The world...
A place full of wonders, cultures, religions, and different countries—some of which hate each other so much that they end up starting wars, sending young strangers to kill one another on the orders of old enemies.
But none of that matters now.
The only thing that matters... is that I'm dying.
World War III broke out, and I was sent to the frontlines as soon as it started, even though I was just a civilian. In other words, I was cannon fodder, while the experienced soldiers carried out the important missions.
—Ma... mom...
That was my pathetic cry. I know, it's pitiful, but I couldn't help it. She was always there for me, so my body called out to her by instinct. The gunshot wound in my stomach burned like hell, and I could feel the stagnant water of the enemy trench seeping into my body. I had fallen in the wrong place... and the cold crept in, probably from blood loss.
—Shit... I hope I have a good life in the next one.
I said it despite the pain and the fading consciousness. I really did want another life... one where I was handsome—or better yet, so beautiful I could manipulate people as a woman. Sorry, I always felt jealous of women, even if I also admired the good ones. I wished I could be like them. Though honestly, I also wished I could be a businessman and sell tons of things.
—Granted. May you have a good life.
Just as I was about to ask where that voice had come from, I opened my eyes. I was no longer on the battlefield, half-submerged in filthy trench water. Now I was in an old, dusty room, with cobwebs everywhere and a dirty map on the floor next to me.
I got off the bed—or rather, the worn-out mattress—and stepped over to the map. A crayon line stretched from the far north to the south, then to the east, and back again to the south, forming a perfect triangle. At first, I thought it was the United States, but then I realized it was wider horizontally... like a weird mix between Russia and the U.S.
—There's no point thinking about the obvious. I'd better get out of here.
I started walking, but something stopped me. To my left was a cracked mirror, and though damaged, I could still see my reflection clearly… and my eyes went wide.
I wasn't looking at a man.
I was looking at a girl. With youthful features, short stature—maybe 1.55 or 1.60 meters. But that wasn't the worst part.
—I'm a big-breasted catgirl maid?!
I screamed, watching as my tail lifted and my ears perked up like a cat's. And my outfit... oh no. I was wearing a maid dress—the kind they use in those weird cafés Asian people like.
The top was a tight black corset with white trim, hugging my waist and emphasizing my generous bust. D cup? The straps crossed over my shoulders and tied in the back with satin bows. The heart-shaped neckline was decorated with white lace and a tiny bell brooch. The sleeves were short, puffed, and detached from the shoulder, edged with lace and little ribbons. Below, a black pleated skirt reached mid-thigh, with white frills at the hem. A classic white apron was tied around my waist with a big bow at the back. Lower still, a garter connected to black thigh-high stockings.
—Shit... why are my sneakers the only normal thing?!
I shouted, furious. At least I was wearing some decent sports shoes—something normal amidst this ridiculous ensemble. I was so angry, I was about to rip the damn dress off—
But something stopped me: a hologram floated in front of me, like a screen suspended in midair.
"Hello, user. I am the Post-Apocalypse Trade System. I will be your isekai protagonist power. Congratulations! Would you like to learn more about me, or open your starter gift pack?"
I froze. The puzzle pieces began to fit together. I had transmigrated to another world. I had a system. This was just like those web novels I used to read online.
—How do you work?
I asked, and the text dissolved, replaced by new words.
"I work like this, user: you find an item—for example, a can of food. I give it a market value. You can then sell it at your chosen price. If the sale is successful, you can use the earnings to buy skills, knowledge, or stat points."
Where's my overpowered system?! I couldn't believe the trash I got stuck with. I had to find the items myself? Then sell them? And only then buy skills with the money? What a chore! Wasn't there a system that just let you level up by fighting monsters?
—Only products? Can I sell services? Like... car washing?
Once again, the text shifted.
"Of course, user. Everything can be sold... including you. 😁"
Including me?
My face went pale. I didn't need to lift my skirt to know that something very important had vanished...
—Give me my starter pack. Now.
I said nervously, trying to change the subject.
"Certainly, user. Opening starter pack. Congratulations: You have received +20 Charisma, [Vehicle Handling II], and… congratulations again! A zone with potential commercial goods has been marked on your map. You've also received the skills [Seduction] and [Good Aim]."
What the hell?! Seduction?!
This damned thing really thought I was a woman! I was on the verge of a breakdown. I turned back to the mirror, this time focusing on my face… and I was speechless.
My face was oval-shaped, with softly rounded cheeks and delicate cheekbones. My skin was pale with a golden or rosy hue. My eyes were large and almond-shaped, with vertical cat-like pupils and emerald green irises. Long curled lashes, thin arched brows, a small, upturned nose, and naturally pink, well-defined lips—the lower one slightly fuller and shinier.
I moved my mouth slightly and caught a glimpse of sharp, tiny fangs—typical nekomimi traits. My cat ears stuck out from the top of my head, covered in soft black fur with pink interiors. And my hair... long, silky, cascading in gentle waves down to the middle of my back.
—I'm… beautiful.
I whispered, proud of myself—then shook my head quickly. No time for distractions. I told the system to show me my status sheet.
/// Status Sheet — Iris, the Nekomimi Maid 🐾
Full Name: Iris
Race: Nekomimi (Human Mutant)
Age: 19
Height: 1.55 m
✦ Primary Attributes (Scale: 1–100)
Strength: 15
Perception: 40
Endurance: 15
Charisma: 60
Intelligence: 40
Agility: 74
Luck: ???
✦ Traits (Passive / Active)
🐾 Feline Senses: +20 to Perception and Agility in dark areas
💨 Silent Step: Can move noiselessly when not heavily burdened
🧲 Animal Charm: Charisma bonus when interacting with lonely or isolated humans
🧵 Silken Hands: +15% to cleaning, fine repair, or delicate manipulation tasks
☢️ Radiant Tolerance: Resists up to 25% more radiation exposure without major effects
I'm... Iris?
Radiation? Mutant? Neko maid?
Questions piled up in my head like knives. My brain throbbed. And again, the puzzle pieces came together: mutant + radiation = post-apocalyptic world.
I sighed. Without wasting more time, I walked toward the room's only door.
A dry wind with a strange scent hit my face. My eyes scanned the surroundings: ruins of a city, street lamps like those from 1947, buildings still standing with brutalist architecture.
—System. Map.
As soon as I said the words, a dark screen appeared before me, showing a red dot in the center—probably me. I touched the display and moved it around until I saw a symbol... a marked area labeled "commercial." That must've been the system's gift.
Without looking back, I began walking. The room only had a mattress and a mirror—nothing I needed.
Thus, my journey began.