CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 48 : WRONG SCHEDULE

I opened my eyes and found myself standing in a forest that didn’t belong to time.

Ancient trees arched toward the heavens.

And then I heard him.

"I’ve been waiting for you."

The Owl King sat on his throne of roots and stone, his golden eyes piercing through me like he was looking into something not me.

"You declined his offer," he said, not asked. "Good.I knew you would come," he said softly, almost like an old friend speaking to a long-lost companion.

I blinked, caught off guard. There was something about the way he said it—something so... familiar.

Wait." I frowned. "What do you mean, I knew I’d come?"

"I know many things," he said. "But you? You I know... very well."

"I’ve never met you before. This is my first time seeing you." I answered.

He tilted his head—owl-like and unsettlingly precise. Then his voice lowered, warm but tinged with concern.

"...You don’t remember me?"

"No," I said, taking a step closer. "Should I?"

He looked at me for a long time. Not disappointed—just... hurt. Like seeing someone forget their own child.

The Owl King’s eyes seemed to be narrow, just a fraction. A flicker of something—concern? Recognition?—crossed his face.

"Is that so?" He tilted his head. "Have you forgotten already?"

I stared at him, completely lost. "What are you talking about? I’m not sure I follow."

His wings fluttered slightly, like a sigh. The quiet seemed to stretch out for a long, unnerving moment.

"Have you encountered Natsuki Subaru yet? Perhaps you remember the missions after this one?" He asked casually, as if we were discussing an old friend.

He leaned back, feathers shifting like a slow sigh. "You haven’t met Natsuki Subaru, then?"

"...Who are you talking about?" I asked.

"...So that’s it," he murmured. "This timeline is... earlier than the others."

I frowned. "What do you mean ’this timeline’? What are you talking about?"

His eyes, bright and unreadable, stayed locked on mine.

He gestured to the space beside him. A stone seat emerged from the earth, shaped like it had always been there, just waiting for me.

"Come," he said, "and listen. you must understand what lies ahead."

"I mean that you’ve suffered. More than any human I’ve seen walk this cursed cycle. And somewhere along the way, you lost everything. Even yourself."

"...I think you’ve got the wrong guy," I muttered.

But he only gave me a gentle nod. Like he’d expected that answer.

"You’ve always said that the first time."

He stood, and the forest shifted with him—trees leaning slightly, light dimming around his feathers. It wasn’t magic. It was respect.

"Perhaps this isn’t the right time," he said. "You’re not ready. You don’t remember."

He turned slightly and called into the trees, "Roger."

There was no sound. No flapping wings. Just the soft thump of something landing beside me.

I looked up—and saw him.

A one-legged owl, easily the size of a child, with brown and grey feathers that shimmered subtly in the moonlight.

He perched on a branch, then hopped down—landing squarely on my shoulder with perfect balance despite his missing leg.

This," said the Owl King, "is Roger. One of my strongest scouts. Sharpest eyes in the eastern sky. And now, yours."

Roger blinked once, tilted his head—and nudged my cheek.

"...He likes you," the Owl King added. "I wanted to help you more personally but it seems not only you don’t remember me. You came here right after Mission 004. Instead of mission 051."

Then with the flick of his wings, an UI interference came in front of my eyes.

[OWL FACTION – ALLIANCE OFFERED]

+3 Level Boost

Passive: Horizon Vision – Reveals enemy movements in a 50m radius

• Passive: Echo Tap – Detects hidden or invisible targets

Wisdom Bond– Communication link with owl leader and limited insight into environmental changes

Skill evolution

Skills revolve around perception, aura reading, prediction, and trap detection

No penalty or risk upon betrayal.

I glanced at the rewards. Simple, yes. Not nearly as flashy as the Raven King’s offer, but the Owl King had promised no risks.

"I accept your offer," I said, not sure why, but something about this felt... right. The choice seemed simple now, even though my head was still spinning from everything else that had happened.

The Owl King nodded. "Wise choice."

Before I could say anything else, the world shifted, swirling like I was caught in a vortex. The cold wind of the forest faded, and then—

[System Update]

You have joined the Owl Faction.

You have gained Roger, your pet.

You have unlocked new abilities.

Returning to Buk-gu, Ulsan...

"Wait.... I have more questions to ask?".

I stumbled back into the shopping mall, dizzy from the sudden change.But there was something different.

In front of me, standing beside my original group, were new faces.

"Ye-Jun!" Ye-Rin rushed toward me. "Where the hell have you been?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but before I could get a word out, one of the new survivors stepped forward.

A woman, around my age, tattoos covered her both arms and neck. She had a infant with her, maybe around few months.

I know her. She was one of the girls who used to bully Han ji-a in school and the member of the gang I used to be in.

Hana lee.

"Long time no see, Shin."