Chapter 3
So, if you’re asking what happened next—
“I’ll summon you to the same area, so it won’t be hard to find them. Look for the child with a red aura.”
“Ha…”
I had been given a new life.
In my left hand: a Mafios-brand universal pouch containing 100 million gold.
Tucked between my right side and my arm: a capsule toy machine he gave me.
I was a bit annoyed that he just dumped me in the middle of the street out of nowhere… but in the end, I’d accepted Mafios’s offer.
A hundred million gold. How could I say no to that?
Sure, there was a “favor” involved that came up somewhere between one million gold turning into one hundred million, but… whatever.
Still, there was a catch.
“If someone in the Empire suddenly had 100 million gold, rumors would spread. If the god finds out, this entire arrangement will be ruined—including your chance to live a new life, Ion. So, we need a few restrictions.”
The restriction: I could only use one million gold at a time, and some funds would be locked for a set period.
“Once you become an adult, the restriction will automatically lift. Of course, before then, you’ll have to do the task I asked of you.”
The pouch was enchanted so I couldn’t withdraw more than that. And he didn’t even tell me upfront—he changed his story after I got here! I protested, feeling like I’d been scammed, but there was no undoing it.
Still, when I peeked inside the pouch, I saw an endless expanse of gold coins. It took real effort to resist staring at it forever.
And despite all that gold, the pouch was light and small as if empty.
‘Where is this place?’
The scenery was unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar. As soon as I arrived, knowledge of the geography just… slotted into my head.
This was the world of Amor—specifically, the Ferres Empire, the largest nation here. I was right in the middle of its capital, Everdin.
Other basic facts about this world were shoved into my brain, as if forcibly crammed in.
They said this was a land protected by the White Dragon—maybe that’s why it looked so grand and beautiful. Or maybe I was just biased since it was my new home.
I used to live in the Denver Empire, nothing special except for its V-shaped landmass. It was located on the complete opposite side of the world from Ferres. I never expected to come here. And since I had no fond memories of that place, I was fine forgetting it.
“Ah, right. This.”
As payment for the “favor,” Mafios also gave me a strange machine.
“This was once popular in a place called Earth. Every time you complete a task for me, I’ll give you a coin.”
“A coin? What do I get out of it?”
“The items inside are random, but they’re strongly influenced by your inner self. Usually it’s objects, but it could also connect you to a relationship from a past life.”
“A past connection? That’s a thing?”
“It depends on the person. Some reincarnate many times, others not at all. If you’ve lived multiple lives, you might meet someone from one of them.”
“Wait, you’re not saying I’ll meet someone who hurt me before, are you?”
“Haha! No, because that wasn’t your life. Just a thought. And if you’re lucky, something more valuable than 100 million gold might come out.”
“Seriously?”
“Of course. As a welcome gift to this new world, I’ll give you one coin right now. Good luck.”
Under the clear dome was a coin slot, and on the side, a chunky lever.
It was suspicious, being “influenced by my inner self,” but better than getting nothing.
The real problem, though—
“Ugh.”
I was grimacing as I tried to keep the big capsule machine from slipping out of my short arms.
Why did I get younger?! My arms were too short to hold this comfortably!
I thought I’d return to being 10 or 12, the age I was when I died—but no, I was even younger.
“Ugh… geez.”
Even my voice was that of a very young girl.
At least I still had all my past memories…
“It’s not that different from before, but still…”
Because Mafios kept rushing me, I didn’t get to ask about the things I was most curious about. The more I thought about it, the more I felt I’d been scammed.
“If I’d known, I would’ve asked first.”
Still, it wasn’t so bad.
Since I was here, I could overwrite my childhood with good memories this time. After living through the worst, I almost felt enlightened.
“Oh, right, he said he’d give me a house… Let’s see…”
I decided to save the coin and capsule machine for later.
I set the capsule machine down for a moment and unfolded the note he’d given me.
Stretching my short arms, I squinted at the address written on it:
“98, 1st Street, Kesnier.”
That’s where my new house would be.
“Make way, please!”
Startled by the voice behind me, I quickly grabbed my machine and stepped aside.
A man pulling a cart bustled past.
“Thanks, kid!”
I blinked, staring after him in surprise.
…
I was used to people telling me to “get lost” or treating me like filth, so hearing someone thank me felt strange.
How could such a simple word be so rare for me?
What kind of karma did I have to be treated like a pest my whole life?
It was… just something people could say so easily, wasn’t it?
“Damn…”
I’d better just get home.
I rubbed my nose and eyes to keep from crying.
Holding the pouch and capsule machine tightly, I marched toward 98, 1st Street, Kesnier.
“Huh?”
Halfway there, I turned my head—and met eyes with my reflection in a shop window.
“Ooooh?”
I leaned back instinctively, then tilted my body right, then left.
The reflection followed exactly.
My hair, a bright lemon yellow, swayed softly with every move, smooth and untangled.
Straight bangs just brushing my eyes, and long hair down to my waist.
My eyes—large, pale blue, even deeper than Mafios’s—stared back in surprise.
Was this… me?
“Wow.”
I shuffled up to the glass.
“Even my face is different?!”
Before, I’d had brown hair and red eyes—eyes so red I’d been accused of being a witch. I’d grown to hate that color.
I used to like how I looked, but after so much hatred from others, I’d come to despise my own face.
I thought I’d look the same here, but apparently not.
My old body hadn’t even been my “true” body.
Now I looked like a completely different person—and I was even wearing a dress.
“Ooh.”
Frills—pristine frills, not a speck of dust.
“Must be expensive.”
I tied the pouch to my waist and poked at my cheeks with my fingers.
In my old life, I’d never had time to look in the mirror. Even if I had, maybe I’d blocked it from my memory because things were too hard.
But now—seeing my soft, unblemished face—I felt my heart flutter.
I really, really liked this.
Alright, then. I’d find the person Mafios wanted, and live a life of luxury.
I would never live the way I had before.
Hmph. I’m rich now!
