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Tied to a beam in a cold, damp room, Taehyung's body ached with bruises, his wrists raw. He tasted blood, humiliation. The door creaked open, revealing Park Bogum, his boyfriend, and Kang Seoyeon, his sister. Their eyes met his broken form, then turned to each other.

A slow, deliberate smile. A sickening kiss. Each murmur a hammer blow to his shattered heart.

Bogum pulled back from Seoyeon, a sneer twisting his lips.

Seoyeon giggled, running a possessive hand down Bogum's arm.

Taehyung's eyes widened, a fresh wave of agony washing over him, deeper than any physical pain.

Suddenly, the main door to the room burst open. His 'parents' entered, followed closely by his brother. Their faces were cold, devoid of warmth or concern for his state. They surveyed the scene, then fixed their gaze on Taehyung.

Taehyung stared, disbelieving, his voice catching in his throat.

His 'father' stepped forward, his eyes like chips of ice.

His 'mother' shook her head, almost bored.

His brother stepped closer.

Taehyung's gaze flickered between them, his heart shattering into irreparable pieces. He searched for a flicker of regret, of hesitation, of anything, but found only cold, calculating contempt.

His 'father' nodded once. Jaehwan produced a wicked blade. A flash of silver, then searing agony consumed Taehyung. Darkness swallowed him whole, the echoing laughter of his tormentors the last sound he heard.

But death sparked rebirth.

He awoke with a gasp in his own bed, uninjured. His frantic checks confirmed no bruises, no raw ropes. A calendar on his desk showed the date: a full year before his murder. A quiet voice echoed in his mind: "The Moon Goddess has intervened. You have been granted a second chance, child. Infused with power, you must forge your own path." He clutched his head as the voice faded, leaving potent, unfamiliar energy coursing through him. The gentle, naive soul was gone, obliterated by betrayal and death. In its place: burning, incandescent rage.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror, a hard glint in his eyes.

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Taehyung’s hand clenched. A spark of shimmering silver light flared in his palm – raw, untamed power, the Moon Goddess's gift. He absorbed it, knowing he had a year to master it, to become unrecognizable.

Before he could even begin to process his next move, his bedroom door burst open without a knock. Kang Seoyeon stormed in, her face twisted in a theatrical mask of fury, with Kang Jaehwan lurking right behind her, a smug look on his face.

Taehyung merely raised an eyebrow, a flicker of cold amusement in his eyes. He remembered this moment. A month after his grandfather's will was read. Seoyeon's "missing" allowance, conveniently blamed on him to make him look irresponsible and greedy to the 'parents'. He had cried then, pleaded his innocence, endured their accusations and punishments. But this time...

Seoyeon's mouth dropped open, clearly expecting his usual panic and tears. Jaehwan stepped forward.

Taehyung leaned against the mirror, crossing his arms. His expression was cool, unreadable. He remembered where Seoyeon had actually hidden the money – tucked inside a specific book on her shelf.

Seoyeon's face paled, her theatrical fury replaced by genuine shock. Jaehwan's smug expression vanished, replaced by a scowl. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Taehyung never fought back, never knew their tricks, never spoke with such chilling certainty.

But then Seoyeon, ever the actress, stepped forward, placing a hand on Jaehwan's arm, her eyes wide and seemingly innocent.

Taehyung’s gaze narrowed. He remembered how, in his past life, this "pity" would have twisted his gut, making him feel like a truly pathetic villain, further isolating him while Seoyeon played the benevolent victim. He had even, foolishly, thought she was trying to protect him from Jaehwan's anger, not realizing she was merely turning the knife further, embarrassing him more profoundly. But now, seeing through the saccharine act, all he felt was a surge of contempt.

Jaehwan stared, bewildered, at his sister. He'd never seen her so flustered.

Seoyeon swallowed hard, her eyes darting frantically between Taehyung and the door. Her carefully constructed facade was crumbling. This wasn't the old Taehyung, easily cowed and manipulated. This was someone... terrifyingly sharp.

Jaehwan impatiently pulled Seoyeon out of the room. Taehyung remained, a faint, cold smile on his lips. Moments later, he heard muffled shouts, then the distinct sound of a book being pulled from a shelf, followed by Jaehwan's triumphant yell.

Jaehwan returned, swaggering, holding a stack of cash. Seoyeon followed, her face a masterpiece of pitiful tears and wounded innocence.

Jaehwan, seeing his sister's genuine-looking distress and her "logical" explanation, completely bought it. His earlier confusion vanished, replaced by indignation on Seoyeon's behalf. He shot a furious glare at Taehyung.

Taehyung merely watched them, his expression unreadable, a chilling stillness about him. The old Taehyung would have been heartbroken, crushed by this injustice. The new Taehyung simply saw confirmation of their boundless stupidity and malice.

Seoyeon sighed audibly, a sound of relief, when Jaehwan's face solidified into anger directed at Taehyung. She then clung to Jaehwan's arm, burying her face into his shoulder.

Jaehwan, completely buying into her performance, glared daggers at Taehyung.

They both turned and stormed out of his room, Jaehwan's angry voice fading as they walked away.

He could feel the nascent power within him stirring, a cold thrill running through his veins. This was just the beginning.

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Kang Taehyung - A Beta - 19 years old - Adopted into the Kang family

✦ PAST TAEHYUNG - Naive and gentle - Trusted everyone easily - Desperate for family love

✦ NEW TAEHYUNG - Reborn with memories and new powers - Cold, sharp, and calculative - Driven by fury and revenge - Sees through lies and manipulations - Patient and strategic - Ruthless and fearless

(His powers will be revealed as the story progresses)

Kang Seoyeon - A Beta - sister of Taehyung - Master manipulator, hides cruelty behind false innocence - Ambitious and profoundly insecure - Uses emotional blackmail and theatrical acts to control situations

Kang Jaehwan - An Alpha - brother of Taehyung - Temperamental and easily manipulated, especially by Seoyeon - Resents Taehyung, sees him as a rival - Acts as Seoyeon's enforcer, prone to intimidation

Kang Daehyun - An Alpha - Father of Taehyung - Cold, calculating, and primarily driven by wealth and reputation - Never truly loved Taehyung, saw him as a means to an inheritance - Ruthless and dismissive of Taehyung's well-being

Kang Eunji - A Beta - Mother of Taehyung - Indifferent and detached, views Taehyung as an inconvenience - Complicit in the family's schemes for the inheritance - Prioritizes her birth children and social standing over empathy

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