Friends? What is this guy talking of? Is he mad? Len Fang's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.
He said nothing outside, keeping his expression carefully neutral so as not to bring forth his thoughts and reveal his inner turmoil to this unknown entity.
Then slowly, measuring each word carefully, he spoke: "Who are you?"
The system interface pulsed slowly, the blue light dimming and brightening in a rhythm that seemed almost like breathing. Then a reply came, the words appearing both on the screen and echoing directly in his mind.
[Hmm... Should I tell? Well, let's keep it a secret for now, don't you think?]
The voice was filled with sarcasm, dripping with it like venom from a snake's fangs. It seemed to be dripping with it to such an extent that even the mechanical quality of the voice couldn't hide the mocking amusement behind the words.
Len Fang simply said nothing in response, his face an impassive mask. But inside, his hair remained on end, every nerve in his body screaming danger.
His mind raced, calculating possibilities, assessing the threat, searching for any advantage he could find in this terrible situation.
"I don't know who you are, but I know you are in my system. It seems you have infested it and taken it over!" Len Fang spoke with some anger finally bleeding through into his voice, unable to completely suppress his frustration and fury.
The voice did not say anything immediately, but the system interface began to pulse even more rapidly, the light flickering in patterns that seemed almost excited. Then a reply came from the voice, directly into Len Fang's head rather than through the screen.
[I took over your system and now I control it. It may be sad for you, but for me it isn't. I am actually having some bit of fun, seeing your reaction!] The voice practically purred with satisfaction. [I can even hear your heart beating like a war drum!]
His words trailed off for a moment, as if savoring Len Fang's distress.
[You may feel anger surging within you. You might even want to let out killing intent, but it doesn't matter. I am stuck with you and you are stuck with me... Well, let's say until I choose of course!]
The implication was clear—this entity could leave whenever it wanted, but Len Fang had no such choice.
Len Fang simply stood there, staring at the pulsing interface. He felt no regret or hate burning in his chest... but sadness, deep and profound.
A heavy, crushing sadness that threatened to drown him.
To think that this youth who had just gone back sixteen years in time, armed with knowledge and determination to change his fate, would find out that the cheat he had hoped to find and to help him climb to the top, has been hacked and stolen from him before he could even use it—calling it an understatement would be generous.
But again, misfortune has always been Len Fang's best friend, his most constant companion through all the years of his life, and it seemed it has struck again with perfect timing.
Even regression couldn't free him from his curse.
"I am truly very unlucky... Sigh!" Len Fang's words trailed off, his shoulders sagging slightly with the weight of his renewed despair.
At that moment, suddenly the pulse of the system became harder, more urgent, the light flashing brightly one final time.
[Hmm... It seems I will have to go.]
The voice sounded almost regretful, as if it had been enjoying their conversation.
[Goodbye!]
Suddenly, the system screen at the front of Len Fang vanished as though it had never been there, disappearing without a trace or warning.
All that was left now was Len Fang and the warehouse, standing alone in the darkness and silence.
"Damn! Dog shit luck!" He cursed out loud, his voice echoing off the rusted machinery around him.
His fist clenched at his side, nails digging into his palm hard enough to hurt.
At that breath of time, forcing himself to move forward despite his frustration, he put his hands into his pocket and brought out a cracked and very outdated smartphone—the kind that was several generations old even by the standards of this time.
He tapped on the screen for some few breaths of time, his fingers moving across the cracked surface with practiced ease despite the poor condition of the device, before he then put the phone directly on his ears.
Ring! Ring!
The dial tone sounded in his ear as the call connected.
...
In a small college dorm, a far, far distance away from Len Fang, in a different city entirely, a twenty-year-old boy with black hair and a calm face sat at his desk, typing away at his laptop.
Upon hearing the ringing of his phone, the unexpected sound breaking his concentration, he instantly went to check who it is, picking up the device from where it lay beside his keyboard.
The name he saw displayed on the screen brought immediate joy to his face, lighting up his features.
"Len!" His eyes lit up in joy, genuine happiness radiating from his expression.
This youth, whose name was Marel, instantly picked it up and answered it, putting the phone near his ears without hesitation.
"Len! You finally called!"
His voice rang out clear and bright. It was happy and joyful, the sound of someone hearing from a beloved older brother figure.
Len Fang on the other end, standing in that dark warehouse miles away, smiled a soft smile despite everything that had just happened. Warmth was spreading in his young chest, pushing back the cold despair that had threatened to consume him.
This was why he fought. This was why he had chosen to regress.
"Hey Marel! How are you doing?" Len Fang asked warmly, his voice carrying genuine affection.
"I'm good, brother Len. You?" Marel's voice was cheerful, carefree. "Well, you are most likely doing very well too, so it doesn't matter!"
His voice became questionary, taking on a teasing note. "So why did you call me? Wait... Don't tell me you miss me?"
"WHAT? Miss you! Me? Don't even say that!" Len Fang's voice rose in mock outrage. "Do you know who I am? Hmph!"
Len Fang humped his chest proudly, a smile wide on his face, playing along with their familiar banter.
To think, he would finally smile this genuinely again! To hear Marel's voice, alive and happy and full of youth!
In the original timeline, Marel had died in the first wave of the apocalypse, torn apart by monsters while Len Fang had been too far away to help, too weak to save him.
That guilt had haunted him for sixteen years.
Then Len Fang suddenly broke the mood, his voice becoming serious.
"Hey Marel?"
"Huh?" The shift in tone was easy to recognize by Marel, who had known Len Fang for years. His playful attitude vanished immediately, replaced by concern.
"You need to come to my apartment. Now! And I mean it." Len Fang's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Back in the dorm room of Marel, the youth stared at his phone in confusion, wondering what his brother is saying. The request made no sense—Len Fang's apartment was hours away!
Has he hit his head on a rock? What could be so urgent?
But then Marel's expression became thoughtful, serious.
"No, brother Len must definitely be serious. I can't talk as if I don't know him. He must definitely have a reason!" Marel said with confidence, trusting in the brother who had never led him astray.
Len Fang had always been reliable, always been there for him when it mattered.
Although Marel in the original timeline had not survived the first night of the apocalypse, dying before he could even understand what was happening, this time, Len Fang would not let what is left of his family die! Never!
He had failed once. He would not fail again.
Marel spoke over the phone, his voice filled with determination.
"Fine, brother Len. I trust you, I am definitely coming. Let me start packing my things!"
He was already standing up, moving toward his closet.
"NO!" Len Fang's tone was quick, urgent, cutting him off. "You don't need to. Trust me!"
The intensity in his voice made Marel pause mid-step.
Marel's heart tightened a bit at the strange request, confusion warring with trust, but he nodded even though Len Fang couldn't see him.
Whatever was happening, it was serious.
"Okay!" he agreed simply.
He hung up the call without further questions, already moving toward his door to leave immediately.
...
Len Fang stood standing in the warehouse, his phone still pressed to his ear even though the call had ended, his mind churning with different thoughts and plans.
"Now that is done. I just have to get the things ready," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible in the empty space.
Time was running out. The apocalypse would begin tomorrow, and he had so much to prepare, so many things to gather before the world descended into chaos.
But at least now, at least this time, Marel would be safe.
That was one life he could save. One person he could protect.
And that would have to be enough for now.
Len Fang turned and walked toward the exit of the warehouse, his footsteps echoing in the darkness.
There was still so much to do, and the night was far from over.
...
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