TSS 2

⁜ Chapter 2. The Debtor in Another World

Am I standing here dreaming?

First, I slapped my cheek.

It hurt. I was shocked.

What? So this isn’t a dream? Then… where am I? What is this place?

Wait—does it matter what kind of place this is? What matters is how I can get back. I’m in pajamas right now!

But there was no door anywhere on this field or in the forest.

Should I go into the forest?

After thinking for a while, I turned around and felt the ground behind me. Maybe there’s something I can touch even if I can’t see it… Hallelujah.

I actually grabbed something. After feeling around for a bit, I found a doorknob. I pushed it. Then, crouching like a duck, I came out.

As soon as I stepped out, light burst in front of my eyes. And what I saw was… Grandma’s house.

What the heck?

I looked back and saw the closed fence gate.

Most people wouldn’t even know there was a door there.

Only someone like me, who used to roll around in this garden, would know. To others, it would just look like a fancy little fence.

Let’s check it again.

I opened the fence door and crawled in. I left my feet outside and only put my body inside. All I saw was just the vegetable garden.

Do I have to go all the way in?

I crawled back out. That’s when I realized—I had just crawled on dirt in my pajamas, after showering.

“Damn it.”

I cursed, but if I’m going to wash again anyway, might as well test it further.

This time, instead of using the door, I just climbed over the fence into the garden.

I looked around—it was the same ordinary vegetable garden I knew.

Just as I thought. I went back out and opened the fence door again. This time, I tied my robe’s belt to the fence door and stepped out carefully.

Boom! The light burst again—and the land I saw earlier appeared…

Wait. Why is it night?

The moon was up in the sky. What shocked me was how bright the moonlight was.

Wow, how can moonlight be this bright without any other lights around?

It wasn’t as bright as daylight, but bright enough to see everything clearly.

I suddenly remembered a culture class about how General Kim Jong-seo was reading a letter under moonlight when he got attacked. I didn’t care much about the class itself—just thought, “How do you even read something by moonlight?”

Ah, so this is how. When there’s no other light in the world, the moon feels super bright.

I looked back. My pajama belt was still hanging in the air, tied to the invisible door.

Thank goodness. Otherwise, I’d have to fumble around blindly again.

Now I know where the door is. I’ll go back, wash up, get some sleep, and—

Suddenly, the moonlight shined directly on me like a spotlight.

That’s the only way to explain it. The light was especially bright just on me.

[ Returnee detected. Transferring to Immigration Program. ]

Letters appeared in front of my eyes again, and just like when I went through the gate, everything flashed.

When I finally opened my eyes, I was in a white space.

Up, down, all around—it was all pure white. That’s when it hit me: something’s really wrong.

Ugh, I knew this was strange—I should’ve never stepped in!

I blamed myself, but it was clearly too late.

[ Immigration Program for Returnees now starting. ]

What’s this “immigration” thing? Like… moving to another country? You mean I’m not in Korea? What country is this?

The text that floated at my eye level melted away, and new words appeared.

[ Do you not wish to immigrate? ]

“Of course not?”

[ Then would you like to switch to the repayment program? ]

Repayment? I only hear that word when friends talk about student loans.

Isn’t that what you say when paying back a loan? Why would I need to repay anything? I don’t have debt.

“I don’t have any debt, though?”

[ You are a soul of District 14. But you were born in District 88 without proper procedure, so you must repay the administrative fee. ]

What kind of nonsense is that… Where’s District 14? Where’s District 88?

[ However, if you immigrate to District 14, we will waive the fee just this once. ]

“If I immigrate, what happens to the me in District 88? Also, what are Districts 14 and 88? Who are you people? And where is this?”

[ The ‘you’ in District 88 will be deleted. ]

I asked four or five questions and got only one answer.

“What do you mean, ‘deleted’? Where am I, and who are you? Come out and talk to me! Why did you bring me here? My mo—my mom’s going to worry! She might even call the police. Please send me back.”

Honestly, Mom probably wouldn’t even know I was gone. Still… in this situation, she’s all I could cling to.

Just thinking of Mom made me want to cry. I really hoped they’d listen.

They’re not actually checking with my mom, are they? Where am I?

I was going crazy from anxiety—when more words popped up.

[ If you are deleted, it will be as if you never existed. No one will remember you. ]

I’d disappear from Mom’s memory forever.

At that moment, a strange thought crossed my mind.

Would that… make Mom happy?

She never once looked happy to have had me. So maybe…

But still, Mom, I…

I clenched my teeth and glared at the words. There were no people here—just the words. So I stared at them.

“I don’t want to immigrate or repay anything. I want to go back to District 88 and never come here again.”

[ That is not possible. ]

“What if I don’t choose either?”

[ You must remain here until you make a choice. ]

Here?

I looked around. In this endless white space?

Staying here long would mess with my head. And it didn’t look like I’d get any answers about these “districts.”

Immigration or repayment…

If I had to choose…

“How much is the fee?”

[ Complete ten Revelations in District 14, and the fee will be fully paid. ]

“Revelations?”

[ Would you like to enter the Repayment Program? ]

Just one line of text—but it felt so firm and unshakable.

“If I repay the fee, can I go back to where I was?”

[ Yes. Your affiliation will return to District 88. ]

So 88 is where I lived. Then this must be District 14.

“I’ll choose repayment.”

[ You have voluntarily entered the Repayment Program. Therefore, you will receive a ‘Blessing’. The gods are now deciding. ]

Voluntarily?

You only gave me two options!

I took a deep breath. Fine, whatever this repayment is, I’ll just get it over with and go back.

Let’s think positively. Whether it’s revelations or whatever, I’ll handle it.

My elementary teacher once wrote this in my record:

“Somewhat sneaky, but helpful to friends, goal-driven, ambitious, and positive.”

I can handle revelations or whatever nonsense this is.

As if reading my thoughts, words started to appear again.

[ Three gods have blessed you. ]

The God of Wisdom and Knowledge, Gerka, has blessed you.
You will understand and remember things easily. You will grasp truths and discover secrets with less effort than others.

The God of Medicine and Healing, Vamilto, has blessed you.
You will be healthy. No poison or illness can harm you. Anyone trying to kill you must cut off your head or stab your heart.

The God of Luck and Prosperity, Atila, has blessed you.
You will always have luck on your side. In contests of luck, you will usually win. You will grow your influence and gain wealth easily.

Remember these three gods who blessed you. The gods always watch over those they bless.

I felt warm. A strange energy wrapped around me.

But I couldn’t feel happy about it. “Always watching” didn’t sound like a good thing.

Still, I memorized their names: Gerka, Vamilto, Atila.

Judging from their names, this wasn’t Korea, China, or Japan—or anywhere I’m familiar with.

[ You will now be placed into the other world. Remember, you must receive and complete ten Revelations. ]

So… revelations come from gods, right? That means those three gods might give me those missions.

Just as I was about to ask, the world was filled with golden light.

Unlike before, it was beautiful and overwhelming.

I felt like I was floating in warm water. My eyes closed on their own.

The warmth disappeared. And instead of cozy darkness, a harsh light stabbed in.

It felt like soaking in a hot spring and then suddenly being thrown into ice.

I wanted to ask what was going on, but what came out was—

“Waaah, waaah—”

That was my voice.

It took me a moment to realize it.

Not because I’m dumb, but because it sounded so far away. Like underwater—faint and muffled.

As I closed my mouth in confusion, someone smacked my butt.

Ow! That hurt! Why are you hitting me!?

“Waaah—!”

Crap. That baby’s crying again—and it’s me.

Someone lifted me up.

I raised my head slowly in disbelief. A woman with a kind face looked down at me.

Is this… my new mom? Did I just get born? Was that what “being transferred” to another world meant?

Wait, isn’t this supposed to be the part where I just wake up in someone’s body, not start from waaah?

“Our little lady is very healthy. Even her crying sounds adorable.”

“Quick, let me see her.”

“Yes, Master. Please hold her carefully.”

The woman handed me over.

The man who looked down at me was—ugh, hairy.

A middle-aged man stared at me and shed tears.

“Oh, at last! My child is born!”

Not the right time, but… can’t you shave your beard? Your tears are soaking into it.

“Let’s name her ‘Arian.’”

He said it in a trembling voice.

I turned my head. Floating text appeared in the air.

[ The God of Wisdom and Knowledge, Gerka, has given you your first Revelation:
Before the age of 20, marry Count Hamilcar. ]

Yep. These gods are just glorified creditors.

I accidentally let out a snort.

Then the “father” said, “Oh no! Arian must’ve pooped! Look at that expression!” and quickly handed me back to the woman.

Sigh. I’m gonna lose my mind.