Chapter 5: New Skills, New Horizons!

Haa, finally, the first rays of the sun started appearing on the horizon, casting a gentle warmth on my skin. I guessed I had woken up at around 4 or 5 a.m., but who knew for sure—there were no clocks or phones here. Still, I couldn’t help but think how much of a mad lad I was for sleeping outside all night. To be honest, the experience wasn’t that bad; thankfully, it felt more like a summer night than a winter one. Otherwise, I’d probably have frozen to death. I hoped Matilde had slept well. I knew how hard it could be to rest in an unfamiliar place.

Anyway, while waiting for her to wake up, I decided to pack our things to be ready to move. We still hadn’t found water or a sign of civilization.

“Ohayō, Gabe,” I heard her say, her voice still a bit drowsy as she stretched.

“Morning,” I replied. “I hope you’re ready. We need to keep exploring to find water or a village.”

“Hehe, yeah, of course I’m ready. I actually slept surprisingly well!” She paused, then gave me a curious look. “Wait, Gabe, don’t tell me you slept outside.”

I smirked. “Duh, yeah, I did. Like a mad lad. And hey, it wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be. You also missed out on seeing those beautiful green stars in the night sky.”

“Baka! You’re seriously trying to get yourself killed with your reckless behavior.” She shook her head as I chuckled softly, lowering my head a bit. “Yeah, you’re kind of right,” I admitted, though the real reason was a bit more personal—I didn’t feel comfortable sharing such a tight space with someone I barely knew.

“Green stars, huh?” she said, her tone softening. “That must have been beautiful. Just another reminder that we’re definitely not on Earth, even if the environment feels familiar.”

“Yeah, they were something else,” I said.

She shifted back to a more serious expression. “More importantly, Gabe, look at this.” She showed me a UI window:

[Level 5 reached. You can now start your rebirth!] [This will allow you to change race, class, and obtain a specific weapon depending on your class.]

[Start!] [Later]

“Oh, that’s great!” I said with excitement, but she seemed more uncertain than thrilled. So that’s what the goddess meant by “rebirth.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “Hey, I can help you pick. I know a lot about video games and fantasy stuff, so maybe I can give you some pointers.”

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded confidently. “Okay, let’s do it, and then we’ll head out.” She pressed the [Start] button with her finger, then The window changed, displaying a vast list of races: beastmen, elves, dwarves, humans, demons, and more. Clearly, this world had immense diversity—I even spotted a mermaid race. Some races, like the beastmen, had subcategories depending on the animal you picked. There were classic options like cats, dogs, and foxes, but also more unusual and specific ones like lynx, tiger, crocodile, and even mouse. There was even cow, which—well, let’s just say, I hoped she wouldn’t pick that one. We might end up dealing with certain... attention-grabbing challenges.

They even had dragons! Each race came with detailed descriptions. I could go on forever about the subcategories of elves and demons, but that would take ages. Just know there’s an overwhelming amount of them, like dark elves, imps, yokai, and succubi. Speaking of yokai, they had their own sub-classifications too: oni, jorogumo, and so many more. And yes, each race came with its unique abilities and traits.

Lastly, for those who wanted to get really creative, there were hybrid and uni-gender races. Hybrids were pretty self-explanatory—a mix of two races, like a cat-crocodile or a human-demon. You get the idea. Then there were the uni-gender races, like nymphs, gorgons, and sirens. I suppose there were male equivalents, but since Matilde was the one choosing, it only showed female options.

“Wow, there are so many!” Matilde said as she scrolled through the last category. “I’m torn between elf and human. I want to keep it simple.”

Personally, I’d experiment with the more interesting choices, but if she wanted simplicity, it was her call. Sadly, no cute animal ears then. “Well, if you’re looking for simplicity, I’d say go for elf if you want a magic boost. Otherwise, human is pretty well-rounded and has higher intelligence.”

She paused, twirling a strand of her hair as she thought. “I’ll pick human.”

“Wait, before you do that, why not consider a hybrid? Like half-human, half-elf or half-demon?” I suggested.

“That’s a good idea, but I think I’ll stick with human. This way, I won’t have to adjust to any new physical features.”

She made a valid point. It made me wonder—when my turn came, would I have to get used to a new body? More importantly, would I get my left arm back?

Matilde confirmed her choice, and the window shifted to the class selection. Just like the races, there were plenty to choose from: the classic warrior, mage, priest, and thief, as well as more unusual classes like mage singer, alchemist, necromancer, and sharpshooter (which made me wonder about the existence of guns in this world). There were even job-like classes such as maid, cook, and blacksmith.

“Gabe, look at this,” she called, looking puzzled and pointing to a class at the bottom of the list. It had a golden “Ex” tag next to it.

“Hmm, seems like you got an ‘exclusive’ or ‘one-of-a-kind’ class. It’s probably special with unique abilities.”

“Right...” she said, her voice tinged with hesitation as she read the description:

Class: (Ex) Thief Princess: A versatile class that blends agility, stealth, and leadership. The Thief Princess excels in swift, precise strikes and commands rogue-like allies in combat. She thrives in ambushes and outmaneuvering enemies, relying on speed and evasiveness. However, her light armor leaves her vulnerable to direct, prolonged combat. Her strength lies in strategy and mobility, making her perfect for those who prefer cunning tactics over raw power.

Matilde hesitated, twisting a small strand of her hair. “I mean... sure, it looks like a powerful class, but leadership? Stealth? I’ve never been a leader, Gabe. I’ve always followed someone else’s lead. What if... what if I’m not good enough for this?”

I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. She was nervous—afraid of stepping into a role that carried so much expectation. “Matilde, you’re selling yourself short,” I said softly. “You may not realize it, but in that fight with the wolf, you led. You told me what to do, and when I was struggling, your words gave me the strength to push through. We won because of you.”

She looked down, biting her lip. “But... what if I fail? What if I mess up and get us both hurt? This class—it sounds like it comes with so much responsibility. I don’t know if I can handle that.”

I stepped closer, offering a reassuring smile. “You won’t have to do it alone. We’re a team. Remember last night? We’ve got each other’s backs. I’ll support you every step of the way. Heck, I’ll even choose a class that complements yours if it helps. We’ll figure it out together, I promise.”

For a moment, she remained silent, taking a deep breath before nodding slowly. “You’re right. I can’t let fear make me miss this opportunity. Whatever comes next, we’ll face it as a team.” Her eyes met mine, a newfound confidence in them. “Alright, I’ll do it. Thief Princess it is.”

A grin spread across my face. “That’s the spirit! And hey, I’ll still call you ‘Hime-sama,’ just to mess with you.”

“Urusai, Gabe!” she laughed, nudging me playfully. “And don’t expect me to wear some ridiculous princess dress. Stealth and frilly gowns don’t exactly mix.”

I smirked. “Fair enough, but you’re still ‘Hime-sama’ to me. Closest vessel and all that.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help a smile. “Just don’t start treating me like actual royalty.”

With that, she moved on to the next step—choosing her weapon. I noticed that every weapon available to her had the golden “Ex” tag next to it, indicating their exclusivity. The list was impressive, each weapon’s name starting with titles like “golden,” “elegant,” “gilded,” or “royal.” It was clear these were tailored for a Thief Princess. Options included a gilded rapier, dual elegant war fans, golden twin blades, royal daggers with throwing knives, and more.

Matilde’s attention lingered on dual weapons, her eyes narrowing as she made her choice. Finally, she picked the golden dual stiletto knives. A satisfied grin crossed her face. “Close enough to one of my favorite assassin women in anime. I’ll go with these.”

I chuckled, recognizing the reference. She must’ve meant that popular anime about a family of spies, assassins, and a telepathic girl trying to blend into normal society. It had been a great show, but there was no time to reminisce. She confirmed her choice, finalizing her rebirth, and a new prompt appeared on her screen:

[Rebirth selection complete. To initiate awakening, close your eyes, place your hands on your chest, and say, ‘O Goddess Ambrosia, awaken my true potential.’]

Matilde met my gaze, a mix of determination and nerves dancing in her blue eyes. Slowly, she closed them, placed her hands on her chest, and recited with steady conviction, “O Goddess Ambrosia, awaken my true potential.”

The wind around us stirred, leaves swirling in a sudden gust as a bright blue light engulfed her. It formed a cocoon so luminous that I had to squint to keep her in sight. This wasn’t some flashy anime-style transformation; it was intense, raw, and powerful. And before you ask—no, there was nothing inappropriate to see. The light was too bright for that.

When the glow faded, I blinked away the residual spots in my vision. There she stood, looking almost the same but somehow... different. Her eyes were still bright blue, her long black hair untouched, but something had shifted. She looked taller, thanks to the sleek boots with stiletto heels that explained her slightly wobbly stance. Her new outfit was a skin-tight leather suit accented with gold trim, the perfect blend of rogue practicality and royal flair. The air around her seemed charged—regal, yet deadly.

“So... how do I look?” she asked, her voice tinged with confidence and curiosity.

I laughed, shaking my head. “You look great—a perfect mix of thievery and royalty. But those heels? Not your best look for comfort, I’d bet.”

She adjusted her stance, nodding. “Yeah, not exactly my choice. But surprisingly, the outfit—tight as it is—feels comfortable. The cloak’s light, the armor on my shoulders and arms doesn’t weigh me down, and these pouches are definitely ready for action.”

“That’s all fine and good, but are you sure you’re okay with those heels?”

Matilde glanced down at her boots and grinned. “Daijoubu,” she said. “Turns out, one of my abilities is ‘Footwear Adjustment.’ With a little mana, I can switch between high heels, block heels, or regular boots depending on what I need.”

“Seriously? That’s... actually pretty useful. Talk about being adaptable,” I replied, impressed. “Now, can you show me the rest of your abilities?”

“Hmmm, let’s see.” She paused before saying, “Stats.” A glowing window materialized, and with a wave of her hand, she invited me to look.

There it was—her entire profile, neatly displayed.

Matilde Kotano, 17 166cm (176cm with high Heel boots)♀ Human – Title :The Thief Princess

* Class: (ex) Thief Princess: A versatile class that blends agility, stealth, and leadership. The Thief Princess excels in swift, precise strikes and commands rogue-like allies in combat. She thrives in ambushes and outmaneuvering enemies, relying on speed and evasiveness. However, her light armor leaves her vulnerable to direct, prolonged combat. Her strength lies in strategy and mobility, making her perfect for those who prefer cunning tactics over raw power.

Physical Appearance:

* Eyes: Bright blue

* Hair: Long, flowing black hair

* Outfit: wears a tight, black leather-like suit designed for agility and stealth, accented with gold along her waist, wrists, and legs to reflect her royal status.

* Cloak: A sleek black cloak with subtle royal details, short for improved mobility.

* Armor: Light leather armor with gold inlays on her shoulders and arms, minimizing bulk while maintaining agility.

* Boots: Soft-soled black boots for silent movement, ideal for scaling walls or rooftops.

* Tiara: A small, sleek black tiara adorned with a blue gem, representing her royal heritage without hindering her stealth.

Abilities:

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1. Soft Step (Passive): Reduces the sound of her footsteps, making her harder to detect.

2. Shadow Strike: A quick dash from the shadows, dealing extra damage to unaware enemies.

3. Princess's Command: Boosts agility, stealth, and critical hit rate of rogue-class allies within 15 meters for 5 minutes. (Active)

4. Silver Veil: Temporarily blends into her surroundings, making her harder to spot unless enemies are nearby.

5. Lockpick Mastery: Proficient in lockpicking, enabling her to access restricted areas.

6. Royal Blood (Passive): Matilde can fully reveal, subtly mask, or hide her noble status, adapting to different social situations.

Full Noble: Gains respect and influence among high-ranking individuals like nobles and officials.

Half Noble: Her presence subtly commands respect from commoners without explicitly revealing her status.

Inactive: Blends into common society, avoiding attention but losing noble influence.

7. Charming Presence: Temporarily influences weaker-willed characters, allowing her to sway opinions or convince them to act in her favor for 2 minutes. (Active)

8. Regal Aura (Passive): Matilde’s natural aura of leadership inspires loyalty and makes it easier for her to take charge in both formal and battle situations. Allies instinctively follow her lead, and neutral parties are more likely to defer to her authority when the group lacks a leader. [can be toggle from active to inactive]

9. Footwear Adjustment (Cosmetic): This ability allows the user to alter her boot style for optimal comfort and adaptability by focusing just a bit of mana. She can switch between stiletto high heels, block high heels, or regular boots, adjusting for different situations. Additionally, she can control the height of her boots, from ankle-length to knee-high, ensuring flexibility in both appearance and mobility.

“Geez, I wasn’t expecting so many abilities! I mean, I saw the notifications during the rebirth, but still...” Matilde touched both hilts of her stiletto knives with a grin, her excitement obvious.

I smirked, gesturing with a playful shrug. “Well, what did you expect? Your class is unique, after all.”

“True,” she nodded, her gaze shifting to the forest around us. “But before testing out all these combat skills, we should probably find some running water, maybe a road or village. And if we encounter any mobs, I can test my abilities then.”

She seemed eager as her hands rested on the blades at her hips, ready to leap into action. I couldn’t resist teasing her. “Alright, hime-sama, let's grab our bags and head out. But since I haven’t rebirthed yet, you’ll have to protect me. Maybe leave a few mobs for me so I can catch up with some experience?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly in mock annoyance. “Urusai, Gabe. I’ll protect you, but since you keep teasing me, you carry both backpacks!” Her playful authoritative tone made me chuckle.

“Fine by me, hime-sama. But are you sure you’ll be okay trekking through the wilderness in those heels?”

I half-expected the usual "urusai," but instead, she closed her eyes, focusing on her boots as they glowed blue for a moment before morphing into regular, sturdy boots. I raised an eyebrow, a bit impressed. It was kind of crazy watching the magic work so naturally. I couldn’t help but feel a small surge of admiration—she was really embracing her new role in this world, adapting with confidence.

“There, all set.” She smirked, folding her arms. “Now, let’s get going. Come along, my servant.”

Servant, huh? Not a bad title, lol, considering I’m hauling both our gear. She’s really starting to act the part of a princess... no, a thief princess. It’s funny, though—she said she didn’t want to be treated like royalty, yet here I am, carrying all the bags. Better not remind her of that for now. Besides, I don’t really mind. After all, she’s stronger than me right now, having rebirthed first.

I hoisted both backpacks—hers was light compared to mine, thankfully—and picked up my makeshift lance. We started walking into the wilderness, the sun high in the sky. After only a few steps, I noticed something: her footsteps barely made any sound as we walked over the dry leaves. Her Soft Step ability was working perfectly.

You’d think carrying two backpacks would be hard with only one arm and a half, but not when your shoulders are strong enough to manage. Besides, Matilde’s pack was practically weightless compared to mine, which was filled with a bunch of useless stuff.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, always staying on alert—especially Matilde, leading while I held both backpacks—the thirst for water started to get to us. We needed to find something soon. The two water bottles in our bags were both empty. I mean, we were still in a decent situation compared to if we’d spawned in a desert, but the discomfort was real.

Then something caught Matilde’s attention. She signaled me to stop as a rabbit appeared in front of us near the underbrush.

[brown rabbit - Lv 3]

She put a finger to her mouth, telling me to stay silent, and whispered, “Look at this. I’ll get him with my skill.”

She gently pulled out her two stiletto knives from the straps at her hips, the blades glinting slightly in the sun’s rays. With a quick movement, she dashed forward, briefly turning into a shadow. I expected her to land a perfect kill... but no. Instead, she landed one stab—and a pretty wobbly one at that—barely penetrating the rabbit.

It was enough to hold it in place, though, giving me the opportunity to finish it off with a well-placed thrust of my lance. The rabbit vanished in a burst of light, leaving behind [rabbit meat] and [rabbit hide]. A bit gross, but I shoved both the meat and the hide into my backpack.

Matilde looked at me, a little upset, her sharp gaze meeting mine. “That was my kill. Why did you steal it?”

“Uh, well, you kinda missed, so I helped you finish it off. Is that wrong?” I tilted my head.

Her expression softened, and she sighed. “Daijoubu, it’s nothing. I just thought I’d hit it perfectly.”

“Hey, go easy on yourself. It’s your first time using it, so of course it won’t be perfect.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Besides, you’re the one who needs the EXP right now, not me,” she said, sheathing her knives. We started walking again, continuing through the forest.

Not even five minutes later, we spotted a cow. I started to think we were now in some kind of “farming zone.”

[cow - Lv 7]

Lv 7, huh? That must give a lot more EXP compared to that rabbit. Just before we made a plan, Matilde asked, “Gabe, why are we suddenly running into all these animals?”

“Good question. I’m not sure. Maybe it’s some kind of farming zone since this world works like a game?”

“That could make sense... and maybe it means we’re getting closer to civilization?”

“Yeah, it could also mean that!” I said excitedly, realizing she had a point. But for now, the focus was on leveling me up and finding water—the thirst was getting real. “So, what’s the plan to take down that cow, hime-sama?”

She rolled her eyes, letting out a small sigh. “Well, same as before, but this time watch me—I’m going to hit it perfectly!”

“Well, anyway, it’s not like you have another offensive ability besides Shadow Strike. Unless you want to try charming the cow?” I teased.

“Urusai!! Gabe, focus on helping me after I hit it instead of making bad jokes,” she snapped, her "urusai" sharper than usual.

I turned serious again. “Alright, sorry about that,” I said, lowering my head slightly in respect.

“You better be, my servant. You’re lucky enough that a princess is helping you level up,” she added in her mock-royal tone.

I chuckled as she activated Silver Veil, blending into her surroundings. She moved with confidence, positioning herself behind the cow for maximum surprise. I couldn’t help but grin a little at how “princess-like” she sounded earlier. In a way, we’d struck a balance—me calling her "hime-sama," and her calling me "servant." But now it was time to focus.

No more time to fool around—Matilde gave me a thumbs-up, and I watched as she executed the attack perfectly, landing a critical hit. The cow let out a pained moo, and I jumped in with my lance, both attacks chipping away at its health. Even with both hits, the cow wasn’t down yet. It tried to charge at me, but it was too slow. I easily dodged and countered with another strike alongside Matilde, finishing it off.

Surprisingly, it dropped a lot of loot: [3 cow meat] and [3 leather], along with a good amount of EXP. I leveled up from 4 to 5, and Matilde hit level 6. While picking up the leather, a notification popped up:

[New Crafting Recipe Unlocked: Fantasy Backpack — Traveler’s Best Tool (No special crafting station required) 1x leather + 1x outerworld backpack = Fantasy Backpack (U)]

“Huh, that’s cool,” I muttered, intrigued.

Matilde crouched down to my level and asked, “What are you looking at?”

“A new crafting recipe I just unlocked. Looks like we can upgrade our backpacks.”

“Hey, that sounds useful! Hand me a piece of leather, servant,” she said with a playful smirk.

I passed her a piece of leather, and we both unlocked the recipe. Matilde placed the leather on her backpack and hit the [craft] button. Her bag glowed blue for a moment, shifting form. She picked it up and grinned.

“Wow, it’s super light! Even lighter than before. Do you think it’s like an inventory?”

“Maybe. Hover your hand over it—see if a UI window opens.”

She did, and sure enough, a window popped up showing all the items she had stored, just like an inventory system. “Sugoi, we didn’t lose any of our stuff, and it’s way lighter.” She closed the window with a satisfied grin.

I went through the same process and confirmed it myself—30 slots, just like in a certain blocky survival game from my world. And as I packed the meat we’d collected, I noticed a message saying food wouldn’t rot in the backpack since time was stopped inside. Weird, but incredibly useful for a fantasy world.

“Nice! And I bet carrying all that stuff is way lighter now, huh?” Matilde said with a satisfied grin.

“Yeah, it’s like nothing. Huge plus for the adventure,” I nodded, feeling much more prepared for the journey ahead. “Now that I’m level 5, I’m wondering why I haven’t gotten the rebirth notification.”

“You probably just need to wait a bit,” Matilde said, her tone playful. “It didn’t happen right away for me either, servant,” she added with a wink.

I sighed. “You’re really enjoying calling me your servant, aren’t you?”

“Of course, it’s fitting. After all, you’re kind of at my service, aren’t you?” she said with a teasing tone, her voice slightly charming.

“Wait, are you trying to use your Charming Presence ability on me?”

Matilde sighed. “Crap, that didn’t work. I guess your will is too strong.”

I chuckled. “Nice try, but next time, use more refined charming words if you really want to get me.”

While I waited, anticipation buzzing through me, I noticed Matilde's eyes shift, catching on something in the distance. Her posture tensed—a subtle signal that she'd spotted something unusual. A shimmer in the underbrush revealed a small, silver-furred rabbit, its glistening eyes almost daring us to follow as it paused, then darted away.

Matilde sprang into action, calling out, “Quick, let's catch it! It might be rare!”

[silver fur rabbit - Lv 10]

We both rushed after it, weaving through the forest and bushes. Matilde was faster than me, effortlessly leaping over logs and slipping under fallen trees as if she were already accustomed to her newfound agility. I struggled to keep up, clumsily navigating the obstacles she avoided with ease—definitely not an athlete here.

The chase lasted a solid three minutes, with me lagging behind and choosing safer, less acrobatic routes. Matilde lunged through a particularly thick bush, and I assumed she’d pinned the rabbit down. As I pushed through the foliage, I tripped on a tree root and tumbled forward, rolling right into Matilde and knocking her off balance as she aimed to finish off the rabbit. I kept rolling until I landed on something harder than dirt, feeling a small, fluffy bump under my stomach. Had I crushed the rabbit?

Before I could react, Matilde shouted, “Don’t move! I have a clear shot!”

With a swift, precise strike, she dispatched the rabbit, which was trying to wriggle free from under me. Thankfully, she missed my vulnerable spots by mere centimeters, and the loot appeared without any injuries to my future family tree.

We both let out a sigh of relief.

Matilde's eyes sparkled with a mischievous grin. “Well, sorry, Gabe. That must have given you a scare.”

Panting, I replied, “Yeah… no kidding. I almost lost my chance at fatherhood!”

Mocking her playfully, I added, “At least this time, your strike was on point. Otherwise, I’d be saying goodbye to having kids.”

She retorted, “Hey, count yourself lucky we managed to catch that rare bunny! Besides, it wasn’t that close,” she said, picking up her knife from the ground between my legs.

“Yeah, only 15 centimeters from ending my family tree. No big deal,” I muttered sarcastically.

But then her expression shifted, and she said, “Uh, Gabe? Look around. We’re standing on a cobblestone road! You know what that means?”

I looked up, my irritation melting into surprise. “Oh, wow. That’s huge! Now all we need is water—I’m parched after that chase.”

“Funny you say that...” She gestured toward a small, clear river running alongside the road.

“No way! This is perfect!” I exclaimed, crawling quickly to the river while Matilde picked up the loot.

Loot collected: [rabbit meat] & [[R] Silver white rabbit fur]

Matilde glanced at her UI, noticing her level-up notification and examining the loot.

Level Up! You’ve reached Level 8. All stats have increased slightly!

A satisfied smile crossed her face. “Hmm, level 6 to 8, not bad for a rare mob. And I got some rare fur too. Wonder if it’s useful for anything special?” She checked the crafting system, finding no matches. “Eh, expected.” She safely tucked the item into her backpack.

“Look at this!” I shouted happily. “The water’s crystal clear. It’s definitely drinkable!” Matilde removed her gloves and cupped her hands, taking a sip first. She nodded approvingly and flashed me a thumbs-up.

“It’s good! Let’s fill our bottles while we’re at it.”

I smirked. “Quite thirsty, huh, hime-sama? Not even worried if it’s drinkable? And you call me reckless...”

She shoved my head into the water playfully. “Urusai, Gabe! Drink instead of complaining. We’re back in the game with this discovery! And obviously, it’s crystal clear.”

Sputtering, I came up for air. “Be careful, princess, you almost drowned me! But yeah, the water’s great.”

Matilde’s satisfied smile returned. “That’s more like it, servant. Now fill your bottles, and let’s get moving. We’ve got a world to explore!”

“Alright, now we’re really ready,” I said, filling my two spare bottles. The thought of my rebirth lingered in my mind. Would I get a special class, a unique weapon, or maybe even a rare race?

After we finished, I joined Matilde on the road. She was looking out at the horizon as it stretched far in both directions.

“So, ready for the real adventure, Matilde?” I asked, extending my right arm for a fist bump.

She grinned, excitement sparking in her eyes. “Oh, yeah. Now the real game starts—no more tutorials!” She bumped my fist, and to our surprise, a window popped up.

[Do you want to form a party with Matilde Kotano ♀ (Thief Princess)?]

[Yes] [No]

We stared at the notification, equally stunned.

“Uh, did our fist bump trigger that?” she asked, puzzled.

“I guess?” I replied, just as surprised.

“Well, let’s both accept and see what happens,” she said eagerly.

We each pressed “Yes,” and another window appeared, prompting us to choose a party leader.

[Who is the leader of the party?] [Gabe] [Matilde]

“Well, my class is built for leadership. Mind if I take the lead?” she asked thoughtfully.

I nodded and selected her name without hesitation. “Fine by me. Maybe your class gives us party bonuses if you lead.”

“Yeah, I was thinking the same,” she said, a spark of excitement in her voice.

As we finalized the setup, I noticed a new UI feature at the top of my vision: a marker indicating Matilde’s distance, along with her HP and, presumably, her mana bar. Rubbing my eyes experimentally, I found that it temporarily removed the display—a handy feature for real-world navigation.

Matilde had a similar display but an additional “Guild & Party Manager” window. She skimmed over it and shrugged. “Eh, I’ll check this later. For now, let’s just enjoy this.”

“Oh, by the way,” I said, “you can rub your eyes to turn off the UI if it gets annoying.”

Rubbing her eyes, she chuckled. “Much better. That’s actually useful, even if it’s an odd way to toggle it.”

“Right? Can’t imagine doing that in a real game,” I joked.

We exchanged a look of excitement before turning to face the cobblestone path. The sun was high in the sky, casting its warm glow as we took our first steps forward.

For the record, we were heading south... or was it east? Maybe west? Who knows—we didn’t have a compass. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was the journey ahead: my rebirth and finding civilization.