Prologue - I am as ruined as the world

Up until now, I've been fighting to recover a world that left nothing but scars on me.

Strange, isn't it? How I'm still clinging to a life I can barely remember. My apartment, the neighborhood convenience store, the school I once dreaded, even the company I slaved for a decade—they all blur together, like a broken slideshow of a life I no longer recognize.

And yet… I still believe that world can be saved.

I remember the day it started—coming home late again, drained and bitter. I found a tattered Russian novel by a dumpster. Something about a man and a murder. I picked it up. Kept reading.

Two days later, I'd finished it.

"Hah. That fast?" I laughed to myself, glass of water in hand. "I forgot I had work today…"

I couldn't remember the characters' names, but the message lingered: redemption. A man, broken by guilt, clawing toward something better.

I stared out the window. City lights blinked back like dying stars.

"Can the world do the same?" I muttered.

The next morning, I skipped breakfast, skipped the shower. Just grabbed my bag and ran for the bus. Seven floors up, panting, I burst into the office.

Made it. Just barely.

"Lee Yunji-nim."

There she stood.

Twenty-six. Beautiful. Commanding. CEO's adopted daughter.

Also... human. I'd seen her cry, quietly, in the corners of our marble halls.

She scowled. "You're late, Han Jisoo. I said someone was getting promoted today."

"Sorry," I said with a dry chuckle. "Slipped my mind."

It hadn't. I just didn't care.

This company devoured my dreams. I should be chasing horizons—not doing data entry until my soul fossilizes.

I processed over a thousand papers that day.

At lunch, a senior handed me another stack. "You'll be covering Junseo's shift. He's the one who got promoted."

"Huh. I thought the guy next to him deserved it more."

He looked at me like I'd spat on his shoes. "You two were classmates."

Right. High school. Another slideshow of forgotten fragments.

"I'll… buy him a drink later," I muttered.

That evening, everyone went off to celebrate. I wasn't invited.

I cleaned up alone. Then realized I'd tossed my phone with the trash. Typical. I rushed back, dug it out—and just as I called the elevator, it opened.

Yunji-nim.

"Rough day?" I asked, forcing a smile.

She didn't answer right away.

"Want to grab a drink?"

She smirked. "That a real offer, or are you just trying to impress me?"

"I—uh—no! I mean yes, but also, I mean it."

"Jeez. Men these days."

We ended up at a quiet bar. No glitz. Just two strangers too tired to pretend.

She downed whiskey like water. Bottle after bottle.

I didn't drink. Just watched.

"You alright, Yunji-nim?" I asked softly.

Silence.

The bartender handed me the bill—200.5 won—and a look of understanding.

"Take care of her," he said. "She's carrying a lot."

Outside, I carried her on my back. We sat at the train station bench. Her head against my shoulder.

"Maybe… it's time to rest," I whispered.

Just as my eyes closed, I heard it—barely a whisper.

"I… still want… to drink with you…"

I smiled.

"Me too."

Then the world shattered.

Flames. Screams. Meteors tearing through the sky. Cities swallowed whole.

Korea collapsed into ash and shadow.

[Your World is now Ruined.]

I jolted awake—on wet grass, surrounded by trees. The city was gone.

Still in the same clothes. Same memories.

But everything else…

[Your world faces judgment. The Abyssal Gods of the Void have spoken.]

"W-What…?"

[Do you wish to revert the Ruined World—at a terrible price?]

[Or stay. Walk this world. Find the truth. Save your own.]

[60 seconds to choose.]

My fingers trembled. My heart screamed. And yet, after 30 seconds, I made my choice.

[You are now Identity 869.]

[This world does not need heroes or villains. Do as you will.]

[Commencing Path Selection]

Path of the Warrior: Strength +15. Axe & Shield.

Path of the Wise: Intelligence +15. Mage Book. 300 Coins.

Path of the Ruler: Influence I. Ring of Command. 500 Coins.

Path of the Blade: Strength +3, Agility +6, Speed +3. Rusted Sword.

Path of the Savior: Healing, Shielding. HP & Endurance +5.

Path of the God: No perks. Only potential. Awaiting an Outer God's gaze.

I didn't hesitate.

[Selected: Path of the Blade.]

A rusted double-edged sword appeared in my hand.

I looked toward the battlefield beyond the woods—where armies clashed and empires fell.

"I'll find you, Yunji-nim."

And I'll fix our ruined world.