Chapter 1 — One Year Left

The rain had not stopped for three days.

It poured over the ancient shrine hidden deep within the mountains, where moss-covered stone lanterns stood as silent witnesses to the passing of time. The world beyond had changed countless times—kingdoms had fallen, cities had risen, and people had forgotten the legends carved into the shrine's weathered walls.

But one man remained.

Christopher Bang.

Most people simply called him Chris.

He stood beneath the shrine's crimson gate, dressed in a black coat that barely moved in the wind. At first glance, he looked no older than twenty-eight. His face had remained unchanged for a century, while everyone he had ever known had grown old and disappeared.

A hundred years.

A hundred birthdays he never celebrated.

A hundred springs without the person he loved.

Chris slowly opened his palm. Resting there was a jade pendant carved into the shape of a blooming plum blossom. Time had faded its color, but not the memories attached to it.

"This is for you," a gentle voice echoed in his mind.

"If we ever lose each other..."

"...find me again."

Chris closed his fingers around the pendant.

"I've been trying," he whispered into the rain.

"I never stopped."

A cold gust swept through the shrine. The five stone pillars surrounding the altar began to glow faintly, filling the air with an eerie blue light.

An old man emerged from the shadows.

His white robes dragged across the wet stone floor as though untouched by the rain.

"The curse grows stronger," the old guardian said quietly.

Chris didn't turn around.

"I know."

"You have one year remaining."

Silence.

"If you fail to reunite with the soul you seek before the final day..."

The guardian looked toward the dark sky.

"...your body, your soul, and every trace of your existence will disappear forever."

Chris gave a bitter smile.

"I remember the rules."

"The soul has finally returned."

For the first time in years, Chris's expression changed.

His heartbeat quickened.

"...Where?"

The guardian raised one trembling hand.

"In Seoul."

Chris's eyes widened.

"The child has grown into a young man."

"The name he carries now..."

The guardian paused.

"...is Kim Seungmin."

The rain suddenly felt lighter.

A century of searching.

Thousands of faces.

Countless disappointments.

And finally—

He had found him.

Chris clutched the pendant tightly against his chest.

"Min-ah..."

The name escaped his lips like a prayer.

"No," the guardian corrected gently.

"He no longer remembers that name."

"He has lived another life."

"He has another family."

"He has another future."

Chris lowered his gaze.

"I don't need him to remember."

"I only need one chance."

The guardian studied him for a long moment.

"Be careful."

"Love returned by fate is precious..."

"...but forcing forgotten memories to awaken may break the soul that carries them."

Chris nodded without another word.

As dawn slowly painted the mountains gold, he descended the stone steps of the shrine for the first time in months.

Waiting at the foot of the mountain was a sleek black car.

The driver bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Bang."

Chris slipped into the back seat.

"To Seoul."

The engine started.

As the car disappeared into the mist, Chris looked once more at the faded jade pendant resting in his hand.

After one hundred years...

His search had finally come to an end.

Or perhaps—

It was only just beginning.

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