[Iz's house]
Iz lived in what could only be described as a palatial mansion.
Three stories high. Several houses wide.
The outer walls were painted a sleek, elegant grey, paired with tinted glass windows that bounced sunlight away — keeping the interior cool and impossibly comfortable.
In front of the gate stood two brawny bodyguards, stoic and unmoving. Around the property, others patrolled with trained dogs, their sharp eyes scanning for movement. Once, I saw a brave—or perhaps unbelievably stupid—trespasser trying to climb over the fence.
He didn't get far.
The bodyguards intercepted him mid-swing, dragging him down like a hawk snatching prey. I was half in awe, half terrified. The poor guy was barely half the size of the guard who caught him.
I didn't want to imagine what happened next.
Beyond the gate, a stone path led into a massive garden, and right at the center of it, a majestic fountain spilled clear water with rhythmic grace. There was a polished patio just beside it, crafted for casual chats — probably about stocks, international affairs, or whether the caviar at last night's dinner was from the right fish.
Everything was meticulously curated. The flowerbeds released a light fragrance that felt like something out of a fantasy novel.
The first time I saw the place, I had to slap myself.
Literally.
Iz had flinched in shock when I did.
"It hurts... so this is all real, huh? I thought I was reading too much manga and was hallucinating."
Iz burst into laughter. I couldn't blame her.
No matter how many times I came, I still couldn't get used to this dreamlike landscape.
Then we stepped into the house.
And my idea of "luxury" was shattered again.
The living room alone reached three stories high — because, apparently, Iz's father decided walls were too limiting. Ten rooms sprawled across the house, not including the entertainment spaces: pool table room, ballroom, bar, drawing room, music room, and countless others I'd never seen. What amazed me most?
Not a speck of dust. Ever.
As we arrived at the gate again today, I just stood there — eyes wide, brain buffering.
Iz turned, head tilted. "Why aren't you coming in?
"I still can't get used to how absurdly large and… majestic your place is. By the way, how did your dad get permission to build something like this?"
"If you think this is bad, wait until you see our penthouse in Seoul," she said with a smug grin. "And, well, he has connections. Things just… happen for him."
"Seoul?"
"Father loves Seoul. He goes there for a holiday almost every time, so he built a 100-floored building there so he can enjoy his time leisurely. I've been there before, and it's nothing like here."
My brain stalled.
That man is crazy. No wonder her daughter is crazy too. Oui... What family did I get myself into?
My eyes twitched. "Why does your father need such a big place? What does he do there?"
Iz thought for a moment. "Well, each floor has a unique entertainment spot. There's a pool, karaoke, tennis court, badminton court, a cinema, a zoo, aquarium, live shows and many more which I can't remember. I was there for a week and couldn't finish exploring the whole place. I'll bring you there on our next holiday."
My vision blurred. This family wasn't just wealthy—they were on a different plane of existence.
"Is his dream to build his own kingdom or something?"
"He said that dream's too small for him now."
I choked on air.
For the first time in my life, I couldn't come up with a comeback.
People said I never ran out of things to say — that the word speechless wasn't in my dictionary.Apparently, it was now.
"Come on, let's go in. He just did a minor renovation."
She ran off ahead. I trudged after her.
"Minor, huh?" I muttered, following her. "I doubt it."
The moment we stepped inside, Iz turned toward me, beaming. "Doesn't it look nice?"
I fainted.
Upright.
Iz's voice echoed. She called my name over and over. Then came the butler and head maid, rushing over to help. A few minutes passed before I woke up, groaning.
"Minor?! He renovated the entire estate!"
I wonder what's 'major' then…
Nope. On second thought, I don't want to know.
"The living room is untouched," Iz said with complete seriousness.
"…Hah."
My head spun.
I'd lost count of how many times this family had sucker-punched my worldview into submission. "Your family is hazardous to my sanity."
"But at least you're better now."
"When did he do this? Where did you even stay during it? My place is humble but—"
"Oh, it was done in a few hours. I went shopping."
I stared. "That's not how time or construction works!"
"No clue how he did it. But if you ever want his contacts—"
"Nope. Too rich for my blood."
"Fair. Now, let's go. Time to spill that nightmare."
"Sure."
[Iz's bedroom]
Iz opened the door.
No changes. The interior was exactly the same as before.
"Keeping it simple, huh?"
Too much of a hassle to change," she replied, tossing her bag near her study table.
I dropped mine beside hers — then caught sight of a strange pair of earrings on the desk. Sleek, metallic. Almost… like lockpicks?
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I muttered quickly.
She smiled and flopped onto the floor. "Let's rest our backs."
I joined her, grinning.
We both lay there in silence.
A few minutes later, the head maid, Selene, knocked and entered with drinks and appetizers. "Shower after you're done. Then, do what you like. Understood?"
We nodded in sync.
After wolfing down the snacks, we showered and collapsed on Iz's bed.
"So much for a first day of school, huh? Tired yet, Iz?"
No reply.
I turned—and found her snuggled up with Mr. Oz, her toy racoon.
Smiling, I tucked her in. Then I joined her under the covers, my eyelids fluttering.
But peace was fleeting.
Darkness swallowed me.
I opened my eyes.
And saw nothing.
Just… darkness. A void that stretched infinitely in all directions.
"Oh boy. Here we go again."
This dream was a warning.
The first time was back in primary school — when a close relative of mine died. I'd dreamed this exact space just days before it happened.
A girl.
Long black hair hiding her face. A white dress that reached all the way to her toes. Silent. Motionless.
Just… watching me.
Like the ghosts in horror movies that appear in the distance, only to suddenly reappear right in front of your face.
Except this one never moved. Just stood there. Looking.
And whenever someone I was close to got injured, I'd feel… strange. A headache. A sudden imbalance. Seeing bits of the girl — a hand, a silhouette, her hair.
But if someone died?
This dream would return.
Only this time… she wasn't where she usually stood.
I walked.
Aimlessly.
Until finally… I saw her.
She was squatting, body trembling. I stepped closer — my pulse quickening.
She was mumbling.
"M-M-Ma… Death… Run… Kill… Bloooood…"
I stumbled backward, horrified.
She… spoke? That had never happened before.
The girl turned her body slowly and pointed at me.
Still crouched, she continued mumbling, but I couldn't make out the words. Her voice was soft. Weak. Like someone in immense pain.
I hesitated.
Then… I reached out.
To comfort her.
And in that instant—she looked up.
I saw them.
Her eyes.
They were black. No whites. No irises. Just an endless, suffocating void.
A gravity stronger than anything I'd felt pulled me in.
Trapping me.
And then, silence.