Kairiki

If You're Tired of Reading All of It, Read This

[The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the skies above Sogonna Island in hues of crimson and gold. Hydro sat cross-legged on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean. The gentle waves lapping against the shore provided a calming rhythm to his introspection. He leaned back, propping himself up with his hands, and took a deep breath, staring at the endless expanse of water.]

HYDRO: [thoughtful, addressing the reader directly] So… where do I even begin? You’ve been here all this time, right? Watching me stumble through all this chaos? Yeah, you know what? Let’s do a recap, because even I can barely keep up with everything that’s happened. If you're new here, stick around.

[He straightened up, brushing the sand off his hands, and adjusted his jacket. A mischievous grin played across his lips as he leaned closer, as though sharing a secret.]

HYDRO: [cheerfully] Refer to Chapter 29-33, you'll need it. First off, we kicked this off with me being the overthinking guy on top of a building, flipping through pages of a book that technically doesn’t even exist in this world. I questioned self-insert protagonists and mused about how cringe-worthy some of them can be. Remember that? Classic me.

[Hydro paused, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.]

HYDRO: [mocking himself] Then there was the whole 'shore adventure,' where I tried to act like Nardwuar and interview fictional characters. I mean, seriously, what was I thinking? Yuji, Sung Jinwoo, Kirito, Scott Pilgrim, and Steven Universe? And don’t even get me started on how Juliet Starling called me out during that awkward chainsaw fiasco. Not my finest moment, but hey, I survived, didn’t I?

[He shifted his posture, now sitting with one knee bent and his arm draped over it, his tone turning more reflective.]

HYDRO: [nostalgic] But then came the curveball—the Heavenly Demon Emperor. That old man… I almost forgot about him. Back in the day, he was just an NPC in the Lost Tower, right? A digital figment. But then he appeared here, in this world, treating me like his disciple, friend, and… grandson? I mean, sure, it’s weird, but it’s also kind of touching. And the history we had—it's real now. Every bit of it.

[He sighed deeply, the weight of recent events visible on his face. His voice dropped to a more serious tone.]

HYDRO: [solemn] And let’s not forget the AFP Hell March. Watching those tanks, aircraft, and carrier ships prepare was something else entirely. The discipline, the power—it was inspiring. But also a reminder of how small I am in the grand scheme of things. Yet, here I am, trying to carve my path amidst all this chaos. 

[Hydro stood up, brushing the dirt off his pants, and stretched his arms out wide as if embracing the vastness of the world before him. His gaze turned sharper, and his tone shifted to one of determination.]

HYDRO: [intensely] Which brings me to the System. The big twist, the grand irony. You’ve probably seen these 'Leveling Systems' before, haven’t you? A way to make the protagonist stronger, more powerful, invincible even. But here’s the kicker—mine isn’t about power. Not entirely, anyway. It’s about purpose. Growth. It’s not just stats or skills; it’s about who I become.

[He clenched his fist, looking at it as if it held the weight of his newfound realization.]

HYDRO: [resolute] The System isn’t making me stronger just for the sake of it. It’s preparing me for something bigger—something I can’t even comprehend yet. And unlike those other Manhwa clichés, this isn’t about fighting for glory or revenge. It’s about figuring out what really matters.