"Oh, it works," I said, surprised that the ancient computer actually booted up. The screen flickered to life with a low hum, the fan inside whirring like it was on its last legs. This thing looked exactly like the clunky desktop I remembered having as a kid back in my old life—boxy monitor, thick keyboard, everything.
"Hm, but this really is weird," I muttered, clicking through the apps. They weren't identical to the ones from my previous world, but they were close enough. Similar logos, similar layouts. It didn't take a genius to figure out I was in another world—one that felt modern, just… slightly off. Some functions matched perfectly, so at least I wouldn't be completely lost.
I clicked on what I assumed was the equivalent of Naver and typed in "trending topics." If I wanted to gather spiritual power through fame, I needed to know what people were paying attention to right now. The page loaded with a list of hot searches—mostly celebrities and their scandals, messy breakups, and affair rumors.
"Hm, this doesn't really matter," I muttered, scrolling past them. It wasn't like I could become an actress anyway. I knew nothing about acting, and with these massive breasts constantly blocking my view of my own feet, the last thing I needed was to put myself in front of cameras in real life.
"Hah, what do I do?" I knitted my brows, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down. Teaching self-defense on camera was out of the question now—my old military knowledge wouldn't translate well when my body moved with this gentle, delicate grace and these… melons kept shifting with every breath.
I kept scrolling, troubled, until a post caught my eye. It was a recruitment notice for new VTubers. I clicked on it. The deadline for auditions was only a week away.
"Huh," I muttered. I hadn't even considered this path.
The post was from Saebyeok Entertainment:
[🌟 Saebyeok Entertainment – VTuber Auditions Now Open 🌟
At Saebyeok Entertainment, we believe every voice has the power to reach someone, somewhere. As one of the fastest-growing virtual talent agencies, we are looking for passionate individuals ready to take their first step into the world of VTubing.
We are searching for the next generation of talents who can inspire, entertain, and grow with us.
We are looking for applicants who:
✨ Have a strong and memorable personality
✨ Enjoy interacting with people
✨ Are passionate about streaming or content creation
✨ Can work well with a team
✨ Are willing to improve and learn
What Saebyeok Entertainment offers:
🎤 Professionally designed Live2D avatar
🎨 High quality character illustration and rigging
📊 Full talent management support
🤝 Collaboration opportunities with other talents
🎮 Streaming guidance and technical assistance
🌎 Opportunity to reach a global audience
....]
It listed the application process and basic requirements. This body seemed to meet them easily enough. There were even motivational speeches sprinkled throughout. I moved the cursor and searched for the company itself.
"Wow, they're a major company?" I marveled, eyes widening at the achievements listed. Their VTubers averaged 2.5 million subscribers each, and this upcoming batch would be their fifth generation.
But something about it nagged at me. "Hm… why does this feel familiar?" I muttered out loud. Saebyeok Ent… VTubers… missing divine fruits… Saintesses… It all clicked in a way that made the back of my neck tingle.
I leaned back in the creaky chair, fingers tapping my chin. "Hm, if I recall… Was it the novel I read a couple of months ago? The one with the Apple Saintess?"
My memories of the past few months were muddy because of everything that had happened—the military mess, the guilt, the suicide—but the novel felt recent enough that pieces were coming back. I could remember the middle part clearly, though the ending was still hazy. I was sure it had a good, fun ending though. It had been a light, escapist story.
If I remember correctly, the main character was a guy named Han Seorin—a normal part-time worker in a quiet corner of Seoul. He stumbled across a weakened Apple Spirit that looked like a fox. The fox, whom Seorin nicknamed Pam, tricked him into becoming a Saintess.
Only females could hold the title, so the contract turned him into a girl on the spot. Pam then explained the whole situation about the lost divine fruits and how Saintesses needed to gather spiritual power through fame.
The fox had also warned about rival sects and organizations, which added that subtle fantasy layer beneath the VTuber entertainment.
I nodded to myself. 'Yeah, things are coming back more clearly now.'
Maybe it was thanks to becoming the Pear Saintess—my mind felt sharper, the constant voices and hallucinations completely gone. For the first time in forever, I could actually think straight. No ringing in my ears. No crushing panic attacks.
I sighed and placed a hand over my chest, feeling the steady beat beneath these unfamiliar curves. 'I'm thankful I agreed to that,' I thought. If I hadn't, I probably would have ended it all again in this new body too.
'My sister would have been so disappointed seeing me give up so soon in the afterlife.' I smiled wryly at the thought.
As my mood threatened to dip back into gloom, I patted both cheeks firmly and forced my focus back to the screen. "Oh, right. Han Seorin had some kind of system, and the fox said all Saintesses get one. So where's mine?" I questioned out loud. Rin also never mentioned anything about rival sects... maybe the crane had been too excited and forgot in the moment?
I shrugged it off. If I was really in the novel, it was still in the early stages. I'm sure nothing major would happen right away.
I looked at the audition post again and thought for a few minutes. Then it hit me.
"Oh, right!" I exclaimed.
I scrambled over to the drawers beside the bed and started searching for any IDs or legal documents. It would be a disaster if this body didn't have any paperwork. In fact, I didn't even know the original owner's name yet.
After checking the top two compartments, I pulled open the bottom one. There they were—legal documents, IDs, everything. I picked up one of the cards and froze.
"Huh," I let out in surprise.
We had the same name. Park Shiwon. I didn't know if it was some small mercy from whatever force had sent me here, but I was grateful. Nothing else seemed out of place, so I went back to the computer, clicked the application link, filled out every required field with the information from the documents, and hit submit.
When the confirmation screen popped up, I let out a long breath. "Man, I'm already nervous as heck," I muttered. I really hoped I got accepted. If this fell through, I didn't know when another chance would come. Judging by how rundown this apartment was, the original owner had been broke as hell.
I glanced around the small space and sighed in relief. At least it had the basics—a bed, a kitchen, a bathroom, and this old computer. That was more than enough to start.
Then my eyes caught something odd: a loose plank of wood under the bed that I hadn't noticed before. It looked like it could be pried open. 'Suspicious.'
I stood up, crouched down, and carefully pulled the plank away.
There, hidden in the narrow space, lay a bankbook and a wallet.
'Shit, was the original owner a thief?' Sweat prickled down my back. Why else would someone hide these like this?
I looked around the room nervously, half-expecting someone to burst in. Then, swallowing hard, I reached in and took them both.
As I lifted the bankbook, a folded letter slipped out and fell to the floor.
'A letter?'
I set the bankbook and wallet down for a second, picked up the envelope, and opened it.