A cool breeze carrying the heavy scent of pine tickled my face as I slept. I usually kept the window open on summer nights, but fall had recently begun, and despite the warm days, the nights were getting chilly. Annoyed at myself for leaving the window open, I reached for the covers and grabbed a fistful, pulling at them, but they didn’t budge.

Probably caught on something, I thought, grumbling as I tugged a few more times. Frustration growing, I yanked hard, my arm flying upward as a loud snap echoed in my room. Startled, I cracked an eye open, the world still blurry from sleep, and felt the ragged fibrous texture in my hand.

Grass? I thought groggily, staring at the tangled green strands in my fist. But something else quickly grabbed my attention.

Why the hell is my hand blue?!

I pulled back the long gray sleeves covering my arms, studying my hands as I turned them over and over, examining every detail. They were smaller, slender, smoother, and had a blue tint shifting under the dimming evening light with a faint purple undertone I hadn’t noticed before. My breathing quickened as I rushed to sit up, a mounting worry bubbling in my chest.

But that quickly became the least of my problems. My chest felt… heavy, oddly so. Am I having a panic attack? I thought, pressing a hand over my chest in alarm.

Immediately, I snapped my hand back, staring down in shock at what I had felt. My heart pounded as my trembling fingers hesitated before reaching out again. No. This can’t be.

I grabbed them again, the slightly rough gray fabric shifted beneath my fingers, and the soft, familiar shape they took as they curved around them was unmistakable despite being covered by the gown, or robes?

“This is impossible,” my voice came out in a shaky whisper. “Why the fuck do I have breasts?!” I blurted out as the realization fully hit me like a hammer.

My heart thundered in my head as I stared down in disbelief. But then another thought struck me, grinding my racing mind in its tracks.

Hesitantly, I reached between my legs, dreading what I might, or might not, find. Please, let it be there, I thought, a cold sweat forming as my fingers searched for reassurance.

It’s gone.

My body went cold as a chill swept through me, and the realization set in. “It’s gone,” I muttered, the weight of it pressing down like a stone in my gut.

I sat motionless on the grass, numb, as time seemed to flow past me, indifferent to my situation. The evening sun bathed the horizon in rich shades of yellow, orange, and red, saturating the sky with fiery hues. The world was eerily quiet, almost frozen in the surreal moment, until a chill wind licked my face, shattering the moment.

I blinked as my mind oriented, the world coming back into focus. I looked up at the trees around me swaying gently in the breeze as their leaves rustled softly. I felt the cool grass pressed against my palms, almost grounding me, as I took a deep breath, the crisp scent of pine filling my lungs. My mind, sluggish and fragmented, began to stir again, and with it came a pressing question, “Where the hell am I?”

The last thing I remembered was crawling into bed, completely drained from a long day of classes, work, and playing video games. I live in a city, for fuck’s sake, how does this even happen? I thought, my mind racing.

I would’ve chalked this up to some bizarre lucid dream, but it felt far too… real. I took another deep breath smelling the fresh air again. Suddenly, a loud crash shattered my reverie, followed by frantic shouting. I jumped, spinning around toward the commotion.

Behind me stood a massive stone wall, seemingly stretching endlessly in both directions, but I could just make out the curve in it as it disappeared on both ends. My breathing quickly steadied after noticing there wasn’t some looming danger. At least I know there are people nearby, I thought, my nerves easing somewhat.

My gaze fell to a wide brimmed gray hat lying beside me, its pointed tip sagging lazily, crumpled under its own weight. I frowned, recognizing it wasn’t mine, though something about it seemed oddly familiar. Pushing the thought aside, I looked around, realizing I was sitting on a ledge jutting out from the side of the wall.

Curious, I stood and pushed through a couple of trees and thick bushes, making my way to the edge. The wind whipped past me, catching strands of shining hair that gleamed with an unnatural luster in the soft glow of the evening light. I’d been stubbornly ignoring it because it was yet another odd thing. After I brushed the hair from my face, my breath caught as I peered over the edge.

I was perched high on a mountain, a steep one.

I turned my gaze to the side, marveling at how unnaturally sheer the cliff face was, as though someone had sliced it clean with a blade. The oddest part, however, was the mountain itself. It was massive, stretching far above where I stood, its steep face curving upward to follow the contour of the wall, or perhaps it was the wall that followed the mountain's sheer face.

I gazed out over the land that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. In the far distance, I could just make out the faint outline of a mountain range, its jagged peaks spanning hundreds of miles, softened by the hazy horizon. The setting sun painted the sky in an impressive array of red hues, forming an odd yet breathtaking view. It was beautiful.

I touched the smooth surface of the wall as I made my way back toward it, picking up the crumpled gray hat along the way. The realization that I was on the wrong side only struck me just now.

How the heck do I cross? I wondered, craning my neck to look up at the towering wall, its smooth face stretching roughly fifty feet into the sky. My heart sank. There was no way I could climb it, not without slipping and falling to my death, and climbing down wasn’t even an option. I doubt even a professional mountaineer would try to climb down this weird mountain.

The thought of shouting for help crossed my mind, but I hesitated, straining to hear the muffled voices on the other side. They were arguing, their words jumbled and indistinct, rising and falling in heated tones. They might not even hear me, especially not while they’re shouting over each other, I thought with frustration.

I sighed and began walking along the wall, tracing the ledge from one end to the other. I scanned for anything that could help me get out of this situation, but there was nothing. Just as the pressure of the situation threatened to creep in, something caught my attention. The bushes along the left side of the wall were much shorter, their leaves and stems dry and scattered around.

Had someone sheared them… from this side? Hope bloomed in my chest as I knelt to investigate. Spreading the bushes apart, I chuckled as a conveniently placed hole in the wall revealed itself.

The hole was small, and the wall was thick at least eight or ten feet, but I managed to squeeze through the short tunnel, pushing aside the branches of a bush on the other side as I crawled out.

Once through, I straightened and took a deep breath, the air carrying a strangely medicinal scent. The tension I’d been nursing on the other side loosened slightly as I took in my surroundings. I was in a small glade, encircled by dense trees whose canopies formed a patchy roof of leaves above. In the center stood a tall, round building, its weathered stone exterior contrasting sharply with the wild greenery surrounding it.

A raised platform encircled the building’s base, elevated about five feet off the ground. A colorful assortment of plants and flowers, carefully arranged in vases and pots, decorated the platform, giving the impression of an herbalist’s garden. Intrigued, I began to circle the building, following the sound of muffled shouting as it grew louder.

The moment I reached the front, the shouting peaked, and the door to the building slammed open with a loud THWACK. A man and woman barged out, both visibly fuming.

“Eat Kinker shit, you rock munching bastard!” the woman yelled over her shoulder, punctuating her insult with the crux at whoever was inside. She stormed off, dragging the man along with her as he muttered something under his breath.

I watched as they stormed down a stone path leading to a large wooden gate. The gate swung shut behind them with a loud slam, leaving an unsettling silence behind. I continued to stare after them, confusion prickling at the back of my mind.

Both wore armor, not the decorative kind you’d see at a costume party but practical, worn gear meant for use. The woman carried a sword at her hip, the hilt scuffed and the leather shining from use. The man had what looked like a crossbow slung over his shoulder. It had multiple lips and strings stretching between them, likely used for multiple shots perhaps. Their equipment looked worn as though they’d seen plenty of action. Whatever that might be.

Where the hell did I end up? I thought, unease tightening in my chest. The strangeness of my situation seemed to deepen by the minute.

I turned toward the door, hesitating. “Should I enter?” I mumbled, uncertainty gnawing at me, but I quickly made up my mind. I need to talk to someone, figure out where I am, or at least find a phone, I thought, pulling the wide brimmed hat onto my head before climbing the short set of stairs to the building.

I rapped on the door, waiting a moment, then pushed it open. An audible creak rumbled from the heavy wood, accompanied by the soft chime of bells overhead.

“Hello?” I called as I stepped inside.

The air was thick with a medicinal aroma, almost overwhelming me. The walls were lined with colorful plants, their leaves and flowers clearly arranged with care. Among them were shelves packed with bottles of various shapes and sizes, each filled with strange, vividly colored liquids I couldn’t identify. I ran my fingers along a collapsed shelf, brushing against the broken glass of a bottle with the remnants of whatever was inside. Are these pretend potions? I thought with an amused chuckle. It feels like I’m at a larping event, especially after seeing those people with that gear on.

My gaze was drawn to a loft that extended halfway across the building from the opposite wall. A steep, compact staircase led up to it, its wooden steps looking well worn. The atmosphere was oddly quiet, save for the faint clatter of something behind the counter underneath the loft.

“Back again, are you? You’d be rotten in the head if you think I’ll help you now, you ugly toe of a woman,” a thickly accented voice growled from behind the counter beneath the loft.

I flinched, caught off guard by the sudden voice.

“What’s this? Kinker caught your tongue?” the voice taunted as its owner appeared, holding something to his bloody forehead. I shifted uncomfortably as his gaze locked on me.

“Eh? A Dark elf?... Well, you’re a long way from home, lass,” the man said as he stepped around the counter.

He was short, much shorter than me, standing at around four feet tall. Though his frame was slightly pudgy, his arms were thick with muscle. His long, thick beard was braided and reached down to his waist, swaying slightly as he moved. And did he call me a dark elf? I thought in confusion.

“You speak common or no, lass? I ain’t in the mood for wordplay, especially if you ain’t got any coin,” he said, the words rumbled through his beard as he tilted his head to adjust the rag. “Or are you just going to stand there staring like a slack jawed fool?” he added in plain annoyance.

Why’d he call me lass? I wondered, glancing down briefly. Oh, right… the boobs. Great. Let’s just roll with it. I sighed internally, trying to compose myself. Where do I even start? I thought, stalling as I patted myself down, making a show of searching for money I didn’t have.

But then, a metallic clink rang out from my right pocket. What the…? I reached in and pulled out a small brown leather pouch that weighed lightly in my hand. I uncinched it and found a few silver coins nestled inside.

Never mind, I guess I do… I thought in surprise, staring at the coins as if they might vanish any second. Did these come with the body? Or is this just one more thing I’m not going to get an answer to anytime soon in this ludicrous situation?

The man cleared his throat loudly, snapping me out of my thoughts. I quickly stuffed the pouch back into my pocket. “Hi, umm, do you have a phone?” I blurted out without much thought. The moment the words left my mouth, I immediately regretted it when I saw the confused look that spread across his face.

“That some sort of new implement, lass? Ain’t heard of that one before,” he said, scratching his beard making it painfully obvious he was annoyed I wasn’t here to buy anything, still his thick brows knitting together as he thought.

Right, of course. I resisted the urge to slap my forehead. I’m in a strange place, in a strange body, talking to a short man who’s giving me an incredibly strong dwarf impression. Of course, he wouldn’t know what a phone is.

I cleared my throat and tried again, hoping to salvage the conversation. “Can you tell me where I am, then?” I asked, this time with more confidence.

His expression shifted again, brows knitting together. He stared at me like I’d just asked him if the sky was purple. “Eh? What are you on about?” the man snapped and pointed at the door. “If you ain’t here to buy anything I don’t want to hear it, and if this is some ninny ass prank, you can fuck right off where you came from.”

What the hell’s his problem? I thought, exasperated. I only asked two questions!

“Look,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “I don’t know where I am. I woke up here. I just need to know what’s going on, okay?” I pleaded, hoping he’d at least hear me out.

He glared at me in annoyance then scoffed. “Kidnapped, were you? Go ask a guard for help,” he said, dismissively waving me off with a lazy hand toward the door. “ Slavery is outlawed in Veinbor. If somebody is looking for you, lass, I don’t want the trouble that comes with helping a shiny eared twig licker like you,” he said, as he turned back to the counter. “Now get out.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded, as he ducked behind the counter, utterly indifferent to whether I’d actually been kidnapped or not. And shiny eared twig licker? I repeated in my head. What the hell? Was that supposed to be an insult? It sounded more like terrible dialogue in an indie game.

I forced down the first retort that came to mind, and let the growing frustration building inside me calm, and spoke again, trying to keep my tone relaxed. “I wasn’t kidnapped,” I said, though I wasn’t entirely sure if that wasn’t actually the case. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Just tell me where I am, and I’ll leave.”

It wasn’t that hard of a question, but this guy was making it feel like pulling teeth. If anything, he’s the one dragging this conversation out by refusing to answer.

The bearded man’s eyebrow twitched in response and his nose flared. He muttered something under his breath, a string of words I couldn’t understand in a language that sounded foreign to me.

“You’re in the Kingdom of Veinbor, the city of trade,” he finally said, his tone clipped as if he bit off each word. “Now, I’ve got a job to do, lass, so be one your way.” He said, pointedly ignoring me as he sat there doing nothing.

The chimes rang softly behind me as the door shut. What a goddamn asshole. No wonder those people from before were so upset. That welt he was so obviously nursing? Yeah, I’d bet good money the lady gave it to him. It definitely feels deserved.

I made my way down the stone path, heading toward the gate. I placed my hand on it and began to push, but just before I opened it, something clicked. The name of the city finally registered.

“Veinbor…” I whispered, the word rolling off my tongue. “The Kingdom of Veinbor,” The name was so familiar, it sent a shiver down my spine.

“He can’t mean the Kingdom of Veinbor from Zenith Rising Online, could he?” I muttered to myself, my brow furrowing in confusion. There was definitely no place on Earth with the same name, or at least I was pretty sure there wasn’t.

I glanced down at the back of my hand, the blueish-purple skin glinting faintly in the fading light. A couple of connections started forming in my head, dots that I hadn’t thought to connect before. He called me a dark elf… even insulted me because of it.

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The realization hit like a punch to the gut. There were only two playable character slots in the game, I thought, my chest tightening. And I only made one. My mind raced as the image of my old character surfaced, a human female with dark elf skin. “Aw, shit,” I muttered, running a hand down my face. “This is utterly ridiculous.” I sighed deeply, trying to process everything.

Am I really inside my own damn character from a game? How is this even possible? The thought clung to me like a weight, making it feel like I was drowning. “What do I do now?” I mumbled, leaning my head against the gate, causing my hat to bend over my forehead, making me recall the Modesty Clothing from the game, “So that's where these came from,” I thought before I stared out at nothing for a long moment.

Okay, let’s look at the positives, I thought, forcing myself to focus. At least I’ve got money, so I won’t go hungry. No sooner had the thought crossed my mind, my stomach grumbled in loud agreement.

“Alright, I suppose next is shelter,” I murmured, glancing up at the darkening sky beyond the canopy of trees. Even though this place is nice, I can’t stay here, I thought, looking back at the herbalist’s building. And there’s always that cliff on the other side of the wall… The thought alone made me shake my head. What if I fall off something? Not going to work.

“Yeah, I’m going to need to find somewhere to stay,” I said with a long, drawn out sigh as my stomach growled again. “And eat.”

The sky was a canvas of deep orange and purple by the time I stepped out onto a cramped, bustling alley, emerging from a narrow path wedged between two buildings. Compared to the tranquilness of the herbalist's shop, this place was alive with activity. Vendors lined both sides of the alley, their market stalls brimming with colorful wares and fresh produce. Their voices rose in a chaotic battle of shouting, each trying to outshout the other, calling attention to their goods.

Baskets of fruits and vegetables spilled over the edges of the displays, their bright colors vivid even in the fading light. Mixed among them were barrels filled with grains, bundles of herbs, and crates of trinkets gleaming faintly under the streetlamps. Yet, what caught my attention most was the savory scent of cooked meat wafting through the air making my stomach growl. I turned my head, trying to pinpoint where it was coming from.

“Move out of the way, you bloody fool!” someone shouted behind me. Before I could turn, a rough shove sent me stumbling to the side.

I whipped around, ready to kick the bastard, but stopped short when I saw four men struggling to carry a massive wooden table down the cramped alley.

“Hoa’s sun, these damn demihumans are everywhere these days,” one of them grunted irritably, glaring at me as he adjusted his grip.

“Um, sorry?” I said, unsure what else to do. My apology fell flat as they ignored me, continuing on their way, muttering under their breaths as they maneuvered around the stalls. Jeez, what the hell’s their problem? I thought, looking around.

I noticed people were staring at me as they passed by. Some scoffed, others mumbled things I couldn’t quite make out. Their expressions ranged from annoyance to outright disdain. Confused and uncomfortable, I pulled the brim of my hat lower over my face, trying to shield myself. Do they hate nonhumans or something? The questions swirled in my mind as the feeling of being out of place deepened.

Ignoring the growl of my stomach, I rushed in the opposite direction of the men, heading further up the alley. The shadows stretched long in the fading light as I moved away from the Market. The alley was filthy, littered with discarded crates, clothing, and even rotten food. A faint stench filled the air, as steam rose around some asshole relieving himself against a building as I quickly passed.

It didn’t take long for me to reach a fork in the alley, each path veering sharply between the backs of houses. I paused, weighing my options, before ultimately choosing the less shady-looking one. "Let's see where this goes," I muttered, stepping down the path.

Up ahead, a middle-aged woman dumped a bucket of water onto the ground, hurrying back inside when she saw me approaching. I made a few confusing turns, rushing through the maze of alleys in trying to find somewhere I could use to regain my bearings.

After rounding a bend, I found myself in an alley that was just as lively as the Market, perhaps even more so. The air buzzed with chatter and laughter, much of it focused on a particularly lavish establishment that stood out against the modest buildings surrounding it.

The building's gray white stone glimmered softly under the lamplight, adorned with elegant carvings and colorful drapes. Balconies wrapped around the upper levels, where scantily clad men and women lounged lazily along the balustrades, their poses deliberately suggestive. I saw a range of ages on the upper levels, some far too young looking to be there. On the lower floor, a couple of women smiled and waved to any passerby who gave them a glance, offering generous glimpses of skin to those who paused to gawk.

Unintentionally, I locked eyes with a woman, her chest bare, as she caressed a richly dressed man’s crotch while whispering into his ear. She gave me a wink and puckered her lips in a mock kiss before she led the man toward the brothel as she exaggeratedly swayed her hips. A couple of men noticed and followed her gaze, their leering eyes landing on me. An uncomfortable chill crawled down my spine, making my skin prickle. I quickened my pace, brushing past a few people in my hurry. Their curses trailed after me as I stumbled out of the alley, my breath catching in my throat as I took in my surroundings.

I stood on the sidewalk of a street that was absurdly wide, easily large enough to fit six car lanes, and seemingly stretched on endlessly. It reminded me of Vendor Road… It was a famous area in the game, a hub where players could find all the shops and services they needed in one convenient spot. It was always crowded, always lively. But this? This was on a whole other level.

I turned my gaze up and down the colossal street, lined with tightly packed buildings that jostled for space. Shop signs dangled overhead on more than a few buildings, some written in elegant script I couldn’t understand, others with plain English, and a few garishly painted with bright colors. The road curved slightly at both ends, preventing me from seeing either the top or bottom.

This is massive,” I muttered, overwhelmed. I decided to keep walking, unsure of my destination but not feeling particularly rushed. My eyes drifted to the road, where wagons and carriages moved steadily along the wide thoroughfare. Few were pulled by horses, while others were harnessed to massive, brown-scaled lizards.

"Kalzah Bulls," I muttered to myself, watching the creatures pull their wagons through the busy street. They were a rare mount option in the game, but not exactly popular among players as mounts. They were slow and ponderous but tough in siege battles. Seeing them here, up close, was intimidating. Their thick bodies rippled with power beneath their coarse brown scales. Their long tails swayed rhythmically with each step, and heavy footfalls stamped the ground, shifting the cobblestone on the road. I guess here they treat them as beasts of burden, for hauling heavy wagons packed full of goods. In comparison, horses were used for lighter loads, like elegant carriages.

I continued weaving through the throng of people crowding the sidewalks, keeping an eye on the buildings lining the street, hoping to spot somewhere to stay. The architecture was chaotic, with buildings leaning precariously against their neighbors like books crammed onto a shelf. Others stretched wide, their facades adorned with decorative archways or connected by bridges spanning their upper floors and rooftops.

Frustration bubbled as more than a couple of people bumped and even shoved into me as I navigated the crowd. Finally, I stepped into the open space in the middle of the street. There are too many assholes on the sidewalk, I thought, taking a deep breath as I finally found some breathing room.

There wasn’t a way for me to check the time, but night had fallen some time ago, yet the street remained somewhat lively. Visibility wasn’t an issue thanks to the streetlights that stood at regular intervals on both sides of the street, their soft glow spilling across the cobblestones.

Curious, I paused by one of the lights, tilting my head to inspect it. Inside the glass casing, a bright blue gem hung suspended, its light shining and steady. Oddly, though the gem glowed blue, the light it cast outside the casing was white, soft enough not to irritate the eyes yet bright enough to illuminate the street.

I stepped back, about to continue walking when something caught my attention, a sign hanging from the side of a large building. Squinting, I read the bold lettering etched into the wooden board. The Golden Mead Tavern.

I approached and I peered through one of the tavern's wide windows. The inside was alive with noise, packed full of people drinking, laughing, and sharing animated conversations. “Maybe this could work,” I murmured to myself, before stepping toward the tavern’s sturdy wooden double doors and pushed my way inside.

The air was thick with the warm, heady scent of ale or mead, almost suffocating in its potency. I wrinkled my nose, thrown off by the strength of the liquor, and tried to stifle the cough building in my lungs. The tavern wasn’t particularly large, big enough to comfortably hold thirty people at most, but it was packed far beyond that.

As I stepped inside, a few curious drunkards near the door glanced at me curious, one snorted as mumbling about demihumans, eliciting a bark of laughter before returning to their drunken chatter. Ignoring them, I surveyed the room. At the far end, behind a long wooden bar, a large man stood cleaning a mug with practiced hands, his gaze flicking over the crowd with a watchful, with a no nonsense air about him. I carefully maneuvered my way through the crowded room toward the bar, weaving around tables and sidestepping the occasional drunken stumble.

I turned around, glancing behind as a chair screeched, finding a woman who carried a long bow on her back along with a quiver strapped to her waist, as she half carried, half dragged a man toward the door. His two swords dangled awkwardly from his belt as he stumbled along with the woman. Left behind, three others sat at their table, mugs in hand as they roared with laughter at the man who wasn’t able to hold his liquor.

The man behind the counter glanced down at me as I approached adjusting the brim of my hat nervously. He towered over me, easily standing over six feet tall. His graying hair was combed back neatly, and his beard was trimmed, but his age did little to diminish his imposing figure. His shirt strained over grotesquely large muscles, each movement making the fabric pull taut. “They let your kin enter the city?” he mumbled under his breath before I could speak.

“You don’t accept demihumans?” I asked, frustration creeping into my voice. Less than two hours in this city, and I’d already been called some variation of demi-cunt four times by three different people I’d apparently offended just by existing.

“Whoa there, little lady,” the man said, holding up a hand. “That was rude of me to say. You have my apologies,” he added, dipping his head slightly toward me.

I blinked, taken aback and unsure how to respond.

“You’ve had a rough go of it today, haven’t you?” he continued, his tone softening.

I nodded. “I’d like a room for the night. Do you have any available?” I asked, sighing from exhaustion.

“We do,” he replied, setting down a freshly cleaned mug and picking up another from a wet half-dozen on the counter. “A room for the night is a silver coin. If you’d like a meal with it, that’ll be two.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the small brown leather pouch, untying the string. I hadn’t had a chance to count the coins inside, but a quick glance revealed five silver coins in total. Yeah, no idea how much that’s worth, but at this point, I don’t care, I thought, too tired to give my meager funds much consideration. Irresponsible? Definitely. Future me’s problem? Absolutely.

I handed over two coins, dropping them into his large hand. He weighed them briefly, before digging into a pocket on his brown apron. From it, he pulled out an oddly shaped, three pronged key. “Here you are,” he said, handing it to me with a nod toward the staircase hugging the right wall. “Your room’s the second one on the right.”

“Thank you,” I said, turning on my heel and then stopped mid step, I glanced back over my shoulder. “What’s on the menu? I didn’t see a sign anywhere.”

The bartender’s face lit up with a broad grin that split his beard, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. “The best in the whole kingdom!” he declared, throwing his arms wide with a flourish. “Our famous house special: smoked fish steak and pickled vegetables!” His voice swelled with such pride, I half-expected applause to follow.

I shut the door behind me, half expecting to see the fantasy equivalent of a cheap motel room, with creaky floors and threadbare furniture. To my surprise, the room was well furnished. Though the floor still creaked, the bed was made with a soft looking quilt. Even the walls were painted and adorned with colorful tapestries. A small nightstand stood in the corner, holding a tall, stick like lamp with a jewel encased in glass similar to the one outside, softly illuminating the right side of the room.

I crossed the room, my footsteps muted by the rug beneath me, and stopped in front of the window. I pushed aside the curtains to take in the view. Below, the once-busy street had begun to quiet down, stragglers hurried along the road while merchants packed up their stalls.

I sat on the bed, lifting my hands and staring at the dusky blue of my palms. Finally able to have a private moment that wasn’t on a ledge I could have been blown off of at any point, I closed my eyes wishing this was still some dream despite all that I’d seen and felt today. A frown tugged at my lips, as I tried, and failed, to ignore the discomfort, or lack thereof, between my legs. Yeah, I’m not ready to open that can of worms just yet.

"If this truly is, Veinbor from Zenith Rising Online," I whispered to myself, tasting the words again on my tongue. “And this is my game character’s body,” I said with growing excitement, “that means I can use thaumaturgy, right?” Skeptical but intensely curious, I raised my hand and focused, closing my eyes. I imagined a flame dancing in the palm of my hand, a red hot flame, trying to harness the power of imagination, like the heroes in fantasy books. When I felt the time was right, I cracked an eye open to... an empty hand.

"Of course," I muttered, dropping my hand with a chuckle. "There’s no way I could actually cast something like a fireball," I added with a disappointed smirk.

But then, a faint tug pulled at my stomach, like a thread being drawn taut. My smirk faded as warmth pooled in my abdomen, like taking a shot of vodka on an empty stomach. The warmth began to spread, as it ballooned, growing hotter with each second. Concerned, I glanced down, worried as the heat intensified, until a stab of pain pricked me like a red hot ice pick.

I leapt off the bed in a panic, tugging desperately at my robe as a sharp, piercing pain flared in my stomach. It felt like I was being skewered from the inside out. "What's going on?!" I choked out, my still unfamiliar voice cracking. I tossed the robe onto the bed after sliding it off over my head. I clutched my abdomen, trying to make sense of what was happening. There was no wound, no blood, just searing agony.

My legs buckled, underneath me, feeling like jelly, and I crumpled to the floor with a groan. The fire in my abdomen spread like wild vines, curling through every inch of my body. My breath caught when it reached my chest, my heart pounding in my chest as the vines wrapped around it. When the warmth finally reached my head, my vision blurred, and a dull ringing filled my ears as everything went black.

I groaned as my eyes fluttered open. The rug beneath was warm and oddly damp, clinging uncomfortably to my skin. The pain in my abdomen was gone, replaced by a dull ache in my head. "Of all the weird shit to happen today, why’d something like that have to hurt so much?" I muttered shakily as I pushed myself upright. I wrapped my arms around myself, as a shiver ran down my back, cold from sweating in the chill room.

I reached for my robe, ready to pull it back on, but paused mid grab, immediately noticing something was different. The room seemed brighter than before, though the light hadn’t changed. Everything appeared sharper, and more vibrant. A faint hum filled the air, like the low buzz of an electrostatic generator from science class. I didn’t quite hear it; it was more like I felt it, all around me. I half expected my hair to stand on end with how pervasive it was.

The most unsettling difference, though, was the warmth in my abdomen. It was still there. The sharp, skewering pain was gone, replaced by something... smooth. Comforting, even. It seemed to pulse gently, flowing through my body. It felt good, no, better, it was energizing.

An urge swelled inside me, almost like a compulsion, to try using thaumaturgy again. I couldn’t explain why, but somehow, I knew it would work this time. I raised my hand, palm facing up. A subtle tug started in my stomach, electric, sending a shiver through my body as it traveled toward my hand. My lips moved, the words spilling out instinctively as if I’d said them a thousand times before.

“Fireball,” I whispered.

A spark ignited above my palm, and a red-yellow flame sprang to life, licking the air with enthusiasm. "This is fucking awesome," I said excitedly, a stupid grin spreading across my face as I stared at the dancing flame. It was warm but didn’t burn, even as I tentatively brought my other hand closer and passed it through the flame. "Does it... not burn things?" I muttered, confused. I glanced around the room, searching for something to test it on, the bed’s leg, the edge of the rug, and the pillow, but quickly stopped myself. What the hell am I doing, I’m not some pyromaniac. Besides, if I did burn something, I’d likely have to pay for the damages.

The smell of burning fabric wafted up beside me, and I whipped my head around to see smoke curling from the hem of my robe, a small flame licking at the edge. "Holy shit!" I yelled, frantically trying to put it out, only to make it worse as I patted it down with the flame still burning in my palm.

"Shit, shit, shit," I muttered, panicking, unsure how to get rid of the flame. It clung stubbornly to my hand, refusing to go out even as I frantically waved it around. My mind raced, searching for a solution. Desperate, I quickly clapped my hands together, and a loud smack resounded through the room. I pulled my hands apart, and thankfully, the flame was gone, but I still hadn’t put out my robe.

"Oh, for fuck’s sake!" I cried, quickly patting it down, yelping as the sting of the fire stung my skin. Still, I kept going until I finally stamped them out, leaving charred fabric and the smell of burnt cloth hanging in the air.

"That could have been bad… Note to self, no more thaumaturgy indoors, especially when I don’t fully understand what I’m doing," I muttered, as I rubbed the black soot off my hands.

Midway through, I froze. Realizing I left a black smudge right across my chest, and down onto my breasts.

"Dammit, come on," I groaned, exasperated. I rubbed my hands clean on the dark rug, then rubbed the smudge off with the inside of my robe.

Sighing, I leaned back against the bed, the exhaustion of today suddenly catching up to me. It was a rollercoaster. If I’m being honest, despite how frightening and confusing today has been, it was still pretty exciting.

"I used thaumaturgy," I murmured, real thaumaturgy.

How is this even possible? I thought, still holding onto a thin thread of disbelief despite how amazing it all was. What else can I do? Maybe water or even lightning thaumaturgy? I glanced around the room again, certain I'd have to find a better place to experiment.

I just need to make sure I don’t get lost in the maze like layout of the city. Perhaps I could find a guide? Most of the people I've run into today have sucked ass with their blatant prejudice, but at least the bartender was decent. “I need to get his name,” I reminded myself.

I should also look into why they hate demihumans so much, considering that I look like one. The sooner I find out why, the better, I thought, staring at the dusky blue palm of my hand. I should be human, but I guess changing my character’s appearance cosmetically somehow altered that too? I shook my head, trying to clear the thought, knowing I wouldn't find the answer on my own.

The biggest downside to all of this is that I’m a woman now. Hell, I spent hours in the game designing her to be my ideal woman, everything I thought was most attractive rolled into one perfect package.

But instead of getting the girl, I am the fucking girl!

What kind of bullshit is that?

I let out a frustrated sigh, finally caving to my curiosity.

Grabbing hold of my breasts, I gave them a tentative squeeze, noting how soft and surprisingly bouncy they felt as I massaged them. If I had to guess, they were probably around a C cup. “This feels weird,” I said, as my chest started to feel… good. A tingling sensation slowly spread through my chest the longer I messaged. Unable to stop myself, I pinched my nipples that had grown hard.

Immediately, a jolt shot through my chest, almost electric. "What the hell was that?" I muttered, my hands reflexively pulling away as a mix of surprise and pleasure rushed through me. Feeling more daring by the second, my gaze drifted downward, past my breasts, to the space between my legs. Well, I'm already on the train; might as well see where it’s headed, I thought, as I hesitantly reached down, my fingers brushing against the edge of the white panties as I went to pull them aside.

A sharp rapping sounded from the door. My heart leaped, and nearly exploded from my chest before I could go any further. I snapped my head toward the door, my breath catching, half expecting someone to barge in.

“Miss? Your food was getting cold, so I brought it up to you,” a woman’s voice called through the door. “I’ll leave it here. Just bring the tray down in the morning,” she said, her voice trailing off as her footsteps creaked further down the hall.

I stared at the door, wide eyed, my heart pounding furiously in my chest. “Yeah… that's enough of that,” I murmured, sinking back against the bed, the adrenaline leaving my body feeling tingly as relief washed over me.

“Damn, I’m hungry,” I said, yawning as I stretched, my stomach growling in frustrated agreement.