Hhhh... exhale.
Seunghyun breathed out halfway, his finger resting on the trigger.
A brief moment of stillness.
And then—
Bang!
The muzzle flashed, and a thunderous roar shattered the silence.
Two seconds later, a man cloaked in a dark scarf burst into a spray of crimson, thrown violently backward.
Through binoculars, the spotter whispered,
"Target down."
Clack.
Seunghyun swiftly dismantled the bipod and slid the sniper rifle into its specialized case.
Just as he prepared to evacuate, he instinctively glanced upward.
The sky was a haze of swirling sand.
Through the murky veil, he spotted a dark, looming shape—a bomber.
Seunghyun's expression hardened.
"Damn it. An airstrike. Run!"
They tossed their gear aside and sprinted for their lives.
Moments later, the bombs began to fall.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Seoul. Early winter.
At the end of a hospital corridor, Seunghyun completed his discharge paperwork.
His right leg was gone from the knee down. Without crutches, he couldn't even stand.
"So... what will you do now?" asked Colonel Kim.
Seunghyun chuckled.
"What's left for a discharged soldier? Take it easy, I suppose."
Despite his lost leg, Seunghyun was still smiling.
If anything, he seemed almost relieved.
Colonel Kim shook his head with a helpless grin.
"That's the Kang Seunghyun I know. Call me when you feel like grabbing a drink."
"Will do."
A month passed.
Seunghyun set up a new gaming console and dove into every popular title he could find—mostly the easier ones.
"Now this... this is healing."
A three-tiered shelf lined with game cases stood nearby, a tiny cactus perched on top.
"Maybe I'll revisit one of the old games."
He crutched his way over, running his fingers along the titles.
Then, one unfamiliar case caught his eye.
"New Life?"
He didn't remember ever owning this game.
Curious, he slid the disc into the console.
[NEW LIFE]
White letters glowed softly against a black background.
Definitely his first time seeing it.
"New Life, huh? Might as well give it a shot."
He selected "New Game."
The difficulty screen appeared:
Without hesitation, he chose Newbie.
That was always his style—relaxing, non-competitive games.
Even in story-driven RPGs, he picked the easiest settings.
I've fought hard enough in real life. I deserve some peace now.
For Seunghyun, gaming was therapy.
Leisure. Comfort. Healing.
Ding—
The screen faded to black.
He adjusted his grip on the controller and leaned back into the sofa.
What kind of game will this be?
His heart fluttered with quiet excitement.
"Yaaawn..."
But something felt wrong.
Sleepiness struck him like a wave.
His eyelids grew heavy. His limbs weakened.
"What the...?"
The controller slipped from his grasp.
As his vision darkened, a black tide swallowed his consciousness.
A floral scent tickled his nose.
Softness embraced his back.
He slowly opened his eyes.
A high ceiling with golden molding greeted him.
Through the glass windows, a bright blue sky shone.
Warm sunlight poured into the room.
This... isn't my ceiling.
Seunghyun sat up carefully.
But something was off.
His perspective felt... lower.
Looking down, his eyes went wide.
The leg he'd lost was intact.
But more than that—
"This isn't my body."
Instead of an adult's muscular frame, he had the short, pudgy body of a child.
Maybe ten years old?
Stunned, he clenched and unclenched his tiny fists.
Creak.
The door opened.
A young woman in a maid's uniform entered—brown hair, green eyes.
Definitely not Korean.
"Young Master, it's time to get up."
"Ah."
Seunghyun answered instinctively, startled by how clear and youthful his voice sounded.
And though she hadn't spoken Korean, he understood her perfectly.
"Where... am I?"
His thin, innocent voice asked.
The maid smiled warmly, showing no sign of suspicion.
"Another prank, Young Master? This is the western annex of the Loen County estate. Breakfast is almost ready. Please change and head to the dining room."
"Loen County?"
The name should've been unfamiliar. Yet it felt strangely familiar.
Loen County. The Kingdom of Gaia. And...
"Edrick."
He wasn't Kang Seunghyun anymore.
He was Edrick Loen, eldest son of Count Loen.
"Reincarnation... huh."
Memories flooded his mind, and Edrick chuckled softly.
New Life wasn't just a game. It was literally... a new life.
"I understand, Julia. I'll be right out."
"I'll wait outside."
Once Julia left, Edrick dressed and joined her.
As they made their way to the main building, the scent of fresh bread and butter filled the air.
In the dining room, his parents were already seated.
"Good morning, Father. Mother."
Hand over his chest, he bowed respectfully.
A man with deep green eyes smiled gently—Count Leonhardt Loen, his father.
"Did you sleep well, Edrick?"
Beside him, a stunning woman smiled—Serena, Countess Loen, his mother.
"Yes. I slept very well."
Edrick replied naturally and took his seat.
"Today's your swordsmanship lesson. How's your body feeling?" his father asked.
"Excellent, Father."
Just then, two young children burst into the room.
"Big brother!"
His younger brother, Lyle Loen, with cheerful black hair.
Trailing behind was their shy, golden-haired sister, Lucia Loen.
Lyle plopped down beside him.
"Are you training with the sword today? I want to learn too!"
"Lyle, greet Father first," Serena chided gently.
"Oh! Good morning, Father!"
"You rascal. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes!"
"Good morning, Father," Lucia whispered.
Watching his lively siblings, a smile naturally formed on Edrick's lips.
"Now this... this is true healing."
Kind parents. Loving siblings.
The ideal family life.
"I hope this peace lasts forever."
No. I'll make sure it does.
Years in joint operations with special forces like the Navy SEALs had taught him one truth:
To protect those you love, you need power.
Peace without strength was fragile. Powerless.
"I'll become so strong... no one will ever dare threaten us."
In this world, there were no guns or bombs.
But there were swords and magic.
Masters of these could single-handedly defeat thousands.
From this moment forward, I'll grow stronger.
That afternoon.
In the courtyard of the annex, Edrick's swordsmanship training began.
Twice a week, Sir Belvert—a veteran knight who had hunted monsters—personally instructed him.
"Good day, Young Master."
Belvert's eyes sharpened as he observed Edrick.
"His gait has changed."
Though only three days had passed since the last lesson, Edrick moved with a new weight and agility.
"Let's start with warm-ups."
Two stones were placed at opposite ends of the yard.
Warm-ups were essential to prevent injury.
Edrick began jogging between them, steadily increasing his speed until he was sprinting at full tilt.
Belvert narrowed his eyes.
"Efficient. No wasted motion."
Despite his young, undeveloped body, Edrick's movements were clean and sharp.
Belvert stepped forward.
"Draw your sword."
"Yes, sir."
Edrick drew his wooden blade.
But his stance was different.
He leaned forward slightly, weight evenly balanced between both feet. His sword pointed directly at Belvert's face.
It wasn't the stance Belvert had taught.
Yet he didn't correct him.
Because of Edrick's eyes.
"Predator's eyes."
Like a lion poised to pounce, observing its prey in silence.
Belvert hesitated.
Normally, he would drill basic strikes and thrusts. But today...
"Let's spar. Fight as if it's real."
"Understood."
Tap.
Belvert lightly struck Edrick's sword.
Edrick smoothly deflected and immediately closed the gap, thrusting at an opening.
With his weight shifted back, it was difficult for Belvert to counter.
"Practical. Focused."
But there was a weakness.
Close-range pressure.
Belvert lunged forward like the wind.
Most beginners crumbled under sudden attacks.
But Edrick—
Swish!
His knee shot upward with frightening speed.
Belvert instinctively withdrew.
Had he not moved, he would've taken a knee to the chin.
"..."
Belvert widened the distance, studying Edrick carefully.
This was no move a ten-year-old should be able to execute.
Then Edrick lowered his sword.
"Sir Belvert, I would like to begin mana breathing training. I believe I'm ready."
Belvert's expression hardened.
Mana breathing—the process of cultivating mana within the dantian.
It was the foundation of every knight's superhuman strength.
But starting too early could cripple the body forever.
"I can't decide after just one spar. I'll observe you for a few more days and consult the Count."
"Understood."
Edrick resumed his stance.
The real training was only beginning.
Three days later.
Edrick began mana cultivation.