The Nature of Possession – Chapter 1

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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When I was young, pigeons were closer to true birds.

The kind of animal that would flutter away if you got too close, impossible to catch.

But perhaps due to industrialization, these things gradually bulked up, and now, even if you approach them, they just stay put like they’re in siege mode, something that merely resembles a bird.

Their feathers have turned pitch black and dirty, like some monstrous thing pecking at pancakes someone slapped onto the street overnight.

Seeing that sight on my early morning commute makes me grateful I haven’t eaten anything yet.

So why am I talking about pigeons?

Because this woman flapping her wings in front of me seems like the final evolution of that goddamn pigeon.

“I’ll assume that was a strong reaction to a sudden situation. However, if you speak rudely to me one more time, I will no longer forgive you…”

“What the fuck, did you inject soy sauce directly into your brain? I died because of you guys, so why should I be the one suffering?”

“I believe I expressed my regret regarding that matter. In truth, this reincarnation is a special privilege for a mortal like yourself…”

“Reincarnation? Hey, what about the life I slaved away at for over 30 years? What about my parents who suddenly lost their son? What are you going to do about them?”

“While it’s a great tragedy for an individual, when considering the grand scale of dimensions, your sacrifice brought stability to the entire dimension. In recognition of that contribution, we highly value your soul and are offering reincarnation…”

I raise my middle finger.

“Fuck off, and bring me back to life.”

“That’s impossible. The balance of the dimensions was maintained using your soul, from the Earth dimension, as a medium.”

“Oh really? And you’re so goddamn proud of it?”

“…So, to continue where we left off, as compensation, we intend to place your soul in the dimension of your choosing.”

Damn, she just doesn’t get it.

The pigeon, after gauging my reaction, continues speaking.

“Do you have a place in mind? Others have already chosen where they want to be reincarnated. I’ll give you the list, so please choose.”

A densely written scroll is handed to me.

There are so many.

Besides where I lived, there really are many other worlds.

But so what?

You killed someone living peacefully for the sake of dimensional stability, and the only compensation you offer is reincarnation into a different dimension?

They probably think they’re being incredibly generous.

These guys are the privileged ones.

They’ve always been in a position of power, so they don’t know how it feels to be powerless.

Then it’s my duty to make them understand exactly how I feel.

“Oh, there’s a good place. I’ll go here.”

“I’m glad you found a place you like. Please tell me the dimension you desire, and I will send you there. There will be a brief entrance interview with the god of that dimension, but it’s merely a formality, so you don’t need to worry too much about it.”

“Your mom’s dimension. I’ll go there.”

“……”

*Snap*

I hear something break.

The surroundings began to tremble, and a shimmering heat haze started to rise.

Ah, I pissed her off.

I thought she’d be emotionless, being a god and all.

“I see. Since there is no dimension you desire, I shall choose for you. In the name of Lanael, 3rd Class Dimensional Management God, I declare: Kang In-ho, your soul will traverse multiple dimensions. Until you find a dimension you desire, you shall journey through infinite dimensions.”

A pillar of light appears beneath my feet.

Oh… classic effect. Just by looking at it, I feel like I’m being transported somewhere.

The light grows stronger.

“Your profile says you want to be a man popular with the opposite sex, so I shall grant your wish. I hope you live well, loved to death by the opposite sex.”

“Eat this. Live well, you bitch.”

As I give her the finger, the pigeon’s face scrunches up.

Then, my vision went dark for a moment.

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I woke up in a dark and damp place.

A sticky, foul smell slowly seeped into my nose.

“What the…”

A voice as rough as sandpaper.

Parched lips, a burning throat; it seems I haven’t had water in a while.

“He… Hehe… In-ho, you’re awake? I, I thought you might have died… so I was going to follow you…”

A body tied to a chair.

A woman, with crazed eyes, holding a kitchen knife to her own throat.

The words the pigeon spoke before I came here faintly came to mind.

“[I hope you live well, loved to death by the opposite sex.]”

“Fuck. I’m screwed.”

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