The girl pointed at him and shouted:
"You woke up now? Don't you know it's already past 10? And we have a mission, don't we? We didn't even go to school for that, and here you are, sleeping like a prince! Get ready, you won't be getting breakfast."
She paused for a moment, then continued with amusement,
"Ibaan? Hurry, we're getting late or else we won't get the payment!"
She closed the door.
She was the wife of Ibaan De Light, although their relationship wasn't that romantic nor that interesting—it was balanced.
He sighed.
'My wife: Selpe. I'm really married in this world. I guess I have no choice but to accept the relationships of the original owner of this body.'
With another sigh, he walked a few steps and sat on the bed, then subconsciously commanded the unknown:
"Relic, open!"
And with that, a construct appeared in front of him.
—————
[Status:]
Name: Ibaan De Light
Mark: Mark of Divinity
[Sealed Contract]: Eye of the Dead
[Contracted Party]: Unknown Being
Mark Rank: Initiate Branch
Space: [Divine Sword]
—————
'Clan Light?? Mark of Divinity? Really! I've got a Divinity Mark. Damn it. Unlucky, unlucky. I'm unlucky!
And on top of that, it's… it's an Unknown Being — Eye of the Dead!!'
At that moment, he swallowed hard, a chill running down his spine. He knew how terrible and dangerous the unknown beings were in the story.
In this world, Marks were the very essence of magic. Everyone awakened a mark on their body after the age of 13.
The deadliest marks were the Mark of Divinity, Mark of Oblivion, Mark of Anima, and Mark of Abyss. The one who awakened any of them was considered unlucky — and was guillotined.
The Clan Light carried a curse: everyone born within it awakened only these Marks, and thus the clan had nearly gone extinct. Only a few remained — the youths whose deaths awaited them.
He continued reading the construct.
—————
[Human Specialty]:
Concepts:
Concept of Order (4 Segments)
Concept of Creation (4 Segments)
[Locked]
[Locked]
…
[Names]: Locked
[Memories]: Locked
—————
'Oh right, I have the memories of the Power of Concepts! But I guess I didn't save the "Names" memories or the powers.
Uhhh!! How am I supposed to get all of my powers back?? Huh?'
—————
[Book of the Future: The Developed Beings]
Saved Bookmarks:
Bookmark 1
Bookmark 2
Bookmark 3
Bookmark 4
… Bookmark 500
—————
'Ohh! I even added the bookmarks in it? Interesting. I guess this won't be such a tough journey.'
Just as he finished reading it, he sighed and closed the Relic.
Although there was another option at the end —[School]— he didn't pay attention to it for now, as if he already knew something about it.
'I'll check it later.'
After that, he planned to get ready for the mission that Ibaan's wife had mentioned.
Though he had Ibaan's memories, it wouldn't be that hard to act like him. However, he wasn't perfect—no one was.
'Right?'
Opening the wardrobe, he grabbed a white t-shirt and black trousers.
He took off his worn shirt, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The physique was normal—nothing impressive, just average.
But as his eyes trailed across his chest, he noticed it.
A faint branch-like mark, black and curling to the right, while another—shifting in mixed hues—extended vertically from the same small point of origin.
'Huh? His body's too weak… and that one—it's from the Relic, I guess.'
For a moment, his reflection seemed to stare back differently, its eyes dimmer… colder.
He blinked, and it was gone.
'I guess the curroption won't fade soon!... Sigh I should hurry!'
...
While putting them on, he wondered,
'So that's why he died… because of the curse. But I changed everything. I awakened in his body. Will my interference end the curse? I really need to consider this.
And about the mission, it's about killing a man. We'll get the information today, but during the mission, his wife might die because of the curse… or maybe she'll die in the future. But his wife is now my wife. I have to prevent that from happening.
I am human, the most adaptable being, after all. So I must adapt to Ibaan's life, his relationships, and his goals.'
After wearing the clothes, he looked in the mirror. Adjusting the collar, he smiled.
'I really have a good face in this world. After all, Selpe is lucky. Hehe.'
Before leaving the room, he remembered something he wanted to see while reading the story—but didn't find it.
'Where's the communicator? From Ibaan's memories, it should be on the bed…'
Communicators were advanced devices through which anyone could know anything. Meetings could be taken from home, schools could inform students directly, and news could reach the whole world in seconds.
In his old world, there was nothing like it, so it was natural for him to be fascinated.
He froze for a second, then said, "Oh right! Got it."
But before he could turn back, she was already there.
He was terrified.
It was a death stare.
She held a tray in her hands—with a roti and cooked cabbage.
Unlike others, this was their usual breakfast. They didn't prefer having tea in the morning.
'She's really not that bad… except for her words! Ah, good! Good!'
She spoke quietly, her voice deep.
"What are you looking for? I have your communicator... it's dead. Hurry and eat. We're getting late. Otherwise, you won't see this face of mine."
'Oh right! I don't want that!'
The real Ibaan was dead, but his memories and nature remained in the body. Considering that, he replied playfully,
"Selpe, you really look beautiful today! I really don't want to see your other face. Hehe! But unfortunately, my hands hurt. I want to eat it with your hands!"
Her angry expression vanished, replaced by a flattered smile. "Oh right! Why not, my prince?"
She closed the distance between them—then suddenly stuffed the roti with cabbage into his mouth. Like every wife does, but she was far more sarcastic.
"Eat with my hands! Eat now, Mr. Prince—eat with the princess's hands."
She didn't stop; she kept stuffing it in.
He struggled, his mouth full. It felt like he'd puke any second.
He tried his hardest not to—swallowing everything like a child.
She chuckled.
"Oh my! You really look cute like this. Ahem… enough of this drama, let's head to the mission gathering."
He steadied himself and replied, "Alright."
Following that, they left their small two-storied house. Her arm was wrapped around his.
They walked through the passenger road of Singing Street. Strange four-wheeled carriages ran both ways, and on either side of the road stood rows of local houses.
Singing Street was the most peaceful area in the Sri city of the State of Heaven. Though called "Heaven," it wasn't entirely one—beside its beautiful lands, mountains, valleys, gardens, and parks, there were also polluted, stinking areas where one would think twice before walking through.
'Protaginist had once come to this street, but I guess that was in late March of 1911… just after five months.
Well, whatever. I really wanted to explore this world while reading the story.'
He thought out of excitement as he observed the carriages.
'It's exactly as the author described—seamless carriages. "Cars."'
As they reached the main market, there was a hidden alley. They turned into it.
It was ironic—his first day in this world, and he was already beginning his journey. He couldn't even ask himself how, just a few hours ago, he was in another world entirely — isolated from the Book of Future's world. But he had come to the conclusion that he hadn't saved all his past memories; perhaps that was why he couldn't question it deeply.
'Right.'
He looked at Selpe.
'Along with Ibaan's relationships, I really have to work toward my goal for coming to this world. I'll plan it out after the mission.'
They reached an apartment and knocked on the main door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The door creaked open. A maid appeared, smiling politely.
"Hello! May I know who you are?"
Before Shon could speak, Selpe answered,
"We're here to meet Mr. Shepard."
The maid's demeanor changed instantly.
"Oh! Welcome. Please, follow me."
She led them through a hall toward an underground passage. Stopping at the stairs, she said,
"Please go down and enter that room. Master is waiting there."
"Alright," Selpe replied.
They went downstairs and knocked on the door.
No reply.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Still nothing.
"Alright, we're entering by ourselves," Selpe said.
'What the hell am I supposed to do? This is getting awkward… I feel awkward right now…'
The moment she opened the door, the stench of fresh blood hit their noses.
Their expressions turned grim as their eyes fell on the scene inside the room.