Magical City

Episode 1: Magical City

A cramped, single room that doesn't even let in a single ray of light, a lonely life where even in my mid-twenties, I can't afford to pay for living expenses and debt, let alone go to college, with a scholarship.

It's been over six years since I've survived all these adverse conditions with only one obsession.

Not long ago, I was laid off from the company I had been struggling to survive at. I am now the biggest victim of my life, having studied hard and listened to the adults who told me to just study hard during my school days.

Now that I'm working three jobs, I'm so weak that I've been taken to the emergency room quite often.

Still, the biggest reason I'm holding on in this hellish life is because of my ailing mother who raised me until now.

Maybe you're the only one left for me...

Even if the world has abandoned me, the one person who believes in me will not have abandoned me yet.

I'm getting ready to go to work at 5 a.m. today to make a living.

Even if I have to give up on this life, I will never give up on it.

한지예

Miss... This weather is so damn cold... I have to pay the heating bill...

I used to have a bright personality, but now I've lost even that as I'm stuck in this tight life where I can barely breathe...

The streets were deserted, but I had to hurry and get there as soon as possible, so I walked faster.

한지예

Ah... If I'm late, won't the evil boss nag me again?

It was quite a distance from my first part-time job of the day, so it took quite a while to get there, and of course, since the bus wasn't even passing by at that time, I just had to run so as not to be late.

I looked at the sun approaching from far away and cursed inwardly, wondering if it had already been that long.

한지예

Phew... I shouldn't be upset over such trivial things in the morning!

The moment I stood in front of the crosswalk, waiting for the light to turn green, looked at my watch, and had no choice but to jaywalk.

Paaaaang -

A loud honk from the left, and at the same time, truck lights appear in the not-so-distant distance...

한지예

Ah, I'm done...

Phuong -

With a dull thud, my body lifted pitifully into the air, my eyes unfocused.

Ah... my life is too precious to die like this.

I've worked so hard to survive in this shitty world, but this is just not right...

God is so cruel. Does that mean that something like you was never meant to be in the first place?

But if you have even a modicum of conscience, you can show mercy once more...

Ah, what am I saying now.. I guess I should just close my eyes and relax..

But isn't it normal for death to not hurt? Why is it so hot... Someone turn on the air conditioner!

Ugh.. It's really hot, I'm dying.. I'm so suffocated.. Please wake up..!

한지예

What the... am I still alive?

But the princess room that unfolded before my eyes was hard to believe, and the worried gazes looking at me only made me feel uneasy.

한지예

Who am I?

아버지

Ellie! Are you finally awake?!

한지예

Ellie... what time is it?

Only then, hearing the honest voice in my ear, did I realize the truth that no one could believe.

Huh.. what is this a dream??!!