Dancing on the golden ashes

Where am I?

My eyes were engulfed in complete darkness, and my heavy eyelids felt like mountains pressing down on me. No matter how much strength I summoned, they refused to budge, a growing sense of nervousness tightening in my chest.

What the hell is going on? Why can't I move?

Each passing moment stretched endlessly, like time itself had come to a halt.

And... who am I? Why can't I see? No... wait... What is seeing?

The realization struck me like a tidal wave—I couldn't remember anything.

Suddenly, a sharp, stabbing pain tore through my body, like a thousand needles ripping through my veins. It was that familiar, dreadful sensation—like when you sleep on your arm all night and it goes numb, only to have the blood rush back, flooding you with unbearable pain the moment you move.

What is this feeling? Why is my body in so much pain all of a sudden?

It hurt like hell, but it didn't stop there. Another wave of pain crashed over me, relentless and unyielding, like a virus invading every corner of my body, refusing to retreat.

I could feel every single muscle and organ screaming in agony, as if they had been asleep for far too long and were being forced awake all at once.

A sharp breath suddenly forced its way into my lungs, as though they were brittle, dried-out balloons stretched to their breaking point. Each inhale and exhale burned like I was breathing fire.

The pain was raw, overwhelming, and utterly unbearable.

But to my pleasant surprise, the pain lasted only a moment before it began to fade, replaced by a comforting warmth that spread throughout my entire body.

Power unlike anything I had ever felt surged through my veins, consuming every corner of my body.

What is this pleasant feeling?

It felt as though I was being bathed in the purest water—cool and soothing in moments of pain, yet warm and comforting whenever the cold crept in.

I want to be washed in this feeling forever.

In the next moment, the sound of rustling leaves reached my ears. It was beautiful—a perfect symphony of nature. The occasional chirping of birds mixed harmoniously with the gentle murmur of running water somewhere to my right. Faintly, I could hear the sound of chatter.

Ah? Who's talking?
Your journey continues at empire

Their voices were muffled, distant, as though filtered through layers of fog. It almost sounded like someone was fighting, but I couldn't make out the words.

Sigh...

I didn't want to strain myself trying to understand. I just wanted to sleep a little longer.

Just a bit more...

Before I had to wake up and face reality again. Maybe I'd treat myself after work—a huge, two-person serving of tteokbokki, with extra cheese... yes, that sounded perfect.

"We're not here to hurt any of you, we just want to see her! We're friends!"

A familiar voice reached my ears, pulling me from my haze.

Who is this person?

The deep voice tugged at something buried within me—a memory, a connection. I felt like I should remember them, but... I didn't have friends.

Who does this voice belong to?

A wave of complex emotions surged through me, crashing over my thoughts. Part of me longed to reach out, to grasp the familiarity of that voice. Yet another part of me recoiled, dread tightening around my heart. I didn't want to see them. I didn't want them anywhere near me.

Suddenly, a sharp, stinging pain pierced my chest, leaving me breathless. Get away... let me rest in peace... Why? Why does this voice keep following me? I remember it from somewhere, it's so annoying!

"Leave us alone! I will fight all of you if you dare touch her body!"

Is... is that Soo-Ah?

Her voice was unmistakable, but what was she doing in my house?

Wait... this doesn't sound like my room...

A sinking feeling settled in my chest. Am I in the hospital?

My thoughts spiraled like a whirlpool, each question leading to another. Who am I? Why am I here? And who are these people?

"We're big sister's friends! Let us at least pay our respects to her!"

The trembling, sorrowful voice of a young girl broke the tension, only to be interrupted by a muffled sob—someone had tried to block her cries, but her sorrow was unmistakable.

"Woo..."

For some reason, I could understand the bark that followed. "She's alive, don't cry."

What the... I froze. Why can I understand that bark? It felt oddly familiar, yet entirely alien.

The soothing attempt didn't seem to help. Instead, the young girl's sobbing only grew louder, her cries echoing around me.

Who are they talking about?

The question gnawed at me. Who is this person everyone is so worried about? Why... why isn't it me?

A strange, unfamiliar envy crept into my thoughts, like a shadow overtaking my mind. I want those words to be for me. If not me, then who else could deserve them?

But a flicker of logic tried to soothe the growing ache. I'm probably in the hospital, and these people just visited the wrong room. It happens. I understand.

Still, I couldn't ignore the hollow feeling inside me. My mind wandered.

Where are Mom and Dad? And... where is Nuri? Where's my brother?

A sharp loneliness pierced through me, followed by dread. We never leave each other... so why am I here alone?

An endless sorrow overtook me. I wanted to scream, to unleash the agony tearing through my soul, but I couldn't. My body refused to obey.

I don't know what the hell is happening!

The silent scream echoed in my mind, frustration boiling over as my mouth remained stubbornly closed.

"That's it, move aside, Malrang!"

A deep voice roared, thick with anger and sorrow, breaking through the chaos.

"I—! How do you know the fox's name?"

That voice—it sounded like Soo-Ah's, tinged with confusion and alarm.

Malrang... Malrang...

The name echoed in my thoughts, stirring something deep inside me. How do I know that name? I've heard it so many times before, but where?

"We already explained to you," another voice interrupted, softer but still firm. It carried a sorrowful weight, gentler than the first. "We're Lee Gaon's friends. We're here to pay our respects. Her death is just as hard on us as it is on you. We don't wish to fight. Just let us see her..."

Lee Gaon?

The name hit me like a dagger. Who's that? And why does everyone here care about that person and not me?

A surge of unfamiliar envy clawed at my chest, dark and suffocating.

"Malrang... what are you?" Soo-Ah's voice cracked, bewildered.

"Woo!"

The bark was unmistakable. It was the fox's voice—the same one I'd heard before.

That voice... I think I remember something.

The pieces began to fall into place, and with a sharp, stabbing pain in my head, the memories surged like a breaking dam.

Malrang! How could I have forgotten?

A flood of images and emotions swept through me. Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit me.

I'M LEE GAON! I AM THE DEATH EATER!

[Congratulations on your awakening, Lee Gaon!]

[You have successfully endured the nine days and evolved into the Awakened Death Eater!]

[Your basic abilities have been enhanced with water runes, which will now do extra damage to monster characters.]

[You have gained a new ability! Level 1: Water Aid - A healing ability to mend the user's or their teammates' wounds. (1000 mana)]

[Your affinity with water has been greatly enhanced.]

[You have gained a new ability! Level 1: Great Flood - Summon a towering wave of water 10 meters high and 40 meters long. (20000 mana)]

[Your scythe has been enhanced greatly! Extra sharpness has been granted.]

So much to take in... I can barely keep up...

[Congratulations! You have gained a new achievement: First Rebirth!]

[10 skill points have been granted.]

[New class-exclusive ability granted: Passive - Eyes of the Death Eater. The user can now see the flow of soul energy clearly and glimpse 0.5 seconds into the future.]

[Welcome back to the World of No End!]

My eyes suddenly shot open, revealing a familiar-looking place.

Is this the forest where I first started? Why did they bring me here?

I was propped up against an iron-hard tree, my back pressed against its unyielding surface while my lower body rested on the cold ground. Only the soft grass beneath me offered any comfort.

Ahead, five wolves stood in defensive postures, their bodies tense, shielding me from view. Beyond them, another five figures came into focus.

At the forefront stood a large purple fox—Malrang. Her majestic form radiated a fierce determination. Beside her was a young woman around my age, her arms spread wide as if blocking the path to the three familiar figures behind her.

Why are they here?

My chest tightened as I stared at them. Didn't I send them away? Didn't I push them out of my life? So why... why did they come back? And how did they find me?

A storm of emotions swirled within me—confusion, anger, longing. I wanted to speak, but the words caught in my throat.

"Then I will kill you if I have to, and get to her myself!"

Kim Seong-Hoon's voice tore through the air, raw with fury. A massive, twenty-meter-long illusory ice dragon materialized behind him, its form rippling with unearthly energy. It was as if the god of dragons himself had descended into the mortal realm.

"Enough!"

My scream shattered the tension, silencing everyone. The entire group froze, their eyes wide with disbelief—especially the three who had no idea about my resurrection.

"Big sis..."

Kim Seong-Hoon dropped to his knees, his rage dissolving into something else. His eyes filled with tears, his voice trembling.

"I'm back," I said awkwardly, the words feeling foreign and strange.

I stood slowly, my legs shaky yet steady as I locked eyes with the three people in front of me.

I didn't know what to say. I didn't even know what to feel.

But one thing echoed in my mind with certainty: I had finally resurrected as the Awakened Death Eater, and my body surged with a power I had never known before.