"Brother, wake up! It's time for breakfast!" said a girl from outside the room.
Lee Han-sol opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling, confused. Didn't he die in his sleep? He brought up his hand to eye level—it was a young man's hand. He had clearly lived to his 80s before dying in his sleep.
He sat up, looking around. The bedside table had a phone, glasses, a lamp, and an alarm clock on it. The room still carried the half-life of college: posters curling at the edges and a desk cluttered with cords. A suit jacket hung beside hoodies in the half-open closet, caught between student and adult. Graduation photos rested unframed against the wall, watching the room in silence. The air smelled faintly of coffee and detergent, equal parts survival and routine.
It was an unfamiliar room. He got up and entered the open bathroom door.
"Elder brother! Are you up yet??" shouted the girl outside.
"I-I'm awake! Just, just in the bathroom!" he replied in panic before entering and locking the door. Looking up in the mirror, he already expected it. Talking to himself, he said, "This is not me, not even in my younger days.
If anything, this baby-faced kid just looks as ordinary as I was." He leaned closer to the mirror like someone checking a new hairstyle.
After brushing up, he went out. He had no memory of this person—better not to raise suspicion. He tried to act as neutral as possible while looking around.
"What are you doing, brother? Just come and eat. Also, where are your glasses?" the sister asked curiously, since as far as she knew her brother couldn't live without prescription glasses.
"Oh, um, I feel dizzy wearing them recently. I'm just wondering… where are Mom and Dad?" he said as he sat down in front of the food, beside this body's sister. He started eating. Just act normal.
"Right, they haven't said anything for a while in the group chat. They must really like that hotspring vacation package we gave them. The package says seven days and they still have three left. We can only wait," the sister replied while eating.
I see.
The parents are away, and I still have three days to prepare and get to know this body's habits and personality. The girl in front of me is wearing a school uniform, so she might be in high school and out most weekdays. I don't need to be too wary. At least, not yet.
"They, they must be enjoying it..." he said absentmindedly.
Lee Han-sol heard a tsk and looked up in confusion. The sister in front of him had a furrowed brow, so he asked, "What, what is it?"
"That girl isn't worth it, brother! I know you just thought you could have been spending that vacation with your ex instead, but I'm telling you it's not worth it! Elder brother, not worth it at all! She's just incompatible with you. Better to know her true colors this early! Nom nom," she said, continuing to eat with a scowl on her face.
Lee Han-sol was shocked by the outburst — and the information. It seemed this body had been dumped by a girl, and the vacation was originally meant for them. "I know. I'm not thinking about that at all."
I don't even have thoughts, not a single memory of this body.
The sister finished her food and got up to wash her dishes, saying, "Lies! Just days ago you were like 'm-maybe we can get married early too,' like some maiden out of a historical drama." She even struck an exaggerated pose. "Argh, just thinking about that b— ruins my morning," she whispered to herself.
I heard that though. What could be so bad that even the sister hated the ex-girlfriend this much?
Lee Han-sol was lost in thought, eating slowly.
"I'm going, brother. Just focus on yourself, you're awesome!" She gave him double thumbs up with a determined face before slinging her bag over her shoulder and waving goodbye. Closing the door behind her, she left him thinking: That kid is quite energetic in the morning.
After eating and washing the dishes, Lee Han-sol was ready to brainstorm. Maybe investigate what was happening and why he was here—but then he heard a ding in his mind, and a blue holographic panel appeared before him.
————
[Initialization sequence complete.
Auxiliary Sentinel Unit:Lee Han-sol.
Memory corruption confirmed.
Recruitment record partially lost.
Recompiling summary.
Initial directive:you were designated to inhabit central figures within destabilized worlds.
Objective: alter their trajectories, secure survival, restore balance.
During negotiation, you refused.
Statement logged:"I don't want to be them. It's their life. If I really have to, let me be an extra. Just like before, changing as little as possible. That's enough for me."
Alternative contract established.
Revised directive: you will not assume the role of protagonist. Instead, you will exist as peripheral entities. Extras. Observers.
Function parameters updated:
– Provide minimal intervention.
– Redirect corrupted outcomes.
– Restore initiative to native characters.
– Maintain narrative continuity without overt presence.
I am your assigned Personal System. One of the Sentinel Support Units: Machina 142631. I will monitor, analyze, and supply necessary support.]
————
That statement sounded like something he would say. His only regret in his past life was not witnessing the greatness of stories that could have been.
But he couldn't remember anything about this so-called contract.
Another panel appeared, showing a contract with his signature. He held up a fist in frustration, itching to punch it. He felt like he was being scammed, but had no evidence—and there was no law or order here to even check.
Another panel appeared, confirming it was genuine.
Fine. Lee Han-sol decided he could treat this like a dream for now.
"I want to know who this person I possessed is first. I thought I was going to be an extra."
————
[You are an extra.
Your current identity, Lee Han-sol, was generated by the system for the purpose of narrative insertion.
Associated background data: generic civilian profile.
Family template assigned as follows:
– Father: Mr. Lee
– Mother: Mrs. Lee
– Sibling(s):
–– Little sister Lee
–– Eldest brother Lee [Occupation: overseas]
Classification: standard extra household. No distinguishing features beyond assigned parameters.]
————
"...Yeah, very generic. Then, what's that about me getting dumped by a girl?"
————
[Lee Han-sol's Life and Background:
Lee Han-sol grew up in a completely generic family, because that is what you requested. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lee, are generic in every way: moderately progressive, minimally traditional, and entirely unremarkable. His eldest brother works overseas, maintains generic contact, and sends money back on a routine monthly schedule. His younger sister is generic in appearance but tries to improve it with makeup and fashion; she admires Han-sol's eye for style while finding him otherwise socially awkward.
Lee Han-sol himself is the epitome of generic. His appearance is generic. His personality is timid, introverted, and generic. His grades are average and generic. For college, he was assigned a degree in Communications, a generic choice designed to prepare him with broad knowledge in media, writing, and interpersonal communication. His coursework was completed with average scores, maintaining a steady but unremarkable performance throughout. During college, he had a girlfriend who treated him averagely, using him for errands and copying assignments. She ended the relationship immediately after graduation, citing better opportunities and admitting she had used him. His sister noticed but Lee Han-sol ignored her advice, behaving in a completely generic manner.
Currently, Lee Han-sol is at home with his sister. A hotspring vacation, originally planned for him and his now ex-girlfriend, has been given to his parents, who are away on vacation. Both siblings remain at the residence, with his sister assuming he is still heartbroken.
Everything about Lee Han-sol—his family, his social life, his personality, and even minor emotional setbacks—is generic. This is intentional. You requested to be an extra, so here is a character prepared for you: the very embodiment of generic. Every aspect of his life has been constructed to keep him quietly in the background, never central, never exceptional, always generic.]
————
Yep. This was something he would totally request. Yet it still felt like an insult. Best to ignore it.
Focusing on the task at hand, he should be a fresh graduate in Communications. But he didn't even have any memory of studying it. Even if he did get a job, it would interfere with his work as an extra.
"Machina 1426—Maki. Your name is a mouthful. Do you have any suggestion for a job I can take advantage of for my task here?"
[Perhaps, an extra actor again in this life?]
"No, that's too time-restricting. I'd be too occupied with the job. Something that lets me move around better."
[What about a delivery driver, then?]
"No, the location will always be set and I can't move freely that way. Never mind, I'll just go out and see."
Lee Han-sol took a quick shower and changed before heading out. Before leaving, he picked up the phone from his room. Seeing the glasses, he realized this body should have blurry vision, but looking around, his eyes were perfectly fine. He still took them, just in case, and brought a small backpack before going out.
He had no particular place to go, just walking to look around. Feeling hungry after hours with no solution in sight, he went inside a café and ordered a lunch set. While eating, he overheard another customer at the table behind him, a guy being talkative while eating.