Days turned into weeks. Then weeks into months.
Before anyone knew it, another school year had begun.
Inside a cheerful elementary classroom filled with giggles and chatter, colorful drawings decorated the walls and tiny desks were arranged in neat rows. The air buzzed with youthful energy as kids ran about, sharing snacks, scribbling on their notebooks, or simply laughing at something only 8-year-olds could find funny.
In the far corner of the room, away from the chaos, sat Choi Seojun. His small hands were folded over his desk, and his gaze was distant, almost melancholic.
"…Why school, though?" he muttered under his breath, brows furrowed. "If I had a say in this, I'd have picked transmigration over reincarnation."
He didn't remember much of his past life, not the details anyway—but one vivid memory still lingered: his meeting with the so-called ROB—Random Omnipotent Being.
Just then, the classroom door slid open with a clack.
"Alright, class! Everyone in your seats!" the teacher, a plump middle-aged woman with thick glasses and a permanent smile, clapped her hands. "Let's start with Hangul practice today!"
The kids scrambled back to their seats with varying levels of enthusiasm. Seojun sighed, picked up his pencil, and began copying the characters like a machine.
---
The bell rang, signaling recess.
Children rushed out of the classroom like a stampede, squealing and shouting as they made their way to the playground.
But not toward Seojun.
A few curious glances were thrown his way, but no one dared approach. Not since the incident.
It started after he helped that kid 'Minjae',couple of those cocky upper graders had brought more friends to mess with him. What they got instead was a memory they'd carry in their bones for weeks.
Nothing outwardly visible. No bruises, no scratches. Just a deep, soul-shaking "what just happened to me" sort of realization that left them trembling.
No proof. Just subtle pain and humiliation delivered with surgical precision.
Now?
Whispers followed him.
"That's the scary one from Class B."
"He smiled when Daeho fell flat on his butt and cried!"
"My mom laughed whe…"
Kids kept their distance. And frankly, Seojun preferred it that way.
He didn't feel comfortable mingling. Something inside him just couldn't fully engage with children his age—whether it was instinct or leftover soul residue, he didn't know. But to him, these kids acted like toddlers. Overly emotional, loud, and constantly sticky.
---
The final bell rang.
As his classmates packed up and ran toward the gate, Seojun walked calmly, slinging his backpack over his shoulders.
Outside, the summer sun cast golden streaks over the pavement. A row of parents stood waiting. Some waved excitedly. Others crouched down to greet their kids with snacks and hugs.
"Seojun-ah!"
His mother's voice cut through the noise. Choi Yuna stood by the fence, waving at him with a warm smile.
"Did you eat all your lunch today?"
"Yeah," he replied plainly.
"Did you talk to any friends?"
"…Define 'talk.'"
She chuckled, ruffling his hair. "You're such a strange kid sometimes."
Choi Minho, his father, was waiting by the car. "Let's get some ice cream on the way. You've earned it."
Seojun's lips curled into a faint smile. "…Mint choco?"
Minho groaned. "Ugh. You're just like your mom."
As they walked toward the car, Seojun quietly observed the sky. Somewhere deep in his chest, a faint sense of expectation stirred.
---
[Later that night – 9:42 PM]
Lying on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, Seojun whispered, "You there?"
A soft chime echoed in his mind, followed by a mechanical yet oddly playful voice.
[Yes, Host. I am always here. System operational. Mood: moderately bored.]
"You should try going to school in my place."
[Unfortunately, I lack a physical vessel. But I can offer sarcasm as emotional support.]
"Tch… Useless. At least tell me something good's coming."
[Hmm… Would you like a spoiler?]
Seojun rolled to his side, eyes narrowing. "Only if it's something worthwhile."
The System paused for a beat. Then:
[Host, the dungeons might appear ahead of the supposed time.]
"…Ahead of time?"
[Indeed. But with your current strength you should fair well even against B-Rank monsters.]
Seojun stared into the darkness, brows furrowed.
His instincts told him something big was coming.
And this time, it wouldn't be another elementary school brawl.
---
I'm thinking of how the power scaling should work, If he's too weak against a foe or too strong tell me.
_
Send Powerstones.