7.IMAGE BLUR

[Penalty Selection: Electrocution]

I searched the sky for any sign of a thunderbolt.

Nothing. Frowning, I took a step forward, then another.

Slowly, I began walking away, counting my steps.

Then an electric shock ripped through my body, freezing me in place as I shook uncontrollably.

The current surged through every muscle in my body.

My fingers locked.

My teeth clattered together.

Even my vision turned white.

It lasted an eternity. My brain short-circuited. Blood drained from my face.

Somewhere in the distance, I vaguely heard the System counting.

[3, 2, 1] Then....

Everything stilled,

When it finally stopped, I jerked upright. My hair was a frizzy mess. My skin, pale.

I glanced left, then right. Luckily, no one was there to see me.

I collapsed to the ground, wailing dramatically.

"What did I do to deserve this? I'm just a broke college girl who was living comfortably!" I sobbed.

Then, footsteps. One, two, then another. A pair of feets appeared before my eyes. I dragged my gaze up slowly, and there she stood.

Backlit by the rising red sun, Elara. Her rabbit ears drooped.

Elara gasped.

Her rabbit ears shot upright before drooping again.

She hurried over.

"S-Sister..." She looked seconds away from crying. "...Who did this to you?" she asked. I tilted my head, scanning her first before my brain fully registered her.

"Elara," I choked out, sounding like I was about to cry.

"Why me?" I added, tears streaking down my soot-blackened face.

Elara scrutinized me for a long moment before bending to my level.

"What happened to you, Sis?" she asked, worry etched on her face. She placed both hands on my shoulders, checking me over.

I just stared at her blankly. My brain was spacing out again. It happens more often now.

"Elara, take me to my hut," I requested. She nodded, lifting me up without another question. I leaned on her as she helped me walk forward.

[Host, you look pathetic," that familiar voice said in my head.]

"I know," I whispered back, staring ahead.

For what felt like hours later, Elara guided me inside a hut. It was well-furnished.

The outside was clean and beautified with flowers of every kind. A wooden chair stood by the door.

But the inside was even prettier than its owner — well-decorated, elegant.

Clay artifacts were neatly arranged on a makeshift shelf. My fingers unconsciously brushed over one of the clay bowls.

For a split second...

A memory flashed.

Hands shaping wet clay.

Someone laughing.

Then...

Gone.

"...Was that the original Serena?"

Everything in the room was spotless and sparkling. The owner was clearly a clean freak.

[ That's you, Host!]

"Me? You mean this is my hut?"

[Yes. The original Serena was a potter.]

"Wow. That's a drastic personality change, because I'm definitely the chaotic, disorganized, messy one. And lazy most of all." I sighed.

[Ho...]

"Don't host me. I will like to congratulate you on successfully making my life harder by transmigrating me into a body where our life choices and personalities are complete opposites."

[Thanks for the compliment, Host. You know host,Original Serena woke before sunrise.]

[You wake before noon[.

"We're different people."

[Unfortunately for poor Serena's reputation,] I rolled my eyes and collapsed onto the bed.

"Sis, should I help you with your hair? I know a few things about styling," Elara offered, sensing my unease and trying to ease the tension.

I nodded, spacing out again.

She moved around the room with familiarity, like she’d spent most of her time here. I didn't mind. The more she could find her way without asking me, the easier this would be for me

Elara carefully untangled each strand.

She worked slowly, afraid of hurting me.

Every now and then she'd apologize whenever the bone comb snagged.

"...Sorry."

"...Sorry again."

I stared at her reflection in a polished bronze mirror.

"...Why are you being so nice to me?"

She froze for a second. I would have missed it if I hadn’t been studying her so closely.

She chuckled, waving it off, and kept working while humming a song I could swear I’d never heard before.

I closed my eyes. Images of my peaceful yet chaotic life on Earth flowed in.

“I miss home,” I mumbled. Only then did I realize my slip-up.

“Home…?” Elora asked, her eyes watering and head slightly tilted. I smirked, chuckling.

“Nothing serious,” I waved it off. My little payback.

She smiled, noting my mischief.

“Arghh… Sis, my ass is already flattened. How long will it take to get the hair fixed?” I groaned, shifting.

“Just a little more,” she said, and I scoffed.

Then her hands froze again. She shifted back, staring straight into my eyes, surprised.

“What?” I asked.

“You called me Sis…” she said, looking at me like I’d suddenly grown horns.

I squinted. “Am I not allowed to...?”

“No, you are. I’m just surprised. This is the first time you’ve ever acknowledged me as your sister,” she choked out, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sank to the ground.

“Huh...”

[Host! You’re the villainess, you piece of shit. For a moment I actually thought you’d grown some sense. Tsk. ]

“Don’t cry. It just slipped. Why the hell would I call you Sis? You aren’t worthy of it.” I ignored the system. Elara’s head snapped up.

“What now? I call you Sis, you cry. I take it back, you— What do I even call this reaction of yours?”

She just stayed silent, staring at me.

“Ugh...” I rolled my eyes, pushed her aside, and stood up. “You know, the hair actually looks great.”

She smiled softly, as if scared I will scream at her if she smiles too much

“I’ll just call you Elara instead. I’m not ready for any emotional baggage.”

She nodded, humming quietly. Then her ears perked up before slowly drooping again.

“What now?” I asked, turning to face her fully.

“I just wanted to ask if I could follow you to collect clay today. I won’t cause any problem” she said, lowering her head.

“System?”

“System, is this part of the book?”

[Yes, Host. The original Serena collects clay every morning so she doesn’t run out of it]

“It’s not a must, right? I can—”

[DING]

[New mission activated: Collect Clay by the Pond Side with Elara ]

Mission Reward: +10 SP

“You damn—” I groaned, and the system just chuckled annoyingly before disappearing.

I picked up a bowl and turned back to Elora.

“Let’s go,” I said. Her ears perked up, a bright smile splitting her face.

“Really?” she asked, needing to be sure.

“Y—” The bowl slipped from my hand. Luckily, Elara caught it.

"Serena?"

"Serena!"

Her rabbit ears trembled with panic.

My vision blurred.

The hut disappeared.

The last thing I saw...

wasn't Elara.

It was another woman.

Standing beside a river.

Shaping clay.

She slowly turned toward me.

She had my face.