Dominance of Veiled Heart

Prologue

Ping!

The sound jolts me from my momentary daze. It’s almost the end of the month, and the money I’m expecting still hasn’t arrived. Did I get scammed? I reach for my phone, uninterested—until my eyes widen at the notification.

[[Hey Sunniva, payment has been sent. Thanks!]]

“Yes!” A wide smile spreads across my face.

He’s a legit client!

I take back all my doubts. It’s another payment from one of my freelance clients, on top of my full-time job as a Multimedia Designer. That means more cash to feed the ever-hungry belly of my savings account! 

Excitement bubbles up as I lick the leftover cheese powder from my fingers—every bite of my late-night cheesy curls was worth it! I quickly clean my hands with a wet wipe and open my banking app to confirm. Nothing excites me more than seeing numbers in my bank account.

It’s midnight, and I’m sprawled in front of my computer, the screen’s glow illuminating my workspace. Snack crumbs litter my desk, and my fizzy soft drink is drained to the last drop in my hand.

With a triumphant wrist flick, I toss the can into the trash. “Finally, I can buy my dream shoes!” I exclaim, twirling in my office chair.

For six long months, I’ve been stashing spare change and savings into a time-deposit account to take advantage of compounding interest. I’m not rich, so I have to be smart and careful about where I put my money. But today, the wait is over—all for this moment.

[[Congratulations! You have reached your goal of buying shoes, earning boosted interest based on the selected due date of your Time Deposit Plus account. Your accumulated amount will automatically be credited to your savings.]]

My eyes shine the brightest after checking my account. I’ve been counting down to this month, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they still have my size in stock. After wrapping up my latest project, I shut down my computer, stretch my hands, and sink into bed.

Satisfaction washes over me—nothing beats waking up to see my bank account glimmer with cash!

After a refreshing four-hour nap and a quick shower, I pull on the first outfit I find, a playful ensemble that matches my buoyant mood. I twist my hair into a messy bun and put on a little makeup to match my simple attire.

“Pretty!” I mumble, checking myself in the mirror. It’s my mantra—a little confidence to boost up before stepping out.

Before leaving, I take one last glance at my new home. It still holds that delightful fresh scent. It’s only been four months since I bought it, but it already feels like a dream come true. No one knows how many tears and struggles I had to endure to get here, but I’m proud of myself for never giving up. Sure, I don’t have a car yet, but that can wait—today is about one thing…

“My dream shoes!!”

Walking through the massive entrance of the mall, I’m nearly overwhelmed by its sheer size. My excitement pulls me in every direction as I take in the bustling crowds and towering storefronts. As soon as I grasp the shopping bag with my new shoes—on sale, no less—it feels like I’ve hit the jackpot. I can almost hear celebratory cheers in my mind: a new home, a thriving career, and now, the shoes I’ve dreamed of for ages. And what’s a celebration without a drink?

This is living!

I check my phone and realize I’ve been enjoying myself too much. The sun is about to set. I don’t have a car, so it’s best not to travel too late. “Time to go home!”

As I push open the mall’s glass door, a gust of air from the entrance sweeps past, startling me. My shopping bag slips from my hand, and I lunge forward to catch it. But the moment my fingers grasp the bag, the world around me lurches.

A sudden jolt.

I shake my head, thinking it’s just exhaustion. But when I regain my balance, I freeze.

The air feels heavier.

Everything is too still—like the world is holding its breath. The lights flicker, stretching shadows at my feet. I blink, and—

What the… hell?

The bustling mall is gone. Instead, I’m surrounded by a nightmarish battlefield where armored warriors on horseback clash in a frenzied battle. The clash of swords, the snorts of warhorses, and fierce war cries fill the air, drowning out all rational thought. It’s like I’ve stepped straight into a scene from Movie 300—but more vivid, more real, more terrifying.

Frozen in place, my mind scrambles to process the chaos. My cranberry drink trembles in my hand as I avert my gaze from the brutal clashes. The thunder of hooves and warriors’ roars drown out my thoughts, overwhelming my senses.

I try to step back, but I collide with someone, losing my grip on the drink. Sticky, bright liquid splashes across my shirt, the absurd normalcy jarring against the horrific scene unfolding before me. I stumble backward, panic flaring as I mutter frantic curses under my breath.

Shit! Shit! What the hell is happening?!

“This must be a dream. It has to be.” The words slip out like a desperate prayer. I scan the chaos around me, catching glimpses of the endless desert stretching beyond the battlefield. “There’s no way this is real.”

Then, something heavy crashes to the ground in front of me—a severed head rolls to my feet, blood still streaming from its neck. Its lifeless eyes twitch as if they’re about to open, and for one horrifying moment, they lock onto mine.

A wave of nausea hits me. I stagger back, crawling in terror. My hands dig into the scorching sand as I push myself away. Sand? My head pounds, my vision blurs, but I clutch my shopping bag like it’s my last link to sanity. As darkness closes in, I can’t muster a protest. I know I shouldn’t sleep here, but I’m slipping under, powerless to resist.

You know how it goes in those fantasy stories: one minute, you’re lounging in your newly purchased house, planning your future—and the next, bam! You’re transported to another world. But instead of a magical princess, a cunning villainess, or a super-powered hero, you’re just…you.

No royal bloodline, no epic abilities, and definitely no mystical creature sidekick. Just a regular person with no money, no connections, and, oh yeah—no idea how to get home. Perfect!

You’d think I’d at least get some cool perks out of this. Maybe a wise old mentor to give me cryptic advice? Nope. A magical artifact I could use to get back home? Ha! I wish!

I once dreamed of a princess life, but instead, I’m dragged around like a sack of potatoes, barely conscious and soaked in what’s probably an absurd amount of cranberry juice… mixed with something far more disturbing.

Ugh, the smell!

And to top it off? I find myself tossed into a pile of burning bodies, almost getting cremated alive. Yup, definitely the dream escape I was hoping for.

Now, instead of worrying about dinner, I’m trying not to get beheaded. Who the hell thought getting isekai’d was a good idea? I need a refund—on my shoes and my life!

But hey, maybe I’ll figure out a way out of this mess. Or at least get a refund on those shoes I never got to wear.

Welcome to my life—or whatever this is now. Can I at least get a guideline or a warning sign?!