LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 38: The First Glitch
The First Glitch
1. A Win That Feels Wrong (Tom's POV)
Tom stood over the fallen body of a Mythic-Class Boss Monster, its colossal form dissolving into shimmering golden light.
His team cheered, voices rising in excitement.
They had just accomplished what should have been impossible—defeating a Mythic Boss with only a five-man squad.
But as Tom stared at the vanishing corpse, something felt off.
He hadn't actually attacked it.
He had been about to swing when the monster suddenly tripped, impaling itself on a jagged spike of crystal.
It had been too easy.
The system notification appeared in his vision:
[Congratulations! You have defeated the Mythic-Class Boss: The Void Tyrant!]
[Legendary Equipment Drop x2]
[Experience Boost Applied]
Tom frowned.
Something about this moment felt hollow—as if he had skipped an important part of the battle.
His hand clenched.
The illusion had heard his unease.
And before he could dwell on it, Derek clapped him on the back.
"Man, that was insane! You really are the luckiest guy alive."
Tom blinked.
The doubt faded.
Because… wasn't that how it had always been?
---
2. A Memory That Shouldn't Exist (Stacy's POV)
Stacy sat in the Academy training hall, running through her newest exercises.
She was stronger than ever. Faster. Better.
But as she reached for her water bottle, she caught a glimpse of something in the mirror.
A girl.
Standing in the far corner, staring directly at her.
But when Stacy turned—
No one was there.
Her breath hitched.
She had only seen her for a second, but she knew that face.
It was her own.
But younger. Weaker.
A version of herself that shouldn't exist anymore.
The illusion had glitched.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
Before she could process it, the instructor called her name.
"Stacy, you good? You've got a match starting in five minutes."
Stacy shook her head, exhaling sharply.
"Yeah," she muttered. "Just seeing things."
She picked up her blade.
And just like that, the illusion repaired itself.
---
3. A House That Corrects Itself (Diane's POV)
Diane stepped into the kitchen and froze.
The wall clock was missing.
She frowned.
She was sure it had been there this morning.
She turned toward the hallway—only to stop mid-step.
The clock was back.
Exactly where it had always been.
Her fingers curled.
No. That wasn't right.
She had just seen it gone.
Hadn't she?
She turned again, scanning the house. Everything was in place.
The illusion had adjusted before she could question it.
Mike's voice called from the living room.
"Diane? Everything okay?"
Diane hesitated.
Then forced a smile.
"Yeah," she murmured. "Just thought I forgot something."
She turned away from the clock.
And the world settled itself around her once more.
---
4. A Name That Shouldn't Be Spoken (Mike's POV)
Mike sat on the porch, watching the sunset paint the sky in soft hues of gold.
Everything was perfect.
Diane was happier.
Tom and Stacy were thriving.
And he was finally here for it all.
But then—
A whisper.
Faint. Distant.
"…Orion."
His heart stopped.
No one called him that anymore.
No one should.
That name belonged to someone else.
Someone who didn't exist in this world.
Mike's fingers clenched against the wooden railing.
For the first time, the illusion had failed to mask something.
The whisper came again.
This time, he didn't ignore it.
He turned—
But no one was there.
His breath was unsteady.
Was he imagining things?
Maybe.
Maybe it didn't matter.
Mike closed his eyes, pushing the thought away.
But deep down, the seed of doubt had been planted.
And the illusion couldn't erase it this time.
---
5. A Perfect World with Imperfect Edges (Final Scene – Group POV)
That night, they sat around the dining table, just like always.
Tom recounted his victory.
Stacy laughed, teasing him for being "too lucky."
Diane smiled warmly, refilling their drinks.
Mike listened, nodding along.
But something had changed.
For the first time, they weren't fully present.
Their minds were elsewhere—lingering on something just outside their grasp.
A battle that was won too easily.
A reflection that shouldn't have been there.
A house that corrected itself.
A name that didn't belong.
None of them spoke about it.
None of them even acknowledged it.
But the moment lingered.
And for the first time—
The illusion had failed to erase it completely.
---