"I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com,"
The Memory Merchant
Prologue – The Confession of a Memory Dealer

My name is Minjae Kang. I'm 29 years old, and I’m a memory dealer.
At 7 a.m., like clockwork, I open the door to a small shop with a sign that reads Memorium.
At first glance, it looks like a regular café. But instead of coffee, we deal in memories—buying, selling, storing, and even healing them.

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who want to remember, and those who desperately want to forget.
I exist in the space between them—sometimes like a doctor, sometimes like a therapist, and sometimes, just someone who listens.

But when it comes to my own memories… I only have the last three years.
Everything before that is shrouded in mist, like a dream I can't quite hold onto.
Sometimes I hear a voice in my sleep, a faint echo from the past.
But the moment I wake up, it vanishes—

“Hyung… why did you do it…”

Last night, I had the same dream again.
Someone was crying, calling out to me.
But I don’t know who they are—or why they’re weeping.

Today, I’ll step into someone else’s memories again.
I’ll walk through another person’s life, feel their pain and joy, and sometimes carry their burdens for them.

And still, I wonder…
Who am I, really?
And how did I end up in this strange line of work?

 17-year-old Su-hyeon came running. She's now a volunteer at the center, teaching younger children.


 "I don't know. It looks like it's from abroad ."


 Looking at the envelope, it was from America. The sender was . 'Lee Chae-won.'


 With trembling hands, I opened the letter.


 I am Lee Chae-won. Or rather, I am the person who was Lee Chae-won.


 From that accident five years ago . I didn't die.


 My hands shook violently as I read the letter.


 The medical staff called it a miracle too. I was unconscious for three months, but I woke up.


 However, due to brain damage, I lost all my memories. So I was adopted by a new family and grew up in


 I only recently learned my true identity. And I also learned about the work you're doing.


 Mom . mom really did pass away. While trying to save me.


 Rather, I'm grateful. Thanks to you, the dreams I wanted to live are being fulfilled.


 I showed Min-ho the letter. He also looked shocked.


 I'm currently studying social work. To fulfill mom's dream.


 And I'm planning to return to Korea next year.


 I want to work at the center you created.


 I want to use this new life I received for other people.


 P.S. I have a new name now. Sophia Lee. But in Korea, I want to live as Chae-won again.


 Along with the letter was a photo. Chae-won at 21 years old. She retained traces of her childhood


 appearance while having grown into a beautiful woman.


 I collapsed. The child I thought had been dead for five years was alive.


 But at the same time, an even greater sense of guilt washed over me. Eun-ju had died trying to save


Chapter 7 - Episode 7 - The Miracle Letter