When dungeons and monsters appeared, humanity was pushed to extinction despite the rise of powerful Awakeners. In the end, only one man remained—Seong-In Kim, the strongest Awakened alive. But even his strength was not enough to save the world. Upon his death, Seong-In awakens twenty years in the past as an ordinary high school student named Su-Hyeon Kim. Though confused by his regression, he understands one thing clearly: this is his chance to change everything. Armed with the knowledge of a doomed future and the experience of being humanity’s last hero, Su-Hyeon sets out to prevent the apocalypse and redeem himself before history can repeat itself.
The Hero Returns focuses less on revenge and more on responsibility. Unlike many regression protagonists driven by bitterness or ambition, Seong-In is motivated by guilt and resolve. His second life is about preparation—strengthening humanity before disaster strikes rather than reacting after it’s too late.
The story balances action with foresight, emphasizing early intervention and strategic choices. While it doesn’t radically reinvent the genre, its sincerity and pacing make it consistently engaging.
Readers who enjoy regression stories centered on redemption, proactive heroism, and classic dungeon-apocalypse setups will find The Hero Returns a solid and satisfying read.
