Darkness. Loathing filled me. Who was I?

A wave of memories crashed over me as I opened my eyes to darkness. Panic surged. I never turned off the lights while sleeping. But this wasn't my bed. It was cold, hard ground.

"Status," I rasped, willing my voice to work.

A translucent screen materialized in front of me, glowing faintly.

**Anthony

HP: 300/500

MP: 5/50

Relief washed over me. I was alive. The status screen, a remnant from the game I'd been playing, seemed to have come with me.

"Hey Minerva, how'd I do?" I croaked, addressing the unfamiliar name that echoed in my mind.

"Your body's stable," a soft voice replied. "There are system notifications."

"Show me," I said, my voice stronger. "I have a feeling my health points are tied to them."

Lines of text scrolled down the screen. Levels gained, skills acquired, titles bestowed – all for slaying a dragon. A thrill shot through me, tinged with disbelief.

With newfound determination, I pushed myself upright, ignoring the throbbing pain and the blood staining the floor. New clothes were definitely a priority.

I stumbled to the door, flinging it open. Moonlight, in two hues of blue and violet, bathed the alien landscape in an ethereal glow. Two moons! This wasn't a dream.

"Wow," I breathed, a sense of awe battling the exhaustion gnawing at me. "This place is unreal."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Query unclear," Minerva's voice said.

"Can't you just chat normally?" I grumbled. "I want a companion, not a walking FAQ."

A beat of silence, then, "Understood. I will try."

The night sky was a masterpiece, the darkness painted with moonlight's vibrant colors. The air hummed with the melody of unseen creatures.

"Can you save this scene, Minerva?" I asked, captivated. "And where do you store data, anyway?"

"Data storage is based on your mana capacity. Higher skill levels allow for more storage. Yes, I can capture the scene."

Intrigued by the strange beauty around me, I ventured towards the fallen dragon. The sight that greeted me was gruesome.

The once-majestic creature lay sprawled on the ground, its body grotesquely wounded. One wing remained, a testament to the epic battle I had no memory of. My spear, embedded deep within its chest, completed the tableau of destruction.

A wave of nausea washed over me. This wasn't a game anymore. This was real.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement at the edge of my vision caught my eye. A human figure.

My heart pounded as I spun around, adrenaline surging. But it wasn't a human. Bathed in the moonlight's glow stood a woman of ethereal beauty. Her white hair framed a face sculpted by the gods, and her eyes, deep brown pools, held an otherworldly allure. Pointed ears, almost hidden by her hair, completed her otherworldly appearance.

Instinct propelled me back into the shadows of a nearby tree. I watched, mesmerized, as she approached the dragon, her hand instinctively going to the sword on her hip.

She examined the dragon and the surrounding area with practiced efficiency, then knelt to inspect my spear. After a moment of struggle, she pulled it free.

My breath hitched. Had she seen me?

She turned, her gaze sweeping the area. My heart hammered against my ribs. Then, she bent down and picked something up from the ground – my ring.

Shame burned my cheeks. Why hadn't I spoken to her?

"Maybe because she's a stranger with a weapon," I muttered, more to myself than Minerva.

"Logical deduction," Minerva replied. "Considering her solitary nature, the time of night, and her non-human features, the possibility of aggression was high."

"Non-human?" I echoed, bewildered.

"Indeed. Standard human physiology doesn't include pointed ears."

"Did you record that?" I blurted.

"Affirmative. Data collection and analysis are essential for optimal decision-making assistance."

A holographic image of the woman shimmered into existence. It was her, captured in perfect detail – the sharp ears, the otherworldly beauty.

"Wow, that's amazing! Is this augmented reality?"

"Correct," Minerva confirmed. "And regarding the subject, further data suggests Elven heritage."

Regret gnawed at me. I should have spoken to her. But what's

done is done.

With a sigh, I turned away