"Wow." Rina blinked at the flood of memories, from childhood to the current day. Her last day was when she got fewer and died.
"My new family is really awesome, huh?"
She tossed the quilt aside and sat up straight. "If my family is this strong, why should I risk my life for some system that nearly killed me?"
[Host! It's better to be cautious and grow stronger. You never know what dangers may come.]
Rina grumbled under her breath, words half-incoherent, but in the end, she nodded reluctantly.
Suddenly--Bang!
The door of her room swung open. A tall woman entered, long black hair cascading to her waist. Her sharp black coat and trousers gave her a cold and commanding aura.
But the moment her eyes fell on Rina, sitting upright on the bed, her expression softened. She crossed the room quickly, kneeling on one leg in front of her.
"How's my little sister? I was worried when Mom told me you had a fever."
Her fingers gently brushed a loose strand of purple hair behind Rina's ear; the gesture was full of warmth and protectiveness.
Rina blinked, but the moment her sister knelt before her, an odd warmth bloomed in her chest. It felt as if she had known this woman her whole life. A smile tugged at her lips.
"I'm alright now, Sister Sora."
Sora's eyes softened with relief."Good. Then let's go downstairs. I made your favorite breakfast."
She stood and extended her hand.
Rina froze, clutching the torn sleeve with her other arm."Ah—s-sister, I'll come in five minutes. I… need to change first."
Sora's gaze lingered. Her brows furrowed when she noticed the torn fabric. For an instant, her expression turned ice cold. But then, just as quickly, she nodded.
"Alright. Don't take too long."
Without asking further, she turned and walked out.
Only when the door closed did Rina let out a long breath."Haa… thank goodness." She relaxed, then hurried toward the dressing room.
---
Outside, Sora slipped a hand into her coat pocket and pulled out a burner phone--its casing modified to erase data and resist tracking.
She dialed a number while walking down the long hallway. By the time she reached the terrace, the line connected.
"Hello?" a man's voice came through. "Boss, what's wrong? Did a gang attack again?"
Sora's gaze swept over the villa grounds below, her eyes glowing with killing intent."No. But I have work for you."
"Ehh, work?" The man's tone turned childish, whining.
Her voice turned cold, gesturing him to stop playing by her voice."I'm serious, Minjun."
The other end fell silent for a moment.
"Now listen carefully. Someone dared to target my sister. Her sleeve was torn; it looked like it had been cut by a knife. I didn't see a wound, but I don't believe it was an accident. Find out who it was."
"What? Your sister? The one you said has a heart softer than a feather?" the man jeered over the line.
"Shut up," Sora said flatly with narrowing eyes.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. Could it be that guy, boss?" the man asked, trying to sound helpful.
Sora's head tilted. "What guy? Name him and I'll break his neck myself."
A cough on the other end. "Ahem… the Doomsday Gang. They're our competitors."
She snorted. "No. They don't even know I exist. They wouldn't target her; they don't know who the boss is."
"Check the surveillance at the university my sister attends, and the cameras around the house, and any malls she usually goes to. Tell me if you see anything suspicious."
"Got it, boss," the man answered, already shifting into business mode.
---
"Um… what should I wear?"
Rina rubbed her head in the dressing room, staring at row after row of clothes--every single one in some shade of pink.
"Tch… why does this body even like… pink?" she muttered, exasperated.
She placed a hand over her chest. Her heart pounded oddly."Oh, right --- I'm in someone else's body. But it doesn't feel wrong… it feels… like I've always lived here."
A system message appeared again to clear her inquiry:
[Host! Your soul and the previous owner's soul have fused. You are no longer two separate people. This is the final stage: you will accept these memories and feelings as your own, so settling in will be easier.]
Rina blinked, absorbing the words. Her fingers drifted over a frilly pink dress, hesitation and something like belonging warring inside her.
"What --- we're one? How? Who's my consciousness now: me, or Rina's?"
[Both]
"No. I think you didn't hear me. Who's controlling this body? It feels like me."
[Both, my hearing's better than yours]
He repeats the line, adding words that make Rina grind her teeth: "Fine, you won't tell me then, okay, you dumb box, Ai in my mobile phone is better than you."
She scanned the clothes hanging before her. Her eyes landed on a crisp white shirt and a pair of black trousers.
With a cheering gesture, she pulled them out, slipped them on, and straightened her collar.
----
Tap, tap.
Rina walked downstairs, her hand gliding along the railing, a bubbly smile lighting her face, her purple hair tied in a ponytail. She stepped into the dining room.
"Ah, Rina, come, sit here."
The voice was mature and full of authority, like that of people who are used to giving orders, drawing her attention as her first footstep hit the polished floor.
At the far end of the long dining table sat a middle-aged woman in a clean white business suit, her dark hair tied neatly into a bun.
Rina nodded and walked over, slid into the chair beside her.
"Where's Father, Mother?"
Eunseo glanced at her daughter, sighed, and flicked her thumb toward the window behind her.
"Probably in the garden, beating Geon-woo again."
Rina gave a wry smile at that. But Eunseo's expression shifted. She placed both hands firmly on the table.
"Rina, are you sure you want to become a soldier? I don't think you'll be able to handle it."