Not all people are special. Of course, every person has their unique qualities and abilities, but the sheer number of people is too vast, and not all traits can stand out against this backdrop.

  Unremarkableness is also a quality. Jin Woo was the proud owner of such a "virtue." He wasn’t stupid, but calling him intelligent would be a stretch. His appearance was unremarkable (and, according to his peers’ biased opinions, even ugly). He stood out in nothing except his sharp tongue, which, however, he rarely used due to shyness.

  Compared to his peers, he was extremely calm (in their eyes — passive). True to his nature, he preferred reading novels and spent his leisure time alone — friendships didn’t come easily to him.

  Unlike the protagonists of manhwa, his reincarnation wasn’t anything grand. At least, not from the outside...

  =

  After school, Jin Woo pnned to read as usual. A promising new story had recently been released about a slightly unhinged heroine in a dark fantasy setting.

  It was hirious. The protagonist’s behavior was so off the rails that even the members of her "reverse harem" didn’t understand how they ended up in it.

  She was so unrestrained that she skipped the first kiss scene and went straight to the bedroom — and not in chapter 95, but chapter 3! *Chapter 3!*

  Jin Woo got so engrossed that he forgot about his exam failure. Gncing at the clock, he saw the disheartening time — 4 a.m. He had to wake up at 8... With a grimace, he closed his eyes, hoping to drift into the nd of dreams. Or so he thought...

  =

  Jin Woo’s head throbbed. Consciousness slowly returned, repcing the sweetness of oblivion with the agony of a migraine. He zily opened his eyes, trying to orient himself.

  His first instinct was to reach for his phone, but it wasn’t there. Panic began to creep in, but remembering past incidents, he decided to turn on the light first. However, where the switch should have been... there was nothing. Where was the wall?

  A cold drop of sweat trickled down his spine. The situation was becoming surreal. His gaze darted around for clues — and found one: a faint glimmer in the darkness. Jin Woo moved toward the source of light.

  Less than a minute ter, he saw a mirror. But instead of his reflection, it showed a stranger with red hair and... seaweed on his face? Wait a second...

  — Is that me?!

  He touched the "seaweed" — there was no eye beneath it! But how was he seeing then? His skin was unnaturally pink, his eyes wide-set, his body as thin as a model’s. Not a trace of Asian complexion!

  — This isn’t right! — His breathing quickened. His mom wasn’t here. He sobbed unashamedly: who wouldn’t cry in his pce?

  The tears stopped as abruptly as they’d started. Now he sat in utter darkness, trying to collect his thoughts. But the silence was shattered by a voice:

  — Are you my repcement?

  Jin Woo flinched. The mirror no longer reflected him — someone else was there.

  — Don’t panic. I can’t harm you. You’re here because of my contract... A stupid contract. To return, fulfill my dying wish.

  — You dragged me into this hellhole?! — Jin Woo roared. — What right did you have to steal my life?! I had parents, a home...

  — Listen, we don’t have tim...

  — Shut up! If you want to talk, knock on this filth! — The reflection vanished, along with everything else.

  =

  Jin Woo woke up in an unfamiliar room. Cozy walls, a soft carpet — everything screamed of someone else’s life. The panic that had gripped his throat moments ago suddenly evaporated, leaving behind heavy apathy. So what? If I open the door, will I go home? If I want, will my body revert? He stared bnkly at the ceiling, not even trying to get up.

  Knock-knock-knock.

  — Is this how Lord Franz greets guests? — a sweet voice sang through the door. — What if I’m a client?

  Jin Woo looked up and gasped:

  — Holy shit... Sophia?!

  The girl frowned but quickly repced her anger with a smile:

  — Lord Franz knows a commoner like me? What an honor! But I don’t recall...

  — Shut up. I need to think! — He paced the room, ignoring her.

  If Sophia’s here, I’m in the novel. But why? That guy in the mirror mentioned a contract...

  — System? — he muttered.

  — Did you say something? — Sophia tilted her head.

  — SHUT UP!

  — Under normal circumstances, I’d apologize, — Jin Woo snapped, turning sharply, — but you barged in uninvited. Where’s the guard? I pay them!

  — Forgive me, Lord Franz, but... do you even have guards? — Sophia covered her mouth with her hand, feigning innocence.

  Bitch, how many more secrets will surface? — fshed through his mind. He remembered: the original Franz was an upstart from the slums.

  — Do you understand the consequences of your words? — he frowned, trying to mimic anger.

  Sophia’s face twitched, but "Schizophrenia" screeched in the corner:

  — Ha! He’s blushing! Sophia, push harder!

  Jin Woo almost jerked toward the voice but caught himself.

  — I... appreciate straightforwardness, — he said through gritted teeth, — but don’t cross the line.

  — Oh, Lord Franz, — Sophia took a step back, — your gre alone could make my knees buckle!

  Nice try, but I saw you kick the hallucination, — he thought smugly, pressing on.

  Suddenly, a translucent interface appeared before Jin Woo’s eyes...

  Name: Sophia Larsen

  Strength: Dangerous (but hides it)

  Speed: Average

  Agility: Above Average

  Intelligence: High (and cunning)

  Magic: "Nasty Assistant" (S+-level hallucination)

  Emotions: Confusion, lust, excitement.

  Recommendation: Do not leave alone with valuables.

  A shrill ugh came from the corner. On the floor sat a hallucination — a ten-year-old girl with horns, a tail, and a devilish costume. This was "Schizophrenia," Sophia’s repcement for the standard "system." Instead of quests and upgrades, it offered lewd advice and screams:

  — Muhahaha! Sophia, it’s Franz! Let’s fuck him and run!

  Jin Woo turned sharply, pretending to look at Sophia while tracking the hallucination in his peripheral vision.

  — Don’t you dare touch my ass, — he grumbled.

  — Oh, Lord Franz, I wouldn’t dare! — Sophia squirmed, but "Schizophrenia" whispered:

  — Steal his underwear! The heart patterns are so cute... — "Schizophrenia" bounced in pce like a wind-up toy. — Do it, and I’ll give you a new skill! You know, the one with five seconds of invisibility?

  Sophia barely held back a sigh. Her "rewards" again... Last time, stealing socks gave me "the ability to sneeze in rhythm with music." But refusing wasn’t an option — the hallucination would throw a tantrum.

  A moment ter, Jin Woo felt an unusual chill around his thighs.

  — Where are my underwear?! — he barked, spotting them in Sophia’s hands.

  — Ever heard of Russian roulette? — he asked coolly, pulling out a revolver. — Get lucky, lose a finger. Unlucky, lose your head.

  — Your "modesty" is suspicious. Prove you’re worth my time.

  — Sophia, he’s dangerous! — "Schizophrenia" suddenly hissed, hiding behind a chair. — Look, his eyes are like that third-rate novel’s psycho! Let’s bail!

  — Quiet, — Sophia whispered, but Jin Woo noticed her fingers trembling.

  Jin Woo’s Inner Thoughts:

  Is she actually scared? Or is this part of her "cunning heroine" act? He swallowed, recalling the book’s plot: Sophia always pyed cat-and-mouse, but her "assistant"... she was unpredictable. If that brat’s freaking out, I’m on the right track.

  — SOPHIA, RUN! — the hallucination shrieked.

  — One, two... — Jin Woo clicked the hammer.

  Click. No shot fired.

  — Congratutions! Prize — five free bullets!

  BANG! BANG! BANG!

  Sophia ducked behind a corner as "Schizophrenia" wailed hysterically:

  — Don’t go near him for a month! No, a YEAR!

  Jin Woo shot the wall, smirking in satisfaction:

  — Learn your lesson, "heroine."