Chapter 4: Contracts, Penalties, and a Sandwich

Facing reality, my mind grew cold.

My current balance is roughly 200 million won.

“Living frugally, I could stretch it for a few years, but living my whole life on 200 million? Impossible.”

An unexpected accident would shorten that time even more.

I need to think of ways to earn money.

What are my options?

Streaming?

I lack the wit to handle toxic chats or the charm to entertain viewers.

Success would be tough.

“What’s the point of a good face and figure? The moment I turn on a camera, I’d be dragged to a hospital.”

The second I show my face, people would probably call 119.

Just yesterday and today, almost everyone who looked at me pulled out their phones.

“So streaming’s out. Realistic options are part-time jobs or stocks.”

A part-time job won’t work.

I’d likely get reported while dealing with customers, ending up in a hospital.

Stocks?

I know nothing about this world, so that’s a pass.

Eliminating options one by one, only one idea remained.

“A concept café…?”

The worst possible choice was all I had left.

“No way. I’d rather die than flirt with guys or call them ‘oppa.’”

[But what if that’s your only way to make money?]

“There’s got to be other ways. Let me think a bit more.”

No matter how much I need money, there’s a line I won’t cross.

If it came to that, I’d rather bite my tongue and die.

[When did you start caring about your life? There’s always studying to succeed.]

“Studying’s not worth it. Takes too long.”

In my old world, I might’ve tried, but this world’s different.

Even if it’s similar, I don’t know the differences.

“…I’ll think about it for a few days.”

My body was screaming with exhaustion, so I decided to sleep on it.

*

“We meet again.”

“What?”

I was sure I fell asleep, so why is the god sitting there, sipping coffee?

Confused, I looked at my body—it was my old, male self.

“Did I die again?”

“No, you didn’t.”

The god set down the coffee cup.

“I made time to tell you a few things about living in that body. It’ll be a long talk, so sit.”

I pulled a chair to the table and listened.

“You must have questions, but I don’t have much time. I’ll summarize.”

He pulled out two sheets of paper and showed them to me.

“First, as I said, this world is similar to yours but doesn’t interact with other dimensions.”

“Interact?”

“Like isekai, reincarnation, or possession. That’s interaction.”

If there’s no interaction, how am I here?

Before I could ask, the god continued.

“You’re a special case. No time to explain why, so let’s focus on what’s urgent.”

He handed me one of the papers.

“There are conditions for living in this world. Read carefully.”

“What happens if I don’t sign?”

“You’ll face penalties. This contract offsets some of this dimension’s penalties.”

I read the conditions carefully.

1. You cannot speak about your past life in any way.

2. Speaking about your past life incurs a penalty.

3. You may use past-life knowledge, but sharing it with others is strictly forbidden. Violating this incurs double the penalty.

4. Regarding point 3, adding your own creativity is judged case-by-case.

All the conditions were about my past life.

In a world with no interaction, talking about reincarnation could cause problems.

“No hidden fine print, right?”

“Nope. I’m not a devil. Why would I do that?”

“Last time, you seemed pretty devilish.”

“Ahem, sign it. We’ve got more to discuss.”

The god coughed to change the subject.

Seeing no tricks, I signed.

The contract turned into particles of light and vanished.

“Time’s short, so listen up.”

The god quickly explained the important stuff.

“Laws, rules, and morals—you’ll learn them by experience. First, why you’re a woman.”

“The thing I’m most curious about.”

“To be precise, you’re basically possessing a body. I stuffed you into an empty shell.”

“What does that mean?”

“Even gods can’t interfere with a soul tied to a living body. That’s taboo. But putting a soul into an empty shell? That’s doable. That’s your current state.”

Wait, so he could’ve put me in a male body?

“Then… you could’ve put me in a man’s body?”

“Yep. But, as I said, I’m not changing it.”

The god grinned and changed the topic.

“That’s not important now. That body likely has a family.”

“You want me to find them?”

“Your choice, but they’ll probably find you.”

The god glanced at a wristwatch, said time was up, and bid farewell.

“Time’s up. Look forward to next time.”

“When’s next time?”

I wanted an answer, but he vanished into particles of light.

My eyes opened.

“…A dream?”

No way it’s a dream after all these crazy events.

Penalties, huh?

What penalties have I faced so far?

“Now that I think about it, everything feels like a penalty. Ugh, I’m hungry.”

Grrrrr…

I hadn’t eaten properly for almost a day, so of course I’m starving.

Hunger sharpening my nerves, I made a quick decision.

“Eating too heavily on an empty stomach might upset it. I’ll grab a sandwich now and eat heartily at lunch.”

I opened a delivery app on my phone, ordered a sandwich, and waited, thinking about the god’s penalties.

The penalty triggers if I speak about my past life…

“I! In my past life, was a ma—”

That’s when it hit.

“Cough… Urgh…”

My heart ached, my throat felt blocked, and when I coughed, a bit of blood stained my hand.

[Pretty bold, testing the contract right away.]

“…Don’t I need to know what the penalty is?”

Wiping the blood from the floor and my mouth, I asked the god.

“If I break the contract, won’t my body keep getting worse?”

[True. Normally, the penalty is vomiting blood and dying.]

…What?

[Remember the settings? Your body’s condition of ‘no minor ailments, long life’ means penalties are temporary. Don’t worry.]

“That makes me worry more.”

[Who’s dumb enough to keep making life-threatening mistakes? Relax.]

Fair point.

*

While talking with the god, the doorbell rang.

Ding-dong~♪

“Coming~”

The moment I opened the door, the delivery guy froze in shock.

“Uh…?”

“Oh.”

I forgot to wear a mask.

I don’t even have one.

Seeing him reach for his phone, I grabbed his arm.

“Hey, I’m fine, no need to call 119. I’m really not sick, okay?”

His face hardened, and he whispered,

“If you’re in trouble at home, blink.”

What the hell is he talking about?

Confused, I blinked at him.

He looked like he’d made a big decision, handed me the sandwich, and got on his bike.

“I’ll… definitely help you.”

“Help with what? Explain!”

I tried to stop him, but he sped off, leaving me dumbfounded.

“Whatever, nothing’s gonna happen, right?”

I’m not sick, so what’s he helping with?

Pushing the delivery guy out of my mind, I took the sandwich from the bag and said cheerfully,

“I’ll savor each bite.”

But my body didn’t listen, and I took a huge bite.

Chomp.

“Delicious!”

My first proper meal in three days brought immense joy.

But it didn’t last.

“Police! Open the door!!!”

“…?”

What the f*ck is this now?