The sound of flowing water roused me from what felt like a deep slumber. It was an odd sensation, yet it left me feeling rejuvenated, almost invigorated. As the chill breeze tickled my body, a rush of fresh air filled my nostrils, carrying with it a light scent of pine. This was strange; running water and wind? What? My eyes fluttered open, greeted by a painted sky bathed in shades of orange that saturated the horizon. The passing clouds littered the sky as the sun sank into the horizon. In a swift motion, I hastily propped myself up from my supine position, my hands unintentionally crushing the prickly grass beneath me. My attention swiftly turned to a wide-open river that meandered nearby. Its calm waters flowed along, accompanied by the rhythmic swaying of trees and a gentle breeze.

A wave of tension washed over me, causing my body to stiffen. I closed my eyes, steadying my breath before daring to open them again, hoping that what I had witnessed was nothing but a vivid dream. Here I was, outdoors, alone, lying beside a flowing river in broad daylight. It didn't make sense. I was supposed to be in my room, seated at my desk. I distinctly remember finishing a report before taking a nap, as any diligent college student would. Several minutes passed as I remained here, eyes shut, letting the cool breeze wash over me, carrying that same refreshing scent of pine. And then, when I couldn't take the tension anymore, I cautiously opened my eyes again, desperately seeking reassurance that I hadn't lost my grip on reality. To my utter bewilderment, nothing had changed.

Two scenarios raced through my mind, each contesting for likelihood. The first involved my friends orchestrating some stupid elaborate prank. The thought of them laughing their asses off somewhere nearby seemed somewhat more believable. However, scenario two emerged as a contender, albeit a less convincing one. Could it be that I had unknowingly developed a sudden bout of sleepwalking? The notion seemed far-fetched, as sleepwalking had never been part of my nightly activities. Yet, I couldn't entirely dismiss the possibility, especially considering the strange circumstances surrounding me right now. With a hint of skepticism, I leaned towards the prank idea, knowing they'd have to be around here somewhere. They wouldn't leave me in some unfamiliar place alone, would they?

Rising from the ground, I took a moment to survey the surrounding scenery. Regardless of this being a prank, I couldn't help but admit that the place those bastards left me was impressive. I always found watching rivers and waves strangely peaceful whenever I went hiking. I'll have to come back another time.

I shifted my gaze to the right and noticed a building perched atop a hill. There was a dock adjacent to the building further down the hillI stood on, so could it be a storehouse? The hill's steepness made it difficult to get a good picture of what was at the top. Could they be in there? They must have left me here and retreated back up. I climbed the hill towards the storehouse, with distant buildings gradually coming into view as I approached. When I reached the top, I paused. Bewildered at the breathtaking sight in front of me. A European castle town sprawled across the landscape. An array of majestic buildings and towering spires dotted the scene. It was as if I was thrown straight into a medieval movie.

"Where the hell did those idiots take me? A larping event?!"

I muttered incredulously as I marveled at the cityscape. It was an impressive sight, but what struck me even more, was that everyone looked the part. A passersby strolled along the streets adorned in full-plated armor. In contrast, others were draped in attire reminiscent of the Renaissance era. My outburst attracted a few curious glances from those nearby, their eyes widening in response. I must have a dumb look on my face. I hastily shifted my attention elsewhere out of embarrassment.

To my left, I noticed a man donned in imposing armor, positioned next to a towering tree, his gaze fixed on me with an intense glare. Uncertain of what he was thinking, I turned away, worried that he might be one of those larping enthusiasts who didn't like people breaking character. I turned to my right, avoiding his intense stare. In an attempt to collect myself, I absentmindedly began patting down my pants pockets, only to abruptly stop when I suddenly realized I had been wearing a robe this entire time, along with an accompanying hat. The dark grey robes enveloped me, extending beyond my fingertips with their long sleeves.

“What the hell.”

I whispered to myself. Turning to my right, I looked toward the storehouse and proceeded toward it. Hoping those assholes were inside. The outdated building, mostly constructed of weathered stone, stood level on the hill. A wooden deck wrapped around the storehouse, providing a stable platform on the incline. Positioned at the entrance, a short man caught my attention. He was noticeably shorter than average. Could he be a little person? He can tell me where I am or, better yet, if he’s seen my friends, that is, if he's willing to break character.

As I approached, I got a better look at him. I couldn't help but notice his prominent nose, which sprouted a thick and unruly beard extending down to his chest. He wore a leather vest layered over a loose-fitting, long-sleeved white shirt, complemented by brown pants and dark brown leather boots. Sensing my approach, the man crossed his arms over his chest, arching an eyebrow inquisitively.

"What can I do for ya, lass?"

Lass? Where the hell does he get off calling me a Lass? Although this place was incredible with its medieval theme and all, but I won't be called lass by a random short guy.

"Hey, I'm a guy if you don't wear glasses."

I retorted. Taking a step closer, the bearded man peered up at my face, scrutinizing it, squinting as if doubting my words. Though he remained distant, I could see a large bald spot on his head.

"What're you on about, lass? You're a cute girly, cuter than most I've seen 'round these parts. If you want to go calling yourself a man, you best do a better job at looking the part."

He said, looking me up and down. What's with this guy? I knew that I was a guy, but something felt off. I pulled an arm inside my robes, intending to flex my muscles. However, as my hand explored, my skin felt unexpectedly smooth and curvy. I felt a pit form in my stomach as I continued, eventually reaching my chest, causing me to pause in utter disbelief. The sensation beneath my palm was soft and very unfamiliar, well, on my body anyway. These weren't the pectoral muscles I expected to find. My body froze, and I felt a chill radiate from the pit in my stomach as I struggled to comprehend the unexplainable.

"What the fuck?"

I muttered, my voice trembling with a mix of confusion and alarm. Without hesitation, I used both hands to delve beneath the robe, grasping hold of the two undeniable protrusions that now occupied my chest. Breasts. My mind went blank as I tried to stave off the rising panic in me. I felt my chest heave up and down in my trembling hands. Before I could spiral into a full-blown freakout, I noticed the bearded man's dubious gaze fixed on me.

"Ah, you alright there, lass?"

He asked, his tone laced with a hint of confusion, subsiding the uneasiness brewing within me. Through the whirlwind of thoughts consuming my mind as I desperately tried to make sense of the situation and ground myself. Passersby continued to cast curious glances in my direction, their curiosity fueled by my visible distress. I need to regain my composure; a full-blown freakout could wait. Right now, I needed a phone to find someone who could give me answers.

"Um, excuse me,"

I stammered, my voice trembling.

"I apologize for my earlier outburst. Could I borrow your phone? It's urgent. I need to make a quick call."

The bearded man furrowed his brow as if perplexed by my request.

"A phoon? Never heard of it. Is that some thaumaturgical implement?"

My annoyance tinged my voice as I pressed on, my frustration seeping through my words.

"Sir, I really need to borrow your phone. It's an emergency. I have no idea where I am or how I ended up here."

He sighed, his expression conveying a mix of confusion and indifference.

"Look, lass, I haven't the faintest idea what this 'phoon' is that you speak of. If you're in trouble, you'll have better luck with the city guards than me."

What the hell is wrong with this guy? I just needed to borrow his damn phone! Was this some kind of extreme larping event?

"Fine, whatever!"

I snapped, my frustration boiling over.

"Can you at least tell me where I am?"

I said, my patience running thin. The bearded man's eyebrow twitched in response, a hint of annoyance flickering across his face. He muttered something under his breath in a string of words I couldn't understand in a language that sounded foreign to me.

"You're in Veinbor, the city of trade. Now, I've got a job to do, lass, so be on your way,"

the man retorted before turning around and striding back into the store.

"I need to find the police or city guard before it gets dark,"

I muttered to myself, trying to gather my thoughts.

"Wait, did he say Veinbor? Like Veinbor from the game Zenith Rising?"

I turned my gaze back towards the city, now bathed in a deep crimson hue as the sun descended further into the horizon. None of this made any sense. Veinbor was a fictional kingdom that should exist only within the game. The idea of an entire castle city being built in seemed highly unlikely. Besides, if one had been built, I would have known about it. What the hell was happening?

Frustration and confusion etched deep lines on my face, attracting strange glances from passersby. Adjusting my hat to shield my expression, I moved to a nearby tree near the storehouse.

"Okay, okay, calm down,"

I murmured to myself, attempting to regain my composure.

"Let's think this through for a second. I woke up on a hill beside a river, and climbed up to find myself in the fictional trade city of Veinbor from the MMORPG fantasy game Zenith Rising. Logically speaking, this is impossible, and I would love to believe it's just an elaborate prank. But these...these breasts say otherwise."

Anxiety gnawed at me, and I hesitated to explore further, fearful of what I might find or not find. Taking a deep breath, I stayed calm and assessed the situation and my options.

"To begin with, who the hell would go through this much trouble for a prank?"

I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Let's pretend it's the game for now, although nothing looks familiar from what I can see. Anyway, first things first. I need to check if I have anything on me besides this robe."

I rummaged again through my pockets, only to find them empty. However, my fingers brushed against a pouch hanging from the waist of my robes. Curiously, I opened it, revealing a collection of thirty-two bronze, twenty silver, and one gold coin. So, at least I had some money. Somehow.

Glancing up at the darkening sky, I didn’t have time idle about. I needed to find a place to stay for the night and then look for a police station or whatever in the morning, that is, if there is one. I was unlikely to get anywhere tonight, and wandering around an unfamiliar place after dark seemed risky.

"But where should I go?"

I mumbled to myself, the urgency in my voice echoing my thoughts. The storehouse stood a few yards away, just across a wide-open road. The number of people outside had significantly dwindled as they rushed home.

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Stepping away from the tree, I walked across the road toward the inner part of the city. The city was built atop a cliff, of which the lower city I where currently stood was situated on flat land. Torches had been lit throughout the city, casting a warm glow and illuminating the castle perched atop the cliff.

As I ventured into the city, merrymaking reached my ears from a building up ahead. The city was far from quiet, with people busy tending to tasks and closing up their food stands. The building that caught my attention was particularly lively. Approaching the front entrance, I peer up at the sign above the door, hoping to gather some information.

"The Golden Mead Tavern,"

I said as I pushed open the double doors and stepped inside. Immediately I found my nose assaulted by the thick scent of alcohol, causing me to cough. Why was it so strong? I shook my head as ignored the curious glances from the other customers near the entrance, and made my way toward the innkeeper standing behind the bar at the far end of the room.

As I approached, the innkeeper regarded me with suspicious eyes. He appeared to be in his late fifties or early sixties, yet his physique was surprisingly sturdy. His arms and chest were thick and well-defined, and his torso had an inverted triangle shape. It was almost impossible for an old man to maintain such a physique. However, any sense of intimidation was dampened by the comical hat he wore. Resembling a beanie, it had two long strips of cloth hanging from a ball at the top. The hat itself was bright orange with vertical dark blue stripes.

Sporting a leather apron over a simple white short-sleeve shirt, the innkeeper had gray hair, thick sideburns, and a messy goatee on his face. Before I could utter a word, he cut me off.

"So your people are staying in the city now?"

he questioned, squinting his eyes and leaning forward slightly from behind the bar.

“You don't look normal…”

He whispered softly, his scrutinizing stare intensified the unease I felt. The rude comment aside, what does he mean by ‘your people’?

"What’ll it be, little lady? I hope you know you’ll find no mead here."

He said, his voice heavy and slightly deep. I was taken aback by his assumption. Then again, considering my current appearance, I suppose it should be expected. But being mistaken for a kid was unexpected.

"I'm not a kid, and I didn't come for alcohol,"

I retorted, trying to sound more assertive.

"I would like a room for the night. Do you have any available?"

Snorting as he looked me up and down, the innkeeper's gaze made me uncomfortable. I couldn't help but wonder why he was studying me so intently.

"I suppose not, then that'll be two silver coins for one night's stay. Meals are five bronze, and mead is two bronze,"

he explained, his tone matter-of-fact. I had no idea how much that was. In the game, you didn't stay at inns; you would usually just purchase a house or log out wherever you were.

"Alright, I'll take a room and a meal,"

I replied, trying to appear confident. Rummaging through my pouch, I took out three silver coins. I needed to figure out the value of coins fast. There were only silver coins as currency in the game, with no mention of bronze or gold coins. The conversion between silver and bronze should be either a hundred, fifty, twenty, or ten. But three silver coins should be sufficient since I had a pouch with money. I couldn't let him find out I don't know how to handle money, or he might overcharge me. Handing over the three silver coins, he took them in his hand and weighed them thoughtfully.

"Alright, one moment,"

he said, disappearing behind the counter. After a brief search, he returned and handed me five bronze coins. Realizing that ten bronze coins equaled one silver coin, I felt relieved that the conversion was straightforward. But a thought struck me— if a meal was five bronze coins and mead only two, wasn't this place kind of expensive to stay at? I expected the cost to be around one silver and five bronze coins, but he asked for two silvers. Well, maybe I was overthinking it. It was better to not dwell on it.

"Here's ya go, little lady. You'll stay in the last room on the left upstairs. Your meal will be ready shortly," the innkeeper said, handing me a key and pointing towards the stairs. Before he could turn away, I halted, catching his attention.

"Excuse me, what's on the menu?"

I inquired, curious about the food options.

Smirking, the innkeeper folded his arms and pompously announced,

"The best in the whole city, our famous house special: smoked fish steak and pickled vegetables!"

"Ahuh, okay,"

I replied.

"You'll enjoy it for sure, little lady,"

he assured me with confidence. Turning away, I made my way through the assorted tables filled with rowdy customers and ascended the creaky stairs. As I walked down the hallway, I located my assigned room. Opening the door, I swiftly stepped inside, closed it behind me, slid the bolt lock into place, and leaned against the door, taking a moment to catch my breath. The noise from downstairs still reverberated through the inn, and it seemed unlikely to die down anytime soon.

Glancing around the room, I observed its simplicity. There was a bed with a basic wooden frame, a wooden nightstand, and a single wooden chair. No paintings adorned the walls, and there was no fancy wallpaper. The windows were fitted with lattice door shutters. It was a plain and unassuming room, but at this moment, none of that mattered.

Walking towards the bed, I removed my hat and tossed it onto the nightstand. I then flopped down onto the bed, lying on my back and gazing up at the plain ceiling. With a sigh, I contemplated the events of the day.

"What the hell is going on…"

I muttered to myself, overwhelmed by the surreal situation I found myself in. I had so many questions but no one to ask. Based on my conversation with the bearded man and the absence of phones, I could rule out this being some kind of prank or a typical LARPing event.

"I suppose the only explanation is that this is Zenith Rising Online,"

I said aloud, still struggling to believe it. But the evidence pointing in that direction was hard to ignore. Let's examine the facts. First and foremost, I had transformed into a woman. I hadn't noticed the change earlier, but now it was impossible to ignore. Something was missing down south, and my body had developed feminine curves and breasts. Then there was the bearded man who strongly resembled a dwarf, and people walking around in full armor with swords.

"Zenith Rising, huh."

I muttered, trying to come to terms with the situation. But there was more to unravel. I noticed my hands were a different color earlier, but now, with a closer look, it became even more apparent. Holding my hand towards the ceiling, the long robe sleeves slid down, revealing a blueish-purple arm. If this was the game, it seemed I had been transported into my avatar's body.

"This is gonna take some getting used to,"

I sighed, realizing the magnitude of the adjustment I would have to make. I couldn't recall equipping robes before logging off, as I mostly kept various clothes in my inventory. Standing up from the bed, I reached down towards the hem and pulled the robe up and over my head. Now standing half-naked, I examined my skin. The dark purplish-blue hue covered my stomach and extended down towards my legs. I presumed my avatar had rosy skin as I pinched my forearm, causing my blue skin to flush a shade of purple.

Anyway, my skin color seems to be the reason the innkeeper found me abnormal. It does stand out, but I'll set that aside for now. Seeing the robe reminds me of the public decency clothing in the game. Players could walk around partially naked, but only within their homes or near water sources. If they ventured out in public, modesty clothing automatically appeared, providing no additional benefits. The question is, can I still access my inventory and equipment? Is that still a thing?

"Wait a second... my gear!"

This is a game, and games usually involve encountering monsters. And what do you need to fight monsters? Gear. Without it, I'm just some ordinary joe with little means of defending myself. I sank to my knees, crumpled on the floor, overwhelmed by the realization of how vulnerable I was in this situation. Not to mention the loss of my gear.

"I could use thaumaturgy?"

Gazing down at my hands, I let out a sigh of frustration.

"How the hell am I supposed to use thaumaturgy when I don't know the first thing about it? It's not like this is the game, I don't have an interface at the bottom of my screen with buttons to press. Shooting a fireball would've been cool."

I said, imagining myself shooting a fireball. At the same time, an indescribable sense welled up within me. It isn't easy to put into words. It's like discovering something you didn't know you knew, like breathing. Everyone subconsciously breathes, but when someone mentions it, or you consciously focus on your breath, you become acutely aware of it. This feeling is similar yet distinct. It's as if I'm receiving information but not through conventional means. It's more like an instinctive sensation. Straightening my back as I remain on my knees, I gaze ahead at the open palm of my extended hand. I'll simply go with the flow and see what happens.

"Fireball,"

I whispered as a mesmerizing fire sparked to life in front of me, dancing back and forth with a reddish-yellow light in the palm of my hand. It defied the boundaries of both the real world and the game. In the game, you needed to have your weapons equipped to use skills, so this floating fireball was beyond comprehension. I suppose the game's logic doesn't apply in this world. As I stared at the flame, a burning smell caught my attention, and I noticed something from the corner of my eye. Looking up, I saw my robe on the bed had caught fire!

"Holy shit! "

Panicking, I swiftly used my free hand to pat out the small flame before it could spread. Standing up, I grabbed the robe and rolled it up to smother the fire. After doing so, I unraveled the robe to assess the damage. "Thank goodness it was only a small part of the hem. At least I didn't burn a hole in it or the bed."

Glancing down at the bed, I once again noticed something out of the corner of my eye—a small spot on the floor had caught fire! I must have released the flame from my hand earlier. I quickly smothered it with my robe, extinguishing it before it could grow.

"Phew, that could have been bad. Note to self: No flames thaumaturgy indoors."

I said, breaking out into a smile at the mention of thaumaturgy. Picking up my robe, I examined it more closely. There were a few black smudges from the soot, but overall it seemed fine, aside from the burned section on the hem. Looking down at the floor, I noticed it wasn't severely damaged either. I just needed water and a cloth to wipe away the soot, and it would look fine again. I could ask the innkeeper for supplies, but he might ask about the incident. I wanted to avoid unnecessary expenses or confrontations.

"Well, since I can create fire, I should be able to conjure water, too, right? Let's give it a try."

Closing my eyes, I focused on that same sensation I had felt earlier, directing my attention to the palm of my hand. It felt different this time, but I could sense something. The only thought that came to mind was,

"Freezia."

Instantly, the temperature around me plummeted. The change was so abrupt that it took a moment for me to register it. My body began to shiver uncontrollably, causing me to lose my balance and fall to the floor. I could hardly move as the cold surrounded me. Fortunately, the frigid sensation gradually faded, and warmth returned to my body. As suddenly as it happened, however, a stinging sensation bit into the middle of my back. Reacting quickly, I reached behind and felt around, eventually grabbing hold of something and pulling it hard, snapping whatever had stung my back.

"What the hell was that?!"

I exclaimed in shock. I let go of whatever was on my back and felt something fall from my chest. I looked down and saw the bra I had been wearing now sitting on the floor. Bending down, I picked it up and examined it, wondering why it had caused a stinging sensation on my back. I noticed that the metal latch on the back of the bra had frozen over when my body was cold, and it didn't thaw when my body started to heat up again. It was like a cold burn, and even now, my back still had a lingering sting. Reaching back with my left hand, I touched the area around the pain. It was tender, but the affected area was relatively small, roughly the size of a pinky fingernail. It was bearable.

"I think it's best to stop messing with thaumaturgy for the time being, especially when I don't fully understand what I'm doing and can end up hurting myself."

Sighing to myself, I looked down at the bra in my hand, but not without noticing something else. Removing the bra exposed my chest, and I couldn't help but stare down at my breasts. Like any other MMO, character customization was a key feature. Players could choose their gender, body type, facial features, and size, among other things. It was one of my favorite aspects of playing MMOs—the ability to create a character and explore a virtual world with it. I had spent a significant amount of time customizing my character, almost four hours. As a man, I naturally gave her all the physical traits I found attractive in a woman. If I'm being honest, I found her incredibly cute, exactly my type. But what sucks the most is that instead of getting the girl, I am the girl.

I let out a sigh of frustration. Grabbing hold of my breasts, I gave them a squeeze, noting how soft and surprisingly bouncy they were. If I had to estimate, they were around a C cup. Curiosity got the better of me, and I pinched my nipples lightly. Immediately a jolt followed, almost like electricity shooting through my chest. My knees nearly buckled under the unexpected sensation. Just then, a sharp knocking sound echoed from the door, interrupting me.

"Little lady, your food is ready. I'd hurry down before it gets cold,"

a voice called from outside the door. Startled, I turned around abruptly, my heart racing in my chest. For a moment, I had feared that he might try to open the door. Thankfully, I had locked it earlier, so the panic subsided. I could still feel the pounding of my heart and the adrenaline coursing through my veins. It wasn't just the sudden knocking that freaked me out; it was the thought of someone coming in while I was standing half-naked. Even if I were a man in this situation, it would be startling, but the fact that I was in this female body made it even worse. Before I could respond, I heard the sound of footsteps retreating down the hallway. Sinking onto the bed, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me as the tension left my body.

"I should stop experimenting before things get out of hand. Besides, I'm starting to feel... weird."

Looking down at the broken latch on the bra, I realized I had no idea how to fix it. If I had access to my inventory, I could have easily obtained a new one. I had collected many stylish outfits for my character, and they looked amazing on her, but on me in my character's body... no. It's still hard for me to fully accept that I now have a girl's body. Just thinking about it slightly freaks me out. It's not that it's terrible, or the end of the world, but it's definitely going to take some getting used to. Anyway, I can't dwell on this conundrum forever. I'll have to go without the bra for now.

"Wait, does going commando apply in this situation?"

Ugh, I'll save that debate for later. I quickly threw on the robe overhead and slid it on. It may not be the most appealing garment, but it does a decent job of hiding my body, so there's nothing to worry about in that regard. It'll have to do for now, but I'll need to find more suitable clothes at some point.

"Alright, this should be fine. I'm starting to get hungry anyway. It's time to head downstairs."