MEMELAND

White.

Nothing but white.

Then—

A battlefield.

The smell of blood.

Smoke drifted through ruined buildings.

The ground was littered with broken weapons.

Bodies.

Fire.

Kai stood at the center.

Not the Kai of today.

Another Kai.

Cold.

Expressionless.

Beneath his skin—

Glowing lines pulsed faintly.

Magic Circuits.

His breathing remained calm.

As though this was just another day.

Several meters ahead—

A man knelt.

Or rather—

Taai.

His arms were gone.

Both severed cleanly at the shoulders.

Blood pooled beneath him.

Yet...

He was laughing.

Kai slowly walked toward him.

Andrew's oversized pistol rested in his hand.

"So..."

"The pest is finally gone."

He stopped in front of Taai.

"You're next."

Taai spat blood.

Then laughed again.

"You may have beaten me..."

"...but they'll avenge me."

Kai tilted his head.

"...Will they?"

Far away—

Someone shouted.

"TAAI!"

Another voice.

"THERE HE IS!"

Kai calmly raised the pistol.

Bang.

Taai's laughter stopped.

His body collapsed.

Silence.

Then—

A scream.

"NOOOOO!"

Kai slowly turned.

A group stood across the ruined battlefield.

Alice.

Tears streamed down her face.

Magic circles surrounded her.

Raj stood beside her.

One of her eyes was covered by a long scar.

Nish gripped his weapon.

His left arm...

Was mechanical.

Metal fingers clenched tightly.

Noah stood behind them.

An enormous exo-suit covered most of his body.

Steam escaped from its joints.

Beside them—

Andre.

His fists were wrapped in reinforced knuckle dusters.

Very similar...

To Kai's own.

Behind them stood soldiers.

Knights.

Mercenaries.

Mages.

People from every nation.

United.

Andre stepped forward.

His voice cracked with rage.

"YOU KILLED AKSHAY!"

Noah's fists trembled.

"YOU KILLED ERIC!"

Alice screamed louder than all of them.

"YOU KILLED TAAI!"

Tears refused to stop.

Kai simply watched.

Silently.

Then—

The glowing lines beneath his skin intensified.

Magic Circuits.

Dozens.

Hundreds.

They spread across his body like living veins.

Power erupted.

The battlefield shook.

Kai smiled.

A hollow smile.

Then charged.

The world shattered.

Black.

...

Kai staggered through darkness.

His breathing was ragged.

Blood dripped from countless wounds.

His right arm barely functioned.

Every step hurt.

"...Damn..."

He laughed weakly.

"...That red-haired bitch..."

"I almost got her..."

He coughed blood.

"...If it weren't for..."

"...that cat woman..."

A voice interrupted him.

"So."

"...Another failure."

Kai froze.

He turned.

Several figures stood waiting.

Zane.

Chocomint.

Men and women wearing the robes of the Order of Karma.

All silent.

Watching him.

Zane looked exactly the same.

Calm.

Unchanging.

She looked into Kai's eyes.

"...This timeline cannot be salvaged."

Kai slowly smiled.

"...Says who?"

Zane closed her eyes.

"We need another reset."

The Order moved.

Without hesitation.

Every member drew their weapon.

Kai looked around.

Then laughed.

"...Come then."

Magic Circuits erupted once more.

The glowing lines spread across every inch of his body.

"I'll KILL every last one of you!"

The Order charged.

Kai spread both arms.

"...FUCK, all of you."

The glowing circuits suddenly reversed.

The light changed.

Blue.

To crimson.

Everything became unstable.

Zane's calm expression changed for the first time.

Kai grinned.

"Too late."

The world exploded.

White.

Kai's eyes snapped open.

A bright ceiling greeted him.

"..."

He blinked.

"...Where..."

"...am I?"

The room slowly came into focus.

White curtains.

Medicine cabinets.

Bandages.

A quiet clinic.

A nearby patient noticed him moving.

"...Doc!"

"He's awake!"

Footsteps approached.

A man wearing a white medical coat entered the room.

He adjusted his glasses.

Looked at Kai.

Then smiled.

"You're finally awake."

Kai stared at him.

"..."