The transition from death to life didn't feel like a spiritual journey. It felt like being electrocuted and then drowned in ice water.
It took weeks for the fog to clear, weeks for me to realize that the obsidian walls of that S-Rank trap were gone. I wasn't an F-Rank Porter bleeding out on a cold floor anymore. I was a teenager named Haru in a world that looked exactly like mine, yet felt fundamentally different.
But the most important thing wasn't the second chance. It was the hum in my veins.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my palm. With a single thought, a spark of pure, golden electricity danced between my fingers. It didn't burn. It felt like a part of me, as natural as breathing.
''I can actually use mana...''
A smile tugged at my lips. In my past life, I was a 'Null.' Now, I was a conductor.
[PING.]
[Sovereign Lightning Mastery: 60%]
[Current Variant: Golden Origin (Base)]
[System Message: Continue physical and mental synchronization to unlock 'Abyssal' traits.]
The blue screen hovered in mid-air, invisible to everyone but me. I didn't know how long it had been since I died—months? Years? In this timeline, the Gates still existed, the monsters were still a threat, but I was no longer a spectator.
"Haru! Come eat breakfast and get ready for your first day of high school!"
The voice from downstairs made my heart skip a beat.
"Coming, Mother!"
I stood up, still feeling a strange warmth at the word 'Mother.' In my past life, Ji-Eun—my mom—had passed away when I was young. Seeing her here, with her long, golden-blonde locks and kind blue eyes, felt like a miracle I didn't deserve. She was the center of this new life, a version of her that was healthy and happy.
"Move it, slow-poke! You're blocking the way!"
This was my little sister, Sora. She was in 8th grade, a whirlwind of energy with the same blonde hair and blue eyes as our mother. In my past life, I was an only child. Here, I had a family that actually needed me.
''I never thought I'd be able to feel this way again.''
"Wait, Mom!" I shouted toward the kitchen. "I'm going to brush my teeth first!"
I ducked into the bathroom and locked the door. I leaned over the sink and looked into the mirror, staring at a face that was mine, yet... better.
My hair was a messy shock of pale blonde, almost white, looking like it had been bleached by a lightning strike. My eyes were the most jarring part—sharp, golden irises that seemed to glow if I concentrated too hard. I had a lean, athletic build, far different from the gaunt, exhausted frame of the Porter I used to be. I looked like someone meant for the spotlight, this face is going be breaking hearts.
I splashed some water on my face, watching the golden sparks flicker momentarily in my reflection.
"Haru! The eggs are getting cold!" Ji-Eun called out again.
"I'm out! I'm out!"
I grabbed my bag, a newfound weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. I wasn't just going to survive this time. I was going to protect this.
"Mom, I'll walk Sora to school on my way!"