, gathered a harem of beautiful heroines, and saved the world from the Demon King.
Seojun had read the novel seventeen times. He knew every plot twist, every character's fate, every secret hidden in the story.
And now, apparently, he was going to die thinking about it.
What a pathetic way to go.
Darkness consumed him.

When Seojun opened his eyes, he was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.
His body felt wrong—lighter, younger. His hands were pale and slender, not the calloused hands of a twenty-six-year-old who worked three jobs.
A translucent blue window materialized before his eyes.

[SYSTEM AWAKENING]
Welcome, Transmigrator.
You have been reborn as Ethan Blackwood, a background character in the novel Chronicles of the Radiant Hero.
Character Status: Extra (Cannon Fodder)
Original Fate: Death in Chapter 47 (Demon Beast Attack)
Days Until Death: 127
Would you like to activate the [Regressor's Advantage System]?
[YES] / [NO]

Seojun—no, Ethan now—felt his heart stop.
Ethan Blackwood. He remembered that name. A forgettable side character who appeared in exactly three scenes before being killed off to demonstrate the danger of the academy's practical exam.
"You've got to be kidding me," he whispered.
His voice was different. Younger. He stumbled to a mirror hanging on the wall of what appeared to be a modest dormitory room.
A handsome young man with ink-black hair and silver-gray eyes stared back at him. He was attractive—far more so than his previous life—but his features were forgettable in the way that background characters often were. Pleasant but unremarkable.
He was eighteen years old, a first-year student at Celestia Royal Academy.
And in 127 days, he was supposed to die.
"System," he said aloud. "Yes. Activate."

[REGRESSOR'S ADVANTAGE SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
As someone who has read the novel, you possess knowledge of future events. This system will help you leverage that knowledge.
SYSTEM FEATURES:

* Status Window: View your attributes
* Quest System: Complete quests for rewards
* Knowledge Archive: Access your memories of the novel
* Skill Shop: Purchase skills with points
* Affection Tracker: Monitor relationships with key characters

STARTING BONUS: 500 System Points
Current Quest:
Survive the First Week
Reward: 100 Points, Random Skill Box

Ethan took a deep breath. He could work with this.
He pulled up his status window.

[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Ethan Blackwood
Age: 18
Class: Unawakened
Rank: F (Lowest)
ATTRIBUTES:

* Strength: 12
* Agility: 14
* Intelligence: 45
* Mana Capacity: 8
* Charm: 32

SKILLS: None
SPECIAL TRAIT: [Eyes of the Reader] - Can perceive hidden information about characters and items you remember from the novel.

His stats were abysmal. In a world where the average person had attributes around 20, his physical stats were below average. Only his intelligence was notable—a remnant of his previous life, perhaps.
But Ethan smiled grimly.
He didn't need to be strong. He had something far more valuable.
He knew the future.

Inevitably, Lucien Ashford approached Ethan.


It happened after a practical magic class where Ethan demonstrated a theoretical spell modification that surprised even the professor.


"You're Blackwood, right?" Lucien's smile was warm, genuine—the smile of someone who had never known rejection. "I've been hearing your name a lot lately."


"Seraphina mentioned you. Victoria too. And Professor Marcus won't stop talking about the student who found his weakness."


Ethan studied the protagonist. In person, Lucien was even more impressive—charisma radiated from him like heat from a sun.


This is the hero, Ethan thought. The person destiny chose. The person who saves the world.


And the person whose existence causes people like me to die.


"I'm just a student," Ethan said carefully.


"No ordinary student catches the attention of princesses." Lucien's eyes were knowing. "I'd like us to be friends, Ethan. I think we could accomplish great things together."


The Protagonist has taken notice of you.


Warning: Becoming closely associated with Lucien Ashford will involve you in major plot events.


Benefits: Access to protagonist's resources, connections, and opportunities.


Risks: Protagonist's enemies will become your enemies. High-danger situations likely.


Would you like to accept Lucien Ashford's friendship?


In the original novel, the background characters who befriended Lucien were usually killed off to motivate him. They became tragic backstory, cannon fodder with names.


But avoiding the protagonist forever was impossible. Their fates were already intertwined.


"I'd like that," Ethan said finally. "But I should warn you—I know things that will sound impossible. And I won't be able to explain how I know them."


Lucien's expression flickered with curiosity. "What kind of things?"


"Things that will save lives," Ethan said. "If you're willing to trust me."


Note: The protagonist is intrigued. Unlike the heroines, his interest is primarily strategic rather than emotional. Be cautious—protagonists tend to overshadow those around them.


Chapter 10 - The Protagonist's Notice