MTLNOVEL Chapter 7: Chapter 6: The First Crack in Fate
Chapter 6: The First Crack in Fate
Jihwan's hands were still shaking.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his mind struggling to process the truth.
> That was me.
That was my future.
The thought alone sent a chill down his spine. The vision of the Climax, the wall where time never moved, the curse of succession—it wasn't a dream.
It was destiny.
A fate written long before he even stepped into this world.
He clenched his fists.
> No. I refuse to accept this.
If this was the story of his life, then he would rewrite it.
But the real question was—how?
His thoughts were interrupted by a voice.
> [The trial has ended.]
The cloaked figure spoke, its voice echoing through the hall.
Around Jihwan, the remaining players exhaled in relief. Some collapsed to the floor, exhausted. Others muttered prayers, grateful to have survived another day.
But Jihwan barely heard them.
He wasn't the same as before.
The others thought they had just passed another challenge.
Only he knew the truth—this wasn't a game.
This was a path.
A road leading to the end.
And now… he had seen where it led.
> [Rewards will now be distributed.]
---
A brilliant golden light enveloped the survivors. Jihwan felt the familiar rush of warm energy flooding his body—the sensation of leveling up.
> [Your understanding of the story deepens.]
[Your status as the Reader of the Beginning strengthens.]
[You have gained a new reward.]
A book appeared in his hands.
It was ancient, bound in leather so old it looked like it would crumble at the slightest touch. But when Jihwan opened it—
The pages were blank.
> [You have obtained the 'Book of Change.']
[This book records the moments where fate can be altered.]
Jihwan's breath hitched.
> A book that changes fate?
He flipped through the pages frantically, his fingers trembling.
Then, suddenly—
A sentence appeared.
[The first crack has formed.]
Beneath it, in smaller letters:
[A new variable has entered the story.]
Jihwan's pulse quickened.
A variable? Something that wasn't supposed to exist?
His thoughts raced. Could this be the key to breaking the cycle?
If fate was like a written book, then this was his chance to edit it.
> I need to find that variable.
Before the story locks into place.
But before he could think further—
A voice spoke behind him.
> "Hey. You're acting weird."
Jihwan turned.
It was Sohyun.
---
Her arms were crossed, her sharp eyes scanning him with suspicion.
> "You weren't like this before."
Jihwan stayed silent.
Sohyun had been one of the few players who didn't simply follow orders blindly. She thought for herself.
And now, she had noticed the change in him.
> "Did something happen to you?"
Jihwan's grip tightened around the book.
Should he tell her?
No—not yet.
The fewer people who knew, the safer the timeline remained.
> "Nothing." He forced a small smile. "Just… thinking about the next trial."
Sohyun didn't seem convinced, but she let it go.
> "Fine. But if you're hiding something, I'll figure it out eventually."
Jihwan chuckled.
> "I'd expect nothing less."
For the first time in what felt like hours, he felt a flicker of warmth.
But deep down, he knew—
This was just the beginning.
He had seen the end of the story.
And now, for the first time, he had a chance to change it.
---
As the other survivors celebrated, as the trials moved forward, as the story continued on its course—
Jihwan stared at the Book of Change.
And under his breath, he whispered:
> "If fate is already written…"
"Then I'll burn the pages."
End of Chapter 6