Chapter 1: The (seemingly) sickly pretty girl

“I feel refreshed.”

Waking up, the stabbing pain in my lungs was gone, as if washed away.

Was that not a dream?

It felt like my body had been rebuilt.

The fatigue and pain I’d always felt were completely gone.

“Nice, time to start the day with some fun… Wait, what?”

Did a woman’s voice just come out of me?

Now that I think about it, my perspective feels lower, and my body’s balance is off.

What’s going on?

“I need a mirror.”

The room was so similar to my old one that I quickly found a mirror.

In it, I saw a pale, frail-looking girl with dry, lifeless black hair and hollow blue eyes, staring blankly.

“Doctor! Call an ambulance! There’s a dying girl here… That’s me!”

There was no pain or fatigue in my body, as I said.

So, despite looking like that, I’m incredibly healthy.

Just as the god said, I’ve become “a person who looks sick but is fine.”

But why a woman?

Did the god make a mistake?

“This is a bit awkward. Isn’t it normal to keep the original gender?”

As I checked my body, the god’s voice echoed in my head again.

[See, didn’t I give you a chance to take it back?]

“You gave me a chance to reconsider, but you didn’t mention anything about changing my gender.”

[You didn’t specify details, so naturally, I get to decide what body you get, right?]

The god’s teasing tone irritated me.

“Fine, tell me why. Why did you make me a woman?”

[Isn’t it obvious? A frail maiden is way more popular than a frail boy. So I made you a girl on purpose.]

Don’t f*ck with me, this can’t be happening.

“Change me back to my original gender, right now.”

[No way, not changing it. Deal with it. And watch your tone.]

If you were in my shoes, you’d be pissed too, you f*ck.

“The house is almost identical to my old one.”

A simple place, just for basic needs.

It’s sleek and efficient, much like my previous home.

The only difference is, my old place felt warm, while this one feels chilly.

[We made it as close to your old house as possible. Living conditions are similar too. You won’t notice much difference in food or shelter.]

“What about my identity?”

[No need to worry, it’s all sorted. Though, in a slightly different way.]

“Slightly different how?”

[You’ll find out soon enough.]

Listening to the god, I opened the wallet on the desk.

<Seol Ji Yeon>

xxxxxx – xxxxxxx

The ID looked unfamiliar.

The resident registration number was so different from what I expected that I couldn’t even guess this body’s age.

“This ID is pretty strange. Care to share some info?”

[The front digits mean the same as in your old world—date of birth. You’re about 22 years old. Oh, and one more thing: the money you earned in your past life is in your current bank account. That’s a nice perk, right?]

“That’s the best news I’ve heard.”

After checking my body and exploring the house, I started feeling hungry.

“I’m starving. Is there anything to eat?”

I checked the shelves and fridge, but there wasn’t even a snack, let alone ingredients or instant food.

Guess I need to go shopping.

“Should I go today? Nah, I’ll just grab something from the convenience store. It’s been a while since I had store food.”

[Funny, you were eating it just fine the day you died.]

Ignoring the god’s jab, I grabbed my wallet and headed to a nearby convenience store.

When I got there, I locked eyes with the clerk, whose face suddenly turned pale.

Was he slacking off or something?

Why’s he so shocked?

I started browsing the triangle kimbap and cup ramen, then checked out the drinks.

<Tuna Mayo> <Jeonju Bibim>

“Two might be too much, but one’s not enough. Both are my favorite flavors.”

I was hit with choice paralysis.

The creamy charm of Tuna Mayo versus the savory kick of Jeonju Bibim.

Which one should I pick?

As I struggled, the god sighed and spoke.

[There’s an easy solution for this.]

“What’s that?”

[Just buy both and eat them separately.]

Eureka.

Why didn’t I think of that?

Impressed by the god’s wisdom, I grabbed both and headed to the ramen aisle.

Suddenly, my head throbbed.

“What’s this? I’m supposed to be healthy despite looking sick. Why the headache?”

As I pondered the cause, a siren wailed nearby.

“Sirens? Was there an accident nearby? Whatever, it’s got nothing to do with me.”

I picked out ramen and a drink and approached the counter.

Paramedics were talking to the clerk.

“We got a call! Where’s the patient?”

Patient?

Shockingly, the clerk pointed at me.

“That’s her!”

“Me?”

“Get the stretcher quick!”

“She looks critical! Prep for CPR just in case!”

“What are you doing? Move it!”

The paramedics moved swiftly.

Some approached me, but I quickly denied being a patient.

“There’s been a mistake.”

“Mistake? You look worse than a terminal lung cancer patient. We’re taking you to the hospital now.”

“Let go! I’m not sick! I’m not a patient!”

“She’s having a seizure, inject her!”

I resisted as they tried to restrain me, but a paramedic grabbed my arm and injected something.

Thud.

As the drug took effect and my consciousness faded, I muttered one last thing.

“I’m not sick… you f*ck.”

*

[Clerk]

Today’s my first day at work!

School keeps me busy, but my family’s not well-off, so I had to take this job for tuition.

A friend said this place has fewer rude customers, so despite the distance, I managed to land the gig.

[Yoon Seol, you start today. Come a bit early for the handover.]

After the manager’s briefing, I began my shift.

“How much?”

“2,700 won.”

“Here’s my card.”

“Thank you! Have a nice day!”

Customers came every 20 minutes or so—polite kids, kind elderly folks, and the occasional guy in workout clothes.

It was a chill and happy job.

Until that girl walked in.

While chatting with a friend on my phone, I heard the door chime and looked up to greet the customer.

“Welcome to EightTwenty!”

I greeted as usual, but when I saw her, I screamed inside.

‘Aaaaah!’

I froze.

She looked like a real-life zombie.

No, even zombies would be insulted by the comparison.

Her skin was paler than a movie zombie’s, her steps wobbled like she’d collapse, and her dark circles reached her cheeks.

She looked like she could die any second, yet she was strikingly beautiful.

As she slowly headed to the kimbap aisle, I quietly pulled out my phone.

“Is she struggling to move? She’s gorgeous, though. No, this isn’t the time to judge her looks! I need to call 119!”

Without hesitation, I dialed 119, and thankfully, a paramedic answered quickly.

“There’s someone who looks like they’re about to die at the convenience store. Can you help?”

[Where’s the location? We’re on our way!]

“It’s at…”

I explained the store’s location and her condition as calmly and quickly as I could, hoping to save her life.

Before the paramedics arrived, she picked out kimbap and moved to the drink aisle, letting out a short groan and touching her forehead.

“Ugh…”

Is her head hurting?

How much pain is she in?

To look that sick, it must be something like a brain hemorrhage, right?

“Wait, what if it’s actually a brain hemorrhage?”

Should I approach her?

No, I’d just be in the way.

What could I possibly do for her?

I can’t help someone in that much pain when I don’t even understand it.

I just prayed the paramedics would arrive soon.

I prayed they’d save this frail, sickly girl.

Did my prayers work?

A siren blared outside.

“Where’s the patient?”

“That’s her!”

“Me?”

The first paramedic’s face hardened upon seeing her.

“We might’ve missed the golden hour. Rookie, grab the stretcher! You, set up the oxygen mask and prep for CPR. Move!”

At the team leader’s orders, everyone moved in sync.

The girl, startled by their approach, started saying something but then began seizing.

“Let go! I’m not sick! I’m not a patient!”

To calm her, a paramedic injected something into her arm, and she went limp.

Did she come here to feel a moment of freedom?

Maybe I took that away from her.

But I wanted her to live longer.

“I hope she survives… I hope she comes back to the store healthy.”

If she returns healthy, I’ll give her a banana milk.

I prayed as I watched her leave, though I don’t believe in gods.

Today will stick with me forever.

Saving a life?

I think I’ll sleep well tonight.