The crying sound of the monster spread quietly across the silent land.
The man quietly stretched out his hand, reaching for the sword that had been resting on the sofa.
Recently, monsters had begun to appear, even emerging near the residence.
It was all because the so-called “transmigrator” had vanished from here for no apparent reason.
A sharp glint flashed across the man’s expressionless face.
He gripped the sword tightly in his hand.
It didn’t matter how often the monsters appeared, if one showed up, he would wipe it out.
What the man sought was not just trivial monsters.
“If the transmigrator returns…”
He rose from the sofa.
His footsteps echoed with unwavering determination as he walked through the corridor, untouched by moonlight.
He gazed into the darkness at the end of the path and made a silent vow.
“If I catch her, I’ll have to put a leash on her.”
“Eek.”
The moment I opened my eyes, I was startled to find my reflected self and instinctively held my breath.
‘Dang, so pretty…’
There was a strange harmony in the small face, just enough space for the eyes and nose.
The eyes were so large and round, it was easy to wonder if they looked unnatural, as if they had been widened on purpose.
The nose was small and gently curved, and even without makeup, the lips always seemed to carry a soft, natural pink.
If the bare face of celebrities had ever been seen in real life, this must have been what it felt like to witness one.
While the eyes remained fixed, unable to look away, Miss Layla, who had been watching while holding some documents, finally spoke.
“You seem to have an ordinarily pretty face. But if the hair and eyes are highlighted with vivid colors, the result will be something even more beautiful.”
“What?”
Ordinary? To me, it already looked like an idol or a goddess.
“Let me show you the color chart.”
A booklet filled with hair color samples opened before my eyes.
I’d seen similar ones at salons, but this was different, much more extensive.
I carefully placed the chart on my lap and flipped through it with intense focus, more than I’d ever had even when studying.
Would an unusual color like pink or red suit me better?
But to pull off the kind of glamorous dresses seen in romance novels,
something less flashy might actually be better.
I opened a page filled with sparkling, golden tones.
Names like ‘Summer Sunshine’, ‘A Spoon of Fresh Lemon Drop’, and ‘The Winked Sunflower’ were printed in bold.
As I hesitated over the chart, Miss Layla returned, wheeling a tray filled with lenses.
“I have prepared ones you can try on immediately if you find a color you like.”
The tray reached all the way to her waist, and behind the other two trays, several more were waiting.
Momentarily dazed by the vibrant colors, I closed my eyes and took a long breath before speaking.
“I’ve made my choice.”
“Oh my! Already? But there are still so many colors I haven’t shown you!”
I smiled faintly and opened my eyes.
Carefully, I chose a hair color that wouldn’t stand out too much, something fitting for a side character, someone who wasn’t meant to draw attention.
“For the hair… I’ll go with ‘A Sand Melting in Moonlight’.”
“Yes, yes.”
“And for the eyes… blue, mixed with a hint of pale gray. That kind of color.”
Even though I wanted to follow the classic setup of a character in a typical romance fantasy novel, with gold hair and sapphire eyes, I didn’t want a flashy color that would catch too much attention.
Because I’m a side character.
After hearing my choice, Miss Layla turned back to the tray and searched for the right lenses.
“You mean sand-colored hair touched by sunlight, and eyes of pale grayish blue that hold the moonlit sea, right?”
“Yes…? I didn’t describe it in that much detail, but…”
Slightly flustered, I began to mumble, and Layla replied in a cheerful tone.
“It’s exactly the same as the original setting! How did you know?”
“What?”
Apparently, my personal preference matched that of a side character exactly.
I felt relieved, and a little ridiculous.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit too ordinary? You could go for something flashier if you’d like.”
I shook my head at Layla’s suggestion.
“I like it just the way it is.”
After all, I’m just going to stay at home, the only one who’ll see that face is me, anyway.
As I stood still, unsure of how to react, Layla took a bottle of hair essence from a glass case and applied it to my hair.
Strangely, my dark hair began to lighten from the tips upward, glowing softly as it changed color.
“Let’s change your eyes now!”
As I stared up at the ceiling, Layla opened several vials of solution and began preparing the lenses.
“All done!”
As I lowered my chin to look at the mirror, I saw someone staring back at me like they were seeing it for the first time.
The hair shimmered in sun-kissed, sand-colored tones, as if sprinkled with stardust.
Those eyes resembled a full moon, pale and deep, like the moon drenched in a drop of seawater.
Staring at this transformed version of myself, I nearly glued my nose to the mirror. Noticing my reaction, Layla smiled and spoke brightly.
“Now, let’s go to the dressing room.”
So there was still more to do.
Even though choosing hair and eye colors hadn’t taken long, I was already feeling slightly overwhelmed.
Noticing my flustered expression, Layla pointed at my attire.
“Honeybee…”
Oh my God.
I shot to my feet like I’d been electrocuted.
“Looks like your first scene takes place in a bedroom. Let me show you some sleepwear.”
As a pro-level homebody who took pajamas seriously, I had a firm philosophy.
The fabric must stay soft—even after surviving countless spins in the washer.
Even if the dryer shrinks it, it should still be roomy enough.
And absolutely no laces or frills that fall off after one wash.
Personally, I preferred cute patterns or plaids over dull solid colors.
The only thing that met all my criteria was a well-stretched cotton tee, but…
Would a well-stretched cotton tee really be okay for a noble Lady?
“Your character setup is a Lady from a Count’s household with modest wealth. This way, please.”
Anna, the staff member in charge of costumes led me to the next area.
Even the dressing room was impressively elegant, with each changing station clearly arranged by rank.
Passing rows of high-quality golden wardrobes, I was guided to one made of luxurious, dark-toned wood that glowed softly under the lights.
The moment the closet doors swung open, lace and frills practically exploded out like a burst of spring.
‘Why are there so many types?’
Layla and Anna rushed to the wardrobe.
They flipped through the clothes with such speed and energy that the rustling sounded like a chorus of flapping wings. Their hands moved so fast they were practically a blur.
Before I knew it, a mountain of clothes had piled up in their arms.
“Let’s start by trying this on.”
As I stepped into the fitting room and reached out to receive the clothes, I was caught off guard when the honeybee pajamas were suddenly pulled over my head.
“Aargh!”
What was I even wearing underneath? Before I could figure it out, a lightweight dress made of gossamer silk slipped over me.
Before I had time to process the sensation, the two of them had already pushed me in front of the mirror.
Wait, was privacy not a thing here? I was just about to protest when.
“Oh? It’s… pretty, though?”
A dumbfounded sound escaped my lips.
The soft silk gown was airy and moved easily with my body. It felt just right to me.
But clearly, Layla and Anna didn’t think the same.
Without missing a beat, they spoke in perfect unison.
“It’s too plain.”
Before I could even say anything, they were already pulling a second nightgown over my head.
…Could you please just let me transmigrate already?
I’d lost count of how many outfits I’d tried on.
Sinking deep into the sofa in the dressing room, I just blinked at the ceiling in exhaustion.
For someone used to online shopping only, an in-person fitting session was overwhelming.
Shopping while lying down at home was the best…
While I stood there awkwardly, Layla and Anna were energetically debating the merits of several outfits I had tried on.
“Certainly, I think going with elegance is the best.”
“Nope. She’s just come of age, looking fresh is a must!”
I really didn’t want to get dragged into their heated argument.
As I quietly looked around, something in the display case caught my eye.
I hadn’t given accessories much thought, but a bracelet happened to catch my eye.
I walked over to the case and picked it up.
It wasn’t made of anything particularly rare or dazzling, but the stone embedded in it held a subtle hue that matched my eyes, something about it felt quietly charming.
I turned to the two and said,
“I’ll go with one of the simpler pajamas I tried on earlier. But… could I take just this bracelet?”
The moment I spoke, both Layla and Anna lost all interest in the dresses and turned to look at the bracelet.
“Oh my, that’s a Moonstone…”
Layla, who had been chatting in a bright voice, suddenly trailed off. I tilted my head in confusion.
“What? Am I not allowed to take the Moonstone?”
My question made Layla and Anna exchange a brief, somber glance.
“…It’s not that. But that’s a magic stone.”
“It has protective powers, so in the original story it was meant to be…”
Layla trailed off again, but before she could finish, a knock came at the dressing room door.
“Oh, looks like time’s up.”
As the knocking outside continued, I stepped out, the dress and bracelet I’d chosen, had now, by default, become my final choice.
As I stepped outside, the manager who had been waiting began to explain.
“Once you pass through this door, your memories of this place will be erased, and the transmigration will begin.”
I instinctively nodded, and a staff member approached, handing me a small book.
“Please be careful not to lose this. You won’t be able to get a reissue of the guidebook.”
“…Yes.”
I truly had no energy left to respond properly.
The manager opened the door.
I was ready to run.
Just beyond the door, bed waiting.
As I stepped through, a bright light exploded behind my eyelids.
The strength drained from my body, and I let my eyes fall shut.
Somewhere deep within the palace stood an altar.
Atop it, a massive magic stone suddenly began to glow, then rose slowly into the air.
A young boy named Sigean, who had been quietly sweeping around the altar, jumped in surprise at the sudden radiance and dropped his broom.
“Sir, Sir Knight!”
Before he could finish the call, a knight burst into the chamber, his eyes widening at the light blazing above.
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