NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: home
I walked through the streets for a while longer, observing everything around me, absorbing every detail of modern South Korea. Every piece of this world screamed "reality," and yet, I knew I was inside something different. Something that Rick, somehow, had done to me.
My legs moved automatically, guided by the memories that now belonged to me. The previous owner of this body… his life, his habits, his routines. All of it was now a part of me.
And then, finally, I stopped in front of a modest house.
Simple. Small. But somehow welcoming.
I crossed the small metal gate leading into the yard and followed a path of white stones cutting through the garden. The space was well-maintained, and a few potted plants lined the entrance, adding a touch of green to the house's discreet façade. The smell of soil mixed with the cold city air made me take a deep breath.
I climbed two small steps to the front door.
Wooden, with a traditional design. My fingers instinctively slid into my pants pocket. The memories told me the keys would be there.
And they were.
I grabbed the small set of keys and fit the correct one into the lock. A soft click echoed as the latch released. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The interior of the house was typically Korean.
The first space was the genkan, the area where shoes had to be removed before stepping onto the main floor. I looked down and saw the previous owner's sneakers there, along with a pair of neatly placed slippers. I followed the custom without thinking too much—took off my shoes and lined them up with the others before stepping onto the light wooden flooring.
The main room was small but functional. The floor was covered with thin rugs, and a kotatsu, that low Japanese table with a blanket attached, occupied the center of the space. Against the wall, a medium-sized TV rested on a minimalist stand. A few bookshelves held books and a couple of discreet decorations. Nothing extravagant. Just the essentials.
I moved to the kitchen, which was integrated into the living area. Small, but well-organized, with modern appliances and custom cabinets. The fridge wasn't large, and a stainless steel sink gleamed under the ceiling's LED light.
There was a side door leading to the house's only bedroom.
I pushed it open and took in the room that now belonged to me.
A simple bed pressed against the wall, with a thin but comfortable mattress. A desk beside it, with a closed laptop and a few stacked books. The wardrobe stood in the corner, small but sufficient for someone living alone. A window let in natural light, covering the space in a soft glow.
It was a modest house, without luxury, but lacking nothing either.
I stood still for a moment, feeling the weight of the situation.
This was my new home.
Not just the house, but this body. This life. This world.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"Alright… I guess it's best to start exploring my new power first."
I dropped onto the bed with a heavy sigh, feeling the thin mattress sink slightly under my weight. The plain white ceiling seemed like an endless void, a space where my thoughts could wander aimlessly.
And like any good transmigrator, there was one thing I needed to do before anything else.
"Status."
My voice echoed softly in the room, but it was enough.
In the air, a translucent screen appeared with a faint blue glow, floating right before my eyes. Its design looked like something straight out of a cyberpunk game—minimalist lines, crisp font, and a subtle holographic effect that gave everything a futuristic touch.
[STATUS]
Titles: /
Name: Charles Lustril
Class: The Gamer
Level: 1 (100/00)
["HP: 100/100"]
Description: HP stands for Health Points. If this number reaches 0, you die.
["MP: 100/100"]
Description: MP stands for Mana Points, or Energy Points. If this number reaches 0, you will no longer be able to use abilities and will feel somewhat exhausted.
[ATTRIBUTES]
Strength: 2
Vitality: 3
Dexterity: 2
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 8
Luck: 9
[ECONOMY]
Free Attribute Points: 0
Dollars: 300
I observed the numbers with a critical look. The sigh I let out this time was pure disappointment.
"What garbage…"
I was weak. Ridiculously weak. And worse, I was level 1.
Of course, I knew how to fix that. Leveling up was the foundation of this world. Training, fighting, learning skills—all of it would make me stronger over time. But what really caught my attention was my class.
The Gamer.
I actually had this power. The same as Han Jee-Han, the protagonist of this world. I could grow without limits, accumulate skills, evolve until I became an absolute monster.
But before I could get too excited about that, one detail stood out.
There was a mirror on the opposite wall.
And my reflection stared back at me.
I slowly turned to get a better look… and the expression on my face twisted into pure disgust.
The image staring at me was pathetic.
A South American, bald at 18, overweight, with an oval face and no distinctive features. I looked like one of those stereotypical nerds from 80s Hollywood movies—the kind of guy who would be a joke for the muscular protagonist.
My jaw tightened. My fists clenched involuntarily.
But then… the feeling vanished.
There were ways to fix this.
Just like my level and attributes, my appearance could also be changed.
I turned back to the screen, this time with determination in my eyes.
"Inventory."
Another verbal command. Another screen appeared.
It was time to see what else I had at my disposal.
I looked at the open screen in front of me, analyzing its contents.
Most of the slots were empty, but one in particular caught my attention.
[INVENTORY]
["1. Rick's Gift for a Shitty South American Nerd"]
[Description]: Your appearance is trash. Please open this gift so I can look at you without wanting to vomit or punch you every second.
[2. Empty]
[3. Empty]
[4. Empty]
[5. Empty]
[6. Empty]
[7. Empty]
…
[999. Empty]
I shook my head in pure disgust.
"Asshole…"
Rick's mockery wasn't subtle at all. It was the same blatant and cruel tone as always. I could almost hear his voice saying those words with that characteristic contempt, as if he was about to spit on the ground after reading them.
But… I had no reason to refuse this gift.
After all, I knew very well that my appearance was a problem. My reflection in the mirror had been enough of a reminder. If there was a way to change that now, I would take it without hesitation.
Besides, Rick was probably watching everything.
And honestly? I didn't care. I had been an observer before—spent countless hours watching Rick and Morty, following that sick mind as he destroyed universes and humiliated anyone who crossed his path.
Now it was my turn to be the experiment.
I sighed and raised my arm.
With the tip of my right index finger, I pressed the item in the first inventory slot.
The screen reacted immediately, trembling slightly as if recognizing my action. But… something strange happened.
Instead of asking if I wanted to activate the item, the screen simply… opened.
Literally.
It was as if the space in front of the slot tore apart, creating a dark, deep hole. And when I instinctively reached inside, my fingers touched something solid and rectangular.
"What the fuck…"
Without thinking too much, I grabbed the object and pulled it out.
My arm emerged from the inventory, and to the surprise of no one, I was holding a white gift box with a red ribbon on top.
I let out another sigh, feeling a mix of irritation and curiosity.
"Let's see what you pulled this time, you bastard…"
I reached for the red ribbon and began to open the gift.
1350 Words
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