The girl from before had vanished into the woods before I could even thank her. Or ask how she nuked a shadow wolf like it was a mosquito. I followed her trail—half-burned bushes, steam rising off moss, and a vague scent of ozone.
She stood on a ridge overlooking a small clearing. Trees ringed the open space like silent watchers. Her cloak billowed slightly, and her staff was planted firmly beside her.
"I didn't ask for a stalker," she said without turning.
"I didn't ask to get incinerated either," I replied, stepping into view.
She finally looked over her shoulder. Violet eyes, narrowed. "You've got unstable mana. You're a walking explosion."
"Compliment taken."
Silence. Then she turned back. "Follow if you want. But don't slow me down."
I did. Because I didn't know where else to go.
We walked for an hour in silence, the trees giving way to rocky paths and signs of old ruins. She moved like she belonged here—sure-footed, every motion efficient. Meanwhile, I stubbed my toe on a root and faceplanted into a bush. Twice.
Eventually, we stopped by a small stream. She handed me a flask.
"Drink. Not poisoned."
"Very reassuring," I muttered. Still drank.
"Name's Lyra," she said, sitting on a flat stone. "Fire mage. Apprentice-tier."
"Kael. Glitched… whatever that means."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "You're not joking."
"Nope. My status screen literally says 'Error.'"
She stared at me a moment too long, then sighed. "This world's got enough problems without broken souls getting tossed in randomly."
"Nice to meet you too."
We camped that night under a crooked pine tree. Lyra summoned a small flame to keep the bugs away and cast some kind of barrier spell. I watched, fascinated.
"You've never seen magic before?" she asked.
"Only in games and anime."
She blinked. "What's an anime?"
I grinned. "Oh, we're going to get along great."
That earned me a smirk. Barely.
Then something rustled in the dark.
Lyra stood instantly, staff raised. "Movement. Four-legged. Light weight."
My screen pinged.
[Timid Forest Hare – Lv 2]
I sighed in relief. "It's a rabbit."
"Everything here bites."
Fair point.
That night, I dreamed of the goddess again. She floated upside-down this time.
"You're not dead yet," she said cheerfully.
"Glad you're keeping score."
She winked. "I am. Entertain me more tomorrow."
Then she pushed me off a cloud.
I woke up in a cold sweat.