TDWAD 02

Chapter 2

The “Gates” came before the “Day of Awakening.”

By a whole week, at that.

It wasn’t until three years later, when the government’s classified documents were made public, that people found out the egg came before the chicken.

Korean Awakeners were furious.

“No wonder! It never made sense that I didn’t get the first clear rewards.”
“Those precious early-stage points… So the early Awakeners just scooped them all up?”
“There were no early Awakeners in Asia. They say the military was deployed, but it was useless. They just wasted it all.”

Doyun closed his eyes and focused his mind.

Six hundred twelve million memory threads rooted in the depths of his consciousness.

Each of those threads branched off into countless twigs and strands.

Together, they formed a vast network of memories.

In preparation for the final, 13th regression—

He had secured the memories of the entire population: 51 million people, across 12 regressions.

Pungbaek and Jimoh, gods of wind and earth, had exhausted their powers and met their fate of being sealed.

Thanks to the sacrifice of the guardian deities, he now possessed a database that far surpassed any ordinary regressor.

‘…May 26, 2017. The Gate in Pocheon—its exact location was…’

Strong flashes of memory surged.

The military had been mobilized, and many casualties occurred.

Since the government had made every effort to suppress societal unrest, there was an abundance of surface-level memories to sift through.

• Hillside in Pocheon

• 3 kilometers from the nearest residence

• An abandoned quarry

‘That matches well enough.’

That meant the memory was reliable.

But Doyun wasn’t satisfied.

If all he needed was the location, then why had he spent 4,500 precious points to buy the skill?

He needed more than vague coordinates.

To extract a precise, flawless memory—to fish out the one thin strand that couldn’t be captured otherwise—

‘I didn’t expect to use this so soon.’

Crackle.

His eyes flashed a brilliant blue.

[Library of Memories (B)]
Stores all memories encoded in the brain and soul in the form of “books.” Original data distortion and misremembrance are corrected, ensuring complete preservation.

• Total Collection: 5,121,145,000 volumes

• User Level: 3 (VVIP Tip: You can increase your level through “book donations.”)

• Borrowing Limit: 5 books

• Currently Borrowed: (None)

• “Book Search Terminal” is available.

One of the must-have skills he was determined to take when creating his current self.

[Please enter search keywords.]

He input:

“First Gate,” “Pocheon,” “May 26, 2017,” “Regressor.”

[Search Results: 8 books]

1. “Ah, The Pocheon Gate Is Easier Than Eating Rice Cake” – 7th regression

2. “Quarry Area Map and Monster Strategy” – 9th regression

3. “Pocheon Gate 1st Run: Speedrun Guide” – 4th regression

4. “Pocheon Gate 2nd Run: How to Milk All the Rewards” – 5th regression
   …
   …

‘From 3rd to 10th regression—just as I thought. Everyone had the same idea.’

Seven regressors, all returning to the past with future memories before the gate incidents began.

And they all, as if by agreement, arrived at the same plan:

“Take all the first-clear rewards for myself!”

Doyun borrowed books 2, 3, and 4.

He opened map 2 on his left, book 3 in the center, and book 4 on his right.

Pocheon Gate 1st Run: Speedrun Guide

“This lunatic… Does he think he has nine lives? I bet he drooled all over the paper writing this.
Clearing a gate before Awakening might seem insane—but why not?
I know the monsters. I know their weaknesses. What’s so hard about this?
I was yawning while doing it.
Alright, let’s get to the main point. Here’s how you do it…”

‘Aha. I see.’

Doyun turned to the next book.

Pocheon Gate 2nd Run: Reward-Milking Edition

“I take it back! This isn’t easy at all—what kind of trash balance is this?!
I’ve taken down disaster-level monsters, but nothing was as hellish as this first mission.
Maybe because it’s considered a beta test or something?”

‘What a temper…’

The 4th and 5th regression runs were done by the same person.

He’d been assigned again due to his stellar performance in the 4th run, but no one expected his character flaws to lead to such a catastrophe.

“Driver.”

“Yes, sir?”

The taxi driver seemed in a good mood, maybe because it was a long-distance fare.

“I need to make a stop.”

“Of course. Where to?”

“There’s a supermarket nearby…”

4:33 PM.
They arrived near the destination.

“That’ll be 75,000 won.”

Doyun emptied his wallet to pay the fare.

“I’ll give you more if you wait for me.”

“Eh? Hmm…”

He checked his smartphone.

The banking app was open.

[Balance: 100,534 KRW]

“I can pay an extra 25,000 won.”

“Oh, alright. I’ll wait.”

Doyun slung a black plastic bag over his shoulder, carrying a plastic container in the other hand, and began walking.

Once there were fewer people watching…

His brisk walk turned into a run, then a sprint once he entered the mountain.

His stat Stamina 16 (+1) far exceeded even elite marathoners.

So, even after reaching the quarry, he wasn’t winded in the slightest.

Clank.

He dropped the iron objects he’d carried on the dirt.

After scanning the area with cautious eyes—

‘…Here.’

He pulled out a shovel and started digging like a madman.

Dig dig dig dig dig dig!

Doyun created a giant pit, surrounded by fine earth.

“Hoo… Almost buried myself alive.”

He barely crawled out and checked the time.

[5:57 PM]

“Give me a breather, will you?!”

Despite yelling that, he sprang up and prepared for the next step.

And at 6 PM sharp—

Even Doyun was startled by the scene.

A faint bluish shimmer began to ripple across the bare earth—

Wooooooom—

An oval Gate appeared.

From the pitch-black void within, a monster emerged—

“…Grrraaah?!”

It expressed shock with its grotesque face—and fell straight into the pit.

Doyun rushed to the edge.

He glanced at the open guidebook:

“No idea what the official name is—let’s just call it the ‘Pig Monster.’
If it gets close, you’re dead. It’ll crush your spine like a twig.
But their weakness is obvious. Their stubby hands can’t reach higher places.
Even better? Their worst weakness is…”

He looked down at the mop stick in his hands.

Two sticks, taped together crudely. So weak it would snap if pressed against a knee.

Yet the 4th-regression version of him had taken one down with this, even without enhanced stats.

‘This body’s been optimized. I have the advantage.’

Confident, Doyun regripped the stick and thrust it into the pit.

“Grahk!”

A spurt of thick green blood shot up.

Contrasted sharply with the brilliant blue light before his eyes—

[“World’s First” Monster Kill!]
[“Korea’s First” Monster Kill!]
[“World’s First” One-Shot Kill!]
[“Korea’s First” One-Shot Kill!]
[First Clear Bonus: 11,000P Acquired]
[4-Time Streak Bonus: 5,000P Acquired]

‘So, a strike to the crown really is a one-hit kill…’

He retrieved the stick.

Monster blood and brain bits dripped from the sharp end.

Then—flash!

[Mission Start]
[Mission: First Encounter]
[Objective: “Ragepigs” are savage beasts who have tasted human flesh. Banish them into the darkness before they bring blood and carnage to humanity.]

“Graaagh?!”

More Ragepigs were falling into the pit at intervals.

It was wide, but a misstep could be fatal.

Doyun opened the plastic container and dumped the contents in.

The acrid smell of gasoline.

“This guy’s insane. Who comes up with this crap?”

Click.

The lighter sparked.

Doyun tossed it in and pinched his nose.

The flames roared—and the scent of grilled meat filled the air.

[World’s First: Monster Burn-Kill!]
[Korea’s First: Monster Burn-Kill!]
[World’s First: Trap Kill!]
[Korea’s First: Trap Kill!]
[World’s First: Splash Kill!]
[Korea’s First: Splash Kill!]
[First Clear Bonus: 6,800P Acquired]
[6-Time Streak Bonus: 9,500P Acquired]

That was it.

That was the extent of what the 4th-regression version had done.

“…If you’ve got the resources, using high-voltage shocks or instant toxins could get you extra bonus points.
But I was worried about government tracking, and the real priority was the streak bonus.
I didn’t bother with the small stuff.
Still, I wrapped it up perfectly.
…So why didn’t I get the first clear reward?!”

‘Because you didn’t trigger the mission. You weren’t Awakened yet.’

Doyun smirked.

He was dying to meet that version of himself and explain.

Though he’d only stare blankly, lacking any memory of it.

‘Even a guy famous for his ideas and intuition can’t make something from nothing.’

Doyun jabbed his spear again.

“GRRAAAAA!”

A Ragepig howled after getting stabbed in the left eye.

Then—stab!—he got the other.

“…Hm?”

But no system message appeared.

‘No way…’

Cold sweat trickled down Doyun’s back.

“Banish them into the darkness.”

He’d hoped it was a metaphor—prayed, even.

“Do they not have any literary imagination?!”

Sighing, Doyun picked up the shovel again.

He shoveled and shoveled the massive dirt piles.

A human excavator.

Eventually, even his enhanced stamina wore down.

Zuuuuuuuun—

The Gate began to close. The sky brightened.

[World’s First: Monster Burial!]
[Korea’s First: Monster Burial!]
[World’s First: Gate Clear!]
[Korea’s First: Gate Clear!]
[First Clear Bonus: 20,000P Acquired]
[4-Time Streak Bonus: 5,000P Acquired]
[Mission ‘First Encounter’ Complete!]

[Mission Rewards Granted]

• +1 Detection

• 1 Trait Point (S-rank or lower only)

• 1 Skill Point (S-rank or lower only)

“Holy crap.”

Doyun’s eyes widened.

With all the first-clear rewards, he had collected 57,300 points.

Almost enough to purchase even an S-rank skill.

But all of that was nothing compared to—

‘…Resources that can upgrade traits and skills. Even if S-rank limited, there’s no downside right now.
And on top of that, a Tier-1 Detection stat boost.’

Everything was perfect.

Even the crushing fatigue couldn’t break through his high regeneration stat—it vanished like mist.

What remained was pure satisfaction.

A brilliant first day.

But then—

“…He said he’d wait. Where’s the taxi?”

Doyun’s expression stiffened as soon as he came down the mountain.

[Insufficient Funds]

At the ATM in a convenience store after walking forever down a rural road—

His face crumpled.

“Huh? Why?”

He reopened the banking app.

The numbers rolled downward.

[May 26 – ChocoPay: -100,000 KRW]
[Balance: 534 KRW]

He’d just cleared a mission even regressors had given up on.

But the return trip was way more miserable.

Growl.

“Huh?”

Grrrrrrrrowl!

“…Why is my stomach making thunder?”

For the first time, Doyun realized he was hungry.

Even with Regeneration 20 (+1), he couldn’t suppress the gnawing pain in his gut.

After returning home exhausted and hurriedly boiling ramen water—

Doyun came to a conclusion.

“Life really is suffering!”

It couldn’t keep going on like this.

He needed a breakthrough.

And the next day.

His priorities were clearer than ever.

‘I desperately need operating funds.’

Starting with the sad realization that he needed at least enough for a taxi.

That thought extended like tendrils toward a broader plan.

The cost of Awakener gear was exorbitant—even for one person.

If he wanted to rally his descendants under one banner, how much money would that take?

‘I need long-term military funds… but how?’

Many ideas came to mind, but one stood out as the fastest, easiest, and most reliable:

Doyun opened his smartphone’s app store.

With clumsy but determined thumbs, he typed:

“Coin Basis.”