Threads of Time and Betrayal

A faint voice echoed in the pitch-black void.

"Jun... hee..."

"Kang Junhee!"

Crack.

A sliver of light pierced through the darkness.

Crack. Crack.

The sound grew louder until—shatter! The rough shell around her broke apart, spilling her into an unfamiliar world.

Wide, crimson eyes blinked against the sudden 

brightness. Her tiny hands trembled as she lifted them in front of her face.

"H-Huh?" Her voice was small and unfamiliar. "Whaaaaat??"

Panic surged in her chest as she scrambled out of the broken shell, staring at her reflection in a nearby lake. A five-year-old girl stared back—red eyes like fresh blood, wavy white hair cascading down, pale skin almost translucent under the light.

"...Wow!? Is that me? Oh my goodness, Kang Junhee, what have you done!?"

⸻

Flashback to Her Past Life 

Kang Junhee had been an ordinary college student—black hair, black eyes, an orphan who lived alone. A mathematician in the making, she spent most of her days drowning in numbers, books, and the occasional novel or movie.

That night had been cold and gloomy, perfect for a snack run to the convenience store. She had been on her way back when—

Pain.

It struck like a dagger to the chest.

"Ack—Ahhh, I can't... breathe!"

She gasped, clawing at her throat as darkness swallowed her whole.

⸻

Back to the Present: First Encounter with Humans

Days passed.

Junhee had learned how to find food, how to sleep in caves, and how to survive alone in this unknown place. Until one day—

A voice.

"A kid?" A man's deep voice called out. "What are you doing here?"

Junhee froze. A human. A real, living person!

As she stepped forward from the shadows, the man's eyes widened in shock. Brown-haired, strong-built, and dressed in clothes straight out of a historical drama, he stared at her like she was some kind of mythical creature.

Junhee, equally stunned, thought, Whoaaaa, it's my first time seeing a real person! Look at those clothes—this must be a historical novel world!

Gathering her courage, she stammered, "U-Umm... I-I'm lost, mister. Please help me."

The man blinked, as if still processing the sight of the dirty, white-haired girl before him. Then, without a word, he scooped her up and carried her into the village—Siriam.

Junhee's mouth dropped open. Lively streets, villagers bustling about, merchants selling exotic goods, and—

Green light.

Inside the village clinic, a woman named Serene placed her hands over Junhee's wounds. A warm, green glow emerged, twinkling like stardust as her injuries vanished in an instant.

Junhee's eyes went wide with wonder. "M-Magic??"

The thought slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

"W-Wow!!!"