Morning light crept through the thin curtains of Jim's room, warming his face.
He opened his eyes slowly, feeling the strange heaviness in his body — not from weakness, but from power building quietly inside him.
He sat up and stared at the mirror on the wall.
A stranger stared back.
His once plain face now had sharper features, his jawline more defined.
His body was taller — lean, athletic.
And his eyes…
One remained dark, but the other shimmered faint gold, faintly glowing when he focused.
His aura leaked out in thin waves, cold and confident.
He exhaled.
"Right… I forgot."
"I'm sixteen again."
Ten years of pain, training, death, and survival lived inside a boy's body that hadn't even finished growing.
His phone buzzed again on the table.
The same number.
The school.
He ignored it, put on his uniform, and walked out.
The School Gates
Students crowded the entrance, chatting loudly — until he stepped in.
Silence.
Every head turned.
"Is that… Jim Sung?"
"He looks so different— taller?"
"Is he even the same person?"
Jim didn't react.
The old him would've panicked, melted into the background.
But the new Jim walked through the crowd like a shadow — calm, unreadable, unstoppable.
He slid the classroom door open.
Three familiar faces turned toward him.
The same three bullies who made his old life miserable.
The tallest one grinned. "Well, well… look who's alive. You skipped school for two whole weeks. Where did you run to, coward?"
Jim walked past him without answering.
A hand grabbed his collar.
"Hey, I'm talking to—"
Jim's hand closed around the bully's wrist.
Crack.
The boy's expression froze as pain shot through his arm.
Jim's eyes lifted — one dark, one gold — expression calm and deadly.
"Let go before you lose it."
The entire room went silent.
No one moved.
The bully tried to pull back… but his body wouldn't respond.
He felt like he was pinned under a mountain — his instincts screaming danger.
Jim released him.
The bully stumbled back, clutching his wrist, eyes wide in terror.
The other two took a step back without even thinking.
Jim sat down at his desk like nothing had happened.
Moments later, the teacher walked in and gasped.
"J-Jim Sung! You've missed classes for two weeks! Why weren't you answering your calls?"
Jim looked up, expression flat.
"I had things to take care of."
The teacher blinked, startled by the cold maturity in his tone. She said nothing more.
A Meeting Fated by Time
School ended.
Jim stepped into the hallway when someone called out:
"Hey! You!"
He turned.
A tall boy with bright eyes and a confident smile approached him.
A hunter badge glinted on his chest.
Lee Kang.
In the future, he would become one of the strongest hunters alive…
But right now, he was just another senior — and he didn't recognize Jim at all.
Lee looked him up and down.
"You're new, right? Haven't seen you around before."
Jim's lips curved faintly.
"Maybe I've just changed."
Lee laughed.
"Well, whatever it is, you look like someone with potential. My guild is recruiting elites. When you awaken, think about joining us, yeah?"
Jim tilted his head slightly.
"I'll think about it."
Lee grinned. "Good. We need strong people. Don't take too long."
He walked away.
Jim watched him.
The smile slowly faded from his face.
"We'll meet again, Lee."
"And next time… you'll know who I am."
Author's Note
Jim's new life truly begins — and the old world starts recognizing his strength.
Next chapter: The Dream of the Boss whispers from the Abyss…
#Action #Rebirth #Hunter #System #SchoolArc #Abyss