Leon lay on the soft grass, staring at the clear blue sky. The warmth of the sun bathed his skin, a stark contrast to the freezing darkness of death he had just experienced.
His fingers curled, feeling the earth beneath him—solid, real. He took a slow, measured breath, letting the fresh scent of grass and soil fill his lungs.
This wasn't a dream.
Sitting up, he examined his body. His tattered armor was gone, replaced with simple leather gear. His hands, once calloused and scarred from endless battles, were smooth and unmarked. His body felt lighter, younger.
A familiar sensation tugged at his mind, and then—
[Welcome to Devia. One year before the official launch.]
The glowing text hovered before him, and for a long moment, he simply stared at it.
Then, realization struck.
He had gone back.
The memories flooded in all at once. Twenty years of struggle, victories, losses—his rise to power, his eventual fall. And now, he was here, at the very beginning.
His pulse quickened. This was an opportunity. A chance to change everything.
He exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
No need to rush. He had a full year before the players arrived.
For the first time in a long time, he had the luxury of patience.
And this time, he would do things right.
---
Leon remained seated, taking in his surroundings. He was in an open field, the rolling green hills stretching far into the distance. A dirt path curved gently through the landscape, leading toward a small cluster of wooden houses.
A village.
His eyes narrowed as recognition dawned.
Green Pine Village.
A place so minor that most players overlooked it. But Leon knew better.
He stood up, stretching his limbs. His movements felt smooth, unburdened by exhaustion or injury. He wasn't just reborn—his body had reverted to its prime.
The realization sent a shiver down his spine.
He wasn't just reliving the past. He was stronger than before, even at level one.
The thought made his lips curl into a small, knowing smile.
Let's see what this world has in store for me this time.
---