[I] Start-Up

( System: Starting... )

- Character: Unchanged

- Abilities: Customized

- Skills: Customized

( Stats: Customized )

HP: 0

MP: 50

STRENGTH: 50

MAGIC: 50

ENDURANCE: 50

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[ Welcome!!! ]

***

Feeling a sense of discomfort, instinct came over me and it forces me to move my eyes.

What happened earlier was just a dream, right? It must be; I'm still conscious and the pain isn't here anymore. I just need to open my eyes to see the reality I'm really in.

And so I did.

Opening my eyelids, what I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling.

Leaking wet drops of water on the tips of pointy pieces of rocks, they're the first thing I noticed. No proper ceiling will have them, so I thought I must be hallucinating. But as I stare straight up, still focusing the gaze in my eyes, I saw the clear circle view of another drop, just about to fall down the base of my nose.

And as it did, it became the signal for my entire consciousness to fix itself and put me into clear thoughts.

[ So it was not a dream, huh? ] I voiced in a quiet whisper as I realized.

Everything that had happened just felt too realistic, I lied to myself when I forced to think that it must be a dream.

[ Haah... ] with a sigh, I forced my body to work. I push my self up with my hands which were connected on the ground. I sat up - and saw the full view of the sunlight outside the place I'm currently in, which is obviously a cave. A very husky, blood-felt cave; filled with seeds and the marks of flesh blood painted on both its walls and rough floor.

Yes, whatever happened earlier must be real...

But then again...

Looking at my full stature, I've seen no cuts or wound that I was afraid to witness the moment I realized that everything was real. I was sure there would be at least a huge open wound on my legs and to the extreme, I would see no legs at all, but no... Everything was still intact accordingly.

But the signs of the torture I went through were still there, obvious and open for everyone to see. First, was the flesh blood scattered all over, and second to it were the clothes I'm wearing.

The blue robe plated with gold linings wasn't the thing I wore before I was put into this position. Normally, the usual stuff I would be seen wearing were hoodies and thick jackets, I never wore something like a robe in my life.

What's more, was that the robe looked luxurious. Touching its gold lining that was dirtied by the dry mark of blood, I felt its solid layer. It wasn't fabric at all, it was real gold, or at least at what I could tell.

But no matter how good and extravagant it was, it will worth to nothing as it's already torn off beyond recognition of its former glory.

After the clothes, I continued to observe myself more.

Just like I thought it was, the body I'm in was not mine, it was not at all. The fine structure of the face, the muscle-toned upper body, and the lean legs all covered in white, snow-like skin weren't mine. Everything this person has was an upgrade to everything I have.

Realizing this, I stood up to see the full view. Guiding my legs to stand up, I stood up in full height, revealing the peak of my tallness and my worn-out appearance. It surprises me to see just how different this person is to how I was: a small insignificant person.

[ Then again... What should I do now? ]

Will I hunt down those guys who tortured me or what? I should but I shouldn't prioritize it. In an unknown situation like this, I need to be smart.

The first thing I need to do is to get out of this place and find people that will be able to help me.

With that plan fixed inside my head, I decided to move, strolling in the forest outside the cave that became my spawn point.

I don't have anything in me, so the only thing I can really do right now is to walk in guessing paths, hoping it would take me somewhere, brushing off branches of leaves to reveal every inch of the unknown world I was suddenly transported into. This would be easier if I have my beloved eroge-filled phone, but I doubt it was transported here with me, I could only wish.

So, thinking about my current situation, I continue to walk. It seems I was taken far by those two guys, I don't know what had happened, but I'm guessing whoever was the owner of this body, he was an idiot. From how it sounded, those two guys were unknown to him too, yet he must've trusted them enough for him to be tricked into going out with them and becoming their victim. I could only sigh in pity.

As I ponder about these thoughts, I walk my feet endlessly, not feeling tired or pained despite my feet not being covered with anything as I walk on the rough ground. And resuming, I suddenly heard I shout coming far ahead of me.

Base on its voice, it was a female. So without delay, I hurried over and ran with speed. I don't really know what is the reason why she needed to shout - but for any normal person, giving help to anyone in distress was normal, they just need the courage to do so.

That's right... Courage... It's something I lack, yet...

[ What am I doing...!? What if she's being chased by a wild animal or something!? ] realizing my own cowardness, I could only shout, thoughts baffled as I continue to run. I never really was the type of person who would go out to help someone in need, especially if it will cause me physical pain.

That was why such action caused me to hesitate. But...

[ Tsk! I don't know why but her voice seemed familiar... ]

It's as if I've known her all this time... I just can't help myself from going out to help her.

[ Well... I've already experienced death and much worst, why am I getting afraid now? ] with a mocking tone, I told to myself as my eyes were suddenly filled with dedication.

[ Fine! ] closing my eyes, I ran at full speed. But that was proved to be a mistake as I suddenly bumped myself into something, maybe a tree or a wall.

But opening my eyes, what was revealed to me was -

[ Ma-Master!? ]

[ L-Llia!? ]

I don't know why, but the elf I bumped myself into... I recognize and I know the name of.