《Catgirls and Dungeons (Gender Bender, Yuri, Isekai)》 Chapter 1: Catgirls over meta After the release of Fantasy Impact in 2020, gacha games have slowly but steadily begun their rise, eventually taking the world by storm. Fantasy Impact itself stood out as an open-world game that captured the hearts of millions, with its stunning graphics, captivating music, and, perhaps most notably, its beautifully designed characters. The game offered an impressive array of waifus to summon, each one more alluring than the last, drawing in not only diehard otakus but also people from all walks of life. Many found themselves unexpectedly immersed in the vibrant world of anime game culture, unable to resist its appeal. Now, it¡¯s 2024. Four years have passed, and despite the release of countless other gacha games¡ªmany of which have been loudly hailed as ¡°Fantasy Impact killers¡±¡ªthe original game still reigns supreme. It remains firmly at the top, boasting the highest number of concurrent players and generating the most revenue. The competition is fierce, but Fantasy Impact has something special, something that keeps players like me hooked even after all this time. I¡¯ve been a long-time fan of the game. Even though I¡¯ve stopped spending money and become a full-fledged free-to-play player due to the ongoing global recession, my enjoyment of the game hasn¡¯t diminished in the slightest. There¡¯s something timeless about it, a thrill that keeps me coming back day after day. ¡°Wow, brother, you¡¯ve got so many Fate Gems! Are you not rolling for LingXi?¡± Mark asks, his voice laced with curiosity. Mark, a 25-year-old friend of mine, is someone I convinced to try the game a while back, and ever since then, he¡¯s been completely hooked. Today, we meet up at the gym for our usual workout session, and since his apartment isn¡¯t too far from mine, we end up walking home together. Naturally, as we stroll along, the conversation drifts toward life and, inevitably, the game. Apparently, Mark just dropped half of his monthly salary to max out LingXi, the latest character in the game, and even managed to snag her exclusive weapon. That¡¯s a hefty amount of money to spend on a virtual character, but there isn¡¯t the slightest trace of regret on his face. If anything, he looks satisfied, almost proud of his decision. I can¡¯t help but smile. Honestly, I can¡¯t blame him. LingXi¡¯s design is absolutely top-tier. She¡¯s a stunning fox woman with enormous¡­ assets, and she isn¡¯t just beautiful¡ªshe¡¯s insanely powerful. As the best DPS character at the moment, she completely outclasses everyone else in the game. If I were still the old me, back when I had a little extra cash to spare, I probably would¡¯ve rolled for her too. One or two copies, at the very least. But things are different now. As a free-to-play player, I have to be more selective with my resources, carefully saving them for the only waifus I truly adore. ¡°Nope!¡± I reply, shaking my head with a grin. ¡°I told you, I¡¯m saving for my wife, Purraphina!¡± Purraphina is another S-rank limited character. She isn¡¯t the strongest by any means, but that doesn¡¯t matter to me. I love her for her design¡ªadorably cute and full of personality. Her backstory only makes her more endearing, and while she¡¯s a bit noisy and mischievous, that¡¯s just part of her charm. In fact, I find it irresistible. But what really makes me fall head over heels for Purraphina is one simple, undeniable fact. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. She¡¯s a catgirl. Not just any catgirl, either¡ªa lolicatgirl who wields a massive iron sword, cutting down enemies with an effortless, badass style that makes her stand out from the rest. And the cherry on top? She purrs when you pat her head! For a self-proclaimed catgirl connoisseur like me, it was love at first sight. From day one, I made a promise to myself: I would collect every single catgirl in the game, no matter the cost. Purraphina, in particular, is special to me. I had already lost the 50/50 on her previous banner, and it had been one of the most painful experiences I¡¯d ever had in the game. But this time, I have to get her. I can¡¯t bear the thought of waiting another year for her banner to come back around. ¡°I see,¡± Mark says with a knowing chuckle. ¡°Catgirls over meta, huh?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± I reply without hesitation, feeling a swell of pride. At that moment, I know I¡¯m ready. I¡¯ve saved up enough Fate Gems to guarantee a copy of Purraphina and her signature weapon. I haven¡¯t spent a single pull in the past two patches, and now I¡¯m fully prepared. Honestly, I can barely contain my excitement. In just two weeks, her banner will drop, and I will finally get my hands on my favorite catgirl. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- As we continue walking, our conversation slowly drifts to other topics, the city buzzing around us in the fading light. The sun is setting, casting long shadows across the pavement, bathing the world in a soft, orange glow. The quiet hum of cars and distant chatter fills the air. But just as we approach an intersection, something suddenly catches my eye. ¡°¡­Wait¡­ what? A cosplayer?¡± Across the street, I see her. A cosplayer, standing alone on the other side of the road. Oh my¡­ she¡¯s gorgeous. She¡¯s wearing a black dress, and has short white hair. Her design is absolutely breathtaking. And the best part? She¡¯s a catgirl! My heart skips a beat, then another, as if it¡¯s pounding in time with the rhythm of my shock. But something feels¡­ off. I don¡¯t recognize her. How could that be? A catgirl I don¡¯t know? Impossible! Is she from a new game? A character I haven¡¯t heard about? How could I have missed something like this? I turn to the friend standing beside me. ¡°Mark, do you know who that catgirl is? What game or anime is she from?¡± I ask. But Mark gives me a confused look, tilting his head slightly. ¡°Huh? What catgirl? What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Her! The catgirl! You don¡¯t see the cosplayer standing right there?¡± I point directly at her, but Mark just shakes his head, his brow furrowing in bewilderment. ¡°What? I don¡¯t see anyone.¡± He squints, staring in the direction I¡¯m pointing. ¡°Hey, are you messing with me? There¡¯s no one there.¡± ¡°What?!¡± I blink rapidly, my gaze darting back to where she stands. How can he not see her? There¡¯s no one else on that side of the road, just her. She¡¯s the only one standing there, clear as day. How can Mark not notice her? It doesn¡¯t make any sense! My mind reels. Am I going crazy? ¡°Bro, are you okay? You¡¯re not hallucinating or something, right? Did you eat something weird?¡± Mark asks, his voice now laced with concern. I turn back to the figure, blinking again and again, trying to clear my head. But no matter how many times I try, she¡¯s still there. Real. Tangible. Her presence unmistakable. Could it be¡­ a hallucination? Sure, we¡¯re in Canada, and yeah, I used to be a stoner back in the day, but I quit that stuff long ago. I haven¡¯t touched anything since graduating college and getting my first job. There¡¯s no way this could be a hallucination, right? My heart begins to race, pounding in my chest like a drum. I can see her, but Mark is insistent¡ªhe sees nothing. Is he the crazy one? Or am I? ¡°Bro,¡± Mark starts again, ¡°I really think you should see a doctor. I know a good psychiatrist I can refer you to if¡ª¡± But before he can finish, my attention snaps back to the catgirlcosplayer. She¡¯s crossing the road. Yet my blood runs cold. Why is she crossing right now? And why isn¡¯t she looking at the cars? It¡¯s like she¡¯s completely unaware of her surroundings, as if the world around her doesn¡¯t exist. And now¡­ A truck is speeding straight toward her!!! Without thinking, my body reacts. Something inside me snaps. I run as fast as I can, my legs moving on their own, powered by pure instinct. Hallucination? Schizophrenia? None of that matters anymore. There¡¯s a person in front of me, about to be hit by a truck! I have to do something! But¡­ I¡¯m not fast enough. As the truck barrels forward, it slams into me and the catgirl. A shattering pain rips through me, a blinding, all-consuming agony. And then¡­ nothing. A deep, suffocating void of nothingness. Chapter 2: Waking up
As I slowly open my eyes, a piercing, bone-deep agony tears through my skull. ¡°NYARRRGGGHHHH!!!!¡± The scream rips from my throat as a searing pain explodes in my head, like a thousand needles stabbing into my brain all at once. My ears are assaulted by an unrelenting, high-pitched ringing, and my vision becomes nothing more than a chaotic blur of distorted shapes and colors. I can¡¯t make sense of anything around me. My surroundings are unfamiliar, a swirling vortex of darkness and disorientation. I roll uncontrollably, crashing heavily to the floor before tumbling again, clutching my head in a desperate bid to ease the torment. Every nerve screams in protest as I bang my head against the ground, a raw, animalistic plea for the pain to stop. My thoughts drown in the storm of suffering, my mind a haze of relentless torment. But then, slowly, almost imperceptibly, the pain begins to subside. It¡¯s a gradual process, like a storm finally passing after hours of relentless battering. The sharp intensity fades, leaving behind only a dull, throbbing ache. I¡¯m left gasping for breath, each inhalation shaky and ragged, as I struggle to crawl up onto my knees. Tears blur my vision, and I instinctively try to wipe them away with my hands, but instead, I smear dirt into my eyes, making the stinging worse. Frustration wells up inside me. I clumsily tug at the fabric of my shirt¡ªwhatever the hell I¡¯m wearing¡ªand use it to clean my face, blinking furiously to clear my sight. As I finally stand, swaying slightly from the lingering ache in my head, memories flood back, crashing into me all at once. Wait! Didn¡¯t I get hit by a truck? How the hell am I still alive? And the catgirlcosplayer? Did she make it? But before I can even begin to process those questions, a more immediate, more terrifying thought pushes its way to the front of my mind: Where the hell am I? I slowly take in my surroundings, my mind struggling to make sense of this strange, unfamiliar place. It¡¯s a simple room with a wooden floor and ceiling, furnished minimally. There¡¯s only a small wooden bed in the corner, where I must have fallen from just moments ago. The bedding is stiff and uncomfortable. On the other side of the room stands a small wooden wardrobe, and near the window, there¡¯s a wooden table and chair. There¡¯s also a huge chest, its lid locked down by the biggest, most menacing chain and padlock I¡¯ve ever seen. Everything feels foreign, almost eerily old-fashioned. But most importantly, there¡¯s no electricity. No lamps, no TV, none of the modern conveniences I¡¯m so accustomed to. It¡¯s as if I¡¯ve stepped back in time. The only light in the room comes from the moon outside the window, casting a soft, pale glow across the space. I squint at it¡ªthere¡¯s something different about the moon. It¡¯s unusually large and perfectly round, unlike any moon I¡¯ve ever seen before. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Weird¡­ I blink, trying to adjust. Is it just me? Or has my eyesight somehow improved? I¡¯m not wearing my glasses, and yet, everything around me is crystal clear, even in the dim light. The details of the room are sharp, as if I have perfect vision. Curiosity gnaws at me, so I slowly walk over to the window and open it, eager to get a glimpse of the outside world. Maybe that will give me some clue as to where I am¡ªor what¡¯s happening. But then¡­ what I see defies all logic. ¡°What¡­ the hell is this?¡± I mutter. The moment I push the window open, a bustling street comes into view. People are walking around, chatting, playing music, their voices filling the air with lively energy. It¡¯s quite noisy. However¡­ The clothes they¡¯re wearing¡­ They¡¯re not modern at all! They look like something ripped straight out of a movie or anime with medieval settings. Men wear tunics, women wear simple dresses, and some are even dressed in armor. A few carry swords on their hips or have shields strapped to their backs. I blink again, harder this time, my eyes widening as I catch a glimpse of something else¡ªsomething that can¡¯t possibly exist in the world I knew. A carriage rolls down the street, but it¡¯s not pulled by horses. Instead, a large, plump white bird¡ªmuch larger than any bird I¡¯ve ever seen¡ªhauls it along. And as if that wasn¡¯t strange enough, I see a girl pass by with big, round ears on top of her head¡­ and a fluffy tail, like a raccoon¡¯s, swishing behind her. Ba-dump! Ba-dump! My heart races in my chest, faster and faster, as the realization begins to sink in. My mind pieces it all together, and slowly, everything makes sense. Just like the novels I¡¯ve read. I didn¡¯t survive the truck crash. I¡¯ve died¡­ and been reincarnated into a fantasy world¡­ ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- So¡­ if I¡¯m reincarnated, does that mean I¡¯m still in my own body? The 25-year-old guy who worked his butt off, slaving away 70 hours a week in the grind of corporate life? I turn around slowly. Then, all of a sudden, something on the wall catches my eye, and my heart skips a beat, leaving me breathless for just a moment. Wait¡­ that isn¡¯t my shadow! Perched on top of its head are catlike ears, and there¡ªattached to its butt¡ªis a tail. I freeze, my breath hitching in my throat, staring down at my hands, and¡ª THESE ARE NOT MY HANDS! Why are my arms so slender? Why is my skin so smooth? And my muscles??? Noooooooooooo! There are no muscles! Not even a trace of the ones I¡¯ve spent years working so hard on! Wait¡­ Does this mean¡­ I¡¯m a girl? Uoooooooohhhh!!! My mind spins, a wild whirlwind of disbelief. I look down, and there it is¡ªconfirmation! I¡¯m wearing a white dress. So¡­ I must be a girl. Right? RIGHT???? BUT¡­ WHY THE HELL IS MY CHEST SO FLAT!? Even my old self had a bigger chest than this! So, am I really a girl? Or just a femboy???? Well, there¡¯s only one way to know for sure. My heart thunders in my chest as the realization sets in. ( ?¡ã ?? ?¡ã) I have to do it. I have to perform the ultimate test! Thus¡­ Reaching down, my hand trembles violently, hovering as I search for the truth, my pulse roaring in my ears. My dear lilbro¡­ My mind races, teetering between hope and horror. Is it still there¡­ or no? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Moments later¡­ ¡°Ohhhhhhshieeeettt¡­¡± Yup. Lil bro is gone. I collapse onto the floor, clutching my head in disbelief. My mind reels, spinning with the overwhelming reality of what has just happened. I can¡¯t wrap my head around it. I¡¯ve been isekai¡¯d, reincarnated¡ªbut not as myself. Not as the 25-year-old man I used to be. But as a catgirl! Holy shit! However, I still don¡¯t know how to feel about this¡­ On one hand¡­ this is freaking awesome! I mean, I¡¯ve always dreamed of being a catgirl¡ªliving out that ultimate fantasy. Cute cat ears, a tail, and a woman¡¯s body? That¡¯s peak fantasy material. Chef¡¯s kiss, really. And sure, I¡¯m flat, but honestly? I kinda prefer it that way. But on the other hand¡­ What now? What the hell am I supposed to do now? Everything¡¯s happening too fast. In the blink of an eye, I¡¯ve lost everything¡ªmy family, my friends, my waifus, and the comfort of modern life. Now, I¡¯m stranded in this strange, unfamiliar world. The fear of the unknown grips me tightly. Scared. Terrified. With no idea of what¡¯s going to happen next.
Chapter 3: Oh no… After that, I spend a few more minutes testing out my new body. My new body feels strangely light and nimble. My hair is short and white. I don¡¯t have human ears, I only have cat ears that have pads of very soft fur that really tickle when I touch them. And regarding the tail, I still don¡¯t know how to control it yet, it just wiggles and sways on its own like it has its own mind or something. But at least, it¡¯s my favorite kind of tail. It¡¯s sleek and elegant, just the way I like it¡ªno messy fluff to deal with. But, out of everything, the most mysterious thing is¡­ my face. I¡¯ve managed to find a tiny mirror in the drawer under the table, and thanks to it, I saw my true face. It¡¯s her¡­ I look exactly like the catgirl I tried to save earlier! Short, tousled white hair and red eyes¡­ She¡¯s so pretty¡­ Or rather¡­ I¡¯m so fucking pretty now. There¡¯s a bit of dirt on my face from rolling around on the floor earlier, and my hair is a bit tousled, but even so, I¡¯m stunning as heck. Outside of the window, I can hear people talking and chatting. It¡¯s not in English, but for some reason, I can understand it. They¡¯re just talking about their days, bargaining with shopkeepers on the street. Normal, everyday stuff. ¡°All right!¡± I slap my face lightly. ¡°I can¡¯t just sit here and do nothing! I need to go outside and explore!¡± Maybe someone out there will explain where I am. Maybe I can learn more about this new world I¡¯ve reincarnated into! Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Thus, I stand up. There¡¯s a key on top of the table. I grab it, unlock the door, and step outside. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Step. Step. I¡¯m moving forward, taking a deep breath, somewhat exited to explore this new world. But before I can even reach the stairs, the door in front of me swings open. Two massive figures stumble out. The smell hits me like a wall¡ªan overwhelming stench of alcohol, sweat, and something rotten. My stomach churns, but before I can react, they¡¯re already in the hallway, blocking the narrow passage. Their looming shadows stretch over me, swallowing me whole. My blood turns to ice. ¡°Well, well¡­ what do we have here?¡± one of them slurs, his voice thick with menace. His breath is rancid, like rotting meat left out in the sun, and as he lurches forward, the floor creaks beneath his weight. Fuck¡­ For the first time in my life, I¡¯m scared. This dude, he¡¯s a giant! A hulking brute, with broad shoulders that strain against his filthy, torn shirt. His face is a nightmare: a greasy, unkempt beard clings to his chin, and his bloodshot eyes are glazed over, gleaming with hunger. Predatory hunger. Those eyes lock onto me like a wolf cornering its prey. But the second man¡­ he¡¯s worse. Much worse. He¡¯s taller, leaner, with greasy black hair slicked back. His lips curl into a sneer, revealing yellowed, crooked teeth. His skin is sickly pale, almost gray, and a jagged scar twists down his cheek, distorting his already grotesque face. He licks his lips slowly, his eyes boring into me with a sick fascination. I freeze. My legs turn to jelly. Every instinct screams at me to run, but my body won¡¯t respond. ¡°Hey hey! Looks like a cute little kitten wandered into the wrong place,¡± the taller one chuckles, his voice a low, rough rasp that sends chills down my spine. His eyes trace over me slowly, lingering far too long, making my skin crawl. My tail puffs out, my hair stands on end, completely out of my control. BA DUMP. BA DUMP. My heart races. I can¡¯t breathe. I try to step back, but they close the distance effortlessly, their hulking forms towering over me, blocking out the light. Fuck¡­ I¡¯m so fucked¡­ I was so used to walking around freely as a man in my previous life. I never had to think twice about my safety. But I¡¯m not that man anymore. I¡¯m a girl now. And as a girl¡­ I¡¯m vulnerable. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be shy,¡± the bearded man growls softly. He reaches out with a thick, grubby hand, his fingers twitching as they close in on me. ¡°Come on, have a drink with us. We¡¯ll take real good care of you¡­¡± His fingers graze my arm, and a shock of cold terror shoots through me. ¡°Come on, kitten, we¡¯re just playing,¡± the second man whispers, his breath hot and rancid as he leans in closer, his hand snaking toward my tail. ¡°How about you show us how playful you really are?¡± Panic surges through me, cold and paralyzing. I feel like I¡¯m drowning in it. My mind scrambles, clawing for a way out, but I¡¯m trapped¡ªjust the wall at my back and these monsters closing in on me. Chapter 4: Help! I need to get out of here. NOW! The bearded man lunges at me, his hand reaching for my face. Something snaps inside me¡ªpure instinct takes over. I dart to the side, moving faster than I thought possible. Their hands swipe at empty air, their fingers barely grazing my hair as I slip between them. My heart pounds wildly in my chest, adrenaline flooding my veins as I sprint down the hallway. ¡°HEY! GET BACK HERE!¡± one of them roars, his voice thick with rage. ¡°Quick! Patrick! GET HER!¡± the other shouts. The pounding of their boots echoes behind me, each step a thunderous reminder of the danger chasing me. I can hear their ragged breathing, the drunken fury in their voices. But I don¡¯t dare look back. I reach my room, throwing myself inside and slamming the door shut. My hands shake violently as I twist the lock into place. BAM! BAM! BAM! The door rattles on its hinges as they slam their fists against it, their furious growls seeping through the wood like poison. ¡°OPEN UP, YOU LITTLE BITCH!¡± one of them screams, his voice raw with anger. ¡°COME ON! WE JUST WANNA HAVE SOME FUN!¡± BAM! BAM! The pounding is relentless, each hit sending shockwaves through my body. I press my back against the door, trying to hold the world at bay, my breath coming in shallow gasps. Tears blur my vision, but I can¡¯t let them in¡ªI can¡¯t! If the door breaks, I¡¯m done! I will be a dead cat!!! But then¡ª ¡°HEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!¡± a new voice bellows from the hallway. It¡¯s harsh, rough, and commanding¡ªa voice that cuts through the chaos like a blade. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The banging stops. Silence hangs heavy for a moment. ¡°Tsk¡­¡± one of the men grunts. ¡°Fucking old man¡­¡± ¡°We weren¡¯t doin¡¯ nothin¡¯,¡± the other one says, his voice suddenly far less aggressive. ¡°Just wanted to introduce ourselves to our new Furren neighbor.¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to meet you. Don¡¯t ever bother her again!¡± the new voice barks. It¡¯s an older man, but he speaks with such force that I can almost feel the fear it instills. ¡°Get the hell out of my inn, or I¡¯ll throw both of you out myself!¡± There¡¯s a pause. I can hear them muttering under their breath. But they give in. ¡°Chill, old man, no need to get so worked up,¡± the taller one mutters, his voice sour. As they go away, the heavy footsteps fade into the distance. But I''m still terrified. Now, I stand frozen, pressed against the door, gasping for air. My entire body shakes with leftover fear, my knees threatening to give out beneath me. Then, a knock. It nearly jolts me out of my skin. But¡­ it¡¯s just the old man. ¡°You okay in there? Sorry for the trouble. Those bastards are gone,¡± the old man calls through the door. His voice is calmer now, but still rough, like gravel. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m okay,¡± I stammer, barely able to speak. ¡°Good. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep an eye on them. You¡¯re safe now.¡± ¡°Th-thank you,¡± I manage to say, though I¡¯m still too rattled to fully trust him. I stay pressed against the door for a long time, my chest heaving, my mind still reeling. The fear clings to me like a shadow. At least¡­ I¡¯m safe¡­ For now¡­. Let¡¯s not go anywhere. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Fuck¡­ Needless to say, that was utterly terrifying. Now, hugging my knees to my chest, I close my eyes, trying to calm myself down. But¡­ I can¡¯t. If I had been a little slower¡­ If they had managed to catch me¡­ Then¡­ What would be happening to me now? The thoughts wrap around my mind like toxic vines, suffocating. My whole body shivers. SLAP! SLAP! I slap my face, trying to snap myself out of it, to push away the fear. Man¡­ Why couldn¡¯t I have woken up inside a luxurious mansion, with a catgirl maid at my side or something? Instead, I¡¯m stuck in this crooked place with no idea what to do next. And even almost got myself raped by those creepy bastards. Oh god, I just wish for some guidance. A tutorial, like at the start of a game, or at least a weapon to defend myself. Please just something! Suddenly, I remember. Oh yeah! That reminds me! ¡°Status!!!¡± I shout, my voice echoing through the room. ¡°STATUS! OPEN!¡± ¡°SYSTEM, ACTIVATE!!!¡± Usually, when someone is transported or reincarnated into another world, they can call out for a system or status screen to get information or missions. But here¡­ nothing happens. Yup, nothing¡­ ¡°Nyaaahhh¡­ I¡¯m so fucked¡­¡± I lean back against the wall and let out a deep sigh. Suddenly, I hear a clicking sound. The door¡­ It¡¯s opening! Someone is unlocking it from the outside with a key! FUCKKK!!!! Is it those guys from before? I don¡¯t know!!! But they have another key! They¡¯re going to enter the room any second! Panic surges through me, and I instinctively grab the chair, jumping to the furthest corner of the room. My heart races, my mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion, my hands trembling uncontrollably. And then, as the door creaks open, the person comes into view. Chapter 5: Eris Wildfang As the door creaks open, my heart beats louder in my chest. I brace myself for whoever might appear. This time, it¡¯s not a dude. But a catgirl. And¡­ I¡¯m stunned¡­ She¡¯s just too beautiful¡­ Yes, her beauty is undeniable, with her long, black hair flowing past her shoulders. Her skin is a bit tan, her sharp blue eyes emit a faint glow in the dim light, and her cat ears stand alert atop her head. She¡¯s dressed practically, wearing black sleeveless tops and long pants, her waist adorned with several belts that hold a mix of glass tubes and what look like assorted weaponry. Despite the rugged attire, there¡¯s no hiding her toned physique. Her arms are defined with lean muscles, and I catch a glimpse of the subtle outline of abs beneath her shirt. She looks like she could handle herself in a fight, and for a moment, I¡¯m speechless. Fuck¡­ My thoughts spiral. I¡¯m simping so hard right now. I swallow hard. If she was a character in a game, I¡¯d undoubtedly spend every dime to acquire her. Surely someone this mesmerizing couldn¡¯t be a bad person, right? RIGHT? Thus, instinctively, I lower the chair I¡¯ve been gripping. But then, a surge of caution strikes me. No, this isn¡¯t a game. This is reality! I can¡¯t afford to let my guard down! ¡°S-stay back! Who are you?¡± I shout, my voice shaking just a bit as I raise the chair again, gripping it firmly with both hands, ready to whack her in the head if she dares to come closer without my permission. Yes, I may appear as a girl now, but I haven¡¯t forgotten my ten years of karate training! Back on Earth, I was a green belt master! I am strong! ¡°Ah! Relax!¡± the girl pleads, extending her hand and bending slightly at the waist. ¡°Please, I¡¯m not here to harm you. My name is Eris. I¡¯m an E-rank adventurer! I found you unconscious in the dungeon and brought you here!¡± Her words hang in the air, echoing through my mind. I pause for a moment, processing what she¡¯s saying, trying to make sense of it all. Dungeon? Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Adventurer? I was unconcious, and she found me? Yep. That explains why I¡¯m here, but¡­ it doesn¡¯t mean I can trust her just yet. What if she¡¯s lying? She could still be deceiving me. I have no way of verifying her story, no proof that she¡¯s telling the truth. What if she¡¯s not just an adventurer, but a thief or something like that? What if she¡¯s planning to sell me off to some shady brothel and make money off me? The idea flashes through my mind, wild and irrational, but I can¡¯t shake it. I stare at her, searching her face for any sign of deceit, but all I see is calm patience. Regardless, I keep the chair aloft, my muscles tense. I need to stay on guard. But my mind races, struggling to figure out my next move, my next question. The fear gnaws at the edges of my thoughts, and I don¡¯t know what to say next. What am I supposed to ask her? How can I prove that what she¡¯s telling me is true? But then, as if sensing my doubts, Eris speaks softly, ¡°Here, this is my adventurer badge.¡± She reaches slowly into her pocket and pulls out a card, holding it up prominently for me to see. The card catches the dim light, glimmering faintly. It resembles an ID card from Earth, but instead of a photo, there¡¯s a red fingerprint emblazoned on it. Eris holds the card out toward me, her hand steady, keeping her distance as if she¡¯s mindful of not scaring me further. I furrow my brow, wondering how the heck I¡¯m supposed to read that from where I¡¯m standing. She¡¯s too far away. But then, as if by magic, my vision sharpens. Suddenly, I can see every detail with perfect clarity. And somehow, I can even read the strange, unfamiliar script on the card. The writings shimmer, becoming legible as the card reflects the sparse light: ------------ Name: Eris Wildfang Date of Birth: April 10, 1302 Race: Cat Furren Hometown: Sablethorn - Zehrak Desert Adventurer Rank: E Criminal Record: None ------------------ There¡¯s even a seal stamped at the bottom, bearing the image of a stylized lion¡¯s head. ¡°See?¡± Eris says gently. ¡°I¡¯m officially registered. I¡¯m not a criminal or anything like that. Please believe me¡ªI won¡¯t harm you.¡± She lowers her hand slightly, still holding the card out but allowing me time to absorb the information. I hesitate, my eyes lingering on the card. Even though she¡¯s showing me this proof, there¡¯s no real way for me to tell if it¡¯s legit. I don¡¯t know anything about this world, let alone what their documents are supposed to look like. But as I think it over, doubt begins to ebb away. If she had wanted to hurt me, she could¡¯ve done it when I was unconscious. If her intentions were bad, she could¡¯ve tied me up or locked me away, making sure I couldn¡¯t escape. Instead, I woke up free, able to move around, and even step outside this room. That small act of freedom reassures me more than the card ever could. Slowly, I begin to lower the chair. I think I can trust her now. ¡°Okay. But may I ask, where am I? What is this place?¡± I inquire. ¡°Ah, this is the The Gilded Horn, a small inn in the Mistvale town.¡± Eris replies. ¡°And¡­ where did you find me again?¡± ¡°In the Silverwolf dungeon, 10 kilometers to the South of Mistvale.¡± "When?" "Two days ago." I close my eyes, trying to remember if those locations ring any bell. However¡­ Nope¡­ Nothing. I have no memory whatsoever of this place. Still, Eris doesn¡¯t seem to be lying. Maybe she can even help me out¡ªbe my guide in this strange new world. ¡°All right, I trust you,¡± I finally say, placing the chair down. ¡°Thank you, Eris, for saving me and keeping me safe.¡± Hearing that, Eris smiles, relief evident in her expression. ¡°Well, I just happened to find you while scouting the Silverwolf Dungeon. You were unconscious, with no visible injuries, but leaving you there didn¡¯t feel right. So I brought you here. I¡¯m sorry for leaving you alone and causing confusion.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s okay,¡± I reply with a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m just glad to be alive.¡± ¡°Now, that aside,¡± Eris continues, her tone lightening a bit, ¡°May I ask¡­ what¡¯s your name? And where are you from? You haven¡¯t told me anything about yourself yet.¡± ¡°Ahhh¡­ About that¡­¡± Fuck¡­ Panic grips me again. What the hell should I tell this catgirl now? There¡¯s no way I can tell her I¡¯m from another world, right?
Chapter 6: Memory loss!
Eris, I¡¯m actually from another world called Earth. In my previous life, I was a simp who died trying to save a girl from being hit by a truck, and now I¡¯ve reincarnated into the body of a catgirl! ¡­Yeah¡­ Like hell I can tell her that! That would make me sound insane and just confuse her for no reason. I don¡¯t want to seem weird in front of her. Besides, the fact that I was a man would make things super awkward between us. Now that I¡¯m here, everything that happened on Earth doesn¡¯t matter anymore. I¡¯m not a salaryman slaving away at a corporate job, indulging in gacha games. I¡¯m a catgirl in a fantasy world, starting over! I have to let go of my past and embrace this new life. So, the best strategy here is¡­ Memory loss! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡°No way¡­¡± Eris gasps. She¡¯s now sitting beside me on the bed, holding my hands gently. ¡°You really can¡¯t remember anything? Your family? Your home? Nothing at all?¡± Her hand is soft, warm, though there are a few calluses¡ªprobably from wielding a sword. ¡°No¡­¡± I shake my head slowly. ¡°Whenever I try to remember, I get this terrible headache¡­ like a black fog is covering all my precious memories¡­¡± Well, that¡¯s a lie, but a harmless one. ¡°That¡¯s awful!¡± Eris gasps again, her voice wavering as she quickly wipes a tear away with the back of her hand. ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine waking up one day and not remembering my parents or my siblings¡­ Just the thought of it is¡­ heartbreaking.¡± ¡°It¡ªit¡¯s okay, though,¡± I say, trying to comfort her. ¡°Since I don¡¯t remember anything, there¡¯s nothing for me to feel sad about.¡± ¡°Well, I guess that¡¯s true, but still¡­¡± ¡°Thank you for your concern, Eris,¡± I say gently, cutting in before she can worry more. ¡°I¡¯m actually fine. And I¡¯m really glad it was you who found me. If it had been someone else¡­ someone with bad intentions¡­ who knows what might¡¯ve happened to me by now.¡± This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°No, don¡¯t mention it,¡± Eris replies softly, her expression easing as she looks down for a moment, then back at me. ¡°But¡­ your name¡­ you¡¯ve forgotten that too?¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± My voice drops to a whisper. ¡°I can¡¯t even guess what the first letter might be¡­ eh?¡± Suddenly, as I think about my name, a mysterious female voice echoes inside my head, whispering a single, beautiful word. I utter the word aloud almost instinctively, catching Eris off guard. ¡°Felicia¡­¡± ¡°Felicia? Wow! That¡¯s a beautiful name! So you do remember something!¡± Eris exclaims, smiling brightly. But I¡¯m still in shock¡­ What the heck was that? The moment I heard that voice, that name, my heart suddenly throbbed, and there was a poignant feeling deep within my soul that I couldn¡¯t possibly explain. Felicia¡­ was it the catgirl¡¯s name? The original owner of this body? Honestly, I¡¯m not sure¡­ But¡­ nonetheless, it¡¯s truly a nice name. And since Eris already thinks that it¡¯s my name, let¡¯s just go with that. ¡°Felicia¡­¡± I murmur once more, feeling a strange connection to it. ¡°WAIT!¡± Eris suddenly gasps, as if she¡¯s remembered something important. She quickly moves toward the corner of the room, where a huge wooden chest, secured by a massive chain and padlock, lies. ¡°Your stuff! Maybe if you see it, you¡¯ll remember!¡± ¡°Huh? My stuff?¡± I tilt my head in confusion, following her with my eyes as she moves. ¡°Yeah, the dress you were wearing and your jewelry!¡± Eris exclaims, rushing to unlock the chest. Now that I think about it, I didn¡¯t arrive in this world naked, did I? Eris must have changed my clothes after rescuing me from the dungeon and stored my old belongings. I watch intently as Eris opens the chest with a key, pulling out a striking black dress. Holy¡­ I¡¯m stunned. It¡¯s¡­ beautiful! The fabric, luxurious velvet, catches the dim light, highlighting its elegant design. The dress features a high, ruffled collar and long sleeves ending in lace cuffs. Its bodice is adorned with silver thread forming vine-like patterns that cascade down the asymmetrical skirt¡ªshorter in the front and trailing at the back. And not only that, I remember it now. I recognize this dress! It was the outfit the catgirl wore! It was MY dress! ¡°Oh!¡± Eris gasps. ¡°Your face looks like you¡¯ve remembered something!¡± As I receive the dress, my hands tremble uncontrollably. I don¡¯t know why, but my heart is beating faster and faster as my fingers trace across the fabric. ¡°I-I still can¡¯t remember¡­¡± I mutter. ¡°But¡­ I do recognize it. It must be something I hold dear¡­¡± ¡°Oh! Wait a minute, there¡¯s your jewelry as well!¡± Eris says, digging further into the chest and pulling out a small wooden box. ¡°Here, your earrings and necklace¡­¡± I receive the box. Quickly, I open it. But as I see what¡¯s inside, my heart throbs once more. Tears start rolling down my face for no reason.
Chapter 7: Unknown Emotion Inside the box, there are two simple yet absolutely enchanting silver earrings and a necklace with a shining ruby gem. The moment I see them, my head spins¡ªa surge of emotions overwhelms me. Waves of sadness, traces of nostalgia, and flickers of hope wash over me in an inexplicable mix. I close the box with a snap and take deep breaths, my hands trembling slightly as I try to steady the rapid pace of my heart. Right now, the room feels smaller, suffocating, the walls inching closer as the weight of forgotten memories presses down on me. However, Eris notices my discomfort and sits down next to me, her presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my emotions. ¡°Felicia, are you okay? You look so pale¡­¡± she asks, her hands warm as they envelop mine. Her touch snaps me back to reality. ¡°Oh, sorry! I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m just a bit overwhelmed,¡± I reply, trying to mask the turmoil inside. ¡°Did anything come back to you? Any memories?¡± ¡°No, nothing¡­¡± I shake my head, exhale deeply. Despite those intense emotions, there¡¯s nothing I can remember from seeing or touching those jewels. It¡¯s very, very frustrating¡­ My heart is still aching even when the box is now closed. ¡°I see¡­¡± Eris murmurs, giving my hands a gentle squeeze. ¡°But it¡¯s alright. Sometimes feelings are all we have to guide us. I believe you will regain your memories soon.¡± ¡°Thank you¡­ I hope so too¡­¡± I then hand the box back to Eris, and she carefully places it into the chest along with the dress, locking away the beautiful yet perplexing artifacts of this mysterious catgirl. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. ¡°Well, even if you can¡¯t remember, I know for sure that you must be coming from a very prestigious family or something. Perhaps you are a young lady of a noble house? Or the daughter of a very wealthy merchant?¡± Eris muses as she secures the chest. . Huh? I blink, surprised by her suggestion. ¡°What makes you say that?¡± ¡°Come on, can¡¯t you see?¡± Eris smiles. ¡°The dress alone was stunning. And the fabric! I¡¯ve never seen anything quite so exquisite! Those jewelry are top craftsmanship too! Hmmm¡­. Now that I think about it¡­. isn¡¯t it only royalty who can wear those kinds of clothes? Felicia, could it be¡­ you are a princess?¡± ¡°Oooooooh!¡± I gasp. ¡°A princess¡­ ! I see!!!¡± Perhaps, it¡¯s the real identity of this catgirl body? ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep everything safe until your memories return, or until you want to take them.¡± Eris assures me warmly. ¡°Ah¡­ thank you,¡± I reply. Now that she mentioned it, if Eris harbored any ill intentions, she could have easily sold them for a hefty sum. But instead, she stored them away, protecting them for me. This act of kindness, in a world still so alien and uncertain, deeply touches my heart. Any lingering doubts about her intentions dissipate like mist under the morning sun. ¡°Eris¡­¡± I begin, hesitating as I broach a new topic. ¡±I have a question. C-can I stay with you? For a few days at least? Right now I¡­ I don¡¯t know where else to go¡­ I need some time to figure out what to do¡­¡± ¡°Oh, of course!¡± Eris exclaims. ¡°You can stay however long you need! As long as¡­ you are fine with this tiny room of mine¡­ hehe¡­¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t have any problem with that,¡± I heave a sigh of relief. ¡°But is it really okay? I¡­ I don¡¯t want to burden you too much¡­¡± I murmur, my gaze falling to our intertwined hands. ¡°Hey, what are you talking about?¡± Eris laughs. ¡°I don¡¯t have much on me, but at least I have a heart! I simply can¡¯t let a young, beautiful girl like you wander alone in this scary world, can I? If I did that, there¡¯s no way I could sleep soundly at night!¡± ¡°Thank you, Eris!¡± I stand up, bowing deeply, overwhelmed by her kindness. ¡°Thank you very much!¡± ¡°Hey, what are you doing?¡± Eris chuckles, pulling me back up. ¡°No need for formalities here. We¡¯re friends, right?¡± ¡°Friend¡­? YES!¡± I exclaim, a smile breaking through the uncertainty. As I nod, the tears that have gathered during our conversation begin to spill over, but they are tears of relief now. Perhaps, in this vast and strange world, I have indeed found my first true ally.
Chapter 8: Fear
Suddenly¡­ Brrrrrrrrrr!!! A loud, embarrassing rumble erupts from my belly, shattering the quiet atmosphere like a clap of thunder in a still night. ¡°AAaa!!! I¡¯m so sorryyyy!!!¡± My face burns with embarrassment, heat rising to my cheeks as I quickly turn away, too mortified to meet Eris¡¯s gaze. But Eris just chuckles softly. ¡°I see. You¡¯ve been sleeping for two whole days, so you must be starving,¡± she says with a gentle smile. ¡°Ah, yes¡­¡± I mumble, still avoiding her gaze. ¡°Ermmm¡­ is there¡­ anything to eat?¡± ¡°Well, of course!¡± Eris says cheerfully. ¡°Let¡¯s go downstairs, the owner¡¯s cooking is amazing!¡± And then, Eris grabs my hand, and we leave the room. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Now, with Eris by my side, her hand holding mine, I¡¯m feeling more secured. The hallway feels less suffocating, and for a brief moment, I¡¯m comforted by her presence. I¡¯m not alone anymore. But as we walk closer¡­ Closer to that place¡ª The place where I encountered those drunk bastards¡ª Suddenly, the memories crash into me like a tidal wave, overwhelming and suffocating. I¡¯m drowning. My heart pounds, thundering so hard I can feel it in my throat. I can¡¯t breathe. The air is gone. I¡¯m choking, suffocating under the weight of it all. Their faces flash before me, twisted and cruel, as vivid and real as the moment I first saw them. And their voices¡­ vile, mocking, echo in my head, growing louder, more insistent, until they become an inescapable, twisted chant. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be shy!¡± ¡°Come on, have a drink with us!¡± ¡°Little kitty, how about you show us how playful you really are?¡± My throat tightens as if invisible hands are squeezing the life out of me. And then, the nausea hits, violent and sharp. My stomach twists painfully, turning over and over, threatening to tear me apart from the inside. I force myself to move. I have to move. But each step feels like I¡¯m dragging heavy chains, the weight unbearable. Then¡­ I glance at that door. That cursed door. In my mind, I see it swinging open, the creak of the hinges sharp in the silence. And there they are¡ªthose horrible, grinning faces. Leering at me with hungry eyes. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. They¡¯re stumbling toward me, hands reaching, eager to grab me again. ¡°GET HER! PATRICK, GET HER!¡± ¡°FUCK! OPEN UP!¡± ¡°OPEN UP, YOU LITTLE BITCH! WE JUST WANNA HAVE SOME FUN!¡± No¡­ No¡­ My pulse pounds in my ears, deafening, each beat a hammer against my chest. My hands are shaking, my whole body trembling uncontrollably as the fear consumes me, devours me. NOOO! The scream is trapped inside me, clawing at my throat, desperate to escape but suffocated by the terror. I grip Eris¡¯s hand like a lifeline, holding on as if letting go would send me spiraling into the abyss. I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking out the nightmare that¡¯s swallowing me whole. I have to move. I have to keep going. One step. Then another. Each step feels like I¡¯m dragging the weight of the world with me, the fear pressing down harder with every inch I cover. I just have to make it past this. Just a few more steps¡­ ¡­ Before I even realize it¡­ Boop! I bump into Eris, my eyes still squeezed shut. The impact jolts me, pulling me back to reality like a sudden, icy splash of water. I blink, disoriented, my heart still hammering in my chest, the rapid beats echoing in my ears. ¡°Huh? Felicia?¡± Eris¡¯s voice is soft but filled with concern. She turns to face me, her hand still wrapped securely around mine. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?¡± I open my mouth to speak, but the words won¡¯t come. For a moment, I can¡¯t find my voice. My throat feels constricted, and my legs tremble beneath me, threatening to give way. ¡°N-no¡­¡± I finally manage to stammer, shaking my head weakly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nothing¡­¡± Of course¡­ I could tell her. I should tell her. About those guys, about the fear that¡¯s eating me alive, and about the terror that has me shaking like a leaf. I could tell her how scared I was¡ªhow scared I still am. But for some reason, I can¡¯t. The words get caught, tangled in the knot of fear lodged in my throat. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m fine,¡± I lie, forcing the words out, trying to make them sound steady. Eris narrows her eyes, studying me carefully, as if she can see straight through the facade I¡¯m trying so hard to hold up. ¡°Are you sure? You don¡¯t look well,¡± she says gently, her grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly, her concern deepening. ¡°M-maybe I¡¯m just¡­ too hungry, hehe¡­¡± I force a shaky laugh, trying to mask the turmoil inside with a smile that feels far too fragile to be convincing. ¡°Ah, right,¡± Eris says, her smile returning, though the worry in her eyes hasn¡¯t faded. I think she knows something isn¡¯t right, but she just doesn¡¯t press any further. Somehow, I¡¯m grateful for that. We then continue walking, slower now. Step by step. I focus on the rhythm of our movements, on the simple act of walking, using it to ground myself, to steady the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Finally, we reach the main dining area of the inn. The noise of clattering dishes and lively conversation rushes to greet us. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- ¡°Alright, this is the dining area,¡± Eris says with a smile. I take a moment to look around, absorbing the scene. The dining room is massive, bustling with life and energy. Large chandeliers hang from the wooden beams above, their golden light warm and welcoming. The room feels cozy, with long wooden tables lined with benches for large groups, and smaller tables for smaller groups as well. The smell of roasted meat, fresh bread, and spiced ale drifts through the air, making my stomach rumble in response. Business seems to be going well. People are chatting and laughing. I see many different races. There are humans, yes, but also others¡ªfigures with cat ears, wolf ears, and towering beings covered in thick fur, looking like a mix between men and bears. I also spot two women with glistening scales, their tails swishing behind them, their skin in unique shades¡ªone a deep grey, the other a pale white. The room is alive with chatter and laughter, the clink of mugs and plates adding to the lively atmosphere. However, I can¡¯t help but scan the room cautiously, my eyes darting over every face. My heart skips a beat as I search, fearing I might see those two men from earlier. But¡­ Lucky for me¡­ they¡¯re not here. ¡°Felicia, where do you want to sit?¡± Eris asks, her voice gentle, breaking through my swirling thoughts. I glance around, eyes lingering on the crowd before spotting a table tucked away in a dim corner. ¡°Can we¡­ sit there?¡± I ask softly, pointing toward the secluded spot. After what happened¡­ being around so many people feels overwhelming. I need a quiet place to breathe, to gather my thoughts. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go there!¡± Eris says with a nod, smiling reassuringly. We then weave through the crowd, the lively chatter and clinking mugs fading as we settle into the darker, quieter part of the room. The dim lighting and shadows in this corner feel like a protective barrier, muffling the overwhelming noise just enough to calm my nerves. We sit in silence, waiting for a waitress to approach.
Chapter 9: Cat’s habit Despite this being a medieval-like fantasy world, the service here feels surprisingly modern. On every table, there¡¯s a small vase filled with fresh white and blue flowers. It¡¯s beautiful, though I don¡¯t know much about flowers, so I have no idea what kind they are. Next to the vase, a neatly folded menu sits, waiting to be read. So I reach for the menu and have a quick look. It¡¯s not in English, nor in any language I recognize, but somehow, just like with Eris¡¯s ID card, I can perfectly understand everything written on the page. ¡°Eris, this dinner combo sounds good! Three big grilled pork skewers, green salad, and mashed potatoes! What do you think?¡± I ask, expecting her to agree. But¡­ there¡¯s no response. ¡°Erm¡­ Eris?¡± I glace up to look at her, and¡­ oh. She¡¯s not even paying attention to the menu. Instead, her gaze is locked on the flower vase sitting in the middle of the table. Her eyes narrow, staring at it, no blinking. It¡¯s like the flower vase has somehow become Eris¡¯ arch enemy. I blink, confused. What the heck is going on? Suddenly, without warning, she snaps out of her trance, grabs the flower vase, and swiftly shoves it under the table, out of sight. I sit there for a moment, unsure how to react. ¡°Eris, you don¡¯t like flowers?¡± I ask, trying to understand what just happened. ¡°Nah, it¡¯s not that,¡± Eris laughs, a light chuckle escaping her lips as she shakes her head. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ sometimes I get this really strong urge to knock things off the table. Apparently, some of us cat Furrens have that issue. It runs in my family blood.¡± OOOOOOOHHHH! My mind reels. So that¡¯s what it was! Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. I chuckle softly, realizing what just happened. As a catgirl, Eris has cat-like tendencies too! Some cats really love knocking stuff off the table! That¡¯s freaking annoying, but really cute! I¡¯m about to say that to Eris, that I find it cute. But then¡ª OHHHH SHIIIIIIITTTT¡­ My eyes accidentally wander to the wooden mug on the table, and without thinking, I feel a sudden, irresistible pull. Pushh meeee¡­. The wooden mug says. Push me over pleaseee! And then, before I can stop myself, my arm swings out, pushing the mug off the edge of the table! It crashes loudly onto the ground, making everyone in the room freeze and turn to look at me with judgmental eyes. Huh??? OH NOO!!! My heart skips a beat. I immediately hide my face behind the menu, cringing in embarrassment. AAAAAAAAA! I¡¯m screaming inside. Lucky that the mug didn¡¯t have any water in it yet, so I didn¡¯t make any mess. Still, I feel so embarrassed! My whole body¡¯s hot with shame right now. Eris chuckles, clearly amused by the situation. ¡°Felicia, you¡¯re just like me!¡± Damn it! This is bad. Does this mean¡­ I¡¯ll never be able to drink from a mug again? How am I supposed to drink anything now? ¡°E-Eris¡­¡± I mutter, feeling a bit desperate. ¡°H-how do you stop yourself from knocking things over? Please, teach me!¡± ¡°Well,¡± she says thoughtfully, ¡°it takes a lot of practice. But for beginners, the best way is to just¡­ not look at the thing.¡± ¡°Oh, that makes sense!¡± I nod quickly, taking notes in my head. ¡°So¡­¡± Eris leans in slightly, and for some reason, she¡¯s now looking directly into my eyes with a soft smile. ¡°If you don¡¯t have anything else to look at, you can always look at me.¡± As she says that, the world brightens! Time stops¡­ BADUMP! BADUMP! OOOOOH MY FREAKING GOD! My cheeks heat up instantly, and before I know it, my face is already burning! Without thinking, I quickly duck behind the menu, desperately trying to hide, my heart racing uncontrollably. ERIS!!! YOU IDIOT!!! YOU CAN¡¯T JUST SAY THAT!!! I want to scream, but the words get stuck in my throat. I can¡¯t let her see how flustered I am. I can¡¯t!!! Just what the heck is happening to me right now? IS this the side effect of becoming a girl? That my heart is now so sensitive to stuffs like this??? Lucky for me, Eris doesn¡¯t seem to notice. ¡°Oh, the waitress is here. Felicia, what would you like to eat?¡± She asks. I peek out from behind the menu, but the words catch in my mouth. ¡°Y-you go first! I need a little more time to think!¡± I stammer, retreating again, feeling my face still burning. ¡°Alright,¡± Eris replies. ¡°Then, Lilly, I¡¯ll have the usual, please,¡± she says to the waitress. ¡°Okay!¡± the waitress named Lilly replies. Her voice is cute, very light and sweet, but I can¡¯t even bring myself to look at her right now. I squeeze the menu tighter, still hiding behind it. ¡°P-please give me 5 more minutes!¡± I mumble. But in the end, it takes me a full 10 minutes to fully gather myself. Chapter 10: Food!
After calming down, I let Eris know I¡¯m ready, and she raises her hand to call the waitress over. ¡°Lilly, we¡¯re ready!¡± ¡°Coming!!!¡± the waitress calls back, finishing up at another table before heading our way. Now, I can see her clearly. Oh wow! She¡¯s so cute! Lilly¡¯s a sheep-girl waitress, with short blonde hair and big, curvy sheep horns atop her head, dressed in an adorable maid outfit complete with thigh-high knee socks. I¡¯m pretty sure medieval waitresses on Earth didn¡¯t dress like this though, and it¡¯s only something you¡¯d expect to see in a modern-day maid caf¨¦ in Japan. BUT I¡¯M NOT COMPLAINING!!! Lilly is absolutely adorable! The way she smiles just melts my heart. ¡°Alright, my order is already in the making. What do you want, Felicia?¡± Eris asks. I clear my throat and open the menu again, pointing to the dish names so Lilly can take my order more easily. ¡°Can I have the medium-sized dinner combo for one, please? Green salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and cherry vinaigrette sauce, a side of mashed potatoes with double cream, creamy mushroom soup, and five lamb skewers!¡± I say proudly. This should be enough for me. But when I look up, I notice Lilly and Eris staring at me, both tilting their heads in confusion. Some of the other people sitting nearby are also staring, blinking in surprise. Huh??? WHAT??? ¡°I-Is there something on my face?¡± I whisper, feeling a bit self-conscious. ¡°No, nothing,¡± Eris smiles, though she still looks amused. ¡°But¡­ are you sure you can eat all of that?¡± she asks. ¡°Huh?¡± I blink in confusion. OH RIGHT!!! How could I forget about that??? Silly me! I¡¯m a girl now, so I probably can¡¯t eat as much as I used to. It¡¯s probably not a good idea to waste food! ¡°T-then¡­ c-can I get the smaller combo, with the same things but less potatoes and meat?¡± I ask, trying to correct my order. I love eating healthy, so I won¡¯t be cutting down on the salad. Without vegetable, I may get constipation, and who wants constipation when living in a medieval fantasy world, right? This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. However, Eris and Lilly exchange a quick glance, both still looking a little puzzled. ¡°Let¡¯s go with the normal combo, please. Double the meat,¡± Eris says, grinning. ¡°Alright!¡± Lilly chirps cheerfully, jotting down the order before heading off. Eris then turns to me, still smiling. ¡°Come on, Felicia, I know you¡¯re being considerate because I¡¯m paying, but you need to eat properly! Don¡¯t hold back, okay?¡± ¡°O-Oh!!¡± I respond, nodding, though I¡¯m still trying to make sense of their reactions. I don¡¯t get it. What the heck is happening? Was I being weird or something? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Even during this busy hour, the kitchen and service are impressively fast. In less than twenty minutes, my food arrives. The green salad looks fresh and crisp, the mashed potatoes creamy and steaming hot. And then there are the meat skewers¡ªten whole, delicious-looking skewers, perfectly grilled. Everything is super-sized too. Oh my! I don¡¯t even know if I can finish all of this. The smell alone¡ªit¡¯s absolutely mouthwatering, like heaven on a plate. I¡¯m literally drooling as I stare down at the feast before me. However, Eris¡¯s food still isn¡¯t ready yet. I want to wait for her so we can eat together, but my stomach has other ideas. Bbbbbbbrrrrrrr! It growls impatiently, demanding attention. Eris chuckles softly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to wait for me. Just dig in!¡± she says with an easy grin. ¡°T-then¡­ you can have some of mine while you wait! Here, try this skewer!¡± I offer, handing her one of the skewers, feeling a bit guilty for starting without her. ¡°Hehe, sure!¡± Eris smiles, accepting it. ¡°Thanks, Felicia.¡± ¡°Hihi,¡± I giggle, handing it over. ¡°You don¡¯t need to thank me¡ªit¡¯s your money, after all!¡± ¡°Oh, right,¡± Eris laughs. ¡°Anyway, eat up before the food gets cold!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± I reply cheerfully, feeling the hunger gnawing at me. Without any more hesitation, I dive into my meal, my appetite in full force. But then¡­ Moments later¡­ ¡­.. ¡°Huh? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Eris asks. ¡°N-n-nothing!¡± I , still trying to chew on the salad. Nomnomnomnom¡­ It¡¯s just a regular salad¡ªgreen lettuce, tomatoes, nothing fancy. But¡­ for some reason¡­ It¡¯s so bitter! I almost have to spit it out but somehow manage to force it down. I remember reading somewhere that the more bitter the vegetables, the more antioxidants they have. So¡­ this is actually good for me, right? Determined, I convince myself to take another bite. I can do this! I swallow the second mouthful, though it¡¯s harder than the first. The soup, on the other hand, is a little bit too salty. And the potatoes? They taste off¡ªsomething¡¯s not right, but I can¡¯t quite put my finger on it. It¡¯s just¡­ Kind of gross. But on the bright side, the meat skewers are absolutely delicious! Eris had one, and before I know it, I¡¯ve devoured the remaining nine in record time! Yeah, I feel a little embarrassed by how gluttonous I must have looked¡­ But I was so hungry! And the meat was too good to resist! Suddenly, Lilly pops by to check on our table. ¡°Well, how is everything?¡± ¡°E-everything is great! So tasty!¡± I lie through a forced smile. I don¡¯t want to complain¡ªit feels rude, especially after the quick service. ¡°I see, I¡¯m glad you like it!¡± Lilly smiles. And then, right at that moment, Ding! The small kitchen bell ring. ¡°Oh, I think your food is ready!¡± Lilly says to Eris. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Eris replies casually. As I sit there, it hits me¡ªI don¡¯t actually know what Eris ordered. She just asked for her ¡°usual.¡± She must eat this dish all the time. Now I¡¯m really curious. What kind of food does Eris like the most? But before I can ask, something else catches my eye. ¡°Wait, Eris, where are your utensils?¡± I ask, noticing her side of the table is completely empty. ¡°Utensils? Nah, you don¡¯t need those for drumsticks!¡± Eris says with a smirk. ¡°Oooooh! Drumsticks!¡± I exclaim, imagining some nice chicken drumsticks. So, Eris is a fan of chicken¡ªmakes sense! She¡¯s a catgirl after all! But when Lilly returns with Eris¡¯s food¡­ My eyes widen in shock. AYO! What the heck?! Those aren¡¯t chicken drumsticks! More like dinosaur¡¯s drumsticks, absolutely gigantic! Each piece is bigger than my arm, and there are a whole freaking three of them!
Chapter 11: Catgirls eat! ¡°Wow, Eris, what kind of bird is that?!¡± I ask, my eyes wide as I stare at the colossal drumstick in her hand. ¡°Oh, this?¡± Eris points to the giant piece of meat. The thing is gigantic¡ªeasily over 2 kilograms per drum! ¡°Yeah!¡± I nod. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything that big before!¡± Eris grins. ¡°Oh! It¡¯s from a wild Filoan chicken, a staple meat around here. There¡¯s plenty of them in the nearby forests, so people hunt and eat them every day. But¡­ you don¡¯t remember that either?¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± I stammer. ¡°Y-yeahhh¡­ That¡¯s why I was so surprised¡­¡± ¡°I-I see¡­ That¡¯s really sad.¡± Eris¡¯s smile falters for a moment. But then, her expression brightens again, and she beams at me. ¡°Well, on the bright side, you now get to try new food again!¡± she says with excitement and hands me a drumstick. ¡°Come on, try it!¡± I¡¯m about to refuse, feeling guilty about taking her food. But before I can even form the words¡­ The aroma hits me. The scent of perfectly grilled chicken wafts into my nose¡ªcharcoal-kissed skin, coated with caramelized honey, seasoned with with fragrant herbs. Ohhh!!! The smell is intoxicating, so good that it makes my head spin, and my mouth waters uncontrollably. I¡¯m losing my mind! ¡°I-Is that okay?¡± I ask hesitantly. ¡°Why? Of course!¡± Eris says cheerfully, pushing the drumstick toward me with a grin. ¡°Eat up!¡± Now holding it, I can feel the heat radiating from the meat. The smell is absolutely irresistible. ¡°Let¡¯s take a bite at the same time! Cheers!!!¡± Eris exclaims, raising her drumstick high with a bright smile. ¡°C-cheers!!!¡± I echo, mirroring her action and tapping my drumstick against hers in a playful clink. ¡°Alright, together on three!¡± Eris says, her voice brimming with excitement. ¡°One, two¡­ THREE! NOM!¡± Eris takes a big, hearty bite, and I follow suit, sinking my teeth into the crispy, golden-brown skin. The second my teeth break through to the tender, juicy meat underneath, a flood of savory juices explodes in my mouth¡ªa burst of liquid heaven. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. WWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW!!! It¡¯s SOOOOO GOOD!!! My mind explodes with flavor. My taste buds are dancing, every sensation lighting up in pure bliss. Saliva rushes out of my mouth as I savor the bite, unable to hold back the wave of pleasure surging through me. My eyes roll back slightly, my whole body trembling in delight. I''M TRANSCENDING REALITY! ¡°MMMMMMHHHHHHMMMM!!!¡± I can¡¯t stop myself from making a series of embarrassing, satisfied sounds. But I don¡¯t even care anymore! Nomnomnomnom¡­ I savor each chew, letting the rich flavors linger on my tongue before finally swallowing the bite. As the warm, flavorful meat slides down, a comforting heat spreads through my body. It feels¡­ amazing. ¡°Wow¡­¡± I murmur, breathless from the sheer joy of it all. This is the best thing I¡¯ve eaten in my entire life!!! It¡¯s so incredible! Isekai life, heck yeaaahhh!!! But then, I glance at Eris¡­ And I freeze, absolutely terrified. What¡­ the actual¡ª!? My jaw practically hits the floor. In front of me, it¡¯s not Eris anymore¡ªit¡¯s a freaking monster! She¡¯s devouring that meat like a wild beast unleashed! CHOMP!!!! With a bite, her sharp teeth tear into the flesh savagely. Her eyes narrow with primal focus. Then, her neck and hand move in opposite directions, pulling the meat apart as if it were nothing! The ferocity is unreal. Absolute animalistic! The meat juices splashes everywhere, drip down her chin. She just wipes it with her napkin. And then, with another swift, brutal motion, she rips another chunk of meat from the bone, chewing vigorously like an apex predator. And just like that, Eris¡¯s whole body is moving¡ªleaning into the feast with fierce hunger, her fangs flashing as she attacks the drumstick. In the blink of an eye, all the meat on that drumstick is gone! But Eris isn¡¯t done yet. She gnaws on the bone¡­ CRACK!!! It shatters like glass, splinters flying as the sound echoes, popping like popcorn! And then, slurp!!! She sucks out the bone marrow with a loud noise. Finally, she attacks the cartilage, ripping it from the bone¡¯s head, chewing through it crunchily. Then, as Eris picks up another drumstick and gazes at me, unblinking. Everything clicks. Oh my god. THAT¡¯S the reason why! I was wondering why Eris and Lilly looked at me like I¡¯d done something absurd when I placed my order¡ªsomething utterly stupid. And it turns out¡­ I was! Eris is a catgirl. I¡¯m a catgirl too. And as catgirls¡­ WE DON¡¯T EAT VEGETABLES!!! ¡°E-Eris¡­¡± I murmur in embarrassment, realizing just how ridiculous I was. ¡°D-do catgirls eat vegetables? You only eat meat, right?¡± Eris finishes chewing and swallows, wiping her mouth with a napkin. ¡°Well, you do!¡± she says with a teasing smile. ¡°No! I mean¡­ does anyone else, except me, eat veggies?¡± I clarify, feeling my face heat up. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve never seen anyone else like that!¡± she replies, laughing. ¡­. Fuuuccckkk¡­!!! I feel so utterly stupid right now¡­ ¡°Aaaaa!!! I see!!!¡± Eris suddenly exclaims, as if something just clicked. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­ you even forgot what your diet was?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ y-yeah, apparently so,¡± I admit sheepishly, scratching my head. ¡°AHA! That explains it!!!¡± Eris bursts out laughing. ¡°I was literally thinking, what the hell were you doing, ordering food like little rabbit? Well, now that you remember, eat up! And let¡¯s go for another tray!¡± ¡°Y-YEAHHH! Let¡¯s go for another tray!¡± I yell along, still feeling stupid, but well, more food is coming, and I can¡¯t wait! In the end, we devour three Filoan bird drumsticks each. It was feral. It was wild, messy but amazingly fun! It took me a while to get used to eating like a real catgirl¡ªturning off all my etiquette and unleashing the ravenous beast inside. But once I did, the food just tasted ten times better. Chapter 12: Dessert From Eris, I learn that there are two types of people in this world. Seventy percent of the population is human, while the rest are humans with animal traits. They can be cat people, wolf people, boar people, even lizard people and mermaids too! These people are all called Furren, even though some have feathers or scales instead of fur. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- ¡°NyaaaaAaaaaa~~~!!! I¡¯m so full!!!¡± I meowl, patting my now-round belly. The amount of Filoan chicken I just devoured is outrageous! Literally almost 10 percent of my body weight! Oh my¡­ I don¡¯t even know if I can walk right now. Meanwhile, Eris lounges back in her chair, smiling with satisfaction. Her whole body is relaxed, her eyes closed in pure bliss, and her ears twitch cutely. She ate three drumsticks, just like me. But she also crunched through some of the bones! It¡¯s absolutely terrifying and amazing at the same time when she did that! I tried eating a couple of small bones too, but it was too much for my teeth, so I gave up. ¡°ALRIGHT!!!¡± Eris suddenly sits up, her eyes lighting up with excitement. ¡°Felicia, are you ready for PIE???¡± EHH??? PIEEE???? ¡°Wait! You¡¯re not full yet???¡± I shout, shocked. ¡°Full? What do you mean full?¡± Eris laughs. ¡°There¡¯s always room for pie and milkshake! They¡¯re reaaaaally good, you know?¡± Hearing that, I don¡¯t even know how to react. Eris¡­ is she trolling me or something? But no! Literally the next second, the door to the kitchen swings open, and Lilly rushes out, carrying two small plates¡ªeach with a big piece of berry pie and a glass of milkshake! I watch in horror as she sets the items down. I¡­ I don¡¯t think I can handle any more¡­ But the items look absolutely delicious. They¡¯re literally begging me to eat them! The pie has a golden, flaky crust with dark, juicy berries inside, while the milkshake is thick and creamy, topped with a swirl of whipped cream. Looking at it, my body trembles. My belly is screaming no, begging for mercy. However, my mind says yes. My sweet tooth is aching!!! AAAAAA!!! This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. I¡¯m screaming internally!!! Agonizing!!! ¡°Enjoy your dessert!¡± Lilly says with a big smile. ¡°Thanks, Lilly!¡± Eris replies, and then, without hesitation, she grabs the milkshake and takes a big, enthusiastic sip! ¡°MMMMMMHHHHHMMMM!!!!! IT¡¯S SO GOOOOOD!¡± Eris hums, her eyes closed in satisfaction, a white foam mustache forming on her upper lip as she purrs, her tail pointing straight up in joy! Damn it! Her reaction is making me want to try it ten times more! I hesitate, staring at the milkshake for a moment¡­ A-alright, just a little sip. I at least have to know what it tastes like, right? However¡­ ¡°MMMhhhhmmmmm!¡± It¡¯s too good! Too creamy! Absolutely heavenly! And the pie? It¡¯s amazing too! I end up succumbing to the sin of gluttony again. My belly feels like it¡¯s about to burst, but I just can¡¯t stop myself from indulging! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª After the amazing dessert, we sit back and relax. Eris hums a cute tune, while I remain seated, staring up at the ceiling, feeling every pulse in my now balloon-like belly. The fullness settles in, and as the bliss of food fades, a guilty feeling creeps up on me. Those extra pies and milkshakes¡­ Definitely a mistake! I¡¯m so bloated right now. But they¡¯re already in my stomach, and there¡¯s nothing I can do about it now. I guess¡­ I¡¯ll just make a mental note to have more self-restraint next time and not let myself be swayed by good food again. As we relax, time seems to pass slowly, and before I realize it, twenty minutes have gone by. Eris gets up and heads to the bar to settle the bill, and I follow close behind. Lilly is already there, waiting for us. ¡°Thanks, Lilly!¡± Eris says cheerfully. ¡°The food was awesome as always!¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you liked it!¡± Lilly responds with a bright smile. ¡°So, how much do we owe?¡± ¡°That will be one hundred and twenty-three crowns in total,¡± Lilly says, her tone polite and professional. ¡°Alright!¡± Eris replies, pulling out some coins from her pouch and handing them to Lilly. I stand by, watching the transaction closely. So, the currency in this world is called crowns! Over a hundred crowns for two people? I have no idea if that¡¯s expensive or cheap since I don¡¯t really have a concept of money in this world yet. ¡°Eris, may I ask, how much does it cost to rent a room here?¡± I inquire. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s 50 crowns per day for one person,¡± Eris replies. ¡°But¡­ why do you ask?¡± I do some quick mental math. 50 times 30 equals to 1500, plus 50 a meal times 3 times a day times 30 days a month¡­ ¡°Then¡­ with me here, it¡¯ll cost you extra six thousands crowns per month!!!¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Eris frowns, cutting me off. ¡°We¡¯re friends, and friends help each other. You don¡¯t need to worry about it! I¡¯ll take care of you until your memories come back.¡± ¡°No! I can¡¯t let you do that!¡± I protest firmly. ¡°What if my memories never return? And besides, because we¡¯re friends, I can¡¯t just take advantage of you like that!¡± ¡°Felicia¡­¡± Yeah, I can¡¯t just leech off Eris like this. That wouldn¡¯t feel right, and it would make me a bad person! Thus, turning to Lilly, I say, ¡°Lilly, your inn is hiring more kitchen staffs, right? Can I apply for the position?¡± I know this because earlier, I saw a poster on the wall. The Gilded Horn is hiring someone to chop vegetables and butcher meat. Basically, a prep cook position. The job offers 50 crowns an hour, with an 8-hour workday, 6 days a week, starting early in the morning. ¡°Y-yeah!¡± Lilly says, though she seems surprised. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t really decide that since I¡¯m just a waitress here, but give me a few minutes, and I¡¯ll ask my boss!¡± ¡°Yes, thank you so much, Lilly!¡± I reply gratefully. The sheep girl then disappears into the back of the inn to talk to her boss about my application. We stand at the bar and wait. My heart is starting to beat faster again. I¡¯m nervous. ¡°Felicia, are you sure about this?¡± Eris asks softly, watching me with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Yeah, one hundred percent!¡± I reply, showing confident in my voice. Back on Earth, I used to work as a prep cook for a while after graduating from university, since finding a job in my field was difficult at the time. Thus, I have plenty of experience. With this, I can take care of myself without relying on Eris! Just a minute later, Lilly returns. ¡°So, am I accepted?¡± I ask, my heart is racing faster and faster. ¡°My dad¡ªah, sorry, my boss, the owner of this place¡ªwants to talk to you first. Are you free right now?¡± ¡°Oh! Absolutely!¡± I respond eagerly. ¡°Alright, follow me!¡± Lilly says as she leads the way. ¡°Lilly, is it okay if I come too?¡± Eris asks. ¡°Hmmm¡­ I don¡¯t think there¡¯s any problem with that. But¡­ Felicia, are you okay with Eris coming along?¡± Lilly turns to me. ¡°Well, of course!¡± I nod quickly. In fact, I¡¯m relieved Eris is coming. My nerves are already on edge¡ªI have no idea what the interview will be like. Having her by my side makes me feel so much more reassured. Chapter 13: Job application! As we step into the kitchen, a wave of nostalgia crashes over me, pulling me back to my old days of kitchen work. The overwhelming noise surrounds me like a relentless storm¡ªthe clang of metal, the sharp commands being shouted from every direction. The floor is slick beneath my feet, each step careful and measured, while the suffocating heat clings to my skin, making me sweat like a pig. It¡¯s all too familiar, a chaotic symphony of organized madness. The most striking presence in the room is probably the giant, muscular figure at the grill. With curved horns rising from his head, the sheep Furren¡¯s frame is imposing, muscles bulging under the strain of his work, glistening with sweat. He¡¯s tending to an array of giant meat skewers, flipping them like a machine. In front of him, the charcoal grill beneath him roars with life¡ªthick iron bars glowing from the searing heat below, flames leaping and twisting as sparks scatter with each turn of the meat. BAM! BAM! BAM! He slams the skewers onto the grill, eyes locked onto the flames, focused with a primal intensity. His gaze seems to burn as fiercely as the fire itself. Across from him, a sheep Furren woman stands over five enormous pots of stew, constantly stirring and tasting, adding spices to taste. Steam rises around her like a thick fog, filling the air with the rich scent of simmering herbs and spices. Her hair is damp from the relentless heat, but her hands move like clockwork, never hesitating, never faltering. At another station, a younger sheep Furren works at lightning speed, her knife flashing as she slices vegetables rapidly, the sound rhythmic like machine gun. Behind her, another Furren rushes between ovens, pulling out tray after tray of freshly baked pies. The moment he finishes cutting and plating them, he darts to the side, whipping up milkshakes in a blur of motion. Meanwhile, waitresses storm in and out of the kitchen, their voices cutting through the noise like sharp blades. ¡°WALKIN IN! TWO SKEWERS, TWO POTATO CREAM STEWS, GREEN SALAD¡ªALL LARGE¡ªTABLE FIVE!¡± ¡°WALKIN IN! FIVE FILOAN DRUMSTICKS, TWO MILKSHAKES¡ªTABLE TWO!¡± The orders crash in like waves, relentless, one after the other, non stop. And, of course, in the far corner, three figures hunch over the dishwashing station¡ªa wolf Furren and two muscular humans. Their arms move like machines, scrubbing and rinsing the seemingly endless supply of dirty dishes. Yup, it¡¯s just like a kitchen on Earth. It¡¯s noisy, it¡¯s hot, it¡¯s chaotic¡ªit¡¯s hell, but that¡¯s the beauty of it. This is the sign of a truly bustling business, where the chaos fuels efficiency and precision. ¡°As you can see, my whole family works here,¡± Lilly says, gesturing around. ¡°My biggest brother is grilling the meat, my mom is making soup, and my elder siblings are handling salad and desserts. It may seem like a lot, and it is, but we¡¯re all used to it. We¡¯ve tried to hire more people, but most of them quit because they couldn¡¯t handle the workload¡ªeven though we pay them well.¡± A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. I nod, understanding immediately. Every person here is moving with razor-sharp efficiency, no second wasted. Kitchens are among the hardest, most stressful places to work, and if you¡¯re not ready for it, you won¡¯t last long. But me? I¡¯m ready. I can feel my blood pumping with excitement, the old fire from my kitchen days stirring in my veins. ¡°Alright, follow me carefully,¡± Lilly says, leading us through the chaos to a quieter room at the back. As Lilly opens the door, we¡¯re greeted by an intimidating figure¡ªa giant, muscular sheep Furren man. His sheer size fills the room, muscles bulging like those of a seasoned warrior. His beard is slightly singed from working near the flames, and next to him sits a large bottle of something that looks suspiciously like rum. His stern expression and sharp eyes land on us, and I freeze for a moment, feeling incredibly small under his gaze. But Eris is unfazed. ¡°Sup, old man. How are you doing?¡± she says casually, like the giant is just an old friend. ¡°Ey, Eris!¡± the man responds, his booming voice surprisingly friendly. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you were interested in working in my kitchen!¡± ¡°Not her, Dad,¡± Lilly says with a grin, pointing at me. ¡°It¡¯s Felicia here.¡± The giant sheep Furren leans down, lowering his body to get a closer look at me. His eyes squint as he examines me more closely. ¡°Ahh, sorry about that! You¡¯re so small I almost missed you!¡± he laughs, a hearty, booming laugh that shakes the room. ¡°My name¡¯s Gordon. Nice to meet you!¡± I take his massive hand, feeling the rough calluses as we shake. ¡°I¡¯m Felicia, nice to meet you too, Mr. Gordon!¡± I say, trying to sound as confident as I can. ¡°So, you really want to work in the kitchen?¡± he asks, his tone shifting to something more serious. ¡°It¡¯s tough work, you know?¡± I can tell. He¡¯s sizing me up, doubting whether I can handle it. I won¡¯t let him look down on me. ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all!¡± I reply, standing up straighter, forcing a confident smile. ¡°I¡¯d like to apply for the vegetable-chopping position, please!¡± ¡°Hmmm,¡± Gordon eyes me skeptically. ¡°Are you sure about that? You don¡¯t exactly look like someone who can handle the heat of a kitchen. Maybe waitress work would suit you better?¡± ¡°Yeah, I think you should try being a waitress, Felicia,¡± Eris adds, her voice gentle, but I can sense she¡¯s not fully on board with my decision. But no. I don¡¯t want that. ¡°I love cooking! I want to be in the kitchen please!¡± I declare firmly, standing as tall as I can. My heart is pounding in my chest, but I refuse to back down. Still, Gordon is unconvinced. ¡°Sorry if this sounds rude, but you don¡¯t seem like the type for this kind of work¡­¡± ¡°Please, I may not look strong, but I¡¯m really good at chopping things! Don¡¯t underestimate me!¡± I retort, trying to inject more confidence into my words than I actually feel. My hands clench into fists at my sides, determined to prove myself. But more than anything, I can¡¯t bear the thought of working front-of-house. The idea of interacting with people after what happened with those drunk bastards earlier makes my skin crawl. I don¡¯t want to risk another situation like that. Even if it¡¯s harder, the kitchen is where I feel safe. However, the owner still doesn¡¯t seem convinced, his brows furrowing as he crosses his arms. So, I take a deep breath. ¡°Test me!¡± I say boldly, surprising even myself. ¡°Please, give me a chance to prove it!¡± Hearing that, Gordon chuckles, a deep rumbling sound. ¡°Alright then. I like your attitude!¡±. Then, he turns to his daughter. ¡°Lilly, bring me a knife and some vegetables. Let¡¯s see what this girl¡¯s got.¡± Chapter 14: Knife skills Now, Gordon¡¯s eyes are on me, Eris¡¯ eyes are on me, Lily¡¯s eyes are on me. In front of me, a big pile of green onions, twenty regular onions, twenty carrots, and twenty potatoes sits, staring back at me. The challenge? Show off my knife skills and prep them all in ten minutes! I tighten the apron around my waist, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. The pressure feels heavy, but I know I can do this. Come on, Felicia, you¡¯ve got this! I say to myself. I may be in a different body. But I am still me! My hands still remember how to work a knife! Thus, I open my eyes, And boom! Confidence surge! Spirit fired up! God-mode prep cook activated! LET¡¯S GOOOOOO!!! But first, rule number one: You need a sharp knife to cut anything properly. The knife on the counter looks decent, but it¡¯s definitely not sharp enough. So, I reach for the sharpening rod nearby without hesitation. Schwengschwengschwengschweng! With a few swift strokes, I sharpen the blade to perfection. I test its edge¡ªyup, it¡¯s good to go now! ¡°Ho ho!¡± Gordon¡¯s amused voice breaks the tension. He¡¯s standing next to me, watching intently. Ah, I see now! This must¡¯ve been his first test¡ªchecking if I knew the importance of a sharp blade. If I hadn¡¯t sharpened the knife, I¡¯d have failed right there. After all, a blunt knife is a dangerous knife. A sharp knife is a must! Every cook in the kitchen must know that. It¡¯s rule number one! With that out of the way, it¡¯s time to slice and dice. But where should I start? The carrots or the green onions? Rule number two: If unsure, ask! ¡°Mr. Gordon,¡± I call out, glancing at him confidently, ¡°there are many types of cuts. What would you like me to show first?¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Oh?¡± Gordon raises an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°If you can, show me everything,¡± he says, crossing his arms and leaning forward. ¡°ALRIGHT!¡± I respond enthusiastically, accepting the challenge. Thus, I reach for the carrots first. Now, how do I hold the knife? I grip the knife properly¡ªfingers wrapped securely around the handle, my index finger resting along the side of the blade for balance and precision. My thumb presses against the opposite side, ensuring control. This grip gives me both stability and finesse. I place the carrot on the cutting board, holding it steady with my free hand, fingers curled inward for safety. The blade rests lightly against the vegetable, and I¡¯m ready to go. Prepcookknifeskill, first technique¡ªBRUNOISE! Pap! Pap! Pap! I cut off the rounded sides, squaring the carrot so it¡¯s stable and won¡¯t roll. Now, there¡¯s no wobble¡ªit¡¯s perfectly flat. Then, Shhhhck! Shhhhck! Shhhhck! I slice the carrot into thin, even sticks Next, I line the sticks up neatly and start dicing¡ªPap! Pap! Pap!¡ªcreating small, uniform cubes no bigger than 1-2 millimeters. The tiny orange cubes fall in a perfect pile, each identical to the last. I glance at Gordon¡ªhis eyes widen slightly. There¡¯s a glimmer of acknowledgment in his expression. A smirk tugs at my lips. But I¡¯m just getting started! Prepcookknifeskill, second technique¡ªSMALL DICE! Pap! Pap! Pap! The knife moves faster, but still controlled. I dice the next carrot into slightly larger cubes, just as precise. Third technique¡ªJULIENNE! Shhhhck! Shhhhck! I cut the carrot into long, thin matchstick-like slices, each one consistent in size. Fourth technique¡ªBATONNETTE! Pap! Pap! The thicker, rectangular sticks are done in moments. I¡¯m in my zone now, the rhythm of the knife flowing effortlessly as I work. My movements are swift but exact, the blade slicing through the vegetables with machine-like precision. In just one minute, I¡¯ve finished all the carrots. Another minute passes, and I¡¯ve already tackled the potatoes! Haha! I grin. Somehow, I¡¯ve never felt so good like this before. For some reason, this is fun! I¡¯m absolutely destroying this test! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Less than five minutes later¡­ ¡°FINISHED!!!¡± I exclaim, putting the knife down, proudly eyeing the majestic piles of perfectly diced and sliced vegetables in front of me. The time limit is 10 minutes, but it only took me half of that. Oh boy¡­ I haven¡¯t been in a kitchen in a couple of years¡­ but it looks like I¡¯ve still got it! But as I turn to look at everyone standing around me¡­ Eh??? Eris is frozen. Lilly is frozen. Even Gordon is frozen. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve just witnessed something terrifying. ¡°Ehhh¡­¡± I stammer, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. ¡°H-how did I do? Did I meet your qualifications?¡± ¡°Y-yeahhh¡­¡± Lilly finally says, her voice shaky. ¡°I-I think you didn¡¯t just meet the qualifications¡ªyou crushed them¡­¡± ¡°WOW!¡± Eris then yells loudly. ¡°What the heck was that, Felicia? That was amazing!!!¡± Hearing that, my cheeks flush with warmth, the praise sending a wave of pride through me. A shy smile forms on my lips. But¡­ The final say belongs to Gordon. He still hasn¡¯t said anything. ¡°Ermmm¡­ Mr. Gordon?¡± I ask. For some reason, he¡¯s still standing there, frozen in place. But then, suddenly¡ª ¡°LILLY! GET THE PAPERWORK!!!¡± the inn owner roars, his booming voice shaking the room! ¡°Y-YES, FATHER!!!¡± Lilly squeaks, immediately rushing toward another room in the back. ¡°Eh? Does that mean¡­.¡± I ¡°Yes! You are hired!!!¡± Gordon declares with a grin. ¡°YEAAAAAAAHHHH!!¡± I jump for joy, shout with excitement. Eris leaps up with me, just as excited. ¡°Congratulations, Felicia!¡± she grins, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Thanks!¡± I beam back at her, my heart swelling with joy. Ahhhh¡­ I¡¯m feeling so happy right now. Getting a job on my first day reincarnated as a catgirl? Am I not awesome??? HECK YEAH!!! Chapter 15: Lies
¡°Anyway, Felicia, you were amazing!¡± Eris exclaims. ¡°The way you chopped and sliced those vegetables so perfectly¡ªit was unbelievable!¡± ¡°Yeah, even I can¡¯t chop that fast,¡± Gordon adds with a hearty laugh, his large frame shaking as he chuckles. I giggle, feeling a wave of warmth spread across my cheeks and ears. Their compliments are making me blush, but¡­ it¡¯s nice, really nice. I can¡¯t help but smile. But as the initial rush of praise starts to fade, my mind begins to replay what just happened. There¡¯s something odd about it. I was incredibly fast¡ªfaster and more efficient than I¡¯ve ever been before. Just¡­ How did I do that? Sure, knife skills were always something I took pride in back in my old life. But at that speed? No, I¡¯ve never been that fast. And it wasn¡¯t just the speed; it was the feeling. When I held the knife, it was as if I became one with it. Every slice, every chop, felt effortless. The blade glided through the vegetables like they were made of air. No resistance, just smooth, perfect cuts. And that moment of focus¡­ it was surreal. I don¡¯t know if I was actually three times faster or if time itself had slowed down. Either way, it felt like I was moving in another realm entirely. Could this be one of the perks of being a catgirl? ¡°But¡­ Felicia,¡± Eris suddenly leans in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, her happy face fading into a curious expression. ¡°Didn¡¯t you lose all your memories? How do you still remember how to cut vegetables like that?¡± !!! Her words hit me like a jolt of lightning. SHIT! I hadn¡¯t thought about that! If I¡¯m supposed to have lost all my memories, how can I still be so good with a knife? ¡°A-ahh¡­¡± I stammer, scrambling for an answer. ¡°I don¡¯t really know, b-but¡­ maybe it¡¯s just instinct? Yeah! Instinct! When I saw the job poster, I just knew I could do it. Like a gut feeling, you know? It¡¯s not like I was lying or anything!¡± Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°Hmmm¡­ instinct?¡± Eris leans in even closer, her brows furrowing as if she¡¯s scrutinizing my answer. ¡°Hmmmm¡­. HMMMMMMMMM????¡± BA-DUMP! BA-DUMP! My heart¡¯s pounding like crazy. Fuckk¡­. What the hell was that answer? Even a child could tell it was a lie! However¡­ ¡°Ahh!!! Yeah, that makes sense!¡± Eris suddenly exclaims, her expression lighting up. ¡°Even if you lost your memory, you¡¯d still have muscle memory! Felicia, could it be that you were a chef before???¡± ¡°O-ohhhh!!!!¡± I fake a gasp, trying to play along. ¡°Wait!¡± Eris continues, her excitement growing, holding my hand tightly.. ¡°That means if you work in the kitchen long enough, you might remember more! Felicia, this is amazing!!!¡± ¡°R-right!!!¡± I reply. ¡°YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!¡± It looks like my lie worked, and Eris bought it completely! SAFEEE!!! I let out an inward sigh of relief, feeling the tension slip away. Oh boy, that was close. Too close. I nearly got caught there. I¡¯ll have to be more careful from now on. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Moments later, the door opens, and Lilly returns with a stack of papers¡ªcontracts and forms I need to fill out before officially starting the job. However¡­ there¡¯s a little problem. The form asks for my full name, age, and place of birth¡­ those things I can make up without too much trouble. But then, it asks for something impossible¡ªan ID number. I don¡¯t have any ID! To be able to work, I need a valid ID¡ªthe same kind that Eris showed me earlier. According to Gordon, the ID is issued by the Administrative Office of the Knights Order of L?wenberg. But since I¡¯m from another world¡­ I don¡¯t have one. I¡¯m basically undocumented, which means I won¡¯t be able to do much here. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll help you get one!¡± Eris says with a confident smile. ¡°Woah, you can?¡± I ask, surprised. ¡°Of course! I¡¯ve got some¡­ connections,¡± she replies, giving me a playful wink. ¡°It might take a few days, but I¡¯ve got it covered!¡± ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry,¡± Gordon adds, patting my shoulder. ¡°This lady knows her way around things. You can trust her! And since you won¡¯t be able to work until we get the paperwork sorted, why not take a few days to rest and explore Mistvale?¡± He chuckles warmly. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a great idea!¡± Eris chimes in, her face lighting up. She turns to me with a grin. ¡°Yeah, Felicia! I¡¯ll take a break from the dungeons and show you around.¡± ¡°Is¡­ is that really okay?¡± I ask, feeling a little guilty. ¡°Absolutely!¡± Eris reassures me, her excitement contagious. If she¡¯s so insistent, who am I to say no? ¡°Thank you so much,¡± I say, bowing slightly to Eris. Since I¡¯m living here now, it¡¯s definitely important for me to explore the town, get used to its customs, and learn more about the people and this world I¡¯ve landed in. This is the perfect opportunity. ¡°Alright then, since it¡¯s still pretty early, why don¡¯t we go for a walk right now?¡± Eris suggests, her tail swishing excitedly. ¡°I¡¯ll show you the night market!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± I nod, excitement bubbling up inside me. Eris giggles. We say our goodbyes to Gordon and Lilly, then step outside. I follow Eris, ready to explore Mistvale¡¯s night life.
Chapter 16: A busy street Moments later, we step outside into the evening air. It¡¯s my first night in this fantasy world, and I have to say¡ªI like it. Gone are the blinding city lights and the constant roar of traffic. Instead, I¡¯m surrounded by the gentle hum of life in Mistvale. Mistvale is a small town nestled in the L?wenberg Duchy, part of the greater kingdom of Eldenwald. Though small, it¡¯s famous among tourists and adventurers alike for its stunning natural surroundings, abundant resources, and the many beginner-friendly dungeons nearby. People flock here from all over¡ªto vacation, trade, or try their luck at dungeon delving. That¡¯s why the Gilded Horn is always so busy. Sitting right in the heart of the bustling market and adventurer district, it¡¯s constantly full of customers. Business is booming. As we step outside, the lively energy sweeps us up, with humans and Furren alike bustling around. Carriages and carts rumble past, pulled not only by horses but also by massive, feathered birds, their talons clacking rhythmically against the cobblestone streets. ¡°Eris, what are those big birds?¡± I ask, curious about the creatures. They are so chonky, their wings so small that I don¡¯t think they can fly. But their feet are fast! Despite their bulk, they seem surprisingly agile. ¡°Oh, those are Filoan birds!¡± Eris replies with a grin. ¡°Hehe, cute, aren¡¯t they? I¡¯d love to have one of my own someday. I¡¯m actually saving up for one.¡± ¡°Wait, Filoan birds? didn¡¯t we just eat them?!!¡± I gasp. Yeah! The memory is still fresh. My mouth can still taste it in my memories. We just had Filoan birds drumsticks at the Gilded Horns!!! ¡°But no way!!! Their leg look much bigger than the one we had!¡± I hug my head, a little bit horrified. Honestly, now that I know what a Filian bird looks like, I feel really bad for eating them. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. But¡­ aaaaaaa¡­ they are so delicious!!! I¡¯m very, very conflicted right now. But luckily, Eris shakes her head. ¡°Haha, of course not.¡± she laughs.¡±These guys are also called Filoan birds, but they are not the same one! The ones we ate are wild Filoan. But the birds you are seeing are domesticated breed, mostly used to pull carts, but some people raise them as pets. They¡¯re surprisingly intelligent and can even be trained to guard homes or deliver messages.¡± ¡°Oooooooh!¡± I exclaim, wide-eyed with wonder. ¡°So, as you can see, this district never really sleeps,¡± Eris adds. ¡°Yup, it sure doesn¡¯t!¡± I smile, glancing around. It¡¯s a narrow street, but it¡¯s packed with food vendors, restaurants, and inns¡ªall open around the clock for adventurers and tourists. The smells of grilled meat, fresh bread, and sweet pastries fill the air, making me wish I hadn¡¯t stuffed myself earlier. I also take a moment to admire the architecture. The buildings here have a distinctly medieval European feel¡ªstone walls, wooden beams, and steep, sloping roofs, with chimneys puffing soft trails of smoke into the night. The streets are lined with cobblestones, and tall iron street lamps flicker with warm candlelight. The streets themselves are lively, though a bit rough around the edges. There¡¯s some litter here and there¡ªbits of food and scraps left by the crowd¡ªbut overall, it¡¯s cleaner than I expected. I even spot a basic sewage system running alongside the road, with workers diligently clearing away debris. Knights patrol the area as well, their armor gleaming in the lamplight. Each one wears a crest on their chest¡ªa roaring lion¡¯s head, the symbol of the L?wenberg Knights Order. Eris tells me they¡¯re responsible for keeping the peace in Mistvale. On the other hand, the weather is cool and refreshing, the breeze carrying a hint of autumn as it brushes against my skin. Overhead, the sky is clear, dotted with twinkling stars. I pull my black hooded cloak a little tighter around myself, thankful for its warmth as it flutters slightly in the breeze. Beneath it, I¡¯m wearing a simple white dress, but the cloak does a good job of keeping out the evening chill. ¡°Felicia, stay close to me,¡± Eris says gently, her eyes flicking to mine as we weave through the bustling crowd. I nod silently, stepping a little closer to her side. The street is chaotic, filled with people moving in every direction. It wouldn¡¯t take much to get separated. ¡°Actually¡­ hold my hand,¡± Eris suggests with a soft smile. I hesitate for a moment¡­ then reach out and take her hand. As our hand comes in contact, my heart aches slightly for no reason. Her hand is warm¡ªmuch warmer than mine. Her callused fingers brush against my skin. Her hold is firm but comforting, easing some of the anxiety I didn¡¯t even realize I was carrying. And just like that, we walk hand in hand through the vibrant streets of Mistvale, the newness of this world buzzing all around me. Chapter 17: Clothes After a long walk, we finally leave the bustling food section behind and enter a quieter area lined with shops. This part of Mistvale feels different¡ªmore specialized. Rows of stores sell everything from clothes, armor, and weapons to potions, daily essentials, souvenirs, and maps. Most of the shops are already closed for the evening, their wooden shutters drawn and lights dimmed, but a few remain open, their warm glow spilling out onto the street. ¡°Oh! That reminds me,¡± Eris suddenly says, turning to me with a grin. ¡°We need to buy you some new clothes!¡± ¡°Eh? But¡­¡± I start, hesitating. ¡°I don¡¯t have any money right now¡­¡± ¡°Nah, don¡¯t worry about it!¡± Eris waves her hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s my gift to you, a congratulations for landing the job!¡± She winks, but then her voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper as she leans in closer. ¡°And besides¡­ we really need to get you some undergarments.¡± Huh? Under¡­ what?¡± I blink, confused. Eris leans in even closer, practically nose-to-nose now. ¡°Undergarments¡­¡± she whispers, cupping her hands in front of her chest in a subtle gesture. ¡°You know¡­ for your briskets and your lil¡¯ muffins.¡± ¡°Briskets? Muffins???¡± I repeat, blinking rapidly. What the heck is she talking about? Beef brisket? Bread? Is she hungry again? It takes a second for me to catch on, and when I do¡ªoh. Oh no!!! A wave of heat rushes straight to my face, my cheeks burning so hot I feel like I could melt! Right!!! Undergarments!!! Underwear!!! If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I haven¡¯t even thought about it until now! My face feels like it¡¯s on fire. And there is a reason for that!!! ¡°E-Eris?¡± I stammer, my voice barely a whisper. ¡°W-Whose undergarments am I wearing right now?¡± ¡°Oh, mine of course.¡± Eris replies nonchalantly, as if it¡¯s the most natural thing in the world. At her words, I freeze. My entire body locks up as my brain spirals into a full-blown meltdown. What? WHAT THE HECK?!? I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m wearing Eris¡¯ panties??? I¡¯M WEARING ERIS¡¯ PANTIESSSS?!?!? HOLY SHIT!!! A tidal wave of emotions crashes over me¡ªshock, embarrassment, and something else I can¡¯t even begin to identify. My brain is short-circuiting. I know I shouldn¡¯t be getting worked up about this; it¡¯s just girls sharing clothes, right? Nothing serious¡­ right? RIGHT?!? But just the thought that the panties I¡¯m wearing used to be worn by Eris as well¡­ Indirect muffin touches¡­ AAAAAAAAAAAA!!! DAMN YOU PERVERTED THOUGHTS!!! Oh my, those perverted thoughts keep flooding my mind, and I feel myself sinking into dangerous territory. I have to stop. I shake my head vigorously, trying to push the inappropriate thoughts away. When I glance at Eris, she just chuckles, making me feel even more embarrassed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she says. ¡°They¡¯re mine, but they¡¯re new! I literally just bought them last week. I haven¡¯t worn them yet.¡± Oh¡­. OHHHH!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I want to die I WANT TO DIE SO BADLY NOW!!! The perverted thoughts earlier was one thing. But now, knowing that Eris never wore this panties¡­ WHY THE HECK AM I FEELING DISAPPOINTED?!? ¡­ Well, moving on from that mortifying realization, there¡¯s also the issue with the top part¡­ As Eris and I are about the same height and build, we can wear the same clothes without much trouble. In fact, the dress I¡¯m wearing right now is hers. It¡¯s comfortable, and honestly, I like it. But there¡¯s one key difference. The chest. Eris has¡­ well, a chest. Two round, jiggly chiffon cakes. Meanwhile, mine? It¡¯s like two sad pancakes with tiny raisins on top. In simpler words¡ªI¡¯m flat. FLAT AS A BOARD! I glance down at myself and heave a deep sigh. I¡¯m literally just wrapping a piece of cloth around my chest to keep my nipples from poking through the dress. That¡¯s it. ¡°L-Let¡¯s get those undergarments now!¡± I squeak. Eris laughs, her eyes sparkling with amusement, and grabs my hand, pulling me forward. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go! I know just the place.¡± She then leads me through the narrow streets, weaving between people and carts, until we arrive at a quaint little shop. A wooden sign hangs above the door, swaying gently in the evening breeze. The words ¡°Eclipse¡± are delicately carved into the wood, and warm candlelight flickers from within. It¡¯s nearly closing time, so we¡¯re lucky to have made it just in time. With a soft creak, Eris pushes the door open, and we step inside. Chapter 18: Clothing store It¡¯s my first time seeing a clothing shop in a medieval fantasy world, and I¡¯m excited. Eris pushes the door open. Ding ding! The hanging brass bell rings, greeting us. Eris holds the door, and I step in. ¡°Woaaaah!¡± I gasp. It¡¯s feels like stepping into an old wardrobe!!! The shop is quiet and dimly lit, with just a few oil lamps suspended from iron brackets on the walls. The scent of wool and leather fills my nostrils, earthy and slightly musty, yet very pleasant, and beneath it, there¡¯s a faint, calming fragrance that feels oddly nostalgic. ¡°Woah, is that lavender?¡± I ask, sniffing the air curiously. ¡°Yeah!¡± Eris nods with a smile. I take another deep breath, following the scent until my eyes land on a bundle of dried lavender hanging by the window. ¡°Hello, welcome to The Eclipse!¡± A woman greets us as she steps out from behind the counter. She appears to be in her early thirties, with a welcoming and professional appearance, dressed in simple yet elegant attire¡ªblack leather pants paired with a crisp white blouse. Her blue hair is neatly tied back into a long braid, and round glasses sit on her nose. ¡°I¡¯m Lenore,¡± she says with a friendly smile and bows lightly. ¡°How can I help you today?¡± ¡°Oh, we¡¯re looking for some new clothes for my friend here,¡± Eris replies, motioning to me. ¡°Mind if we take a look around?¡± ¡°Of course! Feel free to browse as long as you like,¡± Lenore says. ¡°And if you need anything, just give me a shout.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Eris replies. ¡°Actually, we might take a little while. Would it be okay if we stay past closing time, just in case?¡± ¡°That¡¯s no problem at all! I close whenever I feel like it, so take your time. No rush.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s great! Thanks so much,¡± Eris says, her face lighting up. Thus, with Lenore''s permission, we begin to explore the shop. The floor creaks under our feet, the wooden planks seeming to sink slightly beneath our weight. I tread carefully, not wanting to disturb the quiet atmosphere. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Wow¡­ I¡¯m amazed. This is just a simple clothing store for the working class, so I didn¡¯t expect much at first. But now that I¡¯m here, the selection is surprisingly impressive! Especially sections for woman¡¯s clothing! This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. There¡¯s an array of styles and designs to choose from. Cute dresses, colorful tunics, and lovely handcrafted items line the shelves and racks. There are even boots, hats, and scarves. The materials range from inexpensive linen to cotton, leather, and wool. While the colors aren¡¯t as vibrant as modern clothes, there¡¯s still a pleasant variety to browse. It¡¯s more than I imagined for a shop like this. After browsing for a few minutes, my eyes then land on a small, adorable pink dress displayed on a wooden mannequin. Drawn to it, I step closer and gently touch the fabric. It¡¯s soft, with a delicate red ribbon tied to the side. For a moment, I let my imagination run wild¡ªI can see myself wearing it, twirling in front of a mirror, looking absolutely adorable. I wonder what Eris will say if I wear this. ¡°Oh, do you like this one?¡± suddenly, Lenore¡¯s voice snaps me out of my little daydream. ¡°Y-yeah,¡± I turn and reply. ¡°It¡¯s very lovely!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Lenore nods with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s indeed a lovely dress, and the color would complement your eyes perfectly. Why don¡¯t you try it on?¡± she suggests. ¡°Really? Can I?¡± I ask, excitement bubbling up inside me. ¡°Of course! The changing room is right over there,¡± Lenore says kindly, pointing to a small, curtained-off area. ¡°Let me know if you need any help!¡± ¡°Nnn!¡± I nod eagerly, carefully taking the dress off the mannequin and heading toward the changing room, heart pounding with anticipation. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Now, I¡¯m standing in front of the mirror inside the changing room, clutching the new dress tightly in my trembling hands. Badump¡­ BADUMP¡­ My heart pounds in my chest, a nervous energy coursing through me. My fingers tremble as the reality sinks in. How could I possibly forget one simple, glaring fact¡­ That I¡¯m freaking beautiful???? Aaaaaaa! I scream internally. If I want to try on this dress, I have to take off the one I¡¯m wearing. Which means¡­ I¡¯m about to get naked. Which means¡­ I¡¯m about to see everything. Yes¡­ EVERYTHING!!! AAAAAA! Come on, Felicia! I tell myself firmly, shaking my head to snap out of the panic. I give my cheeks a light slap, trying to focus. I¡¯m a girl now; I shouldn¡¯t be weird about this, right? I shouldn¡¯t be! I¡¯m going to have to get used to it eventually. I mean, I¡¯ll need to change clothes every day, I¡¯ll have to take baths¡ªit¡¯s inevitable. And besides, it¡¯s not like I¡¯ve never seen a naked woman before! Gulp. I swallow hard. And then, with a deep breath, I gather my courage and reach for the hem of my current dress. In one swift motion, I pull it over my head, my heart pounding in my chest. But then¡­ As my body is revealed, wearing nothing but simple undergarments, I freeze. Holy shit¡­ I¡¯m stunned. My mouth opens, but no words come out. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Oh boy¡­ Ooooooh boy¡­ this is dangerous! Spinning in front of the mirror, I take in every inch of myself from every angle. My skin is flawless¡ªsmooth and white, with not a single imperfection. My legs are long and slender. My butt, surprisingly, is a bit curvier than I thought. And then there¡¯s the tail. It¡¯s attached perfectly just above my hips, swaying slightly with each subtle movement I make. I know it¡¯s sinful, to lust over my own body like this¡­ But¡­ I just can¡¯t stop. It¡¯s¡­ perfect. Absolutely perfect! Well, except for one thing¡­ The chest. I have no chest! Yeah, that¡¯s still a bit of a letdown. But before I can dwell on that thought, Lenore¡¯s voice calls from outside the changing room, snapping me out of my self-admiration. ¡°Miss Felicia, do you need any help?¡± she asks. ¡°A-ah, no! I¡¯m good!¡± I reply quickly, my heart racing again from the sudden intrusion of reality. Thank goodness she asked when she did¡ªif she hadn¡¯t, I probably would¡¯ve spent an eternity in here, just admiring myself in front of the mirror. I then immediately slip into the new dress, the soft fabric sliding effortlessly against my skin. Once it¡¯s on, I step back to check myself in the mirror. Oooooohhh¡­!!! As expected, it¡¯s cute. Really cute. But¡­ hmm¡­ something¡¯s missing. It could use a little something extra to really make it stand out. ¡°Miss Lenore, a-are you there?¡± I call out. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here!¡± Lenore replies cheerfully from outside. There¡¯s something I need to ask for¡­ something that will make this outfit perfect. Chapter 19: Shopping spree
Mirror, mirror, who¡¯s the most beautiful of all? Me! IT¡¯S ME!!! NYAHAHAHAHA! I twirl in front of the mirror, my reflection twirling with me as I admire the masterpiece standing before me. With this final touch, I¡¯m complete! No more flat chest! Thanks to the generous pads that Lenore gave me, I¡¯ve gone from pancakes to HUGE BOOBIEWOOBIES!!! Oh, and that¡¯s not even the best part! Lenore also hooked me up with the cutest shoes to match my dress and an adorable hat with ribbons! Ribbons! I¡¯m basically a walking fantasy princess now. OH MY GOSH¡­ I¡¯m SO cute right now! ¡°I love it!¡± I squeal, barely able to contain myself as I strike a pose. ¡°Yes, I love it too!¡± Lenore claps her hands together, beaming like a proud artist admiring her finished work. But now¡­ the ultimate test. What will Eris think of me? As that thought crosses my mind, my heart takes off like a racehorse. My hand trembles as I pull back the curtain. Slowly¡­ dramatically, I step out of the changing room, bracing myself for Eris¡¯ reaction. ¡°Eris¡­ how do I look?¡± ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ Eris just stares at me. Her bright blue eyes widen as she stands there, frozen. Why hasn¡¯t she said anything yet? Is it¡­ is it bad? Oh no, what if¡ª Suddenly, the stack of clothes in her arms tumbles to the ground in a soft plop, her mouth hanging open in shock. And in that instant, I know. HECK YEAHHHH!!! SUCCESS!!! ¡°UUWOOOOOOOOOHHHH!!!¡± Eris practically yells, her whole body vibrating with excitement. ¡°Felicia, y-you look AMAZING!!!¡± I can¡¯t help it¡ªI grin so wide it feels like my cheeks might fall off. My heart is practically tap dancing inside my chest. ¡°You¡­ you really think so?¡± I ask, feeling giddy from head to toe. ¡°Nnn!¡± Eris nods so hard I¡¯m surprised her head doesn¡¯t fly off. ¡°Like¡­ REALLY really think so?¡± I ask, just to confirm I¡¯m not dreaming. ¡°YEAHHHH!!!¡± Eris practically bounces on her toes, turning to Lenore. ¡°Miss Lenore, we¡¯re taking this WHOLE set!¡± And just like that, the rest of the evening turns into the most epic shopping spree ever. I lose count of how many outfits I¡¯ve tried on. We go through a hundred different designs¡ªat least¡ªand I¡¯m having so much fun that I can¡¯t stop giggling every time I twirl in a new dress. By the time we¡¯re done, my arms are full of clothes, and my face hurts from smiling too much. I get it now. So this is why girls love shopping so much!!! This is so addictive! But then¡­ As our shopping is completed, Lenore steps up to the counter, smiling ever so sweetly. ¡°The total will be¡­ four thousand nine hundred and eighty-two crowns, please!¡± The cheerfulness vanishes. Uhh¡­ what? Stolen story; please report. Four¡­ what now? ¡­ ¡°AAAAAAAAA!!!¡± I¡¯m screaming internally again. Almost five thousand crowns?! That¡¯s literally my entire month¡¯s salary! Oh nooooo!!! ¡°E-Eris¡­¡± I turn to her, my ears drooping dramatically as I whimper, ¡°I-I¡¯m soooorryyyy~~~¡± But before I can spiral any further into despair, Eris just smiles like it¡¯s no big deal. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she says casually and hands over the money like she¡¯s buying a loaf of bread. Then, without warning, she takes my hands in hers, looking at me softly, almost too softly, and says, ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy, I don¡¯t mind.¡± BADUMP! AAAAAA!!! My heart does an Olympic-level flip. ¡°E-Eris¡­ are you secretly a millionaire or something?!¡± I blurt out. ¡°Haha, no, no,¡± she laughs. ¡°But don¡¯t worry about the money. I¡¯ve got plenty.¡± I stare at her, still a little dazed by her calmness. But even then, I can¡¯t just accept such a huge gift without feeling guilty. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you back, I swear! As soon as I get my salary!¡± I declare, trying to stand tall and proud. After all, I¡¯m a proud catgirl with dignity. I am not a gold digger! ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Eris says, amused, clearly not worried about it. We wave goodbye to Lenore, who smiles warmly as we leave the shop. This has been an amazing experience¡ªbut wow, definitely expensive! I make a mental note: no more spontaneous shopping sprees without checking prices first! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª A long walk later, we finally make it home! It¡¯s really late now. The streets are almost empty, and only a few people linger in the bar at the Gilded Horn. ¡°Welcome back, Eris and Felicia!¡± Lilly greets us with a cheerful smile. ¡°Yes, thank you, Lilly,¡± Eris replies casually. But I can¡¯t even manage a response¡ªI¡¯m too focused on dragging myself over to the nearest table. ¡°Phewwwww!!!¡± I exhale dramatically as I drop the two bags full of clothes onto the table with a heavy thud, gasping for air. My entire body feels like it¡¯s been through a full workout. My arms are jelly, tingling from the strain, and I¡¯m sweating like crazy. Walking all the way back from the clothing store with those bags was no joke! I had to stop three times just to catch my breath, and even then, I barely made it. Meanwhile, Eris, who¡¯s carrying three times the number of bags I am, sets hers down gently, without so much as breaking a sweat. She casually stretches her arms, cracking her neck as if the walk had been nothing more than a leisurely stroll. I can¡¯t help but gape at her in awe. Damn! Eris is strong. Like, really strong! At the end of the day, we ended up buying a little bit of everything: casual clothes, dresses, shoes, sandals, hats, sleepwear, undergarments, jackets, coats, and even scarves for winter. Basically, we picked out a whole new wardrobe. Now that I think about it¡­ does Eris even have room in her closet for all this? ¡°Alright, let me take these upstairs for you,¡± Eris says, effortlessly grabbing all the bags, including mine. ¡°T-thanks, Eris!¡± I say weakly. ¡°Sorry, I¡­ don¡¯t have any strength left¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Eris replies, smiling. ¡°Just leave it to me!¡± As Eris heads upstairs, Lilly suddenly chimes in from the hallway, her voice cheerful, ¡°You two want a bath? I¡¯ve already prepared a hot bath for two!¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Eris calls back over her shoulder from the stairs. ¡°Thanks, Lilly!¡± My ears perk up instantly at the word bath. ¡°Oooooh, a bath!?¡± I blurt out, feeling a rush of excitement. ¡°YES! I need a bath so bad!!!¡± After all that walking, lugging bags, and sweating like a pig, a bath is exactly what I need! Plus, there¡¯s no way I¡¯m going to bed smelling like this¡ªEris would be fleeing for her life! And let¡¯s not forget, this isn¡¯t just any bath¡ªit¡¯s a hot bath! HECK YEAH!!! ¡°Alright, Lilly, can you show Felicia the way?¡± Eris asks as she disappears upstairs. ¡°I¡¯ll be down in a few minutes!¡± ¡°Yes! Leave it to me!¡± Lilly says brightly, beckoning for me to follow her. She leads me down a quieter hallway to another section of the inn where I notice three rooms, each marked with a sign: Hot Water Bath ¡°Hihi,¡± Lilly giggles, handing me a towel, a brush, and an impossibly fluffy bathrobe. ¡°You can put your dirty clothes in the basket inside. The soap, shampoo, and conditioner are all on the shelf. I¡¯ll be right outside, so just holler if you need anything!¡± ¡°Woaaah, thank you!¡± I squeal, wide-eyed with amazement. For a medieval inn, isn¡¯t this a bit¡­ too modern? Hot baths, soap, and shampoo? Am I in a 5-star fantasy hotel?! This place is awesome!!! I waste no time kicking off my boots and padding across the cool wooden floor, feeling a delightful chill on my bare feet. As I open the door, my breath catches in my throat. The room is stunning. The floor and walls are made of stone, and in the center is a large wooden bathtub, filled with steaming, fragrant water. And the smell? Oh my gosh¡ªit¡¯s like a bouquet of the freshest flowers ever! I practically glide over to the tub, my fingers barely grazing the water¡¯s surface. Aaaaaaaa~~~ It¡¯s hot, perfect, and feels like heaven itself!!! I¡¯m just about to strip down and jump in when¡ª ¡°Lilly, is this the room?¡± Eris¡¯ voice echoes from just outside. ¡°Yep, the middle one! Felicia¡¯s already in there,¡± Lilly replies cheerfully. ¡°Thanks!¡± Eris says. Wait¡­ Wait a minute! Hold up! Didn¡¯t Lilly say this bath was for TWO?!? FOR TWO?!? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Oh no, this is bad. This is really bad!!! I want to run, but my feet are glued to the floor. It¡¯s already too late¡ªEris steps into the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click. ¡°Hi, waiting for me?¡± she says with a calm smile, her voice so casual it¡¯s almost unsettling. ¡­ I can¡¯t respond. I¡¯m standing there, trembling, my brain short-circuiting, heart pounding in my chest like a drum solo at a rock concert. I¡¯m fucked¡­ I¡¯m so fucked! Eris starts undressing, casually tossing her clothes into the basket. Her figure is blurred in the steam, moving gracefully as she removes her undergarments.
Chapter 20: Hair wash Gulp¡­ I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump! My heart pounds in my chest like a drum solo, and my face burns so hot I swear steam¡¯s about to rise off my skin. Fuck. Holy fuck¡­ How is this even happening?! Eris stands right in front of me, completely naked. Her light chocolate skin glistens under the soft light, mesmerizing me. Her toned abs and muscles are perfectly defined, and her breasts bounce ever so slightly with each movement. And those nipples¡­ pink, perky¡­ almost too perfect. And down there¡­ Oh god. It¡¯s¡­ A neatly trimmed bush! Shit! I know I shouldn¡¯t be staring. I KNOW. But I just can¡¯t stop myself! I CAN¡¯T! My brain is officially fried, melting as I burn the image of this naked catgirl into my memory. My whole body heats up, and sweat trickles down my back. I¡¯m in full-on panic mode. Meanwhile, Eris is totally chill¡ªcalm, collected, like this is the most normal thing in the world. Her face gives nothing away as she casually moves past me, her soft hair brushing lightly against my arm. The slightest touch sends tingles through my skin. She dips her hand into the steaming bathwater, swirling it around with a contented sigh. ¡°Aaaaaahhh~ this is perfect,¡± she moans, the sound making my heart skip a beat. A slow smile spreads across her lips. ¡°There¡¯s nothing like a hot bath after a long day, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°R-RIGHT!¡± I blurt out, stumbling over my words. I spin around so fast I almost lose my balance, desperate not to let her see how flustered I am. Every nerve in my body is screaming with awkwardness. Then, just as I¡¯m trying to pull myself together, I feel it¡ªher hand sliding into mine. Oh god¡­ I nearly collapse on the spot. But it doesn¡¯t end there. Eris pulls me closer, her body pressing against mine. Her skin¡ªwarm and smooth¡ªmelts into me, and I can feel her breasts, soft and full, pushing against my arm. Her nipples graze me just enough to send my mind spiraling. This sensation¡­ It¡¯s too much!!!! NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. I¡¯m screaming inside. Squirming in place! ¡°Felicia~,¡± Eris purrs, her voice a sultry whisper. ¡°Let¡¯s wash each other¡¯s hair¡­ and backs, hmmm?¡± She giggles softly, her breath warm against my ear. ¡°N-nn!!¡± I stammer, nodding like an idiot, barely able to form a coherent word. Calm down, Felicia! I chant in my mind, trying to hold it together. You¡¯re a girl now. It¡¯s just a bath between friends, right? Right?! This is totally normal! Don¡¯t make it weird! I take a deep breath, then strip off my clothes at lightning speed, tossing them into the laundry basket like they¡¯re cursed. My hands tremble as I struggle to keep my cool. I walk back toward the tub, my eyes glued to the floor, doing everything I can to avoid looking at her. ¡°Let me wash your hair first,¡± Eris whispers, her voice low and oh-so-sweet. ¡°T-thank you,¡± I squeak, trying not to sound like I¡¯m about to lose it. She then pulls a small wooden stool toward the tub with her foot, signaling for me to sit down. As soon as I do, she grabs a wooden ladle and dips it into the water. Gently, she pours it over my head, and I feel her fingers sliding through my hair. The sensation of her touch, soft and slow, sends shivers down my spine. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Moments later¡­ Eris¡¯s hands ruffle through my hair, and it¡¯s¡­ like heaven. I close my eyes, letting the warmth of the water and the gentle motion of her fingers working over my scalp take over. The soft foam spreads through my hair, the soothing scent of the bath filling the air¡ªit¡¯s so calming, so intoxicating. Just a little while ago, I was a nervous wreck, barely able to function, but now¡­ all of my anxiety has melted away. ¡°Aaaaaa¡­ this feels so good,¡± I moan softly, my body sinking deeper into relaxation under her expert touch. A soft purr escapes me, and I don¡¯t even bother to hide it. It¡¯s just pure bliss. With Eris¡¯s hands on me, everything just fades away. Yep. Somehow, the awkwardness has dissipated as quickly as it came. As long as I don¡¯t let my gaze linger too long on Eris¡¯s body, I think I can handle this. ¡°Are you thinking about something?¡± Eris asks gently. ¡°You seem really happy.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I murmur, smiling to myself. ¡°It just feels¡­ really nice.¡± I can¡¯t exactly tell Eris what¡¯s on my mind. After all, I¡¯m supposed to have lost my memories. But this moment¡ªthis feeling¡ªit reminds me of my mom. When I was a kid, she would wash my hair just like this, massaging my head with such care and tenderness. It¡¯s comforting, so deeply comforting, in a way I haven¡¯t felt in years! It brings tears into my eyes. Suddenly, Eris¡¯s fingers move to my cat ears, gently rubbing and washing them. The sensation catches me off guard, tickling immediately. It muffles the sounds around me, and I giggle uncontrollably, surprised by how sensitive they are. My ears twitch under her touch, flicking water and soap back onto her. ¡°Eee! S-stay still, Felicia! Stay still!¡± Eris exclaims, dodging the splashes. ¡°I-I¡¯m trying!!!¡± I blurt out, struggling to control the twitching, but my cat ears seem to have a mind of their own. They twitch again, the tickling only making it worse. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do this the hard way. Hup!¡± Eris suddenly grabs both of my ears firmly, squeezing them. The sudden grip sends an unexpected wave of sensation down my spine. Eeeeke! FUCKKK!! My entire body freezes up. Every muscle tenses as if I¡¯ve been electrocuted!!! Aaaaaaaa!!!! Wait, what am I, a rabbit??? Why am I reacting like this just from having my ears grabbed??? It makes no sense!!! ¡°E-Eris!!!¡± I squeak, pouting as I glare at her. ¡°Hehe, sorry! They were twitching so much, I just had to grab them!¡± she teases, loosening her grip but still holding my ears gently. ¡°I didn¡¯t hurt you, did I?¡± ¡°N-no, but it tickles¡­¡± I stammer, still feeling the tingling sensation all over. ¡°I see¡­¡± she says with a smile. ¡°Now let me finish, okay?¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± I whisper, still slightly embarrassed. Eris then resumes her gentle soaping and massaging of my ears. Somehow, my rebellious cat ears have decided to behave now, staying perfectly still under her touch. Her fingers move carefully, softly rubbing every inch, and it feels¡­ oddly soothing. It¡¯s like my ears are completely under her control. ¡°Mmmm¡­¡± I hum, relaxing even more as she works. Catgirl ear washing? Hehe¡­ this is surprisingly nice. I might just get addicted to this. Chapter 21: Shampoo and Conditioner ¡°Wooooaaaaahhh! This feels amazing!¡± I squeal, running my fingers through my freshly washed hair. It¡¯s so clean, and smooth, gliding between my fingertips. Not to mention, it smells incredible¡ªpeppermint with a sweet, flowery twist! I can¡¯t stop sniffing it! ¡°Eris, what is this shampoo? I love it!¡± I ask, practically bouncing with excitement. I wish it can make more foam and bubbles though, but other than that, it¡¯s a wonderful product, even better than many brands in my previous life! ¡°Hmmm, let me check.¡± Eris grabs the shampoo bottle and squints at the label like a detective. ¡°It¡¯s called Lavendula Cleanse. Made with lavender, rubysage, rosemary, slickeberry extract, and¡­ oh! I know this plant, it¡¯s Laventis Root! I used to gather loads of that in the dungeons years ago. If you grind it and soak it in water, it releases a substance that can be filtered to make soap. Super useful!¡± ¡°Wow, that¡¯s amazing!¡± I exclaim, impressed. ¡°I can¡¯t believe there¡¯s a plant that just¡­ makes soap! How convenient!¡± Indeed, this medieval fantasy world is nothing like the medieval times I read about on Earth. Not only is fashion more developed and celebrated, but the food is also amazing. And then there are modern-like innovations, like shampoo and conditioner. I can¡¯t help but wonder what else I might find in this world. Perhaps some magical device I¡¯ve never even imagined? Eris grins, clearly pleased with herself. ¡°Right? I¡¯m no soap expert or anything, but I think they just add a bunch of essential oils into Laventis soap and ta-da¡ªshampoo!¡± ¡°But you still have to get the right balance of ingredients, though, right? It can¡¯t be that easy!¡± I question, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, right! Of course! It¡¯s like grilling a fish¡ªput in too much salt or pepper, and boom, it¡¯s completely ruined!¡± Eris says with a playful laugh. As we chat, Eris pulls down another container, this one with a creamy, buttery substance inside. ¡°Is that conditioner?¡± I ask, my curiosity piqued. ¡°Yep! This stuff will make your hair even shinier and silkier,¡± she says, holding it up like it¡¯s a treasure chest. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. I take a little sniff, but unlike the fresh, minty shampoo, this conditioner smells kinda¡­ weird. Bitter, even? ¡°You know,¡± Eris says with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, ¡°this conditioner, you can eat it!¡± ¡°Wait¡­ what? Eat it??¡± I blink, utterly baffled. ¡°Yup!¡± she grins, clearly enjoying my confusion. ¡°There¡¯s a story about a soap merchant who got stuck in a dungeon. When his food ran out, he survived by eating conditioner for days!¡± ¡°What? That¡¯s insane!¡± I stare at her, wide-eyed. ¡°You¡¯re pulling my tail, right?¡± ¡°Nope! Totally true!¡± Eris giggles, her eyes sparkling. ¡°After all, conditioner is just Laventis Root mixed with animal fat. It¡¯s totally edible!¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± I squint at the container, still skeptical but way too curious for my own good. Tentatively, I scoop a tiny bit onto my finger and give it a teeny-tiny lick. Big mistake. ¡°BLEEERRGGGHHH!!!¡± I spit it out immediately, my face scrunching up in horror. It¡¯s slimy! And bitter!!! ¡°Eris, you tricked meee!!!¡± ¡°No, no! I told you it¡¯s edible¡ªI never said it tasted good!¡± Eris is now full-on laughing, practically in tears. ¡°Ugh! Take it back!¡± I shove the container at her, making my best pouty face while she giggles like she just pulled off the prank of the century. ¡°Okay, okay, let¡¯s get your hair conditioned now,¡± she says, still snickering. Eris then scoops some conditioner and starts working it through my hair, her fingers moving so gently that I instantly forget being mad. The way she massages it in feels like heaven, and I close my eyes, letting out a contented sigh. After a minute, she rinses my hair, and I run my fingers through it again. ¡°WWWWooooaaahhh!!! It¡¯s soooo silky!!!¡± I squeal, twirling a strand between my fingers. It feels like I¡¯m touching liquid silk! ¡°Told ya!¡± Eris says, grinning proudly. ¡°Nnn!¡± I nod excitedly, bouncing in my seat. I¡¯ve never cared about my hair this much before, but now? I¡¯m so into it. Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯m a girl now? Everything feels different. I get flustered more easily, I¡¯m more sensitive to little things, and sometimes I catch myself acting way too cutesy for my old self. It¡¯s kinda embarrassing, but I just can¡¯t help it! But at least one thing hasn¡¯t changed¡ªI still like girls! That¡¯s a fact that¡¯s never going anywhere! Suddenly, I hear Eris gagging behind me. ¡°BLEEEEHHHH!!!¡± I whip around, see Eris spitting dramatically, sticking her tongue out like a kid who¡¯s eaten a sour candy. ¡°WAIT! WHY?!¡± I¡¯m so confused. Apparently, Eris had decided to taste the conditioner too. The result? She¡¯s now her scrubbing her tongue furiously with her hand. ¡°I was curious too! Aaaaa, damn! That was shit!¡± Eris groans, her face twisted in the most pitiful expression. ¡°YEAH! I told you it was gross!¡± I laugh, clutching my sides as I watch her suffer the consequences of her curiosity. After a moment, she recovers, flashing me a playful smile. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get that back scrubbed, shall we?¡± she says, grabbing a towel and dipping it into the warm water. ¡°Okay!¡± I chirp, still giggling as I turn my back to her. Eris starts scrubbing gently, the warm water and soft towel making my skin tingle, and I let out a happy sigh. Chapter 22: Back scrubbing! Eris is scrubbing my back with the towel, when suddenly, she pauses. I feel her fingers trace a slow line down my spine, sending an unexpected jolt of electricity through me. ¡°EEEKKK!¡± I squeal, completely caught off guard. My heart pounds wildly, thumping in my chest like it¡¯s about to leap out. Instinctively, I jerk away from her touch, my body reacting before I can even think. Eris freezes, her hand lingering in midair, a soft murmur escaping her lips. ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± she says quietly. ¡°Your skin¡­ it¡¯s so smooth, I just wanted to feel it. It¡¯s the most perfect skin I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± Her words sink in, and I can feel my face heating up, a blush spreading fast across my cheeks. My heart does a little flip at her confession. ¡°O-ohh¡­¡± I stammer, not knowing what to say. My skin still tingles from where her fingers brushed against it, a lingering sensation I can¡¯t seem to shake. The room falls into an awkward silence, thick with unspoken words, and I shift nervously under her gaze. ¡°S-sorry,¡± Eris mutters, looking away with a flicker of guilt crossing her face. ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to, I won¡¯t do that again¡­¡± There¡¯s something in her tone that makes my heart ache a little. She sounds disappointed, and sad, as if she¡¯s holding something back. I glance at her, biting my lip, wondering what to say¡­ Well, it¡¯s just a touch¡­ And it¡¯s not like I hated it, right? Alright¡­ ¡°It-it¡¯s okay¡­¡± I mumble. ¡°You can¡­ touch me¡­ if you want¡­¡± Thus, I lean back ever so slightly, my back brushing against her hand again, trying to show that I¡¯m fine with it. But this time, Eris gasps softly, her eyes widening as if startled by the contact. She pulls her hand away. ¡°Huh? What¡¯s wrong?¡± I ask, glancing over my shoulder at her. ¡°Ah, n-nothing!¡± Eris stammers, shaking her head as she regains her composure. Then, after a brief pause, she moves closer. ¡°Well, if you say so¡­ I¡¯ll touch you now!¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± I nod, my heart still racing. ¡°But¡­ um, don¡¯t just hover your fingers like that! It tickles too much!¡± I try to sound playful, hoping to lighten the air between us. And seems like it¡¯s working. Her smile widens, turning playful. ¡°Yay!¡± she giggles, placing her palm flat against my back, this time much more deliberate. The warmth of her hand spreads slowly across my skin, the roughness of her palm contrasting with my softness. It¡¯s¡­ strangely intimate, and my body reacts immediately. Ba-dump¡­ ba-dump¡­ ¡°Oh, your heart¡¯s racing!¡± Eris teases, her voice low, almost a purr. Her fingers move gently, tracing a light circle against my back. ¡°I-it¡¯s because you¡¯re still tickling me!¡± I protest, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice wavers slightly. The way her hand lingers there, warm and steady, is making me feel things I can¡¯t quite describe. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Suddenly, she leans in a little closer, her breath brushing against my ear. ¡°Mmm¡­ sure, blame it on the tickling.¡± Her voice drips with mischief, sending another shiver down my spine. ¡°Eh? W-what do mean by that???¡± I stammer, trying so hard to suppress the little tremor that runs through me. But Eris just chuckles. ¡°Just kidding, nothing.¡± And for a while, we just stay like that¡ªEris¡¯s hand tracing gentle patterns on my back, her fingers grazing over my skin like she¡¯s memorizing every inch of it, feeling it, reading it like a book. It feels oddly intimate, like she¡¯s learning something about me in a way that words never could. My breath catches in my throat, but I don¡¯t pull away this time. I let her explore, even though it makes my heart race. Finally, Eris lets out a soft sigh and goes back to scrubbing. The towel moves across my back in slow, rhythmic motions, and I relax into her touch once more. The gentle friction of the fabric against my skin feels nice, soothing even. ¡°You know,¡± I say after a few moments, trying to break the silence, ¡°you have nice skin too.¡± Eris pauses, her hand freezing mid-motion. ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I nod. ¡°I like it. Mine¡¯s always so pale¡­ like I¡¯m sick or something. But yours¡­ it looks healthy, and strong, glowing¡­¡± ¡°Hihi, thanks,¡± she murmurs, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder for a moment. Yup, her skin might be more rugged than mine, but there¡¯s a beauty in it, a kind of strength that I admire. Despite all the adventuring, the rough training, she¡¯s still delicate in her own way. After all, she¡¯s just a girl. Girls are very soft. ¡°And not just that,¡± I continue, my eyes trailing over her toned arms, ¡°your body is incredible too! I mean, how did you get those muscles? It¡¯s like you¡¯re perfectly sculpted!¡± Eris laughs lightly, shaking her head. ¡°Perfect? Nuh-uh! I think I¡¯m a bit too muscular, honestly. I doubt many people like girls who look this strong.¡± ¡°What?¡± I shake my head in disbelief. ¡°No way! You look amazing!¡± Despite having the perfect abs, the perfect toned arms, her figure is still so elegant, so feminine. It¡¯s the perfect contrast between strength and beauty, a mesmerizing contrast. I love it. It¡¯s hot. Like, really, really hot. But I just can¡¯t tell her straight like that, can I? I may sound weird if I say so. ¡°I see,¡± Eris says. She pauses for a moment, then continues. ¡°So¡­ you like it? My body?¡± Eh??? That once again catches me off guard. My face heats up again ¡°W-well, yeah!¡± I reply, trying so hard to maintain my composure. ¡°It¡¯s the complete opposite of me, right? My arms and legs are like noodles, look!¡± I say and flex my non-existent muscles in front of her. ¡°And¡­ well, your chest is, uh, way bigger than mine!!!¡± Hearing that, Eris chuckles. ¡°So what? I think your flat chest is cute,¡± she replies. ¡°Yours is just the perfect size. I love it.¡± EH??? I blink, taken aback. Did she just say¡­ that she loves flat chest? And most importantly¡­ my chest??? AAAA!!! My face is burning again!!! And Eris just grins at my reaction, clearly enjoying the effect her words have on me. ¡°Well, you know¡­ it¡¯s way easier to move and fight without anything in the way. I¡¯d trade for yours any day!¡± she adds with a teasing wink. Oh¡­. So that¡¯s why she said she loves it¡­ It makes perfect sense. However¡­ SHE DIDN¡¯T HAVE TO WORD IT LIKE THAT!!! JUST DON¡¯T GET MY HOPE UP LIKE THAT!!! Now, for the first time, I¡¯m mad. I can feel my eyebrows twitching. That catigirl, I want to bite her so bad right now, for all the pain she¡¯s causing to my heart today! ¡°Alright, then give me your boobs, I will trade you mine!¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Eris exclaims without hesitation Haizz¡­ I sigh to myself This Eris¡­ Stupid Eris! I then spend a few more minutes in grumpy mood. Well, at least she¡¯s still good at scrubbing back! Thus, I close my eyes and enjoy the back scrub again, trying to forget about what she just said. But suddenly, Eris leans in and whisper to my ears again. ¡°You know, you were really cute today. Especially in that pink dress.¡± And with that, damn it! My cheeks heat up again! ¡°I-I was?¡± I stammer, turning to face her, wide-eyed. Eris¡¯s expression softens, her lips curling into a gentle smile. ¡°Yeah,¡± she says quietly. ¡°You¡¯re the cutest and most beautiful person I¡¯ve ever seen. Felicia¡­¡± Her words hit me straight in the chest. Ba-dump! ¡­. AAAAAAAAA!!! I quickly turn away, my face burning brighter than ever. Then, for a moment, I can¡¯t speak. I don¡¯t know how to respond, but a smile spreads across my face. I find my self grinning ears to ears uncontrollably, my heart swelling inside my chest like a balloon. Chapter 23: Scars
¡°Alright, all done!¡± Eris chirps, pulling back after one last gentle swipe across my back. ¡°Thanks for letting me scrub your back! It was fun!¡± ¡°Wait! It¡¯s over already? Noooo!¡± I wail, pouting in disappointment. I still wanted more of her scrubbing¡ªit felt way too good to end already! Eris tilts her head, a playful smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Hmm¡­ your back is already spotless,¡± she says, pausing for a moment before adding with a mischievous glint in her eyes, ¡°Or¡­ do you want me to clean the front too?¡± ¡°Hmmph! No thanks!¡± I huff, grabbing the towel from her hands, my face flushing. My heart skips a beat at her teasing, but I quickly brush it off. ¡°It¡¯s my turn now!¡± I announce. Eris giggles, and before I know it, I¡¯ve already moved behind her, guiding her onto the stool. ¡°Yay!¡± Eris cheers, settling down eagerly. She stretches her arms and back like she¡¯s warming up for a workout or something, her excitement making me smile. ¡°Alright, are you ready? I¡¯m going to give you the best hair wash ever!¡± I declare, though my heart races¡ªnot just from excitement, but from nerves too. After all, in my previous life as a guy, I¡¯ve never washed a girl¡¯s hair. What if she realizes I¡¯m a total amateur who doesn¡¯t even know how to wash hair properly¡­? Aaaah!!! I¡¯ll be so embarrassed! But¡­ it¡¯s just washing hair, right? How hard can it be? I mentally run through the steps again. Wet the hair, apply shampoo, massage gently (not too rough, don¡¯t mess this up!), clean her ears, rinse the shampoo, apply conditioner, then rinse again¡­ and finish with a nice back scrub. Yeah! That should do it. I¡¯ve got this! ¡°Hihi, I can¡¯t wait!¡± Eris giggles softly, clearly looking forward to it, completely unaware of my internal panic. I reach out hesitantly, my shaking fingers brushing her long, midnight-black hair. It cascades down her back in soft waves, though it¡¯s a bit tangled and slightly oily from the day¡¯s adventures. Maintaining hair like this must be a challenge, I think to myself. But then¡­ as I gently move her hair aside, revealing her back underneath, I freeze. The playful mood vanishes in an instant, replaced by a sudden wave of shock and horror. My heart clenches tightly, like it¡¯s being squeezed by an unseen force. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°E-Eris¡­¡± I stammer, my voice trembling as my hand hovers uncertainly above her back. ¡°These¡­ these are¡­¡± As I say that, I feel her body tense beneath my gaze. Slowly, Eris turns her head just enough to catch a glimpse of my face, her playful demeanor fading into something far more serious. ¡°Oh¡­¡± she murmurs, her voice almost pained. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ Did I scare you?¡± Her words are so quiet, as if she¡¯s bracing herself for my reaction. There are scars¡­ Big, long, jagged scars, cutting deep into her skin. ¡°No, not at all,¡± I whisper, my heart tightening. I gently turn her back around. Then, slowly, almost fearfully, I let my trembling fingers trace the lines of the scars, feeling the rough, uneven texture beneath my touch. My heart twists in my chest. These scars¡­ they¡¯re terrifying, like marks left by a beast, a monster with claws too massive to comprehend. A bear? No¡­ not even a bear¡¯s claws could do this. Just¡­ what kind of horrifying creature did this to her? ¡°Was it¡­ from the dungeon?¡± I ask, my voice barely steady, trembling with the weight of the question. ¡°Yeah,¡± she replies softly. ¡°I was a little careless¡­ and, well, the beast got me.¡± My fingers move over the ridges of her scars again, and I feel the tears gathering in my eyes. The pain she must have endured¡­ it¡¯s unimaginable. Suddenly, Eris speaks, her voice brittle and tinged with bitterness. ¡°It¡¯s ugly, isn¡¯t it?¡± Her gaze meets mine briefly before darting away, as if she¡¯s too ashamed to face me. The question stabs at my heart. ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s not ugly!¡± I blurt out, my voice nearly cracking as the emotion wells up inside me. My hand presses against my chest, trying to ease the ache. Damn¡­ it hurts. My heart is breaking for her, for the pain she tries to hide behind her carefree demeanor. I want to wrap my arms around her, hold her tight, but with both of us are naked right now, I hesitate. Instead, I place my palm gently against her back, where the scars lie. ¡°Even with these¡­ you¡¯re still beautiful. You¡¯re the most beautiful person I¡¯ve ever seen,¡± I murmur, my voice trembling. Eris¡¯s breath catches, her lips parting slightly before a soft smile blooms on her face. ¡°Felicia¡­¡± she whispers. But I can¡¯t let it go. I need to know. ¡°But¡­ was it¡­ painful?¡± I ask, my voice cracking, tears clouding my vision. Eris pauses for a moment, her lips parting as if she wants to say something, but then she closes them again. After a few seconds of silence, she shrugs lightly. ¡°Nah¡­ I passed out when it happened. Didn¡¯t feel a thing.¡± But from her tone¡ªand the hesitation just now¡ªI know she¡¯s not telling the whole truth. ¡°No, you¡¯re lying,¡± I murmur, my voice trembling. My tears threaten to spill over, but I blink them back, holding them in. ¡°Hey, it doesn¡¯t matter, does it?¡± she says with a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m still alive, right? That¡¯s what counts.¡± Her words catch me off guard, widening my eyes. Yeah¡­ She¡¯s right. At the end of the day, Eris¡¯s still here, alive¡ªand that¡¯s what truly matters. I decide not to ask about the scar anymore, to let it fade into the background as though it never existed. ¡°Alright, now turn around and lower your head!¡± I command, trying to shift the mood. ¡°I¡¯m going to wash your hair!¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Eris chirps, turning around obediently. I scoop some shampoo into my hands and start working it through her hair, my fingers moving gently, careful not to tug. As I massage her scalp, despite telling myself not to think about it, my mind drifts back to those scars. I wonder if it¡¯s intentional or not, but now I realize¡­ her hair is just long enough to hide the scars completely, as if she doesn¡¯t want anyone to see them. As if she¡¯s self-conscious. Nah¡­ maybe I¡¯m just overthinking it. I shake my head and refocus on the task at hand, continuing to wash her hair while she sits quietly. For the first time today, we stop talking for a few minutes.
Chapter 24: Eris reason A few moments later, after washing Eris¡¯ hair and scrubbing her back, we both step into the hot bath, immersing ourselves in the calming, soothing water. It¡¯s nice. So very nice. Instantly, I feel every hair follicle relax, my blood circulating more freely, and my muscles easing under the warmth of the bath. The water ripples gently around us, and I find my gaze drifting toward Eris. She floats effortlessly, her body relaxed, her breasts gently bobbing on the surface. She¡¯s undeniably beautiful¡ªhot, hotter than the bath itself¡ªbut my mind can¡¯t seem to linger on that. All I can think about is the scar. The image of it haunts me, refusing to leave my thoughts. ¡°Eris¡­¡± I murmur, breaking the silence. Her eyes flutter open, meeting mine. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Can I¡­ ask you something?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she replies softly. I take a deep breath, gathering the courage to voice the question that¡¯s been weighing on my heart. ¡°Why do you go into the dungeons? Do you¡­ have to?¡± After all, the dungeon is a dangerous place. Eris¡¯ scar is the proof of that. So, I just don¡¯t understand. Why she has to go into dungeons? Why she has to risk her life? Was she¡­ desperate or something? Eris¡¯ eyes widen slightly at my question, then soften as she lets out a quiet sigh. A faint, bittersweet smile touches her lips, but it doesn¡¯t reach her eyes. She leans back, staring up at the ceiling for a moment before answering. ¡°Yes¡­ I have to,¡± she says softly. ¡°But thank you for worrying about me. It means a lot.¡± I frown, feeling a tightness in my chest. I don¡¯t like that answer at all. It¡¯s like she¡¯s trying to brush me aside. It¡¯s like¡­ she¡¯s telling me that it¡¯s none of my business. I stay quiet for a more while. The silence stretches on as I debate whether to press her further or just leave it alone. But¡­ in the end, I just can¡¯t stay quiet. The ache in my heart, seeing her so nonchalant, so relaxed despite the dangers she faces, is too much to bear. ¡°But why?¡± I ask, my voice trembling. I move closer and take her hand, gently forcing her to look into my eyes. ¡°Is it because of money? Eris, you don¡¯t have to do this! There are safer jobs. You shouldn¡¯t have to risk your life like this. Nothing is more important than your life!¡± This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Yes, speaking from the experience of a person who already died once. ¡°Felicia¡­¡± Eris murmurs, her eyes widening in surprise. She smiles softly, and before I can react, she pats me gently on the head, like a child. ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not a child!¡± I pout, swatting her hand away. ¡°Just answer my question!¡± ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Eris chuckles softly, then lets out another sigh, shaking her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s not about the money,¡± she says quietly. ¡°I have my own reasons for going to the dungeons.¡± ¡°What reasons?¡± I press, my chest tightening. ¡°Can you tell me?¡± Even though I feel like I¡¯m prying too much into her personal life, I can¡¯t stop myself. I¡¯m too worried. After all¡­ It¡¯s the dungeon we are talking about. What if, one day, Eris comes back with another scar like that on her body? Or worse¡­ what if she doesn¡¯t come back at all? I just can¡¯t bear the thought. I don¡¯t want to regret not stopping her when I had the chance. Thus, I stare into her eyes, silently pleading for an answer. And then, after a long, quiet moment, she finally speaks. ¡°It¡¯s my father,¡± she says, her voice heavy with sorrow. ¡°I have to find him¡­¡± ¡°Your father?¡± I echo. ¡°Yes¡­¡± As she say that, her eyes flickers, her grip on my hand tightens, and I can feel her body trembling. I can feel it, I can see it in her eyes, the sadness, the pain that¡¯s weighing her down, haunting her like a ghost. ¡°What¡­ happened?¡± I ask, my heart clenching. But then, I hesitate. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m sorry¡­ you don¡¯t have to tell me if you¡¯re not ready.¡± However, Eris shakes her head, a faint smile on her lip. Then, unexpectedly, she leans forward, bringing her face so close to mine that our foreheads touch. Her breath tickles my skin, her long eyelashes brushes against mine, and my heart skips a beat, thudding heavily in my chest. Eh? What is this? What¡¯s happening? I start to panic, my thoughts spiraling. I was just asking her seriously, but now¡­ She¡¯s wanting to kiss me? HUHHH????? However, before I can react, Eris pulls back, leaving me utterly flabbergasted. ¡°Haiiizzz¡­¡± she sighs deeply, as if releasing a heavy weight from within. ¡°It was many years ago¡­¡± she begins softly. ¡°My father was a renowned adventurer, whose dream was to unveil the secrets of the dungeons, to discover what lies beyond this world¡­.¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Fifteen years ago¡­ Eris¡¯ father was a knight of the kingdom of Zerakia, one of its most renowned warriors¡ªan A-rank adventurer. Dungeon exploration was in his blood, and every time he returned home, he brought with him incredible stories, tales he shared with young Eris and her little brother. Tales of fierce battles against fire-breathing lizards¡­ Tales of wandering through forgotten, mystical ruins, deep within dungeons where no one else had ever set foot. To Eris and her brother, he wasn¡¯t just their father. He was a hero. An idol. Someone they both looked up to with admiration and awe. Back then, they were the happiest days. But then¡­ everything changed. One day, a new S-rank dungeon appeared within the kingdom. And, as always, Eris¡¯ father was among the first to be called upon. It was his duty, and he accepted it without hesitation. At the time, Eris thought it would be like all the other times. He¡¯d be gone for a few weeks, maybe a couple of months. But eventually, he would return, smiling, with triumphant stories of his latest adventures, just as he always did. But this time, he didn¡¯t. This time, as she waited¡­ and waited¡­ weeks turned into months, then months turned into years. There was no news, not a single letter. And then, it came. One day, a letter arrived from the royal family. Just a single note. A cold, official message notifying them of his disappearance. Needless to say, Eris was devastated. She cried endlessly, her heart broken into pieces. Her world, once full of warmth and excitement, was now consumed by despair. People around her said he was gone. They whispered that he had likely perished in the dungeon, lost forever to its dangers. But Eris refused to believe it. After all, how could she? Her father was the strongest man she had ever known¡ªhe couldn¡¯t be dead. He couldn¡¯t be! And that¡¯s why Eris became an adventurer. She had to enter the dungeons herself. She had to find him. Because, deep down, she believed¡­ maybe¡­ just maybe¡­ She would see him again, and tell him how much she missed him, how much she needed him. Chapter 25: Promise ¡°Eris¡­¡± As she finishes telling her story, I can¡¯t hold back my tears. The truth behind why she delves into the dungeons, the reason she¡¯s been risking her life¡­ it¡¯s all to find her father. From the way it sounds though, her father is likely dead, just like everyone had said. And yet¡­ Eris keeps believing, holding onto a thread of hope, convincing herself that he¡¯s still out there, alive. It¡¯s probably just a baseless hope¡ªa 99.99% chance that he¡¯s gone forever. But¡­ even if that¡¯s the reality, I know¡­ it doesn¡¯t matter. Her mind is already set. Her heart is locked on this path. Looking into her eyes, I can see the determination burning beneath the sadness, rising from the sorrow. Even if she has only one breath left in her, Eris will still yearn for the dungeon, I¡¯m sure of it. So¡­ the only thing I can do now¡­ Is to simply be there for her. ¡°Alright¡­ I understand now¡­ But¡­ you still have to be careful! Please¡­ don¡¯t ever risk your life. If you die, who¡¯s going to find your father then?¡± I manage to say through my tears. ¡°Right¡­¡° Eris smiles softly, reaching out to gently wipe away the tears from my eyes. Her hand is warm against my cheek, tender. ¡°I will, I promise,¡± she whispers. Then, she shifts slightly, pulling me closer, guiding me to sit beside her. Our shoulders touch, skin against skin, and I can feel the steady warmth of her body next to mine. Ba-dump. Eris leans her head on my shoulder and lets out a deep, heavy sigh. ¡°You know, you¡¯re right,¡± she says quietly, ¡°That¡¯s what I told myself back then too. At that moment, the wound was so deep, the blood was everywhere¡­ I couldn¡¯t think straight. I thought it was over, that I was going to die right there in that dungeon. But, in the midst of the pain and the chaos, I saw him¡ªmy father. His image flashed before me, like he was telling me to hold on, to fight for him¡­ to not give up.¡± She pauses, her voice trembling. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°And somehow¡­ I survived. It felt like life gave me a second chance, like I was meant to keep going.¡± ¡°Eris¡­¡± I murmur, my own heart aching for her. I can¡¯t even imagine what she¡¯s been through. ¡°So don¡¯t worry, Felicia,¡± she continues, ¡°I¡¯ll be careful. I won¡¯t be reckless anymore.¡± ¡°Good,¡± I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. ¡°And when you face danger¡­ run if you can. Don¡¯t go to dangerous places unprepared. Make sure you¡¯ve thought of everything before you step inside!¡± ¡°Hihi,¡± Eris chuckles lightly. ¡°Look at you, already an expert in dungeons. That¡¯s some solid advice!¡± I giggle too. The tears are gone, though my heart still feels heavy. ¡°Hey, how about I go with you next time?¡± I blurt out suddenly. ¡°I could help!¡± But as soon as I say that, Eris¡¯ expression shifts. Her smile fades, replaced by a serious look. ¡°Absolutely not,¡± she says firmly. ¡°But¡ª¡± I try to protest, but she cuts me off with a stern look. ¡°No, Felicia.¡± she says. ¡°I appreciate that you want to be there for me, but I can¡¯t let you step into that kind of danger. And honestly¡­ you¡¯d only hold me back.¡± ¡­ Ah¡­ Damn it¡­ Her words sting, though I know she¡¯s right. I glance away, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. Seriously? What was I even thinking when I said that? I¡¯m just a weak, small, vulnerable catgirl. I can¡¯t even lift a few bags without panting¡ªhow would I handle a dungeon full of monsters? ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I mutter¡­ ¡°Hey, don¡¯t apologize,¡± Eris says, squeezing my hand. ¡°Actually¡­ there¡¯s something else you can do, something just as important.¡± My ears perk up immediately. ¡°Something I can do? What is it?¡± If I can help Eris, I¡¯m willing to do anything! ¡°Well, if you really want to help, then¡­ please wait for me,¡± as she says, her thumb tracing soft circles on the back of my hand. Huh?? ¡°Wait¡­ for you¡­?¡± I don¡¯t get what she¡¯s trying to say. I¡¯m confused. ¡°Yes, wait for me.¡± Eris, nods smiling warmly. She then turns and look at me directly in the eyes. ¡°Felicia, please, be my emotional support. Knowing someone is waiting for me at home, just like how I¡¯ve waited for my father¡­ it¡¯ll give me a reason to come back. It¡¯ll give me the strength to keep going.¡± At her words, my eyes widen. And suddenly everything becomes clear. Ah¡­ so that¡¯s how I can support her. By waiting for her. By giving her a reason to return! ¡°ALRIGHT!¡± I say, my heart swelling. ¡°Eris, I¡¯ll wait for you! And when you come back, I¡¯ll cook you the best dinner ever and give you the best back scrubbing of your life!¡± Eris laughs, her face lighting up. ¡°That sounds amazing! I¡¯m already looking forward to it!¡± Her laughter is contagious, and soon, I¡¯m smiling too. ¡°Eris,¡± I murmur softly. ¡°I will be there for you. So please, make sure you return to me. If you don¡¯t¡­ I¡¯ll go into the duneon myself to find you!¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Eris says gently, her eyes meeting mine. ¡°I will always come back.¡± I lift my pinky. ¡°Promise?¡± But¡­ Eris blink. ¡°I promise. But¡­ erm¡­ what am I supposed to do?¡± Ah¡­ damn it! I forgot she doesn¡¯t know! ¡°If you promise, you have to hook my pinky with yours!¡± I explain quickly. ¡°This way, the promise is sealed, and you¡¯ll never be able to break it!¡± ¡°Ah¡­ is it like a blood contract?¡± ¡°YES!¡± Eris grins, understanding now. ¡°Alright!¡± She hooks her pinky around mine, and our fingers intertwine. In that simple, gentle motion, a promise is made. I promise to wait. She promises to return. And ultimately, we promise to be there for each other, no matter what. Chapter 26: Night After our bath, we find ourselves relaxing on the inn¡¯s rooftop. It¡¯s part of Eris¡¯s nightly routine¡ªa quiet moment beneath the stars, sipping a warm, creamy mug of milk before bed. Tonight, I¡¯m tagging along. The rooftop is sturdier than I expected, but the wind is wild, tugging at my cloak as if trying to sweep me away. Nervously, I cling to Eris¡¯s arm, seeking comfort in her calm presence. ¡°Aaaaaaa¡­ I¡¯m still shaking,¡± I mutter, my voice trembling. I try not to look down. In my previous life, I was absolutely terrified of heights¡ªlike, seriously petrified. Becoming a catgirl has helped a little, but even in this new body, the fear lingers, though maybe just a little less than before. I can¡¯t help but wonder¡ªdo catgirls land on their feet like actual cats? Can they twist in midair and land safely from any height? It¡¯s an interesting thought¡­ but definitely not one I¡¯m testing tonight! As for how we got up here¡­ Eris turned out to be an incredible climber. She scaled the wall from her window like it was nothing, carrying me along with her as if I weighed nothing at all. My only job? Holding onto the two giant milk mugs like my life depended on them. ¡°But you¡¯re right,¡± I finally say, glancing up at the sky. ¡°The view¡­ it¡¯s incredible!¡± ¡°Hehe, told you!¡± Eris chuckles. And she¡¯s right¡ªit¡¯s breathtaking. We sit beneath a vast sky, stars scattered like glittering jewels across the heavens. The moon is enormous, far larger and brighter than the one I remember from Earth. Its soft, silvery glow casts everything in a magical light. I¡¯m absolutely awestruck. It makes me wonder¡­ how long has it been since I last saw a real night sky? I don¡¯t even know anymore. Back when I lived in the city, the light pollution was so severe it blocked out the stars completely. No matter where I stood, not a single star would peek through. But here? The stars are alive with color¡ªwhite, red, blue, yellow¡ªall twinkling in a cosmic dance. They flicker and shift like Christmas lights, some brightening while others dim, as if the sky itself is breathing. I raise my mug and take a sip. The milk is sweet and creamy, hitting my catgirl taste buds. I swallow. Shaaaaaaaaaaa~~~~~!!! The warm milk travels down my throat, fills my belly nicely, spreading warmth across my body in waves of ultimate bliss. Japanese people were right¡ªthere¡¯s nothing better than milk after a hot bath! ¡°It¡¯s so good!¡± I exclaim. ¡°Eris? Is there any sugar in this milk?¡± I ask, raising my mug curiously. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Nope, just fresh goat¡¯s milk!¡± she replies. ¡°Really? That¡¯s amazing!¡± I exclaim. ¡°So, you like it?¡± ¡°YEAH!¡± Well, I still don¡¯t know if it¡¯s actually the milk being better here than the ones I¡¯m used to, or it¡¯s just my catgirl taste buds are better. There¡¯s no way for me to confirm it, given that my human taste buds are long gone. Either way, I¡¯m loving it. Suddenly, Eris offers me her mug. ¡°Here, try mine. It¡¯s even better.¡± I glance at it, hesitating. It¡¯s chocolate milk. I used to love chocolate so much, especially chocolate milk. Even my whey protein was always chocolate-flavored. To be honest, I didn¡¯t expect chocolate to exist in this world, but here it is, right in front of me. The rich aroma tickles my nose, tempting me, inviting me to take a sip. It¡¯s so hard to resist! But I pause. ¡°Hmmmm¡­ are you sure this is safe to drink?¡± I ask, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. ¡°Huh? Why?¡± Eris raises an eyebrow. ¡°Erm¡­ because¡­ isn¡¯t chocolate toxic to cats?¡± Yes, I have to be cautious. I don¡¯t want to die so soon! My new life has just begun today! ¡°No, silly!¡± Eris bursts out laughing, nearly spilling her milk. ¡°We¡¯re Cat Furrens, not actual cats. We can totally eat chocolate!¡± ¡°Oh! Phew!¡± I breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Well, if you say so!¡± I take a small sip. Instantly, the rich chocolate flavor coats my tongue in pure bliss. ¡­ ¡°So¡­ how is it?¡± Eris asks. But oh boy, I¡¯m soo stunned to even reply right now! Uwoooooohhh!!!! The chocolate is slightly bitter, perfectly blending with the creamy warmth of the milk in perfect harmony! ¡°Mmmnnnnhhhh!¡± I hug my cheeks in delight. ¡°Chocolate milk is the best!¡± ¡°Hihi, so you like it?¡± Eris grins. ¡°YES! I LOVE IT!¡± ¡°Alright, you can have mine. Let¡¯s switch!¡± ¡°R-really? Are you sure?¡± ¡°Of course! I¡¯ve had too much chocolate milk lately. I was thinking of switching back to regular milk anyway.¡± Well, if she says so, then there¡¯s no more reason not too! ¡°Nn!¡± I nod eagerly, swapping mugs with her. And just like that, Eris takes mine, and I gladly take her chocolate milk. The moment I take another sip, it feels like I¡¯m floating. The combination of chocolate milk, the night sky, and the cool breeze is just pure bliss. Shaaaaaa~~~~!!!! My life is completed right now. But then¡­ as I raise the mug to take another sip, a thought strikes me. Wait¡­ WAIT A MINUTE!!! Did I just¡­ drink from the same cup as Eris? In¡­ In¡­ INDIRECT KISSU!!!???? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know this is a super cringy anime trope. I know that! But for some reason, just thinking about it makes my hands shake uncontrollably. Blood rushes to my cheeks, and I glance sideways, hoping Eris hasn¡¯t noticed. But she catches my eye. She stops, yet, for some reason, she suddenly leans closer, her face moving toward mine. Eh? BA-DUMP. Her hand touches my cheek, her eyes lingering on my lips. She bites her own lip slightly. BA-DUMP. BA-DUMP! ¡°E-Eris?¡± I squeak, my heart thumping wildly. But Eris doesn¡¯t answer. Her face inches closer, so close I can feel her breath. My heart pounds in my chest, louder and louder. Is she¡­ Is she¡­ GOING TO KISS ME???? AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!! WHAT DO I DO NOW? I¡¯m so panic!!! Her thumb moves toward my lips. But then¡­ She wipes away something gently. ¡°Hehe, you had a chocolate milk mustache!¡± Eris says, grinning. ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ AAAAAAA!!! THAT¡¯S WHAT SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT? MY FOAMY CHOCOLATE MILK MOUSTACHE? I¡¯m so embarrassed I could die right here! ¡°S-so what? You have a mustache too!¡± I shout, trying to cover my embarrassment with forced laughter as I push her away lightly. ¡°Wait, I do?¡± Eris licks her upper lip. ¡°Oh! You¡¯re right! Hihi¡­¡± I can¡¯t recover from this. I just chug my milk aggressively, hoping to hide how flustered I am. ¡°Cookies?¡± Eris offers, holding out a few to dip into the milk. But I can¡¯t even think about the cookies anymore. ¡°N-no thanks! I-I¡¯m still really full!¡± I pull my cloak tighter around me, retreating into its folds. ¡°Okay!¡± Eris shrugs and happily munches on the cookies, completely unaware of the chaos she¡¯s just caused in my heart. Chapter 27: Sleep tight Eris stretches her arms out with a lazy, catlike grace and falls backward onto the bed, her carefree smile lighting up the room. ¡°Aaaaaahhh~~!!! That was so good!¡± she sighs, her voice dripping with satisfaction. ¡°Felicia, thank you. It¡¯s been forever since I¡¯ve had someone to stargaze with on the rooftop.¡± She glances at me, her smile warm and genuine, but my heart is a complete mess, still tangled up in the whirlwind of what just happened¡ªthe ¡°chocolate mustache¡± moment, the almost-kiss¡­.It¡¯s a whirlwind of emotions I can¡¯t quite process. But¡­ it¡¯s Eris. I can never stay mad at her. Maybe it¡¯s just me¡­ being too softhearted, too easily flustered. And now, the moment I¡¯ve been quietly dreading is here¡­ Are we really going to be¡­ sleeping¡­ together? I watch, frozen, as Eris moves across the room to change into her silky nightgown. My breath catches the moment the dress goes over her body. The white silk clings to her curves, smooth and almost translucent, the fabric barely hiding anything. It glides over her skin like liquid, shimmering in the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the window. Her ample breasts subtly jiggle as she adjusts the straps, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest draws my eyes, my heart thudding in my ears. The way the silk hugs her body¡­ it¡¯s too much. Her nipples poke through the delicate fabric, teasingly visible, and my face burns with heat. Even though I¡¯ve already seen Eris completely naked before¡­ this is different. This is somehow even more provocative, even more intimate than when she had nothing on at all! ¡°Ooooh, I like this,¡± Eris says, her face turning slightly pink as she runs her hands over the smooth fabric. ¡°This silk is so soft!¡± ¡°R-really?¡± I stammer, trying not to gawk. ¡°I¡¯m glad you like it!¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s such a surprise!¡± Eris says. ¡°I usually sleep naked, so this is new for me. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯m wearing something like this to bed!¡± ¡­ Eh? Wait a minute¡­ My ears instantly perk up. Naked?! Eris¡­ always sleep¡­ naked?!!! NAKED?! If she were going to sleep next to me like that, my heart would surely explode! ¡°P-please keep your sleep dress on!¡± I blurt out, feeling my face grow even hotter. ¡°Otherwise, you¡¯ll get stung by mosquitoes!¡± Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°Mosquitoes? Hahaha!¡± Eris laughs. ¡°You¡¯re right. They always get me! I don¡¯t mind, though; they can have my blood if they want! Anyway, how do I look?¡± she asks, twirling around. The fabric shimmers under the moonlight, highlighting every curve of her body. ¡°Y-you look amazing!¡± ¡°Hihi, thanks!¡± Eris says cheerfully. She then crawls into bed, settling under the blankets and looking at me expectantly. ¡°Well? What are you waiting for? Let¡¯s sleep!¡± ¡°A-alright!¡± I says back. I swallow hard and quickly change into my own sleepwear¡ªa little blue dress that falls just past my knees. There¡¯s even a hole to put my tail through. The fabric is soft and smooth, just like Eris said, gliding over my skin like air, almost as if I¡¯m wearing nothing at all. But when I turn around, I catch Eris staring at me. Her cheeks are slightly pink, her gaze lingering longer than usual. ¡°Y-you look stunning,¡± she says softly before turning her head. ¡°A-am I?¡± I squeak, my heart pounding. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± she whispers. The tension in the air is so thick it¡¯s hard to breathe. Embarrassed, I quickly slip under the blanket beside her, pulling it up to my chin to hide my flustered face. Now, sharing the same blanket as Eris, the room feels so quiet, but outside the window, I can still hear the faint sounds of people on the midnight streets. A few distant voices, some footsteps, and even a drunkard singing a song I can¡¯t make out. This atmosphere¡­ it¡¯s different. Yet somehow, it¡¯s nice. ¡°You know, Felicia,¡± Eris breaks the silence, her voice soft, ¡°after telling you my story, I feel so much lighter now. Thank you for listening.¡± ¡°Nn, thank you for sharing it,¡± I reply, turning my head to face her in the darkness. ¡°I believe you¡¯ll find your father soon. I¡¯ll pray for it every day.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Eris whispers, her blue eyes so beautifully bright. And then, suddenly, I feel it¡ªher hand, gently brushing against mine under the covers. Her fingers inch closer until they intertwine with mine. My heart starts beating faster, but I don¡¯t pull away. I let her hold my hand, the warmth of her skin spreading through me. She squeezes lightly, and I squeeze back. ¡°Felicia¡­¡± Eris murmurs. ¡°Can we¡­ sleep like this? Do you mind if I hold your hand?¡± ¡°N-not at all!¡± I manage to say, though inside, I¡¯m screaming with joy. HECK YEAHH!!! Now that I think about it¡­ Isn¡¯t Eris sending me signals all day long? She¡¯s been flirting with me, right? She¡¯s holding my hand now, which means¡­ she likes me¡­ right? And tomorrow¡­ we can get even closer! Kyaaaaaaa!!!!! My heart is pounding so fast I can hardly keep still. A giddy smile spreads across my face. But then¡­ ¡°You know, me and my brother used to do this too. We¡¯d hold hands when we slept. It made me feel safe, calm¡­ like everything was okay. This reminds me so much of him¡­¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± I murmur, feeling a small pang of disappointment. So¡­ it¡¯s not because of me. It¡¯s just something she used to do with her brother¡­ But, no. I shake my head. What was I thinking? As long as I can hold Eris¡¯s hand while we sleep, I¡¯m happy! ¡°Eris! Let¡¯s hold hands every night!¡± I declare. Eris chuckles softly, squeezing my hand again. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do that! Alright, goodnight, Felicia.¡± ¡°Nn!¡± I nod. ¡°Goodnight, Eris.¡± Closing my eyes, my hand feels so warm from her touch. I love it I love it so much! I can¡¯t stop smiling to myself as I lay there, basking in the quiet moment. And then, in just under a minute, Eris is already fast asleep, her soft, cute snores filling the room. Meanwhile, I¡¯m still wide awake, my heart too full of emotions to sleep just yet. Thinking back. This is crazy¡­ To be reincarnated into another world as a catgirl¡­ And to meet Eris¡­ the best catgirl I¡¯ve ever known. This is even better than going to heaven. Hehe¡­ Hehe¡­ Eventually, though, the warmth of the bed and the soft rhythm of her breathing lull me into a peaceful slumber, my consciousness fading away. Chapter 28: Dream... Sizzling, sizzling¡­ The ribeye steak crackles as I flip it, releasing an intoxicating aroma of seared beef and rich fat into the air. The crust is perfect¡ªgolden brown, crisp beneath the brush of my tongs. Next, I toss in a stick of butter, watching as it melts into a glistening pool of golden decadence. It bubbles and swirls, fusing with the steak¡¯s juices to create liquid perfection. Grabbing a spoon, I tilt the pan and begin basting¡ªscooping the hot, velvety butter and drizzling it over the meat, again and again, letting it seep into every crevice. The sizzling grows louder, the aroma thick and indulgent. After a few more moments, it¡¯s done. I carefully place the steak aside to rest, but my work isn¡¯t over yet. The sauce. Using the leftover pan juices, I start crafting the best steak sauce ever. A splash of red wine hits the pan with a dramatic sizzle¡ª SZZZT! A cloud of rich, savory steam rises, carrying the scent of caramelized goodness. The wine deglazes the pan, extracting every bit of flavorful residue left behind by the meat. I stir it slowly, watching as it reduces into a thick, velvety perfection¡ªthe final touch to this masterpiece. Finally, the steak has rested long enough. The moment of truth. I grab my knife, hovering over the glistening slab of beef, my heart racing with anticipation. The blade sinks in effortlessly, parting the tender meat to reveal¡ª Uwooooooohh!!! A perfect medium-rare. The center is a gorgeous pink, juicy and rich, the fat shimmering like molten gold. With every cut, more juices spill onto the plate, teasing my senses, making my stomach growl. But I resist the urge to dive in. She¡¯ll be home any moment now. I just need to wait a little bit longer. And then¡ªright on cue¡ªthe front door creaks open. My ears perk up. My heart leaps. Dropping everything, I rush out of the kitchen, eyes lighting up the moment I see her. The instant Eris steps inside, the whole room feels warmer, brighter. ¡°Honey, I¡¯m home,¡± she calls, her voice rich with amusement. ¡°Yes, welcome home!¡± I giggle, beaming at her. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Oh my¡­ Eris looks incredible. She stands in the doorway, framed by the dim evening light, dressed sharply in a tailored black suit and pants. The crisp fabric clings perfectly to her toned frame, exuding an effortless authority. Her long, dark hair cascades over her shoulders like liquid silk, and the glasses perched elegantly on her nose add an extra touch of sophistication.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Too perfect. Too stunning. Too dangerously attractive. I swallow hard, my heart doing frantic flips as I step forward to help her out of her vest. My fingers brush against the cool fabric, but it¡¯s her scent that truly sends me spiraling¡ªfresh, intoxicating, like the night air after a storm. It¡¯s laced with a hint of her signature cologne, uniquely her. I¡¯m drowning in it. Snap out of it, Felicia! Focus! ¡°Hmmm?¡± Eris sniffs the air, her sharp blue eyes flickering with curiosity. ¡°Is that¡­ steak?¡± ¡°Hehe! Yeah! A 24 oz ribeye, medium-rare!¡± I chirp, forcing my excitement to override the dangerous warmth creeping into my cheeks. ¡°Oooh, I can¡¯t wait,¡± she purrs, a slow, mischievous grin spreading across her lips. I nod quickly, eager to escape the tension. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go finish¡ª¡± Thud! Before I can take a step, she grabs me. I barely have time to react before my back collides with the wall, a soft gasp escaping my lips. Eris is right there, pressing in close, her body just inches from mine. Her hand pins me effortlessly, her intense gaze locking onto mine. My breath catches. I can¡¯t move. I don¡¯t want to move. She tilts my chin up with her free hand, forcing me to meet her gaze. My heartbeat is thunderous, deafening, pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. ¡°D-darling, t-the dinner¡­ Aren¡¯t you hungry?¡± I stammer, my voice weak, breathless. But instead of answering, she leans in¡ª**closer, closer¡ª**until her lips brush against my ear. Soft. Barely there. Then¡ªa nip. ¡°Nyaaa!!!¡± A sharp jolt of electricity shoots down my spine, my knees threatening to buckle. But Eris isn¡¯t done. Her hand slides beneath my shirt, fingers ghosting over my stomach, teasing, exploring. The heat of her touch sears my skin, leaving a trail of fire as she slowly¡ªagonizingly slowly¡ªmoves higher, until¡­ A single stroke against my sensitive peak sends shockwaves through me. ¡°Ahh¡­ Eris¡­¡± I gasp, my voice a soft, helpless plea. A dangerous glint flashes in her eyes. Her lips trail along my neck, leaving behind hot, lingering kisses, each one stealing more of my sanity. Meanwhile, her other hand tightens around my wrist, pinning me completely. I¡¯m trapped beneath her¡ªhelpless, trembling, completely at her mercy. I try to protest, my last shred of logic screaming at me. ¡°D-darling¡­ The food! It¡¯ll get cold!¡± Her response is a whisper against my skin. ¡°Then¡­ let it be cold.¡± Her fingers roll over my nipple, slow, deliberate, torturous. A deep shiver racks my body, a moan slipping from my lips before I can stop it. And then¡ªher lips crash against mine. The kiss is fierce, demanding, her tongue claiming me with an intensity that sends my mind spiraling. She devours me, teasing, coaxing, commanding, as her hand continues its relentless assault. Mmmmmhhhh~~!!! I melt into her, my body writhing as waves of pleasure flood every inch of me. I can¡¯t resist, can¡¯t fight back¡ªnot that I want to. Mmmmh! I gasp for air, but she swallows every sound, refusing to let me go. Her tongue tangles with mine, her lips pressing harder, deeper, and I¡ª Wait. Something¡¯s off. I blink, my brain struggling to push through the intoxicating haze. ¡°E-Eris?¡± I mumble against her lips, pulling back slightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she murmurs, eyes half-lidded with heat. ¡°D-did you¡­ eat bacon on the way home?¡± She blinks. ¡°Bacon? No, why?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± I hesitate, feeling ridiculously silly. ¡°Your lips¡­ they taste like bacon.¡± Silence. And then¡ª I wake up. My eyes fly open to the sight of a single, crispy strip of bacon dangling in front of my face. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. ¡°Hehe! Wakey, wakey! The early cat gets the bacon!¡± Eris giggles, waving a crispy strip of bacon in front of my face like a playful temptress. I blink, my mind still groggy, struggling to separate fantasy from reality. A dream. It was just a dream. ¡°Ahhhhhhh!!!¡± I let out a dramatic wail and bury my face in the pillow, kicking my legs like a defeated kitten. ¡°NYAAARRRAAAAAAHHH!!!¡± Meanwhile, Eris just laughs¡ªcompletely oblivious to the emotional turmoil she¡¯s caused. ¡°Alright then, it¡¯s mine!¡± she chirps, popping the bacon into her mouth without a second thought. I peek up from my pillow, betrayed. That was MY bacon! But before I can launch a full-fledged protest, she stretches, yawns, and ruffles my already messy bed hair. ¡°Come on, Felicia. Get up. We¡¯re heading to the Guild today to get your ID!¡± Oh. Right. I jolt awake. The Guild. My ID. My official documentation in this world. Suddenly, my dream is forgotten. It¡¯s time to face reality. Chapter 29: Morning I slip into my new pink dress, step into my leather boots, and throw on my red hooded cloak, giving it a playful twirl. The fabric flutters around me as I spin, and I sneak a glance at Eris, my heart skipping a beat. ¡°So¡­ how do I look?¡± I ask, nervously excited. Eris grins, her sharp blue eyes sparkling with approval. ¡°Cute!¡± she exclaims without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m so glad we bought that dress. It looks amazing on you!¡± ¡°R-really?¡± I stammer, my cheeks warming under her gaze. ¡°Yeah! You might even steal the hearts of all the boys in town! Hehe.¡± She winks playfully. ¡°Y-you think so? Am I really that beautiful?¡± I ask, my voice quieter. Eris leans in slightly, her expression sincere. ¡°Of course. You¡¯re the most beautiful girl in the world.¡± BA-DUMP. The words hit me like a spell, sending my heart spiraling into a frantic dance. O-oh, Eris¡­ How can she say things like that so easily? Does she even realize what she¡¯s doing to me? I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Despite the fluttering in my chest, energy surges through me. Today¡¯s the day! The Adventurer¡¯s Guild¡ªhere I come! Even though my stomach grumbles in protest, longing for bacon, I decide to hold off. After all, Eris mentioned the morning market would be filled with delicious treats, and there¡¯s no way I¡¯m missing out on those! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Moments later¡­ We head downstairs into the inn¡¯s bustling dining area. The scent of fresh bread and roasted coffee wafts through the air, mingling with the morning chatter of early risers. ¡°Oh! Morning, Felicia! Morning, Eris!¡± Lilly beams at us as she wipes down a table. She and the other servers are already in full swing, cleaning and prepping for brunch. Although food service hasn¡¯t started yet, a few guests sit patiently, sipping on steaming cups of tea. ¡°Morning, Lilly! Good morning, Chef Gordon!¡± I greet them brightly. Behind the counter, Gordon is already at work, slicing through a loaf of bread with his usual expertise. He turns at the sound of my voice, his broad grin warming the space like a sunrise. ¡°Hehe, how was your sleep last night? Good?¡± Gordon asks. ¡°Yes! It was wonderful!¡± I beam. ¡°Thank you so much for the late-night milk and snack! It was amazing!¡± ¡°Glad you liked it.¡± He chuckles, his chest puffing with satisfaction. Eris adjusts her cloak before addressing him. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m taking Felicia to the Adventurer¡¯s Guild for her ID now. If all goes well, she should have it in a few days.¡± ¡°No rush, take your time!¡± Gordon waves us off with an easy smile. But before we can leave, he turns to me, his eyes twinkling. ¡°Felicia, I can¡¯t wait to have you in my kitchen! I¡¯m still blown away by how flawless your knife skills were yesterday! That was amazing¡ªan absolute performance!¡±Stolen story; please report. I flush at the praise. ¡°Thank you, Chef Gordon. I can¡¯t wait either!¡± His words fill me with pride. Soon, I¡¯ll be working, earning my own money, and finally standing on my own two feet. No more relying on Eris. No more being a burden. I¡¯m so lucky, I think to myself. To have landed a job this quickly in a new world¡­ it almost feels too good to be true. Just as we turn to leave, Gordon calls us back. ¡°Actually, Eris, there¡¯s something I forgot to mention.¡± His voice takes on a more serious tone, and his gaze flickers to me. ¡°Felicia, would you mind stepping outside for a moment?¡± ¡°O-oh, sure.¡± I blink, caught off guard by the shift in atmosphere. As I step outside, the cool morning air nips at my cheeks. I shiver slightly, wrapping my cloak around me. Through the wooden door, I catch a glimpse of Gordon¡¯s face. His brows are furrowed, his usual cheerful expression replaced with something¡­ heavier. Something¡¯s wrong. I fidget anxiously, wondering what he wants to talk about. I just hope¡­ it¡¯s nothing bad. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- As I stand outside the Gilded Horns, my gaze drifts upward to the sky, my thoughts tangled in uneasy speculation about what might be unfolding inside. The quiet is abruptly shattered by Eris¡¯s voice, sharp and seething, cutting through the air like a blade. ¡°THOSE BASTARDS! THEY F***ING DARE!!!¡± Her roar is thunderous, and I flinch, my heart lurching in my chest. Before I can even process her outburst, a deafening BAM erupts from within, the force of it rattling the ground beneath my feet. The sound reverberates through my bones, and a surge of panic grips me, sharp and unrelenting. I rush back inside, my pulse roaring in my ears. The moment I cross the threshold, my breath catches, my eyes widening in stunned disbelief. Eris stands amidst the wreckage of a shattered table, her fist clenched, splinters of wood scattered around her like shards of her fury. Her chest heaves with ragged breaths, her entire body radiating a terrifying, almost primal rage. My knees weaken, a knot of fear twisting in my stomach as I force myself to take a hesitant step forward. ¡°E-Eris?¡± I whisper, my voice trembling, barely audible. This is a side of her I¡¯ve never seen before¡ªraw, unbridled anger that makes her seem almost otherworldly. Her bloodshot eyes burn with an intensity that could scorch the earth, her veins standing out against her skin as she grits her teeth. Her fangs are bared, her breathing heavy and ragged, as though she¡¯s barely holding herself back from tearing someone apart. The others in the room¡ªsave for Gordon¡ªare frozen, their faces pale, their expressions etched with fear. The air is thick with tension, suffocating and electric. Then her eyes lock onto mine, and something shifts. The fury in her gaze softens, melting into something more restrained, though the storm still rages just beneath the surface. She exhales slowly, as though forcing herself to regain control. ¡°Felicia?¡± she murmurs, her voice strained but gentler now, like the calm after a tempest. ¡°W-what happened?¡± I manage to ask, my voice barely above a whisper. Eris takes a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with deliberate effort. ¡°Felicia,¡± she begins, her tone low and measured, ¡°why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier about those bastards who harassed you?¡± Her words hit me like a sledgehammer, and I feel my heart constrict painfully. The memories of last night come rushing back¡ªthe two drunk men, their leering faces, their hands reaching for me, the stench of alcohol on their breath. I had buried it deep, told myself it was nothing, but the truth is, I¡¯m still terrified. Their ugly grins, the way they cornered me, the paralyzing fear that gripped me¡ªit¡¯s all still so vivid, so raw. ¡°I-I didn¡¯t think it was that important,¡± I stammer, my voice breaking. ¡°P-please don¡¯t worry about it. I-I¡¯ll be more careful next time¡­¡± But even as I speak, my body betrays me. I¡¯m trembling, my hands shaking uncontrollably, my fear too overwhelming to hide. I don¡¯t want to burden Eris with this¡ªshe has enough to deal with. But no matter how hard I try, I can¡¯t stop the quaking in my limbs. Gordon lets out a long, weary sigh, but it¡¯s Eris who moves. Without a word, she steps forward and reaches for my hand. The moment her fingers close around mine, the trembling begins to subside. I look up, and the anger in her eyes has transformed into something else¡ªsomething soft, warm, and achingly tender. Her bloodshot eyes glisten with unshed tears, and the kindness in them makes my heart ache. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± I choke out, my voice cracking as the floodgates of emotion threaten to burst. Eris pulls me into her arms, holding me tightly, her embrace firm yet gentle. And in that moment, I break. Tears pour from me in uncontrollable waves, my sobs wracking my body as I bury my face in her shoulder. All the fear, the pain, the helplessness I¡¯ve been holding back comes crashing down, overwhelming me. I cry harder than I have in years, my tears and snot soaking into her clothes, but she doesn¡¯t seem to care. She just holds me, her hand gently patting my back. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she murmurs softly, her voice a soothing balm. ¡°Let it all out¡­ It¡¯s okay¡­¡± Chapter 30: Chef Gordon
It turns out it was Gordon who saved me from those men. I owe him more than I could ever repay¡ªmore than words could ever convey. ¡°T-thank you so much, Chef Gordon,¡± I say, bowing deeply, my voice trembling with gratitude. My heart feels like it might burst. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been there¡­ I don¡¯t even want to think about what could¡¯ve happened last night.¡± Gordon smiles warmly, shaking his head as if it were nothing. ¡°No need to thank me. I just did what anyone would¡¯ve done. Besides,¡± he adds with a chuckle, nodding toward Eris, ¡°if something had happened to you, this one here would¡¯ve skinned me alive.¡± I glance at Eris, who¡¯s standing nearby, her arms crossed and her expression still simmering with barely contained fury. Though her rage has cooled somewhat, the fire in her eyes hasn¡¯t dimmed. ¡°Those bastards dared to make my girl cry?¡± Eris growls, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles whiten. ¡°I¡¯m going to make them regret they were ever born. Old man,¡± she snaps, turning to Gordon, ¡°did you catch their IDs? What rank were they?¡± Gordon strokes his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Hmmm¡­ if I remember correctly, they were D-rank.¡± ¡°D-rank?¡± Eris scoffs, her lips curling into a grin that¡¯s equal parts dangerous and delighted. ¡°Pathetic. I¡¯ll teach them a lesson they¡¯ll never forget.¡± But something about this doesn¡¯t sit right with me. My stomach churns as I remember the ID Eris showed me earlier. Her rank is¡­ ¡°W-wait a minute!¡± I blurt out, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. ¡°Eris, please don¡¯t do anything reckless! I know you¡¯re angry, but¡­ you¡¯re only E-rank. Those guys are D-rank¡ªthey¡¯re supposed to be stronger than you!¡± Eris doesn¡¯t even flinch. Instead, she looks at me with a smirk that¡¯s both reassuring and slightly terrifying, as if the idea of being outranked is nothing more than a minor inconvenience. ¡°Huh? So what?¡± she says, flipping her hair back with a casual flick of her wrist. ¡°I¡¯m going to break their arms so they¡¯ll think twice before messing with you again. Trust me, Felicia. They won¡¯t know what hit them.¡± ¡°Actually,¡± Gordon interjects, his voice calm but firm, ¡°Felicia¡¯s right. You shouldn¡¯t get involved, Eris. Let me handle this. I¡¯ll talk to those two when they show their faces again. And if they don¡¯t listen¡­¡± He pauses, his tone darkening. ¡°I¡¯ll give them a warning they won¡¯t soon forget.¡± Eris¡¯s brows furrow, her lips pressing into a thin line as she considers his words. For a moment, it looks like she might argue, but then she relents with a frustrated click of her tongue. ¡°Tsk¡­ fine,¡± she mutters, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. ¡°But you¡¯d better make sure they get what¡¯s coming to them.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Gordon assures her, his voice steady and confident. ¡°You have my word.¡± I hesitate, my gaze flickering nervously between them. ¡°B-but Chef Gordon,¡± I stammer, ¡°are you really stronger than them?¡± Gordon chuckles lightly, the sound warm and reassuring. Without a word, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out an ID card, holding it up for me to see. The glint in his eyes tells me everything I need to know¡ªthere¡¯s more to this kind old man than meets the eye. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª-If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Name: Gordon Ramsset Date of Birth: November 8, 1286 Race: Sheep Furren Hometown: Sablethorn - Zehrak Desert Adventurer Rank: B Criminal Record: None ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡°So, is that enough proof for you?¡± Gordon grins, his confidence radiating like the warmth of a hearth. ¡°Wowwwww!¡± I exclaim, my eyes wide with awe. ¡°Chef Gordon, you¡¯re incredible! Wait¡­ Zehrak Desert? Isn¡¯t that where Eris is from?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Eris chimes in, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°The old man¡¯s actually a retired adventurer from Zehrakia. He used to fight alongside my father back in the day¡ªthey were practically inseparable.¡± ¡°Ooooh! Really?¡± I gasp, my curiosity piqued. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Gordon confirms with a hearty chuckle. ¡°I was knee-deep in dungeons, slaying monsters, when one day it hit me¡ªI needed to spend more time with my daughter.¡± He turns to Eris, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. ¡°And I¡¯ve known this little kitty since she was no bigger than a loaf of bread! Eris, you used to be so much more adorable back then.¡± ¡°Huh? A loaf of what? What are you even talking about, old man?¡± Eris snaps, her cheeks flushing slightly. I can¡¯t help but giggle at her reaction. It all makes sense now¡ªwhy Eris calls him ¡°old man¡± with such fondness. Their bond runs deeper than I realized. ¡°So rest assured,¡± Gordon says, patting my shoulder with a reassuring hand. ¡°With me around, no one¡¯s going to mess with you!¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Eris adds, nodding firmly. ¡°He may be old, but he¡¯s reliable. If you ever run into trouble, just go to him.¡± A wave of relief washes over me, and I smile gratefully. ¡°Thank you so much, Chef Gordon!¡± The heavy weight of fear that had been pressing down on me begins to lift. Knowing someone as strong and dependable as Gordon is looking out for me makes me feel safe¡ªsafer than I¡¯ve felt in a long time. But then, Gordon¡¯s expression shifts, his tone growing more serious. ¡°Still,¡± he says, his voice lowering slightly, ¡°you need to be careful, Felicia. Especially because¡­ well, you¡¯re quite pretty in the eyes of men like those.¡± ¡°Ah, y-you¡¯re right¡­¡± I mumble, suddenly feeling self-conscious. My hands instinctively clutch at the hem of my dress. Maybe it¡¯s not safe to wear such cute clothes in public. What if I attract more unwanted attention? ¡°Nah, don¡¯t worry about that!¡± Eris interrupts, flashing me a confident smile. ¡°I¡¯m with you, remember?¡± ¡°And don¡¯t underestimate Eris,¡± Gordon adds, his tone firm. ¡°She may be E-rank, but she¡¯s stronger than she looks. You¡¯re in good hands.¡± I glance at Eris, her bright smile lifting my spirits. ¡°A-alright,¡± I say, nodding slowly. ¡°I trust Eris.¡± ¡°Hehe,¡± Eris giggles, playfully nudging me with her elbow. ¡°Actually, wait here for a moment,¡± Gordon says, turning and heading into the back room. A few minutes later, he returns, holding something in his hands¡ªa weapon. ¡°Here,¡± he says, handing it to me. ¡°Take this.¡± It¡¯s a messer sword, a sleek, single-edged blade still sheathed in its scabbard. The weight feels perfect in my hands¡ªbalanced, sturdy, yet surprisingly light. Slowly, I draw the blade, the metal gleaming as it catches the light. ¡°Woaaaah!¡± I gasp, my eyes widening as I take in the intricate wavy patterns etched into the steel. Is that¡­ Damascus steel? ¡°It¡¯s my old sword,¡± Gordon explains, his voice tinged with pride. ¡°But it¡¯s still sharp and strong. I just sharpened it a few days ago. Consider it my apology for what happened.¡± ¡°T-thank you, Chef Gordon!¡± I bow deeply, my heart swelling with gratitude. ¡°But¡­ are you sure? It must be incredibly valuable.¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Eris says with a grin. ¡°He¡¯s got a whole arsenal of weapons lying around.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Gordon laughs, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°And besides, I¡¯m a chef now. I don¡¯t need a sword to slice vegetables! Better it protect you than collect dust in storage.¡± My eyes sting with emotion as I bow again. ¡°Thank you¡­ thank you so much for this precious gift!¡± ¡°Hehe, I¡¯ll teach you some basic sword techniques,¡± Eris says, helping me strap the sword to a baldric that fits snugly across my chest. ¡°With a little practice, you¡¯ll be able to defend yourself in no time!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± I nod enthusiastically, a newfound sense of confidence surging through me. Once the sword is secured, I feel different¡ªstronger, more capable, as if I¡¯m ready to face whatever comes my way. ¡°So, how are you feeling now? Better?¡± Eris asks, her voice soft but encouraging. ¡°Yes, much better!¡± I reply, nodding firmly. ¡°Good,¡± Eris says, her smile widening. ¡°Now, shall we head out?¡± ¡°Nn!¡± With that, we bid Gordon farewell and step outside, the morning light bathing Mistvale in a golden glow. The world feels brighter, safer, and full of possibilities. Chapter 31: Morning market ¡°Hehe, so you like it?¡± ¡°Nn!¡± I nod eagerly, grinning from ear to ear. How could I not be excited? I finally have a sword of my own¡ªa messer sword! And the best part? I get to carry it openly for the world to see! How cool is that?! It¡¯s literally a dream come true, the best gift ever! I can¡¯t wait for Eris to teach me some sword skills so I can be like a badass anime protagonist! As we stroll through the bustling streets of Mistvale, I start noticing something¡ªeveryone seems to be armed to the teeth. Some carry small swords and axes, others lug around massive weapons almost as big as their own bodies! Sure, oversized weapons are common in anime and games, but seeing them in person? It hits different! I can¡¯t help but wonder¡­ How heavy are those things? How do they even swing them? And honestly¡­ are they even practical? I glance at Eris, realizing something. ¡°Eris, what weapon do you use?¡± I ask, curious since she doesn¡¯t seem to be carrying anything. Well, maybe she¡¯s hiding them somewhere in her clothes¡ªwho knows? Eris hums, tilting her head in thought. ¡°Hmmm, pretty much everything¡­¡± ¡°¡­Everything?¡± ¡°Yeah. Swords, axes, hammers, knives, bows, crossbows¡­ I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything I haven¡¯t tried.¡± ¡°Whoa! So you¡¯re, like, a total weapon master?¡± My eyes sparkle with admiration. Eris grins. ¡°Yep, you could say that.¡± ¡°And what about scythes?¡± ¡°Scythes?¡± ¡°Yeah! Big scythes! Woosh woosh!¡± I swing my arms dramatically, mimicking a reaper¡¯s motion. The image of Eris wielding a massive scythe, reaping the souls of her enemies like a grim catgirl reaper, flashes through my mind. Oh my! That would be so cool! And if possible, I want to try wielding a scythe too! However¡­ ¡°Pfft.¡± Eris suddenly bursts into laughter, clutching her stomach. ¡°Sure, if your enemies are grass!¡± ¡°Wait!!! There are grass monsters?!¡± I gasp, completely serious. Eris nearly doubles over. ¡°Of course not, silly!!!¡± AAAAAAA!!! I feel so stupid again! My ears droop as heat rises to my cheeks, which only makes Eris laugh harder. Before I can recover, a massive bear Furren strides past us, dragging an absolutely gigantic greatsword behind him. The blade scrapes against the cobblestone, sending an awful grinding sound through the air. I wince and cover my ears with my tiny hands.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. That thing is enormous! It¡¯s easily bigger than both of us combined! A shiver runs down my spine just looking at it. ¡°A-alright! And what about that thing?¡± I point at the oversized monstrosity of a sword. ¡°Have you ever tried wielding one of those?¡± Eris shrugs, completely unfazed. ¡°Oh, of course! Actually, behemoth swords are one of my favorites.¡± ¡°Heeeeeh? Really?¡± I narrow my eyes at her, skeptical. I mean, sure, Eris is strong¡ªher muscles are no joke¡ªbut compared to that hulking bear Furren, she¡¯s just a slim and petite catgirl. I can¡¯t exactly picture her lifting, let alone wielding something that massive. Either she¡¯s messing with me¡­ or she¡¯s way stronger than I thought. ¡°What? You don¡¯t believe me?¡± Eris tilts her head, arching a playful eyebrow at my skeptical expression. I giggle, shaking my head. ¡°Nah. I mean, you¡¯re strong, but that thing looks insane!¡± I gesture toward the massive greatsword still scraping against the cobblestone behind the bear Furren. Eris smirks. That kind of smirk¡ªthe one that practically screams I¡¯m about to prove you wrong. She crosses her arms, leaning in slightly. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll show you one day. You¡¯ll see.¡± I grin. ¡°Yeah! I¡¯m looking forward to it!¡± If she¡¯s serious, and she can actually wield a weapon like that¡­ Oh my gosh. That would be so cool! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Moments later, we find ourselves standing in the heart of Mistvale¡¯s bustling street food market. WOAAAAAH!!! There¡¯s food everywhere! My eyes go wide as I take in the chaotic, mouthwatering scene before me. Stalls stretch endlessly down the street, each one sizzling, roasting, or frying something that smells absolutely divine. My nose is immediately assaulted by the most glorious mix of scents¡ªgrilled meats, rich spices, sweet pastries, and something crispy and savory that I can¡¯t even begin to describe. It¡¯s like I¡¯ve died and gone to fantasy food heaven. Everywhere I look, something delicious calls my name. Vendors flip skewers of smoky, charred meat over open flames, their rich, tangy BBQ glaze dripping onto the sizzling grill below. A nearby stall boasts crispy Filoan wings, slathered in a sweet and spicy honey glaze that has me weak in the knees. And the pastries¡ªoh my goodness¡ªthe fluffy moondust cakes are bigger than my head, dusted with powdered sugar that glitters like tiny stars. There are buttery flower-shaped rolls, their soft petals oozing with melted herb butter, and pies so golden and flaky that they practically glow. Just when I think I¡¯ve seen it all, my gaze lands on the more¡­ exotic offerings. A bubbling pot of bright pink snails simmers in some mysterious sauce that looks like molten lava¡ªso, probably extremely spicy. And then¡­ Oh gods. Deep-fried Tarantulian spiders. Each one is as big as my palm, battered and skewered, looking like something straight out of a horror movie. My stomach flips just thinking about it. Definitely not touching that. But aside from the terrifying arachnid cuisine, everything else looks AMAZING. The portions are huge, the smells intoxicating, and my stomach feels like it¡¯s about to riot from sheer excitement. BRRRRRRRRR!!! It is rioting!!! ¡°Aaaaaaaa~!!¡± I wail, clutching my head in dramatic agony. ¡°Eris, help meee!!!¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Eris turns to me, one eyebrow raised. ¡°What¡¯s wrong now?¡± ¡°There¡¯s too much food! I don¡¯t know what to try first!¡± I exclaim, my eyes darting wildly between the dozens of tempting stalls. My stomach growls so loudly I swear people down the street can hear it. ¡°Hahaha! Is that so?¡± Eris laughs, clearly amused. ¡°Alright! Follow me¡ªI¡¯ll take you to one of my favorites!¡± Her grin is so wide, so full of excitement, that I don¡¯t even hesitate. ¡°Yesssss! Let¡¯s gooo!!!¡± I squeal, practically bouncing after her. And just like that, Eris grabs my hand and pulls me through the chaotic maze of food stalls and hungry people. We pass so many vendors selling so many amazing-looking dishes, my stomach protesting with every step. But Eris seems to have a very specific place in mind. After what feels like an eternity of navigating through the crowd, we finally stop in front of a small, unassuming stall sandwiched between two much flashier setups. Above it, a simple wooden sign reads: Schleimfisch. ¡­Huh? Unlike the other stalls, which have colorful banners, bright lanterns, and vendors shouting about their food, this one is humble. No decorations, no gimmicks. But¡­ The line in front of it is huge! At least thirty people are waiting, tailing down the street! And the best part? Nearly every single person in line is a cat Furren! ¡°Yeah! We cat Furrens go crazy for this stuff.¡± Eris grins, beaming with pride. ¡°This is our signature dish! Felicia, you have to try it!¡± She turns to me with so much excitement in her eyes, I can¡¯t even think about saying no. ¡°Quick, get in line before it gets any longer!¡± Before I can even process what¡¯s happening, Eris pulls me into the line, practically vibrating with excitement. She¡¯s bouncing on her feet like a kitten about to get a treat, her tail flicking impatiently. ¡°Ooooh, I can¡¯t wait! It¡¯s been forever since I last had Schleimfisch!¡± She wipes away the bit of drool forming at the corner of her mouth. Seeing her react like this, I can¡¯t help but feel my own excitement skyrocket. If this is a dish that drives catgirls wild¡­ HECK YEAH. I NEED TO TRY THIS. However¡­ Something isn¡¯t right. ¡­ What is that weird smell? Chapter 32 - Sleimfisch Mmmmmmhhhh~!!! Eris moans happily, hugging her cheek with one hand, eyes closed in pure bliss as she savors her portion of Schleimfisch. Her tail swishes lazily, her entire body radiating satisfaction. But me? ¡°EUGHHHHH!!!!¡± Just one whiff, and I feel my stomach do a full somersault. What kind of unholy abomination is this?! The dish before me is¡­ beyond horrific. It¡¯s literally rotten fish innards, mixed with some kind of slimy, mucousy substance until it resembles a giant booger. And if that wasn¡¯t bad enough, it¡¯s drenched in a pungent fishy brine so strong it feels like it could melt my nasal lining on contact. And the texture¡­? Oh, gods. It¡¯s a full-blown nightmare. The gelatinous mass glistens ominously, wobbling with a sickening wet sheen. It jiggles like it¡¯s alive, slopping off the spoon in slow motion, as if it¡¯s plotting its escape. And yet¡­ Eris and the other catgirls around me are devouring it like it¡¯s the greatest dish ever created! Some mix it into their rice, others are just gulping it straight from the spoon without a second thought. I don¡¯t understand. How? How is this possible?! I glance down at my own bowl of Schleimfisch rice, and dread pools in my stomach. There¡¯s no way this is edible¡­ right? Every time I move my spoon, the Schleimfisch makes this sticky, slopping sound that sends a violent shudder down my spine. Imagine natto¡ªbut worse. Why am I doing this to myself? I didn¡¯t even survive my first bite of natto back on Earth, and now I¡¯m staring down this culinary nightmare. ¡°Huhuuuu¡­¡± I whimper, my lower lip trembling. ¡°Eris¡­ I can¡¯t¡­¡± But Eris just beams at me, completely unfazed. ¡°Huh? Why? Just take a bite! You¡¯ll like it!¡± ¡°Yeah! You¡¯ll like it!¡± The other catgirls chime in enthusiastically, their eyes wide and eager.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. And now¡­ ALL of their eyes are on me. Ahhhhhh¡­ I¡¯m so screwed. Damn it. How did I even get here?! On one hand, I don¡¯t want to die. But on the other¡­ if I don¡¯t eat this, they¡¯re going to revoke my catgirl membership. I¡¯ll be labeled a fraud¡ªa catgirl imposter. I swallow hard, my gaze locking onto the wobbly, jelly-like fish on my spoon. It jiggles ominously, like it¡¯s daring me to eat it. Alright! I steel myself because I¡¯ve decided. Even if it kills me, I¡¯ll do it for the catgirls! My hand is literally trembling as I scoop up a tiny, pathetic amount¡ªbarely a teaspoon¡¯s worth. I brace myself for the inevitable. ¡°Felicia! You got this!¡± Eris cheers, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She pinches her nose with a grin. ¡°If the smell¡¯s too much, just block it like this!¡± Alright¡­ that might actually help! Maybe. I follow her lead, pinching my nose tightly while my other hand, shaking like a leaf in a storm, shovels the spoon into my mouth. The moment the Schleimfisch hits my tongue¡ª I freeze. Ahhh¡­ It was a mistake. I want to cry so bad. The texture is beyond comprehension¡ªslimy, slippery, and clinging to every corner of my mouth like an alien life form. It wiggles and oozes, refusing to go down easily. And the flavor¡­ Salty. TOO salty. Like I just took a mouthful of the ocean. But then¡­ Something changes. In just seconds, my taste buds adjust¡ªmagically. The overwhelming saltiness fades. Replaced by¡­ A deep, rich umami goodness. ¡°¡­Oh damn!!!¡± I exclaim, my eyes wide with shock. It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s¡­ ¡°It¡¯s not bad!¡± I blink, barely believing my own words. ¡°Actually¡­ it¡¯s kinda¡­ good???¡± ¡°See? I told you!¡± Eris grins, looking smug as hell. ¡°YAAAAAYYYY!!!¡± The other catgirls burst into applause, cheering like I just performed a heroic feat. But still¡­ I¡¯m sooooo confused. Am I tripping or something? I take another whiff. YUP. The smell is still EUGHHHHH!!! The texture is still nightmare fuel. But the taste? The taste is soooooooo good it somehow overrides all the grossness! And so¡ª I scoop up another bite of Schleimfisch and rice. EUGHHH! I gag again. But the moment it hits my tongue¡ª Mmmhhhhmmmmm!!!!! My body trembles in pleasure! It¡¯s so good. SO GOOD. I¡ªI¡ª I just can¡¯t stop eating!!! Nom nom nom nom!!! Eughhhh!!! I¡¯m basically gagging and stuffing my face at the same time! This is RIDICULOUS!!! How can this be?! The most nasty-tasty food ever! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- And just like that¡ªin no time at all¡ªmy bowl is empty. My spoon clatters against the bottom, the sound echoing like a battle bell signaling the end of an impossible fight. ¡°WOOOO!! That was¡­ something!!!¡± I gasp, my whole body still trembling from the experience. Beads of sweat drip down my forehead like I¡¯ve just woken up from a horrifying nightmare. I can¡¯t believe it. I actually survived that dish. So that was Schleimfisch¡ªthe legendary catgirl food! Definitely an acquired taste. I slump back, wiping the sweat from my brow, my mind still reeling. Now that I think about it¡­ It reminds me of something from Earth. Ah¡ªstinky tofu. I tried it once. The smell still haunts me to this day. They say the worse it smells, the better it tastes. But THIS?! This is like stinky tofu x10¡ªwith extra nightmare fuel on top! With that terrifying ordeal behind me, we say our goodbyes to the group of catgirls and catdudes and continue our morning quest for delicious food. I try other dishes¡ªkebabs, wings, skewers sizzling with juicy meat. But¡­ After eating Schleimfisch¡­ Everything else tastes bland. I blink in disbelief. Did that dish just ruin my taste buds??? Eris giggles, clearly enjoying my distress. ¡°Hehe, that¡¯s the side effect! It just shows how awesome Schleimfisch is!¡± she beams. ¡°Eeeeehhh¡­.¡± I groan, dragging my feet. I don¡¯t even know if I want to try that dish again¡­ But at the very least¡ª It¡¯s an experience I¡¯ll never forget. Chapter 33: Ice cream After devouring Schleimfisch and a variety of other dishes, Eris and I continue wandering through the bustling streets of Mistvale¡¯s morning food market. But now? Now, I need something sweet¡ªsomething refreshing¡ªto cleanse my poor taste buds after that questionable experience. ¡°Eris,¡± I whine dramatically, clutching my stomach like a damsel in distress, ¡°I need something sweet to save me¡­ Is there any good dessert around here?¡± Eris hums thoughtfully, tapping her chin. ¡°A dessert, huh? Let¡¯s go look around!¡± ¡°Nn!¡± I nod eagerly. With that, we dive back into the sea of food stalls, weaving through the crowd. My eyes dart around like a kid in a candy store, scanning for something light, fluffy, and sweet. And then¡ª I see it. A milk stall. Not just any milk stall¡ªa vendor selling fresh, ice-cold milk! My eyes light up like fireworks. ¡°Look!¡± I exclaim, tugging on Eris¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Milk! It¡¯s cold milk!!!¡± ¡°Oh, good eyes!¡± Eris grins, following my gaze. We hurry over, and right away, something even cooler catches my attention. Behind the vendor, another man is working with a glowing blue crystal, mist swirling around it like tiny snowflakes. He pours water into a mold, taps it to the crystal, and¡ª Whoosh! The water freezes instantly into solid ice. ¡°WOAAAAHH!!¡± I gasp, clinging to Eris¡¯s arm. ¡°What is that?!¡± Eris chuckles at my amazement. ¡°That? It¡¯s an ice magic crystal!¡± she explains. ¡°They¡¯re found inside dungeons. Just a little touch, and bam¡ªinstant ice!¡± ¡°Ooooh!¡± My jaw drops. So that¡¯s how they make ice in this world?! Honestly, who needs a refrigerator when you have magic this good?! We quickly join the line, and when it¡¯s our turn, the vendor greets us with a cheerful grin. ¡°Hey ladies, would you like some cold milk?¡± he asks, motioning to a lineup of frosty milk bottles. ¡°We¡¯ve even got ice cream if you¡¯re in the mood for something sweeter!¡± ¡­ Wait. Ice cream?! THE FREAKING ICE CREAM?!?!? My entire world shifts. I grab Eris¡¯s shoulders, shaking her slightly. ¡°DID HE JUST SAY ICE CREAM?!¡± Eris laughs. ¡°Yep! It¡¯s a popular treat, especially in the summer!¡± I turn back to the vendor, eyes blazing with excitement. And sure enough¡ªthere it is. A row of big, colorful buckets sit in a frosty bath of ice, each filled with different flavors of ice cream!If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Milk, chocolate, berries¡­ so many colors! They actually have ice cream in this world. I¡¯m about to cry. Then, the choice is obvious! ¡°Ice cream, please!¡± I say, practically bouncing with excitement. ¡°Alright, two ice creams for us,¡± Eris adds, grinning. The vendor nods. ¡°And what flavors would you like?¡± I stare at the buckets of colorful ice cream, scanning each one curiously. None of the names make any sense to me, so I go with the one that matches my favorite color. ¡°I¡¯ll have the reddest one, please!¡± ¡°Ooooh, Roterraberry, huh? Nice choice!¡± Eris winks before pointing at another bucket. ¡°I¡¯ll take the blue one¡ªAzuriberry, please!¡± The vendor scoops up our ice cream, drizzles some thick, glossy syrup over the cones, and hands them to us. And just like that¡­ Voil¨¤! ICE CREAM! I cradle mine carefully, as if holding the world¡¯s greatest treasure, then take a tentative lick. The moment my tongue meets the creamy ice cream and that sweet, tangy syrup¡­ Mmmmmnnnhhhh!!! ¡°It¡¯s delishhh!!!¡± I exclaim, practically melting from happiness. This is exactly what my taste buds needed! The flavor is basically just strawberry ice cream, like the ones back on Earth¡ªonly a bit creamier. But hey! Ice cream is ice cream¡ªit¡¯s the best thing ever invented! ¡°Hmmm, not bad!¡± Eris says, licking her own cone. Then, she turns to me with a playful smile. ¡°Felicia, wanna try mine?¡± My ears perk up. ¡°Oh? Can I?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Roterraberry is good, but not mind-blowing. Maybe Azuriberry is better? It¡¯s so blue. I wonder if it tastes like blueberries? Thus, we switch cones, and I take a curious lick of the blue syrup. Mmmmmhh!!! I knew it! This blue stuff is basically otherworldly blueberries! ¡°So, you like it?¡± Eris asks, watching me with amusement. ¡°Nn!¡± I nod, enthusiastically licking away. But then¡­ I freeze. Wait a minute. HOLD UP. Did we just¡­ INDIRECT KISSU AGAIN?!?!? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I glance at Eris, eyes wide. Oh no. SHE¡¯S LICKING THE EXACT SAME SPOT I JUST LICKED. SHE KNOWS. I panic, spinning around so fast that my cloak whips behind me like a cape. My face erupts into flames, and my ears feel like they¡¯re about to explode. I can¡¯t let her see me like this! Not again! In a blind attempt to distract myself, I take a massive chomp out of my ice cream. ¡­ ¡°Aaaaaaaa¡­.¡± I groan, tears filling my eyes. ¡°My head¡­ it hurts!!!¡± A sharp, freezing pain slams into my skull, making my entire tail puff up like a startled kitten. My whole body shivers violently, ears twitching as I clutch my head in pure agony. This is all Eris¡¯s fault!!! And what is she doing?! Laughing. SHE¡¯S LAUGHING AT ME. ¡°Now, now,¡± Eris chuckles, looking smug. ¡°You can¡¯t just inhale ice cream like that, silly! You¡¯ll get brain freeze!¡± She says this while taking a perfectly normal, elegant lick of her cone. Meanwhile, I¡¯m out here dying. ¡°H-HELP ME!!!¡± I wail, shivering uncontrollably. Eris just giggles and pats my head. ¡°You¡¯ll live.¡± SHE¡¯S NOT EVEN HELPING!!! For some stupid reason, brain freeze as a catgirl feels ten times worse than when I was human! I can¡¯t even be mad, though. This ice cream? Totally worth it. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Later¡­ By the time we finally exit the bustling food market, the sun hangs high in the sky, signaling noon. And my belly? Stuffed. I¡¯m so full that I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll need another meal today. Ever. Each step feels a little heavier, my body sluggish from all the food. My tail sways lazily behind me, and all I really want right now is to find a nice shady spot and nap until tomorrow. But there¡¯s work to do. We make our way toward the center of Mistvale, where the streets widen into a broad main road that¡¯s alive with activity. Vendors call out their final bargains, merchants haggle over goods, and adventurers stride past in heavy armor, some laughing, some arguing, some dragging monstrous carcasses behind them. And after a few more minutes of weaving through the lively crowd, we finally reach our destination: The Mistvale Plaza. This vast, open square is the beating heart of the city. Here, three towering buildings dominate the space, standing as symbols of power and governance: The Mistvale Public Office The Commercial Guild The Adventurer¡¯s Guild According to Eris, these are the only places authorized to issue identity cards. But there¡¯s a problem. I have no paperwork. No birth records. No proof of where I come from. No established identity. My chances of getting an ID here? Practically zero. And worse¡ªif they figure out that I have no records¡­ Things could go south fast. Without proper identification, I could be flagged as a criminal trying to hide my identity¡­ or worse¡ª A slave with no recognized human rights. The thought alone sends a chill down my spine. Eris, noticing my hesitation, suddenly reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her grip is warm, steady, and full of confidence. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Felicia,¡± she says with a reassuring smile. I glance at her. Previously, she mentioned that she has connections within the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. That she¡¯ll handle everything. That I¡¯ll be fine. And I trust her. After all, I¡¯ve already put my life in her hands since the moment we met. Thus, with Eris leading the way, we step forward¡ª Straight toward the largest building in the plaza. The Mistvale Adventurer¡¯s Guild. Chapter 34: Adventurers Guild The Mistvale Adventurer¡¯s Guild. A towering five-story structure that dominates the plaza, its architecture both imposing and grand. Massive stone columns flank the entrance, and the entire building hums with the energy of warriors, mages, and rogues alike. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes¡ªhumans and Furrens¡ªmill about the front, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of chatter, laughter, and clinking metal. Some are clad in gleaming armor, their weapons polished and sharp. Others wear flowing robes, mysterious and poised. Their presence alone radiates experience, power, and a lifetime of battle. The sheer sight of so many seasoned fighters makes my heart race as we approach the entrance. Eris pauses at the giant wooden doors, then turns to me. ¡°Are you ready?¡± I nod. Though, deep down, I have no idea if I am. My palms feel clammy, my heart pounding, but I follow her inside nonetheless. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª As we step in, The interior is even more impressive than I imagined. A grand hall stretches before us, alive with bustling adventurers. Some sit at long wooden tables, strategizing or sharing drinks after a long quest. Others gather around quest boards, studying potential jobs with serious intent. Maps and trophies of past expeditions decorate the walls, the entire space designed for those who live and breathe adventure. The hall is divided into five major sections: The Registration Desk ¨C Near the entrance on the right, where new adventurers sign up and parties are formed. The Quest Board ¨C Opposite the desk, where adventurers pick jobs based on difficulty and rewards. The Item Trading Area ¨C A space deeper inside, bustling with people bartering weapons, potions, and dungeon loot. The Adventurer Inquiries Section ¨C A serious space for solving disputes, reporting dungeon crimes, or settling loot claims. The Dungeon Library ¨C A massive, multi-floor library filled with records of past dungeon expeditions, research papers, and ancient texts. Naturally, I expect Eris to take me straight to the Registration Desk. After all, I¡¯m here for an ID, right? But¡ª To my surprise, she leads me toward the Dungeon Library instead.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. We approach the library¡¯s front counter, where a tall, slender lizard Furren stands. His posture is flawless¡ªstraight, professional. His attire is crisp and sharp, not a wrinkle in sight. His white hair cascades neatly down his back, a stark contrast against the dark green scales peeking through his sleeves. And his golden, slitted pupils? They seem sharp¡ªtoo sharp, like they see more than what¡¯s on the surface. Right now, he¡¯s mid-conversation with an adventurer, but the moment he spots us approaching¡ª His expression shifts. Just for a moment. It¡¯s subtle¡ªso brief it almost doesn¡¯t happen¡ªbut I catch it. A flicker of recognition? Surprise? Interest? Then, just as quickly, his face returns to cold, professional neutrality. Without a word, he nods slightly, signaling for us to wait. I take the brief pause to glance at his name tag. Karven. A few moments later, the adventurer bows slightly, takes his leave, and Karven¡¯s gaze settles on us. He doesn¡¯t speak. He simply steps from behind the counter, his movements smooth and precise, and gestures for us to follow. We step past the main library desk, and he leads us toward a small, unmarked door behind the counter. There¡¯s no sign, no indication of what lies beyond. My heart skips a beat. This isn¡¯t a normal public interaction. I glance nervously at Eris, seeking some kind of reassurance. She simply smiles and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. Together, we step forward. And with that¡ª We vanish from the main hall, slipping through the door into the unknown. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- We follow Karven down a dimly lit corridor, the flickering torchlight casting long, eerie shadows against the stone walls. The deeper we go, the colder the air grows, each step echoing in the silence. Step. Step. The stillness is suffocating. It feels as if we¡¯re descending into some hidden underground lair, like a secret society¡¯s forbidden chamber. My mind whirls with questions, my heart hammering against my ribs. From the way Karven and Eris interact, it¡¯s clear they know each other well. Eris wasn¡¯t lying when she said she had connections¡ªbut why the secrecy? Why bring me here in such a discreet manner? What exactly is going on? After what feels like an eternity, we stop in front of a massive stone door. Unlike the other doors we passed, this one is unmarked¡ªno signs, no symbols, just an imposing slab of cold rock. Karven presses his hand against it, and with surprising ease, it swings open. I brace myself, half-expecting some kind of ominous chamber filled with cloaked figures chanting in the dark. Instead, I blink in surprise. It¡¯s¡­ just a normal room. A well-furnished lounge, to be exact. Plush couches surround a polished wooden table, and the warm glow of lanterns illuminates the space, casting a cozy ambiance. There¡¯s even a neatly arranged tray of cookies and candies at the center of the table, as if we¡¯re about to have afternoon tea instead of a secret meeting. ¡­Okay. Definitely not what I was expecting. ¡°Please, have a seat,¡± Karven says politely, gesturing toward the couches. Eris and I settle onto one of the seats, though my mind is still racing. My eyes flick to the cookies, tempted, but my nerves keep me from reaching out. This situation is just too bizarre. ¡°Wait here for a moment,¡± Karven continues with a respectful bow. ¡°The Guildmaster will be with you shortly.¡± Wait. Guildmaster? I snap my head toward Eris, my eyes wide. ¡°E-Eris, your connection is¡­ the Guildmaster?!¡± She giggles, clearly amused by my shock. ¡°Hehe, surprised?¡± Uooooohhhh!!! If Eris personally knows the Guildmaster, then I¡¯m saved! This is huge! My ID problem? Practically solved! No wonder she was so confident all along! My heart swells with relief, and a tiny bit of excitement. This whole time, she had an ace up her sleeve! But¡­ There¡¯s still one thing I don¡¯t understand. If Eris is close to the Guildmaster, why are we meeting them in secret like this? Chapter 35: Guildmaster ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? Because we¡¯re doing this illegally,¡± Eris says. And she says it so nonchalantly, like this is just another casual Tuesday for her. ¡°It¡¯s true that I know the Guildmaster,¡± she continues, stretching lazily, ¡°but I don¡¯t know anyone else. Well, except for Karven. So we have to be careful. All the rooms and floors of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild are monitored by magical surveillance devices. Meeting the Guildmaster here, in secret, is a lot safer than doing it in his office or some random public spot.¡± ¡°I-I see¡­¡± I stammer, feeling an uncomfortable chill creep up my spine. ¡°Well,¡± Eris shrugs, ¡°there¡¯s always the option of getting your ID through the black market. But that¡¯s even riskier. We could end up in an even bigger mess than we¡¯re already in.¡± ¡°W-what if we¡¯re caught?¡± I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. Eris grins, then suddenly¡ª KKKGH! She makes a slicing motion across her throat, mimicking a beheading. Oh shit. ¡°I-Is it really that serious?¡± I squeak. ¡°Yeah,¡± Eris replies, her grin fading into something much more serious. Her sharp blue eyes darken, and her voice lowers. ¡°Forging official documents is a capital offense here. If we get caught, you could literally lose your head for it. And not just you¡ªme, the Guildmaster, Karven¡ªeveryone involved would be at risk.¡± Oh shit! A chill rattles through me, cold and merciless. My stomach drops, and suddenly, this whole plan feels much, much more dangerous than I had realized. Back on Earth, identity fraud was serious, sure. But usually, it meant a few years in prison or a hefty fine. Here? It means death. I stare at Eris, hoping, praying she¡¯s just messing with me, that this is another one of her dumb jokes. And then¡ª ¡°Haha, just kidding!¡± she bursts out laughing, slapping me on the back like she didn¡¯t just give me a mini heart attack. ¡°Not a death sentence, just a few thousand crowns fine! The Guildmaster will take care of it. Just leave it to him!¡± Oh¡­ Ohhhhhh. So it was just a joke. I squint at her. DAMN IT! ¡°AAARGHHH!!¡± I wail, flailing my tiny fists against her arm. ¡°Eris! Don¡¯t scare me like that!¡± ¡°Pfft¡ªHAHAHA!¡± She clutches her belly, laughing so hard she nearly falls off the couch. ¡°Your face just now! It was so serious! I swear, I thought you were gonna faint! Ahhh, that was adorable! I can¡¯t breathe¡ª!¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± I cross my arms and turn away with a pout. Still, now that I know we won¡¯t be executed on the spot, my nerves settle just a little. The tight knot of anxiety in my chest loosens, and I let out a deep breath. ¡°But still,¡± Eris says, finally calming down, ¡°getting your ID is really important.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I nod, the weight of the situation still pressing on me. Without it, I wouldn¡¯t be able to work, to earn money, to live freely. Technically, I wouldn¡¯t even have basic rights. Without an identity, I¡¯d be treated as a criminal¡ªor worse, a slave. A shiver runs through me. ¡°Anyway,¡± I say, turning back to Eris. ¡°How can you be so sure he¡¯ll help us? Did you bribe him or something?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Eris scoffs, leaning back against the couch and folding her arms behind her head. ¡°Bribe him? Nah. Even if I wanted to bribe him, he wouldn¡¯t take it.¡± I open my mouth to ask why, but before I can, the door creaks open. And just like that, my question dies in my throat. A tall, imposing lizard Furren steps into the room, his mere presence thick with authority. His sharp golden eyes sweep over us, calculating, piercing, as if he can see straight through my soul. The air in the room shifts. Heavy. Powerful. So this¡­ is the Guildmaster! He bears a striking resemblance to Karven¡ªthe same white, spiky hair and dark green scales marking parts of his face. But where Karven exudes professionalism and calm, this man is on an entirely different level. He¡¯s dressed in regal attire¡ªa deep red suit adorned with intricate silver embroidery, with the unmistakable crest of the Mistvale Adventurer¡¯s Guild emblazoned on his chest. Every stitch, every detail radiates prestige. Large, leathery wings extend from his back, folded neatly, yet their sheer presence adds to his imposing aura. But it¡¯s his eyes that freeze me in place. Golden. Slitted. Piercing. The kind of gaze that demands submission without a single word. The moment those eyes lock onto mine, my entire body goes rigid. My breath catches, my heart stutters, and for a brief second, I feel small. Just how can someone command so much authority in a single glance? I¡¯ve never felt anything like this before. It¡¯s as if his mere presence weighs down the air itself. If he asked me a question right now, I¡¯m certain I¡¯d confess everything¡ªeven things I haven¡¯t done. This isn¡¯t just confidence. This is the weight of undeniable power. Terrifying. Absolute. Authority.! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª However, a few moments later¡­ ¡°Mmmmnnhh!!! This is so good!¡± I practically melt into my seat, happily munching on cookies, savoring every delicious, buttery bite. Who would¡¯ve thought? The terrifying, imposing Guildmaster who had me frozen with fear just moments ago¡­ is actually super nice! Like, grandfather-level nice. Turns out, his name is Karlogen Vonderask¡ªpretty cool, right? But since Eris calls him Karl, I do too. And, as I quickly discover, he¡¯s actually Karven¡¯s father! That explains the resemblance. But the surprises don¡¯t stop there. Apparently, Karl was an old friend of Eris¡¯s father. In fact, Eris¡¯s dad once saved his life back in the day, when Karl was still an active dungeon explorer. That experience bonded them, forging a friendship where they would always have each other¡¯s backs. It¡¯s no wonder Eris came to Mistvale¡ªbetween Chef Gordon and Guildmaster Karlogen, she has some seriously solid connections here! Karl chuckles, his deep, rumbling voice warm and full of amusement. ¡°If you like, Karven can prepare some extra cookies for you to take home as a nighttime snack.¡± My ears perk up instantly. ¡°YES, PLEASE!!!¡± I exclaim, practically vibrating with happiness. ¡°Thank you so much, Guildmaster Karl!¡± And just like that, he¡¯s officially my new favorite person. Karl smiles, but then his expression turns slightly more serious as he shifts his attention to Eris. ¡°So, Eris,¡± he says, folding his hands together. ¡°How can I help you today? Since you requested to meet in secret, I take it this is a sensitive matter?¡± ¡°Well¡­ kind of,¡± Eris replies. ¡°It¡¯s about Felicia.¡± She pauses, then begins explaining everything¡ªwho I am, why I have no ID, and the situation we¡¯re in. I stop munching on my cookie, suddenly feeling a little nervous again. This is it. The moment of truth. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Moments later¡­ ¡°So, as you can see, Felicia lost all of her memories. The only thing she remembers is her name¡­¡± Eris explains, her tone lighter than the weight of the topic. ¡°Ah¡­ I see.¡± Karlogen nods slowly, his golden eyes softening with understanding. ¡°That must be very difficult.¡± I lower my gaze, unsure how to respond. Even though I know the truth¡ªthat this catgirl¡¯s past is a complete mystery even to me¡ªit still feels strange to hear it spoken aloud. ¡°So, Karl,¡± Eris continues, leaning forward slightly, ¡°would you be able to help us this time? Felicia needs an ID so she can work.¡± ¡°Of course, that won¡¯t be a problem,¡± Karlogen replies kindly. ¡°And regarding her previous identity, I¡¯ll also look into it.¡± ¡°Oh, that would be wonderful! Are you planning to search the magic signature archive?¡± Eris asks. ¡°Yup,¡± Karlogen nods. ¡°We¡¯ll start that process once she¡¯s registered with the Guild. But of course, only if Miss Felicia here is comfortable with it.¡± I blink, caught off guard by his consideration. ¡°Well¡­ I don¡¯t mind,¡± I reply after a moment. Truthfully, I¡¯m just as curious as anyone about who this body belonged to before I woke up in it. ¡°But, um¡­ what exactly is a magic signature?¡± ¡°Oh, think of it like a fingerprint, but magic!¡± Eris chimes in, her tail flicking as she prepares to explain. A magic signature, as Eris describes, is a unique magical imprint inherent to every living being. Unlike fingerprints, which are distinct but completely individual, magic signatures are somewhat hereditary. They carry traces of one¡¯s lineage, making them useful for tracking down familial ties or confirming identities. It¡¯s similar to how genetic testing works on Earth¡ªexcept, instead of DNA, they analyze the residual magical essence a person naturally emits. I listen intently, fascinated. This world truly operates on an entirely different set of rules. ¡°But¡­ what if I don¡¯t have any magic?¡± I ask hesitantly, a small worry gnawing at me. ¡°Huh?¡± Eris gives me an incredulous look before bursting into laughter. ¡°Felicia, everything has a magic signature¡ªeven the smallest blade of grass!¡± ¡°Ooooooh!¡± My ears perk up as realization dawns. ¡°Then¡­ does that mean I can use magic too?!¡± The thought sends a jolt of excitement through me. The idea of wielding magic has been a fantasy of mine for ages! Eris grins. ¡°Of course! But that depends on your mana core!¡± Mana core? A whole new wave of curiosity washes over me. I can already tell¡ªI need to learn more about this. Chapter 36: Catgirl nap With that settled, I come to terms with the fact that I¡¯ll be stuck here in the Guild¡¯s secret chamber for the next four hours. The reason? My illegal ID registration process can¡¯t begin until the Guild¡¯s business hours officially end and the chambers are empty. ¡°I¡¯ll return to my office now. If you need anything, just let Karven know,¡± Karlogen says, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. ¡°Alright, see you later, Karl,¡± Eris replies casually. ¡°Thank you, Guildmaster Karl,¡± I add, bowing slightly. Karlogen gives a warm smile, nods in acknowledgment, and then gracefully exits the room. As the heavy door clicks shut behind him, a noticeable silence settles over the chamber. Now, it¡¯s just me and Eris. ¡°Well, four hours is a long wait,¡± Eris sighs, stretching her arms lazily. Then, as if on cue, she lets out a deep yawn. ¡°Felicia, let¡¯s take a nap!¡± The moment she yawns, I do too. My catgirl instincts must be kicking in because my eyelids suddenly feel unbearably heavy. Whether it¡¯s from all the food I devoured earlier or some weird feline genetics, exhaustion washes over me like a wave. ¡°Yeaaaaahhh¡­¡± I mumble, rubbing my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m gonna move to another couch.¡± I attempt to sit up, but before I can even set my foot down, Eris swiftly grabs my wrist. ¡°No, stay here,¡± she insists. ¡°Eh? But there isn¡¯t enough space for the two of us¡­¡± ¡°But I need to hold your hand!¡± Eris exclaims as if that settles the matter entirely. Oh. Right. We did promise to always hold hands when we sleep. I glance at the narrow couch, then at Eris, then back at the couch again. With how little space we have, there¡¯s no way we can both fit comfortably. Before I can voice my concern, Eris suddenly stands up, dusts off her hands, and confidently declares, ¡°Leave it to me.¡± With effortless ease, she walks over to another couch, grips it firmly with one hand, and¡ª Hup!If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. She lifts it like it weighs nothing. Bam! She sets it down beside ours, aligning them perfectly to create a makeshift bed. Jumping onto her handiwork with a triumphant grin, she pats the space beside her. ¡°Hehe, now there¡¯s enough space. Let¡¯s nap!¡± I blink at her, utterly impressed. ¡°That¡­ was kind of amazing.¡± Eris just beams. ¡°Come on, hurry up!¡± Giving in, I crawl onto the expanded couch bed and settle in beside her. We lay facing each other, hands naturally intertwining. The warmth of her palm is comforting, steady. Within seconds, Eris drifts off, her breathing slow and even. And soon enough, I follow, sinking into a peaceful slumber beside her. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª And just like that, Eris and I drift off into a peaceful nap. In my dream, it¡¯s my birthday, and Eris buys me an entire year¡¯s supply of Schleimfisch. Let¡¯s just say¡­ It was a weird dream. But then, as I slowly awaken, my eyes fluttering open¡ª Eh? BA-DUMP! Our faces are incredibly close¡ªso close that I can feel the warmth of her breath gently brushing against my lips. My heart skips a beat, and in a flash, I flip onto my back, barely suppressing the urge to scream. Holy crap, that was dangerously close! At some point in our sleep, we must have shifted, inching closer without realizing it. We almost¡ªalmost ended up kissing! I take a solid minute to calm down, pressing a hand to my racing heart. Slowly, I sit up and glance at the clock on the wall. There are still two hours left until business hours end. But now that I¡¯m fully awake, there¡¯s no way I can fall back asleep! I sigh, leaning back against the couch. Guess I¡¯ll just lay here and¡­ watch Eris sleep? And so I do. Oh my¡­ She¡¯s beautiful. Even in sleep. Her midnight hair spills over the pillow in soft waves, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. Her face is relaxed, serene, with her lips slightly parted. They look so soft¡­ so delicate¡­ Before I know it, I find myself leaning in, drawn by an invisible force. Just a small, gentle peck¡­ she won¡¯t notice¡­ right? But just then¡ª Eris¡¯s eyelids flutter. BA-DUMP! I jolt back, heart pounding wildly. Damn it, Felicia! What are you doing?! She¡¯s beautiful¡ªno argument there¡ªbut I can¡¯t just kiss her like that! Consent. You need consent! I shake my head furiously, trying to banish the dangerous thoughts. That was far too close. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m lying down anymore. I need something¡ªanything¡ªto distract myself before I go insane. Then, an idea strikes me. Wait¡­ there¡¯s a library here, right? Where there¡¯s a library, there are books! Maybe I can ask Karven to lend me some. That should keep me busy and help me learn more about this world. Good thinking, me! With that plan in mind, I carefully slide off the couch bed, making sure not to disturb Eris. I tiptoe to the door and slip out, silently creeping up the stairs. Step by step, I make my way toward the entrance to the main floor. Karven had told me that if I needed anything, I could just knock on the door, and he would assist me. So, I take a deep breath and gently knock three times. To my surprise, the door opens immediately¡ª And there stands Karven, his golden eyes calm, his expression as unreadable as ever. ¡°Miss Felicia,¡± he greets smoothly. ¡°Do you need anything?¡± ¡°Ah, yes!¡± I reply, clasping my hands together. ¡°I was wondering¡­ could I borrow some books to read?¡± Chapter 37: Magic fundamentals ¡°Absolutely!¡± Karven replies with a warm smile. ¡°Anything you need, Miss Felicia. Just let me know what kind of book you¡¯re looking for, and I¡¯ll fetch it for you.¡± ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± I tap my chin, thinking. What should I read? Then, it hits me¡ªmagic! I really want to learn about the magic system in this world! ¡°Is there a beginner¡¯s book about magic?¡± I ask, feeling a bit embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯m totally new to it¡­ but I¡¯d love to learn!¡± ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re looking for something on the basics and fundamentals?¡± Karven confirms. ¡°Yes! Exactly!¡± I nod enthusiastically. ¡°Alright, please wait here for a moment,¡± he says before disappearing into the towering shelves of the library. I fidget with excitement, bouncing on my heels as I wait. Within minutes, he returns, holding a small book in his clawed hands. He hands it to me with a polite nod. I glance down at the cover, reading the title: Arcane: Chapter 1 ¡°Huh?¡± I blink, tilting my head. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Miss Felicia?¡± Karven asks. ¡°Oh, nothing!¡± I laugh sheepishly. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ smaller than I expected. And it looks so new!¡± For some reason, I had imagined a magic book to be a massive, ancient tome¡ªits pages thick with dust, its leather cover cracked with age, and heavy enough to knock someone unconscious if dropped. But this? This is just a regular book. Small, neat, and barely a few hundred pages long. Karven chuckles, amused. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s just the first chapter copied from the original. The full volume is so large it takes two people to carry it.¡± ¡°Oh, I see!¡± I say, grinning as I clutch the book to my chest. ¡°Thank you so much, Mister Karven!¡± ¡°My pleasure, Miss Felicia. Good luck on your magical journey.¡± With my precious book in hand, I hurry back down to the cozy basement room. Eris is still fast asleep, her steady breathing filling the quiet space. I carefully hop onto the couch bed beside her, making sure not to disturb her. Alright! Deep breath. I crack open the book, my heart pounding with excitement, and begin reading the very first page. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Arcane: First Chapter The book is surprisingly detailed yet incredibly easy to understand. To my surprise, the concept of magic itself is quite simple. First, what is magic? Magic is a natural force that has existed since the beginning of time, brought to life through the manipulation of mana¡ªthe invisible energy that flows through all living things and the world itself.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. By harnessing this force, individuals can perform an extraordinary range of feats. Simple spells might allow one to summon a flicker of fire, conjure small orbs of light, or lighten the weight of objects. Meanwhile, more advanced magic can control the weather, manipulate gravity, or create explosions powerful enough to reshape landscapes. The possibilities are endless, limited only by three factors: The amount of mana one possesses The attribute of their mana core Their knowledge and mastery of magic Then, what is mana core? A mana core functions in a mage¡¯s body much like a heart does for the circulatory system. It generates, stores, and circulates mana throughout the body, fueling magical abilities. This core can be strengthened through training, specialized potions, or rare herbs, increasing the user¡¯s magical power. Every mana core has an attribute¡ªan elemental affinity that determines the type of magic a person can wield. Most individuals have a mana core with just one attribute, allowing them to cast only one type of magic. For instance, a mage with a fire-type core can cast fire spells, while a mage with a water-type core is limited to water-based spells. And so, how many attributes are there? There are eight primary attributes known so far: Fire Water Earth Wind Space Time Light Darkness However, in reality, the number of attributes is limitless. Each element can manifest in countless unique forms. Fire, for instance, is not merely fire. It can take the form of: Healing fire that soothes wounds instead of burning Purifying fire that cleanses curses and impurities Explosive fire that detonates on impact Cold fire that burns without heat Similarly, water can take different forms: Healing water that restores vitality Corrosive water that dissolves matter Cleansing water that removes toxins and curses Ice, a frozen variation with different properties So far, thousands of mana core variations have been documented, with new ones emerging every day. No two mages are exactly alike, even if they share the same elemental affinity. As I finish reading, I can¡¯t help but wonder¡­ What attribute does my mana core hold? ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡°Hmmm¡­ so you want to learn magic?¡± ¡°Eeek!¡± I yelp, practically jumping out of my skin. It¡¯s Eris¡¯s voice! She startled me right out of my magical daydreams. I was so absorbed in the book that I had completely tuned out everything around me¡ªeven Eris, who was lying right next to me! ¡°Eris! When did you wake up?¡± I ask, trying to calm my racing heart. ¡°Hehe, just a few minutes ago,¡± she says with a teasing grin. ¡°You know, I love how your brows furrow when you¡¯re concentrating so hard. It¡¯s adorable!¡± ¡°Eh? My brows?¡± I blink, touching my forehead, suddenly self-conscious. ¡°Do I really do that?¡± ¡°Oh, yes, you do,¡± Eris chuckles, her tail swishing playfully behind her. But then a realization hits me. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± I narrow my eyes. ¡°Did you say anything else besides my brows?¡± ¡°Yep,¡± she says, that mischievous twinkle in her eye growing even brighter. ¡°I said you were very cute.¡± My cheeks ignite instantly. I grab a pillow and smush it over my face. ¡°Aaaah! Stop! Stop teasing me like that!¡± I squeak, my voice muffled. ¡°Hehe,¡± Eris laughs, clearly having the time of her life. ¡°You blush so easily! That¡¯s really cute too!¡± I groan loudly into the pillow before desperately changing the subject. ¡°A-Anyway!¡± I stammer. ¡°Eris, can you use magic? What¡¯s your mana core attribute?¡± ¡°Oh, my attribute?¡± she hums, completely unfazed by my flustered state. Then, casually, as if it¡¯s the most normal thing in the world, she says¡ª ¡°Darkness.¡± I freeze. Did she just say¡­ darkness?! My jaw drops. I expected something like ice magic considering how piercingly blue her eyes are, but darkness? That¡¯s on a whole new level of cool. ¡°Woah! That¡¯s so awesome!¡± I squeal, practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°C-Can you¡­ show me?¡± I look up at her with wide, pleading kitten eyes. But Eris simply shakes her head, still smiling. ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Ehhh?¡± I groan, crushed by disappointment. ¡°Please? Just a little?¡± I beg. I plead. I even unleash my deadliest weapon¡ªthe ultimate kitty eyes attack! But nothing works. Eris simply smirks, shakes her head, and keeps her lips sealed, her mysterious darkness magic remaining under wraps. So now, I know she can wield darkness magic¡­ But what kind of darkness magic does she have? I have absolutely no clue. Chapter 38: Mana sense Eris won¡¯t spill the beans about her magic, which makes me pout a little, but no matter! It¡¯s time for me to dive into the world of magic myself! The book already has instructions on how to begin, so I just need to follow along and give it my all. Step one: sensing mana. To use and manipulate mana, the first step is to feel it. But apparently, that¡¯s easier said than done. Each person can only perceive mana by ¡°awakening¡± their senses, and once awakened, everyone¡¯s mana perception is unique. For some, mana appears as colorful wisps or a smoky veil hovering around mana-rich things. For others, it¡¯s a scent, a distinct sound, or even a flavor! Usually, only one sense awakens per person. When an ordinary sense becomes attuned to mana, it¡¯s called a ¡°mana sense.¡± Interestingly, race plays a role in which sense awakens. Most cat Furrens develop visual mana perception, seeing it as floating lights or glowing waves. Dog, wolf, and mouse Furrens often develop a keen smell for mana, like sniffing out a storm before it hits. Lizard Furrens? They can taste it with their tongues, which is weird but kinda cool. And for non-Furren humans, it¡¯s completely random¡ªlike rolling a dice to see which sense gets upgraded. Now, how to awaken the mana sense? There are three popular methods: Method One: Meditative Focus This one¡¯s all about getting zen with it. Deep meditation, sensory isolation, and breathing exercises help tune in to mana¡¯s subtle vibe. Sitting in a dark, quiet room with a mana-rich object nearby can speed up the process. Method Two: Elemental Exposure This involves surrounding yourself with the element your mana core might resonate with. The problem? Most people can predict their mana attribute based on what their parents had. But I have no idea what mine is. So unless I want to soak myself in every element and see which one clicks, this option is out. Method Three: Using Powerful Drugs Fast, potent, and¡­ kind of risky. The upper class loves this one. Special potions can either heighten all senses or forcefully kickstart the mana sense directly. The catch? These drugs are rare, expensive, and have some wild side effects. Basically, the spicier the potion, the higher the risk. Some people even combine all three methods, going full intensity to speed things up. Alright, which one should I try? Since I have no clue about my elemental attribute and no magic booster juice, meditation is my best bet.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Alright, meditation time!¡± I declare, settling into a comfortable position and closing my eyes. ¡°Hehe, good luck!¡± Eris says, watching me with amusement. She dims the lights, leaving only a single candle flickering between us. Darkness surrounds us, thick and quiet. ¡°Ready?¡± she whispers, her voice barely above a breath. ¡°Nn!¡± I nod. Fuu~! Eris blows out the candle, plunging us into complete darkness. All my senses feel heightened now¡ªthe lingering scent of melted wax, the rhythmic thump-thump of my heart, the soft rise and fall of Eris¡¯s breathing¡­ and the comforting warmth of her fingers intertwined with mine. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- The book states that it usually takes around 500 hours of deep meditation for someone to awaken their mana sense. With sensory-enhancing drugs, that number drops to 200 hours. Geniuses, however, sometimes achieve it in under 50 hours, with the record being a staggering 10 hours. Hearing that, my competitive spirit flares. ¡°Eris, how long did it take you to awaken your mana sense?¡± I whisper. ¡°Hmm¡­ I don¡¯t remember exactly, but it was around 100 hours. And¡ª¡± she smirks, ¡°no drugs, by the way.¡± I gasp. That¡¯s twice as fast as the average person! ¡°Alright!¡± I declare, brimming with determination. ¡°I¡¯m going to beat your record!¡± Eris chuckles, squeezing my hand encouragingly. ¡°Hehe, go, Felicia! You can do it!¡± We go quiet again, and I try to focus. ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ A few minutes pass, and¡­ My eyelids start to droop. Before I know it, my body begins to relax, my mind drifting into that sweet, warm abyss of¡ª ¡°Hey¡­¡± A soft voice nudges at the edge of my awareness. ¡°Hey, wake up! You¡¯re supposed to meditate, not nap!¡± ¡°R-right!¡± I jolt awake, quickly slapping my own cheeks to shake off the sleepiness. Okay, no dozing off! Alright, let¡¯s try again! This time, I focus properly. I follow the instructions carefully: inhale deeply for four seconds, hold for two, then exhale slowly. Rinse and repeat. My breath steadies. My mind quiets. This time, I will stay awake. This time, I will focus. This time, I will awaken my mana sense! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª After about ten minutes¡­ In the darkness¡­ Huh? Tiny, glowing particles start to pop up around me, like delicate flecks of glitter suspended in the air. They¡¯re faint at first, shimmering softly, but as I focus, more and more begin to appear, sparkling like stardust. Most of them glow a gentle white, but here and there, I catch glimpses of red, blue, and yellow drifting like lazy embers caught in a breeze. Is this¡­ ambient mana? The natural mana floating around in the atmosphere? But then, my eyes widen in pure awe. Right where Eris is sitting, a swirling, mesmerizing cloud of deep purple glitter outlines her entire body. The tiny flecks dance and twirl gracefully around her, pulsing softly, as if responding to the rhythm of her breath. And right at her chest, I see it¡ªa concentrated vivid point of dark light, about the size of a tennis ball, radiating waves of pure energy. Whoa! The book mentioned that a mana core resides in the heart¡­ so that must be Eris¡¯s mana core! ¡°I¡­ I think I did it!¡± I whisper, unable to contain my excitement. ¡°Huh? No way!¡± Eris gasps, clearly stunned. ¡°Are you serious? It¡¯s only been ten minutes!¡± ¡°Nu! I¡¯m serious! I¡¯m seeing glitter¡ªsparkly, magic glitter!¡± I babble excitedly. ¡°Ah¡ªoh no¡­ it¡¯s gone!¡± The tiny lights flicker and fade the moment I lose focus. Dang it! Maybe I got too excited and broke my concentration? Eris chuckles, shaking her head in disbelief. ¡°Hmmm¡­ alright, try again?¡± ¡°Nn!¡± I nod, determination flaring. Alright, Felicia¡ªsecond try. Let¡¯s make this work! I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and steady myself. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Slowly, surely, the glittering particles begin to reappear, this time brighter and clearer than before. They twinkle around me like a miniature galaxy, filling the air with a quiet, enchanting glow. HECK YEAH!!! This is seriously the coolest thing ever! Chapter 39: Mana core As soon as I slip back into meditation, the glittering particles return, twinkling in the darkness like tiny stars. They¡¯re so beautiful, so magical that I can¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Ooooh, I¡¯m seeing mana again!¡± I whisper excitedly. The shimmering lights dim slightly at the sound of my voice, as if reacting to my distraction. I quickly refocus, inhaling deeply, slow and steady, calming my mind. Little by little, the mana grows brighter again, swirling gently around us. But then, I notice something different¡ªEris¡¯s mana is glowing even more vividly than before. Is she¡­ actively channeling it this time? ¡°Alright,¡± Eris says, her voice smooth with focus. ¡°I¡¯ll move my mana to different parts of my body. You tell me where it goes so I can make sure you¡¯re actually seeing it.¡± ¡°Yes! That¡¯s a great idea!¡± I nod eagerly. ¡°Alright, here goes.¡± She takes a slow breath, and right before my eyes, a shimmering stream of mana flows from her heart, branching out like the limbs of a glowing tree. It snakes gracefully down to her right arm. ¡°Right arm!¡± I say confidently. Eris¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ correct?¡± ¡°Hehe, of course!¡± I grin, feeling immensely proud. She still looks a little skeptical. ¡°Alright, again.¡± She shifts her mana. ¡°Left arm!¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ correct too!¡± she says, stunned. ¡°How about this?¡± ¡°Left leg!¡± ¡°And now?¡± ¡°Belly!¡± ¡°And now?¡± ¡°Both right arm and left leg!¡± ¡°And now?¡± Her mana suddenly surges upward, pooling into her eyes. In an instant, her irises glow brilliantly in the dark¡ªdeep, mysterious, enchanting. ¡°Whoa! Your eyes!¡± I gasp, completely mesmerized. ¡°They¡¯re beautiful!¡± Eris blinks, her glowing eyes flickering softly before dimming back to normal. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡­ you did it!¡± she gasps. ¡°You passed the test. You actually broke the record, Felicia¡ªyou¡¯re a genius!¡± ¡°YEEEEAAAAAHHH!!!¡± I throw my arms up, practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°World record, heck yeah!¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. With this, the first step of learning magic is officially complete! Easy-peasy! ¡°Eris, what should I do next?¡± I ask, practically bouncing with energy. She taps her chin thoughtfully. ¡°Hmmmm¡­ how about trying to see your own mana?¡± ¡°Right!¡± I nod, determined. ¡°This time, let¡¯s see how fast you can do it!¡± I grin. Challenge accepted. Eris explains that this next step is actually the hardest for most beginners. Unlike ambient mana or another person¡¯s mana, a person¡¯s own mana is much harder to perceive. Since my mana core has never been trained, my own mana is faint¡ªlike a wisp of smoke, barely there. ¡°There are four stages to growing the mana core,¡± she adds. I nod, already recalling what I read in the book earlier. Stage 1: Formless Core / Invisible Core ¨C As the name suggests, at this stage, the core hasn¡¯t yet solidified into a defined shape. However, mana starts to concentrate in the chest area, slowly gathering until it condenses into a small, tangible mass. Once the energy compresses into a tiny sphere¡ªabout the size of a fish egg¡ªStage 2 begins. Stage 2: Enlarging Core ¨C The newly formed mana core gradually expands, growing larger as it absorbs and refines more mana. Over time, it reaches the size of the heart, stabilizing and becoming more potent. Stage 3: Pulsating Core / Waving Core ¨C At this stage, the mana core synchronizes with the heartbeat, releasing rhythmic pulses of energy. These waves can be so intense that even non-awakened individuals can hear and feel them. Some describe it as a second heartbeat¡ªone not of blood, but of raw, flowing magic. Stage 4: Rebirth ¨C The final and most difficult stage. By initiating the rebirth process, the mana core compresses back down to its smallest form, restarting the cycle from Stage 2. This process lasts anywhere from days to months, during which the individual temporarily weakens before emerging significantly stronger than before. After every rebirth, rings appear on the core¡¯s surface, marking the number of cycles it has undergone. The highest recorded rebirth cycle is seven, belonging to an SS-ranked adventurer. This means her mana core has been rebirthed seven times. With all this in mind, I focus on Eris¡¯s mana core once more, examining it carefully. From what I¡¯m seeing, her core is definitely at Stage 2¡ªthe Enlarging Core. But that means¡­ she¡¯s at least a D-ranked adventurer! ¡°Eris, are you sure you¡¯re just an E rank?¡± I ask. She tilts her head and chuckles. ¡°Ah, about that¡­ I advanced a few weeks ago, but I¡¯ve been too lazy to take the rank-up test,¡± she admits with a shrug. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± I squint at her. That makes sense. But¡­ something feels off. Is it just me, or is her core unusually bright? A Stage 2 core shouldn¡¯t be glowing this vividly. Wait¡­ could it have rebirthed? No way. That¡¯s impossible. A person with a rebirthed core should be at least A-rank. Plus, I don¡¯t see any rings on her mana core¡­ Maybe my vision is just too sharp, making everything seem brighter than it really is. Either way, it¡¯s time to focus on my own mana core! ¡°Alright! Time to form my own core!¡± I announce excitedly. But then¡­ there¡¯s a small problem. I will have to look down¡­ However¡­ ¡°¡­You don¡¯t have to keep looking down at your chest like that,¡± Eris giggles. ¡°You¡¯ll get a neck cramp!¡± I freeze, feeling instantly flustered. ¡°But¡­ erm¡­ how am I supposed to see my own mana core then?¡± ¡°I can see mana too. Just leave it to me!¡± As she says this, her eyes begin to glow again¡ª deep, dark amethyst, enchanting and intense. My ears perk up in realization. Ohhh! That¡¯s perfect! How could I forget about that! As a catgirl, Eris¡¯s awakened mana sense is also visual! That means she can see mana the same way I do! ¡°Ooooh! This is great!¡± I say, feeling relieved. No more awkwardly craning my neck! Eris smiles. ¡°Oh, and by the way¡­¡± she hums. ¡°The world record for forming a Stage 1 core is two hours. Think you can beat it?¡± ¡°Hehe, watch me!¡± I say, my determination blazing. Taking a deep breath, I stretch lightly and sit up straight. This is it. The first step toward magic. Once my mana core forms, I¡¯ll finally be able to use magic. I can¡¯t help but wonder¡­ what kind of magic will I have? Chapter 40: Mana core get! To form my own mana core and complete Stage One, I need to gather mana from the environment and make it my own. There are three primary ways to absorb mana: Breathing it in from the air ¨C The most common method, where mana is drawn into the body through controlled breathing exercises. Ingesting mana-rich potions or foods ¨C This method allows the body to directly absorb mana through digestion. Certain magical plants and elixirs are rich in mana and can drastically accelerate the process. Absorbing through the skin ¨C While technically possible, this method is highly inefficient compared to the first two. The amount of mana absorbed is negligible unless one is immersed in an extremely concentrated mana-rich environment, such as a mana spring or a leyline convergence. Since I have no magical potions or rare ingredients to eat, and skin absorption is too slow, my only choice is breathing. ¡°Yes, just like that. Keep going,¡± Eris encourages. I focus on my breathing¡ªslow, deep inhales, steady exhales. Yet, not every breath catches mana. That¡¯s because mana doesn¡¯t obey the usual laws of physics. It doesn¡¯t flow from areas of high concentration to low concentration like air particles do. One can¡¯t simply inhale it like dust or oxygen. Instead, mana is drawn in by three specific factors: Intent and Willpower ¨C Mana is highly responsive to a person¡¯s focused intent and will. When someone concentrates on drawing in mana, their mental energy creates a magnetic-like pull that attracts mana particles. Strong intent, visualization, and even emotional energy act as beacons, similar to how a magnet attracts metal filings. Resonant Energy ¨C Mana particles are drawn to sources of energy that harmonize with their own frequency, including their own type. For instance, individuals with certain elemental affinities, like fire or water, naturally attract mana particles of those elements. This resonance is also why elemental mana stones form in areas rich in a particular element. As mana of the same type condenses, it crystallizes into magical stones. Mana Core Presence and Density ¨C A developed mana core acts as a natural attractor, pulling mana toward it like a gravitational field. The stronger and more refined the core, the more efficiently it draws in and stores mana. But¡­ I don¡¯t have a mana core yet. I don¡¯t even know what my mana attribute is. That means, for now, I can only rely on willpower. No elemental resonance, no core to assist me¡ªjust pure mental focus. I have to command mana to come to me. This is why meditation is so essential. In a meditative state, the mind is at its most powerful, and intention is at its sharpest. Theoretically, this should allow me to gather mana effectively, even without a core.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. I take a deep breath, my eyes locked onto the tiny, twinkling mana particles around me. I try to match my breathing to their gentle rhythm, picturing myself as a magnet, pulling in mana from the air. With every inhale, I will the mana to flow toward me¡­ Now¡­ let¡¯s see if this works. At first, there¡¯s little response¡ªonly a faint trickle of mana drifting toward me. A single particle, then another, then a few more. It feels like trying to cup water with my bare hands, the mana slipping away just as quickly as it comes. But gradually¡­ something changes. More and more particles begin to swirl around me, drawn in by my breathing, by my will. A dozen turns into a hundred, then a thousand. Before long, I feel the entire room responding to me, the mana in the air forming a vortex, spiraling gently in my direction. With every inhale, mana flows into my body¡ªcool and weightless, yet full of potential. It gathers in my chest, filling me with warmth, a spreading heat that pulses in rhythm with my heartbeat. My senses sharpen. A rush of energy surges through me, a clarity, a euphoria unlike anything I¡¯ve ever known. Then, all at once, I feel it. The mana inside me condenses¡ªcoming together, merging, forming something new. A surge of energy ignites within my chest, and in a single, powerful burst, an explosion of warmth floods my core, signaling its birth. My mana core is formed! ¡°I can¡¯t believe it! You did it!¡± Eris exclaims, eyes wide with shock. ¡°R-really?¡± I gasp, still catching my breath. ¡°Yeah! Your mana core!¡± Even though I can¡¯t see it, I can feel it¡ªsmall, fragile, but undeniably real. A tiny sphere of energy, no bigger than a fish egg, resting deep within me. And the craziest part? It only took ten minutes! I completely shattered the record Eris mentioned, which was two hours! Now that I think about it, while I¡¯d love to believe I¡¯m some kind of prodigy, there¡¯s likely another explanation for this¡­ My body. Or, more precisely, this catgirl body. ¡°Eris, could it be¡­ that I already knew how to use mana, and I¡¯m just¡­ remembering how?¡± I ask, voicing my suspicion. Eris¡¯s eyes light up. ¡°Hmmm¡­ that could be possible! But if that¡¯s the case, shouldn¡¯t you have already had a mana core without needing to form one?¡± Right¡­ that¡¯s true. If this body already knew magic, then why was my mana core completely absent when I first arrived? Shouldn¡¯t it have been here all along? ¡°Or¡­¡± Eris muses, tapping her chin, ¡°could it be that your mana core was destroyed before? That might explain the memory loss.¡± Destroyed? I frown. That¡¯s an unsettling thought. ¡°There¡¯s a theory about that,¡± Eris continues. ¡°The Mana-Soul Theory.¡± ¡°Mana¡­ Soul¡­ Theory?¡± I repeat, my ears twitching with curiosity. ¡°Yeah,¡± she nods. ¡°There was this crazy old mage who proposed that the mana core is linked to the soul¡ªthat the soul itself is like a collection of memories, and if the mana core is destroyed, the soul could be damaged too.¡± I stiffen. The soul? While Eris brushes it off as just a theory, I know for a fact that souls exist. After all¡­ I¡¯m a reincarnated soul, living in someone else¡¯s body. A chill runs down my spine as an unsettling thought creeps into my mind. If I¡¯m here now, then¡­ What happened to the original Felicia? Where is her soul? Eris sighs, shaking her head. ¡°Ah, forget it! I¡¯ve never heard of anyone surviving after losing their mana core, anyway. It doesn¡¯t make sense.¡± Right¡­ maybe I¡¯m just overthinking it. For now, there¡¯s something far more important to focus on. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s keep going! I want to see what your attribute is!¡± Eris says, her excitement returning. ¡°Right! My attribute!¡± Even though my mana core is formed, the true color hasn¡¯t revealed itself yet. I close my eyes, steadying my breath once more. The mana swirling inside me slowly transforms, shifting from raw energy into something uniquely my own. It¡¯s subtle at first, but I can feel the shift. My very own attribute is about to awaken. But then¡­ Eris freezes. Her eyes widen, her mouth slightly open, her expression shifting into something between shock and disbelief. ¡°What¡­ is that color?¡± she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. My heart stutters. ¡°Huh? Is¡­ is something wrong with my mana core?¡± I ask, suddenly nervous. Eris stares at me, eyes locked onto my chest where my core is forming. ¡°No, your mana core is fine¡­ but¡­¡± she hesitates, her brows furrowing deeply. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ this color¡­ I¡¯ve never seen anything like it before.¡± Chapter 41: Unique mana As I concentrate on keeping the flow of mana steady, I glance nervously at Eris. ¡°A-and¡­ what color is it?¡± I ask hesitantly. Eris studies me for a moment before answering. ¡°It¡¯s red,¡± she says. ¡°Oh! So it¡¯s fire, then¡­¡± I blurt out, feeling a mild disappointment. While I love the color red¡ªit¡¯s my favorite¡ªI¡¯ve never been particularly fond of fire magic. It¡¯s the most basic, the least cool magic out of the bunch. Fire is so¡­ aggressive, so unsubtle. Totally unfitting for a cute, little catgirl like me! I need something more mysterious! Something like darkness or space-time magic! But¡­ well, it¡¯s not like I get to choose. For now, I¡¯m just happy that I can use magic at all. When it comes to attribute colors, the eight main elements each have their own signature hue: Fire ¨C Red Water ¨C Blue Earth ¨C Brown Wind ¨C Green Space ¨C Silver Time ¨C Purple Light ¨C Bright Yellow Darkness ¨C Black But then¡­ Eris frowns. She tilts her head slightly, as if trying to make sense of what she¡¯s seeing. ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s red, but not the red of fire,¡± she says slowly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ the red of blood.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Hearing the word blood, a chill creeps down my spine. Blood-red? Is this some kind of blood attribute? Am I¡­ a vampire or something? Or maybe¡­ a demon?! I gulp. I used to fantasize about becoming a demon lord in another world, but I definitely don¡¯t anymore! What if Eris finds my magic creepy? What if she starts avoiding me because of my weird, ominous mana color? No, no, no, that would be a catastrophe! ¡°I-is it bad?¡± I ask in a small voice, feeling my ears droop. But Eris simply shakes her head, as if sensing my worries. ¡°Of course not, silly,¡± she says with a soft smile. ¡°It¡¯s just unique, that¡¯s all. And honestly? It¡¯s kinda cool.¡± PHEWWWW!!! Hearing Eris say that, I exhale in relief, my tail flicking behind me. Yeah¡­ now that I think about it, didn¡¯t the book mention that new attributes are discovered all the time? I guess I¡¯m just one of those rare cases! That reminds me¡­ there¡¯s a word for people whose mana core color doesn¡¯t match their attribute color. ¡°Sonder¡­ err¡­ something¡­ something¡­¡± I mumble, trying to recall. Eris chuckles. ¡°Oh, you mean Sondezgeist? A unique mana bearer?¡± ¡°Yeah! Sondezgeist!¡± I repeat. Or, well¡­ try to repeat. The word trips off my tongue like it was specifically designed to be impossible to pronounce. Seriously, who came up with that? It¡¯s like a cursed jumble of letters! But then, something clicks in my mind. ¡°That reminds me¡ªyour mana, Eris¡­ it¡¯s really darkness, right?¡± ¡°Yup, a hundred percent,¡± Eris nods.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. ¡°Then¡­ are you a Sondezgeist, too?¡± ¡°Yep!¡± she grins. Aha! I knew it! Normally, purple mana represents the Time attribute. But Eris¡¯s shade of purple is something darker, deeper¡ªa shade I¡¯d describe as the color of midnight shadows. It¡¯s proof that mana doesn¡¯t exist in rigid categories. Just like colors, it exists on a spectrum. A deep purple could be interpreted as black or violet, meaning it could belong to either Darkness or Time. So¡­ given that my mana is the color of blood¡­ what does that mean for me? Is it fire? Or something else entirely? ¡°Aaaah, Eris, let me see your magic!¡± I plead, bouncing excitedly. ¡°Haha, nope!¡± ¡°But¡ª!¡± She refuses again. So I pout. I pout as hard as I can, tail flicking in frustration, ears drooping for maximum cuteness effect. But it doesn¡¯t work. This girl¡ªshe¡¯s completely immune to my kitty eyes! ¡°Hmph!¡± I huff, crossing my arms. Eris just chuckles, clearly enjoying herself. ¡°Anyway,¡± she says, bringing the conversation back on track, ¡°based on your unique mana signature, there¡¯s a good chance Guildmaster Karlogen might be able to find something.¡± ¡°Oh, right!¡± I perk up. He mentioned earlier about the magic signature database. If we test mine, there¡¯s a chance we might uncover something about my origins. Maybe this blood-colored mana isn¡¯t just rare¡­ maybe it¡¯s something important. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- As if on cue, the door creaks open, and Karlogen steps in, his timing impeccable. ¡°Oh, is it time already?¡± Eris asks, glancing up. ¡°Yup, business hours are over. We can proceed with the young lady¡¯s ID now,¡± Karlogen replies with a nod. ¡°Great!¡± Eris grins. ¡°And by the way, did you know Felicia here shattered a world record?¡± ¡°Huh? What world record?¡± Karlogen raises a scaly brow in surprise. ¡°Hehe,¡± I beam, unable to hide my pride. Eris eagerly fills him in on my progress¡ªhow I managed to sense mana and forge my own mana core within just an hour. ¡°Ohooo! That¡¯s amazing!¡± Karlogen exclaims. ¡°Ah, too bad we can¡¯t reveal your identity right now; you¡¯d be famous!¡± Oh right. DAMN IT! If only I had an ID¡ªthen I could actually be recognized! Maybe I¡¯d even get a huge cash prize! Eris nudges me playfully. ¡°Maybe next time, huh?¡± I sigh, shaking my head. ¡°Anyway,¡± Karlogen says, shifting gears. ¡°Could you show me your mana core? I may be able to sense something unique about it.¡± I blink. ¡°Oh! Sure!¡± Settling into a meditative position, I focus inward, channeling my mana again. The familiar warmth spreads through my chest, the energy within me humming softly. Karlogen steps closer. Being a Lizard Furren, his way of sensing mana is¡­ well, unique. He doesn¡¯t use sight or sound. Instead, he tastes it. Which means¡ª Wait. Does that mean he¡¯s going to lick me or something?! My mind races, but before I can spiral further, Karlogen flicks his tongue out, tasting the air. His expression remains neutral, his gaze steady. A moment passes in silence. Then, his brow furrows. ¡°Strange¡­¡± he mutters. Eris leans forward. ¡°What is it?¡± Karlogen¡¯s golden eyes narrow slightly. ¡°It tastes like¡­ blood.¡± A chill runs down my spine. Blood? Before I can process what that means¡ª A sharp, piercing pain erupts in my chest. Like a blade stabbing straight through my heart. ¡°NYAAARGHHH!¡± I cry out, clutching my chest as my vision blurs. The pain is unbearable, like something deep inside me is tearing apart. ¡°Felicia!¡± I barely hear Eris¡¯s voice before I feel myself falling. But before I hit the ground, warmth envelops me. Eris. She catches me just in time, her arms strong and steady as she holds me up. ¡°Young lady, are you alright?¡± Karlogen asks, his voice laced with concern. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to breathe through the lingering pain. My chest still feels heavy, like something inside me was ripped open and hasn¡¯t fully settled. But slowly¡­ the sharpness begins to fade. My breathing evens out. The ache dulls into a lingering discomfort, but it¡¯s manageable now. ¡°I-I¡¯m fine¡­¡± I murmur, wiping the sweat from my forehead. Eris doesn¡¯t look convinced. Her grip on me tightens. Just¡­ what the heck was that? Did I just have a heart attack?! Is it all the cholesterol built up from eating too much meat?! No¡ªno way! I¡¯m young, I¡¯m a catgirl, and catgirls don¡¯t get heart disease! ¡­Right? No¡­ this wasn¡¯t normal. It wasn¡¯t my body. It was my mana. I¡¯m sure of it. Something about my mana just went berserk. ¡°Felicia, what happened?¡± Eris¡¯s voice is tense, her grip on my hand tightening, her blue eyes filled with concern. I take a shaky breath. ¡°Everything felt normal at first,¡± I explain. ¡°But then¡­ out of nowhere, my mana just¡ªlost control. It felt like my heart was exploding.¡± Karlogen frowns, silent for a moment, deep in thought. ¡°Hmmm¡­ it could be a rare side effect of awakening your mana sense and forming your core for the first time,¡± he finally says. ¡°Regardless, young lady, if this ever happens again, please see a cleric immediately.¡± I nod weakly. ¡°Y-yeah¡­ I will.¡± Eris, however, still seems extremely worried. She¡¯s watching me closely, her brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. The room falls into a brief, heavy silence. But I refuse to let the mood stay this way. ¡°Anyway, I feel better now!¡± I say, forcing a bright smile. ¡°Should we¡­ proceed with my ID now?¡± Karlogen blinks before nodding. ¡°Right. My apologies¡ªI almost forgot.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine,¡± I reassure him, though my heart still feels unsettled. Something about this doesn¡¯t sit right. But for now¡­ I¡¯ll let it go. With that, we follow Guildmaster Karlogen upstairs to the main floor, down a quiet hallway, until we finally stop in front of a grand door. A sign hangs above it. PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT ROOM. ¡°Before registering a new ID, everyone must go through an evaluation,¡± Karlogen explains. ¡°This assesses their physical and magical abilities as an adventurer.¡± ¡°Ohhh¡­¡± I nod. ¡°Of course,¡± he adds, ¡°we can skip this step if you¡¯d like. But¡­ aren¡¯t you curious about your personal stats?¡± ¡°Huh? Stats?¡± I echo, blinking in surprise. Wait¡­ Stats? STATUS??? Is this like¡­ a game interface or something? Like a LitRPG novel?! HECK YEAHHH!!! I turn to Karlogen with stars in my eyes. ¡°No, please don¡¯t skip! I want to do the evaluation, please!¡± Eris chuckles. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m curious too. And for some reason¡­ I feel like knowing Felicia¡¯s stats might give us insight on what just happened earlier.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Karlogen agrees. He pushes open the door¡ª And we step inside. Chapter 42: Physical assessment I step into the room, bracing myself for something grand¡ªmaybe a magical crystal ball that will glow and reveal my stats with an otherworldly hum. Maybe even an enchanted mirror that displays my skills and abilities in shimmering golden letters. But instead¡­ I walk into a gym. Not just any gym, but a full-fledged training facility! The room is huge, stretching out before me with a running track, free weights, and various gym equipment neatly arranged in different sections. Racks of dumbbells, squat racks, even what looks like a rock-climbing wall stand at the far end of the room. There¡¯s a section with targets lined up for ranged attacks, a platform for strength testing, and even an area designed for combat sparring. I blink. Not a single crystal ball in sight. So this is how they¡¯re going to assess me? By making me work out?! Aww man!!! Eris claps her hands together, grinning ear to ear. ¡°Felicia, are you excited?¡± She¡¯s practically bouncing with energy, her tail swishing eagerly behind her. ¡°Yeahhhh¡­¡± I reply, stretching the word out, trying really hard to sound enthusiastic. Truthfully? I was hoping for something more magical¡ªa simple scan and done kind of deal. Instead, I¡¯m about to be thrown into what looks like an adventurer¡¯s fitness test. I let out a quiet sigh. Well, no choice now. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s get started,¡± Karlogen announces, striding toward the center of the room. His deep voice echoes slightly in the open space, his sharp, golden eyes surveying the area. Eris nudges me playfully. ¡°Think you¡¯ll pass?¡± I gulp. Oh boy. Here goes nothing! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- As Karlogen explains how the system and evaluation process work, I slowly come to terms with a brutal reality. There is no status menu. There is no skill list. There is no LitRPG system. Instead, I¡¯m stuck with a standardized physical assessment created by some old guy named Duramire centuries ago. It measures adventurers based on three simple categories: Strength Speed Stamina That¡¯s it. No fancy magic. No glowing stats appearing out of thin air. Just basic, old-school, medieval fitness tests. Disappointingly simple. Mind-numbingly simple. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s measure your strength first,¡± Karlogen announces, handing me a small, wooden device. I take it and blink.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Wait¡­ this is just a dynamometer. A grip strength tester¡ªlike the ones they use in gyms! It¡¯s built from sturdy wood and coiled metal springs, with a small, flat stone embedded in the handle. The only magical part is the glowing stone that displays the force applied. ¡°You know, grip strength is super important for adventurers,¡± Eris chimes in with a grin. ¡°It helps with wielding swords, climbing walls, carrying heavy gear¡­ Honestly, it¡¯s one of the most important strength measures for dungeon explorers.¡± ¡°I-I see¡­¡± I nod, trying to sound impressed. Yes, Eris, I already know that. As a former gym rat, I know grip strength is crucial. It¡¯s not just about crushing handshakes or opening stubborn pickle jars¡ªit¡¯s a key biomarker for overall fitness and even life expectancy. Alright! Time to redeem myself! I square my stance, tighten my grip around the device, and squeeze with all my might. ¡°Nyaaaarrrrhhhhhh!!!¡± My hand turns white from the effort, my muscles straining as I pour everything into this one test. The dynamometer barely budges. Karlogen glances at the glowing stone. ¡°Ten kilograms.¡± ¡°Ehhhh?¡± Eris squints at the number. Wait. WHAT? Ten kilograms? In my past life, my best grip strength was 60 kg! I expected more! ¡°Is¡­ is that bad?¡± I ask, clinging to the hope that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªkilograms work differently in this world. Maybe ten kilograms is actually impressive here? Karlogen clears his throat. ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s about the grip strength of an average eight-year-old girl.¡± ¡­ GOD. FREAKING. DARN. IT. I flop onto the ground, staring at my pathetic, trembling hands. My grip strength has betrayed me. NOOOOOOOO!!! ¡°C-come on now, grip strength isn¡¯t everything! There are more tests¡ªyou¡¯ll do better!¡± Eris says, patting my shoulder, though I can tell she¡¯s holding back laughter. I clench my fists, forcing myself to stand. Alright. That was just a warm-up. Time to redeem myself. ¡°A-alright, I¡¯ll show you!¡± I declare, putting on my most determined face. ¡°Guildmaster, what¡¯s the next test?¡± Karlogen gestures toward a target pad mounted on the wall. ¡°The next test is punching power.¡± Oh. OH. Now this? This I can do. I quickly strap on the provided boxing gloves, rolling my shoulders as I step up to the target. Alright. Time to punch my pride back into existence! ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- And so, I¡¯m put through a gauntlet of physical tests¡ªpunching, lifting, running, sprinting, and even chasing a tiny dot of light around the room like a hyperactive kitten to measure my reaction time. And now¡­ The final results. Gulp. I wait anxiously as Guildmaster Karlogen reviews the numbers. His golden, slitted eyes scan the parchment, his tail flicking slightly as he calculates. According to the Duramire Standard, every category is scored based on the strength of an average 18-year-old male adult. A score of 2.0 means being twice as strong as an average young man, while a 5.0 would mean five times as strong, and so on. This same system also determines adventurer ranks: F Rank ¡ú 1.2 - 2.0 overall rating E Rank ¡ú 2.0 - 5.0 overall rating D Rank ¡ú 5.0 - 10.0 overall rating C Rank ¡ú 10.0 - 20.0 overall rating B Rank ¡ú 20.0 - 50.0 overall rating A Rank ¡ú 50.0 - 500.0 overall rating S Rank ¡ú 500+ overall rating ¡°Ahem!¡± Guildmaster Karlogen clears his throat, looking over my results. ¡°Test results have been calculated according to the Duramire Formula. For Felicia¡­¡± Strength: 0.3 Speed: 2.0 Stamina: 0.4 Overall Physical Rating: (0.45 Strength) + (0.15 Speed) + (0.4 Stamina) = 0.6 ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- ¡°AAAAA!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!¡± I wail, dropping to my knees in sheer existential despair. 0.6?! That¡¯s the physical rating of a child! A 12-year-old girl could wreck me in a fight! This is worse than I expected! This is pathetic! This is shameful! ¡°Now, now, you can still improve!¡± Eris says, trying to keep a straight face. She¡¯s hiding it well, but I can see the tears in her eyes. She¡¯s laughing. ¡°Y-you did great, Felicia!¡± she squeaks out. ¡°A-and look, your speed is 2.0! You¡¯re fast!¡± Yeah, I¡¯m speedy, but it doesn¡¯t change the fact that my other stats are utterly pathetic! ¡°Eris, what¡¯s your overall physical rating right now?¡± I ask, a bit sourly. ¡°Hmmm¡­ I¡¯m around 6.5, about as strong as a D-rank adventurer,¡± she says. ¡°And what was it when you first started?¡± ¡°Oh, around 3.0, I think?¡± I narrow my eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me anymore, you muscleborn genius.¡± Eris giggles, patting my shoulder again. ¡°A-Anyway, since your score is¡­ uh¡­ slightly below the minimum for an F-rank adventurer,¡± Guildmaster Karlogen says diplomatically, ¡°I¡¯ll make an exception and adjust it to meet the requirement.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ thank you, Guildmaster,¡± I mumble, feeling utterly defeated. ¡°But you don¡¯t have to sugarcoat it. I know my results are trash.¡± ¡°Well then,¡± Karlogen says, clearing his throat, ¡°shall we move on to the magic test?¡± My spirits lift instantly. ¡°Oooooh! A magic test?¡± Since I shattered the world record for mana earlier, maybe my physical shortcomings are because I¡¯m just too magical? Yes, that has to be it! I might not have the strongest muscles, but maybe I have the most overpowered magical potential! ¡°Bring it on! Magic test!!!¡± ¡°Alright, follow me.¡± Karlogen says before leading us to a different room, much smaller and dimly lit, with a large crystal ball sitting atop a table. Chapter 43: My magic In the past, a magical assessment was a grueling ordeal¡ªa lengthy process filled with clunky, intimidating equipment measuring everything from mana control to magical prowess. And, of course, there was always a stern-faced mage looming nearby, clipboard in hand, judging you with an unyielding gaze. But now? All of that has changed. Thanks to a groundbreaking invention from the Magic Guild, magical assessments have been streamlined into one simple step. Instead of hours of testing, all I have to do is place my hand on a small, gleaming crystal ball sitting innocently on the table before me. It looks unassuming, but this artifact is anything but ordinary. Made from a highly reactive material and infused with an advanced indication spell, it¡¯s so precise that it can detect even the faintest traces of mana in a person who hasn¡¯t fully awakened. No need for complicated machines. No need for judgmental mages hovering over my shoulder. Just one touch. Everything is automated, streamlined, and supposedly foolproof. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- ¡°Ha-ha! There are only two of these mana assessment balls in the entire kingdom of Eldenwald! And this beauty is one of them!¡± Karlogen declares with pride, his voice booming through the room. His chest puffs up, and he looks at the ball as if it were his crowning achievement. ¡°Ooooohhh!¡± I clap, genuinely impressed, my eyes wide with awe at his enthusiasm. ¡°Just bought it yesterday, actually,¡± he adds, rubbing his nose in a self-satisfied manner. ¡°Cost me a whopping one million crowns, but worth every coin!¡± ¡°What?! That much?¡± I gasp, my mouth dropping open. ¡°Yep! A million crowns!¡± Karlogen nods fervently. ¡°After all, an artifact of this caliber requires unparalleled craftsmanship! A masterpiece of arcane technology!¡± Oooooh. That¡¯s a mind-boggling amount of money! My stomach knots with anxiety. Because it¡¯s so precious, I now really, really have to be careful with this thing. Gulp. ¡°Alright, magic ball-chan, don¡¯t disappoint me nyow!¡± I say, stepping forward with a brave face, even though my heart is pounding. I extend my hand towards it, about to touch it. But then¡­ suddenly¡­ Oh. Shit. It happens again¡ªthat strange, irresistible feeling. Push me¡­ the ball seems to whisper, almost seductively. Just a little push please¡­ Panic floods me. My logical brain screams NO! But my traitorous catgirl instincts¡­ ¡­. Just do it¡­Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Felicia¡­ JUST. DO. IT! ¡­. And so, before I can stop myself, my hand moves of its own accord and¡­ OOOOopsie! Time slows to a crawl. The crystal ball tilts, teeters on the edge, then begins a slow-motion descent toward the unforgiving floor. ¡°NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!¡± Karlogen¡¯s voice erupts, echoing in a drawn-out wail of pure horror. And I¡¯m screaming too. OH GOD, PLEASE NO!!!! The ball falls¡­ 50 cm¡­ 10 cm¡­ away the ground. My heart stops. Shit! If it breaks. I¡¯m gonna be so fucked!!! I shut my eyes, bracing for the shattering sound that will spell my doom. However¡­ ¡­. nothing happens. And as I cautiously open one eye, there, sprawling on the floor, is Eris, holding the crystal ball like a hero with one hand!!!! ¡°Phew!¡± Eris exhales, her shoulders sagging. ¡°That was way too close!¡± ¡°WUAHHHHH! THAT WAS SCARY!¡± I wail, my entire body trembling like a leaf caught in a storm! I clutch my chest, trying to calm the frantic thudding of my heart. Huhu¡­ my pour little heart! Thank the heavens Eris caught it! Otherwise, I¡¯m pretty sure Karlogen would¡¯ve skinned me alive! ¡°L-let¡¯s do the test on the floor then¡­¡± Karlogen wipes sweat from his forehead, visibly shaken. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do that.¡± Eris agrees. Meanwhile, I¡¯m still struggling to catch my breath. It takes me a good few minutes for the shaking to subside. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª A few moments later. ¡°Alright, again!¡± I declare with confidence, rolling my shoulders. ¡°Magic ball-chan, don¡¯t disappoint me nyow!¡± Taking a deep breath, I place my hand on the mana assessment ball¡ªsafely positioned on the floor this time. The instant my fingers make contact, the ball flares to life. A brilliant glow radiates outward. The color shifts¡­ Red. But not just any red. It¡¯s a deep, rich crimson¡ªlike fresh blood glistening in the moonlight. And it¡¯s freaking gorgeous! ¡°Woaaaah!!!¡± I gasp, eyes wide with wonder. ¡°Eris, this is what you were talking about, right?!¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s exactly the color I saw!¡± Eris nods, grinning. Karlogen leans in, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Hmmm, you were right¡ªit¡¯s definitely unique. I¡¯ve never seen this shade before.¡± ¡°Then, can you tell which main attribute group Felicia¡¯s mana belongs to?¡± Eris asks eagerly. Karlogen squints at the glowing ball. ¡°See how the entire ball is red? But look closer¡ªright at the center. There¡¯s a tiny sphere, and it¡¯s completely pitch-black, isn¡¯t it?¡± Eris gasps. ¡°Oh! So it¡¯s like mine?¡± Karlogen nods. ¡°I¡¯d say so!¡± ¡°Awesome!¡± Eris grins, practically bouncing on her heels. ¡°Huh?¡± I blink, utterly lost. ¡°Wait, hold on. What are you guys talking about? I see the black spot, sure, but what does it actually mean?¡± Karlogen shifts into explanation mode, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. ¡°Well,¡± he begins, ¡°every attribute falls into one of the eight main groups: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Time, Space, Light, and Darkness. But here¡¯s the thing¡ªit¡¯s not the color of the whole ball that matters.¡± He taps the crystal. ¡°It¡¯s the color of that tiny sphere in the center that determines your true affinity.¡± ¡°Ooooooh!!!¡± I exclaim, finally connecting the dots. ¡°So¡­ my attribute is Darkness?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Eris grins, nodding enthusiastically. To prove her point, she places her hand on the ball. The orb immediately shifts to a deep, dark purple glow. But just like mine, at its core, there¡¯s that same ominous pitch-black sphere. ¡°See? I¡¯m Darkness too!¡± ¡°YYEAAAAH!!!¡± I cheer, pumping my fists in excitement. Not Fire, but Darkness! I have no clue yet how powerful or useful it is, but damn, it sounds cool! Karlogen chuckles, shaking his head in mild disbelief. ¡°Heh, I can¡¯t believe we have two Sondezgeist in the same room, both with Darkness attributes.¡± His eyes glimmer with intrigue as he turns to me. ¡°Young lady, based on the purity and brightness of the ball, your mana control and strength are already exceptional. Your rating is a whopping 5.2!¡± I tilt my head. ¡°Uhh¡­ is that good?¡± Karlogen lets out an impressed whistle. ¡°It means your magic is 5.2 times more potent than an average person with a marble-sized mana core at the Growing State. In fact, it¡¯s equivalent to someone already at the Pulsating Core stage!¡± ¡°Oooooh! That¡¯s amazing!¡± I beam, practically vibrating with excitement. Karlogen nods, still clearly impressed. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve never seen someone this naturally gifted before.¡± ¡°Hehehe~¡± I turn to Eris, flashing a smug grin. Yup, called it! My physical abilities are absolute trash. But my magic? OP as hell. HECK YEAH! Perfectly balanced! As all things should be! But then¡ª Karlogen¡¯s expression suddenly shifts. His previous excitement dims, replaced by something¡­ serious. ¡°However¡­¡± he starts, voice lowering. Uh-oh. ¡°We still don¡¯t know what kind of Darkness you possess. And until we figure that out, I strongly advise against practicing magic for now.¡± I blink. ¡°Eh? Why, Guildmaster? I thought my magic was strong?¡± Karlogen sighs, rubbing his temples. ¡°Yes. And that¡¯s exactly why you need to be careful.¡± Chapter 44: Cheer up!
As we step out of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, the setting sun paints the sky in streaks of pink, gold, and soft violet, like someone spilled a jar of shimmering magic across the horizon. ¡°Hehe, cheer up!¡± Eris chirps, giving me a playful tap on the back. ¡°We got your ID sorted out! That¡¯s what we came here for, remember?¡± Her voice is as bright as ever, but I can¡¯t quite match her energy. ¡°Yeahhh¡­¡± I sigh, my cat ears drooping pathetically. The weight of disappointment clings to me like an unwelcome shadow, refusing to budge. How could I not feel down? The physical test results made it painfully clear¡ªI¡¯m so weak that even a twelve-year-old could probably bench press more than me. And just when I thought my strong mana could redeem me, Karlogen and Eris straight-up banned me from using magic. ¡°Huhu¡­ can I at least do a little bit of meditation?¡± I plead, putting on my most pitiful kitty eyes. ¡°Just a teensy-tiny bit, pleeeease?¡± Eris crosses her arms, standing firm. ¡°No! Absolutely not!¡± ¡°Hmmmp! Fiiiiine!¡± I huff, puffing out my cheeks in frustration. My tail swishes behind me in protest¡ªyes, even my tail is annoyed!!! ¡°Come on now, you have to be careful,¡± Eris insists, her voice firm but gentle. ¡°Tsk, you¡¯re right¡­¡± I mumble, clicking my tongue and exhaling the longest, most dramatic sigh I can muster. It¡¯s all because of that stupid chest pain. Every time I try to use mana, this tight, crushing pressure builds up in my chest, twisting like an iron vice, and the mana goes wild¡ªuncontrollable, erratic, and painful as hell. The agony leaves me gasping for breath, completely powerless. But even so¡­ I don¡¯t want to give up. I can¡¯t give up. Without magic, what am I? Who would ever want to be with someone so utterly useless? No one. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the Guildmaster promised he¡¯d look into it,¡± Eris says, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts. ¡°Once we figure out what¡¯s causing the pain, we¡¯ll fix it, and you¡¯ll be able to use your mana freely!¡± She reaches out, taking my hand again. Even though I feel like curling into a ball of despair, I instinctively squeeze her hand back. ¡°Hic¡­ but what if it¡¯s impossible?¡± I sniff, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. ¡°Guildmaster even said he¡¯s never seen anything like this before¡­¡± Eris nudges me with her elbow. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t underestimate Karl! And don¡¯t be so pessimistic!¡± She gives me a confident smirk. ¡°He¡¯s the Guildmaster¡ªhe¡¯s got connections all over the world! He¡¯ll find the best mages to help, and they¡¯ll solve this mystery. Just be patient, okay?¡± I hesitate, then nod slowly. ¡°A-alright¡­¡± Eris is right. I shouldn¡¯t be this pessimistic. And besides, trusting Karlogen is the only thing I can do right now. But still¡­ ¡°Nyarghhh! But I still want to practice mana so badly!¡± I groan dramatically, stomping my feet like a child throwing a tantrum. My tail lashes behind me, a perfect indicator of my sulky mood. Eris bursts out laughing. ¡°Alright, enough moping around!¡± she declares. ¡°Let¡¯s do something fun!¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. My ears twitch. ¡°Huh? Fun?¡± Eris¡¯s grin widens. ¡°Yeah! Look, I totally get why you¡¯re feeling down. If I couldn¡¯t use magic, I¡¯d be super bummed too. But do you really want to spend the rest of the day feeling all mopey and miserable?¡± I hesitate. ¡°Ummmm¡­ nuh-uh.¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± She pumps a fist. ¡°So I say we do something so amazing, so ridiculously fun, that you¡¯ll forget all your worries!¡± Her enthusiasm is contagious. Before I even realize it, a genuine smile creeps onto my face. ¡°Y-yeah! Let¡¯s do it!¡± I say, feeling a flicker of excitement finally reigniting in my chest. Eris is right. There¡¯s no point in sulking over things I can¡¯t change. Being gloomy won¡¯t make anything better. Instead, why not put my worries aside and just enjoy the day? The world is huge, brimming with wonders waiting to be discovered, and my adventure is just beginning. Might as well make the most of it! ¡°But, um¡­ what exactly are we going to do?¡± I ask, curiosity bubbling up. Eris taps her chin. ¡°Hmmm¡­ I know a super magical secret place! Wanna see?¡± ¡°YES!¡± I exclaim. Then I pause, narrowing my eyes. ¡°Wait¡­ what kind of place is it?¡± Eris smirks mischievously. ¡°Well, that¡¯s a secret!¡± She winks. And so, hand in hand, we stroll through Mistvale¡¯s winding streets, heading toward her ¡®super magical secret place.¡¯ For the first time in hours, my spirits finally feel lighter. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Moments later¡­ ¡°Woaaaaaah¡­¡± The word slips out of me in an awed whisper, carried away by the wind. I feel like I¡¯m on top of the world. And, well¡­ I kind of am¡ªstanding atop Mistvale¡¯s tallest structure, the great clock tower. The entire town stretches out below us, sprawling like a miniature kingdom. From this height, the winding streets, bustling markets, and neatly arranged rooftops look almost toy-like, their details softened by distance. Beyond the town walls, the world unfolds in breathtaking layers. To the north, an endless forest stretches toward the horizon, its emerald canopy shifting with the evening breeze. Towering mountains loom in the background, their snow-capped peaks dusted in the warm hues of twilight. To the south, a vast lake glimmers, its surface rippling with golden light as it stretches far, far beyond the eye can see. To the east and west, roads snake away from town, lined with scattered farmhouses, fields bathed in the soft glow of lanterns, and the distant silhouettes of travelers making their way home. Above it all, the sky is a masterpiece¡ªstreaks of orange, pink, and violet blend together like an artist¡¯s brushstrokes, casting a dreamlike glow over everything. The wind rushes past, cool and crisp, tugging at my clothes, making my hair flutter wildly. It¡¯s¡­ Incredible. Though, to be fair, getting up here was less incredible. The journey had been gruelling. So. Many. Stairs!!! There is no elevator in this world, so of course, we had to climb stairs. And by the time we reached the halfway point, my legs felt like jelly, my breath came in ragged gasps, and every step felt like lifting a mountain. After all, my stamina isn¡¯t very good. However, just as I was about to give up, Eris¡ªthe absolute menace¡ªburst out laughing and carried me on her back the rest of the way, effortlessly scaling the stairs like she didn¡¯t have a whole person clinging to her. Now, as we stand together, catching our breath, it all feels worth it. Absolutely worth it. ¡°Hey, how is it?¡± Eris asks, tilting her head with a grin. I swallow the lump in my throat, still gripping the iron railing like it¡¯s my last lifeline. ¡°I love it!¡± I squeal, heart pounding from more than just excitement. ¡°But¡­ aaaaah¡­ I¡¯m still really scared!¡± Because, yeah. Turns out, standing at the highest point in the city doesn¡¯t magically cure a fear of heights. Sure, it¡¯s a little better than before, but my legs are trembling, my tail is puffed up like a terrified kitten, and I¡¯m pretty sure if I let go of this railing for even a second, my soul might just evacuate my body. Eris giggles. ¡°Hehe, if we keep doing this every day, you¡¯ll get over your fear in no time!¡± I gulp. ¡°Y-yeah¡­ I really hope so.¡± My voice wavers, not exactly full of conviction. She plops down on the stone ledge, patting the spot beside her. I hesitate, but eventually ease myself down as well, moving at the speed of a terrified sloth. And just like that, we settle in¡ªside by side, watching the town below as the day slowly slips into night. We pull out the food we grabbed earlier¡ªsimple, steaming meat skewers, their scent rich with spices and charred goodness. Nom¡­ nom¡­ nom¡­ As I take a bite, savoring the juicy, flavorful meat, a thought strikes me. This¡­ might just be the most luxurious dining experience I¡¯ve ever had. Delicious street food. A breathtaking view. And a beautiful friend sitting right next to me. Seriously. What could be better than this? Nope. Nothing. As we eat, the last remnants of daylight melt away, and the sky shifts to a deep, velvety blue. The first stars begin to twinkle, faint but steady, as the moon slowly rises over the town, casting a cool, silvery glow across the rooftops. For a while, we just sit there, watching the world change around us, lost in the quiet beauty of the moment. And then¡ª A question suddenly pops into my mind. ¡°Eris, where are the dungeons?¡± I ask between bites. Eris¡¯s eyes light up, a mischievous sparkle dancing in them. ¡°Oh, dungeons? They¡¯re everywhere!¡± she replies, grinning. Chapter 45: Dungeons ¡°Eh? Everywhere?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± I blink at Eris, ears twitching. ¡°What do you mean everywhere?¡± She grins. ¡°Exactly what I said¡ªeverywhere!¡± ¡°But where?¡± Eris lets out an exaggerated sigh before flicking my forehead¡ªhard. ¡°Ouch!¡± I yelp, recoiling and rubbing the sore spot. She smirks. ¡°Silly Felicia.¡± Then, with the flair of a storyteller about to reveal some grand truth, she turns and points dramatically toward the vast, sprawling forest beyond Mistvale¡¯s walls. ¡°See that forest over there? There are fifty-four dungeons hidden among those trees.¡± I blink. ¡°Fifty-four?¡± Before I can even wrap my head around that number, she spins on her heel, extending both arms toward the distant jagged mountains towering in the background. ¡°And across that mountain range?¡± She spreads her arms wide. ¡°Hundreds more¡ªscattered throughout!¡± My mouth falls open. Hundreds? And she¡¯s not done. With a flourish, she twists around again, this time pointing at the vast shimmering lake glinting beneath the fading sun. The water ripples with gold and violet reflections, stretching endlessly toward the horizon. ¡°And the lake?¡± she continues. ¡°There are sixty-seven dungeons just along the shoreline. And even more¡­ lurking beneath the water.¡± I stare at her, my brain short-circuiting. ¡°Wha¡ª?! T-that many?!¡± I stammer, still massaging my poor forehead, as if rubbing it might somehow help absorb the insane number of dungeons she¡¯s throwing at me. Eris nods smugly, her grin stretching ear to ear. Hundreds of dungeons. I had imagined, at most, ten. Maybe fifteen, if I were being generous. But hundreds?! That sounds impossible. I shake my head, trying to process it. ¡°I-I don¡¯t understand! If there are that many, where does all the space come from? Unless¡­¡± I narrow my eyes. ¡°Each dungeon is, like, the size of a garden shed or something?¡± Eris bursts out laughing. ¡°Nope!¡± She leans closer, tapping a finger against my forehead. ¡°They don¡¯t take up any space in our world.¡± Huh? I squint at her. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Then, realization dawns. ¡°Ooooh¡­ so they¡¯re like¡­ separate dimensions?¡± Eris snaps her fingers, pointing at me like I just solved a riddle. ¡°Bingo!¡± I exhale, shaking my head. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ actually really cool.¡± Turns out, dungeons in this world aren¡¯t just regular caves or underground labyrinths. Nope. They¡¯re way cooler. Each one is a self-contained realm, a pocket of reality stitched into the fabric of existence. Even though hundreds of them are scattered across the land, they don¡¯t actually consume any physical space in our world. That¡¯s why there¡¯s always room for more. And apparently, new dungeons can randomly appear or vanish¡ªas if the world itself is breathing them in and out of existence, like some mystical exhalation. I shiver slightly at the thought. ¡°Well, not exactly randomly, though,¡± Eris corrects, tapping her chin thoughtfully. ¡°Notice how there aren¡¯t any dungeons popping up inside town? If one suddenly appeared here, it¡¯d be a disaster, right?¡± ¡°Oh, right!¡± I nod quickly. ¡°That would be absolutely terrible.¡± But that raises another question¡ªUnauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°Then¡­ how do dungeons know not to appear in towns?¡± I frown, tilting my head. Does the dungeon god¡ªor whoever¡¯s creating these things¡ªjust¡­ know to avoid cities?¡± Eris shakes her head, smiling knowingly. ¡°It¡¯s because of the leylines.¡± I blink. ¡°Ley¡­ lines?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± she hums, kneeling down to trace an invisible web with her finger on the dusty stone surface. ¡°Leylines are like magical rivers flowing beneath our world. They spread everywhere, unseen but ever-present. Dungeons don¡¯t just pop up randomly¡ªthey form along these ¡®cracks¡¯ in the magical currents.¡± Her finger drags a slow, winding path along her makeshift map. ¡°So, if we map out the leylines, we can actually predict where dungeons might appear!¡± My ears perk up as I piece it together. ¡°Oooooh!¡± I exclaim, eyes widening. ¡°So, before anyone builds a town, they make sure to avoid leylines so a dungeon won¡¯t just¡­ appear in the middle of everything?¡± Eris grins and nudges my shoulder playfully. ¡°Wow, look at you¡ªso smart!¡± I giggle, feeling a little proud of myself. But then, Eris¡¯s smile fades slightly. ¡°Well,¡± she continues, ¡°there¡¯s actually an entire job dedicated to predicting and managing dungeons. Kind of like how people forecast disasters and earthquakes. We can try to anticipate when and where dungeons will appear¡­ but even so¡­¡± Her voice trails off, her golden eyes dimming just a little. A weight settles over the conversation. ¡°It¡¯s not like dungeons never appear in populated areas,¡± she murmurs. ¡°And there¡¯s still so much we don¡¯t understand about them.¡± A breeze sweeps through the tower, ruffling my hair, but I hardly notice. Because her words stick in my mind. Even the best predictions are still just that¡ªpredictions. Back on Earth, no matter how advanced we became, we were still powerless against nature¡¯s fury. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Floods. They came uninvited. Sometimes without warning. And they always left devastation in their wake. Thousands of lives lost. Homes turned to rubble. Tragedies no amount of preparation could truly prevent. Maybe¡­ dungeons are the same. A force of nature, unpredictable and unstoppable. Something that can¡¯t be controlled¡ªonly endured. Just as the thought settles heavily in my mind, Eris speaks again, breaking me from my trance. ¡°You know,¡± she says, her voice pulling me back to the present. ¡°Dungeons here are ranked, too.¡± I blink, shaking off my thoughts. ¡°Ranked?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± She nods. ¡°Like adventurers, dungeons are classified from F-rank to S-rank. The Adventurer¡¯s Guild assigns these rankings after extensive investigations.¡± Then, a memory clicks. ¡°Oh! Right! You mentioned this before!¡± Just yesterday, Eris had told me that her father went missing inside an S-rank dungeon¡­ I turn to look at her, but she¡¯s already watching me, her expression serious. Her golden eyes narrow slightly, locking onto mine. ¡°Listen carefully, Felicia.¡± Something in her tone makes my spine straighten on instinct. ¡°About half of all dungeons are F-rank¡ªrelatively safe. Some are so harmless they don¡¯t even have monsters.¡± She pauses. Then, her expression hardens. ¡°But the other half? E-rank and above?¡± A shadow passes over her face. ¡°Those are different. Those are packed with danger.¡± I swallow, suddenly feeling the chill in the air. ¡°As a general rule¡­¡± she continues, her voice steady, ¡°it takes a party of five adventurers of the same rank to explore a dungeon safely. So, for example, to venture into an A-rank dungeon, you need five A-rank adventurers. No exceptions.¡± Her eyes sharpen. ¡°Underestimating a dungeon is a fatal mistake. Never enter one without meticulous preparation, Felicia.¡± Gulp. I nod slowly, feeling the weight of her words sink deep into my bones. Because now, I finally understand. Dungeons aren¡¯t just exciting adventures. They are deadly mysteries. And the moment you underestimate them¡­ They will consume you whole. And then¡ª Her scar. The image of that jagged, brutal wound flashes through my mind. Even now, it haunts me. Eris is a seasoned adventurer, strong and experienced¡ªyet even she made mistakes. Mistakes that almost cost her life. I swallow hard, nodding silently. I won¡¯t forget her warning. I can¡¯t. But then, a thought surfaces, a question pressing against my lips before I can stop it. ¡°But¡­ your father¡­ why did he go into an S-rank dungeon? He was only an A-rank adventurer, right?¡± For a moment, Eris doesn¡¯t answer. Her jaw tightens. Then, in a voice that¡¯s strained, she murmurs, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ because the authorities underestimated it.¡± She pauses. I glance down¡ªher fists are clenched, knuckles white. There¡¯s a storm brewing in her eyes, frustration and grief tangled together. Ah¡­ damn it. I shouldn¡¯t have asked that. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I whisper. Eris shakes her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s okay.¡± She takes a deep, shaky breath before continuing. ¡°They said it was just a regular A-rank dungeon. But then¡­ it changed. Twenty people, including my father¡­ not a single one returned.¡± Her voice is quiet, but each word hits like a blade. ¡°Eris¡­¡± I whisper, my chest tightening with the weight of her sorrow. She quickly wipes at her eyes, forcing a small, fragile smile. ¡°Sorry, Felicia¡­ I just got emotional again.¡± I shake my head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize.¡± She exhales, staring at the horizon. The moonlight catches in her hair, making it glow. Then, after a moment, she speaks again. ¡°You know, being an adventurer isn¡¯t just about treasure or discovery.¡± Her voice is softer now. ¡°It¡¯s about protecting the weak. Stopping the dangers before they reach innocent people.¡± That makes me pause. ¡°Wait¡­ monsters can leave dungeons?¡± I ask, my eyes widening. Eris nods. ¡°Of course.¡± The thought sends a chill through me. I¡¯d assumed dungeons were self-contained, but if monsters could break free¡­ ¡°But don¡¯t worry,¡± she adds, her tone warm now, reassuring. ¡°It doesn¡¯t happen often. And even if it does¡­¡± She turns to me, gently taking my hand. ¡°I¡¯ll be here to protect you.¡± Ba-dump. My heart skips a beat. ¡°T-thank you,¡± I murmur, a soft warmth spreading through my chest as I instinctively squeeze her hand back. The way she says it¡ªsteady, certain, unshakable¡ªmakes her seem even cooler than usual. But more than that, I know she means it. Having her by my side¡­ it makes me feel safe. Like no danger in the world could ever reach me. We stay atop the clock tower a while longer, the conversation drifting back to dungeons. The night air is cool and crisp, wrapping around us as the town below grows quieter, its streets bathed in soft lantern light. By the time I finally notice, the moon is high, the stars glitter like scattered diamonds, and the wind blows, gentle and refreshing. Chapter 46: World is dungeon
Dungeons, as it turns out, are paradoxes made real¡ªtreacherous and unpredictable, yet brimming with unimaginable beauty and untold riches. The lands surrounding Mistvale are home to countless such dungeons, each possessing its own allure, mystery, and danger. Some are renowned for their vast deposits of magic stones, their crystalline veins pulsating with arcane energy. Others are teeming with rare and potent medicinal herbs, capable of curing ailments that no ordinary healer could mend. And then, there is one¡ªa dungeon whispered about in hushed awe¡ªwhere fields of luminous, ethereal flowers bloom in an endless array of colors. Their glow casts a dreamlike radiance, painting the cavern in shifting hues that make it feel less like a place of peril and more like a realm plucked from the dreams of the gods. Adventurers flock there not for treasure, but for the view alone¡ªa fleeting glimpse of something truly otherworldly. It is through these very dungeons that humanity has not only survived but thrived. Magic stones and medicinal herbs fuel the economy, medicine, and the advancement of civilization itself. Even the monsters lurking within these labyrinths, while lethal, are an ironic necessity¡ªtheir meat a delicacy, their bones and hides essential for crafting weapons, armor, and intricate magical artifacts. And so, drawn by the promise of wealth and power, adventurers risk life and limb, forging their legends in the crucible of battle. With each foe slain, each trial overcome, they grow stronger¡ªpushing the limits of human potential in pursuit of glory, mastery, or simply survival. In this way, dungeons are no mere anomalies of the world. They are woven into the very fabric of society¡ªa constant, enigmatic force that is at once a blessing and a curse. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Rustle, rustle¡­ The garden path winds gently beneath our feet, the cool night breeze setting the trees swaying in a quiet rhythm. The grass whispers with every step, and clusters of delicate flowers dot the landscape¡ªsome glowing faintly, their petals shimmering under the silver glow of the moon. Bathed in its soft luminescence, the world feels almost ethereal. The shadows stretch, yet everything remains clear to my catgirl eyes, my vision naturally adjusting to the darkness. For a while, there is only the hush of nature around us¡ªuntil Eris finally speaks. ¡°Hey, you know,¡± she says, her voice breaking the stillness, ¡°the whole world is actually one big dungeon too!¡± I blink, my ears perking up in confusion. ¡°Wait, what? The world¡­ is a dungeon?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Eris nods, an amused glint in her eyes. ¡°Think about it. What¡¯s the difference between our world and the worlds behind those dungeon gates?¡± I pause, racking my brain for an answer. ¡°Ermmm¡­ I¡­ I don¡¯t know! I¡¯ve never even been to a dungeon before!¡± Eris grins, clearly enjoying my struggle. ¡°Then take a guess!¡± ¡°A guess?¡± I tilt my head, my tail flicking thoughtfully as I enter what I like to call ¡®catgirl thinking mode.¡¯ Hmmmmm¡­ Hmmmmmmmmm¡­ I rub my chin, my ears twitching in deep concentration. ¡°Ah! Is it that there are monsters inside the dungeons?¡± Eris shrugs. ¡°Well, dungeons do have creatures we call dungeon monsters, but in essence, they¡¯re not all that different from the animals in our world. Some are just stronger because of the high concentration of mana.¡± I frown, thinking harder. ¡°Then¡­ is it that dungeons are smaller?¡± Eris shakes her head. ¡°Nope. While many dungeons are small enough to explore in just a few days, some are so vast that no one has ever fully mapped them. Their scale can even surpass our wildest imagination!¡± ¡°T-then¡­¡± I chew on my lip, straining for an answer. I try to think harder, but the gears in my brain eventually jam. ¡°Ahhh, I can¡¯t think of anything else!¡± I groan, throwing up my hands in defeat. Eris bursts into laughter. ¡°That¡¯s because there is no difference!¡± I stare at her, stunned. ¡°Eh?! There is none¡ªbut you still made me guess? Ugh, Eris!!!¡± I puff out my cheeks, tail flicking in annoyance. ¡°Hehe,¡± she giggles, clearly delighting in my frustration. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? Our world is just one big dungeon!¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± I cross my arms, still pouting.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Eris continues, waving her hands as if to pacify me. ¡°Think of it like this¡ªif you were born inside a dungeon, let¡¯s say the Silverwolf Dungeon, and you were a Silverwolf, that dungeon would be your entire world. To you, humans invading through the gates would be like monsters appearing from another dungeon.¡± I pause, her words clicking into place. ¡°Oooooh!¡± My eyes widen as the idea finally makes sense. ¡°I get it now!¡± Eris nods, satisfied. ¡°Fascinating, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Nn!¡± I nod eagerly, excitement bubbling inside me. But then¡ª ¡°And there¡¯s more,¡± Eris adds, her tone shifting slightly. ¡°Some dungeons even contain ruins¡­ traces of lost civilizations.¡± I gasp. ¡°Wait! You mean¡­ there were once people living inside dungeons?¡± Eris¡¯s expression softens into something more solemn. ¡°Yup. They didn¡¯t just live there¡ªthey built entire kingdoms.¡± A whole civilization¡­ inside the dungeons? That¡¯s¡ª That¡¯s insanely cool! ¡°These lost civilizations,¡± Eris continues, ¡°were far more advanced than anything we have now. By studying their ruins, we¡¯ve uncovered countless discoveries that shaped our modern world.¡± ¡°That¡¯s amazing!¡± I exclaim, my curiosity now fully ignited. But then, a question tugs at me¡ªone that sends a faint shiver down my spine. ¡°But¡­ what happened to them?¡± My voice drops slightly. ¡°Why did they disappear?¡± Eris hesitates, her gaze turning distant. ¡°No one really knows,¡± she admits, shaking her head. ¡°Some say they ascended, leaving this world behind for a higher plane of existence.¡± I swallow, my mind conjuring up an image of ancient rulers stepping through glowing portals, vanishing into a dimension beyond comprehension. But Eris¡¯s next words send a cold chill through my veins. ¡°Others believe a catastrophic disaster wiped them out.¡± Her voice is quiet now, barely above a whisper. Then, after a pause, she looks at me, her expression unreadable. ¡°And if that¡¯s true¡­¡± she murmurs, ¡°then we need to find out what happened¡ªand how to prevent it.¡± The wind shifts, rustling through the trees, making the glowing flowers flicker like tiny spectral flames. Suddenly, the world feels a little too quiet. A little too fragile. And for the first time tonight, I can¡¯t help but wonder¡ª Are we walking in the footsteps of a civilization that was already doomed? ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡± I murmur, a chill creeping up my spine as the realization sinks in. For some reason, it reminds me of what happened to the dinosaurs on Earth¡ª66 million years ago, a massive rock fell from the sky, and boom. Extinction. What¡¯s to say something similar won¡¯t happen again? Maybe not a meteor. Maybe something worse. I shudder at the thought. But before I can dwell on it, Eris¡¯s voice cuts through the silence. ¡°By the way, do you know where us Furren come from?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I blink, caught off guard. ¡°Wait¡ªwhere Furren come from? You mean¡­ Furren people aren¡¯t originally from this world?¡± Eris¡¯s grin widens. ¡°Yup! We came from a different world¡ªanother dungeon!¡± I stare at her. ¡°No way! You¡¯re kidding!¡± ¡°Nope! It¡¯s the truth!¡± I fall silent, my curiosity piqued. Eris¡¯s playful smirk fades slightly as she begins to explain, her tone shifting into something more serious. I listen intently, hanging onto every word. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The two worlds. Furren and humans didn¡¯t come from the same world. They were born from two separate dimensions¡ªtwo entirely different realms. The human world was called Terra, a land where humans were the sole inhabitants. A place where magic existed, but nature was something to be controlled, molded by civilization¡¯s ever-expanding reach. Meanwhile, the Furren world was known as Faunae, a realm where nature and beastfolk coexisted in perfect harmony¡ªa land where the forests breathed, the rivers sang, and the connection between life and mana was far stronger than anything in Terra. For thousands of years, these two worlds remained isolated, unaware of each other¡¯s existence. Until the gate opened. A dungeon gate¡ªunlike any other¡ªtore through the fabric of space, linking Terra and Faunae for the first time. And it wasn¡¯t peaceful. War broke out. Humans and Furren clashed violently, both sides seeing the other as invaders. They fought over land, resources, and survival¡ªa conflict that raged for centuries, leaving the ground soaked in blood and the skies choked with fire. Neither side was strong enough to completely wipe out the other, but neither was willing to surrender, either. Then, over time¡ªthrough countless struggles, sacrifices, and unlikely alliances¡ªthey found a way to coexist. They shared their knowledge, their magic, their technology, shaping a new future. For the first time, humans and Furren stood together, not as enemies, but as equals. Even so, the scars of war never truly faded. Even now, there are places in Terra where Furren are treated with suspicion, where old prejudices still linger. And in Faunae, there remain regions where humans are unwelcome, seen as outsiders who nearly destroyed their world once before. And interestingly, this very kingdom¡ªEldenwald¡ªexists in Terra. Meanwhile, Eris¡¯s homeland ¡ª The Zerakia Kingdom¡ªlocated in Faunae. And the gate that once separated these two worlds? It still exists, and is actually hidden high in the northern mountains of Mistvale, standing as a silent reminder of the past. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Eris exhales, her gaze drifting toward the night sky. ¡°It¡¯s been a long journey for our people, Felicia. We¡¯ve come a long way, but there¡¯s still so much work to be done.¡± I nod, the weight of her words settling deep in my chest. ¡°Nn.¡± But a thought lingers in my mind. ¡°Has this¡­ ever happened before?¡± I ask hesitantly. ¡°I mean, besides humans and Furren¡­ has any other race ever appeared? Any other world made contact with us?¡± Eris shakes her head. ¡°Nope. But that doesn¡¯t mean it won¡¯t happen.¡± Her expression turns serious. ¡°Especially with new dungeons popping up every day.¡± I feel another chill run through me. Right¡­ dungeons. Dungeons are more than just caves filled with monsters and treasure. They¡¯re gateways. Portals to places unknown. Eris glances at me, her eyes steady. ¡°And that means we have to be prepared. Our world¡ªour people¡ªneed to grow stronger.¡± I nod again, more firmly this time. ¡°Yeah.¡± Even though the world seems peaceful now, I can¡¯t shake the feeling of how fragile that peace truly is. Dungeons exist everywhere, which means the fate of our world is always hanging by a thread. I think back to what Eris said about balance. The only reason peace was possible between humans and Furren was because neither side was strong enough to completely overpower the other. Their struggles forced them to find common ground¡ªa balance born of necessity, forged through shared hardship and a mutual desire to survive. But what if, one day, a new dungeon opens? One that connects us to another world? A world with a thriving, unknown civilization we¡¯ve never encountered before? If they come in peace, that would be a blessing. But if they come as conquerors¡­ If they seek to enslave, dominate, or destroy us¡­ A shiver crawls down my spine. If that day ever comes¡ª We may have no choice but to fight to protect what we have. Chapter 47: Favorite monster?
The more we talk about dungeons, the more my curiosity ignites. The thrill of the unknown, the danger lurking in the shadows, the promise of adventure¡ªit all sounds so exciting! I can only imagine what it must be like to step into a dungeon myself, to see its wonders with my own eyes. One day¡­ I¡¯ll experience it all. But for now¡ªquestions! ¡°Eris, what¡¯s your favorite dungeon monster?¡± I ask, bouncing on my toes as my excitement bubbles over. It¡¯s a habit of mine. When I¡¯m really interested in something, I just can¡¯t stop asking questions! Some people find it annoying, but Eris said she doesn¡¯t mind, so I fire away without holding back. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a tough one!¡± Eris muses, tapping her chin thoughtfully. A moment of silence follows as she deliberates, then¡ªher eyes suddenly sparkle with delight. ¡°Oh! The giant horned rabbits!¡± ¡°Giant¡­ horned¡­ rabbits?¡± I repeat, ears twitching. Eris nods enthusiastically. ¡°They¡¯re not only cute and fluffy but also incredibly delicious! And they¡¯re massive, so there¡¯s plenty of meat!¡± ¡°Ooooh! Rabbit meat? Is it even tastier than Filoan birds?¡± ¡°Oh, waaaay tastier,¡± she says, her grin widening as she gestures like she¡¯s holding the world¡¯s biggest rabbit drumstick. ¡°They have a rich, gamey flavor that¡¯s perfect for grilling or stewing. But be warned¡ªthey¡¯re tough to chew if not cooked properly. Oh, and they¡¯re quite pricey too!¡± Gulp. I swallow hard, my mouth watering at the thought. If Eris says they¡¯re that good, then a giant rabbit feast is definitely going on my bucket list! But then¡ªher tone shifts. ¡°Don¡¯t let their cuteness fool you.¡± Her expression grows serious. ¡°They¡¯re E-rank monsters, and a careless adventurer can easily get taken down by one!¡± I nod quickly, making a mental note to never underestimate deceptively adorable creatures. ¡°Okay, what about the monster you hate the most?¡± I ask, pressing on. Eris doesn¡¯t even hesitate. ¡°Spiders.¡± A chill runs down my spine. ¡°Ahh¡­ spiders¡­¡± I echo, my shoulders tensing instinctively. My tail floofs out like it has a mind of its own. Yeah. No. Hard pass. Back on Earth, I could never deal with spiders¡ªand that hasn¡¯t changed one bit. Those eight-legged nightmares¡­ Why do they exist?! Sure, they look cool in anime, and spider girls are kind of cute¡­ but real ones? HELL. NAH. Even the smallest one could send me sprinting away at full speed. I gulp. ¡°A-anyway¡­ just how big do they get?¡± Eris stretches her arms wide. ¡°Oh, verrrry big. I once fought one the size of a house.¡± ¡°WHAT? THE SIZE OF A HOUSE?!¡± I squeak, gripping my sleeves as an actual shiver wracks my body. A spider that big?!A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. I wouldn¡¯t even fight¡ªI¡¯d just faint on the spot! But Eris isn¡¯t done yet. ¡°And then, there are the slimes.¡± I blink. ¡°Slimes? But aren¡¯t they¡­ weak?¡± ¡°Mostly, yeah,¡± Eris admits with a shrug. ¡°But they¡¯re also incredibly annoying. If you pop them too hard, their insides splatter everywhere¡ªand depending on the type of slime, their goo can sometimes¡­ melt your clothes right off.¡± ¡°WHAT?!¡± I stare at her, half horrified, half morbidly fascinated. ¡°Seriously?!¡± Eris bursts into laughter, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Oh, yeah. And some slimes can even dissolve metal, too!¡± I gasp, throwing my hands up. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous!¡± Then a thought sneaks into my brain, making me pause. ¡°Wait¡­ have you ever had your clothes melted off before?¡± Eris taps her chin, pretending to ponder. ¡°Hmmm, nope!¡± Then, she grins. ¡°But I have seen it happen to someone else!¡± I gasp dramatically, clutching my chest as my cheeks burn. ¡°Oh my¡­ those naughty slimes¡­¡± Mental note: Never. Go. Near. Them. Eris laughs, clearly enjoying my reaction. But then, her expression shifts, eyes twinkling with excitement. ¡°But you know what? Some slimes are actually pretty tasty¡ªif you know how to cook them!¡± My ears perk up instantly. ¡°Ooooh! How do you cook a slime?¡± ¡°Well, you can turn them into jelly, or even make slime cakes and candies!¡± Eris says, flashing a playful smile. I blink. ¡°That¡­ sounds weirdly amazing!¡± ¡°I know, right?¡± she grins. ¡°Actually, I know a great place that sells slime sweets. Let¡¯s visit it sometime!¡± ¡°Nn!¡± And just like that, we continue chatting animatedly, our conversation drifting from monsters to food, from danger to delight. The road stretches ahead, flanked by swaying trees and rustling grass, the soft crunch of our footsteps the only sound in the quiet night. There¡¯s no one else around¡ªjust the occasional coo of a night bird, the distant whisper of flowing water, and the gentle mist that has begun to gather, swirling in the cool air like a spectral veil. Tonight feels colder than last night. I shiver slightly, tugging my cloak tighter around me, already wondering¡ª Will we need to ask Gordon for a thicker blanket to stay warm? ¡­ Step. Step. I keep talking, asking more questions. And Eris? She keeps answering. Right now, our conversation has drifted to random dungeon plants and flowers. Turns out, there are so many strange and fascinating ones¡ªsome beautiful, some deadly. ¡°Hmmm¡­ you know, there¡¯s this flower called the Nightmare Orchid,¡± Eris says, her tone dropping slightly, making me perk up with curiosity. ¡°Nightmare Orchid?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she continues. ¡°It¡¯s a black flower, absolutely mesmerizing. But be careful¡ªjust one whiff of its scent, and you¡¯ll be trapped in a loop of nightmares, forced to relive your worst fears over and over again.¡± A shiver runs down my spine. A looping nightmare? So it¡¯s like a bad acid trip? Hallucinogenic flowers exist in this world too? You can get high just from the smell alone? Interesting. But the Nightmare Orchid sounds like a bad deal. There¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯d ever want to experience something like that. ¡­ Suddenly, A scent drifts through the air. Sweet. Haunting. Strange. It¡¯s delicate, yet compelling, curling around me like an invisible ribbon of ethereal silk. I freeze mid-step, inhaling deeply. ¡°Hmmm¡­ What is that smell?¡± My ears twitch, my tail bristling slightly as my eyes dart around, searching for its source. The fragrance is faint, almost ghostly, yet it seeps into me, threading through my senses like an unspoken whisper. A blend of rose and lavender. Sweet, soft, almost¡­ soothing. But¡ª Something about it feels wrong. The sweetness isn¡¯t comforting¡ªit¡¯s unnerving. A creeping unease tightens in my chest. My catgirl instincts prick with alarm, a sensation I can¡¯t explain but can¡¯t ignore. I don¡¯t know much about the flowers of this world. But maybe¡­ maybe Eris does? ¡°Eris? Are you smelling this too?¡± I ask, expecting her usual playful laugh, or maybe a teasing remark. But¡ª ¡­ ¡­ Silence. I pause. Huh? I wait, expecting her to respond. A chuckle, a comment¡ªsomething. But the only thing that greets me is a suffocating quiet. A hush so absolute, it feels unnatural. Then¡ª A cold, gnawing dread coils in my stomach, spreading like ice in my veins. Something¡¯s wrong. ¡°Eris?¡± My voice wavers. I turn around¡ªand my blood runs cold. What? She¡¯s gone. Eris¡­ is gone. A wave of cold dread crashes into me, pressing down with every passing second. ¡°No¡­ this can¡¯t be happening¡­!¡± I shake my head violently, slap my own cheeks, trying to jolt myself out of this sudden nightmare. ¡°Eris?¡± I call out again, louder this time, my voice edging into panic. Nothing. Only the emptiness of the night. And then¡ª ¡°ERIS!!!¡± I scream her name, desperation tightening around my throat. ¡°Please! Are you there?! Where are you?! ERISSSS!!!¡± The name tears from my lips, ringing into the stillness. Again. And again. But the silence devours my voice, leaving behind only the sound of my ragged breathing. Nothing. No answer. The world around me presses in, the air colder than before, the darkness thicker. Panic claws at my mind, sinking deeper with every breath. My thoughts spiral, the edges of my vision blurring, my heart pounding wildly against my ribs. What¡­ what is this? A moment ago¡ªjust a moment ago¡ªEris was right beside me, laughing, talking, her presence so real, so tangible. And now¡ª Now she¡¯s gone. As if she were never here at all. Chapter 48: Abandoned Eris promised she would always be here to protect me. That she would never let anything happen to me. But¡­ where is she now? I am alone. Wandering down this dark, endless path, my footsteps swallowed by the eerie hush of the night. The air bites at my skin, cold and suffocating. I have no idea where to go, no idea what might be lurking in the shadows, hiding within the dense, whispering bushes. The fog has thickened¡ªso much so that even my catgirl eyes are nearly useless. I can¡¯t see my own feet. Everything around me has twisted into dark, shifting silhouettes, shapes that seem to breathe and move just beyond my vision. The trees loom, their gnarled branches stretching out like skeletal hands, clawing at the sky. The wind whistles through them¡ªa mournful, ghostly wail that rises and falls like a chorus of banshees mourning the dead. Every rustle of leaves. Every snap of a twig. Every distant caw of a crow. Icy shivers race up my spine. My skin prickles with goosebumps, and my breath catches in my throat, tight and shallow. ¡°Eris¡­ Eris¡­ please¡­ where¡­ where are you?¡± The words barely escape my lips, nothing more than a fragile, trembling whisper. Fear coils around my neck¡ªan invisible serpent, merciless and unrelenting. Tightening. Squeezing. I can¡¯t breathe. My throat burns from calling her name, over and over and over, but no answer ever comes. My heart pounds so violently, each beat feels like a hammer against my ribs. My breaths come in short, frantic gasps¡ªragged, uneven. No matter how much I try, I can¡¯t calm down. Panic. Pure. Panic. I¡¯ve had panic attacks before¡ªplenty, actually. But nothing like this. My ears droop, my tail fluffs up, trembling uncontrollably. My whole body shakes, every muscle locked tight with panic, every nerve on fire. Just minutes ago, this garden trail felt serene and peaceful with Eris by my side. But now, without her¡ª It has transformed into a landscape of pure dread. A place where shadows whisper. Where the air presses in. Where something unseen is watching, waiting.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Why? Why did this happen? What did I do to deserve this? Why would Eris leave me like this? I don¡¯t understand. I don¡¯t understand. And then¡ª A horrible thought slithers into my mind. Wait¡­ Could it be¡­? A horrible thought slithers into my mind: Because I¡¯m useless¡­ Eris abandoned me? No. No, no, no, NO! That can¡¯t be true! That CAN¡¯T be true!!! Eris isn¡¯t like that! She would never! I shake my head violently, trying to banish the thought, but it lingers¡ª Gnawing. Whispering. Twisting. It burrows into me, digging deep, sinking into my chest like a poisonous dagger. And the worst part? The fact that I can¡¯t entirely deny it. A sharp ache blooms in my chest, deep and suffocating. My heart cracks. Tears well up. Hot, stinging, unstoppable. Before I know it, I¡¯m sobbing. My shoulders shake, my breath hitches, my fingers clutch at my chest as if I can hold myself together¡ª But I can¡¯t. Because Eris is gone. And I don¡¯t know if she¡¯s coming back. But! No¡ªI have to calm down. I have to. If I can¡¯t even stand up and keep moving¡ª Then I really am useless. And I refuse to be useless! I have to keep going! I have to believe in Eris! I grit my teeth and force myself forward, pushing one foot in front of the other. My legs feel like lead, my breathing ragged, but I don¡¯t stop. The plan is simple¡ªkeep walking, follow the moonlight, find the main road. From there, I can look for help. Or maybe¡ªmaybe I¡¯ll even find Eris. It hadn¡¯t taken us more than twenty minutes to get from the Adventurer¡¯s Guild to the clock tower earlier, even with the stops we made. So it shouldn¡¯t take long to get back. Right? Right. That¡¯s the logic I cling to¡ªdesperately. So, I walk. One foot in front of the other. The fog presses in, thick and suffocating, swallowing everything around me. It¡¯s like walking through a dream¡ªa nightmare. To keep my focus, I count my steps out loud. ¡°One¡­ two¡­ three¡­¡± ¡­ ¡°Nine hundred and¡ª¡± Wait. What¡­ the hell is happening?! I freeze, dread creeping up my spine like icy fingers. No. This can¡¯t be right. No matter how far I go, the scenery stays the same¡ªthe same trees, the same bushes, the same endless, fog-choked path. It¡¯s looping. Like a twisted horror game, the world resets with every step. I could walk forever and never escape. My chest tightens painfully, my breath coming in shaky gasps. Why? Why is there no end to this place? What kind of hellish trap have I stumbled into? ¡°No, no, no¡­ this isn¡¯t happening,¡± I whisper, gripping my Messer sword so tightly that my knuckles ache. My mind scrambles for answers, clawing at possibilities, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat makes sense. Then¡ª A single explanation rises to the surface. Magic. Could it be¡­ a spell? A trap? But what kind of magic? Think, Felicia. THINK!!! I bite my lip hard, forcing my panic aside. Teleportation? A looping spell? Maybe I triggered something when I stepped on a specific leaf or crossed an invisible boundary. That would explain why Eris and I got separated. Yes¡­ that has to be it. Which means¡ª Eris didn¡¯t abandon me. She¡¯s probably looking for me right now! Or worse¡ª She could be in danger herself. The realization hits like a punch to the gut. But even knowing this, I still don¡¯t have a plan. I still don¡¯t know what to do. ¡°Damn it!¡± I curse under my breath, frustration and fear pressing in from all sides. The darkness tightens, the fog choking the space around me. It feels like I¡¯m being swallowed whole by the terror that¡ª I might never escape. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Even so¡ª I keep trudging forward. Even though, deep down, I know it¡¯s probably pointless. Each step feels heavier, exhaustion pressing down on me, made infinitely worse by my utterly abysmal stamina. ¡°Do I really have to wait until morning for this nightmare to end?¡± I mutter, frustration bubbling up alongside my fatigue. My voice sounds small, swallowed by the oppressive mist, as if the very air refuses to carry my words. Then¡ª Something moves. A shadow slinks through the fog, shifting just beyond the veil of gray. ¡°Shit! What now?¡± I whisper, my pulse spiking like a shock to the system. The movement sends a jolt of adrenaline through me, my breath hitching, my heart slamming against my ribs, each beat loud and frantic, like it¡¯s trying to punch its way out of my chest. My grip tightens around my sword, the blade quivering in my trembling hands. Moonlight catches the steel, flickering off its edge in fleeting flashes, like tiny warnings. I brace myself. Every muscle coiled. Every nerve screaming. It¡¯s just a tree, right? Yeah. It¡¯s probably just a tree, swaying in the wind. I tell myself that. I want to believe that. But then¡ª The shadow moves again. And then¡ª Rustling. Closer. And closer. The dread clawing up my spine tightens its grip, locking every vertebra in place. My mind races, desperately trying to rationalize what I¡¯m seeing. No. It¡¯s not a tree. It¡¯s moving too deliberately. Too alive. It¡¯s a creature! A freaking creature!!! Icy fear wraps around me like a noose, my knees threatening to give out as I watch the thing emerge, its form slowly taking shape. Its silhouette grows clearer¡ª A round body. Long ears. Twitching. Bounding ever closer through the fog. Chapter 49: Rabbit?
Please, don¡¯t be a monster. Please, please, please¡­ I hold my breath, my heart hammering against my ribs, each beat a desperate plea. And then¡ª The mist shifts. A shadow emerges. I brace myself¡ªmuscles tensed, sword raised, every nerve on edge. But then¡ª Relief. A shaky breath escapes me, my body trembling from the sheer force of my panic. ¡°Oh, thank god¡­¡± I murmur, my voice still quivering. It¡¯s only a horned rabbit. A small one¡ªno bigger than a beaver, covered in soft, fluffy fur with wide, innocent eyes. It¡¯s so ridiculously cute that, for a second, I actually want to pet it. The rabbit stops in front of me, tilting its head, sniffing the air. Its tiny nose twitches adorably. And suddenly, I feel almost silly. A nervous chuckle slips out, a small, tired smile tugging at my lips. ¡°M-Mister Rabbit, do you know where Eris is?¡± I ask, half-joking. The rabbit doesn¡¯t move. It just¡­ stares at me. Unblinking. I tap my forehead, chuckling awkwardly. ¡°Ah, silly me! You¡¯re just a cute little monster. How could you even understand me?¡± But then¡ª A thought hits me like a lightning bolt. Wait. What if it CAN understand me? This is a fantasy world, after all! Maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthis little guy could lead me out of here. Clinging to that wild hope, I try again. ¡°Mister Rabbit, can you show me the way out?¡± Nothing. The rabbit¡¯s unblinking gaze stays locked onto mine. It doesn¡¯t budge. It doesn¡¯t twitch. A cold prickle of unease runs down my spine. The silence is deafening, too still, too unnatural. Something isn¡¯t right. And then¡ª Eris¡¯s words crash into my mind like a warning bell. ¡°Be careful¡­ don¡¯t let their cuteness fool you. They¡¯re E-rank monsters and can easily take down a careless adventurer!¡± My breath catches in my throat. The rabbit¡¯s eyes¡ª They flash red. Deep, angry, murderous red. My heart stops.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Shit!¡± I yelp, stumbling backward. With a bone-chilling screech, the rabbit lunges, its horn suddenly extending and spinning like a deadly drill, slicing through the air with terrifying speed! I barely raise my sword in time¡ª CLANG! The impact rattles my bones, sending a shockwave of force through my arms. My blade quivers, the vibration numbing my grip. I almost drop it. Almost. But I hold on. Somehow¡ªI¡¯m still standing. ¡°Damn¡­ it¡¯s strong!¡± I gasp, forcing my stance to steady. My pulse thunders in my ears, my eyes darting to track the creature. It¡¯s fast. Too fast. It bounces around at ridiculous speeds, repositioning, preparing for another attack. I grit my teeth, adjusting my grip. ¡°Alright, I got this,¡± I whisper, trying to steady my breath. The creature is quick, but I can see its movements. After all, reaction speed is my highest stat. If I stay calm¡ªif I strike at the right moment¡ª Maybe, just maybe¡ª I can kill it before it kills me. But then¡ª The rabbit stops. And everything takes a horrific turn. The rabbit¡­ it¡¯s no longer a rabbit! Not a Rabbit. Nope! Not Anymore! A wave of nausea washes over me as the rabbit¡¯s body convulses, jerking and twisting in ways that shouldn¡¯t be possible. POP! CRACK! Its bones snap¡ª Its neck contorts grotesquely, twisting at an angle no living creature should survive. My stomach lurches. ¡°What¡­ the actual hell?!¡± Then¡ª A wet, tearing sound. The rabbit¡¯s flesh splits open, peeling back like a grotesque mask. From within the gory mess, something crawls out¡ªspindly, jagged legs, twitching, writhing, moving with a mind of their own. I freeze, horror rooting me to the spot. The rabbit¡¯s entire form unravels, morphing before my eyes, flesh peeling away to reveal the true nightmare within. No longer a rabbit. But a spider! A massive, grotesque, monstrous spider! Its black, hairy body bristles, its long, needle-like legs stretching as if relishing their newfound freedom. And then¡ª Eight glowing, menacing red eyes lock onto me. And it keeps growing. Its body swells, twisting, towering, blotting out the moon itself. A nightmare given shape. A twisted abomination that should not exist. I collapse to my knees, paralyzed. Frozen. My limbs turn to ice, my breath catches, and my heart¡ªdear god, my heart¡ªis slamming so hard against my ribs that it feels like it¡¯s trying to break free. Move, Felicia. Get up. MOVE! I keep telling myself. Over and over. I need to run. I need to survive. But¡­ I can¡¯t move. I¡¯m trapped in its gaze, a helpless insect caught in a spider¡¯s web. The monster¡¯s shadow engulfs me, stretching over me like a shroud. Thick, foul-smelling saliva drips from its monstrous fangs, splattering onto my clothes, soaking me in dread. Then¡ª It lunges. A maw of massive, serrated mandibles surges toward me. ¡°NOOOOO!!!!¡± I squeeze my eyes shut, my entire body locking up, every muscle screaming in terror. This is it. The end. I can already see it happening¡ª The crunch of bones. The sickening tear of flesh. The abyssal horror of being swallowed whole by this nightmare made real. But¡­ nothing happens. Huh? My eyes snap open. My hands¡ªtrembling, shaking, but still there. I¡¯m alive? My heart hammers in confusion as I twist my head, expecting to see the beast looming over me. Instead¡ª It¡¯s retreating. The monstrous spider quivers, stepping back, its massive form shuddering as though paralyzed with fear. And then¡ª I see her. A girl stands between me and the beast. A catgirl. Short, white hair. A flowing black dress. Her arm raised¡ªgraceful, yet commanding. Who is she? She doesn¡¯t hesitate. Her fist clenches. POP. The spider explodes. Its grotesque form bursts into a swirling mist, vanishing into the night air as though it never existed. WHAT?! I stare, my jaw hanging open. What kind of power is this?! She didn¡¯t just kill it¡ªshe erased it. Like it was nothing. T-thank you¡­¡± I stammer, my voice shaky, still riding the edge of adrenaline and disbelief. But then¡ª I take a closer look. And my heart stops. This catgirl¡ª Her hair. Her body. She¡¯s¡­ me. Or rather¡ª The real Felicia. ¡°Are you¡­ Felicia?¡± I whisper, my voice cracking with disbelief. She turns toward me¡ª And I gasp. She looks identical to me¡ª Yet different. Her eyes glow red, an unnatural, piercing crimson so intense that it sends a chill slicing down my spine. And then¡ª I see them. Cracks. Faint, eerie fractures running along her skin, like shattered glass holding itself together. Gulp. I swallow hard, my body locking up all over again. I wait¡ªfor her to say something, anything. But she doesn¡¯t speak. She just glides toward me, her movements fluid, almost divine, like a phantom drifting through the night. Her black dress flows around her, weightless, shifting like the robes of a goddess. She stops right in front of me. And then¡ª She sighs. Raises a single finger. And¡ª Flick. Her fingertip barely touches my forehead. Yet¡ª It feels like a cannon blast. I am hurled backward. The world around me shatters, warping, twisting into an explosion of light and darkness. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- ¡°AAaa!¡± A sharp gasp tears from my throat as I collapse onto solid ground, my legs giving out beneath me. Huh? I¡¯m¡­ still here? What¡¯s going on? ¡°Impossible!¡± A man¡¯s voice roars, laced with fury. ¡°How did she escape the Nightmare Flower¡¯s effect?!¡± What? My head snaps upward, and my stomach plummets. A group of men surrounds me. And among them¡ª FUCK. It¡¯s them. The bastards from the tavern! The ones who chased me yesterday. The ones who wanted me to be their playthings! A chill rakes through me, my pulse hammering as their leering faces close in. One of them¡ªthe bearded one¡ªsteps forward, smirking. ¡°Hmm¡­ she must have some special ability or something,¡± he muses, his voice making me nauseous. . And in his hand¡ª A flower. Black. Glowing. Its eerie aura seeps into the air, slithering over my skin like cold, invisible tendrils. Chapter 50: Predators I¡¯m shaking. Violently. Every inch of me trembles, as if my body is about to collapse beneath the sheer weight of my fear. My heart slams against my ribs, erratic, wild, like a trapped bird throwing itself against the bars of its cage. Because it¡¯s them. Those monsters. The burly brute, his beard a filthy tangle, his yellowed teeth gnashing as he grins. The tall, skeletal one, slicked-back hair plastered to his scalp, his crooked teeth gleaming in the dim light like jagged knives. Their twisted faces burn into my mind, their very presence suffocating. And behind them¡ª A pack of at least ten others. Each one vile in their own way. All radiating the same sickening, predatory hunger. They¡¯re human. But their eyes¡­ Their eyes pierce through me, gleaming with cruel amusement and wicked intent¡ª More monstrous than any beast. It¡¯s like they¡¯re peeling me apart, savoring my fear the way vultures circle a dying creature. Their stares dig into my skin, stripping me down to nothing. I am not a person to them. I am prey. Caught. Cornered. Helpless. My legs buckle, my breath catches, and an icy dread spreads through me like poison in my veins. Then¡ª I see it. In the burly man¡¯s oversized, filthy hand lies something delicate and haunting. A black flower. Black as the void. My breath hitches. Eris¡¯s words flash through my mind. We just talked about this. No. No, no, no, no, no¡ª ¡°N-Nightmare Orchid?¡± The name forces its way out, my lips trembling around the syllables. The bearded man¡¯s grin widens, grotesque, splitting his face far too wide. ¡°Oh? So the little kitty knows what this is?¡± he mocks, his voice gravelly and dripping with malice. He twirls the flower between his thick fingers, its eerie glow casting a sickly sheen on his skin.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°You¡¯re smarter than you look. That¡¯s right¡ªthis is a Nightmare Orchid. Beautiful, isn¡¯t it? A single sniff of its pollen, and it¡¯ll show you things¡ªthings so horrifying, you¡¯ll wish you were dead.¡± He pauses. Then his grin twists, turning into something darker, hungrier. ¡°But¡­ how the fuck did you wake up?¡± That¡­ I don¡¯t know. It wasn¡¯t me who broke free. It was¡ª The other Felicia. The real Felicia. And¡ª Eris. Eris! I spin around frantically, searching for her, my pulse roaring in my ears. And then¡ª My world stops cold. She¡¯s there. Right behind me. Standing completely still. Her expression is empty. Her chest rises and falls mechanically, a hollow rhythm, like she¡¯s nothing more than a lifeless doll. ¡°No¡­ no, no, no, no!¡± I stammer, stumbling toward her. I grip her arm tightly, shaking her with everything I have. ¡°Eris! ERIS!!! Please wake up! Please, WAKE UP!¡± Her body sways limply under my frantic shaking, like a puppet with its strings cut. But she doesn¡¯t respond. Not a single flicker of recognition. ¡°She¡¯s not gonna wake up, little kitty.¡± The bearded man¡¯s voice slithers into my ears, a low, guttural growl. I whirl back to him¡ª And his grin only grows darker. More menacing. More predatory. ¡°Hehehe.¡± A chuckle¡ªlow, amused, sickening. ¡°Without the antidote¡ªor my permission¡ªshe¡¯s gone.¡± He tilts his head, watching me with mocking amusement. ¡°Bet that bitch is having some sweet dreams right about now.¡± ¡°No¡­¡± The word barely escapes my throat. A twisted cackle rises from the tall, slick-haired man. ¡°But Dylan, why the hell did this chick shake off the flower¡¯s effect so fast? It¡¯s been, what? A few seconds?¡± A few¡­ seconds? Dylan¡ªthe bearded bastard¡ªshrugs. ¡°Beats me!¡± His voice is light, casual, infuriatingly amused. ¡°Like I said, she must have some special ability or something.¡± ¡°Wait¡­ could it be magic?¡± The skeletal man frowns, eyes narrowing. Dylan rubs his chin, studying me with newfound intrigue. ¡°Hmmmm¡­ nah. That¡¯s not possible.¡± I barely hear them anymore. Because¡ª Seconds. They¡¯re saying it¡¯s only been seconds since the flower took effect. But¡ª That nightmare¡ª It wasn¡¯t seconds. It was hours. Endless. Excruciating. Hours. Wandering alone in suffocating darkness, gnawed at by terror, unraveling piece by piece. It felt like a lifetime. An eternity. And yet¡ª As horrible as that was¡ª This¡ªthis is worse. This is the real nightmare¡­ ¡°WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?!¡± The scream tears from my throat, raw and desperate. The bearded bastard¡¯s lips curl into a grotesque sneer. ¡°Oh, we want a lot.¡± His voice drips with mocking amusement, as if he¡¯s enjoying the way my fear seeps into the air. ¡°Because of that fucking Gordon guy, we couldn¡¯t finish what we started last time. But now¡­¡± His tongue drags across his cracked lips, the motion so vile, so revolting, that my stomach lurches. ¡°Now, you¡¯re in our hands.¡± ¡°Ahhh, can I have some fun with her?¡± The slender one chimes in, his gaze crawling over me like a swarm of cockroaches. ¡°Just a little bit?¡± ¡°No, you idiot!¡± the bearded man snaps, shooting him a glare. Then, his expression twists into something even uglier. ¡°We sell her. Someone as pretty as her is worth millions. The nobles will pay hefty for this.¡± What?! Millions. The word slams into me like a punch. So that¡¯s why they¡¯re here. That¡¯s why they¡¯re after me. They want to kidnap me¡ªsell me off to some noble bastard like livestock. A slow chill creeps up my spine, making my breath hitch. ¡°Well, if you want to have fun, we can have the other one,¡± the burly one says, glancing toward Eris. ¡°Oh yeah, that bitch is kinda hot,¡± the slender man muses. His eyes gleam with sick pleasure. ¡°Not as pretty as the white one, though, but I like it. I¡¯m gonna make her my personal slave.¡± ¡°Hehe¡­¡± ¡°Hehehehe!!!¡± Their laughter erupts, grotesque and twisted. Then¡ª Steel flashes. Blades are drawn, brandished, glinting menacingly in the faint moonlight. They creep forward, slow and calculated, like predators savoring the moment before they strike. ¡°Come, little kitty¡­¡± one of them coos, his voice mockingly sweet. ¡°Come to papa.¡± I stagger backward, my legs trembling so violently I nearly collapse. Fuck. What do I do?! I DON¡¯T KNOW! ¡°S-STAY BACK! STAY AWAY!!!¡± The words tumble out of me in a panicked rush, my voice cracking, raw and desperate. I bare my teeth, a feral hiss escaping me instinctively. My grip tightens around my messer sword, my knuckles turning bone-white. ¡°DON¡¯T YOU DARE COME CLOSER!!!¡± ¡°DON¡¯T YOU FUCKING DARE!!!¡± But they don¡¯t stop. They don¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Ohhh, the little kitty¡¯s angry!¡± the big bastard grins, his amusement only growing. ¡°Once we capture her, we¡¯ll have to teach her some discipline!¡± ¡°Nah, no need. Isn¡¯t this turning you on?¡± one of them snickers. ¡°Don¡¯t you love a little chick with some fierce fighting spirit?¡± ¡°Right! And when you break them¡ªwhen you make them beg¡ªit¡¯s even better.¡± The burly man licks his lips again, eyes gleaming with hunger. ¡°Man, are you sure we want to sell this one?¡± Chapter 51: I will fight! Second by second, they creep closer. Their heavy boots scrape against the ground, the sound dragging through the air like a blade against stone. Their laughter is low, guttural, dripping with malice, stretching into the night like the whisper of something foul and rotting. Their grins widen, yellowed teeth flashing, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. They¡¯re predators. And I¡¯m the prey. I glance around frantically, my heart pounding, a drumbeat of panic hammering against my ribs. No escape. No miracle. Just me. Just them. Still¡ª I stand. My legs feel like lead, the weight of terror pressing down, threatening to buckle beneath me. But I force them to stay firm. My grip on the messer sword is slick with sweat, my knuckles trembling so violently that the blade wavers. But I don¡¯t drop it. I can¡¯t. Even though I¡¯m shaking. Even though my heart is beating so wildly it feels like it might burst. Even though a suffocating darkness claws at the edges of my mind, whispering that it¡¯s already over¡­ I refuse to let go. Because I know what I must do. I have to fight. Yes. I will fight. The thought is almost laughable¡ªalmost. After all, what chance do I have? I¡¯m outnumbered. Outmatched. I have neither the strength nor the magic to tip the scales in my favor. But¡ª I refuse to crumble. I¡¯ll fight, even if it¡¯s futile. Even if the only thing I achieve is a fleeting sense of defiance before the end. Because I won¡¯t let them take me. Not my body. Not my dignity. Not my soul. I will not let them drag me into their pit of depravity. If I can, if I¡¯m lucky, I¡¯ll cut down one. Maybe two¡ªthe more, the better. If I fail, I¡¯ll leave them with scars, wounds that will remind them of me. Even a tiny scratch will be enough. I¡¯ll make them bleed. I¡¯ll make them remember me! And when the inevitable comes¡ªwhen their filthy hands of fate close around my throat¡ª I¡¯ll deny them their prize. I¡¯ll turn this blade inward, spill my own blood before they lay a single hand on me. I¡¯ll ruin myself before they can. Because death doesn¡¯t scare me. Not anymore. Not when I¡¯ve already crossed that line once. And just like that¡ª A cold thought, razor-sharp, slices through the haze of fear. For a single moment¡ªThe story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. My trembling ceases. My breath steadies, just enough for me to think. But then¡ª A pain far worse than fear clenches around my chest. Eris. What will happen to her when I¡¯m gone? The men¡¯s jeering, their leers, their laughter fade into the background as a darker, deeper dread chokes me whole. My mind conjures horrors I can¡¯t unsee. They¡¯ll lay their dirty hands on her. They¡¯ll tear her apart. Piece by fragile piece. Rage floods my veins. A venomous fire, boiling through my limbs, erasing the fear, erasing the doubt. I bite down on my lip, hard enough to taste blood, forcing the images away. I don¡¯t know what I can do. Because I¡¯m more than useless. But¡ª Until my final breath, I will do whatever it takes to protect her. It may not make a difference¡ª But at least I¡¯ll know I did everything I could. After all¡ª She¡¯s done so much for me. She saved me from the dungeon. She gave me shelter, food, kindness. She didn¡¯t have to. She owed me nothing. But she did it anyway. She¡¯s the nicest person I¡¯ve ever met. And the time I had with her? Too short. Far too short. I wanted more. I wanted to stay by her side longer¡ª To hold her hand. To laugh and share meals together. To see the world inside the dungeons. To explore the unknown with her. But¡ª That dream will remain a dream. Even so¡ª I am grateful. Meeting her. Knowing her. It was enough. So¡ª I¡¯ll give her one last gift. My life for hers. I tighten my grip on the messer sword, its edge gleaming¡ª Like the blade is responding to the fire burning in my chest. The laughter grows louder. The men draw closer. Their shadows tower over me¡ª And still¡ª I stand. Then¡ª With a feral scream, raw, unrestrained, I hurl my voice into the void: ¡°COME!!! GET ME IF YOU CAN, YOU PIECES OF SHIT!!!¡± The force of my voice rips through the night, a primal cry that drowns out their laughter for a fleeting moment. And goddamn¡ª That felt good! That felt right! This¡ªthis is what it means to stand your ground. To spit in the face of death. HELL YEAH! I drag the last remnants of mana from my core, forcing it to ignite. As expected¡ª The burning pain erupts in my chest, white-hot, so sharp it nearly drives me to my knees. My vision darkens at the edges, my body screams in protest. But I don¡¯t care. Let it hurt. Let it tear me apart! This is my final stand. My final moment!!! And just then, something changes. The men freeze mid-step. Their movements halt so suddenly, it¡¯s as if they¡¯ve slammed into an invisible wall. I blink, confused. They take a few hesitant steps back, their confident smirks melting away. Their faces twist, morphing from gleeful malice into something I never expected to see. Confusion. And¡ª Fear. What? Fear? I swallow hard, my heart pounding¡ªbut not from panic this time. Did my war cry actually strike terror into their hearts? Am I that intimidating?! Hell yeah! A slow, savage smirk curls onto my lips. I straighten, my chest swelling with defiance, and snarl, my voice cutting through the air like a blade. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Afraid of a little kitty? COME ON, THEN! COME AND GET ME IF YOU DARE, YOU COWARDS!!!¡± The words roar out of me, raw and furious, vibrating in my chest like the growl of a cornered beast. And then¡ª They stumble. Their retreat is more pronounced this time. Their eyes flicker with something primal, their pale faces contorted in disbelief. ¡°I-I¡­ impossible!¡± The bearded man stammers, his voice quaking like dry leaves in the wind. ¡°H-how can you¡­? W-what are you?!¡± Huh? What am I? I¡¯m just a catgirl. A catgirl who refuses to be taken. A catgirl who refuses to break. I don¡¯t know why they¡¯re so scared¡ª But I don¡¯t care. Because hope surges inside me, wild and electric. Maybe I have a chance. Maybe my display of sheer badassery is working! Should I double down? Make an even scarier face? Bare my pointy fang? Maybe hiss a little louder for dramatic effect? But before I can act¡ª The burly man snaps out of his daze and roars like a wounded animal. ¡°G-GET HER! PATRICK!!!¡± At his command¡ª Patrick¡ªthe slender, wiry bastard¡ªcharges straight for me. His scream is blood-curdling. ¡°RAAAAAAAGGHHH!!!¡± HE¡¯S COMING! HE¡¯S ATTACKING! FUCK! I thought they were scared! Why the hell is this guy still charging me?! I grit my teeth, shifting my stance, my grip tightening around my sword. Fine. If this bastard wants a fight¡ª I¡¯ll give him one he won¡¯t forget! Raising my blade, I brace for impact, every muscle in my body taut like a drawn bowstring. This is it. One strike. I just need one good strike. But then¡ª WHOOOOSH! Something tears through the air behind me¡ª Faster than my eyes can follow. A blur of pure black, slicing through the dim light like a shadow given form. And then¡ª SPLAT! A wet, sickening sound echoes through the night. Patrick¡¯s head¡ª His entire head¡ª Splits open in half. Blood erupts in a violent arc, painting the ground a grotesque splash of crimson. His body collapses instantly, like a puppet with its strings cut. Lifeless. Motionless. A single, wet thud marks the end of his existence. It¡¯s over. He¡¯s dead. Just like that. Silence. A chilling, suffocating silence. The remaining men stumble back, their bravado shattered, terror carved into their faces. Gone is their smug confidence. All that¡¯s left is wide, trembling eyes and quivering lips. I stand frozen, my breath caught in my throat, my pulse roaring in my ears. What?! What just happened?! My heart races as I whirl around, desperate to see¡ª To understand. And then¡ª BA-DUMP! My chest tightens. My eyes widen. Relief. Awe. Disbelief. All collide inside me at once. ¡°ERIS!!!¡± She¡¯s awake. And she looks furious. No¡ª FURIOUSLY COOL. Her glowing eyes lock onto the men, blazing with a fierce intensity that sends a shiver slicing down my spine. Her lips curl into a snarl, fangs glinting under the dim light. And her aura¡­ It¡¯s suffocating. Thick. Dark. Heavy. It churns around her, shifting like a storm on the verge of breaking loose¡ª A tangible pressure, pressing against my chest, stealing the breath from my lungs. And then¡ª She speaks. ¡°You bastards.¡± Her voice is low, rasping¡ª Deadly cool. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you all.¡± She says it like she¡¯s passing judgment. Like the words themselves are death sentences. And then¡ª I can only watch in stunned silence as she raises one hand to her side. The air around her shimmers, warps¡ª As though reality itself bends at her presence. Then¡ª Black mana gathers at her fingertips. A swirling, churning vortex of darkness. It twists, condenses, hums ominously¡ª Shadows pulling together, drawn into a single, deadly purpose. And then, it solidifies. The blackness takes shape, forming¡­ A sleek, pitch-black sword. A weapon born from darkness itself. And in that moment¡ª I realize. The real nightmare isn¡¯t me. It¡¯s her. Chapter 52: Death ¡°W-What? S-She killed Patrick?!¡± A man stammers, his voice cracking, his trembling hand struggling to grip the hilt of his sword. His wide, bloodshot eyes dart frantically between Eris and the corpse of their comrade, sprawled lifelessly on the ground. ¡°But¡­ but he¡¯s a D-rank adventurer! That¡¯s¡­ IMPOSSIBLE!¡± The others exchange frantic glances, their faces pale, glistening with sweat. Fear takes root. Doubt seeps in. Then¡ª ¡°D-Don¡¯t just stand there!¡± The bearded leader bellows, though the shake in his voice betrays his growing panic. Spittle flies from his mouth, a desperate attempt to mask his fear with fury. ¡°She¡¯s just ONE woman! GET HER!!!¡± But¡ª Eris doesn¡¯t wait. She acts. An explosion of speed. A streak of black. The first man doesn¡¯t even have time to scream. Her blade arcs through the air with haunting elegance¡ª Slicing cleanly through his neck. The sharp, wet sound of flesh and bone splitting apart fills the night. SHLICK. Blood erupts in a thick, crimson arc¡ª Splattering the ground. Staining the trees. Drenching the horrified faces of his comrades. His lifeless body collapses, a heavy thud against the dirt. And his severed head¡ª It rolls. Stopping at their feet. His glassy, vacant eyes stare up at them¡ª As if accusing them for their inaction. For a single, breathless moment, the world freezes. The men stand paralyzed, their gazes locked onto the grotesque scene before them¡ª As if refusing to believe it¡¯s real. Then¡ª Chaos erupts. ¡°ATTACK HER!!!¡± The bearded man roars, his voice cracking under the weight of desperation. Three men charge at once, swords raised high, their steps uneven with panic. Eris meets them head-on. She moves like a wraith¡ª Silent. Fluid. Her strikes¡ªprecise. Her blade clashes against their weapons¡ª Sparks scatter into the darkness as steel collides with her mana-forged edge. But the struggle is brief. With an effortless twist of her wrist, she redirects their force¡ªThe story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. And then¡ª She retaliates. Her blade flashes¡ª Cleave! The nearest man¡¯s arm is severed at the joint. He screams¡ª A shrill, agonized wail¡ª But it lasts only a moment. Eris drives her sword straight through his chest. CRACK. The sound of shattering ribs echoes through the air. With a sharp twist, she yanks the blade free¡ª A sickening schlick. Blood gushes from the wound, and the man collapses, twitching once before falling still. The remaining two flank her, attacking from opposite sides in a desperate attempt to overwhelm her. But¡ª Eris doesn¡¯t even blink. With a flick of her wrist¡ª Black chains erupt from the air around her. Writhing. Coiling. Serpents summoned from the abyss. One chain lashes out¡ª SNAP! It coils around the legs of the man to her left. Then¡ª It tightens. CRUNCH. Bones shatter. A howl of agony splits the night. And then¡ª With a bone-crushing force¡ª She slams him into the ground. THWACK! The impact splits his skull open like a ripe fruit. The man to her right hesitates. Just for an instant. But that hesitation¡­ Seals his fate. Eris spins toward him, her blade carving upward in a savage, unstoppable arc. The black edge catches him under the chin¡ª And cleaves through his skull. CRACK! His head splits open, flesh and bone surrendering with a wet, sickening crunch. Blood and viscera explode outward, splattering across Eris¡¯ face. But¡ª Her expression remains cold. Unfeeling. The remaining men stagger backward, their courage¡ª Annihilated. ¡°RUN! RUN!!!¡± One of them shrieked, his voice a high-pitched wail of raw terror. He drops his sword¡ª And bolts into the darkness without a backward glance. But¡ª Eris doesn¡¯t let him leave. FWIP! A black chain lashes out, slicing through the air like a viper. CRACK! It strikes his skull¡ª And his head explodes like a water balloon. Blood and chunks of bone splatter across the trees, his lifeless body collapsing mid-stride. Another man collapses to his knees, his entire body quaking. ¡°P-please¡­ please don¡¯t ki¡ª¡± He doesn¡¯t get to finish. Eris moves faster than the eye can follow¡ª A blur of shadows and death. Her blade sings through the air¡ª SHHHLT! The next instant, his body splits apart¡ª A grotesque, butchered thing. Blood sprays in a violent arc, his two halves collapsing like discarded scraps of meat. Another man raises his sword, his hands trembling. He tries to defend himself. But¡ª Eris is already upon him. With a single, fluid motion¡ª She swings. The strike is so fast it doesn¡¯t just sever his head¡ª It cleaves through his weapon, too. For a breath, his body remains standing, as if it refuses to acknowledge its own death. Then¡ª It topples. By now¡ª Only a handful of men remain. And they scatter like rats into the darkness. Weapons and belongings clatter to the ground, abandoned in their blind panic. They think¡ª They can escape. They¡¯re wrong. Eris extends her blade to her side. Black mana churns around it, twisting, writhing¡ª Shifting. Morphing. The blade fractures apart¡ª Splitting into four sleek, obsidian daggers, their edges glinting like liquid shadow. Without hesitation, she flicks her wrist. FWISH! The daggers shoot forward¡ª Faster than arrows. Faster than thought. The fleeing men collapse almost simultaneously. The daggers pierce the backs of their skulls with deadly precision. They fall in unison¡ª Their bodies crumpling like discarded marionettes. Now¡ª Only one remains. The bearded, burly man. The one who had barked orders so confidently before. Now¡ª He is alone. Eris doesn¡¯t hesitate. A single blur¡ª Faster than blinking. One moment, she¡¯s standing across the clearing¡ª The next¡ª Her hand clamps down on his head. An iron grip. A sentence passed. Then¡ª BOOM! The earth shudders as she slams his head into the ground with inhuman force. The impact¡ª BURSTS HIS SKULL. Like an overripe watermelon. Blood and brain matter explode outward, staining the dirt. The crater left behind smolders, blackened by the remnants of her mana. And just like that¡ª It¡¯s over. Truly, utterly over. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Meanwhile¡­ I stand frozen, my breath caught in my throat, as I take it all in. Eris has annihilated them. Every single one. No one escaped. No one was spared. The scene before me is gruesome. So. Freaking. Gruesome. Blood pools thick on the ground, reflecting the faint moonlight like a macabre mirror. The air is heavy¡ªchoked with the sharp, metallic tang of iron. It clings to my tongue with every breath, seeping into my lungs like a phantom taste of death itself. My stomach twists violently, nausea clawing at the back of my throat, threatening to spill out right then and there. And yet¡­ It¡¯s beautiful. The way blood arced through the night¡ªhow organs spilled, how flesh gave way¡ª It was as though Eris was painting with their lives. Her canvas? The dark night. Her brushstrokes? Swift, brutal, unrelenting. She¡¯s an artist. And her medium¡ª Is death. The terror etched into the faces of her victims¡ª The sheer desperation in their final screams before they were so abruptly silenced¡ª It¡¯s horrifying. Terrifying. Yes. But¡ª It¡¯s also satisfying. Something deep within me trembles¡ª Not from fear¡ª But from something else entirely. I gasp for air, my chest rising and falling, struggling to process what I feel. I should be disgusted. I should be horrified. I should want to turn away. But I don¡¯t. I can¡¯t. Because¡ª I can¡¯t stop looking at her. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Moments pass¡ª Though they feel like an eternity. The park falls silent. The chaos, the screams, the blood-soaked carnage¡ªall swallowed by the whisper of leaves. The wind stirs, carrying the metallic tang of blood, thick and suffocating, curling into my lungs like a phantom presence. And then¡ª Eris turns to me. Her glowing eyes are still ablaze, blood drips from her face in slow, deliberate trails, streaking her skin like war paint. She smirks. It¡¯s faint¡ªbarely a curl of her lips¡ªbut it¡¯s there. A chilling smirk that sends shivers down my spine. Chapter 53: What am I? Ba-dump. Ba-dump. The pounding of my heartbeat roars in my ears¡ª Relentless. Suffocating. And then¡ª I start giggling. Not a nervous chuckle. Not a fragile, uneasy laugh to stave off the fear. No¡ª Full-blown, breathless giggles erupt from me. Uncontrollable. Maddening. My chest trembles. My hands shake. My entire body vibrates with an unfamiliar, electric sensation¡ª Like a foreign drug is coursing through my veins, a dizzying, euphoric high that I can¡¯t suppress. My breaths hitch. The corners of my mouth twist upward. A manic grin splits my face. Why am I smiling? Honestly¡­ WHY AM I SMILING?! WHAT THE HELL?! The sight before me¡ª It should have made me retch. The lifeless bodies are scattered across the ground like broken dolls. Entrails snake across the dirt in obscene, gruesome patterns. Brains. Bone shards. Blood. A grotesque, mangled masterpiece splattered across the battlefield. The air is thick with the stench of iron¡ª The oppressive, metallic tang of blood clings to my senses like a vice, choking, suffocating. I shiver. But¡ª It¡¯s not the kind of shiver that comes from fear. No. This sensation is¡ª Different. It¡¯s like¡ª Tickling. Tickling my brain. FUCK. I¡¯m scared. Terrified, even. But not of the slaughter. No. I¡¯m scared of¡ª Myself. ¡°W-What the hell is wrong with me?¡± My voice trembles, barely audible. My legs move backward, unsteady, as if trying to flee from my own body. My arms wrap tightly around my torso, as if restraining a monster inside me. No¡­ this isn¡¯t normal. I¡¯m trying¡ª Trying not to feel this way. Physically trying. But¡­ It¡¯s not possible. Is this a side effect of the Nightmare Orchid? Some kind of lingering magic warping my emotions? I don¡¯t understand. None of this makes sense!This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. I should be horrified. My knees should be buckling. My stomach should be twisting into knots. Bile should be rising in my throat! But instead¡ª I feel none of those things. No disgust. No nausea. No revulsion. Instead¡ª I feel¡­ Elated. Exhilarated. Joy. Pure. Unfiltered. Joy. I¡¯m enjoying this. No¡ª I¡¯M LOVING THIS! And yet¡ª I don¡¯t understand. I can¡¯t. I CAN¡¯T! Everything about this reaction¡ªeverything¡ªgoes against the very core of who I thought I was. I should feel horrified. I should be nauseous. I should want to run away screaming. But¡ª I don¡¯t. Back on Earth, in my past life, gore was something I couldn¡¯t handle. Not even in the slightest. Sure, I was a hardcore gamer, obsessed with action-packed games and movies¡ª But the moment I was faced with real-life blood and violence? I crumbled. I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was on my way to school when it happened. A car accident. A little girl¡¯s lifeless body, sprawled beneath a bus. Pieces of her skull and brain scattered across the pavement. Even though I only saw it for one, maybe two seconds¡ª I threw up. Immediately. For days afterward, I couldn¡¯t sleep without nightmares. I couldn¡¯t even look at red meat, let alone touch it. The sight of blood was enough to send me spiraling into traumatic flashbacks. That was the moment I abandoned med school entirely. I realized¡ªreal blood, real flesh¡ªit wasn¡¯t something I could ever face again. But now¡­ I¡¯m standing here. Not just standing¡ª I¡¯m fine. More than fine. I¡¯m¡­ thriving. The blood-soaked scene around me feels exhilarating, like an adrenaline rush I can¡¯t escape. A laugh slips past my lips¡ª Hollow. Foreign. Bitter. ¡°What the hell is wrong with me?¡± This¡ªthis isn¡¯t just wrong. It¡¯s insane. I clutch my chest, trying to steady my breath, but my body won¡¯t stop trembling. It¡¯s as if I¡¯ve become¡ª Not just someone else¡ª But something else entirely. A monster. Is this¡­ even me? Or¡ª I freeze. Wait. Is this because of the reincarnation? Is this twisted reaction tied to this catgirl body? Are these emotions¡ªthis dark, perverse joy¡ª Hers? If that¡¯s the case¡­ Then who¡ªno, what¡ªwas she before? The thought sinks its claws into me, suffocating, suffocating, suffocating¡ª But before I can unravel the chaos inside my mind¡ª Eris moves. She turns her head toward me, her glowing eyes locking onto mine. For a moment¡ª Her expression shifts. The sharp, murderous gaze softens into something I can¡¯t quite read. Concern? Confusion? With a flick of her wrist¡ª Her black sword dissolves into wisps of dark smoke, disappearing as if it never existed. And then¡ª She moves toward me. Fast. Too fast. My pulse skyrockets. Oh no. Did she notice? Did she hear me giggle just now? Shit. Panic consumes me, gripping my chest like a vice. I step back. As if I can physically distance myself from the truth clawing at my insides. This isn¡¯t good. No. This is worse than bad. If Eris figures out what kind of person¡ªwhat kind of monster¡ªI¡¯ve become¡­ She¡¯ll hate me. No. Worse. She¡¯ll be disgusted. Aaaaaaaa¡­ What do I do? What excuse can I possibly come up with? My thoughts spiral¡ªfrantic, desperate, drowning. But then¡ª ¡°Eh?¡± I¡¯m jolted out of my panic. Before I even realize what¡¯s happening¡ª I¡¯m enveloped in warmth. A tight, secure embrace. Eris. Her arms wrap around me, holding me close. Steadying the storm in my chest. Her presence is a balm, soothing, calming the frantic chaos in my head. For a moment¡ª I forget everything else. Then, her voice breaks through¡ª Trembling. Raw. Laced with regret. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m so sorry! I shouldn¡¯t have let you see that. I lost control¡ªI was so angry, I didn¡¯t think about how it would affect you. You must be terrified!¡± Ah. So that¡¯s what she thinks. Eris assumes I¡¯m traumatized. She believes my reaction is one of fear and revulsion. A wave of relief crashes over me, washing away the tension in my chest. Phew! Saved! ¡°N-no, no! I-I¡¯m okay! I¡¯m not scared!¡± I stammer, forcing what I hope is a reassuring smile. But Eris isn¡¯t convinced. She pulls back abruptly, her hands gripping my shoulders, her eyes darting over me in pure panic. ¡°Oh no! Your tail is all puffed up! And your ears¡ª they¡¯re shaking!!!¡± Her voice rises, full of distress. ¡°What have I done? Oh, what have I done?!¡± Before I can get a word in, she¡¯s already pushing me forward, urgency practically radiating off her. I try to protest, but¡ª Well¡­ she¡¯s not wrong. My tail is puffed up. My ears are trembling. But not because of fear. I want to say something¡ªanything¡ªto ease her worry. But the sheer conviction in her voice¡­ She¡¯s utterly convinced that she¡¯s scared me senseless. And, well¡­ That works in my favor, doesn¡¯t it? No complaints here. ¡°A-alright!¡± I nod, letting her take the lead. Eris, still frazzled, grabs a cloth and hurriedly wipes the blood from her face¡ªfrantic, almost clumsy in her rush. But¡­ her clothes are still drenched in red. Without a second thought, I pull off my cloak and thrust it toward her. ¡°Y-you can take mine!¡± I say quickly. She hesitates, her fingers hovering over the fabric for a moment¡ªthen, without a word, she takes it. She drapes it over herself, the oversized cloak hiding most of the mess. ¡°Thanks¡­¡± Eris murmurs, her voice softer now. Her eyes meet mine¡ª And she smiles. Not her usual confident smirk. Not the sharp, battle-hardened grin. But something gentler. Something real. And just like that¡ª We turn, our footsteps quick and quiet, and rush back toward the Gilded Horns. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Moments later¡­ The walk is brisk, neither of us saying much as the adrenaline begins to ebb away. But as the chaos fades, my thoughts return. Eris. I still can¡¯t believe it. She didn¡¯t just kill them¡ª She slaughtered them. More than ten men. And not just some random thugs¡ª Two of them were D-rank adventurers. People who, by most standards, would have been considered strong. But to her? They were nothing. She tore through them like they were mere rats¡ªlike they didn¡¯t even matter. And yet, she told me she was E-rank. She even showed me her ID. How? Unless¡­ She lied? I swallow hard, my hands clenching instinctively. I need to know the truth. ¡°Eris,¡± I begin hesitantly, breaking the silence. ¡°Y-you¡¯re not E-rank, are you?¡± The question stops us both in our tracks. Eris turns to me, her expression unreadable. For a moment, she says nothing. She just stares, as if carefully weighing her words. Then¡ª She exhales, long and slow. ¡°No,¡± she admits, shaking her head. Her voice is low. Firm. ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± My chest tightens. I knew it. But before I can press further, she glances around¡ªeyes flicking to the quiet streets, the passing figures in the distance. Then, in a barely perceptible motion¡ª She gestures subtly with her head. And I understand. Ah. We¡¯re still in public. People are nearby. Whatever secrets she¡¯s hiding, she doesn¡¯t want to reveal them here. And honestly? That¡¯s fine by me. I nod, letting the matter drop¡ªfor now. It¡¯s actually better this way. I need time too. Time to process what just happened. To figure out exactly what I want to ask¡ª When the moment comes. Chapter 54: Paranoia As we step through the doors of the Gilded Horns, a familiar warmth envelops us, a stark, comforting contrast to the chaos we¡¯ve just left behind. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread lingers in the air, the quiet hum of conversation filling the space like a low, steady rhythm. For a moment, it almost feels like nothing has changed. Almost. Before I can take another step, a blur of energy bounds toward us¡ª Lilly. Our ever-adorable sheep-girl server, all soft wool and boundless enthusiasm, radiating sunshine as always. Her fluffy ears perk up as she dashes forward, her curls bouncing with each step. ¡°Eris! Felicia! Welcome back!¡± she chirps, her voice as bright as ever, paired with a smile so sweet it could probably cure ailments on the spot. Her wide, golden eyes gleam with genuine excitement as she clasps her hands together. ¡°Are you two hungry for dinner?¡± Her infectious energy almost makes me forget the weight pressing down on my chest¡ª Almost. Because the moment her gaze lands on Eris, the warmth in her expression flickers. The joy in her eyes shifts¡ªmorphing into something else entirely. Concern. ¡°Eris¡­¡± Lilly¡¯s voice softens. ¡°What happened?¡± Eris doesn¡¯t answer right away. She just exhales, her voice steady, controlled. ¡°Lilly, could you prepare a bath for us, please?¡± Lilly blinks, startled by the abrupt request, but quickly recovers, nodding earnestly. ¡°O-Oh, yes! Just give me a minute!¡± she says before darting off. ¡°Thank you,¡± Eris murmurs quietly. No more words are exchanged. We head upstairs. The moment we step into our room, the tension I¡¯ve been holding onto seems to double in weight, pressing heavily against my chest. I drop my belongings onto the floor, barely registering the action, and collapse onto the nearest chair. My legs feel weak, my mind racing, caught in an endless loop of the night¡¯s events. The echoes of dying screams, the spray of blood, the lifeless bodies crumpling to the ground¡ªit all replays in my mind like a cursed lullaby I can¡¯t silence.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. And as I think of it again, my heart beat rises. But¡ª Barely ten seconds pass before a knock at the door shatters the silence. Rap. Rap. Rap. Eris strides over to answer it¡ª And the moment she opens the door, I freeze. It¡¯s the inn keeper. ¡°Chef Gordon!¡± I blurt out, more out of reflex than anything, offering a nervous smile. He acknowledges me with a small nod, but his focus immediately shifts to Eris. His gaze is sharp, unreadable¡ª And just like that, the atmosphere grows heavier. They begin speaking in low, hushed tones, their words so quiet I can¡¯t make out a single one. But even though I can¡¯t hear them¡ª It¡¯s obvious. This is serious. A part of me wants to listen. Curiosity burns inside me like a stubborn, relentless flame. But¡ª I bite my lip, my tail twitching restlessly, forcing myself to stay seated. After all¡­ Eavesdropping wouldn¡¯t be right. Would it? And yet¡ª A million questions swarm in my mind. Are they talking about what happened earlier? Is everything okay? Are we in trouble? A tight knot forms in my chest as my mind begins connecting dots I hadn¡¯t considered before. Eris killed those men. No¡ªshe slaughtered them. Even though it was self-defense, wouldn¡¯t it still be considered a serious crime? After all¡­ despite whatever crime they were trying to commit. They are still humans. And of course, they are protected by laws. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning¡ª A horrifying realization slams into me. Wait¡­ The bodies. My ears flatten. My chest tightens. Panic surges through me and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest. Fuck! The bodies! Eris killed so many people. And yet¡ª We didn¡¯t bury them. We didn¡¯t hide them. We didn¡¯t even try to clean up the scene. We just¡­ left them there on the ground, like piles of garbage. Oh no. Oh no, no, no! A wave of nausea crashes over me. My thoughts spiral into a pit of dread. This is bad¡­ This is really bad! What if someone finds the carnage? What if we¡¯re arrested tomorrow¡ªor worse, tonight? Would they even believe it was self-defense? I shake my head, trying to ground myself, but the questions keep coming, relentless and unforgiving. After all, there were no witnesses. None. It was a one-sided massacre. Would they see us as victims? Or would they see us as monsters? My breathing grows shallow, the weight of it all pressing down on me, threatening to crush me completely. It¡¯s already too late, isn¡¯t it? Too late to come back and clean up the scene¡­ Suddenly¡ª Eris turns back to me, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts. ¡°Felicia, the bath is ready. Lilly is waiting for you downstairs. You can head down first,¡± she says, her tone gentle. ¡°Gordon and I need to talk a bit more. I¡¯ll join you soon, alright?¡± Oh. I blink, momentarily stunned. ¡°Oh¡­ okay,¡± I reply, nodding quickly. Then, hesitantly, ¡°But¡­ is everything alright?¡± My voice is still shaky. Eris doesn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything¡¯s fine,¡± she reassures me, her smile calm and unwavering. And¡ªdespite everything¡ªI believe her. The panic still claws at my insides, but her confidence dulls its edge¡ªif only a little. Thus, as the obedient catgirl that I am, I push myself to my feet and make my way toward the door. Still¡­ Curiosity tugs at me. Like an insistent little voice whispering at the back of my mind. Before stepping out, I glance over my shoulder one last time. Eris and Gordon remain locked in conversation, their voices still too low to hear. A quiet sigh slips from my lips. With no other choice, I leave, heading downstairs to find Lilly. And just as Eris said¡ª Lilly is already there, waiting for me. She holds a basket of soft towels and fragrant soaps, her arms full, her ever-cheerful smile lighting up the dim hallway. For now, I¡¯ll trust Eris¡¯s words. She promised she¡¯d tell me everything. I just have to wait. Chapter 55: Bath and worries I can¡¯t just sit here and do nothing while waiting for Eris, so I decide to wash my own hair first. The shampoo and conditioner are the same as yesterday, their familiar scent calming and relaxing as I work the lather into my hair. The warm water cascades down my back, easing the tension I hadn¡¯t even realized I was holding. But¡­ Something is missing. Having someone else wash my hair just felt nicer. Yeah, I guess that¡¯s true. For some reason, I already miss the sensation of Eris¡¯ fingers running through my hair. I miss her touch, the way she firmly held down my ears, keeping them still even when they twitched from the ticklish sensation. It was both soothing and fun in a way I hadn¡¯t expected. Thinking back on yesterday, a small smile creeps onto my lips. After all, there was a moment tonight when I genuinely believed I wouldn¡¯t return to this room again¡ªwould never get to take another bath here, never continue this strange new isekai adventure. For a fleeting instant, I thought my life might end right there. Ah¡­ how precious it is, just to be alive. It¡¯s strange, isn¡¯t it? How something so simple can feel like a miracle when you come so close to losing it. So, regardless of whatever secrets Eris holds, or whatever she plans to tell me next, I know one thing for certain¡ªI need to thank her first. I want to let her know how grateful I am. Just as I¡¯m lost in these thoughts, the sound of the bathroom door opening suddenly pulls me from my reverie. ¡°Eris!!!¡± I blurt out, startled by my own outburst. I don¡¯t even know why I shout her name like that. And for some reason, my heart skips a beat when I see her step inside. Her talk with Gordon must have ended sooner than I expected. I thought it would take longer, but I¡¯m just relieved she¡¯s here now. ¡°Hey, sorry for the wait,¡± Eris says as she steps into the room. Her eyes flick to my wet hair, and she tilts her head slightly. ¡°Oh, you already finished washing your hair?¡± There¡¯s something soft in her gaze as she undresses, her movements unhurried. Her body, so familiar now after our bath together yesterday, doesn¡¯t shock me the way it did before¡ªbut my heart still races a little. ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± I answer, my voice faltering slightly. Even though I really wanted Eris to wash my hair again¡ªand I can already feel the urge for her magic fingers massaging my scalp¡ªI¡¯ve already done it myself. ¡°You sit down. I¡¯ll wash your hair and scrub your back too!¡± I stand up and gesture toward the chair, eager to return the care she gave me last night. Eris narrows her eyes slightly, then sighs, looking almost disappointed. ¡°Aww¡­ that¡¯s too bad,¡± she murmurs. ¡°I was looking forward to washing your hair, you know¡­¡± Wait¡­ she actually enjoys washing my hair? Oi¡­ Isn¡¯t that¡­ perfect?! ¡°A-actually!!!¡± I stammer, ¡°I haven¡¯t applied the conditioner yet!¡± ¡°A-and I think my ears still need a little help!¡± I add quickly, my voice betraying my flustered state. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s lovely!¡± Eris beams at me, her smile brightening the room. She walks toward me, taking my hand and gently guiding me back into the chair. But as she runs her fingers through my hair¡­ ¡°Hmmm? It feels like it¡¯s already conditioned¡­¡± she murmurs, a teasing lilt to her voice. Oh no!You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. She caught me! I freeze, panicked. What do I say now? ¡°A-aahh¡­ I¡ªI just wanted to see if I could make it even smoother by adding more conditioner!¡± I blurt out, grasping at anything to explain myself. Eris chuckles softly. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a nice idea,¡± she says with a smile. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s give it a try!¡± ¡°Nn!¡± With that, she begins again¡ªher touch gentle and caring as she massages the conditioner into my hair, working it thoroughly. The sensation is blissful, and the ticklish feeling in my ears returns as she carefully cleans them. Compared to yesterday, my ears have grown more accustomed to her touch, managing to stay still for most of it. Afterward, Eris scrubs my back, her hands soothing and skilled, moving with the same gentle confidence as before. The warmth of the water, the rhythmic motion of her hands¡ªit¡¯s all so relaxing, so comfortable. Once she¡¯s finished, we swap places. Now it¡¯s my turn to wash her hair and scrub her back, just like she did for me yesterday. As I lather her soft, silky locks with shampoo, carefully working my fingers through the strands, I realize something. This moment¡­ it feels natural. A strange kind of fun. Somehow, in this small, intimate act of care, the weight of everything else¡ªthe danger, the bloodshed, the unanswered questions¡ªfades away. For now, it¡¯s just us. Taking care of each other. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Moments later, as we sink into the warm, soothing bathwater, I finally gather the courage to bring up the thought that¡¯s been gnawing at me ever since we left the room upstairs. The bodies. Yeah¡­ The weight of it presses on my chest like a lead brick. I turn to Eris, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Eris¡­ what about the bodies?¡± She meets my gaze with a small, almost amused smile. Her expression is unreadable, her eyes calm¡ªtoo calm. ¡°Silly Felicia,¡± she murmurs, her tone light, as if I just asked about the weather. ¡°Is that really what you¡¯re worried about?¡± I swallow hard, anxiety twisting my stomach into knots. ¡°Y-yeah! What if someone comes looking for them? We didn¡¯t hide anything, didn¡¯t cover our tracks. What if we get into big trouble?¡± Eris tilts her head slightly, her expression not shifting in the slightest. ¡°Trouble for what? We did nothing wrong.¡± Her voice is smooth, deliberate. ¡°It was those bastards who wanted to make us their playthings. They got exactly what was coming to them.¡± I bite my lip. ¡°But¡­¡± My voice wavers. ¡°They¡¯re all dead now. There¡¯s no one left to tell the truth. If someone investigates and only sees the aftermath¡­ how do we prove what really happened?¡± At this, Eris lets out a low chuckle, dark and laced with something I can¡¯t quite place. ¡°Well,¡± she muses, her lips curling into a smirk, ¡°we could always hire a necromancer.¡± I blink. ¡°H-huh?¡± ¡°Have the dead tell their side of the story,¡± she continues smoothly, tilting her head toward me. ¡°The dead don¡¯t lie, you know?¡± My breath catches. Wait. Did she just say¡ª ¡°Ooooooohh!!!¡± I gasp, my eyes widening in realization. How could I forget?! This isn¡¯t Earth. This is a world of sword and magic! Raising the dead to testify in an investigation isn¡¯t just some horror movie trope¡ªit¡¯s actually possible! A shiver runs down my spine. The thought of speaking to the dead, of watching them rise, voices empty yet truthful, is both terrifying and¡­ thrilling. Necromancy, huh? My brain immediately latches onto the concept, curiosity flaring to life. Necromancers have always been one of my favorite classes in games. The idea of controlling the undead, of bending the fabric of life and death¡­ it¡¯s fascinating! And now, to think it¡¯s a real, viable magic in this world? That¡¯s freaking amazing! Maybe I should read more about it. I wonder if the Adventurer¡¯s Guild library has any books on the subject. Since we have a good relationship with the Guildmaster, maybe he¡¯ll let me borrow some for, uh¡­ research purposes? As I mentally add ¡®necromancy studies¡¯ to my ever-growing list of things to do, Eris casually drops another bombshell. ¡°That¡¯s why I talked with Gordon,¡± she says. ¡°You probably don¡¯t know this, but aside from being a chef, he¡¯s also a necromancer.¡± ¡­ ¡°¡­WHAT?!¡± I nearly leap out of the water, my voice echoing off the walls. ¡°Chef Gordon is a necromancer?!¡± ¡°Yup.¡± Eris nods, completely unfazed by my outburst. ¡°I needed him to investigate those guys. To confirm a few suspicions I had. But¡­¡± She pauses, her brows furrowing for the first time. ¡°If what I think is true¡­ necromancy won¡¯t work on them.¡± My excitement screeches to a halt. ¡°H-huh?¡± I blink in confusion. ¡°Wait, what do you mean? Why not?¡± Eris clicks her tongue in irritation. ¡°Tsk. I should¡¯ve left at least one of them alive to interrogate.¡± A chill crawls down my spine. What does she mean necromancy won¡¯t work? Aren¡¯t corpses just¡­ corpses? Why would they be immune? Unless¡­ unless something unnatural is at play. ¡°What are we dealing with?¡± I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. Eris¡¯ expression darkens. ¡°The Crimson Order.¡± The name alone sends an unexplainable shudder through me. I repeat it slowly, testing the weight of the words. ¡°The¡­ Crimson Order?¡± Eris nods, her eyes narrowing. ¡°I had my suspicions at first. But then I saw their symbol¡ªthe mark tattooed on one of the guys¡¯ necks when he was approaching you. A chalice wrapped in thorns, blood spilling over, forming a sun.¡± She inhales sharply, her fingers clenching at the rim of the bath. ¡°That¡¯s when I snapped.¡± She clicks her tongue again, frustration evident in her every movement. ¡°Just thinking about it again makes my fucking blood boil.¡± I gulp. This¡­ this doesn¡¯t sound like some random gang or group of thugs. No, this feels bigger. Darker. The way Eris¡¯ hands tighten into fists, the way her jaw clenches¡ªthere¡¯s hatred in her voice. This isn¡¯t just a passing grudge. The Crimson Order¡­ Who are they? What did they do to her? Suddenly¡ª Ba-dump. Ba-dump. My heart starts pounding faster. Something stirs in me. Not fear. Not dread. Excitement. A grin almost escapes my lips. Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Why am I feeling this way? Why does the very mention of this group make something inside me¡­ buzz? Shit. This isn¡¯t normal. Once again, my emotions make no sense at all. Chapter 56: Crimson Order ¡°So¡­ are they some kind of underground syndicate? Like a group involved in illegal human trafficking or the slave trade?¡± I ask, my voice hushed. The moment Eris mentioned the Crimson Order, a dark, insidious image took shape in my mind¡ªan organization lurking in the shadows, pulling the strings of a sinister world hidden beneath the surface. The way she gritted her teeth, the way her fists clenched at just the mention of their name¡ªit only made my curiosity burn even stronger. After all¡­ she hated them. She despised them enough to massacre those bastards without hesitation. Not a single one was spared. ¡°Yes, but they¡¯re far worse than just that,¡± Eris replies, her frown deepening. A moment of silence follows as she gathers her thoughts, her eyes dark with something unreadable. Then, finally, she speaks. ¡°Felicia, do you remember what I told you earlier about our two worlds¡ªTerra and Faunae?¡± I blink. ¡°Huh? Terra¡­ and Faunae?¡± The names take a moment to register before realization strikes. ¡°Ah! You mean the human world and the Furren world?¡± Eris nods. ¡°Exactly.¡± As the memory resurfaces, I recall the tale she shared with me back on the clock tower, when the sun was setting, painting the sky in gold and crimson. Once, long ago, humans and Furrens were never meant to meet. Terra was the domain of humans, while Faunae belonged to the beastfolk. Two entirely separate worlds, each existing in isolation. That is, until one day, a dungeon gate opened. A bridge formed between these two realms, and in an instant, the balance of both worlds shattered. What followed was war. A brutal, relentless conflict that raged for centuries. Humans and Furrens, two species that had never known each other¡¯s existence, were suddenly forced into a bloody struggle for dominance, land, and survival. But¡­ Despite the horrors of that war, peace was eventually forged. A fragile, hard-won coexistence emerged from the ashes. Over time, both races learned to share their worlds, to build something greater together. That was the history Eris had told me. But now¡­ ¡°What does this have to do with the Crimson Order?¡± I ask, my brows furrowing. Her question earlier had felt completely out of place, and I can¡¯t help but wonder¡ªhow could an organization as vile as this one be connected to the very foundation of our world? Eris closes her eyes and leans back, letting out a slow, deliberate breath. ¡°It has everything to do with them,¡± she finally says, her voice lower now, heavier. ¡°Even though Terra and Faunae are at peace, there are still those who refuse to accept it.¡± I stiffen. ¡°Wait¡­ are you serious? There are people actively trying to destroy that peace?¡± A cold chill trickles down my spine. Of course, I knew there were still places where tensions lingered, where wounds from the past had yet to fully heal. Some towns weren¡¯t as open-minded as Mistvale, where humans and Furrens lived together in harmony¡ªworking side by side, sharing meals, laughing as friends, even forming families. I had assumed the worst of those tensions were behind us. That whatever lingering hostility remained was nothing more than fringe hatred, isolated and weak. But this¡­ This is something else entirely. Eris opens her eyes, and for the first time, I see it¡ªpure hatred burning in them. ¡°That hatred is the very foundation of the Crimson Order,¡± she says, her voice cold and sharp as steel. ¡°They exist to tear this peace apart.¡± I swallow hard. Gulp. And then, slowly, Eris begins to explain. The Crimson Order. Also known as the Order of the Blood Sun. A group so vile, so deeply rooted in hatred, that their existence alone is enough to make my skin crawl. ¡°They were founded long ago,¡± Eris murmurs, her voice laced with disdain. ¡°By powerful knights¡ªmen who once fought for the human side in the ancient war against the Furren.¡± At first, these knights were simply warriors, bound by duty. But their hatred ran deeper than the battlefield. To them, coexistence was unthinkable. Their belief was absolute: Humans are the chosen race. A superior, sacred bloodline, gifted by the Creator Gods. Destined to rule the land, to tame and conquer nature itself. And to these knights, anyone with beast-like traits¡ªthe Furrens¡ªwere unnatural. Lesser beings. Abominations. ¡°They never even tried to understand us,¡± Eris continues, her lips curling in disgust. ¡°They looked at our ears, our tails, our claws, and instead of seeing people, they saw something¡­ grotesque. Something that shouldn¡¯t exist.¡± The thought makes me shudder. And then¡ªshe lists their twisted reasoning. Each sentence, each dehumanizing thought they harbored toward Furrens, sends another sharp chill down my spine. ¡®Why do these creatures have animal ears?¡¯ ¡®Are they born from humans mating with beasts?¡¯ ¡®What kind of unnatural thing is this?¡¯ ¡®Are they cursed by the devil?¡¯ ¡®They must be cursed, right?¡¯ The more she speaks, the more my stomach twists. Their logic was simple, cruel, and deeply flawed. Since humans were superior to animals, and Furrens shared traits with animals¡­ then surely, Furrens were lesser too. No different from wild beasts or monsters.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. No more than livestock. I swallow hard, nausea creeping in. Eris exhales sharply, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s like taking the finest wine and mixing it with filth, in their minds,¡± she says bitterly. ¡°They believe sacred human blood must never be tainted. That¡¯s why their symbol is the Blood Chalice¡ªit represents their obsession with ¡®purity¡¯ and their supposed superiority.¡± I feel a chill crawl up my spine. Even though I know this world isn¡¯t perfect¡ªeven though I knew there were people who still harbored hatred toward Furrens¡ªhearing it so clearly, so plainly spoken, makes my skin crawl. And then¡ªEris speaks again. Her voice is lower now, darker. ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± she says. ¡°Do you know why Furrens make up the majority of sex slaves?¡± Ba-dump. My heartbeat stutters. The question slams into me like a punch to the gut. I stare at her, wide-eyed. ¡°W-What?¡± I stammer, my throat suddenly dry. Where the hell did that come from?! For a moment, I don¡¯t know how to answer. Eventually, I manage to blurt out, ¡°I-I¡¯m not sure¡­ is it because¡­ we¡¯re more beautiful?¡± It¡¯s the only answer that makes sense to me. Because¡ªyeah. Catgirls are cute. Wolf girls are beautiful. Fox girls have their own charm too. I like fox girls a lot. But¡­ less than catgirls, of course. Still, as soon as the words leave my mouth, I know¡ªthat¡¯s not it. And suddenly, I¡¯m not sure I want to hear her answer. -------------------------------------- Then, just as I feared, Eris¡¯s response only deepens my horror. Her voice is grave, each word sinking into me like a weight dragging me down. ¡°Because, in their tradition, Furrens aren¡¯t considered people at all,¡± she says, her tone sharp with barely concealed disgust. ¡°Among many noble families, a husband is expected to be faithful to his wife. He¡¯s forbidden from laying with another woman¡ªunless, of course, it¡¯s a Furren. They believe it doesn¡¯t count as cheating if it¡¯s not with a ¡®real¡¯ person.¡± I feel my stomach churn. A sickening wave of nausea rises in my throat. To them, Furrens are nothing more than animals. Not human. Not worthy of rights. Not even people. And suddenly¡ªit all clicks. That¡¯s why those men targeted me and Eris. That¡¯s why they planned to sell us. Because to them, there¡¯s nothing wrong with it. It¡¯s a perfectly acceptable industry in their eyes. A twisted, vile trade where no one sees anything wrong. My hands clench into fists. ¡°Wait¡­¡± My voice is shaking now, as the realization hits like a hammer. ¡°If I remember correctly¡­ all those men were human!¡± I gasp. ¡°And they wanted to sell us to nobles!¡± Eris nods solemnly. ¡°Exactly. That, plus the tattoo I noticed on them, makes me almost certain they were members of the Crimson Order.¡± A heavy silence settles between us. The weight of it is suffocating. At last, I find the courage to speak. ¡°But even so¡­¡± My voice is quieter now, yet thick with frustration. ¡°Can¡¯t the Guilds do something? What about the laws? Why do they allow this to continue? Why let these people keep committing such¡­ such horrible crimes?¡± I can¡¯t understand it. I don¡¯t want to understand it. How can a world that recognizes Furrens as people still allow this to happen? Eris meets my gaze. For the first time tonight, she looks¡­ tired. ¡°Well,¡± she begins quietly, ¡°it¡¯s a lot more complicated than you think¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± My anger flares. ¡°How complicated can it be? Furrens are recognized by law, right? Crimes against us should be treated the same as if they harmed a human! And surely,¡± I press on, desperate for a logical explanation, ¡°the law forbids forcing anyone into slavery, right?¡± Eris lets out a slow, bitter sigh. ¡°Yes,¡± she admits. ¡°The law does prohibit forcibly turning someone into a slave. Anyone caught in the act would, theoretically, be punished severely.¡± She pauses. Then, she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and says something that sends ice down my spine. ¡°But¡­ it¡¯s not illegal to own a slave.¡± My breath catches. Eris opens her eyes again, and I hate the look in them. That weary, exhausted acceptance¡ªlike she¡¯s explaining something so obvious, something so hopelessly ingrained into this world that it¡¯s futile to fight. ¡°And once someone already owns a slave,¡± she continues, her tone flat, ¡°how can you prove that the situation was illegal? That it wasn¡¯t consensual? No one listens to a slave¡¯s testimony.¡± I feel sick. No. No, no, no. She keeps going. ¡°On top of that, practically every noble house owns Furren slaves,¡± she says, shaking her head. ¡°The demand never disappears. As long as there¡¯s a market, there will be traffickers. And even if the Guilds want to fight it¡ªsome of these noble families are too powerful. Too big to touch. Too dangerous to go against.¡± Her words lodge in my throat like a blade. She pauses, and I can feel my pulse pounding in my ears. I want to argue. I want to scream. I want to believe this world is better than that. But¡ª I can¡¯t. Because deep down¡­ I know she¡¯s telling the truth. ¡°So, basically¡­¡± I whisper, my voice barely audible over the gentle ripples of the bathwater, ¡°the law exists¡­ but it¡¯s powerless. It changes nothing.¡± Eris exhales heavily, closing her eyes for a brief moment before nodding. ¡°Yup. That¡¯s exactly it.¡± Her words settle over me like a suffocating weight. So, in the end, as long as these criminals aren¡¯t caught red-handed, they¡¯ll always find a way to slip through the cracks. And that means, for years¡ªfor centuries¡ªcountless Furrens have been forced into slavery, their lives shattered beyond repair. Endless catgirls, fox girls, wolf girls¡­ My heart clenches. My ears droop, my hands ball into fists beneath the water, and before I know it, my eyes are stinging with unshed tears. I think about them. About those who were never saved. About those who lost everything. A world where they were hunted. Stripped of their freedom. Their voices ignored. Their pain unseen. And yet¡ªpeople still pretend everything is fine. ¡°¡­Well, at least Mistvale is safer than most places,¡± Eris remarks after a moment, her voice softer now. ¡°Mainly because the Guildmaster here is a Furren.¡± I sniff, quickly wiping my eyes before the tears can spill. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± I nod. I hadn¡¯t really thought about it before, but now that I do, I realize just how lucky we are to be living here. Guildmaster Karlogen¡­ he must have worked hard to keep Mistvale safe for Furrens. Maybe, thanks to him, this town has become one of the few places where we can live without fear. A rare sanctuary. Eris suddenly swims closer, reaching out to take my hand. Her touch is warm¡ªsteady. ¡°Felicia,¡± she says gently, her fingers squeezing mine. ¡°When I¡¯m not around, please try not to stay out too late. And if you ever notice anyone suspicious, tell Karl or Gordon right away. Okay?¡± I meet her gaze and nod firmly. ¡°Nn! I promise.¡± Reflecting on everything that¡¯s happened tonight, I begin to truly grasp the reality of this world¡ªthe ugly reality I had been oblivious to until now. Discrimination still exists, even in a world of magic. In some ways, it¡¯s even worse than back on Earth. Well¡­ I¡¯ll just have to be more cautious from now on. ¡°So¡­¡± I begin, deciding to change the subject, ¡°is that why you hide your true identity?¡± Eris blinks. ¡°Are you, like¡­ an undercover agent or something? Secretly working to take down criminals?¡± As the words leave my mouth, I start piecing everything together. It makes sense, doesn¡¯t it? Eris must be some undercover catgirl cop! She knew about those men. She probably already suspected they were part of something bigger. Maybe that¡¯s why she pretended to be affected by the Nightmare Orchid¡ªto draw them out. If that¡¯s the case, then holy crap¡ªthat would make her even cooler than I thought! However¡ª Eris suddenly looks away. Her lips part, like she wants to say something, but hesitates. For the first time tonight, I see uncertainty in her expression. And for a split second¡ª I catch a glimpse of pain in her eyes. Oh. My heart sinks. I was wrong, wasn¡¯t I? ¡°Eris?¡± I ask quietly, my curiosity wavering. She exhales. Then, in a low voice, she admits: ¡°Actually¡­ that¡¯s not the reason I hide my identity.¡± She pauses. The hesitation lingers too long. She bites her lip, her brows furrowing ever so slightly. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t tell you yet.¡± I see. Ah¡­ this isn¡¯t good. I¡¯ve touched a wound, haven¡¯t I? I shouldn¡¯t have pried. ¡°¡­It¡¯s okay,¡± I say softly, offering a small, reassuring smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me everything if you¡¯re not ready.¡± Eris blinks at me, surprised. ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°I trust you,¡± I say simply. Her breath hitches. And in that moment¡ª I see it. Relief. Like a flicker of light breaking through the dark, I see the way her shoulders relax just a bit. The tightness in her gaze eases. Ah. She was afraid I would push, wasn¡¯t she? Afraid I would doubt her. But how could I? Eris has given me a home. She¡¯s protected me. She¡¯s been nothing but kind to me. She saved me twice. Once in the dungeon. And again tonight. If she has a secret¡ª If she has something she can¡¯t tell me¡ª Then fine. Because who am I to judge? I¡¯ve been hiding things, too. I never told her I used to be a man. I never told her I was from another world. I lied about losing my memories. Yeah¡­ I¡¯m not in any position to demand the truth from her. ¡°¡­Is that really okay?¡± she asks, her voice uncertain. I nod. ¡°Yeah. Absolutely. Just tell me whenever you feel comfortable. If you never want to tell me, that¡¯s fine too.¡± Eris stares at me for a long moment. Then¡ª She smiles. A small, soft, grateful smile. ¡°Thank you, Felicia,¡± she murmurs. And just like that¡ª The tension between us melts away. I feel like I can breathe again. ¡°¡­But at least,¡± I add quickly, my tail twitching with renewed curiosity, ¡°would you tell me your adventurer rank? Please? I¡¯m dying to know! I¡¯m so curious!!!¡± Eris giggles. A genuine, lighthearted giggle that sends small ripples across the water. ¡°Hehe, I¡¯m actually A-rank.¡± ¡°WHAT?? A-RANK?! You¡¯re not S-rank?!¡± I nearly jump out of the bath. All of that insane speed. That inhuman strength. That blood-drenched, monstrous combat performance earlier. And she¡¯s telling me she¡¯s only A-rank?! HOW THE HELL DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE?!! Eris stifles another laugh at my reaction. ¡°Nu nu, I¡¯m not that strong yet,¡± she insists, waving a hand dismissively. Then¡ªher gaze softens. She leans back, exhaling slowly, her blue eyes turning hopeful. She lifts a hand, watching the bathwater ripple between her fingers. ¡°But one day, I will be. And when that time comes¡­ I¡¯ll finally be able to enter that dungeon.¡±¡± She pauses. ¡°¡­And I¡¯ll be able to see my father again.¡± Chapter 57: Secret After our bath, we return to the same place as last night¡ªthe roof of the Gilded Horn¡ªeach holding a steaming cup of chocolate milk. The wind carries a crisp chill, making the warmth of the cup even more comforting as I cradle it in my hands. There¡¯s something undeniably soothing about sitting under a starry sky, sipping something sweet. Now I get it. This is part of Eris¡¯s nightly ritual¡ªa quiet moment to unwind beneath the moonlight. And now that I¡¯ve tried it myself, I can fully understand why. Up here, everything feels¡­ far away. The streets below, the blood-soaked horrors of the night, even the worries that gnaw at the edges of my mind¡ªall of it seems so distant. For just a little while, it¡¯s as if the world shrinks away, leaving only the two of us beneath the endless sky. The stars flicker like candle flames against the vast black expanse, and I breathe in the cool night air, letting it settle the unease still lingering in my chest. Peaceful. That¡¯s what this moment is. ¡°As long as I¡¯m here, Felicia, I¡¯ll protect you,¡± Eris murmurs, her voice soft as the wind. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°Nn.¡± I nod, leaning against her shoulder. The warmth of her presence is reassuring, grounding. ¡°Thank you, Eris¡­ for looking out for me.¡± She hums in response, her thumb idly stroking the rim of her cup. We¡¯re still waiting for Gordon to return. Right now, he¡¯s checking to see if necromancy will work on the corpses of those thugs. It¡¯s a long shot, but if he can extract any information from them before their souls disappear, we might finally get a lead on the Crimson Order. In the Eldenwald Kingdom, this organization is considered one of the greatest threats to public safety¡ªa terrorist group that thrives in the shadows, operating under false identities and hidden dungeon outposts. They¡¯re ghosts. Whenever a member is captured or killed, a curse activates within minutes, destroying their soul and preventing necromancers from reviving or interrogating them. That¡¯s how they remain untouchable. No witnesses. No proof. No trail left behind. They¡¯re monsters in human skin, willing to corrupt even their own souls for the sake of their twisted ideology. It¡¯s sickening. I take another sip of my chocolate milk, my fingers tightening around the cup as I push the thought away. Then¡ªEris moves. She turns her head slightly, her fingers tightening around mine. ¡°Felicia,¡± she says gently, but there¡¯s a weight to her voice, something serious lurking beneath the surface. I look up, meeting her gaze. Her eyes shine in the moonlight, and for some reason, my chest tightens. ¡°¡­May I ask you something?¡± I blink, my tail twitching slightly. ¡°Of course,¡± I say automatically. Eris holds my gaze for a long moment before continuing. ¡°You don¡¯t have to answer if you don¡¯t want to.¡± She pauses. ¡°I won¡¯t blame you.¡± For some reason, that only makes my stomach twist even tighter. The air shifts. My heartbeat quickens. She¡¯s never looked at me like this before. Serious. Focused. Almost¡­ piercing. What is this? What is she about to ask me? Did I do something wrong? Did she notice something? A million thoughts race through my head, but before I can make sense of them¡ªThis story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Eris speaks. Her voice is clear. Steady. Unwavering. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡­ ¡°Huh?¡± I freeze. For a moment, I can¡¯t even breathe. I must have misheard her. That¡¯s what I tell myself. But then¡ª She repeats it. ¡°Felicia.¡± Her grip on my hand tightens. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª It feels like a bolt of lightning has struck me¡ªmy entire body locks up in an instant. I can¡¯t move. I can¡¯t breathe. My mind is a swirling storm of panic. I desperately search for words. ¡°W-what do you mean?¡± I stammer, my hands trembling. My heart is pounding so violently I instinctively try to pull away¡ªbut Eris¡¯s grip tightens. She exhales, her sharp eyes never leaving mine. Then¡ªshe speaks. ¡°At first, I thought you were some lost aristocrat.¡± The words send another wave of panic crashing over me. ¡°The dress you were wearing, the jewelry you carried¡ªthey were more extravagant than anything I¡¯ve seen, even among the kingdom¡¯s royals. Your magic is¡­ unusual, too. It doesn¡¯t match any recorded data. That led me to assume you were part of some secret household, maybe one that wants to remain hidden. It would explain why there¡¯s no record of you anywhere¡­ and why you lied about losing your memories.¡± I stiffen, my breath catching in my throat. ¡°W-wait¡ª You knew I was lying!?¡± Eris smirks, and suddenly, I feel doom creeping in. I¡¯m so fucked. ¡°Of course.¡± She tilts her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. ¡°Your expression and body language gave you away. You may think you¡¯re a good liar, but you¡¯re not.¡± I feel the color drain from my face. And then¡ª ¡°Besides,¡± she adds with a smug grin, ¡°you just confirmed it with that last sentence.¡± ¡­ ¡­Huh? Last sentence? Wait. I replay the conversation in my head¡ª ¡®You knew I was lying?¡¯ ¡­Oh crap. My eyes widen in horror. Damn it! I walked right into that one. I slap a hand over my mouth, but it¡¯s too late. Eris¡¯s grin widens, clearly enjoying my misery. ¡°If you knew,¡± I mutter, feeling utterly defeated, ¡°then why have you still been so kind to me? Why help me, even though I was obviously lying?¡± I brace myself, expecting her to turn serious. Maybe even angry. But¡ª Eris softens. ¡°Hey, relax.¡± She offers me a small smile, squeezing my shoulder. ¡°Everyone has one or two secrets, right? I understand that you can¡¯t trust just anyone from the start. That includes me. So it¡¯s fine.¡± Her voice is so gentle that my chest tightens. ¡°Besides,¡± she continues, ¡°the only thing that matters is that you really did need my help. And I wasn¡¯t about to leave you alone.¡± I bite my lip, guilt pressing down on me. She¡¯s so kind. And yet, I lied to her. Took advantage of her. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± I mumble, my ears drooping. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Then¡ª Pinch! ¡°Ow¡ªhey!¡± Eris suddenly grabs my cheeks, tugging them with both hands! ¡°Haha! But to think you even forced yourself to eat those vegetables!¡± she laughs. ¡°Very impressive! You fooled me for a second!¡± Huh? Wait. Is she talking about¡ª ¡°¡­The salad?¡± Eris blinks. A beat of silence follows. Then¡ª ¡°WAIT!¡± She gasps, her eyes going wide. ¡°You were SERIOUSLY trying to eat those vegetables?! You¡¯re a CAT Furren!¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± I mumble, averting my gaze, completely embarrassed. ¡°I-I really didn¡¯t know I couldn¡¯t eat that!¡± Eris gawks at me. ¡°WHAT?! Now I¡¯m even MORE confused!¡± She throws her hands in the air, clearly losing it. ¡°So you really did lose some memories?! Maybe even your COMMON SENSE?!¡± She¡¯s so frustrated that I can¡¯t help but laugh. The tension from before? Completely gone. Eris groans, rubbing her temples. ¡°¡­And not only that,¡± she mutters, ¡°you seem to be of aristocratic origin¡ªyour hands are too smooth for manual labor¡ªyet you went into the kitchen and chopped vegetables like a damn professional?! What the hell is that about?!¡± I grin, watching her spiral in confusion. ¡°And you were even using sword aura!¡± she exclaims. ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¡°Sword aura!¡± I blink. ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± Eris stops mid-rant. She stares at me. ¡°¡­Are you serious?¡± I nod slowly. ¡°I¡¯ve never even used a sword before.¡± Silence. Then¡ª ¡°Aaaaaagghhh¡­¡± Eris groans, dragging a hand down her face. ¡°What is going on here? Alright, sword aura is¡ª¡± she pauses briefly, as if trying to recall an exact definition¡ª¡°it¡¯s basically a phenomenon only someone with a very high skill level can produce. They enter a state where they become one with the sword¡­¡± Now that Eris mentions it, I remember feeling something odd when I was chopping vegetables. I remember feeling¡­ different. Like I had entered a trance-like state. The rhythm of the knife, the weight of it in my hand, the way my movements flowed effortlessly¡ªalmost unnaturally fast. My cuts were flawless, precise, instinctive. Time had seemed to slow, and every slice felt¡­ perfect. Back then, I assumed it was because I¡¯m now a cat Furren. After all, cats are supposed to be fast. But was that really it? I blink. ¡°Was that¡­ sword aura?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Eris exclaims. ¡°But you¡¯re telling me you weren¡¯t using it consciously? How is that even possible?¡± I cross my arms, puffing out my non-existent chest. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just that good at cooking.¡± Eris stares at me for a moment, then bursts out laughing. ¡°Yeah, maybe¡­¡± she concedes. Then, suddenly, she flops onto her back with a dramatic groan. ¡°Aaaah, I don¡¯t know anymore! First, your absurd reaction speed, then your unnatural magic resistance, and now this?!¡± She throws an arm over her eyes, exasperated. Then, her voice softens. ¡°And then there¡¯s the biggest mystery of all¡ªhow did you break free from the Nightmare Orchid¡¯s illusion? Unless you have an extremely high magic resistance¡ªlike I do¡ªit¡¯s supposed to be impossible.¡± She turns her head toward me, studying my face carefully. ¡°So, are you¡­ maybe¡­ hiding your power too?¡± I stiffen. ¡°Ah¡­ that¡­ I¡­¡± The truth is, it wasn¡¯t me who broke free from the Nightmare Orchid¡¯s illusion. It was the real Felicia. Somehow, she shattered the nightmare and pulled me back into reality. But how could I possibly explain that to Eris? If I told her everything¡ªabout my reincarnation, about the other Felicia¡ªit would sound completely insane. Eris watches me for a moment, then sighs. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Felicia¡­¡± she murmurs, gently squeezing my hands. ¡°Like I said before, we all have our secrets. You don¡¯t have to tell me anything you¡¯re not ready for.¡± Her voice is kind. Understanding. But suddenly ¡ª With her free hand, she reaches forward, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. And then¡ª She leans in ever so slightly, her soft blue eyes locking onto mine. ¡°If anything,¡± she whispers, ¡°it just makes me even more curious about you¡­¡± Ba-dump. My heart skips a beat. A slow, knowing smile spreads across her lips. ¡°And you¡¯re very easy to fluster, too.¡± ¡°Ahhh, Eris!¡± I groan, covering my face with my hands, my ears twitching wildly. She laughs softly, clearly amused by my reaction. Despite everything¡ªthe tension, the unanswered questions, the weight of our conversation¡ªher presence feels¡­ grounding. Safe. For a while, we sit together in comfortable silence, sipping our warm chocolate milk, the night sky stretching endlessly above us. But now¡­ Now that my secret is partially out¡­ I think it¡¯s time. I set my cup down, taking a deep breath. My fingers tighten slightly around the fabric of my clothes. ¡°Eris¡­ What if¡­ I¡¯m from another world?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± she replies, staring at me with wide eyes. Chapter 58: Confession ¡°Hmm¡­ I didn¡¯t quite catch that. Can you say that again?¡± Eris tilts her head, her blue eyes locked onto mine, piercing yet unreadable. I swallow, my throat dry as sandpaper. I can¡¯t back out now. ¡°I-I mean¡­ what if I¡¯m from another world?¡± My voice wavers. ¡°What if the real me¡­ isn¡¯t Felicia at all?¡± A flicker of something¡ªconfusion? Curiosity?¡ªcrosses Eris¡¯s face. She straightens, shifting her weight so she¡¯s fully facing me, her gaze scrutinizing. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± My heart slams against my ribs. My breath turns shallow. My entire body trembles so violently it feels like I might fall apart at any moment. It¡¯s suffocating. But¡ªI have to continue. I force myself to take a deep, shaky breath. ¡°A-actually¡­¡± I pause, willing my body to stop trembling. ¡°Have you ever heard of¡­ reincarnation?¡± Eris blinks. ¡°Reincarnation?¡± she echoes, brows drawing together. ¡°You mean, like souls being reborn?¡± I nod stiffly. ¡°Nn¡­¡± And then, mustering every ounce of courage I have left, I spill everything. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- A long while later¡­ ¡°Ahhh¡­ so that¡¯s how it is¡­¡± Eris murmurs at last, her fingers pressed against her chin, brows furrowed as she processes my words. ¡°You died trying to save a girl, and then somehow, you woke up in this world¡­ in her body. And tonight, she appeared in your nightmare and saved you.¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± I nod weakly. Then¡ªsilence. A long, suffocating silence. Ah¡­ I¡¯ve done it now. And I¡¯m so, so fucked. Honestly¡­ why did I even do this? Even though I¡¯ve unburdened myself, the weight on my chest hasn¡¯t lifted. If anything, it¡¯s grown heavier¡ªcrushing, suffocating. I should¡¯ve kept my mouth shut. Because now¡­ what happens next? I don¡¯t want to see Eris¡¯s reaction. I can¡¯t. Will she believe me? Will she think I¡¯m insane? If she does believe me¡­ how will she look at me from now on? Maybe she¡¯ll hate me. Maybe she¡¯ll fear me. Maybe¡­ she¡¯ll be disgusted. After all¡ªI¡¯m not Felicia. I¡¯m a stranger. A foreign soul occupying her body like some twisted parasite. That thought alone unsettles me, so how much worse will it be for Eris? And worse yet¡­ I used to be a man. That revelation alone could change everything. Eris has treated me with such kindness, such warmth, because she believed I was a girl. But now that she knows the truth¡­This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. My stomach twists violently. She¡¯ll be repulsed. She¡¯ll realize: She unknowingly bathed with a man. She unknowingly slept beside a man. And worst of all¡ª A man who couldn¡¯t help but steal glances. At her bare skin. At her curves. At her body. My own self-loathing crashes over me like a tidal wave. It¡¯s creepy. It¡¯s disgusting. And I feel wretched just thinking about it. I don¡¯t deserve her kindness. If Eris rejects me, I won¡¯t blame her. I¡¯ll deserve it. And yet¡­ It will shatter me. Because despite only knowing her for a day¡ªone single day¡ªwe¡¯ve grown so close. We¡¯ve shared secrets. We¡¯ve laughed together. We¡¯ve fought side by side. There¡¯s something about her presence¡ªsomething steady, grounding, something I desperately cling to without realizing just how much it means to me. And if I lose that¡­ I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do. My mind spirals with awful scenarios¡ªEris turning her back on me, her eyes cold, distant, full of disgust. Telling me to leave. To never return. The thought is unbearable. And yet, if that¡¯s what she decides¡­ I¡¯ll have to accept it. I have no right to feel betrayed. I¡¯ll just be¡ª Heartbroken. Because more than anything¡ªI don¡¯t want to lose her. And the idea that my confession might destroy the fragile bond we¡¯ve built makes me want to curl up and scream. ¡­ But then¡ª ¡°Say that again. What¡¯s the name of the thing that hit you?¡± Eris¡¯s voice slices through the silence, shattering my downward spiral of thoughts. Her question catches me off guard¡ªnot at all what I expected. And somehow¡­ There¡¯s no disgust on her face. No revulsion. No horror. No anger. If anything¡­ she looks genuinely curious. ¡°A¡ªa truck! A truck hit me and killed me!¡± I blurt out, too flustered to think. But instead of nodding in understanding, Eris¡¯s brows knit together even more. ¡°A truck? Is that some kind of giant monster?¡± ¡°Eh?¡ªAAAAHHH!!!¡± Damn it! DAMN IT! I forgot! This is a fantasy world¡ªthere are no trucks here! She has no idea what a truck is! ¡°NO!¡± I exclaim, shaking my head frantically. ¡°It¡¯s like a really, really big carriage! Except there are no horses or birds pulling it, and it runs super fast! It could probably carry a hundred Filoan Birds without breaking a sweat! It can even carry a house!¡± I freeze. Ah¡­ shit¡­ That sounds even more ridiculous when I say it out loud. Eris stares at me, clearly trying to process my nonsense. I can almost see her brain short-circuiting. ¡°No birds or horses?¡± she murmurs. ¡°Then¡­ how does it move? Magic?¡± ¡°Ah¡ªno! Not magic¡ªgas!¡± I blurt in desperation. ¡°Gas?¡± ¡°Yeah! Well¡­ actually, oil! OIL!¡± ¡°Oil?¡± ¡°Uggghhhhhh!!!¡± I groan, yanking at my hair in frustration. How the hell am I supposed to explain modern technology to someone from a medieval fantasy world?! But then¡ª ¡°So¡­ is this special oil a kind of fuel? Like how mages use magic stones to power their devices?¡± Ooooh! SHE GOT IT! ¡°YES! EXACTLY! FUEL!¡± I yell, nearly jumping in excitement. Eris nods, looking thoughtful. ¡°And how heavy was this ¡®truck¡¯?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I-I¡¯m not totally sure¡­¡± I rack my brain, realizing I have no clue how much an average truck weighs. ¡°¡­Maybe¡­ a thousand tons?¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Eris¡¯s eyes widen, reflecting the moonlight. Eh? Why is she reacting like this? Then, without warning, she reaches out and touches my head. ¡°A thousand tons? And it hit your head? Are you serious? Did it hurt? Are you still in pain?¡± Her fingertips graze my scalp, light as a feather. Her warmth seeps into me, and for some reason¡ª Tears spill down my cheeks. ¡°¡­Yes!¡± I sob, frantically rubbing my eyes. ¡°A-actually¡­ no. No! I¡ªI died instantly, so I didn¡¯t feel anything¡­ but¡­ but still¡ª¡± Eris exhales a long sigh, relieved. ¡°Still, that must¡¯ve been terrifying. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Before I can fully process her words, she pulls me into a hug. My breath catches. My mind reels. What? Why? Why am I getting a hug now? Does she truly not hate me? ¡°Hic¡­ Y-you¡¯re not mad at me?¡± I stammer, my voice trembling as I cling to her warmth. ¡°I¡­ I hid everything from you¡­¡± ¡°No, silly,¡± Eris murmurs, her voice impossibly soft as she strokes my hair. ¡°Why would I be mad? You must¡¯ve been so scared¡­ and it must¡¯ve taken so much courage to tell me all of this. I¡¯m sorry I made you so nervous.¡± She tightens her hold, and I practically melt into her embrace. Relief washes over me¡ªpure, overwhelming relief. She doesn¡¯t despise me. She doesn¡¯t hate me. She¡¯s here. Holding me. I¡¯m so glad. Her acceptance feels like a miracle I never dared to hope for. And then, after a long, comforting silence, she whispers¡ª ¡°Felicia¡­ did you have family in that other world?¡± My chest tightens. My fingers curl into the fabric of her shirt. I nod slowly. ¡°Nn¡­ I had an older brother and a younger sister. Our parents passed away, so¡­ they were all I had.¡± Eris nods. ¡°What about a wife? Were you married before?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°A girlfriend?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± I admit quietly. ¡°I see,¡± Eris murmurs, pausing for a moment. Then¡ªgently, almost cautiously¡ªshe asks: ¡°So¡­ do you miss them?¡± I swallow hard, my throat tight. ¡°¡­Yes.¡± My voice wavers, barely above a whisper. And for the first time since I arrived in this world¡ªI let myself grieve. Chapter 59: More confession I thought Eris would be furious. I thought she would recoil in disgust, reject me, maybe even look at me like some kind of monster. But reality? The exact opposite. Not only was she not angry¡ªshe wasn¡¯t even slightly upset. Instead, she was understanding. Patient. Genuinely worried about me. Eris is¡­ really nice. Like an angel of some sort. And as I sit here beside her, warmth settling in my chest, I can¡¯t help but wonder¡ª Am I¡­ just incredibly lucky? The thought brings a small, genuine smile to my lips. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- ¡°But¡­ you don¡¯t seem that surprised?¡± ¡°Huh? Surprised?¡± Eris tilts her head, ears twitching slightly. ¡°About what?¡± ¡°The fact that I¡¯m from another world!¡± I blurt out, still baffled by how casually she¡¯s taking all of this. ¡°Oh. That.¡± Eris chuckles and reaches over to ruffle my hair. ¡°Maybe that¡¯s because it was already one of the possibilities I considered.¡± ¡°¡­Eh???¡± I blink at her, utterly stunned. She knew?! Eris laughs at my expression, clearly amused. ¡°You see, we live in a world where hundreds of new dungeons appear every day, each connected to different dimensions. So far, we¡¯ve only encountered two worlds with thriving civilizations, but that doesn¡¯t mean there aren¡¯t more, right? The possibility of intelligent life existing elsewhere has always been on the table. It¡¯s really just a matter of time before another world is discovered.¡± Ohhh! Hearing her explanation, it finally makes sense. To Eris, the idea of other worlds isn¡¯t shocking at all. In fact, she had already suspected it! But then¡ª ¡°I was surprised when you mentioned reincarnation, though¡­¡± she admits, her gaze sharpening slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve read about it in ancient magical texts, but I never actually believed it¡­ until now.¡± She leans back, crossing her arms as she studies me. ¡°And even among reincarnation cases, yours is¡­ unique.¡± ¡°¡­Unique how?¡± Eris tilts her head, thinking. ¡°Normally, reincarnation means being born again as a baby and starting a new life from scratch. But you¡­ you woke up in an already-existing body. And not just any body¡ªthe same girl you tried to save.¡± I nod, my throat tightening. ¡°And you said the other soul is always asleep?¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± I swallow hard. ¡°Did she ever try to take control?¡± ¡°No¡­ or at least, nothing has happened yet.¡± That¡¯s the truth. So far, I¡¯ve had complete control. The real Felicia has never tried to take back her body¡­ ¡­Or at least, not that I¡¯m aware of. But still¡­ there were weird moments. Moments where I felt emotions that weren¡¯t mine. Moments where my mind and body reacted in ways that made no sense. Like when Eris slaughtered those men¡ª That overwhelming thrill. The strange, intoxicating rush of ecstasy that left me grinning uncontrollably. It terrified me. I was still me, and yet¡ªat that moment¡ªI wasn¡¯t. And then, there were the other moments. Like when I touched Felicia¡¯s dress and jewelry, only to be struck with such deep sorrow that I nearly broke down in tears. It was as if her lingering emotions were bleeding into me, whispering from the depths of this body. Of course, I¡¯ve already told Eris all of this. And now, as she sits beside me, ears twitching, she exhales a deep sigh. ¡°I wish I could help¡­ but I really have no idea what¡¯s happening inside you.¡± Her expression softens. ¡°This is a complete mystery.¡± I force a shaky smile. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ I guess, as long as this body isn¡¯t rejecting me, I should be fine¡­ right?¡± At that, Eris¡¯s eyes widen slightly. Then¡ªshe nods. ¡°Right. That¡¯s a good sign.¡± A quiet relief washes over her features. ¡°Still, if you ever feel anything strange¡ªanything at all¡ªtell me, okay? We¡¯ll figure it out together.¡± ¡°Nn.¡± I nod, a flicker of comfort settling in my chest. But then¡ª Eris¡¯s face turns serious again. ¡°Felicia¡­ don¡¯t ever tell anyone else about this.¡± A cold shiver runs down my spine. ¡°About being from another world. Keep it a secret.¡± I gulp, the weight of her words sinking in. ¡°Right¡­¡± It makes sense. If the wrong people found out¡ª I could be captured. Interrogated. Experimented on.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The thought alone makes my blood turn to ice. I absolutely don¡¯t want to be experimented on. I just want to live a peaceful life. Maybe explore some dungeons. Maybe have fun with Eris and everyone else. ¡°But¡­ should I keep this from Gordon and Guildmaster Karl too?¡± I ask hesitantly. ¡°Of course.¡± Eris¡¯s response is instant. ¡°I trust them, but¡­ the fewer people who know, the safer you¡¯ll be.¡± I nod slowly. ¡°I¡­ I see¡­¡± A quiet moment passes. Then, I hesitantly murmur¡ª ¡°But¡­ I have another question.¡± Eris tilts her head. ¡°Hm?¡± I clutch my hands together, my gaze dropping. ¡°How did you know I wasn¡¯t a bad person? I mean¡­ what if I was some criminal on the run? What if I was a monster pretending to be a lost girl?¡± At that, Eris lets out a soft, melodic chuckle. Then¡ªher ears twitch, and her lips curl into a playful grin. ¡°You know¡­ I just had a feeling.¡± She reaches out and flicks my forehead gently. ¡°After all, a catgirl this beautiful couldn¡¯t possibly be evil, right?¡± A wink. A damn wink. Aaaaghhh!!! I feel my face heat up instantly. ¡°E-Eris!!!¡± I groan in embarrassment, hiding my face. She just laughs. ¡°See? Too cute to be evil.¡± I pout. ¡°I-It¡¯s not fair if you keep teasing me like this¡­¡± Eris chuckles again, her laughter soft under the night sky. Then, with a sigh, she leans back onto the rooftop, gazing at the stars above. ¡°The truth is,¡± she murmurs, ¡°I just couldn¡¯t leave you alone.¡± Her voice is quiet¡ªgentle. ¡°Sure, there was always a risk you might be dangerous. But if I let that fear control me¡­ I wouldn¡¯t be able to help anyone, right?¡± She tilts her head, looking at me with a soft smile. And in that moment¡ª Something inside me aches. A warmth¡ªbittersweet and overwhelming¡ªspreads through my chest. Right¡­ I can¡¯t believe I¡¯d already forgotten. That¡¯s just how Eris is. So kind. So warm¡­ I exhale softly and lie down beside her, letting the cool rooftop beneath me ground my swirling thoughts. Above us, the night sky stretches endlessly, a vast ocean of darkness adorned with countless silver stars. They twinkle like scattered shards of light, delicate and eternal. A gentle breeze drifts by, carrying the crisp scent of the night air, and for a moment, everything is still. Just the two of us, lying beneath the infinite sky. Then, Eris shifts. She rolls onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow to face me. There¡¯s a playful glint in her eyes, a teasing curve to her lips. ¡°Alright,¡± she says, her voice light with amusement. ¡°What if you were me? You¡¯d have done the same thing, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Her question catches me completely off guard. I blink, scrambling to process it. But¡­ now that I think about it¡­ ¡°Nn,¡± I nod. Though, if I¡¯m being honest, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s because I¡¯m some noble, selfless person or anything like that. No¡­ it¡¯s mostly because¡ª I¡¯m a catgirl simp. Yes, A TOTAL SIMP. When it comes to catgirls, I completely lose all rational thought. My brain just shuts down. Eris giggles softly, her laughter like the chime of distant bells. Her blue eyes shimmer in the moonlight, reflecting the soft glow of the stars. ¡°After all,¡± she muses, ¡°you risked your life trying to save that catgirl, didn¡¯t you? And earlier, instead of running away, you stood your ground to protect me¡ªeven though you knew you weren¡¯t a match for those men.¡± Her voice quiets, becoming something softer, something almost¡­ intimate. ¡°To be honest, I was really moved.¡± She smiles, turning her face slightly, as if lost in thought. ¡°Y-you noticed?¡± I stammer. ¡°Of course,¡± she replies without hesitation, her gaze steady, unwavering. ¡°And you were absolutely amazing back then.¡± Her words hit me like a sudden rush of wind¡ªunexpected and overwhelming. I freeze. My heart stutters, then starts racing, pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. Heat surges to my face, burning beneath my skin, and I suddenly forget how to breathe. What¡­ what is this? Eris inches closer, the distance between us vanishing until she¡¯s so near that I can feel the warmth of her breath against my skin. Her next words come softly¡ªso softly that they barely reach me over the night¡¯s quiet whisper. ¡°And that¡¯s why¡­ I like you¡­¡± ¡­ I. like. you¡­ I freeze. Her words linger in the air, echoing inside my head, growing louder with each passing second. Oh, shit. She said it so casually, so nonchalantly, like it was the most natural thing in the world¡ªbut my heart¡ª My heart is pounding so hard I feel like it might burst! Without thinking, I shoot upright, scrambling to hide my face behind my coat, as if that might somehow shield me from the sheer intensity of the moment. What the heck was that?! Did she even realize what she just said?! Oh no¡­ Eris¡­ I don¡¯t think my heart can handle this right now! It takes what feels like an eternity for me to calm down¡ªsteadying my breathing, trying to force my body to stop trembling. Even then, my voice is weak, unsteady, when I finally manage to speak. ¡°E-Eris¡­¡± I stammer, gripping my coat tighter. ¡°Y-you know that I used to be a man, right? P-please don¡¯t tease me like that¡­ it might¡­ it might make me misunderstand things¡­¡± But before I can finish, I feel something warm¡ª A gentle touch. I startle slightly as I glance to the side. Eris is sitting beside me, her expression soft yet serious, her hand resting over mine. My breath catches. ¡°Yes,¡± she murmurs, her voice steady, unwavering. ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± My heart stops. She¡¯s¡­ aware? Then why? Why did she still say that? Why is she still holding my hand? I don¡¯t understand. I¡¯m so confused. So overwhelmed. My thoughts are spiraling, my heart pounding¡ªI want to scream!!! And then¡ª ¡°Felicia¡­¡± Eris looks straight into my eyes. Her gaze is intense, filled with something I can¡¯t quite name. She hesitates, her lips parting slightly as if debating whether to continue. After a moment, she bites her lower lip before finally speaking again, her breath uneven. ¡°¡­D-do you see yourself now as a man? Or as a woman?¡± My mind blanks. ¡°W-what do you mean?¡± I barely manage, my throat suddenly dry. ¡°I mean¡­¡± She pauses again, her grip tightening slightly. This time, her fingers tremble. ¡°Do you like girls¡­ or do you like boys now?¡± ¡­ BA-DUMP! Ohhhhhh shiiiiiit. That is¡ª That is a seriously hard question. A question that could change everything between us. If I say I like girls¡­ That means I¡¯m a lesbian now. Will Eris be weirded out? Will she even want to be my friend anymore? But if I say I like boys¡­ That would not only be a lie¡ªbut also a betrayal of myself. Aaaaaaa¡ª I¡¯m screaming internally, my thoughts spiraling into absolute chaos. WHAT DO I DO?! ¡­ ¡°I¡­ I like¡­¡± My voice shakes as I force the words out. The moment the sentence starts leaving my lips, Eris¡¯s hand suddenly clenches around mine¡ªso tightly that it almost physically hurts. ¡°¡­Girls.¡± ¡­ Ahhhh¡­ Dang it. I said it. I brace myself for impact. For rejection. For awkward silence. For something¡ªanything. But instead¡ª A giggle. Wait. A giggle?! I whip my head up, completely thrown off¡ª And then I see her. Eris, her face impossibly red, staring at me with an expression that nearly knocks the air from my lungs. Then she smiles. Bright. Beautiful. Devastating. ¡°Then¡­¡± she whispers, her voice teasing, her eyes gleaming mischievously, ¡°what about me?¡± The world stops. ¡°Do you like me?¡± ¡­ Wait. Wait. WAIT. Suddenly, everything clicks. All the teasing. All the playful touches. All the moments that made my heart race but I dismissed as just my own overthinking. WAAAAAIT. HOW THE HECK WAS I SO OBLIVIOUS?!?! I want to answer¡ªI really, really do¡ª My heart is practically leaping out of my chest, my entire body trembling in anticipation¡ª But then¡ª ¡°Ah, Gordon¡¯s back!¡± Eris suddenly announces, snapping me out of my thoughts. ¡°W-WHAT?!¡± I jolt, my voice cracking. ¡°Already?!¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she hums, standing up with that same damn smug smile, as if nothing had just happened. ¡°He just knocked on the door. Let¡¯s go down.¡± Still dazed, I feel Eris gently take my hand, helping me to my feet. And just like that¡ª The moment is gone. But my heart¡ª My stupid, traitorous heart¡ª is still beating like crazy. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- A few minutes later¡­ Eris and Gordon are outside, deep in conversation about the current situation, leaving me alone in the room. And honestly? I think I¡¯m dying. I bury my face into the plush pillow, my entire body burning, my brain spiraling into madness. My tail¡ªtraitorous, treacherous tail¡ªrefuses to obey me. It twitches wildly behind me, flicking uncontrollably like it¡¯s been zapped with an electric current. Eris¡­ she asked me that question. Does that mean she likes me? It was a confession¡­ right? RIGHT?! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I kick my legs against the mattress, writhing in sheer emotional agony. The more I think about it, the less certain I become. What if she was just teasing? What if she was just curious? What if she wasn¡¯t actually interested in me like that?! OH NO. OH NO NO NO. I MAY HAVE MISUNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING. My ears flatten against my head as I curl up tighter, my tail still absolutely losing its god damn mind. And besides¡ª It¡¯s only been two days. Two. Days. There¡¯s no way things could move that fast¡­ right? Right?! I groan into the pillow, muffling my own pitiful wails. ¡°Aaaaa¡­ hic¡­ I¡¯m so screwed, nya¡­ That was so embarrassing, nya¡­¡± The shame. The absolute shame. I want to disintegrate. The wait for Eris to return stretches into eternity¡ªevery second dragging on, tormenting me with my own overthinking. I just know that when she comes back¡­ I won¡¯t be able to look her in the eyes. Ever. Chapter 60: The girl she likes The creak of the door shatters the heavy stillness of the room, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. It¡¯s Eris. She¡¯s here! I bolt upright, like a startled weasel scrambling out of its burrow, my tail stands straight up. Every muscle in my body locks up, stiff as stone, and for a terrifying second, I swear I¡¯ve forgotten how to breathe. Calm down, Felicia. Just calm down! I chant internally, desperate for composure. But my heart doesn¡¯t care¡ª it jolts violently, thudding against my chest like a drumbeat gone wild. Grasping at fraying threads of control, I force out a shaky question. ¡°H-how is everything going?¡± My voice cracks, betraying the nerves I wish I could hide. Eris leans casually against the wall, exhaling a long, weary sigh. ¡°Just as I thought,¡± she says grimly. ¡°They were members of the Crimson Order. We couldn¡¯t extract any information. Their souls have already been tampered with, and all their memories erased.¡± Her words land heavily, sinking into me like stones in water. My ears flatten, disappointment pressing my shoulders down. ¡°I-I see¡­¡± I murmur weakly. I had hoped¡ªhoped¡ªthat Eris would uncover something useful, something that she and the Guildmaster could use to bring down that corrupt organization and free Mistvale from its shadowy grip. Maybe even make life a little safer for Furrens like me. But seems like¡­ reality rarely grants miracles. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I stammer, unsure what else to say. Eris¡¯s gaze sharpens. ¡°Hey, what are you sorry for?¡± Her tone catches me off guard. ¡°And anyway,¡± she continues, ¡°we failed to extract information with necromancy, sure¡ªbut we did confirm they¡¯re Crimson Order.¡± Her lips curl into a smile. ¡°They still had the tattoos. Plus, a few of those guys were already on the Kingdom¡¯s wanted list.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Relief floods through me, loosening the knot of tension in my chest. ¡°That¡¯s good, right?¡± ¡°Exactly. Now no one can question why we had to kill them. It was clearly self-defense.¡± That¡¯s very good indeed. At least there¡¯s some justification now¡ªsomething tangible to protect us from accusations. ¡°And don¡¯t worry,¡± Eris adds, her voice steady and reassuring, ¡°there are still other ways to get information outside of necromancy. Like investigating the black market¡ªtracing where they get their weapons or their fake IDs.¡± ¡°Nn.¡± I nod, feeling lighter. ¡°That makes sense.¡± Eris¡¯s serious expression softens slightly. Then, suddenly, as if flipping a switch, she takes a small step forward. Her eyes flicker uncertainly, darting around the room. Her fingers absently twist a strand of hair. ¡°S-so, um¡­ a-about what you said earlier¡­¡± Eris¡¯s voice wavers, softer than before. ¡°Eh?¡± ¡­ Badump. BA-DUMP. BA-DUMP! Her words catch me completely off guard again, sending my heart into an uncontrollable frenzy. Warmth surges to my cheeks, burning like fire. ¡°W-what thing? Heh¡­ hehehe¡­¡± I stammer, forcing out a nervous laugh that sounds far too awkward to be natural. My eyes dart everywhere but to her face. I¡¯m a mess. ¡°About¡­ you liking me.¡± Eris replies. ¡°A-a-ahaha¡­ S-so you heard that?¡± I stammer, laughing even more awkwardly like an absolute idiot. ¡°Yes,¡± she replies simply again. Meanwhile, my mind spirals into utter chaos. AAAAA!!! Damn it, Felicia, stop laughing like an idiot! You¡¯re making this so much worse!!! But before I can dig myself any deeper into this hole, Eris steps closer. Then, without warning¡ª She pushes me back. And now¡­ I¡¯m pinned on the bed. Her body hovers above mine, warm and dangerously close. I can barely breathe. ¡°E-EH?!¡± I yelp, my mind short-circuiting. ¡°Felicia,¡± Eris breathes, calling my name, her voice low and serious, her deep blue eyes now gather all of my attention. And then, three simple words escape her lips, yet like thunder that shakes my entire world.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°I like you.¡± ¡°A-as a friend¡­ right?¡± I blurt out pathetically, my voice cracking. ¡­ AAAAA!!! DAMN IIIITTTT!!!! Oh. my. freaking. god. I can¡¯t understand it. What the hell is happening?!! Why am I like this?! WHAT ARE THESE SAD ANSWERS?! ¡°No, silly,¡± Eris lets out a soft, amused chuckle. Her expression shifts, turning more earnest. ¡°More than a friend. More¡­ intimate than that.¡± I open my mouth to respond, but she places a finger gently over my lips, silencing me. ¡°Can you hear it?¡± she whispers. ¡°H-huh?¡± ¡°Listen.¡± Well, if she says so¡­ I do as she says, forcing myself to focus. At first, there¡¯s only the faint whoosh of wind from outside the window. Then I hear it¡ªclear and steady beneath the quiet, growing louder and louder. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump! Ba-dump. Ba-dump! Ba-dump. Ba-dump! Ba-dump. Ba-dump! The sound of heartbeats. Mine thuds erratically, fast and chaotic¡ª But there¡¯s another one. Eris¡¯s heart. It¡¯s pounding just as fiercely. ¡°And in case you¡¯re not used to your catgirl senses yet¡­¡± she says softly, taking my hand in hers. Before I can react, she guides it to her chest. Soft. Soft warmth presses against my palm. My brain practically explodes. AAAAAA!!! I¡¯m TOUCHING HER CHEST?! But then¡ª I feel it. Her heartbeat, wild and relentless, thundering even louder than mine. ¡°This,¡± Eris whispers, ¡°is how much I like you, Felicia.¡± My breath catches. I¡¯m stunned speechless. So¡­ it¡¯s true¡­ Eris¡­ She likes me too!!! ¡°Ever since I met you,¡± she continues, ¡°I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off you. You¡¯re the most beautiful person I¡¯ve ever seen. The silliest. The kindest. Felicia, can¡¯t you see? You are driving me crazy.¡± Her words are giving me so many butterflies in my stomach right now. However¡­ I still have mixed feelings about this. ¡°B-but¡­¡± My voice wavers. ¡°I-I used to be a man¡­¡± ¡°So what?¡± Eris says firmly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a woman now? That doesn¡¯t matter to me.¡± ¡°A-and¡­ I¡¯m not even the real Felicia,¡± I choke out. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ some random soul living inside her.¡± Right. This is the ugly truth, and Eris must have forgotten it. This beautiful body isn¡¯t mine. The Felicia that Eris likes¡­ she¡¯s not me. She never could be. The real me wouldn¡¯t even deserve a flicker of her attention. ¡°Hey,¡± Eris says sharply, breaking my spiraling thoughts. ¡°Don¡¯t say that. It¡¯s not true.¡± ¡°H-how can you be so sure?¡± I whisper. She smiles softly. ¡°Because the Felicia I like isn¡¯t just a pretty face.¡± ¡°W-what?¡± Eris chuckles. ¡°Yeah. The Felicia I like¡­ she tried to eat salad.¡± ¡°W-wait, WHAT?! You like me because I tried eating SALAD?!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Eris teases, grinning mischievously. ¡°But not just that. She cuts vegetables insanely well too¡ªthough she doesn¡¯t know how to wash a girl¡¯s hair properly yet.¡± ¡°H-hey!¡± I protest, feeling suuuuper pouty right now. But Eris just chuckles. ¡°Hehe, she still tries her best, though.¡± Eris continues, her fingers gently weaving through my hair. ¡°And it¡¯s not just that. She¡¯s cute, considerate, and kind-hearted. She didn¡¯t want to depend on me for everything. She never judged me or flinched when she saw my scar. She held my hand when we slept. Her presence alone is like sunlight, banishing the darkness inside me. And today¡­¡± Her gaze softens, her eyes shimmering with raw emotion. ¡°She was willing to risk everything to protect me¡ªeven when the odds were stacked against her.¡± My throat tightens. Tears blur my vision. ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s the Felicia I like,¡± Eris concludes with a gentle smile. ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry, let me correct it. That¡¯s the Felicia I love.¡± ¡­ Hearing her pour her heart out like that¡ª I can¡¯t hold it in anymore. Tears spill from my eyes, unbidden, unstoppable. My heart jumps, suddenly aching like hell. But this pain¡­ I like it. I love it. Eris leans in, her face just inches from mine. Her breath, warm and soft, brushes against my lips. ¡°So tell me¡­¡± she whispers. ¡°Are you¡­ that Felicia?¡± Her words hang in the air, lingering, echoing in my mind. Now¡­ I find myself asking too: Am I¡­ that Felicia? Everything I¡¯ve done until now¡ªdespite being in a different body¡ªdoes it still count as me? Well¡­ maybe around 70% of me, I think¡­ But now that Eris has shown me a different perspective, I feel something shift within me. A newfound confidence, somehow. And so¡­ ¡°Nn¡­¡± I nod, my body trembling with emotion, my heart racing in anticipation. My throat tightens, the words I want to say stuck, tangled in my chest. And then¡­ It happens. I let her come closer, the heat of her breath teasing my lips before the soft pressure of her mouth meets mine. A kiss¡­ At first, it¡¯s barely a touch¡ªso soft, a little bit wet, doesn¡¯t taste like anything. But slowly, it gets more intense, more intoxicating. Her lips moving with a tenderness that makes my pulse quicken, her every shift sending waves of warmth through me. Her tongue brushes against mine slightly. My heart races, threatening to burst from my chest, each beat erratic and overwhelming. I can¡¯t think¡ªonly feel. Thoughts scatter, evaporating into a haze of bliss, slipping away like smoke. And time slows, stretching into eternity, the world around us becoming distant, irrelevant. And then, for a heartbeat, I forget everything¡ªwho I was, who I am. There¡¯s only her. Only this. Only the warmth of her touch, the soft, consuming sweetness of her lips against mine, burning with a hunger I didn¡¯t know I needed. And finally, when she finally pulls away, I¡¯m left gasping for air, my chest heaving, my body craving more. The emptiness in my lungs is unbearable, and I ache to feel her again, to lose myself in the sensation of her kiss, her touch again. My lips throb, hungry, desperate. Meanwhile, Eris¡¯s face is red, a soft pink coloring her cheeks. Her eyes meet mine, dark and intense, holding me captive. She bites her lower lip, a silent gesture that speaks louder than words¡ª a hunger, an invitation. Damn¡­ This is dangerous. I force myself to hold back, fighting the storm of desire building inside me. Seeing her like this¡­ I¡¯m terrified I might lose control. I want her. I want her more than anything! But¡­ is it too soon? Too fast? We¡¯ve only known each other for nearly 2 days, yet we¡¯ve already shared this¡ªthis kiss. A kiss. A FREAKING kiss!!! That has to be enough, right? It¡¯s more than enough for me, right? I can¡¯t be too greedy. And besides¡­ I don¡¯t want Eris to think of me as some horny, indecent girl. That would be¡­ terrible!!! My heart pounds as uncertainty creeps in. ¡­ But then, Eris leans in, her finger tracing the curve of my body in a slow, tantalizing movement that stops just above my chest. Her voice, a soft whisper, cuts through the tension. ¡°Can we¡­ do more than this?¡± ¡­ Ah¡­ fuck it. If she says so¡­ Why hold back anymore? RIGHTTTT??? Thus, with a surge of desire, I pull her closer. ¡°Nn¡­¡± And just like that, as I give my consent, Eris kisses me again¡ªthis time longer, deeper, more searing, more passionate than before. I¡¯m breathless, my mind spinning in a haze. She moves to my neck, her lips grazing it lightly, and then her tongue traces a path that sends a jolt of electricity shooting down my spine. My body tenses, every muscle frozen in place. ¡°Ahhh¡­~!¡± A soft moan escapes me, caught between embarrassment and pure sensation. I have no idea what just happened, how the hell did I just make that weird sound. ¡°Then you need to relax a little bit¡­¡± Eris smiles and whispers. ¡°It¡¯s only going to get more intense from here.¡± Ah, shit¡­ If she says that, I really need to brace myself. I¡¯m looking forward to it. Eris then places her hand gently over my chest, pressing just enough to make my heart race even faster. ¡°B-be gentle¡­¡± I plead with teary eyes, my voice shaky. " ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± Eris leans in again, kissing my neck, then slowly down to my collarbone. Her lips, her breath, her tongue overwhelm my senses in the most intoxicating way. I melt into her, my heart pounding, my arms holding her tighter, like I¡¯m afraid to let go¡­ Chapter 61: Start of the night I can¡¯t believe this is happening¡­ Eris and me¡­ are we really doing this? Yes. Yes, we are. But¡­ how do girls even have sex? And more importantly¡­ How do girls have sex with each other? I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve never been in a situation like this before. No experience, no idea of what to expect. But so far¡­ I like it. Eris told me to relax and let her take the lead. She gently guides my body, easing me back onto a soft pillow before her lips find mine again. Her kisses are slow and intoxicating, pulling me deeper into this unfamiliar yet thrilling moment. Our tongue wrestle against each other, while her hands trace light, teasing patterns along my arms, down my sides. She then pulls back, smiles, gives my nose a little peck. Then, her lips move lower, trailing kisses down my neck. Now, her warm, wet tongue are gliding across my skin, tracing a path up and down my neck with a sensual rhythm, as if savoring every inch, as if I¡¯m a lolipop. She kisses, then nips lightly, her breath hot against my skin, tickling. My mind blanks, overwhelmed by the electric currents coursing through me. I lean back, surrendering my neck to her, like an offering to a ravenous vampire, while reveling in the delicious sensations she stirs within me. Meanwhile, her hand drifts lower, brushing over my chest. Her fingers dance across the thin fabric of my dress, teasing the hardened peak beneath. Even through the silky barrier, the touch is electrifying. ¡°Ahh¡­¡± My body reacts before I can think, arching slightly, a soft gasp slipping from my lips. My breath hitches, my fingers gripping the sheets beneath me as she lingers, kissing, biting, whispering things I can barely process in the haze of sensation. I can¡¯t help but wonder¡­ If this is just the beginning, just the prelude to the night, then¡­ how far will we go? How much more intense will it become? I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t imagine. And honestly, I¡¯m a little terrified. But at the same time, I¡¯m aching to find out. But before I can dwell on it further, Eris¡¯s fingers tug at the strap of my dress, sliding it down my shoulder. The air feels cooler against my exposed skin, and instinctively, I move to cover myself. Eris chuckles softly, her voice a low, sultry whisper that makes my skin tingle. ¡°Come on,¡± she murmurs. ¡°I¡¯ve already seen you naked before. There¡¯s no need to be shy!¡± Her words are like velvet, coaxing me to let go, but my cheeks still burn with embarrassment. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s still embarrassing,¡± I stammer, my voice trembling. ¡°I have¡­ never been this close to you before¡­¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Eris smiles, her eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Then, how about I strip first?¡± she suggests. ¡°Nn.¡± And just like that, Eris removes her shirt, keeping her pants on, her whole upper body now naked before me. And¡­ Oh. my gosh¡­ I¡¯ve already seen it twice.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. But now, seeing it again, in this crazy situation, my heart beat is going wild again, thumping inside my chest like a crazy drum again. Probably¡­ 200 beats per second? Maybe more. Because Eris¡­ she¡¯s like a super model, isn¡¯t she? Her sun-kissed skin glows in the dim light, her full, round breasts swaying slightly as she moves. Her nipples are taut, wrinkly, and impossibly alluring. Her abs are all visible and well defined, not too masculine though, but feminine and hot. The way she looks at me¡ªher gaze hungry, like she¡¯s about to devour me¡ªmakes my head spin. Gulp. I swallow hard. My pulse thunders in my ears, my body trembling with anticipation. I can feel the heat pooling between my legs, a telltale wetness betraying my arousal. Eris then climbs back onto the bed, then onto me. She licks her lips like preparing herself for a hearty meal, her tongue gliding slowly, sensually, before her tiny fangs peek through her smile. Then, she takes my hand and places it on her chest. Damn¡­ Her skin is so soft, so warm. Her nipple is hard beneath my palm, springy and responsive, just like mine. ¡°Mmmmhh¡­¡± Eris leans back slightly, her eyes fluttering closed as she savors my touch. I can¡¯t resist. My hand drifts lower, tracing the contours of her abs. They¡¯re firm and defined when she tenses, but as she exhales, they soften, melting into the gentle curve of her belly. The rise and fall of her breath is hypnotic, and I find myself captivated, my fingers exploring every inch of her. ¡°Hey,¡± Eris murmurs, her voice thick with desire. ¡°If you like my body that much, you can touch it as much as you like.¡± Gulp. I swallow thickly. Her words send a fresh wave of heat through me. I move my hand back to her chest, my fingers brushing against her nipple, and she lets out another soft, breathy moan. This is incredible. Unbelievable. Her body feels so good beneath my hands. Every touch sends ripples of pleasure through me, and her scent envelops me, intoxicating and primal, making my skin burn hotter, my mind spiral wilder. ¡°Felicia, I want to touch you too,¡± Eris murmurs, her voice low and husky, thick with desire. ¡°Will you let me now?¡± I nod, breathless, unable to form words. Taking off the dress, I reveal myself before her. And then, we¡¯re kissing again. Her lips are soft yet demanding, her tongue teasing mine as her hands roam my body. I moan into her mouth, my own hands exploring her, tracing the curves of her breasts, her waist, her hips. Our breaths mingle, our bodies press closer, and the sensation of skin against skin is electric, intoxicating, overwhelming. As we embrace each other, our breasts touch, our nipples brush against each other, our bellies make contact. I¡¯ve never been this close to her before. And I love it. ¡°Mmmmh¡­.¡± Another moan. But well, I can¡¯t surpress them now. In fact, I don¡¯t even try to hide my moans anymore. I let them spill out, raw and unrestrained, as I surrender to the pleasure, to her. Suddenly, Eris moves lower. Her lips trail down my neck, my collarbone, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. She licks, she tastes, she savors every inch of my skin, and I shiver beneath her touch. When her kisses reach my chest, my breath hitches. The closer she gets to my nipple, the more intense the sensations become. My heart races, my breath quickens, and my hands grip her arms tightly, anchoring myself as pleasure threatens to sweep me away. And then¡­ ¡°Mmmmmmnnnhppp~!¡± A long, drawn-out moan escapes me as her mouth closes around my nipple. The sensation is overwhelming, almost too much to bear. I nearly come on the spot. Her mouth is warm, wet, and soft, her teeth gently holding me in place. She doesn¡¯t suck or bite¡ªnot yet. She¡¯s patient, watching me closely, gauging my reactions as I struggle to adjust to the intensity. ¡°You¡¯re so sensitive,¡± Eris murmurs against my skin, her voice¡ªsoft, teasing¡ªvibrates through me in ways I never imagined while her lips still wrapped around my pinky peak. ¡°Y-yeah¡­¡± I exhale shakily, my breath coming in short, uneven gasps. I wasn¡¯t expecting this. Not like this. Is this what it feels like for girls? Are we really ten times more sensitive than guys? Or¡­ am I just different? I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t think straight. All I know is that every touch, every movement, feels amplified¡ªelectrifying, overwhelming. And yet¡­ I don¡¯t want her to stop. It¡¯s just¡­ a lot to take in. A lot to get used to. Eris seems to understand. She then lets her tongue press gently against me, applying just enough pressure to let me acclimate to the waves of pleasure. And slowly, I adapt, my body relaxing into her touch. Then, she begins to move¡ªsucking, licking, kissing, alternating between my nipples with a rhythm that drives me wild. Every flick of her tongue, every gentle bite, sends jolts of pleasure through me. I arch my back, my breath coming in ragged gasps as pleasure crashes over me in relentless waves. And just like that Slowly And slowly. Something is building inside me, a tension coiling tighter and tighter. My entire body tenses, my muscles clenching as the pleasure mounts. ¡°MmmmmHHP!¡± the moan escaping my throat is getting louder and louder, proportionally to the pleasure I¡¯m getting¡­ I¡¯m almost there¡­ Yes¡­ I¡¯m almost there! Is this¡­ what it feels like to come as a girl? Am I about to experience the phenomenon known as¡­ A female orgasm? Hell yes! Anticipation is high. The pleasure so instense that my eyes roll back. ¡°Aaahhh~¡± I gasp, one hand clawing at the bedsheet, the other gripping Eris¡¯s arm like a lifeline, as pleasure keep building up. But then, suddenly, she stops. Just to open her mouth, to show me something. ¡­ No. No, no, no! NOOOOO! WAIT!!! I panic, wanting to abandon ship. But it¡¯s too late. With one final, devastating lick, her keratin-spiked tongue brushes against my nip, sending a nuclear shockwave of pleasure through me. And before I know it¡­ ¡°MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHPPPPP!¡± I come hard. I come super hard. My mind going blank as pleasure obliterates everything. It¡¯s like the world has been nuked, leaving nothing but white-hot ecstasy in its wake. Chapter 62: The rest of the night Warning: More sex Skippable ----------------------------- ¡°Uwwwwwwww~~~~~~ E-Erisssssss!¡± I whine, my voice trembling on a high note as I shudder under the lingering waves of pleasure. ¡°You¡ªyou almost killed meee!¡± Sweat glistens on my forehead, trailing down my flushed skin. My limbs feel limp, my strength completely drained by the heat of her touch. Beneath my left palm, the bed sheet lies torn, shredded by my own desperate grip. Eris holds me tightly, her laugh soft and playful. ¡°Hehe, I¡¯m sorry¡ªI got a little carried away,¡± she murmurs, flashing me a mischievous smile. Leaning in, she plants a tender kiss on my lips by way of apology, then whispers near my ear, ¡°So, how was it? Coming as a girl?¡± Well, it was¡­ Incredible. But I¡¯m definitely not telling her that! So I push her away, pouting hard. ¡°Hmmph! Alright, my turn now!¡± ¡°Oh? Still good to go?¡± she teases. ¡°Of course! Don¡¯t underestimate me!¡± I declare, even though I just had the biggest orgasm of my entire life. Somehow, I¡¯m still ridiculously horny¡ªactually, even more than before. Plus, I need a little payback for what she put me through. Still, that being said. Isn¡¯t this amazing? I could go on like this all day¡ªI could have sex forever. Catgirl reincarnation, banzai! Of course¡­ that¡¯s only if I have enough stamina though¡­ We then shift positions, Eris lies back while I climb atop her. I begin trailing soft kisses along her neck, savoring the subtle warmth and faint salt of her skin. ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± she sighs, tilting her head back, her soft, breathy moans sending a delicious shiver through me. Smooch¡­ Slurp¡­ I linger over the taste of her sweat¡ªsalty, yet distinctly hers. It¡¯s intoxicating, and I can¡¯t get enough. Then I notice something else, something that drives me wild. ¡°You¡­ you smell so good¡­¡± I murmur, my voice unsteady. ¡°It¡¯s making me dizzy¡­ really dizzy.¡± ¡°Mmmhhp¡­ you smell amazing too¡­¡± Eris replies, her eyes fluttering closed. Startled, I jerk away, sniffing at my own skin. ¡°I¡­ smell? Wait, am I stinky?¡± I panic a little bit. But Eris pulls me down for another deep kiss before drawing back to meet my gaze. ¡°No,¡± she purrs, brushing her lips against mine. ¡°You smell wonderful. It¡¯s your mating scent. It tells me how good you¡¯re feeling.¡± ¡°Mating¡­ scent?¡± I echo. Eris chuckles softly. ¡°It¡¯s your unique smell, and it¡¯s at its strongest right now. It pulls me in like a magnet.¡± ¡°I¡­ I see!!!¡± I murmur. ¡°Then¡­ you have your unique scent too!¡± ¡°Yup. I guess so.¡± But still¡­ mating scent? What the heck is that??? Suddenly, things click. AAAaaah!!!! Pheromone!!! In the animal world, pheromone is something that the animals release to attract their mating partners. It¡¯s a really strong aphrodiac. ¡°I might get addicted to your smell, Felicia,¡± Eris says, her voice low and warm. ¡°M-me too¡­¡± I admit with a flustered stammer. Alright, enough talking, I still have to make Eris feel good! I lower myself further, lips and tongue exploring her body at a deliberately unhurried pace, tasting every inch of her upper body like a decadent treat. Meanwhile, my hand cups her breast, my fingers dancing over her nipple, now firm against my touch. With the slightest pressure, I let my tongue graze it gently, watching her body twitches in response. It¡¯s too cute. It¡¯s like I¡¯m zapping her with low electricity. I then look up at her beautiful face, only to see her eyes fixed on mine. Her teeth bite into her her lower lip as she watches me with palpable anticipation, wordlessly inviting me to continue. A sly smile curls my lips. Hell yeah¡­ Revenge time! I circle my tongue around her hardened nipple in slow, deliberate arcs, moistening this sensitive area with my hot saliva. Then I catch it gently between my lips. Eris¡¯s body tenses, a soft gasp escaping as her moan deepens. Encouraged, I pick up the pace, lavishing her nipple with my tongue while my fingers toy with the other. At the same time, I suckle softly, almost like a baby. ¡°Ahhhh~¡± Eris moans louder, her back arching off the sheets. She presses one hand against the back of my head, urging me to suck harder, while her hips begin a slow, insistent grind against my leg. Oh my¡­ I can feel the wetness.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. And the heat too. ¡°Eris¡­¡± I pauses, my lips still grazing her skin. ¡°Do you¡­ want me to use my brushy tongue?¡± She doesn¡¯t even hesitate. ¡°Yes,¡± she breathes. Her quick reply sends a heady wave of desire rushing through me. Alright, if she says so¡­.! Spiky tongue mode activated! My keratin-covered tongue shifts, transforming into a textured, brush-like surface. Adn with it, I brush it onto Eris nipple, stimulating it even more. However¡­ What? She can take it? Amazing!!! I¡¯m stunned, especially considering how overwhelmed I felt when she used hers on me. As I brushes harder, and faster, Eris moans and writhes a bit, but that¡¯s it. She keeps pressing my head onto her boobs, urging me to continue. So, worried I¡¯m not giving her enough, I pick up the pace even more, though a small voice in my head wonders whether I should go more intense. What if I hurt her? After all¡­ The nipple is such a sensitive spot¡­ I don¡¯t really want to hurt it at all! However¡­ Before I can hesitate, Eris suddenly wraps her arms around me, clinging tight, squeezing me flush against her chest as though I were her personal pillow! ¡°MMMHMMMMMM¡­!¡± A long, loud moan echoes through the room. Her entire body goes rigid for a heartbeat, then shudders violently. Wait¡­. Did she just¡­? A satisfied grin tugs at my lips. And then, after that¡­ When Eris finally exhales, her breath ragged and filled with relief, she gazes up at me through heavy-lidded eyes, her face glistening with sweat. ¡°I¡ª I came,¡± she murmurs, voice husky. ¡°That was¡­ incredible.¡± Those words ignite a spark of pure delight in my chest. For some reason, I¡¯m happy, incredibly happy! My heart feels lighter, and I lean in for another kiss, tasting the salt of her lips. We remain that way for a little while, kissing and fondling each other¡¯s breasts, giving Eris a moment to come down from her high. Then, slowly, I feel her hand slide toward the space between my legs. She presses against my soaked underwear. ¡°Mmmh¡­¡± I moan softly at the sensation of her fingers brushing across the damp cloth. ¡°My, you¡¯re already so wet,¡± Eris purrs, then proceed to show me her hand. She spreads her two fingers, and between it, a string of slimy substance. ¡°Hehe, you too¡­¡± I tease, slipping my own hand lower to cup her mound, feeling the heat radiating from her drenched folds. And then, we both proceed, moving on to explore each other more fully ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Moments later¡­ ¡°Aaahhh~ Eris¡­ Eris!¡± I keep moaning, calling her name as wave after wave of pleasure crashes through my mind like an unrelenting tsunami. Every movement of Eris¡¯s fingers inside me feels divine, the shape of them molding perfectly as my body throbs around her touch. The wet, rhythmic sounds¡ªthough embarrassing¡ªalso send a new rush of heat coursing through me. ¡°Mmm¡­ So you like this, hmm?¡± Eris murmurs, her tongue flicking over my sensitive clit. ¡°Yes¡­ yes¡­ I love it,¡± I gasp, my voice trembling. It¡¯s all so amazing, I can¡¯t stop¡ªI don¡¯t want to stop experiencing this. I¡¯ve already lost track of time, lost in this haze of ecstasy. I¡¯ve come so many times it feels unreal, and Eris too is swept up in the same storm of sensation. She slides in another finger, pumping faster and faster until I can barely form coherent thoughts. ¡°Aaa~ Eris¡­ I¡¯m coming¡­ I¡¯m coming!¡± My body arches as another climax erupts. Muscles lock, pleasure exploding once again. ¡°NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~~~!!!!!¡± I cry into a pillow, biting down hard as my body convulses and my pussy juice squirts into Eris¡¯s face. Then, when I finally look at her, she smiles and wipes away the glistening evidence with her hand, licking it off as though tasting the finest delicacy. ¡°Th-thanks for the meal¡­¡± she teases. ¡°Aaaaahh! Erissss!!! Don¡¯t lick that! It¡¯s so embarrassing!¡± I protest, though part of me is strangely thrilled. Honestly, how the heck did I have soooo much water inside my body? Is that normal???? I DON¡¯T KNOW!!! After cleaning me up with her tongue, Eris moves upward. By the look on her face, I know she wants to kiss me again. And for a heartbeat, I hesitate. Aaaahhhhh¡­. Given the fact that she just kissed me there¡­ Do I really¡­. Really want to kiss her right now??? Yet, eventually, my need for her overwhelms any lingering embarrassment. Ah, screw it¡­ I tug her closer, pressing my mouth to hers in another passionate kiss. Her lips are salty. Too salty. ¡°See?¡± Eris whispers against my mouth, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. ¡°You are very delicious.¡± And then, we continue. This time, it¡¯s me fingering her. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- A while later¡­ ¡°AAAAHH! I¡¯M BEAT!¡± I groan, collapsing onto the bed. My body still tingles with lingering arousal. Yes, I¡¯m still horny, somehow, but exhaustion weighs on me like a heavy blanket. Meanwhile, Eris lies beside me, looking all too ready for another round. ¡°Eris¡­.¡± I whine. ¡°I can¡¯t anymoreeee¡± Eris chuckles. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she says. ¡°We can continue tomorrow.¡± ¡°Nn!!!¡± ¡°And besides, that much sex should be enough to get you pregnant.¡± She adds nonchalantly. ¡­ Eh? Wait¡­ What? Preg what? ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry¡­ W-what did you just say? P-pregnant?¡± My heart nearly stops. She didn¡¯t just say pregnant, right? That¡¯s impossible¡­ right? RIGHT??? However¡­ ¡°What? You don¡¯t want to have my babies?¡± Eris teases. ¡°W-w-w-w-w-WAIT A MINUTEEEE!!¡± I bolt upright, tail puffing out. ¡°W-we are both girls, right? How can I get pregnant? Isn¡¯t that impossible????¡± Yeah, that doesn¡¯t make any sense! After all¡­ how the heck can I get pregnant without receiving any sperm? ¡°Huh? You don¡¯t know?¡± Eris blinks, furrowing her brows. ¡°If my magic is strong enough, I can just imbue it into your body. Voil¨¤¡ªinstant pregnancy. Hehe.¡± ¡°Huh¡­?! HAAAAA???¡± I stare at her, utterly horrified. ¡°Y-you¡¯re joking, right?¡± But¡­ Eris¡¯ face is straight. She¡¯s not. And then, she smiles, before leaning down to kiss and rub my belly. ¡°Hehe, I can¡¯t wait to meet my tiny Felicias in 9 months¡­.¡± ¡­ ¡­ NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! My head now spinning. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don¡¯t want kids yet. I¡¯m still too young!!! And besides¡­ I don¡¯t want to go through childbirth yet! I¡¯m not readddyy!!! However¡­ Looking at Eris, who seems so happy right now¡­ Aaaaaaa¡­.. Damn it¡­ Too late to turn back now. And now that I think about it¡­ It¡¯s actually¡­ not as bad as it seems? Well, I guess¡­ one or two babies won¡¯t hurt, right? And besides, if I can give birth to a few mini Eris, who will be just as beautiful and healthy and gorgeous as her¡­ That would be so nice, right? And just like that, the thought soothes my mind somehow. And for some reason.. I suddenly find myself looking forward to it. But then¡­ ¡°Wait¡­ Felicia¡­¡± Eris mutter, her expression serious. ¡°You¡­ seriously believed that?¡± Huh? I blink. Believe¡­ what? ¡­. ¡°AAAAAA!!! ERISSSS!!!!¡± She tricked me! She freaking tricked me again! But what makes me even madder¡­ Is the fact that I actually fell for it! AAAAAA! HOW WAS I SO STUPID!!! ¡°NOOO! I¡¯M SO SORRY!!! AHAHA, I¡¯M SORRY, STOP, STOP!!!¡± Eris pleads. But it¡¯s too late. I¡¯ve already launched my tickle attack! Take that, Eris! Taste the wrath of a catgirl¡¯s¡­ tickles!!! She writhes under my assault, giggling uncontrollably. Meanwhile, relief settles in my chest¡ªknowing I won¡¯t actually get pregnant. Phew! I feel good! This means unlimited, worriless sex! Suddenly, Eris twists around and grabs my wrist, effortlessly flipping me onto my back before climbing on top of me again. She leans down, her face hovering inches from mine. ¡°You¡¯re so cute, Felicia. I can never get enough of you,¡± she whispers. ¡°Hehe, I know!¡± I say back. Now that we had sex and all¡­ There¡¯s no way I would be easily flustered like before! I¡¯m desensitized to Eris! Muhahaha! But then¡­ ¡°You know,¡± Eris murmurs, lips hovering near mine, ¡°if I had a dick, I¡¯d impregnate you at every chance I got.¡± And as she said that, she sounded dead serious. Like she really, really meant it. And as a result¡­ Ba dump BA DUMP! ¡°E-ENOUGH!¡± I squeak, cheeks blazing as I shove her away and roll over, facing the wall. Damn it, why is my face so hot? And what the heck is wrong with me now? Why am I¡­ giggling?! Oh, come on!!! ¡°Felicia¡­¡° Eris then whispers my name, her arms snake around my waist, pulling me into a warm, comforting spoon. ¡°I love you¡­ hehe.¡± she murmurs softly, ¡°I-I love you too¡­¡± I whisper back. We lie there in silence for a while, saying nothing at all, just soaking in each other¡¯s warmth. And yet¡­ my heart refuses to calm down. Damn it¡­ My mind keeps conjuring up these perverted thoughts. Eris¡­ with a dick. A big, veiny dick attached to her already perfect body, throbbing with power and desire as she spreads my legs open. Oh¡­ my god. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s come over me, but I must be losing it. Because, for some reason¡­ That¡¯s¡­ seriously¡­ kind of hot.