Transmigration

I remember the chaos, the noise, and the sizzle of the kitchen. The aroma of spices and the clinking of pots and pans were my symphony. My name is Lee Jiyeon, and in my previous life, I was a chef in the bustling streets of Seoul in the 21st century.

Life was simple, and I was content. I had my restaurant, my kitchen, and my culinary creations. But fate had other plans for me.

One moment, I was busy preparing a delicate dish, and the next, I found myself in a completely different world.

The transition was disorienting. Suddenly, the warmth of the kitchen was replaced by a cool breeze, and the noise of the busy restaurant was replaced by an eerie silence.

As my senses adjusted, I realized I was no longer in my world. Instead, I found myself sitting in a rustic restaurant, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. The clothes I wore were not mine, and my body felt strange, foreign.

At first, I didn't understand what was happening. One moment, I was in my restaurant, amidst the comforting chaos of the kitchen, and the next, I was standing in front of this girl in a place I didn't recognize. She seemed extremely cold, her demeanor sending shivers down my spine. 

Her posture was rigid, and her gaze, icy and unyielding, seemed to pierce right through me. She sat across from me, her elegant form commanding attention, and her sharp features accentuated by the dim light of the room. 

Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of silk, framing a face that could freeze the warmest of hearts. Her eyes, a piercing shade of icy blue, bore into mine, sending a shiver down my spine. 

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could utter a word, she interrupted me with a voice as cold as the Arctic wind. 

"As I was saying," she began, her tone unwavering, "we are going to have a marriage contract and get married today."

The words hit me like a ton of bricks, and panic surged through me. Marriage contract? Getting married today? My mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. 

"Pardon," I managed to stammer, my voice barely above a whisper, "just a moment, I need to use the restroom."

I rose from my seat abruptly, the need for a moment of solitude overwhelming. Without waiting for her response, I hurried out of the room, the unfamiliar surroundings only adding to my confusion.

In a matter of seconds, I found the restroom. I still couldn't wrap my head around what was happening. 

I stood in front of the sink, the cool water running over my trembling hands as I tried to steady my nerves. I splashed water on my face, hoping to clear my mind, and as I looked up at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disorientation. Who was I? And where was I?

As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, trying to gather my thoughts, I took in my appearance. The woman looking back at me seemed like a stranger, yet I knew she was me.

My features were softer than the woman I faced moments ago, with gentle curves and a complexion that spoke of a life spent under the sun. My eyes, unlike hers, were a warm chestnut brown, reflecting confusion and apprehension.

My hair, once neatly tied up in a bun while I worked in the kitchen, now fell in disarray around my shoulders, the strands a mix of chestnut and caramel tones.

I wore a simple dress, its fabric soft against my skin, though it felt foreign and out of place compared to the chef's uniform I was accustomed to. The dress, a pale blue color, hugged my frame modestly, its design elegant yet understated.

 A voice interrupted my thoughts.

[Hello, host. You died in your restaurant, so I have reincarnated you into this body,] the voice said, its tone calm and matter-of-fact.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Died in my restaurant? How was that possible? I was perfectly healthy. Confusion and panic gnawed at me as I struggled to make sense of what I was hearing.

[Wait, how did I die?] I asked, my voice trembling with fear.

[Host, calm yourself. Everything is fine. But to gain more information and access to this world, you must accept the marriage contract proposed by the girl earlier,] the voice replied.

I felt a surge of panic rising within me. I didn't want any of this. I didn't even know who that girl was, let alone who I was in this moment.

"But... I don't want to," I protested weakly, my voice barely audible.

[You have five minutes to decide, otherwise, the system will disappear forever,] the voice said, its tone unwavering.

Five minutes? How was I supposed to make such a life-altering decision in just five minutes? The pressure was suffocating, and panic clawed at my chest.

"Please, give me more time," I pleaded, but the voice remained silent, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the weight of an impossible decision.

Feeling the weight of the system's ultimatum, I made my way back to the table where the girl was waiting. Her cold gaze bore into me as I took my seat, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

"So, have you made your decision? Yes or no. I don't have all day; I'm a very busy woman," she said, her brows furrowing impatiently.

I hesitated, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders. But in the end, I knew I had no other choice. With a deep breath, I nodded.

"Yes, I accept," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

The girl's lips curled into a satisfied smile, and for a moment, I could have sworn I saw a hint of warmth in her eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced once again by that cold, steely gaze.

"Good. Let's proceed then," she said, her tone businesslike as she produced a stack of papers from her bag.

As I reached out to take the pen she offered me, I couldn't help but wonder what I had gotten myself into. But it was too late to turn back now. With a shaky hand, I signed my name on the dotted line, sealing my fate and setting into motion a chain of events that would change my life forever.