Jae Hyuk's workday had finally come to an end. The familiar hum of the city enveloped him as he began his usual route home. It was a routine that brought him a sense of comfort, a predictable pattern in the otherwise chaotic world. As he drove, the sky transitioned from day to dusk, painting the horizon with shades of orange and pink.
But today, something felt off. A strange, pungent odor began to permeate his car, making his head feel heavy and his vision blur. At first, he dismissed it as fatigue from a long day. However, the smell grew stronger, more insistent, and he realized something was wrong.
Jae Hyuk shook his head, trying to clear the fog that was creeping into his mind, but the dizziness only intensified. His heart raced as he struggled to maintain control of the car. With great effort, he managed to pull over to the side of the road, his hands trembling on the steering wheel. He fumbled with his seatbelt, but it wouldn't budge, as if it were a cruel trap holding him in place.
Panic set in as the dizziness grew stronger. Desperately, Jae Hyuk reached for his phone on the back seat, but his movements were sluggish, uncoordinated. The phone slipped from his grasp, disappearing into the crevice between the seats. His vision darkened at the edges, and the sound of screeching tires barely registered before a violent impact threw his car into the air.
Time seemed to slow as the world turned upside down. His car tumbled and rolled down the wide road, each impact jarring his senses. Blurry figures and flashing lights passed by in a surreal blur. Just before losing consciousness, he caught a glimpse of a familiar face among the crowd of onlookers and police. He tried to call out, but the words wouldn't come. Darkness consumed him, and he slipped into oblivion.
When Jae Hyuk awoke, he was in an opulent hospital room that exuded an air of mystery and sophistication. The ceiling soared high above, adorned with intricate gold leaf patterns that shimmered in the soft, ambient lighting. A grand chandelier, its crystal prisms casting a mesmerizing play of light, hung majestically in the center of the room.
The walls were lined with luxurious, deep burgundy wallpaper, accented with ornate molding. Large windows stretched from floor to ceiling, draped with heavy, velvet curtains in a rich shade of crimson, framing a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The twilight sky cast a serene glow into the room, adding an ethereal quality to the already sumptuous surroundings.
The bed, a king-sized masterpiece with a tufted headboard covered in plush, royal blue velvet, commanded the room's attention. The sheets were the finest Egyptian cotton, inviting Jae Hyuk to sink back into their comforting embrace. Beside the bed, a polished mahogany nightstand held a vase of exotic flowers, their vibrant colors contrasting starkly with the dark wood, and a sophisticated lamp with a gold-trimmed silk shade.
A sleek, modern entertainment system was seamlessly built into one wall, featuring a large flat-screen TV and an array of high-tech gadgets. Across from the bed, a cozy seating area beckoned with a pair of sumptuous armchairs and a coffee table made of gleaming black marble. A silver tray with an assortment of gourmet snacks and a pot of freshly brewed coffee added to the room's inviting allure.
The en-suite bathroom was a marvel of design and luxury. Marble floors and countertops gleamed under the soft lighting, and a deep soaking tub promised relaxation and rejuvenation. The spacious walk-in shower, equipped with multiple jets, hinted at a level of indulgence that bordered on hedonistic. Fluffy white towels and high-end toiletries were neatly arranged on a heated towel rack, completing the picture of opulence.
As Jae Hyuk stood amidst the breathtaking beauty of his surroundings, his mind wandered to his sister. He found himself contemplating just how much money she must have spent. The thought both impressed and baffled him, as he tried to calculate the costs
A sudden noise behind him drew his attention. A nurse stood there, her uniform stark against the pale walls, but it was her face that captured his attention: it was ghostly white, and her wide, unblinking eyes were filled with an unmistakable terror. She seemed paralyzed by a wave of fear, her entire body quaking as though she had just witnessed something utterly horrific. She seemed frozen in place, her body trembling. Despite her evident distress, an instinct to assist took over Jae Hyuk. He knelt down to retrieve a report that had slipped from her trembling fingers. As he carefully unfolded the document, his gaze fell upon the name "Cha Ji Hoon," printed in bold letters.
Before he could return the report, the nurse bolted down the corridor, her screams echoing through the halls. Confusion and concern washed over Jae Hyuk as he refocused on the report in his hand. Jae Hyuk examined the document, discovering that Cha Ji Hoon was listed as deceased. A wave of frustration washed over him. The name felt strangely familiar, yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly where he had encountered it before. It was like a distant echo, elusive and maddening. As he stood there, the sterile smell of the hospital room mingling with his growing agitation, his mind raced to make sense of the connection.
Just moments later, a bustling group of strangers surged into the room, their voices overlapping as they called out to him with the unfamiliar name "Ji Hoon-ah." Their expressions were carefully masked with concern, but Jae Hyuk could sense the underlying disappointment that lingered just beneath the surface. They exchanged glances, their eyes subtly betraying their true feelings. Although they spoke in soft, reassuring tones, the tension in their voices was unmistakable. It was clear that they were trying to maintain a facade of worry and empathy, but deep down, they felt let down.
Overwhelmed by their presence, Jae Hyuk instinctively opted for the classic "play dead" tactic. After all, he wasn't exactly prepared to handle this weird situation. He lay there, eyes shut tightly, hoping that his performance would be convincing enough to get through whatever strange scenario was unfolding. As he lay there with his eyes tightly shut, he couldn't help but think, Seriously, I survived a car crash for this? Who are these people? And why are they so bad at pretending to care?
As the room finally quieted and the visitors left, Jae Hyuk allowed himself to relax. The door creaked open again, and Jae Hyuk instinctively shut his eyes tightly, going for the classic "play dead" tactic. Footsteps approached and stopped right beside him. He held his breath, trying to stay as still as possible. A soft voice, dripping with a mix of disgust and contempt, whispered, "Why don't you just die? Save us all the trouble."
Jae Hyuk lay there, thinking, Did I just get a death wish? Is this some kind of twisted nightmare?
The footsteps retreated, leaving him both shaken and utterly baffled. He couldn't decide whether to be scared or just plain confused. Seriously, what kind of messed-up situation is this?
The door creaked open once more, and this time the footsteps halted at a respectful distance. A deep, authoritative voice, dripping with the tone of an exasperated parent, called out, "I know you're faking it, Hoon-ah. Get up."
Jae Hyuk's mind whirled. Am I in a bizarre soap opera, or is this real life? Who even says stuff like this to a patient? His frustration boiled over as he lay there, overwhelmed by the absurdity of it all.