The Author's POV

Gazing in Kevin's direction, I lowered my head and stared at the floor next to me.

Following my hints, Kevin who had calmed down slowly walked over and sat down. He didn't say a single word throughout the whole time.

I didn't blame him for his reaction.

Resting my arms over my knees, I opened my mouth.

"Where should I start? There's much I have to say…"

There truly were a lot of things that I wanted to say.

So many that I had difficulty trying to sort my thoughts out.

But in the end, after realizing just how important it was for me to disclose everything, I calmed myself down.

Eyeing Kevin from the side of my eyes, I muttered.

"Just so you know, you're the only one that I've ever told my secret. I hope you don't tell anyone else about my secret."

This was a secret that I originally meant to take with me to the grave, but circumstances forced me to do otherwise. If I didn't disclose everything, the rift that the other Ren was trying to create between me, Kevin, and the others would simply widen.

But, if possible, I wanted only Kevin to know. It wasn't that I didn't trust the others, but I didn't want the others to have a false idea about who I was.

"Can you do that for me?"

"…okay."

After a long silence, Kevin eventually nodded his head. I smiled in response.

"Thanks."

Then, letting out a deep sigh, I began recounting to him everything.

"…well, it all started a week prior to the beginning of the Lock. That was the day I awoke...or should I say, those were the days where my memories began."

***

"The moment I woke up, I had faint recollections of a previous world where mana did not exist and I was a novel writer. A failed one at that."

"Luminescent swordman. That was the name of the last novel I created, and the name of the protagonist was...Kevin Voss."

Listening to Ren's words, Kevin's anger slowly started to disappear and what replaced it was pure shock.

The shock was so strong that Kevin found himself unable to speak nor think as his mind was entranced by every word that Ren said.

Many times he wanted to outright stop Ren from speaking.

He just couldn't come to terms with what he was saying. This world was a novel that he created, and he was the main character of that world? How could he believe that? But the more Ren talked, the more things started to align with his weird behavior, his deep knowledge regarding a few things, and his way of words.

Kevin's heart started to sink.

Doubt started to creep deep into his body as his face paled.

'Could his words be true?'

"It was only after the events after Immorra that I stopped being passive with my knowledge regarding the wo—"

"...Bullshit."

Kevin finally mouthed out loud, cutting Ren off. He just couldn't listen to Ren's words anymore.

He couldn't accept the idea that everything that had happened to him was merely part of some writing that Ren wrote.

Weren't Ren's words essentially saying that all the disasters that were currently happening to the world were a fabrication of his imagination? Were everything he felt in the past and his memories also fake?

Kevin couldn't accept it!

"You can't be real. It's impossible."

smile on his

but, I'm not. What I told you was nothing

Ren's

I originally

upon hearing those words. A trace of hope rekindled in his

"What do you mean?"

Ren didn't say anything for the next few seconds. His brows repeatedly furrowed and relaxed during

was a fake world designed by someone to

"...What?"

intensified. Leaning his neck

implanted those memories into you, and is trying to

a difficult face, Ren eventually nodded his

"Right..."

Then, lifting his head, he looked straight into

I'm lying, but

"Me?"

brows in surprise. However, the surprise did not last for long as flashbacks of the last synchronization started to replay

was real?...and the one responsible

so, everything was slowly starting to make more

flashback of the future. Apprehension instantly hit Kevin as

what Kevin was

that the entity responsible for all

slightly before he

Emma, you were right. I

of

for long as Kevin was

everything to the previous flashback, he already understood that

that the entity was

Ren suddenly asked.

his eyes, Kevin took a deep

"Continue."

Ren pursed his lips.

try to harm everyone that is

Kevin showed no reaction as he softly

"Harm those around me?"

"Yes."

his head

rather, trying to change you into someone they deemed fit

once again took a deep breath as he tried to process all of the information

demon king? Why does he think I can't defeat

read Kevin's thoughts, Ren

Akashic records chose, and yet he

was what he

his head, Kevin suddenly felt his head

'Akashic records.'

words were once again

mentioned those words, he was able to quickly piece everything together. 'The one that the

to

seemed to be a step ahead of him. Before he could voice out his theory, Ren

a way to preserve itself, the Akashic records chose someone to prevent the demon king from ever getting to it, and that person is none other than you, Kevin. This probably explains why

Kevin had no other choice but to

he had was, 'Why

people in the world, why him? He

"Huuuu..."

of the training ground, Kevin tried to digest all of

Kevin knew that he had only

silent. He had a thoughtful look on

looked at him, the previous anger that Kevin felt for him slowly started to dispel

figure

his head and looking at him, Ren shook his

at the vision you previously told me about, I have a nagging feeling that whoever the entity trying

placing it

something about the 'time remnant' targeting you?