🌸 WON HAEJIN'S POV 🌸

The following day, in Jina's body, I prepared to visit the palace according to our plan.

Doo Na dressed me in Jina's finest attire while Yong made all the necessary preparations for the journey.

After having breakfast at around 8 in the morning, we were ready to depart from the inn.

“We're currently in Anseong. It'll take us about four hours to reach the palace,” I heard Doo Na say as she helped me get inside the carriage.

Four hours?! What will I do in my spare time? There isn't even any internet to keep me occupied! I thought, feeling a sense of unease settle in.

“Snap your fingers once and you'll return while Jina will take over,” I remembered Yara's instructions and snapped my fingers.

Immediately, I felt my form fading and a moment later, I was in the Transition Lounge.

“Taking advantage of your agent status to the fullest?” Yara commented.

“Of course! By no means was I going to sit idly for four hours,” I replied.

“How about utilizing this time?” Yara suggested. “Let me tell you about your agent abilities.”

“Agent abilities?” I asked, intrigued.

“Yes, these are special features you can use as a Fate Changing Agent,” Yara explained. “Let's start with the gestures first.”

She snapped her fingers once.

“By snapping your fingers once, you can activate the swap feature and switch places with Jina.”

I nodded, understanding immediately since I had just used the feature moments ago.

“If I snapped my fingers now, would I switch with Jina and return to the narrative?” I asked.

“No,” Yara replied. “The swap feature only works when you're in the narrative. Both you and Jina can use it to switch places whenever needed,” she clarified.

I nodded.

“Next is the contract-assigned ability,” Yara said.

“Contract-assigned? What's this now?”

“Remember how you made a demand while signing the agent’s contract?”

“Yes,” I replied. “I thought I was dreaming and even suggested merging the stories. I hope it won't complicate things.”

“The contract has given you the ‘pause and play’ feature.”

“Pause and play, like in video players?” I asked.

Yara nodded. “You can use it to pause and play, or rather, freeze and unfreeze time in the narrative.”

She crossed her index and middle fingers. “This gesture activates the pause feature,” she informed.

I crossed my fingers, memorizing the gesture.

“And this,” she uncrossed her fingers, “will trigger the play feature.”

“Crossed fingers pause, uncrossed fingers play,” I practiced a few times.

“Okay, I got it,” I declared confidently.

“Time to establish your RealmLink connection.” Yara materialized a small, translucent crystal earpiece in her hand.

“Here, wear it like an earphone,” she gestured, and the crystal floated towards me.

“Okay,” I obeyed, placing it in my right ear.

As soon as it settled in, I felt a comforting, warm sensation. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the crystal glowing softly. A moment later, the glow ceased, and the earpiece seemed to merge seamlessly with my ear, becoming invisible to the outside world.

‘Connection established,’ I heard a voice in my head.

“Did this thing just... merge with my ear?!” I asked, dumbfounded.

“Don't worry, it's not harmful,” Yara assured me, and I took a deep breath.

“RealmLink will allow you to communicate between the fictional realm and the Awakened Characters Realm,” Yara explained. “Based on the situation, you can communicate both verbally and telepathically.”

“Really?! How do I use it?” I asked, trying to contain my excitement.

“Just tap your ear where the crystal is embedded,” Yara said with a warm smile. “Jina's RealmLink connection is already established. Try communicating with her,” she added.

I tapped my ear gently, and a soft chime echoed in my mind.

‘Connecting with Jina,’ I heard a voice in my head.

A moment later, Jina's voice echoed in my mind, “What is it? Are you calling to brag about your agent abilities?”

“Wow! I'm really talking to you!” I exclaimed.

“How do I talk telepathically?” I asked Yara.

“Just think what you want to say,” Yara replied.

Think? What should I think?

“Think anything you want!” Jina's voice echoed again, frustration evident in it.

You can hear me? I thought.

“Yes,” she replied.

I smiled, the possibilities of this new ability dawning on me.

Alright, let's focus on the plan, I thought, directing my thoughts towards Jina.

“Agreed,” Jina responded. “Just remember, stay calm and trust your instincts. We're in this together.”

I nodded to myself, feeling a newfound sense of confidence. “Got it.”

“How do I disconnect the call? Oh! I think I know!” I tapped my ear again.

‘Disconnecting with Jina,’ the notification confirmed I was right.

Yara looked at me, pleased. “Now that you're familiar with RealmLink, let me proceed with your agent perks,” she smiled and conjured a floating tablet-like device in front of me.

Curious, I leaned forward to examine it. “What's this?” I asked, intrigued by the holographic display in front of me.

“It's called the Holo-Tab. It contains everything you need to navigate your tasks efficiently,” Yara explained.

She gestured towards an icon on the screen featuring a key with wings.

“This is your OmniPass, your all-in-one VIP Pass. It grants you access to exclusive areas and services in the Awakened Characters Realm.”

“And here,” she continued, tapping an icon of a parchment with an ink pot, “is the Tale-Tracker. It helps you keep track of your progress in the story. It won't give you every detail, but it'll guide you through the major milestones.”

I nodded, impressed. “This will definitely come in handy!”

I noticed another icon and asked, “What's this?”

Yara smiled, pointing to a shimmering icon of a cozy bed with sparkles. “This is your Enchanted Suite,” she replied warmly. “In the Awakened Characters Realm, you can stay here.”

“Stay...” I repeated, processing the information. “You've prepared everything for my stay, but... my parents must be worried for me,” I said. “I've been asleep for two days, right?”

“Haejin, time here isn't the same as it is in your world,” Yara informed. “In short, you won't lose a day in your world,” she added with a smile.

“But... how?” I couldn't wrap my head around it.

After thinking for a while, I decided to give up.

Worrying about the differences in time wouldn't help. Instead, I need to embrace the opportunities and advantages of being in the Awakened Characters Realm.

I took a deep breath.

“I'm fine as long as it doesn't complicate things for me in my world,” I decided.

“Enchanted Suite you said?” I repeated, intrigued by the magical aura of the icon.

“It's your own private sanctuary with a hint of magic,” Yara explained. “Here, you can rest and recharge between your adventures.”

“I'm like a literal VIP here! I have my own VIP pass and even an Enchanted Suite!” I exclaimed, feeling a sense of wonder at the thought of such a magical accommodation.

The Tale-Tracker icon began to glow, and a message appeared on the holographic Holo-Tab.

‘Jina is about to reach the palace,’ it read.

“So soon? It's barely been an hour,” I said, surprised.

“Remember, time in the fictional world differs from your world,” Yara reminded me. “Years can pass for the characters while only hours go by for the viewers,” she explained.

I nodded, absorbing the information.

A ringing sensation followed by 'an incoming call from Jina' echoed in my mind.

I tapped my ear.

“Haejin-ssi, you should see this,” Jina said, then disconnected the call abruptly.

“See... what?” I asked, confusion settling in.

All of a sudden, I felt my form fading and the next moment, I was back in the carriage.

It'll take a while to get used to this. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the change.

The carriage came to a halt, signaling our arrival at the palace.

I took a deep breath, about to step down from the carriage when my eyes noticed the sky, which had darkened as the moon began to cover the sun.

Wow! First episode has begun!

I hurriedly tapped my ear once and called Jina.

Episode 1 has started. Let's hurry before Wang So arrives. I informed telepathically.

“Alright,” Jina replied.

I swapped places with Jina, returning to the Transition Lounge.

“I hope everything goes according to our plan,” I muttered to myself.

🌸 POV CHANGE 🌸

It was the hour of the horse (11:00 AM to 01:00 PM) in Damiwon, the private tea and bath house of Goryeo's Royal family.

With the combination of late autumn's cold wind and warm water from the hot spring, the mist rose in the pool, enveloping the garden.

Third Prince Wang Yo, Eighth Prince Wang Wook, Ninth Prince Wang Won, Tenth Prince Wang Eun, Thirteenth Prince Wang Baekah and Fourteenth Prince Wang Jung, were taking a bath in the inner pool.

This was mandatory if they wanted to attend the spiritual cleansing ritual.

The light-hearted atmosphere of Damiwon soon changed into a gossip session about Fourth Prince Wang So, the third son of King Taejo from Queen Yoo and adopted son of the Kang family in Shinju, since he was four.

“Baekah-ya, did you hear that our fourth brother massacred his family in Shinju? They say it was very brutal, like a wolf killing people,” Prince Eun informed about the rumours he had heard.

“You can't believe all the rumours like that. All the criminals in the nation don't even talk about things like that,” Prince Baekah replied.

“Hey! All our visitors from Shinju say so. It must be true,” Prince Eun argued.

“It is merely a rumour. How can he take down the local government on his own? What about the local army? Even good martial arts skills won't suffice,” Prince Jung joined in. “Also, brother So never had a master who taught him to fight,” he further added.

“Jung-ah, you and brother So have the same mother. You never know when you'll turn into a wolf too,” Prince Eun mimicked a wolf's howl, trying to scare Prince Jung.

“Shut your mouths!” Prince Yo, who had heard enough of the younger princes' gossip, slammed his hand against the mahogany tea table, grabbing everyone's attention.

“Then, our second brother and I were born from the same womb as our fourth brother. Are we not human as well?” he enquired, his tone sharp.

The atmosphere in the Damiwon turned serious and Prince Eun ducked his head low, clearly regretting the words he had said carelessly.

“His jokes were too harsh. I will speak to him later on. Please don't take it to heart,” Prince Wook tried to sustain the situation.

“Fourth Prince So will be returning to Shinju once the spiritual ritual is over. If the king hears about any nonsense, I will not stand by idly. Do you understand?” Prince Yo warned, looking specifically at the younger princes.

“Brothers, should we make a bet on who can float the longest? Let's go to the outer pool.” Prince Eun hurried to Damiwon's outer pool, trying to escape the serious atmosphere.

While floating in the outer pool alone, he bumped against something and turned his head to look at the object he bumped into, only to find a girl (Go Ha Jin), dressed in traditional attire, staring back at him.

“Ah!” The girl and the prince yelled together, clearly frightened by each other.

Their screams caught the attention of other princes and the serious atmosphere of Damiwon turned full of confusion as the princes' wondered how a girl appeared in the royal bath out of nowhere.

Meanwhile, Go Ha Jin, now inside Soo's body, took in her surroundings with confusion, unable to understand what was going on.

She caught sight of a servant girl (Chae Ryung) and hurriedly went after her, trying to escape the chaos of the strange place with semi-naked guys.

Chae Ryung dragged her out of the secret tunnel and they reached the bathing area.

Ha Jin finally managed to ask her where she was and when Chae Ryung told her they were in Songak's largest bathing area, she came to the conclusion that she had died and was in the afterlife and fainted.

🌼~🌼~🌼

Outside the palace gates, Jina inhaled deeply, the crisp autumn air filling her lungs. She stood tall, ready to follow the plan she, Yara, and Haejin had crafted so meticulously.

“Here,” Doo Na said, her voice steady but filled with a hint of anticipation. She handed Jina a small, intricately carved wooden box. Inside, nestled in soft silk, lay the divine moonstone amulet, its surface shimmering with an ethereal glow.

Jina nodded, a confident smile gracing her lips. She took the box from Doo Na's hand, feeling the weight of their hopes and plans within it.

“Thank you,” Jina said, her voice firm with determination.

Doo Na gave a reassuring nod, her eyes reflecting the trust and faith she had in Jina. “Go on, Miss. We'll be waiting for you.”

With one last deep breath, Jina turned towards the palace gates. The guards stationed there took note of her presence, their expressions shifting to ones of recognition and respect.

When she reached the gate, a guard stepped forward, bowing deeply in respect. “Welcome, Lady Jina,” he greeted, his voice respectful yet firm.

Jina returned the bow with equal respect, a polite smile on her lips. “Thank you,” she replied softly.

The guard gestured towards the palace entrance, indicating he would escort her. “Please, follow me. I will take you to the throne room.”

Jina nodded, following after him.

As they walked through the palace grounds, Jina couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and grandeur around her. The gardens were meticulously maintained, with vibrant flowers and carefully pruned trees creating a picturesque scene.

Inside the palace, the atmosphere shifted to one of solemnity and awe. Servants and officials moved about with purpose, their whispers and footsteps echoing through the hallways.

The guard led Jina through a series of grand hallways, each more magnificent than the last. Finally, they approached a set of towering doors, intricately carved and guarded by two imposing sentries.

With a nod to the sentries, the guard announced their arrival. “Lady Jina is here to see His Majesty.”

The sentries stepped aside, pushing open the heavy doors to reveal the throne room.

Jina took a deep breath, steeling herself for the encounter ahead.

“Thank you,” she said to the guard, who bowed once more before stepping aside to allow her passage.

She walked forward, the wooden box held carefully in her hands, each step a testament to her resolve.

The majestic hall was filled with high-ranking officials and nobles, all eyes turning towards her as she approached the throne.

At the far end of the room, the king sat regally on his throne, his presence commanding respect and attention. She walked forward with poise, the wooden box containing the divine moonstone amulet held carefully in her hands.

Stopping a few paces before the throne, Jina bowed deeply, showing her respect. “Hae Jina of the Hansai Hae clan greets you, Your Majesty.”

The king nodded slightly, indicating she should continue.

Jina straightened and opened the wooden box, revealing the divine moonstone amulet. Its ethereal glow caught the light, casting a soft, otherworldly shimmer across the room.

“This amulet,” she said, holding it up for all to see, “is a gift from the leader of the Hansai Hae clan. It is presented to you, Your Majesty, as a token of our loyalty and respect.”

There was a murmur of appreciation from the gathered officials and nobles as they admired the exquisite amulet.

Jina continued, “This amulet was bestowed upon our clan's founder by the Moon Deity generations ago. It has been a cherished symbol of our clan's honour and divine protection. Today, we offer it to you, Your Majesty, to signify our unwavering loyalty and respect.”

The king's eyes fixed on the moonstone, his expression thoughtful.

After a moment, he spoke, his voice strong and measured. “Your clan's loyalty is noted, Lady Jina. This gift, with its profound history and significance, is a symbol of great honour.”

Jina bowed her head again, a sense of relief washing over her. “We are honoured to serve you, Your Majesty,” she replied.

The king gestured to one of his attendants, who stepped forward and carefully took the amulet from Jina.

“In recognition of the Hansai Hae clan's unwavering loyalty, respect, and their vital role in guarding the Goryeo-Khitan borders,” the king announced, his voice resonating through the throne room, “I decree that ten thousand weapons and one thousand war horses be bestowed upon them.”

The announcement stirred a wave of murmurs among the courtiers. Some clans were visibly displeased, their discontent rooted in the long-standing advantage the Hansai Hae clan enjoyed due to their lineage being from the Moon Deity.

Jina maintained her composure, aware of the jealousy and rivalry that simmered beneath the surface. The Hansai Hae clan's strategic position guarding the Goryeo-Khitan border and their divine heritage had always set them apart, but it also made them a target of envy.

Her heart swelled with pride for her clan as she bowed deeply once more. “Your Majesty's generosity knows no bounds. On behalf of the Hansai Hae clan, I express our deepest gratitude.”

The king nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Your clan has shown great honour and dedication. May these gifts strengthen your forces and fortify our alliance.”

Jina straightened, her eyes shining with gratitude and determination. “We will continue to serve with utmost loyalty, Your Majesty. Thank you for your magnanimity.”

The king's expression softened, nodding in acknowledgment. “Your dedication is commendable, Lady Jina. However, I must inquire why you arrived late.”

Jina maintained her composure despite the subtle tension in the air. “Your Majesty, we encountered a bandit attack in Anseong during our journey. It delayed our progress significantly as some of our soldiers, including myself, were injured and needed time to recuperate.”

💮 Flashback 💮

“Now, shall we focus on devising a plan for the future?” Yara suggested. Both Jina and Haejin nodded in agreement.

“In order to follow the narrative, I have to deliver the moonstone amulet to the king,” Jina said.

“But that amulet caused your Spirit Split Malady,” Haejin pointed out. “Even though it's just a plot device, the characters don't know that. What if the king thinks you're trying to harm him by... splitting his spirit?”

“You have a point,” Jina agreed. “The king might have me executed or even exterminate my clan.”

Yara interjected, “The Spirit Split Malady is a plot device, Haejin. Since Jina is a main character, it's only applicable to her. The amulet won't affect the king or anyone else in the same way.”

“Like how the eclipse only affected Go Ha Jin and sent her to the past?” Haejin compared, thinking of the plot of Moon Lovers.

“Exactly,” Yara replied. “Conflicts like these are needed to drive the characters forward.”

“That's reassuring.” Jina sighed with relief. “Let's keep the Spirit Split Malady a secret and use the bandit attack as the reason for our delay in case someone asks. It's believable and won't raise any suspicions,” she suggested.

“What if the king decides to investigate?” Haejin questioned.

“He won't since no severe harm was done,” Jina reassured. “At most, the king will increase security in Anseong, which will keep future bandits out,” she added.

After thinking for a while, Haejin agreed to go along with the bandit attack.

“I'll inform Doo Na, Yong, and the others to stick with our story about the bandit attack.” Jina assured her.

💮 Flashback Ends 💮

The king's brow furrowed slightly at Jina's explanation. “Bandits in Anseong? This is troubling news indeed,” he remarked, concern flickering across his face. “I trust all of you are unharmed?”

Jina nodded solemnly. “Yes, Your Majesty. We managed to fend them off, but it delayed our journey significantly.”

The king's expression softened with understanding. “You have done well to protect yourselves and the provisions. Anseong has been a troublesome region lately; we must strengthen our patrols there.”

He paused, his gaze piercing as he studied Jina. “And how are you faring, Lady Jina? Your health?”

Jina hesitated briefly, then straightened with resolve. “I am well, Your Majesty. The incident has left no lasting harm,” she replied, though her eyes betrayed a hint of lingering unease.

The king nodded, his concern evident. “Ensure you take the time to rest and recover fully. We cannot afford to lose any of our valuable soldiers to such skirmishes.”

Jina bowed her head in acknowledgment. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding and consideration.”

With the king's approval, Jina turned and made her way out of the throne room, her steps lightened by the successful presentation and the immense reward granted to her clan. The Hansai Hae clan's loyalty had not only been recognized but greatly rewarded, solidifying their position and ensuring their continued support for the king.

After exiting the throne room, Jina tapped her right ear once and called out to Haejin.

Haejin-ssi, I've delivered the amulet. Let's switch, she informed telepathically.

Haejin, who was keeping track of the plot with the help of the Tale-Tracker, replied in agreement, and with a snap of Jina's fingers, they swapped places seamlessly.

🌸 WON HAEJIN'S POV 🌸

“Haejin-ssi, I've delivered the amulet. Let's switch,” Jina informed and soon I felt my form fading. The next moment, I was back in Jina's body.

I looked around and realised just how enormous the palace area was.

The Tale-Tracker notified that Wang So would reach the palace soon. But...This place is so big. How will I find the entrance where he arrives?

Just then, I recalled that his arrival scene took place near the sky tower.

Let's find the sky tower.

Spotting a passing court lady, I politely asked, “Excuse me, could you please escort me to the sky tower?”

“Yes, lady. Follow me,” the court lady replied kindly, leading the way.

I need to remember the directions.

Initially this was my plan. But in the twists and turns of the palace area, I forgot the directions.

“We're here,” the court lady announced.

“Thank you for your help,” I bowed gratefully. She smiled and continued on her way.

“I hope I won't have to wait long,” I lazily gazed around, killing time till Wang So arrived.

About five minutes later, a guard commanded, “Open the door!”

The gates parted, and there he was—Lee Joon Gi, I mean, Wang So, seated on a black stallion.

Aahh! My excitement is killing me! I tried so hard to keep myself from screaming and jumping.

The thrill soon vanished when I recalled what would happen next.

The horse! I'll have to save it.

“Prince So!” I tried to appear confident like Jina but my confident facade began to crumble when I saw him approach me with his sword.

W- Why is he bringing his sword? Will he slaughter me because I didn't let him kill that poor horse!?

I took a few deep breaths, desperately hoping to calm myself.

“You, who are you?” Wang So's piercing gaze locked onto me, demanding an answer.

“I– I am Hae Jina.” I replied, trying to keep my act cool.