READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 1
Accidents happen out of the blue, they say.
I was just walking on the crosswalk when a massive truck hit me. And I was crossing on a green light, no less!
From there, things went along a typical plotline.
As if it were some sort of joke about trucks transporting people to other worlds, when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a completely different realm.
And in an unfamiliar body, at that.
Naturally, I had to figure out where in the world I’d ended up and how to survive.
I didn’t expect to live a smooth life like in a comic or a novel.
But at the very least, I wanted to avoid getting tangled up in problems as much as possible.
I tried to act cautiously, but I ended up facing trouble way sooner than I thought.
The culprit? My looks.
Even though I was just a little girl, my strikingly good looks caught people’s attention.
At first, it wasn’t so bad.
Being a child made people feel sympathetic, and having a pretty face made it easy to gain affection.
But for someone like me, with not a single dime in my pocket and no clue how to survive…
People reached out to me with goodwill.
At first glance, you might think this wouldn’t be a problem.
But boy, was I wrong.
“Hey kid, do you want to try working in this line of business? With you, our store will definitely…!”
“Kid, it’s dangerous to wander around here alone. Come with me, little one.”
“Hey, what are you all staring at? Hurry up and catch that kid over there! It’s gonna make us a ton of money!”
They threw me flirtatious glances everywhere I went, trying to drag me to strange places and grab hold of me.
People clung to me to the point that it became a nuisance.
On unlucky days, there were times I got caught and ended up in dangerous situations.
Of course, I always managed to escape somehow, but…
“Even now, it’s really terrifying to think about.”
Anyway, because of that, I started hiding my face and moving around different places.
And I began to learn about this world.
First of all, this wasn’t the Earth I used to live in.
It resembled Earth, but it was a far more dangerous realm.
A city built on magic and advanced technology.
Inside the city, not only humans but various races coexist.
On the surface, it might seem like a decent place to live, but like any dystopian future, it was riddled with extreme individualism and a moral compass that had long since become meaningless.
It was a grim world.
With problems erupting left and right, the city’s security was predictably at rock bottom.
In a world so chaotic that it wouldn’t be surprising to see it collapse overnight.
It felt absurdly contrived, like I had stepped into a web novel or a manga.
“What could I have possibly done in my past life to end up reincarnated in this dangerous world? Just thinking about it makes my teeth chatter.”
But what could I do?
Even though I drew the short stick, I wasn’t foolish enough to end my life.
Of course, living in such a perilous world as a child like me was no easy feat.
I came across a few kids around my age, but whenever I went to check on them, they soon disappeared without a trace.
I trembled with anxiety, worrying if I’d vanish too.
But thankfully, it didn’t take long before I realized I had a special power.
And I learned to use that ability freely to survive.
“What the hell?! Who are you? Which organization sent you?!”
“I’ll give you as much money and women as you want, just spare my life… Gahhh!”
“The Grim Reaper has appeared! Everyone run!”
As I wandered around trying to live comfortably, I somehow became one of the heads of a crime organization.
I just wanted to keep a low profile.
*sobs*
◆
In a tiny building long devoid of human warmth, I found an assortment of items that could only be described as trash neatly organized.
Belongings deserted by people, but I carefully selected usable items from the junkyard.
I collapsed on a worn-out sofa in the corner.
This creepy abandoned building served as my base. Since it was ownerless, no one would mind me using it.
“There’s no electricity or heating, which is definitely a downside.”
You might wonder why I live in such a place when I could easily find somewhere better with my abilities.
But first, I’m an undocumented immigrant stuck in this other world with no way to prove my identity.
Naturally, suspicious folks like me can’t find legitimate work.
Of course, I could find jobs in the shadows. The issue is, they’re often inappropriate for someone my age.
In the end, I chose to rob an assortment of bad people.
I snagged cash and valuable items and sold them through a fence.
With the money I made, I secured myself a nice little house and decorated it with pricey items.
But I had to give up that cozy home eventually.
The reason?
Various factions started sniffing around.
I defended my turf and fought them off time and again, but I love peace and prefer to stay quiet.
A life full of fighting feels empty. So, I was the one who gave up and moved to another hideout.
And that’s how I ended up here.
An abandoned trash heap with no one around.
Reflecting on my past mistakes, I’m now more cautious, trying to accumulate money wisely.
“Although, there are certainly much easier ways to make money than this.”
Rumors about me circulate in the city.
People call me the “Grim Reaper.”
That nickname emerged from my escapades.
And it certainly doesn’t carry a good connotation.
In simpler terms, it implies that I’m a horrifying and ruthlessly evil villain.
People are so scared of me that they treat it like a sort of urban legend.
In other words, I could create an organization and keep the criminals under my name as the Grim Reaper.
At least then I could lounge around on piles of cash like the big crime syndicates.
But no way!
“If I start a gang, I’d inevitably have to get my hands dirty to keep it running.”
I don’t mind if the bad guys croak, but I don’t want to harm the powerless.
Having lived through a peaceful era, I don’t want innocent people getting hurt because of me.
Also,
“It’s bound to be a hassle. I don’t have what it takes to lead anyone. Let alone a group of rotten people. Just imagining it makes me shudder.”
The leader’s position isn’t an easy role to fill.
Especially when I’d have to control and monitor criminals to keep them in check with my own strength.
That would truly be challenging.
Right now, I don’t want to take on inconvenient tasks for the sake of convenience.
And one last thing:
“Who would follow someone like me? I’d probably just attract enemies from all directions.”
Right now, I’m just a little girl.
If anyone discovers that the fearsome Grim Reaper is actually a child…
They’d be drooling and rushing at me.
I trust in my power, but I can’t guarantee that I can handle every enemy.
That’s why, to avoid looking weak in front of others,
I’m intentionally wandering around wearing frightening armor and a helmet.
You might think I could just run the organization in that armor, but that would be tough, so I’m not about that life.
Anyway, for those reasons, even though it’s uncomfortable, I endure it.
I’m living just fine, really.
Once I got used to it, everything was manageable.
◆
While counting the coins on the ceiling, I suddenly remembered something important that I had almost forgotten.
“Oh right! I was about to forget that.”
I got up from the sofa and headed toward the old mini fridge in the corner.
This fridge operates without power and functions quite uniquely, adjusting its own temperature according to the contents.
It was something I salvaged from the trash.
Unlike other items, this is something I genuinely need, so I kept it for my own use rather than selling it.
When I opened the fridge, it was stuffed with various desserts.
Castella, strawberry cake, chocolate cake, pudding, macarons—there were too many to even count.
These were desserts I bought with the money I made, stored away to enjoy later.
“I used to avoid sweets since they made my stomach turn.”
I might just have developed a taste for them because of my body’s influence.
Hehe.
Just looking at them makes my mouth water.
I wiped my drooling mouth with my slender arm.
My craving for sweets swelled, so I pinched my round cheeks to snap myself out of it.
Desserts are reserved for lunch and dinner—one each.
Having devoured today’s allowance, I’d have to wait until tomorrow to indulge again.
But today was a special day.
While rummaging through the desserts, I picked one that caught my eye.
Chocolate muffin!
You’re the chosen one!
I closed the fridge and sat down with the chocolate muffin, glancing around.
I spotted a branch lying on the floor and picked it up.
I trimmed it down a bit to form a tiny “I.”
Once completed, I stuck it right in the center of the chocolate muffin.
That’s it, preparations complete.
I used my powers just a smidge to ignite a small blue flame at my fingertip.
Then, I brought my finger to the tip of the branch.
Whoosh.
The blue flame drove away the darkness within the building. A soft glow enveloped the space, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Alright, let’s get started.
I took a deep breath and thought to myself,
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.”
A poignant song, cleansing all the dirt away, echoed softly in my heart.
It isn’t actually my birthday. It’s just a day that holds significant meaning for me. The day I opened my eyes in this world.
Each year, I remember that day and celebrate it as the years tick by.
Every night, I prepare a cake, light a candle, and sing.
There was supposed to be a specially made cake, but due to the organization’s conflicts, the bakery got caught up in it, boo hoo.
Anyway, at first, all of this stemmed from a dream to return to my original world.
However, having celebrated this day for the tenth time now, that wish hasn’t come true.
Maybe I’ll still welcome the morning in this place today while making another wish.
I always ponder.
Why do I have memories from my previous life? Why did I wake up in the body of a child?
Perhaps it’s due to something special, or there might be no reason at all.
It’s all a mystery.
Though I’m not a fan of it, I’m living in this world.
And so, my wish has long since changed.
I hope to be able to indulge in sweet desserts until my belly is stuffed.
To live through tomorrow without any events unfolding.
To discover the meaning behind my awakening in this place someday.
Even in a world filled with despair, I hope that what awaits me in the end is hope.
Please, let me find a happy conclusion.
I wished earnestly.