"Siwoo, are you really going back?"
Black hair fell neatly along the lines of her face. The blue eyes visible beneath thick eyelashes trembled.
"I have to. That was the promise from the beginning."
Arbel bit her lip hard at my response. The companions around us approached me.
"Take care. You worked hard all this time."
The Red-Haired Woman spoke with a gentle smile. Following her, the Purple-Haired Man smirked and opened his mouth.
"You had a rough time looking after these hopeless bastards. Take care. Be happy there, no matter what."
"You heartless jerk? You think you have the right to say that? Who was it that woke Siwoo up in the middle of the night for a snack when they were hungry?"
"You're the heartless one! You ate right alongside me and now you're saying that? Unbelievable. And I taught her magic in return!"
"If that's the case, then I taught her swordsmanship too!"
I let out a small laugh at the sight of the two growling at each other with bared teeth.
"You two really bicker until the very end."
"Ah, damn it. I wanted to show a good side at the last moment, but you ruined it!"
"That's my line. You bitch."
It was funny and amazing how they fought so often yet clearly cared for each other.
"Really… are you going to be like this until the end?"
The two clamped their mouths shut as the Saintess spoke while gripping her mace. Her blood-splattered appearance was utterly terrifying.
She smiled in satisfaction before turning her gaze to me.
"It's a shame you're returning to your original world. Siwoo has talent for holy magic. If you stayed here and endured with me, you could become a saint one day."
The Saintess smiled brightly and gripped my hand tightly.
"After all, I'm someone who has personally experienced the existence of God."
Of course, that made her disbelief just as strong.
After all, they had dropped me into this world without any reason. The Saintess called it a trial and fate from God, but it didn't really resonate with me.
"Could you please reconsider?"
"No matter what you say, my decision won't change. But I do have one question."
"What is it?"
"We killed the Demon King, but I still don't have any certainty. Was there really a reason it had to be me?"
I asked with a bitter smile. The Saintess replied with a warm smile.
"How could a mere human comprehend the will of God? Still, it's certain you were a great help, Siwoo. Without you, we couldn't have defeated the Demon King this quickly."
"That… is definitely comforting."
I was grateful for her words, at least. It meant my efforts weren't in vain.
"Siwoo. Let me ask one last time. Are you really going back?"
After the farewells with my companions ended, the Hero approached me again and asked. She, who rarely showed emotional turmoil, looked anxious today.
"Yes. I have to go back."
"...Was life here that bad? Or did we fail to do something for you? If so… I'm sorry…"
"No. There were hard times, but there were more joyful ones. But I have a place to return to. So I'm just going back."
Just as it was natural for a flower to bloom and then wither.
"A place to return to… Is that your answer?"
I nodded. The Hero clenched her fist as if resolving herself.
"I understand. I look forward to the day we meet again someday."
"I hope for that too. Damn it… I owe you all so much! Farewell!"
"Take care!"
"You have to be happy there!"
I bowed deeply and turned my body. Without hesitation, I stepped toward the golden portal in front of me, and my consciousness flickered.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
When I came to again, I saw a massive temple and a large statue. The temple bathed in warm sunlight looked quite benevolent.
"Finally…"
When I was first forcibly kidnapped to this other world, I had been brought here too. They said I'd return to the temple once all goals were achieved, and it was true.
I approached the statue and placed my hand on it. A being descended from the sky along with sunlight.
Boom―!
『Kang Siwoo.』
A lion and a bull. Forms of human and eagle. Straight legs, calf hooves for feet, skin shining like bronze. Four wings enveloped the being, with human hands beneath them.
My entire body froze at the sight of the monster that appeared with thunderous noise. I couldn't do anything. I could only meet its eyes.
I still couldn't believe that being was an Angel.
『Congratulations. You have fulfilled all of God's will.』
Sometimes in the roar of a beast, sometimes in a human voice, it spoke to me, and strangely, I understood every word.
『By the contract, you now qualify to return. But you cannot return to your original world's body.』
'What does that…'
My mind reeled at the sudden declaration.
『That is the price of deeply interfering in another world.』
『But do not worry. We have prepared a new vessel for you.』
I didn't need that.
The reason I wanted to return to my original world in the first place was to reunite with my family. But a different body?
However, regardless of my will, the Angel continued speaking.
『You will be reborn in the most suitable and excellent body.』
『And since we bear responsibility too, compensation will be given.』
Brilliant light rose within its wings, like stars embracing the universe. The light grew stronger, enveloping my body.
『May only blessings lie ahead for you.』
The Angel proceeded as it pleased, just like our first meeting. As the light exploded, my consciousness faded.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
When I opened my eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling came into view.
A dazed mind. I blinked and blankly looked around.
Clean wallpaper and concrete walls. A round light fixture. A large wardrobe and desk. Wooden chair. A few books.
As my consciousness sharpened, I grasped the situation.
"...I'm back."
I startled at the voice that slipped out unconsciously. Because it wasn't my voice.
"Ah."
A sudden memory surfaced.
The Angel had said it. My original body was gone, so they were giving me a new one. That must be this body now.
"Hoo…"
Anger boiled in my chest from the injustice, but I took deep breaths to calm it. Getting mad wouldn't change anything.
For now, I needed to assess the situation and adapt to this body.
I rose from the bed. My gaze naturally dropped to the weight on my chest.
"...What."
A worn, loose white short-sleeved T-shirt. But atop it were two mounds. Quite large ones at that.
"Wait, no way…"
I hurriedly raised both hands.
Slender, pale hands, neatly trimmed nails. The voice was low but too high for a man.
Above all, the strange, alien sensations from my chest and below.
"Fuck…!"
I flung off the blanket and got up. I passed the large bed and entered the living room. It was neat, but interior design wasn't my concern now.
I rushed into the bathroom. At the sight of the small mirror there, I froze solid.
A sharply cut bob-haired woman stared back. Brown eyes with calm features, skin extremely pale.
A clean, streamlined appearance without excess. Like a sword honed over ages.
"...This is me?"
I raised a hand to touch my face. The hand in the mirror moved with my will. My hand trembled slightly from shock.
Gulp.
The face was definitely pretty. The kind you'd turn back to look at on the street.
Honestly, was this a dream? The devil must have tricked me.
"...No way."
I closed and opened my eyes, but my appearance remained. If anything, my pale face stood out more clearly.
'I have no choice but to accept it…'
Denying it here wouldn't change anything. Grasping the situation and moving forward was key.
Still, the turmoil was unavoidable. A sigh escaped despite myself. I left the bathroom and returned to the room where I'd woken.
As I moved to flop back onto the bed, I noticed an ID, bankbook, and smartphone on the desk.
"Kang Hayul…"
My name, age, gender—everything had changed. The resident registration number even started with '4' in the back digits.
'What year is it now?'
Checking the phone, about a year had passed since I went to the other world. Not a long time, but not short either.
The bank account held 50 million won. A lot for my current age, but laughably insufficient considering my ordeals.
'This apartment must be part of the compensation too.'
I'd achieved the dream of every salaryman—owning my home—but felt no thrill. Only rage welled up.
"Hoo."
I sat on the chair and leaned back. Staring blankly at the ceiling, I squeezed my eyes shut.
'So, what do I do now?'
The future looked bleak.
Returning to Earth was good. The problem was everything about me had changed.
'First, I should go to my original home.'
I stood and went to the wardrobe. It was filled with androgynous clothes. Consideration on their part?
"Consideration my ass…"
If they truly thought of me, they wouldn't have given me this body. Same gender would've been nice at least.
A sigh escaped from the chest weight. Due to an inexplicable aversion, I picked loose-fitting clothes.
"Ugh…"
It was my body, but embarrassment made me turn my head while changing. Heightened senses made it not too hard.
Once dressed, I put on shoes and headed to the hallway. As I took the elevator out, the phone I'd brought rang.
"Huh?"
[Boss]
I tilted my head at the name on screen. Boss? Someone contacting me? And a boss at that?
"Hello?"
-Miss Hayul. Where are you right now?
"Pardon?"
A middle-aged voice I'd never heard. In that moment, memories surfaced in my mind. Memories of agreeing to work part-time at a capsule room.
-You remember you're supposed to start at 11 a.m. on weekends, right?
"Ah, that's…"
-You didn't forget, did you?
The boss's tone sharpened at my dazed reaction. He seemed annoyed about tardiness.
"I'm sorry. I've been out of it lately. I'll get there as fast as I can."
-Okay. Customers will arrive soon. Hurry.
"I'm sorry."
The Boss hung up. I stared blankly at the screen before turning hurriedly.
I wanted to go home immediately, but responsibility held me back. It wasn't urgent, so part-time job first.
'Work right after returning.'
It worked out. My head throbbed; immersing in work might calm my thoughts.
'A capsule room, though. What kind of place is that?'
What had happened to the world in my absent year? The changes felt unwelcome yet oddly exciting, my heart pounding.
In any case, Act 3 of my life had begun. The stage and cast had changed, but it was still me.
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