Life Rebooted with Copy and Paste

With a mighty roar, the Shadow Dragon streaked across the sky, slicing through the air.

“This way!” Hylasa shouted.

She conjured a gust of wind toward Ushas’ location, and the dragon soared along its current, moving faster than usual. The speed was incredible, so much so that sharp winds lashed at their faces. Yet none among the riders were the sort to falter from mere wind.

“Say that again. Who else is there?” Kim Do-Joon asked sharply.

“Vango,” Hylasa replied grimly. “The King of the Giant, Vango.”

As they approached their destination, Hylasa recounted the situation. Ushas seemed to be scheming from the shadows, plotting something vile. When Alcyone discovered Ushas, another figure suddenly attacked from behind—Vango, the Monstrous Lord.

Vango was one of the siblings who had conspired to overthrow their father. And now, he’d descended upon Earth as well.

Alcyone mentioned receiving a summons from Ushas...

Kim Do-Joon recalled that Ushas had informed Alcyone about their father’s resurrection. Ushas warned that if they failed to eliminate him for good, peace would remain forever out of reach—or something to that effect.

That message had swayed Alcyone, leading him to repent and side with Kim Do-Joon. However, Vango had chosen otherwise, opting to stand by Ushas.

I suppose begging for forgiveness would have been too much for his pride.

Kim Do-Joon’s expression turned cold.

Alcyone was only spared because he hadn’t directly participated in their father’s murder. In contrast, Vango was a blatant perpetrator, caught red-handed. Forgiveness was never an option. Vango must’ve known that as well, hence why he sided with Ushas. Still, something gnawed at Kim Do-Joon.

He clenched his fists.

So there’s one more out there...

His expression briefly darkened before he forced himself to think rationally. Ushas had to be dealt with as soon as possible, that much was non-negotiable. However, could he handle both Ushas and Vango at the same time?

If they recklessly charge at me head-on, maybe.

Even a dozen foes wouldn't be a problem in that case. Kim Do-Joon could just siphon their energy and crush them. However, if they started playing smart, wearing him down with hit-and-run tactics, things could get tricky.

Kim Do-Joon only had Mel Sior’s divine authority. Despite having consumed part of Ushas’ essence, it was hardly enough to shift the balance. Given his strength, it would be wise to face either Ushas or Vango one-on-one.

Just then, he felt a hand tighten around his waist. Startled, Kim Do-Joon blinked and glanced down—it was Siwelin’s.

Oh. I’d forgotten about her.

Kim Do-Joon realized, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said with a sheepish chuckle.

He’d momentarily overlooked her presence. Siwelin had her own scores to settle with Ushas, a grudge far deeper and more personal than Kim Do-Joon’s. With Divine Descent granted by Laoha, she was a force to be reckoned with. Although it wouldn’t rival a Lord’s might, it was no small advantage. Together, they stood a real chance.

“We’re almost there!” Hylasa called out.

Moments later, the Shadow Dragon descended beneath the clouds. Below them stretched the blue expanse of the ocean, dotted with sprawling islands. A glance at Kim Do-Joon’s phone GPS confirmed they were somewhere near Indonesia.

Under Hylasa’s guidance, the dragon carried them toward one of the islands—a massive landmass rising from the waves.

***

Bababam—!

―Follow the Association’s instructions and evacuate calmly and swiftly. I repeat, follow the Association’s instructions and evacuate calmly and swiftly.

“Aaah!”

“What is it this time!”

Screams filled the air.

The emergency broadcast blared endlessly as people scrambled to evacuate. Seoul was descending into chaos, all because of a single entity.

Streets were torn apart and buildings crumbled like sandcastles. The only reason the casualties weren’t catastrophic was due to Son Chang-Il’s quick and precise response, as well as the population’s grim familiarity with evacuation procedures after the recent undead outbreak.

Above all, it was thanks to the old man facing the rampaging culprit head-on.

“I guess you’re stronger than that black lizard!” Jecheon Seong bellowed.

“Mel Sior, you mean?” came the scoffing reply. “Comparing me to that wretch is an insult.”

Clang!

Jecheon Seong unleashed a blade gleaming with explosive energy, but Vango deflected it with his jagged, rock-covered arms. Vango grunted, his eyes narrowing.

Where did the child go?

As he exchanged blows with the old man, Vango realized the child had vanished. That woman from earlier must’ve disappeared with her.

He clicked his tongue in frustration. Unlike Ushas, Vango had no followers. As far as he knew, he was the last of the Giants. He had no one to delegate the task of finding the child to.

Ugh, I should’ve borrowed a few underlings when I had the chance.

However, he dismissed the notion quickly. Who could have predicted that the child had a guardian of this caliber?

Even Ushas, who had warned him about Jecheon Seong, clearly had not anticipated his true strength. Otherwise, he would have sent reinforcements himself.

The conclusion was clear at this point.

I’ll have to kill him before I leave.

Tracking the fugitives wouldn’t be difficult. That fleeing woman had the most powerful mana in vicinity, second only to Jecheon Seong. Her trail was as obvious as footprints in snow.

Vango turned his murderous gaze to Jecheon Seong, its intensity enough to make ordinary people foam at the mouth and collapse on the spot.

“What a look,” Jecheon Seong remarked with a smirk.

The old man remained unfazed, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the palpable malice radiating from Vango.

Vango pressed his fingers gently against his forehead, feeling the trickle of blood running down. A thin stream slid from the wound, but it healed almost instantly, leaving him as unscathed as before.

Jecheon Seong was in a similar state. Though his clothes were dusty, not a single bead of sweat marked his face.

This was proof that neither of them had gone all out. So far, it was nothing more than a skirmish, a probing of each other’s strength. Still, the aftermath of their clash was enough to devastate the city.

Suddenly, a commanding voice boomed through a loudspeaker, cutting through the tension.

—Enough!

Vango turned toward the sound.

Standing there was Son Chang-Il, surrounded by an army of Hunters. Instead of being armed with swords or bows used inside dungeons, they held firearms, which were modern weapons designed for a different kind of fight.

—Surrender! You’re completely surrounded!

Son Chang-Il’s voice carried authority and urgency.

This was the Association’s suppression unit, whose objective wasn’t conquest but containment. They specialized in eliminating monsters that had spilled into the outside world.

Bang! Babam—!

A sudden burst of sound erupted as nets were launched. The nets were crafted with materials from both dungeon artifacts and Earth’s advanced technology. Reinforced with Earth’s alloys, they were useless inside dungeons, but highly effective against monsters in the outside world.

Vango didn’t even dodge when the heavy nets fell over him. Layer upon layer of reinforced material piled on top, each one adding immense weight. Yet, he remained upright, unshaken.

Unbelievable...

Son Chang-Il gulped nervously, because even seasoned Hunters would stagger under such weight. A weaker one would be crushed, unable to rise. However, this man—or perhaps this monster—stood unfazed, as if nothing had happened.

Then, as if to answer their doubts, Vango spoke, his deep voice was calm, yet carried an edge, “I didn’t want to resort to this but...”

Reaching up, he gripped his neck. Despite the thick nets constricting his movements, he acted with unflinching resolve. His fingers found the chain of a necklace he wore, tearing it free without hesitation.

Snap.

The sound of the chain breaking reverberated. Then, a low rumble began to spread.

The clouds above gathered, swirling ominously. Then, the ground beneath his feet trembled as if in anticipation of something primal, something immense.

Son Chang-Il and the Association’s Hunters froze in confusion and alarm.

Then, a blinding light erupted, as intense as a bolt of lightning. For a moment, it was as though the entire world had been struck by thunder.

Then, the earth itself began to rise, coiling and wrapping around Vango like a living entity.

***

At the center of the island stood a towering castle, brazenly visible for all to see. An army of undead surrounded it inside and out, packed so tightly that they seemed to blot out the very ground. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

They’re not even trying to hide anymore.

Kim Do-Joon clicked his tongue in irritation.

Had this been the case earlier, it would’ve been detected by American satellites long ago. In other words, the enemy had abandoned hiding and begun to act.

Perhaps...

It must’ve been when Hylasa fled. Besides, the fact that they didn’t run, but instead rose in such an overt display of force, could only mean one thing: whatever they had been preparing was finally complete.

This was, without a doubt, a trap.

However, fleeing wasn’t an option. No matter what kind of trap awaited him, it didn’t matter. His role was clear: destroy everything the enemy had planned head-on.

Flying high above the island, Kim Do-Joon scanned the terrain. Apart from Ushas’ massive castle at the center, the island was unremarkable. There was a coastline, ordinary buildings, and even shops that wouldn’t look out of place in a seaside town.

However, every structure was in ruins, shattered and desolate, without a single resident remained in sight.

Tap, tap.

Kim Do-Joon gently tapped the back of the dragon’s neck. Understanding its master’s intent, the Shadow Dragon descended, landing with a powerful thud right in front of the castle gates.

“Come out,” Kim Do-Joon commanded.

With that, the Ring of Dominance activated, and from its depths, shadow soldiers poured forth in droves.

Swoosh!

Kieek!

Words were unnecessary—the shadow soldiers did not speak, and the undead could not. The two forces had collided only during a war.

Leaving the battle outside to his soldiers, Kim Do-Joon approached the massive castle gates. Then, without hesitation, he raised his foot and kicked the front gate.

Baaam—!

With a deafening crash, the iron gates crumpled like paper, hurtling inward.

Naturally, the interior was teeming with undead, which he’d fought time and time again. Facing the Death Spirit King, Kim Do-Joon had expected nothing less.

The next moment, Kim Do-Joon retrieved a spear from his inventory, the weapon gleaming faintly in his grip. However, just as he tightened his hold, he noticed something strange.

“Siwelin?” Kim Do-Joon called, glancing to his side.

Siwelin, who had been standing beside him, looked somewhat off.

It wasn’t as though she was under a curse or spell. Instead, it was as if she had been struck by an overwhelming emotional blow, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and dread.

Before Kim Do-Joon could ask further, a voice rang out, cutting through the air.

―Well well, Yoon Si-Ah... I barely glanced at the records the first time, but the name stuck with me. It got me thinking about the past...

The tone was rich with mockery.

Kim Do-Joon turned his gaze toward the sound. At the far end of the hall, a skull sat atop a pile of bones, its jaw clattering as if laughing. Ushas’ voice resonated from it, cold and cruel.

―You... You’re the saintess from back then, aren’t you?

The skull’s voice dripped with venomous amusement. Then, Ushas said that he had prepared something special just for Siwelin, causing Kim Do-Joon to narrow his eyes.

Before he could fully grasp the meaning, Siwelin’s trembling voice broke the silence.

“It’s... it’s them... my village people...”

Her words struck like a thunderclap. Kim Do-Joon tightened his grip around his spear. Fury ignited in his eyes, blazing like an inferno.