Darkness

It was the last thing kim taehyung remembered

The cold, rotting hands of a mutated zombie had pierced through his chest, twisting and tearing as he gasped for breath, the overwhelming stench of blood and decay filled his nose, his own heartbeat slowing drowning beneath the monstrous growls of the creature surrounding him.

He had fought for ten years, he had fought to survive in the hellish ruins of the world, but in the end... It didn't matter.

Because he had lost..

AND NOW ---

Taehyung's eyes shot open His breath came in rapid gasps, his body jolting as if still caught in the moment of his death. But instead of the putrid scent of blood and corpses, he smelled something familiar—lavender and fresh linen. The soft warmth of a blanket wrapped around him, sunlight filtering through curtains, casting golden streaks across the wooden floor.

Wait. Sunlight? A bed?

His eyes darted around. He knew this place. The spacious room with pastel blue walls, the large bookshelf stuffed with fantasy novels, the neatly arranged study desk by the window. His old bedroom.

His breathing stilled.

He knew this place.

Because it had burned down when the apocalypse started.

His fingers clenched the bedsheet, his pulse hammering in his ears. Slowly, cautiously, he turned his head toward the full-length mirror across the room. His reflection stared back—younger, unscarred, alive.

And that’s when it hit him.

He had been reborn.

He scrambled out of bed, nearly tripping in his rush to the mirror, hands flying to his face. His features were smooth, untouched by the brutal years of survival. He looked eighteen. Exactly one year before the apocalypse began.

He exhaled sharply, gripping the mirror’s frame to steady himself. His memories weren’t wrong. He had died. He had spent a decade fighting in a world overrun by mutated zombies. He had lost everything, everyone.

But now—he had a second chance.

His heart pounded wildly. He knew what was coming. The outbreak. The chaos. The fall of civilization.

And this time, he wouldn’t just survive.

He would win.

Taehyung sucked in a shaky breath, his fingers trembling against the mirror’s surface. The memories of his death still clung to him—pain, fear, regret. He had fought until the very end, but it hadn’t been enough.

Now, fate had thrown him back one year before the apocalypse.

His lips parted as he whispered, “This… isn’t a dream.”

He could feel the warmth of the sunlight, the cool wooden floor beneath his bare feet, the steady rhythm of his living heartbeat. Every sense screamed at him—this was real.

He clenched his fists, determination settling in his chest.

If he had truly been given a second chance, then he wouldn’t waste it.

He would prepare. He would survive. And this time, he would never let himself be weak.

A knock on the door made him flinch.

“Taehyung, you awake?” A familiar deep voice called.

His breath caught in his throat.

That voice. Jeon Jungkook.

The doorknob twisted, and before Taehyung could react, the door swung open.

There he stood—Jeon Jungkook, the eldest of the Jeon brothers.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly intimidating, Jungkook leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed. His sharp, dark eyes scanned Taehyung’s face before narrowing slightly. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

You have no idea, Taehyung thought, his heartbeat pounding.

Seeing Jungkook again—alive, unharmed, untouched by the horrors of the apocalypse—sent a wave of emotions crashing over him. He had lost so many people, but Jungkook… Jungkook had been one of the strongest.

One of the few Taehyung had trusted.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook’s voice softened as he stepped closer. His gaze darkened with concern, his towering figure almost suffocating.

Taehyung swallowed hard, willing his emotions into check. He couldn’t act suspicious. Not yet.

“I… I just had a weird dream,” he mumbled, forcing a small smile. “That’s all.”

Jungkook didn’t look convinced. His eyes studied Taehyung’s face, as if searching for a lie.

Then, before Taehyung could react, Jungkook leaned in, trapping him against the mirror.

Taehyung stiffened. “W-What are you doing?”

Jungkook tilted his head, his breath ghosting over Taehyung’s ear. “I don’t know… you seem different today.” His tone dropped lower, teasing. “Did my baby brother finally start seeing me in a new light?”

Taehyung’s face burned. What the hell was this?!

Jungkook had always been a protective figure in his past life—strong, reliable, someone Taehyung could depend on. But this… this was not how he remembered him!

Was Jungkook always this bold?

Taehyung shoved at his chest, ignoring the solid muscles beneath his fingers. “G-Get away from me, you weirdo.”

Jungkook chuckled, stepping back, but his smirk remained. “Relax, I’m just messing with you.”

Taehyung scowled. “It’s too early for your teasing.”

A sudden voice interrupted them.

“If you two are done flirting, can I come in?”

Taehyung’s stomach dropped.

Because standing at the doorway was Jeon Jungguk, the second brother.

Compared to Jungkook’s mature and composed demeanor, Jungguk was playful and mischievous—and a menace.

Dressed in a loose shirt and sweatpants, his arms stretched lazily above his head as he smirked. His sharp eyes gleamed with amusement, but Taehyung knew that look too well.

Jungguk was up to something.

Before Taehyung could react, Jungguk suddenly ran forward—straight into his room.

“Yah—Jungguk!” Taehyung shouted, but it was too late.

Jungguk had already jumped onto his bed, rolling into his blankets like it was his own.

“I missed this,” Jungguk sighed dramatically, rubbing his cheek against Taehyung’s pillow. “Your bed is so much comfier than mine.”

Taehyung clenched his fists. “Get out.”

“Nope.”

Jungkook shook his head with a sigh, but there was clear amusement in his eyes. “He’s been waiting for you to wake up just so he could annoy you.”

“Obviously,” Taehyung muttered under his breath. Some things never change.

In his past life, Jungguk had been just as insufferable. Always sneaking into his space, irritating him for fun, watching him when he thought Taehyung wouldn’t notice. He had never taken it seriously before, but now…

Now he knew the truth.

Jungguk had been obsessed with him.

A shiver ran down Taehyung’s spine, but before he could dwell on it—

A third voice cut through the room.

“All of you are too loud.”

Taehyung’s breath hitched.

Because at the doorway, standing with his arms crossed and an irritated frown, was Jeon Jae-hyun—the third brother.

Unlike his brothers, Jae-hyun wasn’t playful or teasing. He was reserved, cold, and logical. Always buried in books, always distant.

But Taehyung knew better.

Because Jae-hyun had been the most dangerous of them all.

Jae-hyun didn’t show his emotions easily, but when he did…

They were obsessive.

Taehyung took a deep breath.

He was reborn. He had a second chance.

And this time…

He wouldn’t make the same mistakes.

Taehyung stood frozen, his pulse hammering in his ears as he stared at Jeon Jae-hyun.

The third Jeon brother exuded an aura of cold detachment, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room like he had better things to do than deal with his unruly brothers.

And yet…

That same gaze lingered on Taehyung.

A flicker of something unreadable passed through Jae-hyun’s eyes before he sighed, adjusting the cuffs of his neatly pressed shirt. “Jungguk, get out of his bed.”

Jungguk, still curled up in Taehyung’s blankets, grinned. “Make me.”

Jae-hyun’s gaze darkened. “Don’t tempt me.”

For a moment, tension crackled in the air. Taehyung knew that Jae-hyun wasn’t as passive as he seemed. Despite his obsession with books and hygiene, he had a dangerous side—one that could make even Jungguk obey.

In his past life, Jae-hyun had been ruthless.

Cold. Unshakable. And when he wanted something…

He didn’t stop until it was his.

But that was years after the apocalypse. Right now, they were still normal—at least, as normal as the Jeon brothers could be.

Which meant Taehyung had the upper hand.

For now.

“Fine, fine,” Jungguk finally sighed, stretching lazily before rolling off the bed. “You’re all so boring in the morning.”

Taehyung scoffed. He barely avoided getting strangled in his sleep, and this brat wanted excitement?

Jae-hyun simply gave a satisfied nod before turning his gaze back to Taehyung.

“You look pale,” he stated. “Did you sleep well?”

Lies.

Jae-hyun wasn’t concerned about his health. He was observing. Calculating. Looking for something off.

And Taehyung couldn’t afford to slip up.

He forced a casual smile. “Yeah, just had a weird dream.”

Jae-hyun hummed, clearly unconvinced. “Hn. Dreams are a reflection of the subconscious. Perhaps there’s something you need to confront.”

Yeah. Like the fact that I was literally murdered by a zombie in my past life.

Taehyung held back a bitter laugh. “Maybe.”

Jungkook, who had been silently watching, suddenly stepped forward, tilting his head slightly. “You really do seem different today.”

The way he studied Taehyung made his skin prickle.

He knew this look. The Jeon brothers weren’t just powerful—they were predators. Even before the apocalypse, they had ruled over everything—the underworld, the business world, the military.

And Taehyung?

He had been their exception.

Their obsession.

Their one weakness.

Not that he had realized it back then.

This time, he did.

And he refused to be caught in their web again.

He took a slow breath, forcing himself to relax. He needed to act normal. Not too distant, not too close. If they got even the slightest hint that he was hiding something…

They wouldn’t stop until they had him figured out.

Taehyung rolled his eyes playfully. “Maybe you guys are just overthinking.” He stretched his arms and sighed. “I’m starving. Let’s go eat before I collapse.”

Jungkook and Jae-hyun exchanged glances, but Jungguk was already moving. “Finally! If we waited any longer, I’d have to start eating Jungkook.”

Jungkook smirked. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Watch me.”

Jae-hyun sighed, already regretting being in the same space as them.

Taehyung, however, just watched them.

The three brothers, alive and whole.

He still had time.

One year before the apocalypse.

One year to change everything.

This time, he would survive.

And more than that…

He would win.

Taehyung walked down the grand hallway of the Jeon estate, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

He had one year before the world collapsed.

One year before hell was unleashed.

In his past life, he had struggled, bled, and fought tooth and nail to survive. But no matter how hard he tried, the apocalypse had broken him—until his final moments, when he was torn apart by that monster.

But this time…

This time, he had knowledge. Power. Time.

And he wouldn’t waste it.

As he reached the grand dining hall, the smell of freshly made food filled the air. It was a luxury that would be nothing but a memory once the apocalypse hit.

Jungkook, Jungguk, and Jae-hyun were already seated at the long table, the three of them looking like they owned the world.

Which, technically, they did.

Powerful. Influential. Dangerous.

They were the rulers of the underworld, business empires, and military forces—and they didn’t even need the apocalypse to be terrifying.

Jungguk smirked as he gestured to the seat next to him. “Come here, little lamb.”

Taehyung narrowed his eyes. “I’m not a lamb.”

“You will be when the wolves come for you.”

Taehyung clenched his fists, but forced a casual scoff. Jungguk had no idea how true his words were.

Sitting down, he picked up his utensils, acting as normal as possible. But in reality?

He was formulating a plan.

Step One: Strengthen Himself

In his past life, he had gained his plant-based ability far too late. If he wanted to master it before the apocalypse, he needed to start training now.

But where? Who could teach him?

His eyes flickered toward Jae-hyun.

Jae-hyun was the most disciplined and strategic out of the brothers. He had mastered countless techniques and combat styles.

If Taehyung could convince him to teach self-defense, it would be the perfect excuse to train.

Step Two: Secure Resources

Food, water, medicine, weapons—he needed them all.

The Jeon brothers had access to everything. Their black-market connections, business networks, and military ties could supply an entire army.

And if Taehyung played his cards right, he could use them to his advantage.

Step Three: Gain Their Trust… Without Falling Into Their Trap

He had always been too naïve in his past life. He hadn’t realized how deeply the Jeon brothers had been obsessed with him until it was too late.

This time, he had to be careful. Close enough to gain their protection, but distant enough to keep his freedom.

Because once they truly set their sights on something…

They never let it go.

“Why are you staring at me?” Jae-hyun’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Taehyung blinked, realizing he had been looking at him for too long.

Think fast.

“I want you to teach me how to fight,” he said smoothly.

The table fell silent.

Jungkook and Jungguk turned to him with interest, while Jae-hyun raised a single brow. “You? Fight?”

Taehyung crossed his arms. “Yes. Why? You think I can’t?”

Jae-hyun studied him for a moment before replying, “It’s not that you can’t. It’s that you’ve never shown interest before.”

Taehyung’s heart pounded. Careful. Don’t be suspicious.

He shrugged. “I just want to be stronger. If I ever get into trouble, I don’t want to rely on you guys all the time.”

Jungkook leaned back, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “You don’t have to worry about that. We’ll protect you.”

Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.

Taehyung smiled but held his ground. “Even so, I still want to learn.”

Jae-hyun exhaled slowly, as if thinking it over. “Fine. But I won’t go easy on you.”

Taehyung smirked. Perfect.

Step One: In Progress.

Jungguk suddenly grinned. “Well, if we’re teaching Tae how to fight, does that mean I get to spar with him?”

Jungkook chuckled darkly. “I’d pay to see that.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes. Great. Now he had to deal with two menaces instead of one.

But it didn’t matter.

Because this time…

He was going to win.