0 - The Narcissist, Eun Heejin

At the peak of my life, I had it all. Born into one of the greatest families in existence, I lacked nothing. Power, wealth, beauty, talent—it was all mine. Confidence? Bordering on arrogance, perhaps. They called me The Narcissist, and I embraced it.

I had everything.

Even death.

---

Somewhere far from Earth—on an unfamiliar planet—stood Eun Hee-Jin, The Narcissist. Naked, but entirely unfazed.

Why was she here? How did she, a mere human, end up in such a place? None of it made sense.

Yet, before she could even bother with those questions, a woman approached. White hair cascading down her back, an ethereal glow surrounding her—every step she took radiated divinity.

"Eun Hee-Jin, welcome to my domain," the woman spoke. "I am Priscila, The Goddess of Space. Let me explain—"

"Skip the chit-chat." Hee-Jin cut her off with a smirk. "What do you want?"

Priscila paused, momentarily caught off guard. "You seems unfazed for someone who just died."

Hee-Jin laughed. "Don't pretend you don't know. You brought me here, didn't you?"

The goddess remained silent. Hee-Jin took a step closer, unfazed by the divine presence before her.

"I don't remember how I died. Not a single detail. But I do know this—you're the reason I'm here." Her gaze locked onto Priscila's unreadable eyes.

Priscila's expression remained neutral. "You are... extremely confident."

"Bullseye, huh?" Hee-Jin chuckled.

Ignoring her remark, Priscila reached into the empty air, pulling out a book before tossing it at Hee-Jin.

She caught it with ease, eyes narrowing. "A book?" She skimmed a few pages, then smirked. "Oh, I know this one. One of my exes recommended it to me. I even played the game adaptation."

She glanced at the title.

[Ashes of Arcana]

"Brings back memories, huh?" she murmured before shifting her gaze back to Priscila. "Alright, what's the deal?"

Priscila's next words were unexpected. "I am the writer of that book. And… would you believe me if I told you it wasn't fiction, but history? A world that once existed, now destroyed."

Hee-Jin tilted her head. "Let's say I believe you. Then what?"

"I want you to save that world." She said while looking at something faraway.

It's a star exploded in the distance, its remnants scattering like dust across the cosmic expanse.

Hee-Jin's lips curled. "Saving a world, huh? How noble."

"I will compensate you."

"Oh?" Her interest piqued. "What kind of compensation?"

"Almost anything."

Silence. A rare moment where Hee-Jin actually seemed… thoughtful. She too, looked at the exploded star. And finally thought about something.

Then, she spoke. "Can you… revive the dead?"

Priscila's gaze sharpened. "Technically, no."

"I see."

"However." The goddess's voice softened. "For you, I can make an exception—if you fulfill my conditions."

Hee-Jin's fingers tapped against the book's cover. "What is it?"

"Excluding the protagonist, there are six key figures. If you include the protagonist? There are Ten of them."

Getting the gist of it, Hee-Jin said, "And you want me to save them all?"

Priscila snapped her fingers. A transparent screen formed, displaying ten familiar faces.

"No deaths," the goddess stated. "That is my condition."

Hee-Jin exhaled, lips twitching into a smirk. "That's going to be difficult."

"Did you think reviving someone would be easy?"

"Fair point." Her gaze lingered on the faces before her. Then, she shifted back to Priscila. "Goddess, I hope you're not lying."

Priscila tilted her head. "And if I were?"

"Nothing. I know my limits." Hee-Jin's voice was calm—too calm. "However, if I ever become a god myself… you will die by my hand."

Priscila chuckled. "That won't happen."

"Is that so?" Hee-Jin's grin widened.

"Enough talking." The goddess dismissed the screen with a wave. "Tell me one thing you need before I send you to that world."

"Anything?"

"Anything within my power."

Hee-Jin crossed her arms, thinking for only a second before flashing a confident smile.

"I just need myself. My talent, my looks, my capabilities. Everything about me, untouched."

Priscila let out a breathless laugh. "You really are full of yourself."

"Of course. I am unmatched, after all."

The goddess shook her head, amused. A brilliant light engulfed Hee-Jin, and just before the world faded, Priscila spoke one last time.

"Good luck, Eun Hee-Jin… No, your new name is Ellen."

"What a boring name~" Hee-Jin mused before vanishing into thin air.

Now alone once more, Priscila conjured an extravagant chair and sank into it. Her gaze lifted to the endless stars before her, a whisper escaping her lips.

"Now… will you succeed?"