IBS - Chapter 1

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I was hit on the head by a flowerpot that suddenly fell from the sky. I remember being taken to the hospital like that, but when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a different world, in a different time, having become a different me.

And it wasn't like I had possessed some passing extra or a minor character who would be used once and discarded. 

The person I possessed was Han Sol, the villainous step brother of the sub-male lead, Han Jinheon, from the sensationally hit web novel <How to Capture That Omega>. 

Han Sol was a villain who not only relentlessly pursued the main male lead but also committed all sorts of atrocities just to get some attention, was eventually exiled to America, and furthermore, was neatly disposed of by dying without anyone knowing.

"What should I do…,"

After mulling over the situation for a long time, I sat blankly and sighed. The ordeal that had befallen me was quite perplexing. I was now at a crossroads. Either be neatly ‘disposed of’ in this world, or at least struggle and try to survive.

***

I looked at my face in the mirror on the back of my phone case, mulling over my new identity.

White skin as if sculpted from jade and smoothly wrapped in silk, a small, egg-shaped face. Large eyes with slightly drooping tails, and eyelashes that fell like the bristles of a sorghum broom. A small but prominent nose, and lips with a natural rosy hue that subtly drew one's gaze.

So, the name of this man, whose appearance was so handsome that it made a flower envious, was Han Sol, aged twenty-five, his secondary gender was Beta, and his personality was, without a doubt, trash – a villain who had committed every evil deed mentioned in this web novel.

My original name was Lee Jiho, and my age was the same as Han Sol's, twenty-five. My secondary gender was also Beta, a common citizen who lived each day diligently, and also the owner of a miserable life, struggling with ever-increasing debt despite working hard.

<How to Capture That Omega>, where Han Sol appears as the villain, was a web novel with a predictable plot about an Alpha actor, the male lead Kim Gyuyeong, and an Omega actor, the MC Cha Seonmin, who go from being mere senior-junior acquaintances to lovers, starting with the filming of an action genre movie titled ‘Healing and Killing’.

This novel was praised for the heart-wrenching, special relationship between the main "uke" and the sub-male lead, while simultaneously being criticized for how incredibly pettily the villain Han Sol was written, to the point of being frustrating.

Han Sol was a person with an outstanding self-centered way of thinking, believing he must have everything he wanted and must do everything he desired. And being an arrogant person who knew no one above him, he didn't respect others but demanded that others respect him – such a selfish and detestable character.

As far as I knew, no reader liked this character. They disliked even the mere mention of the name Han Sol. He had so many more anti-fans than fans that if anyone tried to defend Han Sol, they would be heavily criticized, preventing even a shred of sympathy from arising.

Han Sol bribed people as easily as breathing, tried to drug Kim Gyuyeong to force an encounter but failed, and even dug into the private life of Cha Seonmin's agency CEO to blackmail him and end Cha Seonmin's acting career. Besides that, he also plotted cruel things like violence or instigating kidnapping….

Han Sol, who relentlessly chased Kim Gyuyeong and committed all sorts of atrocities just to get attention, made his exit by being exiled to America. 

After being thoroughly defeated by the counterattack of the main male lead, Kim Gyuyeong, who was utterly fed up with Han Sol, his role ended with him dying immediately upon arrival in America, being neatly disposed of.

For me, who woke up possessed, Han Sol's end became my starting point.

Even though I had diligently read the web novel for a month, there was one regret. I hadn't finished reading it before I was possessed.

Why, of all characters, did I have to possess someone like this? I lived quite diligently, tried hard, and worked hard. If I was going to be possessed, couldn't it have been a more comfortable and safe character….

Anyway, whatever the reason, it wasn't important. What was important was what would happen from now on.

"What am I supposed to do…."

I let out a sigh deep enough to make the ground sink.

Usually, when one is possessed, they are possessed at a point where they can change the plot. After all, to live well as the possessed character, changing the plot is inevitable. So, they can't help but change the plot.

"But why am I…,"

Why is the point of my possession the end of the plot given to this character?

It was literally true. When I opened my eyes, Han Sol was already sitting in Incheon Airport, in a lobby chair with his legs crossed. In his right hand was a passport, in his left, a phone, and at his feet, a suitcase. Moreover, he was already waiting to board, so it was difficult to even go outside.

"I have to leave like this? How can I just…,"

I may be an amateur, but I won't argue with the possession itself like an amateur. I have to quickly accept what has already happened and move forward.

But do I really have to go to America? Can't I just live quietly in Korea? I know for a fact that I'll die if I go to America, so can't I avoid it? How can I get out of here? Can I just say I won't board? But if I don't go to America, What can I do? I know nothing about this world except for the main characters.

After pondering, I finally made an irreversible decision. That from this airport, I would start my own story.

"Let's run away."

Let's turn this crisis into an opportunity. The end is also another beginning.

Since this character is now set to exit the story, there will be no further interference with the plot. That means it doesn't matter what I do, right? Actually, this is better.

This is a different life. Since I've come to live a different life, I need a different way of living.

I canceled the flight ticket to America and changed my destination. I didn't plan on going straight home. Who knew who I might meet there? What kind of trouble I might face? In truth, I needed time to calmly accept this situation alone, without facing anyone.

"This should be okay, right? It will be… I don't know, it'll work out somehow."

Now, instead of an American airline ticket, a ticket to Jeju Island was in my hand. The decision to make Jeju Island my destination was very simple. I wanted to go as far as possible within the country right away.

There’s no answer staying here, so let’s just go for it. Let's go to Jeju first and think.

***

I got a decent hotel and rented a decent car to drive around. Since it was my first time in Jeju, I diligently visited tourist spots for a week, and went to every beach to see the sea to my heart's content. I only ate delicious and expensive things and enjoyed my leisure.

"It's nice not to have to worry about money…"

Before being possessed, my life was so poor that I had never been on a proper trip. All I did was occasionally watch videos of other people traveling. The peace of mind gained through wealth was literally sweet.

After being possessed, I never had to worry about money when buying something or doing anything. My original self would have worried about how much it would cost and would have had to think it over and over. But now, I was in the best condition where I only had to consider my own desires.

If only this peaceful time could last as long as possible, that would be great.

"It's frustrating…"

Being alone like this, I gradually became anxious and felt helpless. Everywhere I went, people were in groups of two or three, and the loneliness of being the only one by myself was added.

Even before being possessed, I was alone, but feeling like my path ahead was blocked was different from before. Because I didn't know what to do from now on. Should I just spend Han Sol's money?

As I was brooding in solitude like this, quite a few people showed interest in me. Some struck up conversations, and some bought me drinks. It was probably because of this pure appearance and the scent of money I carried.

I was a "motae solo" (someone who has never dated) because I was too busy trying to make a living, so I wasn't used to such things, but I wasn't clueless enough not to know they were showing interest in me. So, I gradually started to enjoy it.

If I weren't alone, this helplessness might disappear. It didn't matter if it was a woman or a man, and it would be nice if someone like me, a Beta, came along, but an Alpha would be fine too, or even an Omega. Regardless of gender or secondary gender, anyone with a decent face was welcome; I needed a romantic encounter to soothe my heart.

Of course, I believe there will be a price for this sweet and thrilling time. I wasn't expecting a perfect crime from the beginning. Han Sol's family would find out soon enough. Honestly, from the moment I came to Jeju and carelessly swiped the card, it meant I had no intention of hiding that I was here, right?

Even so, I wanted to enjoy this life a little longer. A month… no, even just for fifteen days. Plans are originally not meant to be kept, but that's how my heart felt right now.

An unexpected encounter came to me in this state.

I was sitting in the best seat in a cafe known for its good location, listening to a languid jazz music flowing, and just staring blankly at the sea.

As I was contemplating when to return to my accommodation and what to have for dinner, a man approached me. The man occupied the seat in front of me without even asking for permission. At that rude behavior, I put strength into my dazed eyes and looked at the man.

"……?"

'What is this?' The question that began with that, ended with admiration, 'Why is he so handsome?'

From the heavy image given by the black jacket to the neat appearance placed above the jacket's collar, it captivated my gaze and wouldn't let go. I now slowly appreciated the man's face to the point where I felt I was being ruder.

A neatly styled haircut and cleanly groomed eyebrows. Almond-shaped eyes and a straight, prominent nose that provided a central balance. Finally, moderately thick lips and a sharp jawline; the man had an overall dignified and handsome impression.

I bit my lower lip and took a sip of my 'kimchi soup' (t/n : an idiom for getting one's hopes up).

'Why is such a handsome man sitting in front of me? Could he be interested in me?'

"Han Sol."

"……!"

The 'kimchi soup' I was eagerly drinking spilled. Startled by the name uttered by the low voice, I quickly looked at the man with a bewildered face.

"I thought you'd have the sense to be holed up somewhere, but here you are drinking coffee in a place like this."

"……."

"You look quite relaxed. Does Jeju life suit you? Are you enjoying it?"

This handsome man must know Han Sol. It was clear he had come looking for me, but I couldn't just bluntly ask who he was, so I just blinked my round eyes.

The man sneered at me like this.

"You should be enjoying it. It's the place you came to after refusing to go to America."

"……."

"You said you'd meet any man if you went to America."

"Cough!"

“If sucking on straws here suits you better, then so be it.”

I dramatically spat out my drink in response.​