You’ve been rambling nonsense
And you’re really in the way
Drop dead right here
…
It’s been a while since I’ve used this power
Time to teach you a proper lesson
You arrogant fool
…
Your slaughter ends now
If you get in my way again
I won’t hold back
…
I still have some discarded medical plans here
But they need testing
The limits of your physical endurance
…
Found you
It’s time
To end all this karma
——————
“Guh?!”
Snapping back to focus from a daze, my eyelid twitched as I opened my eyes fully. My body felt completely awake thanks to the effect of [Energetic], and my boiling blood had long since cooled down. The first thing I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling with a simple, cheap oil lamp hanging from it, and I was lying on a modest single bed…
How long did I sleep?
I asked myself, wanting to tap on [View] to check the time, but then remembered it was in a broken state and completely unusable. So I got up from the bed and observed every corner of this room—
It was very simple, with practical and necessary furnishings that fit this modestly sized room perfectly. A window sat nearby, allowing bright sunlight to stream through.
Had it already reached daytime?
Suddenly feeling discomfort in my left shoulder, I reached over and felt solid bandages—then remembered, I was injured by that monster last night… What exactly was that thing? How could it appear in this “City of Beast-kin”?
I pressed against the window frame, quietly watching the streets gradually come to life.
Well, it’s over now, no need to think about it anymore. Speaking of which, had my clothes been changed back?
I twisted my body, examining back and forth that old-fashioned but perfectly suitable dark blue sweater… Not too thick, not too thin, not at all luxurious—these points were absolutely perfect for me.
Comparing it to the Gothic outfit I hadn’t worn for even a day—neck bound by a tight bow tie, waist and back completely unprotected, the short skirt so lightweight that not worrying about exposure while moving might be okay, plus the lace at the cuffs… I really lacked the energy to complain.
“Hmm? There seems to be something in my pocket—who?”
‘Creak’
The sound of a door came from behind me, accompanied by a gentle inquiry, “Miss Shiling, are you awake?” I hesitated for a moment, withdrawing the hand I was about to put in my pocket.
“Awake, of course I’m awake.” As I spoke, my voice inexplicably carried a teary tone, but I quickly suppressed it, since there wasn’t really any genuine sadness.
Scratching my head, I looked at the elven girl I’d been apart from for only a few days but missed extraordinarily—Elf Ester—and sincerely smiled from the heart.
Elf’s eyes were red at the corners, unclear who she had been crying for. She looked me up and down, then fixed her gaze on my left shoulder. I had no reason to hide it, but simply waved my hand to indicate I wasn’t seriously injured…
“Miss Shiling, you… these past few days, are you okay?”
I quickly nodded, not wanting her to worry even a moment longer. Elf pursed her lips, then smiled as well. She came over, took my arm, and said as we walked.
“Since you’re back, come, Miss Shiling. Grandpa Aleck is waiting for you.”
I nodded and followed along.
I don’t know if it was my imagination, but I felt Elf had changed. She had become more cheerful, more natural than before. Even chatting with me came so easily… I was a bit unaccustomed to it.
Aleck—these past days, I’d constantly wished to hear him talk about alchemical formulas or recipes again, though he’d never really discussed such topics with me and Elf anyway.
Leaving the room, I found we were at the end of a corridor, and the decor here gave me a strong illusion of returning to the alchemy shop, though of course this definitely wasn’t it. Elf continued walking forward, excitedly pointing out room names along the corridor—like the library, bedrooms. I just nodded, because I deeply understood their struggles these past days…
“Elf, did you last night—?” Suddenly, a familiar girl emerged from the corridor ahead, with her exaggerated magician’s attire, legs strangely bound with bandages, and that meaningless eyepatch, and finally, the status bar above her head.
We stared at each other for a moment, and just as I was about to speak, she pointed at me and spoke first.
“Heh! We’ve been separated for so long, dare I ask your feelings right now?!”
Asking my feelings… of course I’m deeply moved—Wah!
Suddenly, she pulled me into an embrace, vigorously tugging at the ahoge on my head.
“Haha! You don’t need to speak!”
I felt she had changed a lot too, still somewhat unaccustomed to it… but it was also quite nice.
Finally breaking free, before I could catch my breath, Elf continued pulling me forward—
“Say hello to her and Grandpa for me.”
I waved at Huihui, responding to her request with a smile, then turned back to look at the excited Elf.
Well, let her be. No matter how awkward it gets, it couldn’t be that bad, right?
Another glance at Elf—her attire wasn’t much different from before, the short sword at her waist still there, but now carrying a longbow on her back, and her ranger clothing more formal. The long ears beneath her black hair had disappeared under some unknown concealment spell…
This appearance somehow reminded me of an extremely unfriendly woman. Who was she? Seemed like she had helped me before.
I shook my head, trying to completely forget the impression of that woman, and indeed succeeded.
“Miss Shiling, you seem to have something on your mind?”
“No, no, nothing at all.” How could it be nothing? These past days, all sorts of terrible things had happened, big and small, annoying me to no end.
That said, I couldn’t let them worry.
I patted my chest, took a deep breath, and forced a smile at Elf.
My satiety was at normal levels—perhaps Elf or Aleck had fed me something. Thinking of this warmed my heart, almost making it soar—
It felt so good to be home, even though there was still another home I hadn’t returned to. Lady Claire Roland, how was she now? I should write her a letter later.
“Miss Shiling, we’re here—Grandpa Aleck’s alchemy lab!” Elf was still so excited, just like days ago at Aleck’s alchemy shop.
Gurgling sounds came from inside—maybe Aleck was conducting some alchemical experiment? I looked at the sign hanging on the lab door reading “Alchemy in Progress, Do Not Disturb,” and tugged at Elf’s shoulder.
“Huh? Because Grandpa Aleck is busy, so… How can that be?! Ever since we came here, Grandpa Aleck has been mentioning Miss Shiling every single day… I missed you too. Even Miss Huihui did!”
Huihui? She was definitely a human player—how could she develop feelings for an NPC? Although this world was very realistic, I had to admit.
I nodded, wanting to pat Elf comfortingly, but found I couldn’t reach… Come to think of it, had Elf grown taller?
Watching my movements, Elf seemed to realize something. She reached out, comparing our heights, and discovered I only reached her neck.
“Miss Shiling, have you gotten shorter?” To suddenly pose such a blunt question—that was so like you, Elf.
On the afternoon of the day Elf and the others were teleported away, I’d already felt something was off, because my figure was quite different from the morning. Perhaps others hadn’t noticed, but as the person involved, I knew my own body perfectly well… I had shrunk.
Or maybe grown younger, from thirteen to eleven—this period being precisely when girls develop physically. I could still grow taller than now… Was this the gap caused by age?
“Elf, to tell you the truth, I now…” I bit my lip, really not wanting to admit that fact, “No, actually, it’s nothing.”
Just as I was about to turn away and continue exploring other parts of this second alchemy shop, a cry of surprise came from the lab. The words weren’t clear, but obviously Aleck or someone was extremely surprised and excited.
Even I could sense a tremendous energy fluctuation—not magic, not a burst of mental power—it was coming!
Quickly spreading an emerald barrier with [Green·Mercy], I positioned myself before Elf—suddenly the wooden door before me exploded instantaneously, followed by a wave of heat rushing toward us…
“Cough, cough, cough! Didn’t expect another failure.” This voice, mixed in the explosive current, became indistinct, but listening carefully—
It was definitely Aleck; I couldn’t mistake his aged voice. Given this situation and his identity as an alchemist, he’d probably been conducting another refinement that just ended in failure.
As the heat current subsided, the sound of a cane tapping became increasingly clear, accompanied by occasional coughing. I withdrew the Mercy Shield, raised my head, and looked at the face that seemed even more weathered and wrinkled against the backdrop of coughing.
“Cough… Elf? Why are you up so early today…? And this little one, so delicate and gentle-looking—just like Shiling?”
Elf and I exchanged glances. She covered her small mouth, secretly giggled, and pointed at me, indicating I was right here.
But Aleck seemed unmoved, instead rebutting quite logically—
“No, no, no. I remember very clearly—that child Shiling comes up to my chest, but this little one only reaches my waist. I definitely wouldn’t be mistaken…”
Aleck, so you remember me that vividly?
I stood dumbfounded, watching Aleck and Elf argue, when tears once again betrayed me and slipped out uncontrollably…
I was so happy….
v
