Their Plan
After that, the organization stayed quiet for a few days. Fortunately, Daesik didn't seem to raise any suspicions—his subordinates treated him with the same deference as always. But whenever they bowed in greeting, their eyes would flick toward me, tied to the bed, and it felt awfully burdensome. They were probably thinking something like, Is the boss really keeping that woman alive? Not that I blamed them. If I weren't a healer like this, surviving that blood-soaked gang rape—even with treatment—would've meant risking shock death at the slightest complication. Even with tough stamina to endure the torture physically, anyone would've lost their mind. My high mental strength stat helped objectify the horror somewhat, and the pain reduction passive skill I'd picked up kept me from going insane while I watched it all unfold. But if it'd dragged on, I might've killed myself. I'm not strong when it comes to pain.
Still, escaping that nightmare made my current situation feel like a blessing in disguise. Best of all, no need to clock in for work. It felt like getting a vacation after a decade without one. Back then, I'd recharge only on weekends or holidays if I was lucky, squeezing in vacation days while watching the bosses' moods—and rushing back if something blew up. It wasn't just me; every office drone in the 21st century lived like that. Suddenly, I wondered about my real body before possessing this one. It's been a week since I entered it. Did someone else take over my body? Or did I die without knowing, ending up here? Maybe someone kidnapped me and trapped my soul in this form. Or... was the "me" dreaming in that body actually the reality, and this is all some twisted illusion? I should gather Daesik and Hanbyeol and talk it out. They might be busy here, but it's a topic worth discussing. They might've vaguely thought about it too, even if they hadn't said anything—like in those fantasy novels where time flows differently, and you cast some spell to cross dimensions back home. But that was too optimistic. Priority one: adapt to this world.
"Ivy, I need a little help."
Daesik burst into the room after being out and about, busy as ever. He left me here at night, so this must be his private office. I'd woken from naps to see him wrestling with paperwork, so chatting like this felt like ages ago.
"What can I do for you?"
"Looks like I've been working too hard lately—not like the old boss at all. The guys are starting to eye me like I'm sexually frustrated or something."
"Hmm..."
I got the hint. Daesik hadn't laid a finger on me in the past week. When our eyes met by chance, he'd glance away, throat bobbing nervously. My character's design was clearly provocative, no doubt. If he were even a bit more twisted, he could've jumped me, blackmailed me into silence, or worse—killed to cover it up. The fact he hadn't meant he had some baseline morals, or at least calculated that his desires wouldn't outweigh the losses. A max-level mage and priest in his party? No way he'd risk losing that. So this roundabout request for consent was him compromising—considering me while satisfying himself. I could oblige. It wasn't my body anyway, just my character. Though whether he'd accept it if he knew my original self was a guy... that was another matter.
"Can't be helped. Otherwise, your subordinates might doubt if you're the real boss. But the soul in here is a man's— you okay with that?"
"No way to verify who we were in reality anyway. What's it matter? Your opinion counts more, Ivy."
Fair point. Voice changers were everywhere these days; no one would blindly buy "I was a guy" without proof. Easier to accept the body in front of you as the person. Especially without meeting the original.
"If it's necessary, I'll do it. How can I help?"
"I've got a skill to sense when subordinates pass by. When I signal, just... make some noise, you know?"
Shy guy. He could've said "moan" or "scream," but he mumbled instead. No need to tease him into embarrassment, so I nodded.
"Got it. How'll you signal?"
"Got this from Hanbyeol."
Too cumbersome to get up from the bed, so Daesik approached and handed me a round pink stone. He pulled out a switch... anyone could tell what this was.
"Uh... can I even say this?"
"Please don't. It's embarrassing for me too. Anyway, that's the plan. Can't risk words—they might overhear. Just scream when the stone vibrates. My body's previous owner was that brutal, apparently."
"Understood."
Arms bound behind me, I couldn't position the stone myself. As I leaned to grab it with my teeth, Daesik startled and snatched it up instead.
"Sorry, forgot about the bindings..."
"No worries. It's for adapting to this world, right?"
"...I'm ashamed. I'll get us out of this organization ASAP and figure out how to survive here."
"Appreciate it. Speaking of, I wanna talk to Hanbyeol about it too. What happened to our real selves? Stuck here forever? That stuff."
"Ah..."
Daesik's face darkened. Had he given up? Ignored it? Or pondered but found no answers?
"No telling how long we'll be stuck here, so let's make the best of it. When Hanbyeol comes, we'll chat."
"Yeah."
He sighed, then suddenly hit the switch. The pink stone on the bedside table buzzed loudly—way stronger than those videos I'd seen. I stared blankly until I remembered and screamed belatedly.
"Kyaah... agh?"
No real feeling behind it, so it came out awkward. I felt off, and Daesik stared like, What was that?
"Maybe I asked too much."
"No, it's... first time for me too. Practice might help..."
As I stammered excuses, his blunt question hit.
"You're bad at lying too, aren't you, Ivy?"
It stung, like he saw through my pathetic attempt. I shriveled.
"Not great at it..."
No confidence in my voice. Daesik slumped on the sofa, rubbing his forehead.
"Forget it. I'll find another way."
"Sorry..."
"No need to apologize."
Was that pity? My self-esteem hit rock bottom; I couldn't lift my head. Rare depression—back as a newbie, I'd shrug off screw-ups as rookie fire, but mastery made helplessness a distant memory. Experience fixed most messes from a step back, but here, everything was alien for both of us. Too old and jaded for "first times happen." My mistakes could hobble them—or threaten lives. Too sentimental? Hormones from this female body? High mental strength might've held back tears. Realizing it all spun beyond my control deepened the gloom.
Pulling my gaze from Daesik's thoughtful silence, I kept my head down until he turned, startled, waving his hands.
"No, why the long face? Wasn't blaming you—I was brainstorming."
"It's my fault for sucking... Yell at me if you want."
"That's not your image."
His flustered flailing was kinda funny, but I wiped the gloom away. Never enjoyed tormenting others, before or now.
"Anyway, you're a healer. I already told them it'd be a waste to just slave you out, so keep the restraints light and heal subordinates—they'll fall in line."
"We talked about that before. No one's come for heals."
"We'll make the opportunity. Something to spark a show of force. Looks like rival factions are in this city."
"...Risky?"
"Not if we avoid all-out war."
Stir up a skirmish, inevitable casualties—heal them. Simple enough; I nodded.
"That seems doable."
"Good. That's settled. Rest needs more intel from Hanbyeol. Other possessors might be out there—keep that in mind."
hadn't considered it. With me, Daesik, and Hanbyeol here, why not others? Lucky our guild was raid-and-social focused, no PvP grudges. Contacting another gamer for alliance? Smart. I nodded, praising the idea.
Then a knock.
"Boss? That mage kid's here."
"Send her in."
Daesik's face sharpened at the subordinate's voice. Actor in his past life? How'd he switch expressions so fast? Hanbyeol burst in.
"Unnie!"
Ignoring Daesik, she rushed me. She always hugged first on entering. Arms bound, I just rested my chin lightly on her shoulder. The subordinate, catching us warmly then averting awkwardly, stirred odd feelings.
"What's up?"
"Can't visit without reason? Maybe I missed you."
Hanbyeol winked at Daesik, who got it and snapped coldly.
"Out."
"Yes, boss!"
The bowing subordinate left. Hanbyeol's tone turned worried.
"Overheard outside—some prophecy came down. People from another world will sow chaos. They're rounding up anyone talking weird."
"High chance of other possessors, then."
"Yeah. How to contact the captured ones?"
Daesik stroked his chin, then shook his head.
"Too risky. But there's another way."