DARLO 01

“When I opened my eyes, I was staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.”

When that cliché line I was so sick of became reality—when I realized I had entered someone else’s body—
my long experience reading web novels told me something.

This was the opening of a possession story.

The moment I realized it, I shouted the line I’d always wanted to say at least once:

“Status window!”

……

No response. So it’s not a hunter-type or constellation-type story.

Judging by this exotic appearance, it’s not a modern setting either.

“Mom! Dad! Head maid! Butler! Is anyone there?!”

Thinking of a Western-style romance fantasy, I shouted loudly toward the door.

Still no answer. So it’s not a family story either?

“My body’s fully grown, so it can’t be a childcare story. A normal extra-possession story, maybe? Hmm…”

Usually, possession stories begin with waking up in an unfamiliar bedroom—but surprisingly, I hadn’t woken up in a soft bed…

I was on a sofa.

That’s right. I had fallen asleep on a sofa and woken up there.

No matter how you look at it, I’m definitely not some noble lady, huh?

Still, couldn’t they at least let me sleep in a bed?

“Well, whatever.”

I got up, stretching my stiff neck from side to side.

No matter where I ended up possessing someone, I wasn’t particularly surprised.

Because…

‘I’ve basically lived like a possession-story protagonist.’

No family—an orphan. No deep relationships.

I drifted from place to place my whole life, working myself to death, and died alone.

The perfect setup to become the protagonist of a possession story.

That’s why I had promised myself I wouldn’t be surprised even if I suddenly woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling one day.

‘Though I didn’t think it would actually happen.’

I had even carefully chosen to read only light, easygoing stories… but still, whose body did I end up in?

I got up and looked around.

Worn-out furniture with chipped edges and messy piles of documents scattered everywhere came into view.
It looked like an office that had been neglected for a long time.

Wow, even possession stories have gotten harsh. Is it because of the economy?

Thinking that, I approached what looked like a work desk.

Amid the shabby office, a nameplate—the only thing that looked new—was gleaming.

“‘Office Director Celia Welf’… Is that my name?”

Office director? What kind of office?

I tried to think of characters who run offices…

…There are some, but not many.

Most of them are extras, so none stood out clearly in my memory.

As I absentmindedly fiddled with the nameplate, trying to recall something—

“Huh?”

A blue light began to shine from it.

And then…

Welcome!

You have taken your first step into a new life as ‘Celia Welf.’

Follow the system’s guide to gain job experience and increase your expertise!

• Current Job Rank: F

System guide? Job?

I stared blankly at the text floating in the air.

“This is…”

A status window. The one I know.

Good. Looks like I at least got a cheat ability.

“Wait, why didn’t it appear when I called it earlier?”

※Notice! It is not a ‘Status Window’ but a ‘System Window.’ Please use the correct term! (thinking face) (praying hands)

Oh, so it didn’t appear because I called it the wrong name.

…Still, people can get names wrong sometimes. Why so petty?

First Mission Appears!

You have awakened in an unfamiliar world.

But what greets you is… a shabby office that could collapse at any moment?!

How will you survive here? What role has been given to you?

Let’s find related clues!

• Success Reward: New request, 500 cash

Another system message popped up.

Not even giving someone who just woke up a moment to breathe.

What a brutally work-focused system.

Anyway, my “role,” huh…

To find clues about myself, as the system suggested, I looked around the office.

It was old and dirty, but it had all the necessary furniture and daily supplies. Not too bad, actually.

“Hm? What’s this?”

While looking around, I found neatly placed documents and a bouquet on the desk.

Let’s see what’s written here.

“A business registration… and a property deed?”

Both had the name “Celia Welf” written on them.

Then I checked the card attached to the bouquet.

“Congratulations on the opening of Welf’s Detective Agency. From R, who misses you… Huh?”

Wait—detective agency?!

That was unexpected.

In fantasy worlds, isn’t that the kind of informant who gets bossed around by the protagonist, bullied, and occasionally extorted?

…Not exactly appealing.

Anyway, putting together all the clues I’d gathered so far, they pointed to one conclusion.

“So my name is Celia Welf, and I’m the owner of this newly opened detective agency.”

Of all things to possess into…

I wasn’t expecting to be some beloved noble lady or princess, but still—couldn’t I at least be an ordinary office worker?

As if responding to my complaint, the system window appeared again with a bright flash.

Mission Complete!

• As a reward, you receive 500 cash and a new request!

Looks like I completed the mission properly.

Now I had a small but cute amount of “cash” and another task.

“Cash” was obviously some kind of currency…

“A new request? How do I even receive that?”

Ding.

Just as I was wondering, I heard a bell ring behind me.

Along with a gust of cold air, someone entered.

“Hm…”

I turned around and saw a tall man wearing a hat pulled low over his face.

From his clothes and overall presence, he was clearly someone of high status.

Even though I hadn’t invited him in, he strode confidently toward me.

He looked me up and down, then frowned slightly.

“What a poor way to receive a guest.”

You’re the one who walked in uninvited?!

I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t respond.

‘…Wait.’

Could this be the “new request” the system mentioned?

“I don’t care if you just woke up. As long as you take the request.”

“Oh—yes!”

So I was right!

Is this where I start running the office?

My heart raced as I waited for him to speak.

“There was no other detective available. I don’t know how capable you are, though.”

Clicking his tongue, he tossed an envelope onto the desk.

“Find a woman.”

“A woman…?”

“Chelsea Graydan.”

…Who?

“A foolish woman who dared to leave my side without permission.”

Crunch.

I could hear his teeth grinding.

His eyes swirled with dark, suffocating emotions.

‘What’s with this guy…?’

The moment I saw his unhinged gaze, instinct told me something was very wrong.

Like I shouldn’t get involved with him any further…

“One week. That should be enough time.”

“What?”

“Find her within that time. If you fail…”

He turned sharply, as if he had said everything he needed to.

“You won’t live to see another morning.”

His low, chilling voice made it clear he meant every word.

The warmth in my chest vanished instantly, like cold water had been poured over me.

A thrilling first request as the head of a detective agency!

Find the missing wife of Marquis Graydan, the male lead of
<The Contracted Marchioness Files for Divorce>!

• Success Reward: 10,000 cash
• Failure Penalty: Death due to the rage of a regretful man

As soon as the conversation ended, the system window appeared, and my jaw dropped.

Death as a failure penalty?

Isn’t that way too harsh for a first mission?

And my first client was a man driven mad because his wife disappeared.

In other words—someone completely unreasonable.

“……”

Silence sank heavily into the empty space.

I stared at the spot where he had stood for a long time.

‘That’s a regretful obsessive male lead…? Isn’t he just insane?’

The novel he came from probably had tags like #crazyML #obsessiveML #regretfulML #trashML.

I used to enjoy reading those kinds of stories.

The problem is… now I’m the underling who might die because of that crazy obsessive guy.

“This is insane…”

My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the sofa.

On the very first day of possession, I was already facing a life-threatening situation.

I had just learned my own name—how am I supposed to go out and find someone?

Overwhelmed with despair, I closed my eyes.

……

……

“…I’ll survive this!”

Ten seconds later, I shot up, shouting.