[Steal the woman who is hiding her true nature.]
It was the least daunting quest on the board, so I didn't hesitate to accept it.
"Ugh…"
The moment I confirmed my choice, the space around me twisted, expanding and contracting like a funhouse mirror. My stomach churned, threatening motion sickness, and I squeezed my eyes shut. A faint vibration pulsed through me, gradually fading until it stopped.
Cautiously, I cracked open one eye. "Where am I?"
My cramped studio apartment was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar room.
[Quest started.]
[Returning to the original world in one week.]
"Returning to the original world?" I muttered. "So this isn't my world?"
What kind of place had I landed in? The room wasn't wildly different from a typical studio apartment—just bigger, cleaner, and better organized. The furniture and electronics screamed money, far fancier than anything in my own place. At least I hadn't been dropped into a zombie apocalypse or some cutthroat martial arts realm. That was a relief.
A computer, a refrigerator, a bed, a rice cooker, a microwave—it had everything I'd expect, and then some. "This is nicer than my place," I admitted, a little bitter at how my own studio paled in comparison.
I poked around, but nothing stood out except the computer, which was already powered on. Multiple internet tabs were open across two monitors, all focused on one person: an adult streamer named Amber. Her broadcasts, social media, paid content sites, fan galleries, and forums were all there, alongside a folder stuffed with her videos and photos. True to her profession, most of the content was provocative, her skin bared in ways that made it hard to know where to look.
The only outlier was a stock trading site. I glanced at the numbers and did a double-take. "How much is this?"
I knew nothing about stocks, but the portfolio was staggering—multiple holdings worth over a billion won each. On a whim, I sold one of the stocks. Selling them all crossed my mind, but I doubted I could burn through that much cash in a week. The process was easy; a sticky note on the computer tower conveniently listed the password and account details.
"Am I possessing someone?" I wondered, checking my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Same face, same body. That was a relief. Whoever this place belonged to, I was still me.
The money was a nice bonus. I wouldn't have to worry about finances during the quest. My attention shifted back to Amber's sites. She was live, wearing a barely-there outfit that would make most people blush. A mask covered half her face, but her beauty was undeniable, and her figure—especially her ample chest—was impossible to ignore. Every movement drew my eyes to her curves, her swimsuit straining to contain her.
Could Amber be the woman hiding her true nature? She didn't seem to be hiding much, flaunting herself so openly.
I activated my skill. [Perversion Appraisal: Masochist, Secret Relationship, Broadcasting, Exposure, Rape, Choking]
The list was jarring. This woman's desires were far from ordinary. Adult streaming was just one facet of her complex perversions. Masochism was one thing, but rape?
"A woman hiding her true nature…" I murmured, certain Amber was my target.
The next hurdle was figuring out how to meet her. I'd found Hanna through social media clues, but this was an unfamiliar world. I had no idea where to start.
A buzzing sound interrupted my thoughts. A phone vibrated somewhere in the room. It wasn't mine—my phone hadn't made the trip to this world. I followed the sound to the bed, digging through the blankets to find a sleek smartphone. The caller ID read [Kang Min-hyuk].
I didn't know him, but every detail in this world could be a clue. I answered. "…Hello?"
"[Finally, you picked up!]" The voice was cheerful, oblivious to anything off about me. "[You remember our appointment today, right?]"
Appointment? I was clueless. "Uh, what was it?"
"[The alumni reunion, man! I sent you the details on KakaoTalk. Just check it and get over here.]"
The call ended abruptly. I opened KakaoTalk and found a message from Kang Min-hyuk with a location and time: Hongdae Entrance Station, 10 p.m. A quick glance at the phone's clock showed it was already 9 p.m. I pulled up a map app, which estimated a 70-minute trip.
"I'm gonna be late," I groaned. Even if I left now, I'd miss the start. I didn't know what being late might cost me, but I couldn't risk missing a quest clue.
I grabbed a wallet sitting next to the phone and computer. It wasn't mine, but I'd need it to navigate this world. A set of Mercedes-Benz keys caught my eye, but I left them behind—I didn't know how to drive. Still, the keys hinted at wealth.
"Don't people flex stuff like that at reunions?" I mused, recalling how alumni gatherings were often a chance to show off success, at least according to YouTube vlogs and movies. I didn't know if that held true here.
The apartment, though small, was packed with luxury goods: a designer wallet, high-end clothes in the closet, and branded shoes lined up by the door. Even I, no expert on fashion, recognized the logos.
"Better not overdo it," I decided, picking out a casual outfit that didn't scream wealth. This wasn't my reunion, so I didn't need to impress, but I also didn't want to look like a slob.
I headed out, soon finding myself at Hongdae Entrance Station. The crowded streets were a whirlwind of noise and movement, people bumping into me as I stood there, already drained. "Who picks Hongdae for a reunion?" I grumbled, half-joking.
At the meeting spot, a group of guys loitered near the entrance. My stomach knotted. What if they realize I don't belong here? I'd just arrived in this world for the quest. If they asked who I was, I had no idea how to respond.
But their reaction caught me off guard.
"Sung-han, you're late!" one called out.
"Hey, Kang Min-hyuk, I heard you on the phone. This guy forgot it was the reunion today!" another teased.
"Let's head back in, Sung-han's here."
The three greeted me like an old friend, casually tossing my name around. Is this the quest's doing? I wondered, offering an awkward smile as I followed them. When in doubt, go with the flow.
The venue was a lively beer pub, packed with patrons beyond just the reunion group. The alumni were easy to spot—their tables were pushed together in a long row, a dozen or so people already deep in their drinks and laughter.
"What're you waiting for? Let's go!" one of the guys urged from behind.
I shuffled toward the group, my expression stiff. A few alumni glanced up, offering half-hearted waves. Their awkwardness came from not seeing each other in years; mine came from not knowing them at all.
Then I spotted Kang Min-hyuk, recognizable from his KakaoTalk profile picture. He was chatting with a woman, both of them laughing. The guys from earlier greeted them with enthusiasm.
"Wow, you two still together?" one asked.
"Seven years, right? Time to tie the knot!" another chimed in.
"First loves from high school? Damn, that's wild…"
The group showered the couple with envious comments, clearly impressed by their long-term romance. The woman beside Kang Min-hyuk sipped from a massive beer mug, her face partially hidden by the glass, her demeanor shy. Something about her caught my attention—the way the mug obscured her lower face felt eerily familiar.
I activated my skill. [Perversion Appraisal: Masochist, Secret Relationship, Broadcasting, Exposure, Rape, Choking]
My breath caught. The woman hiding her true nature—the target of my quest—was sitting right in front of me.