Restart: the ultimate system

A Race Against Time

Kai sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the glowing system notification hovering in front of him.

---

[New Mission Unlocked]

Mission: Unravel the Contract

Objective: Discover which noble house ordered your assassination.

Reward: System Upgrade (???).

Failure: A second assassination attempt will occur within 48 hours.

Time Remaining: 47:59:59

---

Forty-eight hours.

That wasn't much time.

Kai exhaled slowly, running through the possibilities in his mind. Who wanted him dead? The nobles were involved—that much was clear. But which house? And why?

In his past life, he had been nothing at this point. No one would have wasted an assassin on a mere academy student.

Which meant his return had changed something.

And now, the world was trying to erase him.

Kai clenched his fist. Not this time.

---

The First Clue

Darian had already confirmed the nobles' involvement, even if he hadn't said it outright. That meant the best place to start was the noble factions within the academy.

Kai grabbed his coat and stepped out into the cool night air. He needed information. Fast.

There was one place in the capital where whispers carried faster than the wind.

The Black Lantern Tavern.

If someone had placed a contract on him, the underground information brokers would know who and why.

And if they didn't?

He would find someone who did.

---

A Shadow in the Dark

The streets of the capital were quieter at this hour, but Kai knew better than to lower his guard. His instincts were already sharpened by [Chrono Reflex]. The way the wind shifted, the faint sound of footsteps in the distance—he sensed it all.

Someone was watching him.

He didn't turn his head, didn't break pace. Let them think he hadn't noticed.

Instead, he focused on the flickering lanterns ahead, the distant sound of tavern doors swinging open. If this was another assassin, he would deal with them inside, where he had an advantage.

But as he reached the entrance of the Black Lantern, a voice spoke from the shadows.

"You shouldn't be here, Kai."

He froze.

That voice.

He knew it.

Slowly, he turned.

And there, leaning casually against the wall, was Elias Crowne.

A former ally. A future enemy. And one of the deadliest spies in the kingdom.

---

An Unlikely Encounter

Kai kept his expression neutral. He hadn't expected to see Elias this soon. In his past life, they hadn't crossed paths until years later, when Elias was already deep in the shadows of the noble conflicts.

Yet here he was. Another sign that the timeline had shifted.

"What a coincidence," Kai said smoothly. "Didn't think you were the type to enjoy late-night walks."

Elias smirked. "I'm not. But I hear rumors when they're worth hearing." He tilted his head. "And right now, all the whispers are about you."

Kai didn't react, but inside, his mind was working fast. Elias never acted without reason. If he was here, it meant he had information—or he wanted something.

"Let me guess," Kai said. "You came to warn me?"

Elias chuckled. "Not quite. I came to see if the rumors were true."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "And what rumor is that?"

Elias's eyes glinted. "That you should already be dead."

Silence hung between them.

Kai met his gaze without flinching. "And yet, here I am."

Elias studied him for a moment, then smiled. "Interesting."

Kai could tell. He had his attention now.

And in this world, that was both an opportunity and a danger.

---

A Dangerous Proposition

Elias pushed off the wall, stepping closer. "I know why you're here," he said. "You're looking for the one who put a contract on you."

Kai didn't confirm or deny it. He simply waited.

Elias grinned. "Lucky for you, I might just have that information."

Kai's eyes narrowed. Too easy. "And what do you want in return?"

Elias's grin widened. "Simple. You owe me a favor."

Kai went still.

A favor. From Elias Crowne.

That was dangerous.

Elias wasn't the kind of man who asked for small things. If he wanted something, it would be calculated, costly, and inevitable.

But time was against him. He needed information.

Kai exhaled slowly. A gamble. But one he had to take.

He extended a hand. "Deal."

Elias smirked and shook it. "Then listen carefully, Kai. Because this is where your real problems begin."

And as Elias leaned in to whisper the name of the noble house that wanted him dead, the system notification flashed once more.

---

[Mission Progress: Clue Acquired – 1/3]

The first piece of the puzzle had been found.

But the game was just beginning.

The First Name

A Whisper in the Dark

Elias leaned in, his voice barely above a breath.

"House Ravencourt."

Kai's pulse remained steady, but his mind was already racing. House Ravencourt. A high-ranking noble family, but not one of the usual power players in the capital. In his past life, they had remained neutral for years before ultimately siding with the royal faction.

So why would they be the ones to send an assassin after him?

Elias smirked, watching him carefully. "Not the name you expected?"

Kai didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned the name over in his mind, searching for connections. House Ravencourt wasn't known for assassinations. They were merchants, diplomats.

Which meant… someone was using them as a front.

Kai exhaled slowly. "How reliable is your information?"

Elias chuckled. "If it wasn't, I wouldn't have bothered coming." His eyes glinted. "But you already knew that."

Kai did. Elias wasn't the type to deal in rumors—only in facts.

"Who in Ravencourt gave the order?" Kai pressed.

Elias's smirk faded slightly. "That's where things get… complicated." He crossed his arms. "The contract didn't come from the head of the family. It came from someone inside the house, acting independently."

That was interesting.

"Meaning someone in Ravencourt wants me dead," Kai mused, "but they don't want it traced back to the family."

"Exactly." Elias's gaze sharpened. "So the question is—who in House Ravencourt is willing to kill over you?"

Kai didn't answer. He already had a few names in mind.

And one of them… made the most sense.

---

A Ghost from the Past

As Kai walked through the darkened streets, heading back to the academy, he replayed everything he knew about House Ravencourt.

They were powerful, but they shouldn't have had any reason to care about him.

Unless—

A memory surfaced.

A girl with sharp green eyes, standing in the academy courtyard years ago, watching him with a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

Selene Ravencourt.

In his past life, she had always been a mystery. She was intelligent, calculating—a strategist who played the long game.

She had never been his ally. But she had also never been his enemy.

So why would she want him dead now?

Kai exhaled, his grip tightening. There was only one way to find out.

He had to confront Selene Ravencourt.

And if she was truly behind this contract…

She wouldn't leave their next encounter alive.