Rivan's life had always been simple.
Too simple.
Waking up early, working until night, getting scolded by his boss, ignored by people, then returning to a cramped rented room that looked more like a storage closet than a place meant for living.
Eating just enough.
Living just enough.
Dreaming… only when necessary.
If there was one thing he had learned in twenty-five years of life, it was this—
The world doesn't care.
"Ah… damn."
Rivan looked up at the night sky as he walked along the roadside. The city lights blurred—whether from the rain… or from his exhausted eyes, he didn't know.
Today, he got fired.
The reason?
"Low performance."
Even though he was the one who worked overtime the most.
Even though he was always the earliest to arrive.
Funny, right?
Rivan let out a soft laugh. A dry laugh, devoid of emotion.
His stomach was empty. His wallet even emptier.
His steps slowed.
"If life keeps going like this… what's the point?"
It wasn't a dramatic question.
Nor a desperate cry.
Just… exhaustion.
Pure exhaustion.
He stopped at the edge of the road. The rain poured harder. The distant sound of a horn echoed faintly.
But Rivan didn't move.
For the first time in his life, he didn't want to run.
Didn't want to try.
Didn't want to survive.
A bright light suddenly blinded his eyes.
A truck sped toward him.
Too late.
"Ah…"
There was no fear.
No deep regret.
Only a single thought crossed his mind—
"At least… this is over."
—
Darkness.
Silence.
No sensation.
No time.
Like sinking into endless emptiness.
…
…
Until—
"—Young Master?"
The voice… was unfamiliar.
Rivan frowned.
His head felt heavy. His body felt light—strange. Like it didn't belong to him.
"Y-Young Master… you're awake?"
This time, clearer.
Slowly, Rivan opened his eyes.
The ceiling… gold?
A grand crystal chandelier shimmered above him. Intricate carvings decorated every corner of the room.
This wasn't his rented room.
Not even a hotel.
This was… a palace?
"W-what…?"
His voice was hoarse. Dry.
He tried to sit up—and immediately felt something even stranger.
His body felt… different.
Lighter. Stronger.
His hands—smooth. No calluses. No small scars from years of hard work.
"This… isn't…"
"Please don't push yourself, Young Master!"
An old man suddenly knelt beside his bed.
Neatly dressed. Classic style. Like a royal servant from a movie.
Rivan froze.
"Young Master?"
That word again.
He looked at the man. Then around the room.
A massive bed. Luxurious curtains. Expensive carpet.
Everything felt… too real.
His heart started pounding faster.
"Where… is this?"
The old man looked confused.
"Young Master… you are in the Albrecht family residence."
…
…
Albrecht?
That name—
Familiar.
Very familiar.
Like something he had just read.
Rivan's eyes widened.
No.
Impossible.
"A mirror… bring me a mirror!"
"O-of course, Young Master!"
The servant quickly brought a large mirror.
Rivan stared at his reflection.
Neatly styled black hair. A handsome yet cold face. Sharp eyes filled with arrogance.
A face—
He knew.
Rivan's hands trembled.
"This… this…"
A voice screamed inside his head.
This isn't his face.
This was—
Rivan Albrecht.
A character from the novel he read a week ago.
A cruel noble.
Arrogant.
Hated by everyone.
And most importantly—
Doomed to die.
Killed brutally.
In less than…
"30 days…"
he whispered.
Cold sweat dripped down his temple.
No.
This couldn't be real.
But everything felt too real to be a dream.
"Why… am I him…?"
Before he could process everything—
SUDDENLY—
—
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING…]
—
A transparent screen appeared before him.
Red.
Flickering.
"Huh…?"
—
[ERROR… ERROR… ERROR…]
[SYSTEM FAILURE DETECTED]
[ATTEMPTING REPAIR… FAILED]
—
"What the hell is this…?"
—
[WELCOME, USER…?]
[IDENTITY MISMATCH DETECTED]
[FORCING SYSTEM BOOT…]
—
The mechanical voice stuttered like a broken radio.
Rivan swallowed.
His instincts told him one thing—
This wasn't normal.
—
[QUEST GENERATED…]
—
The screen changed.
Words appeared.
—
[QUEST: SURVIVE 30 DAYS]
[DESCRIPTION: DO NOT DIE]
[REWARD: ???]
[PENALTY: DEATH]
—
"…"
Rivan stared at the screen without blinking.
Then he laughed softly.
A laugh that sounded… slightly insane.
"Funny."
He had just died.
And now—
He was given a quest… to not die again?
"Is this a joke…?"
—
[ERROR… ADDITIONAL CONDITION ADDED]
—
New text appeared.
—
[WARNING: PRIMARY THREAT DETECTED]
[TARGET: ELENA VON DRAKE]
[FATE: WILL KILL YOU]
—
That name.
Elena.
The female protagonist of the novel.
The hero.
A symbol of justice.
And—
The one who would kill him.
Rivan's heart pounded violently.
Memories from the novel flooded his mind.
The way Elena killed Rivan Albrecht.
Her sword.
Her gaze.
Cold.
Without hesitation.
"Crazy…"
This was truly insane.
He hadn't even understood the situation yet—
And someone was already destined to kill him?
"Good…"
Rivan covered his face with one hand.
Then laughed again.
Softer.
Colder.
"So I have to survive…"
His hand slowly lowered.
His eyes changed.
No longer empty.
There was something there now.
Determination.
Or perhaps… madness.
"If I'm going to die in 30 days…"
He looked at the flickering system screen.
"Then all I have to do is…"
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"…destroy that destiny."
—
[ERROR SYSTEM RESPONSE…]
[UNKNOWN VARIABLE DETECTED]
—
Outside the door—
Footsteps echoed.
Someone was approaching.
The servant looked nervous.
"Young Master…"
"Lady Elena… has come to visit."
…
…
The room suddenly felt cold.
Rivan froze.
Slowly…
Very slowly…
He turned toward the door.
His heart pounded harder than ever before.
She's here.
The one who will kill him—
Has come on the very first day.
—
The door opened.
—
And fate began to move.
__
The door opened slowly.
The sound of its hinges echoed far too clearly in the silence of the room.
Rivan didn't move.
His body felt stiff, as if his instincts were screaming at him to run—but his mind knew… there was nowhere to run.
The footsteps were light.
Steady.
Calm.
And for some reason… deadly.
At last, the figure came into view.
A woman.
Her long silver hair fell straight down her back. Her eyes were sharp and cold, as if they had never known hesitation. She wore simple noble attire, yet the aura she carried… was anything but ordinary.
Elena.