《Evening Sun》 A Festival The moon hung high in the sky, its silver glow casting a soft light over the land. Stars twinkled like scattered jewels, and the cold night wind whispered through the swaying grass. A young girl stood outside her door, gazing up at the vast sky with a heavy sigh. She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders as the chill crept in and began walking along a well-trodden path, guided only by the moonlight. After a few minutes, she noticed the distant silhouettes of people approaching. The village market was alive with warmth and light, a stark contrast to the surrounding darkness. Laughter and music filled the air, blending into a lively melody. In the center of it all stood a large bonfire, its flames dancing in rhythm with the wind. Around it, young men and women moved in a joyous circle, their bodies swaying to the beat of the festival. Ryanne lived in a quiet rural village, far from the bustling capital of the kingdom. With a population of fewer than three hundred, nearly everyone in the village knew one another. The festival was a rare moment of celebration, a tradition that had persisted for generations. The music grew louder, the rhythm of drums and voices swelling in harmony. Yet, rather than feeling overwhelming, the sound was enchanting, drawing in even those who had no intention of joining. Every year, before winter arrived, the villagers held this festival to honor Aalto, the spirit of the sea. They would prepare an offering, casting it into the waves in hopes of appeasing the spirit. The night was then spent dancing and singing until dawn. This custom had existed for so long that even the villagers themselves were unsure of its origin. Daekrahm, a seaside village, relied on fishing, making it natural for accidents to occur at sea. However, as time passed, fishermen began disappearing at an alarming rate, all within a specific stretch of water. Rumors spread, theories emerged¡ªsome spoke of mermaids luring sailors to their doom, others feared sirens singing them into madness. But the most popular tale was of a spirit dwelling beneath the sea, claiming lives as a price for its wrath. Though most villagers, including Ryanne, doubted the truth behind these stories, the festival remained a sacred tradition. Whether out of belief or habit, they continued to offer gifts to the unseen, ensuring the ritual was upheld. As Ryanne observed the festivities, her gaze settled on a group of children playing at the edge of the celebration. Away from the bonfire, they clutched white sheets of paper, folding them into intricate shapes while their laughter rang through the air. She approached them at a leisurely pace, arriving within moments. Sensing her presence, the children looked up, their cheerful expressions momentarily pausing. Among them was a boy with emerald eyes that shimmered in the firelight, his raven-black hair framing his face. "It''s getting late. You should head home now," Ryanne said softly. The boy''s face fell in disappointment. "Just a little longer? Can''t I stay?" her younger brother, Paul, pleaded. Ryanne understood his reluctance¡ªshe, too, longed to enjoy the festival, to lose herself in the merriment. But duty called, and responsibility came first. She sighed, this time with more resolve. "Mom will scold you if you don¡¯t come home now. Instead of playing, you should be helping us prepare for tomorrow." Paul heaved a sigh of resignation. After bidding farewell to his friends, he followed his sister away from the festivities. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. They walked in silence, the only sound coming from the rustling leaves and the distant hum of the village. Ryanne¡¯s long hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying gently with the wind that grew stronger as the night deepened. The festive atmosphere still lingered in her mind. "Everyone seemed to be having fun," she thought, recalling the faces of her friends among the crowd. She quickly shook off the thought. As the eldest daughter, Ryanne knew that family responsibility always came first. "Ah, Sister, I read something interesting earlier. Want to hear it?" Ryanne glanced at her brother before returning her gaze to the road. "If it''s another piece of gossip, like Mister Geoffe taking another mistress, then I''m not interested." Mister Geoffe owned the local tavern. Unlike most villagers, he was educated and well-spoken. If he had another sibling to inherit the family business, he likely would have left for the capital, Lyndhurst, like so many others dreamed of doing. Ryanne shared that dream¡ªone day, she hoped to leave Daekrahm behind and experience the world beyond its shores. If Geoffe had one glaring flaw, it was his insatiable appetite for women. He flirted with every woman he met, married or not. "I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if his wife asked for a divorce sooner or later. Honestly, it¡¯s more surprising that she¡¯s lasted a year with a man like him." "It¡¯s not gossip," Paul insisted. "I read it in a newspaper. Azra is going on hiatus for the next few months." Ryanne halted in her tracks. "What? That must be fake news!" she exclaimed, turning to her brother with disbelief. Paul shrugged. "It¡¯s true. It said she¡¯s taking a break due to health reasons." For a moment, Ryanne was speechless. Azra was a name that had taken the kingdom by storm three years ago. A singer of unparalleled talent, she was often invited to perform at noble banquets, yet her music also resonated with commoners. Even though Ryanne had never seen her in person, Azra''s voice played in taverns and shops, filling the air with her melancholic yet enchanting melodies. It was a voice that felt almost otherworldly, capable of entrancing anyone who heard it¡ªRyanne included. Though she didn''t want to believe it, Paul had no reason to lie. "I wonder what happened. I hope she gets well soon," she murmured, a hint of sadness in her voice. ***** A few kilometers away from the village¡­ The sea stretches endlessly beneath the bright full moon, its surface eerily still. Not a single wave disturbs the water, as if life itself has abandoned this place. At the heart of this vast emptiness, a lone boat drifts. A woman sits inside, shivering against the biting cold. "Fuck¡­ Goddammit." Did I betray my country in my past life? Did I kill someone? Why am I so fucking unlucky? Is this what they call karma? She pulls her hood tighter as the wind howls through the empty night. Despite the layers of thick clothing wrapped around her, the chill seeps into her bones, making her feel as if she might freeze to death at any moment. "Really¡­ Hah. Fucking hell," she mutters, her eyes landing on the unmoving lump at the other end of the boat, concealed beneath a white cloth. If anyone saw this scene, they would probably assume she was a serial killer, out here to dispose of her victims in the dead of night. Who would have thought that the renowned figure the world believed to be recovering in solitude was actually here, sailing into the unknown with ten corpses in tow? She stops rowing. "This should be far enough," she whispers, though she knows no one will respond. She speaks anyway, hoping the sound of her own voice will calm the erratic beating of her heart. Her gaze sweeps over the endless sea once more. Too quiet. Too still. The unnatural calm only fuels her unease. They say that anyone who ventures beyond this point simply vanishes. The Bermuda Triangle of this world. But staring at the dark waters before her, she sees nothing. No monster lurking beneath. No storm brewing above. Just silence. She exhales a slow, shaky breath. "Why am I even here?" She just wanted to go home. Swallowing her fear, she reaches for the first corpse and hoists it over the side of the boat. It¡¯s heavy. It takes time and effort, but she forces herself to continue, tossing them into the sea one by one. One. Two. Three. By the time she¡¯s done, her arms feel like lead, her breath ragged from exertion. She straightens, fists clenched at her sides, and looks up¡ªfirst at the water, then at the sky. Her heart pounds. The wind howls, sending a violent shiver down her spine as she removes her cloak. "It¡¯s fine." She has regrets¡ªso many regrets. But it was still a good life¡­ wasn¡¯t it? Fingers tightening around the cold metal of her necklace, she closes her eyes and takes a step forward. Then¡ª She jumps. Chapter 02: Embracing Destiny What if you suddenly woke up in an unfamiliar place? A place where you know no one, and no one knows you. A place where you have nothing but yourself. In novels, when the protagonist transmigrates or reincarnates into another world, they are often shocked at first, then comes the realization, and finally, the acceptance. Using their knowledge from the modern world, they begin replicating and inventing things, earning admiration from those around them. Most of the time, their goal is to return to Earth¡ªbut only a few ever succeed. Yet, it''s almost guaranteed that these protagonists will achieve their happy endings. They make it look so easy. The idea of transmigrating into another world sounds exciting¡ªbut only for those who have lived a miserable life, desperate to escape their reality. For me, it¡¯s the complete opposite. I was on the verge of success when everything was suddenly taken away. The things I painstakingly worked for, sacrificing everything to achieve, vanished in an instant. In my twenty-three years of life, there have been three major turning points. The first was when my mother died. The second was when I was seventeen and scouted for an idol audition. "An audition? Are you sure you¡¯re not a scammer?" I asked, eyeing the business card the man had just handed me. ''Sebastian'' I silently read the name while also memorizing some of the basic info''s included in the card. Every weekend, I worked at a shop two blocks away from my school. I was on my way there when this man suddenly approached me, asking for a moment of my time. We ended up sitting in a small caf¨¦. At first, I was skeptical. He could be a thief or a pervert trying to lure me into a secluded place. But I dismissed the idea¡ªunless he was stupid, he wouldn¡¯t attempt something like that in broad daylight, right in the middle of the city. The police station was just around the corner, after all. He introduced himself as a scout from ___ Agency. He was well-dressed, wearing a suit and looking presentable, but I knew better than to trust appearances alone. He might not be a thief or a pervert, but that didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t a scammer. I needed the money, but I also couldn¡¯t afford to be deceived. "Better safe than sorry." I decided to hear him out. After expressing my concerns, he reassured me. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "I understand your doubts. You can visit our company directly to verify everything," he said. I had always been content with my quiet life, staying in the shadows. But this offer¡­ It was a door to a world I had never imagined myself in¡ªa realm of glitz and glamour, completely opposite to my simple routines. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Should I at least give it a shot? "Well¡­ I¡¯ll try." He seemed satisfied with my answer. I glanced outside at the setting sun, its golden light reflecting off the calm river beneath the bridge. He followed my gaze and smiled. "Beautiful, isn¡¯t it?" he mused. I stared at the flowing water. It looked surreal¡ªalmost too perfect¡ªbut an unsettling feeling crept up my spine. I couldn¡¯t explain it. I quickly turned away. "It really is," I replied, taking a sip of my coffee. *** I never expected much, but surprisingly, I passed the audition and became the youngest member of the group. "Hello! I don¡¯t know if you know me, but my name is Shia." Her dyed pink wavy hair fluttered as she moved. A small face, big round eyes¡ªshe looked just like she did in the dramas I used to watch as a kid. I pinched my cheek to check if I was dreaming, but the sharp sting of pain proved that I wasn¡¯t. I even rubbed my eyes, making sure I wasn¡¯t hallucinating. Seeing my reaction, she let out a soft laugh. "Of course I know you. How could I not? I¡¯m a fan!" I clasped her hands tightly. Shia was a former child actress. Though her popularity had faded over the years, she was still active in the entertainment industry. To think that I¡¯d be meeting her in person¡­ and that we¡¯d be working together! "I¡¯m glad someone still remembers me," she said with a small smile. Her voice was mature, a stark contrast to her cutesy tone from when she was a child. "Of course I do! And honestly, you¡¯re even prettier in person than on TV! I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m meeting you for real. Am I talking too much? Ah, sorry, I¡¯m just so excited!" "That¡¯s perfectly fine. I¡¯m actually glad you¡¯re comfortable with me." At first, everything went smoothly. There were six members in our group. Though I was closest to Shia, I got along well with the others. Over the months, our bond strengthened¡ªwe became like real sisters. Despite the hectic schedule¡ªjuggling school, part-time work, and practice¡ªI endured it all because of them. Then, before our debut, everything changed. One day, our manager made an unexpected announcement. "You¡¯ll be the group¡¯s center." The news sparked backlash. The others insisted that Shia should be the center instead¡ªshe was better at dancing, had more experience, and already had a fanbase. I understood their reasoning, but it still hurt. Did they really think I wasn¡¯t capable? I tried to talk to our manager, hoping to change his decision. But his response left me speechless. "What do you think a former child actress is doing in an idol group? She¡¯s here because she didn¡¯t succeed in acting. The prettiest member should be the center. So what if you can¡¯t dance as well as the others? Just smile. That¡¯s all you need to do." His words didn¡¯t reassure me¡ªthey made me feel worthless. But since I had no say in the matter, I decided to prove myself instead. I devoted all my free time to practicing. Slowly, my grades started dropping. I stopped hanging out with my friends, isolating myself completely. I thought it was fine. After all, the whole point of studying was to get a good job¡ªand if I was going to earn a lot of money as an idol, then what was the point of school? So, I dropped out to focus entirely on my part-time job and training. A year passed, and we finally debuted. Our agency was already well-known, so promoting us wasn¡¯t difficult. We gained fans¡ªbut along with them came the haters. I sat alone in a dimly lit room, scrolling through harsh comments online. I was confident in my singing¡ªthat¡¯s why they made me the center. But my dancing? "She¡¯s the weakest dancer." "She doesn¡¯t deserve to be the center." "She¡¯s ruining the group¡¯s image." I pushed myself harder, practicing until my body ached. "You¡¯re still here? Practice ended an hour ago." Azalea walked in, looking concerned. I wiped my sweat and shrugged. "Just practicing a little more." I caught my reflection in the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes. I looked exhausted. Azalea sighed. "You don¡¯t have to be good at everything, you know." "What do you mean? No¡ªwait, more importantly, why are you here?" I asked. "I left my phone," she said as she walked toward me. "And I mean what I said. You may not be that good at dancing, but your singing is top-notch. Why don''t you focus on your strengths instead?" "I guess you have a point." "Then let''s hang out this weekend. There''s a new caf¨¦ in front of the company building." "I have work on weekends, though." "Eh? It''s my treat, then." "Oh¡­ I guess I have some time after work in the afternoon." *** I followed her advice and focused on what I could do best¡ªsinging and smiling at the fans, acting all cute and friendly. It didn¡¯t take long for our popularity to skyrocket. Or rather, mine. It was supposed to be an idol group, but it seemed our agency had other plans. As my popularity grew, they began showing blatant favoritism. A year after our debut, I was given a solo album. It didn¡¯t stop there¡ªI was offered interviews, acting gigs, and modeling jobs. Anyone could tell the company was pulling strings to push me forward. Since I was already earning a lot, I quit all my part-time jobs. My schedule became overwhelming, and I stopped hanging out with Shia and the others. I didn¡¯t even know what was going on with them anymore. That¡¯s when everything started to go downhill.