Who was that?

I slowly began shaking as the tail moved back and forth. I glanced out of my cell, but I was basically alone with this intruder or possible murderer…

Is this a trap?

What’s the rational thing someone would do right now?

Fuck….

Um do I say hello..? Maybe..

“Um…e…e…excuse…me…”

That barely made any sound, no one would hear that, especially not someone whose covered in sheets and is sleeping I think...

My legs are trembling I’m surprised I haven’t wet myself…

And I can’t cast Calm on myself because of the collar…

Dammit dammit..

The covers would rustle and I let out a little “eep!” sound but covered my mouth quickly enough

How the hell can someone lay so comfortably with that dammed collar on?

My foot would suddenly inch forward, it’s not something I can stop. My body is telling me to act…but I’ve got no plan

With my body shivering like someone inches away from a nervous breakdown I move forward..

Getting closer I see that my notebook and now two bowls and spoons are beside it so I don’t have to worry about that luckily..

The tail moves around more erratically and my knees are bending and shaking. I could mow down my nails three times over right now..

Forget my lack of communicative skills in the old world….I’m in a prison in a fantasy universe right now…and I’m extremely weak physically

Is the tail taunting me?

Any sort of lore has gone out of my head currently as I’m trying to figure out this situation.

Holding my mouth I can feel the light clacking of my teeth like someone whose freezing to death..

But again, my body moves closer and closer slowly

I don’t know if it’s only been a minute, five minutes, maybe I’ve been sweating my tits off for an hour already..

I’m not getting any XP from this and I can’t focus on my HUD…I might be losing stamina right now and might collapse and be taken advantage off by some maniac…

I suddenly stop as my toe lightly hits the bed frame…

I’ve already gotten this far…I’ve got to do something..

The tail continues to move around without stopping, but it isn’t getting near me..maybe…should I?

My left arm would slowly move away from my mouth and would start extending towards the moving tail.

What the fuck am I doing right now? Please tell me this isn’t a form of sexual assault in this world..please please please please tell me that isn’t what this will turn out to be..

My fingers are extending as I move my arm further until..

My hand suddenly closes around the tail almost at its end and the movement has stopped. My eyes are wide as I stand there shaking while holding someone’s tail

I can’t move from the fear..

The movement under the covers stops as well and I start sweating more

“What…” a voice begins talking from the under cover, feminine, but brash and aggressive “Are.” The covers start being lifted, but I can’t see anything yet “You doing?”

I’m thrust backwards and hit my back hard against the cell bars. Slightly glancing up I can see that I’ve lost five health…am I going to die right now..?

My eyes slowly move to the figure at my bed. I hear the cracking of bones as I watch the person..

“You didn’t fucking answer knife ears.” That aggressive voice says

In front of me and moving towards me, was a quarter breed human, she was at least a foot and a half or so taller than me, much more muscle mass than me which was obvious. Her face had a pissed off look to it. The collar was around her neck like me. She had cat ears as well..

I couldn’t speak a word at her as I shook and she kept moving, her tail moving around behind her. Could she be a Berseker type? Maybe a Barbarian…? That one shove took away health, but that might be because of the bars, environmental damage was a factor as well…

I saw a small tooth peak out from under her lip, her hair, short and black opposite to my long and blonde..

Unlike my ragged clothes, she wore it differently. It appeared that at one point the original piece was ripped in half. A sort of sash remnant covering her chest which happened to be the smaller piece of the clothing. The belt around her waist with the torn clothing made it look like she had a skirt, a decent one.

Her eyes a deep hazel, glaring at me from up above..

Next thing I knew she was reaching for me. I threw up my arms and closed my eyes, but she brushed them away easily and grabbed me by the collar and lifted me. My clothes not tearing surprisingly..which meant a few things..

She had control in her strength and focusing power, her grip strength was probably trained as well. Glancing at her other hand it looked mildly larger than what a normal female human’s hand would look like I think. She had claws, but hadn’t used them…yet

Her open stomach and larger arms and legs showed off her incredibly well toned body which wasn’t unnatural in size.

I crossed off Barbarian and Berserker off the list of possibilities, but there was a sign of multiclassing with the aggressive body language..

She was a Monk template probably.

Not that it would matter now that I know that..

“Hey, tits. Answer me!” she yelled

She pushed me further up into the air

“Don’t you speak common, I thought you blonde ones were supposed to be smart or something..”

“I…I….I’m…” I started to mutter

Her ears pointed up as if trying to hear what I was saying

“…so…r….r…..y…” my desperate attempt to plead was failing

“I don’t fucking care that you’re sorry I asked why the fuck did you grab my tail in my fucking cell.” She said

That’s what this was? She got the wrong cell? And now I’m suffering for it?

“It….It….It’s….m…i…ne….” I managed to say

“What? What do you mean yours? You challenging me to a fight?”

No! No! Not at all! Fuck! Why can’t I get the point across. Come one. Come on. Think! Think!

“If you want my room you gotta make tremble which I doubt you can Elf.” She grinned, her teeth were spiky, another conformation for me, telling this was a quarter breed

Is a buff neko tomboy really going to kill me for a misunderstanding? No, please no…

My eyes dart around, away from her gaze trying to figure something out before one of my arms quickly reaches towards her head. Her grin grows a little wider as she lowers her head, but that’s not where I was aiming for.

My hand reaches forward and grabs one of her ears and gently nudges it. Her face suddenly turns red and she lets out a loud moan before dropping me to the ground. Her knees buckle and she falls as well, hitting the floor after me.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

With both of us laying there I get a chance to catch my breath and have a moment to think, but I don’t know what to do. Instinctively I touched her sensitive part only realizing when I was right before it.

I start crawling to the side, getting further away from the open cell door and the buff neko girl.

Just as I reached the corner I saw her face. She had already sat up, her face still red, she was staring daggers at me with the intent to kill.

From my right eye I saw that she flexed her hands to probably summon her claws, but the collar probably didn’t let her. Did the collars stop any use of racial abilities as well? That could explain a few more things.

With our eyes locked on each other everything grew still. I was still shaking and she was still panting, but after about twenty or so seconds she started moving again.

She switched her sitting position and was now on both of her knees. Her eyes glancing away from me, her face with an annoyed look. She started to lean forward, but hesitated more than once before both her palms and her forehead was on the ground facing me..

“You…..You…..beat me…” she said grudgingly “Tsk.” She was extremely annoyed by the sound of it “You can keep the room…” she added before starting to sit up

“But…” I began

“I lost, you won by the rules I set.” She said, jesus her tone was just aggressive, straight tomboy-like I might add

“It’s..my…room…” I said with my faint voice

Slowly raising my hand I pointed at the notebook and bowls on the ground. She turned around to look and even reached for the notebook and read through it. She scratched her head as did so. She couldn’t read Elvish I bet.

Her tail movements also changed, they looked more worrying if that makes sense. Slowly she place the notebook back and turned around. Her face had a horrified look as it met mine which made me even more scared.

She scuttled up and grabbed my hands and glared into my very soul.

“Don’t tell the guards, please.” She said over and over again

“I won’t! I won’t!” I truly yelled for the first time since I’ve been here

Her grip on my hands eased and I opened my eyes again as she was backing away.

“You aren’t lying right?” she asked me

I shook my head and just held myself, glancing away from her. She slowly stood up and started to move towards the door while I began moving to the farthest corner of my cell. As she left I finally got there and as I sat over the cold iron drain thing I felt the trickle…

At least I didn’t pee myself while she was holding me in the air…

I can only handle so much fear and embarrassment at the same time…man…I’ll never understand anyone with a public humiliation kink…

I’d die on the spot if I had to go through something like this again…

After I had finished my fear peeing I slowly got up and went to my bed and just collapsed in it and laid there uncomfortably with that damned collar. That whole thing made me exhausted. I had glanced back and saw that my cell door was closed, but the thought crossed my mind if I should fall asleep in the middle of the day when no illusion was up..

I pushed myself up from the bed and sat up and just looked at my hands, the trembling was lessening, but it was still there..

The thought of me technically winning a fight made me smile in my head, but as I sat on my bed there was nothing but silence from me.

Slowly I got up and waddled to the door. I opened it and stepped outside, back into the hallway and turned right and just slowly walked towards the library.

I’d have a few more hours to spend there before I could sleep with the illusion protecting me. It didn’t take me that long to get there. I had rubbed my eyes a few times and that seemingly gave me a minor wake up call by the time I got there.

I showed the guard the bracelet and went inside and just sat down. I realized I didn’t have a book to read from so I decided to browse for one, maybe something that could help me. I had an idea in the back of my mind that could help me, but I didn’t know if there was any sort of book for such a thing that might help in escaping.

There’s a reason I’ve started to gather the bowls and spoon I’ll tell you that.

I start looking through a section which I only saw glimpses of before. A few crafting type books which makes me guess you can earn coin by making stuff through stonework and woodworking, both being separate skills.

The sheer number of skills was amazing now that I remember. The devs were recommended to make sub skills, but they brushed that off and just made everything into a separate skill for diversity. When that discussion came to light the devs got praised for it mostly which surprised me.

I thought it was gonna be a shit show, but I was glad at the time that it was well received. I say at the time, because now I've probably got hundreds of skills sitting at zero which is horrible concerning where I’m at right now.

I reach up to grab a book about woodworking since I’ll need it for this unrefined plan, then continue browsing. Humans being Humans, that being kind of stupid and ignorant will probably have something that isn’t in the common tongue.

I just have to find it with my average-ish perception. At least I think it’s average or near it. I remember how painful it is being Level one, the grind is there, but the payoff is worth it, but…I don’t know if I’ll be able to get those special level skills in this world. Maybe I just need a focus that I can store spells in if I get to that point which should work hopefully.

As I run my finger along the shelves I notice it getting more and more dusty which I think is a good sign. Moving slower I tap each book spine on the shelf before I stop, my eyes lightly shining. The writing I’d recognize for being Elvish. I’d take out the book and would quickly read the title

The “Basics on Elvish Symbols” is what it read in my now native tongue. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but this will work just as well. I lightly smile as I hold the dusty book in my hands. I’d glance up to see if there was perhaps another like this before I’d suddenly freeze

I’d catch the glimpse of the same eyes I had just met not thirty minutes before. It was the muscled neko girl behind the shelves…

Once again, the shaking began, but I couldn’t scream, not with the two guards right there. I might get the bad end of it if I just screamed here suddenly.

I’d slowly back away, her gaze not leaving mine. Once I’d move out of her sight, I, as calmly as I could walked to the desk where the shorter guard was with the two books I had on me.

“I…um…can….I…..” I began

The helmet glanced up at me as I quote on quote spoke and just sighed.

“Your tits must outweigh your skull Elf.” He waved his hand “Take em, don’t lose em.” He said

I’d just nod..god I hated it…the insults…but I’d just have to endure them for now…

I’d soon leave the library and would head to the courtyard and find a wall where I could sit without my butt touching the ground..

I opened the book on woodworking first and slowly began to read through, but with both being lengthy and decently heavy it would take a while before I’d get that heavenly plus one anytime soon.

It didn’t take me long until I realized there was something odd. I memorized the page where I stopped and looked up. Call it natural observation from the Saint Elves, but I think I’m being watched by someone…and by someone…I mean that neko girl…

I slowly glance around before I do indeed spot her in a borderline dead bush just watching me…

I glance up at the sky, there’s probably plenty of time before the bell rings which for the first time I wish wasn’t the case.

I slowly reopen the book and just continue reading while trying to ignore her glare towards me. I didn’t glance up as I read page after page, making a slow dent in the relatively large book.

I glanced up once again, the day had darkened..

I think it’s getting there. But what about her…?

I slowly turn towards where I saw her before and she still there in the same position, just watching me. I decided to head back to my cell a little early and just wait out the collar removal..

I stood and began walking towards the keep, but heard a light rustling which made walk a bit faster. I went back to my cell block which was still empty like before. Seems people really value time…

Or I might just not be able to see them currently…they might be sleeping…or…something…

Once I reached my cell I went inside and closed it, placed the books under my bed and sat down and stared at the wall in silence.

Why is she following me? I told her I wouldn’t tell any guards.

Is she planning to kill me…?

I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths trying to just stay calm before I hear something coming from the drain…

I open my eyes and just slowly get up and start walking over and just lean over to see what was making that noise.

I saw the neko girl holding herself between the walls of this toilet shaft basically looking up at me..

“Why….are….you…” I begin, but she’d suddenly vanish with a shadow covering her

I start breathing heavy and just stumble to my bed and sit down again…

She’s trying to kill me…I’m sure of it…

It wouldn’t take about five minutes before I saw her opening the cell door. My eyes would go wide and I wanted to scream, but she leapt forward and placed her hand over my mouth.

The look of terror I had was reflected in her eyes and soon the tears began to stream down the sides of my face…

“Don’t yell” she’d tell me

I’d slowly nod…partially confused why she’s telling me that. Does she want to kill me while I’m being quiet? Is she that kind of murderer?

She’d slowly let go of my mouth and would move a back to the end of the bed. I’d raise my hands to wipe the tears away while sniffling.

“Why…are…you…trying…to..kill…me?” I’d ask through the sniffling

She’d tilt her head to the side, her tail dancing behind her, her ears moving back and forth.

“I’m not.” she'd state

I’d sniffle and look at her with my less watery eyes.

“What..?” I’d ask

“I’m protecting you and watching you so you don’t tell any guards.” She’d say

“Why..are you…following like that..then..?” I’d ask confused, wiping away the last tear from my eyes

“I can’t tell you unless I take you with me.” She says

“What does..that mean? I don’t want..trouble..I..just..want..to..survive…maybe..make some..money for…food..” I’d start putting together more coherent sentences with less pauses between them

“Oh, you want coin? What can you do? Can you fight? Take a hit? Lift things?” she’d start asking questions without missing a beat

“No..” I’d say, but at the mention of fighting I’d glance up at my full health bar

I didn’t even notice that it had regenerated. I still feel the hit on my back though.

“I..just..know.,,things..” I’d add

That was my only real strength right now, my in-game lore knowledge, at least when I’m not crying for my life..

She’d raise a brow.

“Like?”

“History…races…just..general things..”

She’d scratch her head for a second.

“How long have you been here? I don’t know how a Level 1 could make it into a prison like this.”

“I..wait…how..do you know that?” I’d ask

“I can see it. You’re level 1, I’m Level 13. You’re Ynessa.” She’d say

But..that was impossible, so the level and nameplate mechanic is a natural thing here like in Highlander. And she’s level thirteen…

I’m surprised her push didn’t kill me in one hit. That meant that I needed to hit Level three faster now. I’m at an even bigger disadvantage than before..

“......”

“Right..um..” she’d glance away and would scratch the back of her head “Sorry…about pushing you”

I’d just nod slowly, she didn't look like the best at apologizing

“You accept my apology right?” she’d ask

I’d just nod again. She’d nod to my nodding, I guess approval was important to her

“I..came in with the rebels that…were hanged..” I’d then say

“So you’re really new, you probably don’t know about the Undercity.”

I just raise an eyebrow. Not even in Highlander had I ever heard about a place called the Undercity, especially not tied to any prison. I’d just shake my head at her.

“Fine. I’ll get to repay you by showing you the ropes. Deal?” she’d extend her hand towards me

I’d lift my own, reaching towards her. She’d grab my hand and would shake it. Damn she was strong. I’d wince at her grip.

“S-Sorry..” she’d say, scratching her cheek

“What’s..your name?” I’d ask

“Oh right! I’m Naoko. Pantherian.”

“I..knew that..the Pantherian..part..” I’d reply

She’d hop off the bed and start walking towards my cell door.

“Where are you-“ she’d cut me off

“I’ll be back at midnight to take you to the Undercity.” She’d say before leaving

And then like that..I had unintentionally made progress for my future.

Elvish gods help me…