episode_0101

“Agh- damn it-”

Wow, I jumped.

I almost literally ascended to heaven from the shock.

Honestly, anyone would react the same in this situation. This time, I *wanted* this to happen, but it was still chilling.

Seeing my body with my own two eyes.

Light brown hair fluttering below the shoulders.

A shirt puffed up so tight, it looked like it would burst at any moment.

Long, thick eyelashes densely lining the tightly closed eyes.

A pretty girl whose appearance would keep teenage boys up at night.

It’s not common—no, it’s simply not normal—to see your own physical body, not through a mirror.

It *was* a strange experience, but…

I couldn’t ignore this sensation.

A single soul, freed from the body, freely wandering the world beyond the essence of mana.

I wanted to run and brag about this to my childhood friend, whose dream was to be an eagle.

I remembered Nix’s words—how, having lived as a spirit for their entire life, only existing in the cracks of the world, they felt overwhelming joy when finally able to set foot on the ground.

How the more they learned about humans, the more frustrated they became about not having hands and feet.

I didn’t understand that. We’ve always felt this comfortable and sweet sensation as naturally as breathing; we must have been spoiled.

If I could feel this way for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t return to my body—

‘…Then I wouldn’t be able to have sex.’

—I decided not to dwell on impulsive thoughts.

Anyway.

So, I flew around the training grounds like a bird for a while, when suddenly my body caught my eye.

What’s happening there? Is it even alive?

Suddenly worried, I quickly cut through the wind and returned to my body’s side.

Thump- thump-

Hsss- Whoosh-

Thankfully, my heart was beating and I was breathing. Only my consciousness was out here.

‘…Can I move it?’

I stared intently at my hand resting quietly on my folded knees. I wondered if I could move the physical body along with the spirit body.

As I slowly tried to sense my body…

Whoaaaaaat—!!

“…!!”

I was back in my body.

Click- click-

Squish-

I flexed and extended my fingers, touched here and there; it was a perfectly healthy body. I slowly began to understand this phenomenon.

‘If I focus on the spirit body, I can separate, and if I focus on the physical body, I return.’

It seemed like it was happening due to my insufficient training.

It would be as difficult as moving each eyeball separately, but if I train to focus on both spirit and physical body in the future…

Moving them simultaneously wouldn’t be a dream. There are people whose eyeballs move independently, after all.

Crack—!

My clenched fist felt stronger than before, as if I’d poured more strength into it.

“…Must be my imagination.”

There was something more important.

Why did I start this foolish endeavor? There was a reason.

Swish—

My mother’s magical stone, taken from my bosom, shone brighter than ever.

It didn’t send a separate ‘echo of the soul,’ but I think I understand the meaning of this pure white light now.

This is an item left to me by a woman named ‘Leah Flora.’

And within it, there is a mother who barely maintained her bloodline after living for an eternity.

A young girl whose soul is so strong it hasn’t faded in a mere thousand years, a consistently cheerful, impetuous girl.

Waiting for me, she yearns for my return.

“I’m going now.”

A pure white glow flickered, and a smile formed.

…

…

…

“…It’s a familiar ceiling.”

Of course I recognize it.

The two years I regret most in this life. Turning my back on this bleak world without a single confidant and wasting my precious youth in bed.

Those lonely times, when the feeling of my own inadequacy drove me to madness.

The ceiling of my room I saw so much during that time.

The bed and blankets were still cozy, and every time the warm sunlight and gentle breeze touched my skin, I felt unwilling to get up.

But the sweeter something is, the more likely it is to cause tooth decay.

Because of this alluring comfort, the two selves within me agonized and fought fiercely.

The weaker self who wanted to give up, and the passionate self who couldn’t simply stand by and watch.

And that’s how I became who I am now.

Forgetting yesterday, which was comfortable yet uneasy, if I live today slightly uncomfortably, tomorrow will be even sweeter. I, who realized this truth,…

Grin—

I slowly lifted the blankets and got out of bed.

And I slowly walked toward the person who’d been waiting for me at the table by the window.

Thump—

“I’m a little late, am I?”

She was quietly looking at something. A laurel wreath, bathed in the morning sun, shone shyly.

Swish—

Her hair, the same dark and fine color as mine, cascaded beneath it.

Fingers as delicate and lovely as a child’s—the kind that would possess the entire world and then feign innocence.

She gently looked up at me, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Grin—

“Have a seat, for now.”

Her warm smile, with eyes that crinkled like a sunset, comforted me both physically and mentally. And although it was our first meeting, I strongly felt like “I’ve come home.”

Creak—

I quietly pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.

‘…What should I say?’

Sitting across from her and looking at her face, I felt so awkward and embarrassed, I even had trouble saying my first words.

I nervously brushed my bangs and tidied my clothes, then gently wiped my cheeks and mouth with the back of my hand to check if anything was on them.

And then I slowly lowered my head.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mother.” “Nice to meet you too, hehe.”

I didn’t know her name, but I felt the strong scent of a familiar flower in her voice.

“Did you receive the gifts I left you?” “Ah…yes. Right, those suspiciously abundant gold coins—” “Yes, you correctly guessed my intention, didn’t you?”

…I haven’t even begun to speak yet.

As if she already knew all my thoughts and intentions, she answered before the question.

“Don’t make such a scary expression. It’s a waste of your pretty face.” “Ah, no… it’s…”

Honestly, I’m quite flustered.

It’s true I made every effort to find her to meet my mother. But the purpose and passion were actually very vague.

I hadn’t considered what to say or what expression to make.

It was harder to open my mouth than I’d thought.

But that was only for a moment.

“Who did you inherit this beautiful face from…”

She rested her elbows on the table and propped up her chin with her hand, looking drowsy.

I suddenly remembered seeing my body in its spirit form, and Mother actually resembles me quite a bit.

It’s not just in appearance but also in innate mannerisms and small habits.

That’s why my usual playful response came out casually.

“From Mother?” “Hehe. You’re a smooth talker.”

Slight smile—

It was a faint smile that would vanish in the blink of an eye, but I liked it a great deal.

It was comfortable and warm and… and…

It was simply wonderful, beyond words.

“You seem to have a lot of questions, but first…Won’t you tell me about Nari’s story?”

I wanted to keep this smile safely tucked in a corner of my heart, precious and irreplaceable. I wanted to reflect even a fragment of that smile on my own face and, stroking my reddened cheeks, I slowly lifted my face.

Trying my best to smile brightly, I nodded.

“Yes… heh- ”

For some reason, hot tears streamed down my cheeks.

…

The story went on and on.

Just like books finding their places on a shelf, my words flowed smoothly toward Mother; my prepared story seemed to have anticipated its destination.

She nodded thoughtfully, sometimes wiping away tears quietly while we talked.

When I told her something happy and funny, she would get childishly excited.

“…Actually, don’t you already know everything? Like, you’ve been watching me from somewhere.” “But still, I wanted to hear it. Nari telling me the story herself.” “Heh…”

Each and every word was the exact thing that I wanted to hear. She said all the things I wanted to hear. I felt my ears opening even wider than normal, not wanting to miss a single word in our conversation.

“Well, Nari’s my daughter, after all. I know all your thoughts very well.” “Even though we just met today?” “The time we’ve spent together doesn’t matter. The most important thing is how close our souls are.”

I kind of get it now. Though I spent a lot of time with Yuri, we were only ordinary friends before our soul kiss.

I also learned from experience that our relationship truly deepened after overcoming a challenge and understanding each other’s souls.

“Then…since I’ve heard a good story. I too have a mountain of things to tell you.” “I’m ready.”

Hehe—

A melodious laugh brushed my ears.

My mother gently looked out at the garden outside the window.

“It seems Nari’s name has been properly passed on.” “Yes?” “I gave you your name. It’s from a flower I love. You know, right?”

My heart felt warm. The name I always held so proudly was given to me by Mother.

I stood up straighter than usual.

But…

“A flower… I’ve never heard of such a flower name—” “A lily. In pure Korean, it’s called Nari.” “……?”

It didn’t take long to understand the meaning.

But I found it hard to accept the conclusion in my head.

My expression, reflected in Mother’s eyes, was a complete mess.

A burst of intense light enveloped her for a moment and her inner self began to reveal itself, petal by petal.

Black straight hair, round glasses.

On a drab uniform, the name ‘Jung Won’ was neatly written.

A demure figure, her legs demurely pressed together, lightly made up.

…She looks indisputably Korean.

“What did Nari look like in her past lives?”