Reversing Life With Item Copy
Chapter 183. I Said No

Chapter 183. I Said No

A bead of sweat rolled down Alcyone’s cheek. For the first time since ascending the throne, he felt tense.

How could he not? The very power that had elevated him to become a sovereign—its essence—stood before him, ready to strip it all away in an instant.

The benevolence that had once defined his father’s expression wasn’t there. Instead, there was only ruthlessness and unrelenting chill.

It reminded him of the last moments of his father that only he had witnessed.

Alcyone closed his eyes briefly, steadying his turbulent thoughts. At this rate, his resurrected father’s judgment was inevitable.

Despite having endured countless eons, the prospect of death still terrified him. He loathed the thought of never seeing the world he had built—but above all, a certain emotion surged within him.

I didn’t stop it. No... I chose not to.

As a result, his father died, and the World Tree withered. Its decay, coupled with the depravity of his siblings, had plunged countless worlds into ruin. Even the realm of elves and spirits—a world Alcyone had painstakingly nurtured—wasn’t spared.

Regret was a foreign concept to his former self, who was merely an observer. He once believed his duty was merely to observe events as they unfolded.

However, that duty had begun to waver long ago, even before he took the throne. The moment he realized what consequences inaction could bring, his conviction faltered. Yet, he chose to remain oblivious, blind to the erosion of his implanted beliefs. And so, came the second downfall.

Now, there was no denying it.

“If you doubt my loyalty...” Alcyone began hesitantly. “I’ve dealt with the insects that Ushas released. And if you wish, I can use Hylasa’s power to pinpoint his location.”

“Haha.”

Kim Do-Joon’s interest was piqued. He’d been struggling with the elusive location of the Death Spirit Lord.

Sensing a glimmer of hope, Alcyone pressed on with enthusiasm.

He mentioned that Hylasa was the king of the winds and that with her power, they could locate the Death Spirit King hidden deep within this vast place. He also added that he’d fully cooperate, asking for mercy and forgiveness.

Alcyone lowered his voice, his tone careful yet tinged with hope, “Forgive the past me, who merely stood by and watched. I beg for you to show mercy. I’ve seen firsthand how the world changes when one remains idle. I swear it won’t happen again—”

Kim Do-Joon raised a hand, interrupting Alcyone. He spoke, his voice calm but sharp, “Why bother with all that? Can’t I just reclaim your power and do it myself?”

Alcyone’s expression twitched at the blunt statement. The truth stung—after all, even the power to command Hylasa had originally belonged to his father.

He had used the very power granted by his father to betray him—only to later beg for forgiveness with it. The absurdity of it weighed heavily on Alcyone’s mind.

“But...” Alcyone faltered, grasping for any justification.

Yet, no words came out. How could he possibly pay back? All he had were the powers bestowed upon him and the wisdom of countless years. And yet, his long experience paled compared to his father’s. Ultimately, Alcyone had nothing of value to offer.

Excuses and rationalizations flitted through his mind.

Wouldn’t it be more convenient for him to use me as a tool rather than act himself? I could handle everything quietly. Should I even offer to bring Ushas myself?

Amid this turmoil, a distant memory surfaced.

—If you seek someone’s mercy, do not justify it. Simply ask.

Who said this again?

Perhaps he heard this from an elder of his clan, long before he became a lord himself.

As if awakened from his inner conflict, Alcyone prostrated himself deeply before Kim Do-Joon, bowing until his forehead nearly touched the ground.

“I’m sorry.”

He apologized for receiving the love and grace, yet turning a blind eye to his death. Kim Do-Joon simply observed Alcyone in silence. Alcyone remained still as if to say there was nothing more he could do.

Finally, Kim Do-Joon leapt from the dragon’s back, his shadows shifting to cushion his landing. He strode toward Alcyone, firmly placing a hand on his shoulder.

Alcyone flinched, half-expecting the man to just reclaim his power. However, there was only the steady weight of his hand.

“Alright,” Kim Do-Joon said simply, pulling him upright.

Alcyone’s eyes quivered, as though years of pent-up guilt were beginning to unravel.

Then Kim Do-Joon sharply added, “But you’ll have to pay for what you did.”

The shadows at Kim Do-Joon’s feet began to creep toward Alcyone, binding him. They formed the shackles of an oath, reminiscent of the ones Mel Sior had tried to forge in his final moments—a pledge never to defy again.

Though Alcyone recognized what was happening, he didn’t resist. He accepted it as his burden, gulping nervously.

Click.

There was no sound, yet both men felt it—the weight of something being sealed. When it was over, Alcyone exhaled deeply, as though he had finally climbed over a mountain.

It was then that Kim Do-Joon spoke again, almost offhandedly, “Oh, before I forgot, I’m just a human who happened to inherit his power and memories by chance.”

The words struck Alcyone like a bolt of lightning. He blinked, puzzled by the sudden shift.

His eyes widened in disbelief as Kim Do-Joon drove the point home.

“I’m not your dad.”

For a moment, Alcyone’s expression froze. Then his eyes widened so far it seemed they would tear apart.

***

The Rabian Clan had always operated from the shadows of history. Sometimes, they aligned themselves with the powerful, and other times, they lived among the common folk. Occasionally, they ventured into uncharted territories of new worlds.

Their singular mission was simple yet profound: record the history of the world.

However, such a purpose inevitably made them a thorn in the side of many. History, as was often said, was written by the victors. How could the victors of any age tolerate them, who dared to document the truth from an impartial perspective?

Yet, despite the hostility, the clan had endured through the ages. They survived through innate wisdom and the accumulated knowledge of their ancestors. However, even that had its limits.

***

—Son, the imperial army will soon invade this place. They will come to eradicate our clan, starting with me.

The middle-aged man’s voice was calm yet unyielding.

—Father...

Meanwhile, the boy’s voice was faltering.

—Come now. Hide here. This place was built for such a time. Here, you will remain unseen and safe. You will bear witness to the final moments of our clan.

—What must I do?

The boy sought guidance with his young eyes.

The man solemnly met his gaze.

—It’s simple. Record it all, including my death and the fall of the Rabian Clan.

The man’s eyes held an eerie calm as he spoke. The boy nodded without hesitation, sharing the same stillness in his gaze.

Yet, as that boy grew into a youth, then an adult, and eventually something beyond human, he began to understand. Beneath that calm exterior had been a storm—a glimmer of madness, even. Perhaps, it was due to the incident that had pulled him into the web of fate.

—So, you wish to see everything? Follow me. Let me show you what it means to bear such a burden.

The boy had followed the old man, oblivious to the paths of history he would tread in the years to come.

***

Alcyone rubbed his neck, letting out a bitter laugh. Beside him stood Hylasa, a pale woman who tended to him, worry etched across her delicate features.

Noticing her gaze, Kim Do-Joon glanced at her. She glowered at him in response, her expression anything but friendly.

“Don’t,” Alcyone said sharply, full or warning.

Before the tension could escalate, Alcyone raised a hand to stop her. He told her that this was his burden to bear because of his mistake.

Besides, Hylasa wasn’t someone who would disobey. She knew their opponent was no ordinary foe, his overwhelming presence far surpassed even a Spirit King.

Alcyone turned to Kim Do-Joon. “You’re being too harsh. Blood or not, I’m your child who spent centuries with you.”

“How many times must I tell you? I’m not your father,” Kim Do-Joon replied curtly.

Alcyone’s shoulders slumped. He had no way to verify Kim Do-Joon’s words. Though their appearances differed, the power radiating from Kim Do-Joon was identical to his father's.

And yet, there were two things that lent credibility to Kim Do-Joon’s claim.

The first was a principle Alcyone’s father had often spoken of. He always told Ushas and Laoha that the dead never return.

“Maybe... By any chance, have you experienced confusion in your memories?” Alcyone asked cautiously.

“Not at all.”

“Do you feel as if my father’s memories are overpowering yours?”

“Never,” Kim Do-Joon said firmly.

Alcyone exhaled deeply, a sigh of resignation. His father had never clung to life. His interests always lay with the future, never his own survival. That was why he had raised so many children, and eventually faced their betrayal without resistance.

If his father intended to punish his treacherous children, he wouldn’t do something as self-serving as resurrection. Instead, his goal would have been to find a worthy successor.

Thinking this way, Kim Do-Joon’s words finally made sense. They could only mean one thing.

I will never have the chance to apologize to him... Alcyone thought bitterly.

The one to whom he owed his regrets no longer existed. That truth pierced his heart like a dagger. It was a wound that would eventually scar over, but the hollow it left behind would remain forever.

“Find Ushas,” said Kim Do-Joon firmly. “That’s your only task. Do that, and I won’t interfere with you because nothing else matters.”

“Okay,” Alcyone replied, bowing his head.

All Alcyone had to do was to honor his father’s last wish. He would wield the iron hammer of judgment his father had forged for their traitorous siblings and make it strike true.

As Alcyone lowered his head, Hylasa puffed her cheeks in visible frustration. She then turned away, avoiding Kim Do-Joon’s gaze.

“By the way, do you know what Vulcanus is up to these days?”

“You know Vulcanus?” Alcyone replied with mild surprise.

“Well, yes.”

Kim Do-Joon hesitated but did not elaborate further. He had once received the Heart of Flame from Vulcanus and defeated Nereid. However, there was little point in bringing that up now.

“I heard he’s been searching for a new Water Lord.”

“Oh yes, it seems like he found one. Apparently he’s raising a young Water Spirit alongside Naiyel... Oh wait, Naiyel is an elf who’s very loyal to Vulcanus. They’re raising the young spirit together.”

After listening to Alcyone’s response, a vivid scene of Vulcanus and Naiyel training a fledgling Water Lord played in Kim Do-Joon’s mind. They would be nurturing yet firm, ensuring the new ruler would not follow the reckless path of Nereid, the tempestuous tyrant.

“Well then,” Alcyone said, stepping back, “I’ll begin the search for Ushas. But this world is vast, so it might take some time.”

“Do it as quickly as you can.”

“Okay.”

With a final bow, Alcyone disappeared with Hylasa.

Now, only Kim Do-Joon, Siwelin, and the Shadow Dragon remained. Kim Do-Joon climbed back onto the dragon’s back, and with a powerful flap of its wings, the creature soared into the sky.

To an outsider, it’d have seemed as though nothing had transpired. However, the truth was clear. The world’s course was shifting, and the wheels of destiny were in motion.