Chapter 2 - Escape into Uncertainty

 'That corpse from earlier was Russell Bolev?'

I wanted to deny the proposition and claim it as illogical, but the thought continued to persist in my mind.

The black hair, red eyes, and even the loosened collar of the white shirt. Everything perfectly matched Russell Bolev from the novel.

'So you're saying that this place is inside a novel?'

The impassive voice in my head surfaced, and the probability of my speculations increased. Are you saying that someone is narrating『The Trap and the Swamp』? And I'm able to hear that voice?

'Nonsense.'

Russell Bolev was the male protagonist. Even if all this chaos happening around me was real, it didn't make sense for him to die.

In what romance novels did the male protagonist ever pass away?

While advancing, I reflected on the storyline of 『The Trap and the Swamp』.

『The Trap and the Swamp』 was, in a word, a terrible, exhausting novel. The story follows a young female protagonist who marries her husband, only to discover that he is deeply and obsessively in love with her.

The level of obsession was extreme, accompanied by confinement, assault, and brainwashing. Some comments even suggested that the only way for the novel to achieve a happy ending was through the death of the male protagonist.

'Come to think of it, did it ever reach an ending?'

As the scenes unfolded, it seemed like the story was nearing its end. The female protagonist gave in to the male protagonist, and I was expecting a poignant yet satisfying conclusion.

The ambiance of the moment was reminiscent of a bittersweet ending, although I can't quite recall if it ended that way.

'So you're saying that the male protagonist will die right before the end? Because of an extra like me?'

I was mostly convinced of being a minor character in the novel. I couldn't recall Julia Reitz's name from the story, so it could be assumed that she wasn't the main character in the story.

However, I was left with several unanswered questions. What was Julia Reitz's role in the novel? Why did she murder the male protagonist? And why was I inhabiting this woman's body?

What was that voice, why am I able to hear it, and what was its purpose?

'One last thing.'

I was a reader who had breezed through 『The Trap and the Swamp』 once. I didn't even have a special attachment to the novel.

How was I able to remember such details?

My depiction of Russell Bolev's appearance and his surroundings was quite detailed, almost as if I were recalling a memory.

It was peculiar how easily I accepted the bizarre circumstance of being transported into the world of a book. However, there was no doubt that this was reality and not a product of my delusion.




How long did I crawl through the aisle? At last, a light began to seem through the distance.

I wiped the sweat off my face as I felt tremendous fatigue from crawling constantly in an uncomfortable position within this confined space.

As I slowly approached the exit, I could see a stone floor through the dense iron bars. The area was silent, with no sound or anyone passing by.

Outside the window was a narrow alley. leaving only a dim streetlight to illuminate the street.

A roadside was visible at the end of the alleyway, where not a soul could be seen. I quickly shoved open the iron bars and jumped out. The metal bars seemed light despite their appearance as if originally made to open and close.

"Haa…”

I took a deep breath of the fresh air, relieved that the ordeal was over. I was grateful that I had worn a dark dress, concealing the blood stains from plain sight.

'Anyways, what should I do now?'

It was fortunate that I escaped the mansion safely, but it was now a matter of question. I don't know who I am, and it's not like there's a place I could shelter myself in tonight.

'I haven't heard the voice at all.'

I strolled casually along the side of the road, taking in my surroundings. Upon leaving the mansion, I confirmed that this was indeed a genuine location and not a film set.

The road was flanked by various shops, some of which were closed for the night while others remained open with illuminated interiors. Most of the establishments were restaurants and hotels that served alcoholic beverages.

Upon spotting an inn, I suddenly felt an intense desire to wash myself up.

'I probably need money for that.'

As I searched my dress, there was nothing but the dagger I had accompanied with me.

Despite my exhaustion, I couldn't find a place to rest. Frustration began to set in.

I let out a deep sigh and began to sweep all over my body, hoping to find a decorative jewel or brooch that I could sell for some extra money.

I suddenly realized something was dangling around my neck.

I unfastened my collar to reveal a minimalist necklace adorned with clear gems hanging from a golden chain. The jewels emitted a unique glimmer.

'Wouldn't this make money?'

Upon turning the corner, I spotted a pawn shop and swiftly made my way toward it. There was no hesitation in my strides.

“…Excuse me."

It was the first time I had spoken to someone since entering this body, so it was a bit awkward and uncomfortable. A stern-looking woman stood inside the pawnshop.

Her sharp eyes scrutinized me silently, but before she could notice the bloodstains on my dress, I promptly set the necklace on the table.

“I wish to sell this.”

The woman lifted the necklace with her thick fingers and eyed it under the bright light. Then she pulled out a gold coin and tossed it on the table.

“Is this all?”

"What about it?"

It was a face that told me to piss off if I was dissatisfied.

I had no idea about the worth of the necklace, let alone the single gold coin. However, I was aware that merchants never willingly revealed their cards.

"Then. I will go somewhere else."

The old lady's eyebrows twitched as I snatched the necklace from her meaty fingertips. I turned my back without hesitation and proceeded to leave the pawnshop before she stopped me.

"Fine."

A few gold coins fell on the table as she clicked her tongue.

"Six. I can't add more."

“…Alright."

"The lady may think herself wise, but there is much to learn in this world."

"Of course not."

As I stepped on the threshold once again, a thumping sound echoed through the room and another gold coin clattered onto the table. I turned to face the woman and smiled.




“Ah, I think I'll live now."

Only after cleaning up and changing into fresh clothes did I feel rejuvenated. I stretched in the middle of the small inn room, which despite being the cheapest option, had a cozy feel to it. There existed a soft bed and a small bedside table.

The total amount of money obtained from the pawnshop was eight gold and three silver coins. It was the result of a difficult and long struggle.

'It must have been an expensive item.'

I was able to stay in this inn room for ten days for the price of one gold coin. The fee included two meals a day as well. If you do the math, I could rest in peace for well over two months.

I gathered the clothes that were strewn across the floor. Among them was the old dress I had removed while bathing.

I pondered rinsing it before the blood completely dried. Perhaps this dress would cost a hefty sum as well. Regardless, it would prove to be a hint of who I was.

I dipped the dress in the leftover bath water and proceeded to scrub. Upon closer inspection, the quality of the fabric appeared to be superior to the dress I had put on earlier. But that could be simply because I hastily purchased a random dress from the street on my way here.

‘The dress and even that necklace. Could it be that I was rich? Something like the nobility of this world?'

But even so, it was clear that everything was all in the past. The fabric was exquisite, but the dress was too old. To top it off, my physical condition wasn't the best.

From the tousled hair to my haggard face. It wasn't just because I had been crouching through a dark passageway for half a day. The accumulated hunger and destitution had taken hold of every part of my body.

After wringing out the dress from all the bloodstains and laying it to dry, I was finally able to slump down on the bed.

‘What should I do tomorrow? What do I do if I run out of gold after ten days...'

As soon as I closed my eyes, countless thoughts sprang through my head. However, before I could address any of my concerns, I succumbed to fatigue and fell asleep.




I suddenly felt a jolt, and the comfortable bed I had found comfort in suddenly converted into cold, hard ground.

As I sat up, my gaze fixated on a blurred figure before me. It was the lifeless body of Russell Bolev, who lay with his eyes wide open.

The corpse crept before my nose in an instant. I stabbed him mercilessly with the dagger glued to my hand. The sharp blade pierced through a bone and snapped in two.

Blood splattered in my pupils and my eyes turned a bright shade of red—

“Hyuk!”

I woke up from the nightmare.

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