Pain seared through every fiber of my being as I slowly regained consciousness. The memory of the creature's claws raking across my chest and the weight of my body colliding with the tree replayed in my mind like a haunting melody. My breath came in ragged gasps as I struggled to push myself upright, my muscles protesting in pain with each movement.

I blinked my eyes open, my vision blurry as I took in the dim surroundings. Lily. LILY. Where was she? Panic clawed at my chest as I struggled to sit up, my eyes scanning the area frantically. Then, I saw her, sitting a short distance away, her gaze fixed on the horizon, lost in thought. Relief washed over me as I realized she was okay.

I looked around and realized that I was in my parent's house. The tranquil embrace of my parents' cottage enveloped me as I lay on a simple straw mattress, the soft rustling of leaves outside carrying the gentle whispers of nature. My broken arm was snugly wrapped in a cast, a testament to the battle I had fought and the price I had paid. Pain radiated from the wounds the creature's claws had left, a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the village's safety.

My parents bustled around me, their faces a mix of concern and relief. My mother, her eyes red from tears that had been shed, gently adjusted the pillows under my head. "How are you feeling, Alex? Are you in pain?"

I managed a weak smile, grateful for their care. "I'm okay, Mom. Just sore."

My father, usually gruff and stern, offered a rare display of tenderness as he sat at my bedside. His calloused hand brushed against my forehead, and his voice carried a hint of emotion. "You gave us quite a scare, son. We thought you were going to die."

"I know, Dad," I replied, my gaze dropping to the quilt beneath me. Guilt gnawed at me – guilt for putting myself and Lily in danger, guilt for causing my parents' unnecessary worry. It was a sentiment I hadn't expected to feel, and it was a stark reminder of how much I had changed since my arrival in this world.

"Alex! You're awake," Lily gasped, rushing over to my side. "Don't move too much; you're still hurt." She grasped my shirt and began to loudly cry. Ouch, her grasp hurt. But, her warmth also felt nice, the pressure of her body against mine a reminder that we had survived - together. I patted her head gently with my free hand.

My parents exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them. There was a world of concern and pride in their eyes, a mix of emotions that I had grown to recognize over the years. They were upset with me for recklessly venturing into the woods, but also proud of the courage I had shown in the face of danger.

My mother's fingers brushed against my cheek, her touch gentle and reassuring. "You've always been a fighter, Alex. It's in your nature to protect and persevere." Then, her eyes sharpened as she roughly pinched my cheek. Gahhh. "But, you're never going to do something this stupid again. I don't know what came over you!"

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I pouted, a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty swirling within me. "I just wanted to keep Lily safe. I couldn't let anything happen to her." As I continued patting her head, Lily's grip on my shirt tightened slightly as she continued sobbing.

My father's rough hand followed suit, tightening around mine, his voice gruff yet softened by a father's love. "And you did just that, son. You protected her."

As I lay there, enveloped in my parents' presence, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disconnection. The person who had faced the creature, who had fought and protected, felt distant – like a character in a story that I had been thrust into. I had been a soldier, a protector, but it was a role that I had never experienced in my previous life. I was the old me, and yet, I was not. I had changed.

Perhaps sensing my confusion and shock from the experience, my mother's voice broke through my thoughts. "You know, Alex, life has a way of shaping us, of molding us into the people we're meant to become."

I turned to her, curiosity flickering in my eyes. Where was this coming from? What was she talking about? "What do you mean, Mom?"

She sat at the edge of my bed, her gaze fixed on the horizon beyond the window. "Sometimes, we're faced with challenges that reveal strengths we never knew we had. You were always mature beyond your years, but this world has shown you a different side of yourself – a brave and resilient side. I am truly proud of you. I love you so much," she whispered to me.

A lump formed in my throat as I considered her words. Deep down I knew I was no longer my past self - that depressed adult on Earth. I was my mother's son. Lily's best friend. A child, a to-be adventurer.

"But Mom," I began, my voice hesitant. "What if I'm changing too much? What if I'm becoming someone I don't recognize?"

Her gaze softened, and she reached out to cup my cheek. "Alex, change is a part of life. It's how we grow and evolve. You're still you, and the experiences you've had here are shaping you into a remarkable young man. Your heart, your values – they're still the same. Life is a journey and you have just begun to wander down its long path. Ahh, you're too young to have to deal with these things," she sadly sighed.

Tears welled in my eyes, a mix of emotions swirling within me – gratitude for my parents' understanding, uncertainty about my identity, and a fierce determination to make the most of this new life.

As my parents continued to comfort me, a resolve took hold of my heart. I might have been reborn into a child's body, but I was determined to live this life to its fullest. I would embrace the challenges and joys of this world, the leveling system that offered skills and abilities, and the friendships that had blossomed.

While I hadn't shared the truth of my past with anyone, I was finally beginning to truly accept this new reality. It was a life filled with wonder and complexity, where the echoes of my previous self were woven into the fabric of my present. It was not going to be a paradise. But, I was excited.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the room, my parents stood to leave, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and relief. "Rest well, Alex," my father murmured, his voice carrying the weight of a father's love.

"We'll be right here if you need anything," my mother added, her voice soft and comforting as she guided Lily, who had fallen asleep, out.

As they left, the room was bathed in the gentle glow of twilight. I closed my eyes, allowing the warmth of their presence and the words they had shared to wash over me. The path ahead might be uncertain, but I was ready to embrace it – to train, to learn, and to become the person I was destined to be in this world. To become my best self. To make up for what I had lacked in my last life.

With a newfound sense of purpose, I drifted into a peaceful sleep, a smile gracing my lips.