Chapter 76

The finely ground sand stretched endlessly. On the edge where the seawater lapped gently at her ankles, a girl stood looking down at another—her exact double—lying peacefully asleep on the sand.

Anyone who saw them might assume they were twins, but the reality was far from a harmonious twin-like relationship.

It would be more accurate to say one was a body thief and the other, her victim. Even so, the “victim” lying there didn’t harbor outright hatred toward the “thief” on the ground.

Though she wasn’t ecstatic enough to give everything away just because her body had been taken, neither did she feel compelled to hate the person who had taken her form during a time of personal suffering.

“Time to get up.”

Under normal circumstances, Erica—the one who inherited the name—and the original Erica could not meet. There existed an invisible barrier that prevented them from encountering each other unless something extraordinary happened.

Even the original body owner, “Erica,” could not speak to the thief beyond this barrier. This was why, during their last encounter, “Erica” had told her they might not meet again, for the barrier was not something “Erica” could simply cross on her own.

Since this mystical barrier might change its mind and separate them anytime, this girl had a few things she needed to impart while they could still converse.

“…I’m awake. I thought you were Inna waking me up when I saw you. Where are we?”

For the Erica who was now the name-bearer, staying asleep would be meaningless; but just as the original owner’s words reached her, she stirred and rose, immediately glancing around. She wondered why, having fallen asleep between the student council president and Han Ye-seul, she woke up on a sandy beach.

“I’m dreaming your dream. And you’re dreaming mine. This space is where our consciousness has merged.”

“But—so…”

Even without explanation, it was obvious to Erica that this was a dream. Meeting her body’s original owner in real life was unimaginable.

Still, her question wasn’t about the fact that it was a dream, but why they had met on this particular beach. She wasn’t asking whose dream it was, but rather why this location.

The girl opened her mouth to clarify her intentions, but decided against it. While curiosity lingered, it wasn’t essential enough to dwell on. Especially since “Erica” had already subtly hinted at the answer.

This was a space where the image of the sea that the current Erica had known combined with the concept of the sea imagined by “Erica,” who had never visited an actual beach. Thus, this connection of their dreams wasn’t entirely off the mark.

The only problem was that “Erica’s” explanation hadn’t sufficiently clarified Erica’s confusion.

“Alright, so why did you call me here? You said we might never meet again.”

More important than the setting was the reason this girl had summoned her.

When they had last met, “Erica” had taught her how to handle her supernatural ability. Hoping for something equally valuable this time, Erica asked with a hint of anticipation.

“…I didn’t call you. Rather, I want to suggest a deal.”

“A deal?”

The reply was somewhat unexpected. While the other party wasn’t overtly hostile, an offer to trade something still came as a surprise.

Erica didn’t quite understand why this sudden deal had come up if “Erica” hadn’t deliberately summoned her.

“Exactly. That body isn’t mine anymore, so I can’t order you around.”

“You want me to help you avoid meeting the student council president?”

“Why do you think I would want such a deal?”

“I know you like the student council president. And no one enjoys seeing their crush with someone else.”

Her reasoning wasn’t entirely unfounded. Even if the student council president had moved on to a new love interest named Kim Ha-neul—who used to be the original body’s lover—there would be no one who’d appreciate a double approaching their ex.

Especially considering that the student council president and Kim Ha-neul had recently hinted that they needed a bit more time, implying to anyone paying attention that their feelings for the previous owners of this body might not be entirely gone.

Erica had noticed this shortly after waking up, realizing that the president still had some lingering feelings.

Naturally, Erica assumed the suggested deal was related to rekindling that connection, especially given how close the president had been to her last night.

“No, it’s different.”

With the shake of the original owner’s head, Erica became puzzled. If not that, then what was the condition under which “Erica” was suggesting this deal?

“Stay away from the woman who claims to be my older sister. If you do, I’ll tell you more about my abilities.”

“Huh? Why did you bring that up out of nowhere…?”

Fortunately, as if to clarify Erica’s confusion, the original owner quickly elaborated.

Only, the demand to distance herself from a wealthy and helpful sponsor, someone who knew her abilities better than she did, seemed unreasonable.

“You know nothing about my abilities. Perhaps Lee Seo-ra understands a bit, but even she doesn’t know everything. The only one who knows the full extent of my powers is me.”

Maybe one day, through the system, all the supernatural powers this body possessed could be uncovered. In fact, it was bound to happen, given that even lesser-mentioned abilities like “bl**d Erosion” had already been identified.

But what if that revelation comes too late, after everything is irreparably damaged?

Erica frowned slightly, balancing the potential for aid from the current Erica’s “sister,” a supposed high-ranking official within the supernatural ability users’ association, against the unknown strength she might gain through understanding the true nature of her powers.

Besides, Erica wasn’t convinced she needed to unlock every secret to become stronger. And it didn’t help that the whole setup seemed like a scheme to reclaim the body.

While she wouldn’t oppose returning the body if it ensured a way to recover her own, Erica wasn’t about to risk losing this one prematurely.

“I’d like to give you more time, but I can’t.”

However, “Erica” wasn’t willing to wait for the thief to deliberate.

Their meeting was only possible thanks to the implicit permission of some mysterious barrier. In practical terms, it was because Erica was asleep that this encounter was happening.

In other words, as soon as the dream ended, so did their meeting, with no guarantee of another similar opportunity in the near future.

“Like I said before, this meeting wasn’t arranged by me. Some unseen force brought us together, and unless it permits…”—”Oh, it does.”

Just as Erica suspected some sinister plot, “Erica” suddenly altered her statement in an act almost capricious to observers, completely shedding the mysterious aura she used to carry.

“Then more time can be granted. Let me add one last thing before we go: understanding and utilizing your abilities properly is crucial, even in emergencies. If you accept my terms, call for me in a crisis. No matter the situation, we’ll meet again, like before.”

For all Erica’s assumptions, “Erica” remained unfazed, maintaining a confident demeanor. Both shared a “my way” attitude, though the original owner cared less about what others thought.

After all, “Erica” placed faith in her innate self-protection, shielding herself from harm by others.

“…Alright. But, one question: why didn’t you include avoiding the student council president in your conditions?”

Without waiting for a response, Erica voiced her curiosity. The president’s relationship with someone else was once so devastating it had led to thoughts of s*icide. Surely, it would be reasonable leverage for a deal.

“I still care for them, but I might have developed some interest in someone else.”

“Seriously? A guy?”

Among the few men around Erica, only one had unilaterally shared secrets. Assuming she was referring to Kim Ha-neul, Erica confidently nodded in confirmation.

“Yeah, sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“Not sure yet.”

In “Erica’s” hazy eyes, the image of her exact counterpart reflected back, clearly questioning, “What are you even talking about?”

Rather than having any definite feelings for Kim Ha-neul, it seemed like the girl lying before her had captivated her more.