CHAPTER 1
"Yo—hello! Oh… wait, okay, this is my camera now. Let's record a video…"
I leaned forward, adjusting the cheap tripod that kept tilting to the left. The camera wobbled for a second before finally stabilizing.
"Okay… that's good."
I stepped back, took a deep breath, then clapped my hands once like I was starting something important.
"Hello, everyone! My name is Tyron Lee. I'm 19 years old… and this is my first video."
I scratched the back of my head, smiling awkwardly at the camera.
"I'm making this so that… maybe 20 years from now, I can watch this again and see how much I've changed."
For a moment, I just stared at the lens, thinking about what to say next.
"So… what are my hobbies?"
I snapped my fingers lightly.
"Well, I like playing video games. A lot. I also love watching movies—like The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter. I guess I just really like fantasy stuff… magic, different worlds, you know?"
I chuckled.
"Other than that, I play sports too—basketball, badminton… though I'm not that good."
I leaned closer to the camera, lowering my voice slightly.
"And… I read manhwa. Yeah. A lot of it."
I grinned.
"There's this one I really like—I forgot the title, but it's about this guy named Kim Dokja who reads a web novel… and then suddenly, that novel becomes reality."
I snapped my fingers again.
"And because he knows the story, he becomes super overpowered. That concept? It's just insane."
I shook my head in disbelief, still smiling.
"Man… imagine that happening in real life."
I leaned back, crossing my arms.
"Well, anyway… this world right now—it's peaceful, right? People working together, living normal lives…"
My smile slowly faded.
"But if you look closer… corruption is everywhere. Money, power… it controls everything."
I let out a small breath.
"But you know what could fix all that?"
I looked straight into the camera and grinned again.
"Magic."
I laughed loudly.
"Yeah, yeah, I know—it sounds stupid. Magic doesn't exist."
I paused.
"…Or maybe I'm just watching too many fantasy movies."
I rubbed my chin, pretending to think deeply.
"If I had a power though… I think I'd pick time stop."
I leaned in again, whispering like I was sharing a secret.
"Don't worry—I won't use it for bad things."
A mischievous smile appeared on my face.
"I'd just sneak food from the fridge without my mom catching me."
I burst out laughing.
"Imagine that!"
Then suddenly… I stopped.
I stared directly into the camera.
"…But what if I told you I actually have powers?"
I slowly raised my hand.
"Crazy, right?"
My fingers trembled slightly as I positioned them.
"At any moment… I can stop time."
Silence filled the room.
"Alright… let's test it."
I raised three fingers.
"One…"
My heartbeat felt louder.
"Two…"
The air felt heavier.
"Three."
Snap.
Everything stopped.
The fan froze mid-spin.
The curtains stopped moving.
Even the faint noise from outside—gone.
Only I remained.
"…See?"
I walked around the room, looking at everything like it was a frozen picture.
Then I glanced back at the camera.
"And the recording still works."
I smirked.
"Oh—wait, where's my watch?"
I looked down at my wrist.
"10:30 PM… but the clock says 10:20."
I raised my hand again.
"Let's go back."
Snap.
The world resumed.
The fan spun again.
The noise returned.
I sat back down, grinning widely.
"See? I told you. I have powers."
I leaned closer to the camera one last time.
"And I think… I'm the only one who has this."
I checked the time again.
"Anyway… today's date is 2025."
I clapped my hands.
"Future me—if you're watching this… I hope you're doing well."
Clap.
"Ugh… man."
I rubbed my face, shaking my head.
"This is so cringe…"
[ APRIL 16, 2045 ]
The wind howled through the broken remains of the building.
Dust drifted through the air as I stood in the shadows, my breathing steady—but my grip tight.
"…I can't believe that video still exists."
A distorted voice echoed from outside.
"Announcement: Bounty hunt has begun. Tyron Lee—bounty: 2,000,000,000 won."
I froze.
"All hunters are authorized to eliminate the target. Reward will be granted upon confirmation."
"…Damn it."
I clenched my fist.
"They found me."
Footsteps.
Multiple.
Closing in.
I peeked through the broken wall and saw them—armed, organized.
And those weapons…
"…Those bastards."
My expression darkened.
"They're using stun guns designed to disrupt my ability."
I took a slow step back into the shadows.
"…If they hit me even once, I won't be able to stop time."
My heartbeat slowed.
My fingers lifted slightly.
"…So I can't let them touch me."
A faint smile appeared on my face.
"Good thing…"
I raised my hand.
"…I don't need much time."
Snap.