Kang Ye-jun—Lee Jun-woo—woke before dawn with a sharp clarity he'd never experienced in either of his lives.
His body hummed with power. The 523 Strength stat, the 624 Endurance, the newly acquired 500 Magic Power—all of it felt as natural as breathing. This was what it meant to be awakened in this world.
But raw power alone wouldn't be enough to survive what was coming.
'System, I need to understand something. In the original novel, what opportunities does Kim Si-woo encounter during the Hunter Academy entrance evaluation?'
[Accessing original timeline data...]
[Kim Si-woo's destined opportunities during evaluation:]
(×) Encounters with Nam Yu-jin (Main Heroine) - They bond during the team survival trial, establishing romantic foundation
(×) Discovery of Ancient Training Ground - Hidden beneath evaluation arena, contains SS-rank cultivation technique
(×) Awakening of 〈Emperor's Heavenly Body〉 - Triggered during near-death experience in final boss fight**
(×) Recruitment by Academy Director as personal disciple - Grants access to restricted resources**
[Total Reversal Value if all stolen: 550,000+ RP]
Jun-woo's eyes gleamed. '550,000 points... That could buy me multiple S-rank skills or even push toward SS-rank abilities.'
[Warning: Stealing all opportunities will create maximum karmic backlash. World's will may deploy SS-rank threats to eliminate Host.]
'Then I'll just have to become strong enough to handle it.' Jun-woo stretched, feeling his enhanced muscles respond perfectly. 'But first, I need to handle someone in my own household.'
He turned toward the corner of his tent where a sleeping mat had been laid out. On it, curled up like a frightened rabbit, was a girl with delicate features and long black hair.
Wu Xue.
In the original story, she was one of Kim Si-woo's future companions—the Goddess of War who would awaken a legendary martial talent and become one of the strongest melee fighters in the world.
But right now, she was just a terrified maid who'd been bought by the Kang family and assigned to serve the "violent young master."
The original Kang Ye-jun had treated her horribly. Beat her when he was in a bad mood. Used her as a stress relief punching bag. Never touched her sexually—not out of respect, but because he considered her "beneath him" and didn't want to "dirty himself with a commoner."
What a piece of work that guy was.
Jun-woo knelt beside her sleeping form and gently shook her shoulder. "Wu Xue, wake up."
She jerked awake instantly, eyes wide with terror. "Y-Young Master! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to sleep so soundly! Please forgive—"
"Calm down," Jun-woo said softly. "I'm not going to hit you."
Wu Xue blinked, confused. This was the second time the young master had spoken gently to her. Yesterday, after his strange episode where he'd searched frantically for something and muttered to himself, he'd been... different.
Less violent. Less cruel. Almost... kind?
"Have you eaten?" Jun-woo asked.
Wu Xue's stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. She flushed with embarrassment. "I... I ate the leftovers from yesterday, Young Master."
"Leftovers?" Jun-woo frowned. "You're my personal maid, and you're eating leftovers?"
"I... I don't deserve—"
"Stop." Jun-woo cut her off. "From now on, you eat proper meals. Three times a day. Understood?"
Wu Xue looked at him like he'd grown a second head. "Young Master, are you... are you feeling well?"
Jun-woo couldn't help but smile. "I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. Come on, get up. We have things to do."
He called for servants and ordered a full breakfast spread. When the food arrived—expensive dishes that would normally never be served to a mere maid—Wu Xue stared in disbelief.
"Eat," Jun-woo commanded, taking his own seat.
"But Young Master, this is—"
"An order. Eat."
Hesitantly, Wu Xue began to eat. Jun-woo watched her carefully while checking something with his system.
'System, show me Wu Xue's current status.'
[Target: Wu Xue]
[Age: 17]
[Current Rank: Unawakened]
[Hidden Talent: 〈War God's Bloodline〉 (SSS-Rank) - Currently sealed]
[Favorability toward Host: 5/100 (Terrified)]
[Destiny: Meant to awaken under Kim Si-woo's guidance and become his loyal companion]
[Reversal Opportunity: If Host awakens her talent before Kim Si-woo encounters her, she will imprint on Host instead]
[Reversal Value: 75,000 RP + 500 RP/month loyalty bonus]
Jun-woo nearly choked on his rice. 75,000 RP just for awakening her talent first?
'System, how do I awaken her hidden talent?'
[Wu Xue's bloodline requires specific conditions to awaken:]
(×) Life-threatening combat experience
(×) Consumption of a Martial Spirit Pill (Available in Reversal Shop for 3,000 RP)
(×) Emotional bond with someone she trusts absolutely
[Current Status: Conditions 1, 2, and 3 are unmet]
'Wait, I have exactly 3,000 RP left.' Jun-woo pulled up the shop. 'Purchase Martial Spirit Pill.'
[Purchase confirmed: Martial Spirit Pill (C-Rank) acquired for 3,000 RP]
[Remaining RP: 0]
[Item delivered to Host's inventory]
A small jade bottle materialized in Jun-woo's palm, hidden beneath the table. Inside was a single crimson pill that radiated warmth.
"Wu Xue," Jun-woo said gently. "I need to ask you something. Your parents—the ones who disappeared on that mission. Do you want to find them?"
Wu Xue froze, chopsticks halfway to her mouth. Tears immediately welled in her eyes. "Every day, Young Master. But... but I'm just a commoner. I have no power, no money, no way to search for them."
"What if I told you I could give you power?"
She looked up at him, confused and hopeful. "Power?"
Jun-woo placed the jade bottle on the table. "This is a Martial Spirit Pill. It's a rare treasure that can awaken martial potential in someone who has the talent for it. I had it appraised by an expert, and they said it would be wasted on me since I've already awakened. But you... you might have hidden potential."
Wu Xue stared at the pill like it was a mythical artifact. "Young Master, I... I couldn't possibly accept something so valuable—"
"Consider it payment," Jun-woo interrupted. "You've endured my... my previous behavior without complaint. This is compensation. And if it works, you'll become strong enough to search for your parents yourself."
The tears spilled over. Wu Xue's hands trembled as she reached for the bottle. "Young Master... why are you being so kind to me?"
Because in another timeline, you become one of the world's strongest warriors, Jun-woo thought. And because I need allies more than I need servants.
Out loud, he said: "Because I was wrong before. And I want to make amends."
[Favorability increased: 5 → 35 (Grateful)]
Wu Xue opened the bottle with shaking hands and swallowed the pill.
Immediately, her body began to glow with a faint red aura. She gasped, clutching her chest as power flooded through her.
[Martial Spirit Pill activating...]
[Scanning target for hidden talents...]
[DISCOVERY: SSS-Rank Hidden Talent 〈War God's Bloodline〉 detected!]
[Partial Awakening beginning...]
Wu Xue's eyes rolled back as her body was lifted off the ground by an invisible force. Red lightning crackled around her, and her black hair began to float as if underwater.
Jun-woo stepped back, watching in awe as the transformation occurred.
This was the moment. The moment Wu Xue's destiny diverged from the original story.