A new window unfolded in front of her, unfurling like a digital scroll.
Yujin sank back against her pillow, staring at it like she'd just cracked open Pandora's box.
She hadn't even eaten yet.
Help Guide: Billionaire Marriage System™
Welcome, Ahn Yujin. We're so glad you're here!
Q: What is this system?
A: Congratulations! You've been selected (read: fatefully chosen) to participate in the Billionaire Marriage System™ — a cutting-edge, ultra-exclusive matchmaking program designed to pair ambitious individuals like yourself with ultra-high-net-worth partners. Think of it as love, upgraded assistance.
Q: What if I don't want to?
A: We appreciate your honesty! Unfortunately, participation is mandatory. Opting out is not available at this time, or any time.
Q: What happens if I refuse?
A: Excellent question! Refusal to comply with assigned missions will result in penalties. Penalties may include—but are not limited to—physical discomfort, emotional sabotage, social humiliation, digital hauntings, and in severe cases, total life destruction,maybe.
Thank you for understanding.
Q: What do I get out of this?
A: Greatness, A successful match guarantees:
Unparalleled wealth
Elevated social status
Lifetime financial security
Custom luxury perks (see: yachts, penthouses, private islands, legacy children)
In short, a happily-ever-after.
Q: Can I talk to customer service?
A: Haha.
No.
But we're always watching!
Have a system-worthy day!
Yujin slowly closed the guide.
She stared at the ceiling for a very long time.
Then, with the deepest exhale of her life, she whispered:
"This system is a scam."
There was only one solution to all of this.
She needed to see a doctor. Immediately.
Like, psychiatric-level emergencies.
But first… she reached for her phone.
Because obviously, Google was modern medicine's emotional support hotline.
Search: "Dream Bliss side effects hallucinations"
Dozens of threads popped up instantly.
She skimmed the titles:
"Dream Bliss made me think I married my toaster."
"Took Dream Bliss, I feel relaxed, I can hear my dog speak fluent Japanese but oh wait i'm Japanese too wait why was i typing this again."
"Dream Bliss trip: Met my dead aunt, we had tea, she told me to dump my boyfriend."
"This drug is evil. Don't take it unless you want to feel crazy."
"Honestly? Best experience of my life. Took it, found inner peace being having a crappy life for so long. This gave me new energy ."
Yujin blinked.
"Okay. So… I'm basically screwed," she muttered, eyes wide as she stared at the screen.
Google always had this special talent—making you feel ten times worse than when you got there. Too much information. Too many horror stories. It was like jumping into a pool of panic and expecting to come out calm.
She scrolled further, heart racing.
Some people claimed it helped them unlock spiritual clarity. Others were in therapy now.
A few users were fully convinced it permanently altered their perception of reality.
Search: "Help for hallucinations south Korea"
Results appeared—mental health clinics, support groups, emergency hotlines.
She clicked one of the top links:
"24/7 Psychiatry & Crisis Care | Seoul Mind Center"
Hotline:010-XXXX-XXXX
Walk-in available: Yes
Specializes in drug-induced psychosis, dissociation, and reality distortion.
Perfect.
Except…
Would they believe and understand her without thinking she is crazy if she said she was being stalked by a matchmaking system that threatened her with leg cramps and ruin?
Probably not.
But what other option did she have?
She got dressed, grabbed her bag, and fired off a message to Mina.
Yujin:Heading to Psychiatry & Crisis Care at the Seoul Mind Center. If I disappear, blame Dream Bliss. This is 100% your fault. I'm stopping by your place—you're coming with me.
Mina:huh??
HospitalVisit:Mina, You'reComingWithMe
"You want me to what?" Mina stared at her like she'd just asked her to donate a kidney. In public. During rush hour.
"You're coming with me to the hospital," Yujin said, already grabbing her wrist and marching toward the door like a woman on the brink. A very dramatic, mildly unstable brink.
Mina yanked her hand back. "Are you seriously blaming me for this mess?"
"You dragged me to that party. You gave me that weird drug! What if your sketchy dealer laced it with… like, mind control or secret hypnosis or something?! This is all your fault!" Yujin's eyes were wild—half panic, half caffeine withdrawal, with a sprinkle of existential dread.
Mina's jaw dropped. "You really think I cursed you over the phone like some budget K-drama witch? And hello, I took the same thing! I got a job offer from Google—remember that? Where's my floating job offer?" She paused, scanning the air. "Exactly. Gone. Poof. Meanwhile, you're still being stalked by your creepy AI marriage fairy."
Yujin folded her arms. "You do like experimenting with weird stuff," she said coolly. "Let's not pretend this would be the weirdest side effect you've ever caused."
Mina groaned, dragging her hands down her face. "Fine. I'll come. But if we go to this 'Mind Crisis Hospital' and they tell you you're just dumb, dehydrated, or delusional—or worse, admit you—I swear to God Ahn Yujin, I will never let you forget it."
Yujin didn't care. At this point, she just wanted a professional to confirm she wasn't completely insane.
But as they stepped outside, the pink screen flickered again—hovering in her peripheral vision like a smug little ghost with Wi-Fi.
The system wasn't done with her. Not yet.
System Sabotage BeginsDing!
[Warning: Discussing the system with others is now strictly prohibited. Penalties will be applied.]
Yujin narrowed her eyes at the floating text like it owed her money. "Yeah, yeah," she muttered under her breath. "Try me."
Ding!
The reaction was instant.
Her tongue went numb—no, soggy—like someone had swapped it out with a wet kitchen sponge dipped in anesthesia. Her jaw slackened, panic rising in her throat.
"Mwhhrhh??" she gasped, eyes wide in alarm.
Mina jerked back like she'd just watched Yujin start to shapeshift. "Why are you talking like that? Are you choking? Are you…..? Blink twice if you're dying!"
Yujin clawed at her throat, then jabbed a finger at the pink screen floating behind her like a smug digital punishment fairy.
[Penalty issued: Temporary speech malfunction.]
Mina blinked. "...Okay. Nope. This is way above my first time experience trying dream bliss. You definitely need a doctor. Or spiritual help. Possibly both."
Yujin scowled, cheeks flushing with a cocktail of humiliation and fury. She tried to say "I told you so", but it came out more like a drowning Muppet.
The screen still gently present, unbothered. Watching.
Like it was enjoying the show.