The black car rolled smoothly through a tall iron gate, guarded by men in suits with earpieces. As it moved up the long driveway, Jin leaned toward the window, staring in awe.
The mansion was enormous.
White marble walls. Glass towers. A garden larger than any park he had ever visited. Water fountains danced under glowing lights.
It was the kind of place he had only seen on TV. A fantasy made real.
The car came to a stop in front of the grand entrance. Jin's hands were sweaty as the driver opened the door for him.
"Young Master," the driver said with a respectful bow. "Welcome home."
Home.
Not my home, Jin thought. But he nodded quietly and stepped out.
At the top of the steps, a line of people waited—maids in matching uniforms, a butler with silver hair, and a younger woman in a suit holding a tablet.
They all bowed in unison.
"Welcome back, Young Master Yeong-ho," the butler said.
Jin swallowed. "I… I don't remember this place very well," he said softly.
"That is understandable," the woman said. "We heard about your accident in the dungeon. We're glad you made it back alive."
She stepped aside. The butler guided him into the house.
The moment Jin stepped inside, the cold scent of polished wood and expensive perfume filled his nose. Everything was clean, silent, and perfect.
Almost too perfect.
"Where are my… my parents?" Jin asked cautiously.
The butler bowed again. "The Master and Madam are currently overseas. The Madam is attending an economic summit in Geneva, and the Master is finalizing a business acquisition in New York."
"Do they… know what happened to me?"
"They were informed," the woman with the tablet said. "They sent their regards and instructed us to take care of you."
Jin nodded slowly. So they're rich… and completely absent.
As they walked deeper into the mansion, Jin looked around at the large halls and silent rooms. Everything was expensive—but empty.
A quiet voice spoke beside him.
It was a maid, a girl no older than twenty.
"Young Master," she said quietly. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but… you've always been alone here. Even before the accident."
Jin looked at her.
She gave a small bow, her eyes kind.
"Your parents are very important people. But they were never around. You were mostly raised by the staff. You spent most of your time in the training rooms or reading alone in your study."
Jin felt a strange pang in his chest.
So Yeong-ho had grown up just like him—unwanted. Alone.
But unlike Jin, he had money.
Now it's my life, Jin thought. And I won't waste it.
Jin walked slowly through the long hallways of the mansion, each step echoing under the chandelier lights.
He passed towering paintings, antique vases, and floor-length windows that looked out into the vast garden. Everything was spotless. Beautiful. Cold.
This place doesn't feel like home, he thought. It feels like a museum.
The butler, Mr. Han, guided him to a large bedroom with dark wooden floors and a massive bed covered in silky gray sheets.
"This is your room, Young Master," Mr. Han said, opening the double doors.
Jin stepped inside. The air smelled like fresh laundry and leather. Bookshelves covered the walls, along with a few swords hanging neatly on display.
On the desk sat a sleek laptop, a digital notebook, and an unopened letter with Yeong-ho's name.
"You always preferred to study alone," Mr. Han said. "If you need anything, please ring the bell by your bed."
Jin nodded. "Thanks. I think I just want to rest."
The butler bowed and left him alone.
---
Jin sat on the edge of the bed, fingers trailing across the smooth blanket.
Everything was so quiet.
He stood and wandered to the desk, flipping open the notebook. Neat handwriting filled the pages—plans, schedules, training goals.
Yeong-ho had lived a strict life.
He found a folder on the shelf labeled Combat Evaluation and opened it.
Inside were printed pages listing Yeong-ho's stats: agility, strength, control… and his ability: Aura Blade.
> Skill: Aura Blade – C-Rank. Creates a sharp energy blade around any weapon.
Jin smirked.
Too bad he never got to use it.
He opened the wardrobe next. Inside were rows of neatly folded uniforms, formal suits, and combat gear.
Jin paused in front of the mirror.
He looked… flawless.
His green hair shimmered slightly under the lights. His green eyes were sharp and confident. A perfect body wrapped in high-class clothes.
No one would ever believe he used to be fat. Ugly. Bullied.
No one would ever know the truth.
"I'm Yeong-ho now," Jin whispered.
---
Suddenly, the system chimed in his head.
> [New Mission: Blend In] Role: Yeong-ho, heir of the Park Conglomerate. Goal: Maintain your identity. Gain influence. Bonus: +1 Random Ability if deception is successful for 7 days.
Jin's heart jumped.
A bonus ability? That was worth the risk.
But he couldn't relax. Not yet.
He had to learn more. Be careful. Play the role perfectly.
---
He left the room and returned to the hallway. A maid passed by and bowed.
"Would you like something to eat, Young Master?"
Jin shook his head. "Actually… can you show me my old training room?"
She blinked in surprise but nodded. "Of course. Right this way."
As he followed her, Jin smiled to himself.
If he wanted to survive in this world… he needed to become more than just a copy.
He had to become stronger.
The private training room was hidden beneath the mansion—lined with reinforced walls, spell runes, and a practice arena made of polished stone.
Jin stood in the center, gripping a wooden sword.
A familiar heat stirred in his chest. He raised his hand.
"Fireball."
A small flame sparked in his palm, then shot forward and exploded against the wall with a sharp boom. The impact left a dark burn mark, and the room filled with the scent of smoke.
He grinned.
Still got it.
He closed his eyes and focused on his shadow.
"Shadow Step."
His body vanished, reappearing behind a target dummy on the other side of the room. The sudden shift made him dizzy, but he was getting used to it.
Two powers. Fireball and Shadow Step.
His clone body moved faster, stronger than his real one ever could. And thanks to the system's customization, he had perfect reflexes and balance.
This body was a weapon.
But just as he was about to launch another fireball—
The room blurred.
His vision faded.
Jin woke with a gasp.
He was lying on a thin mattress, sweat sticking to his heavy arms. His breath came hard and fast.
He looked down at his thick hands—short fingers, soft flesh.
He was back in his original body.
"No… not now—"
He rolled off the bed and stumbled toward the mirror.
The ugly, overweight boy with tired eyes and messy hair stared back at him.
A nightmare.
But it was real.
If this body dies, I die.
He clenched his fists.
"I need to hide you… somewhere no one will ever find."