There was a long, wide road stretching toward a blue mountain. Houses lined both sides, along with scattered stalls. People filled the street—some carrying baskets of vegetables, others walking hand in hand with their lovers.
If you looked carefully, you could see some people with swords hanging from their waists, clad in armor. Others carried staffs and wore cloaks—perhaps adventurers.
I looked down at myself. My whole body was covered in brown leather armor, with a longsword hanging at my hip. My viewpoint seemed higher than before. When I raised my hands, they looked much larger—and calloused.
The calluses and the sword at my side could only mean one thing. I must have been practicing swordsmanship for years. Which meant… I'd become an adventurer?
Just then, a sweet, melodic voice called my name.
"Karen."
I turned toward the voice. There stood a beautiful girl with snow-white hair, skin as pale as fresh snow, and brilliant blue eyes. Her long hair fluttered gently in the wind—she looked just like a princess of ice. I couldn't take my eyes off her.
"..."
She looked so familiar… but for some reason, I couldn't remember who she was, even though she was clearly someone I knew.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"
I furrowed my brow and blinked a few times, but her name wouldn't come to me. It felt rude, but I had to ask.
"Um… who are you?"
"Karen, that's not a funny joke."
"I'm not joking."
"Stop playing around. I'm ignoring you if you keep this up."
That line—it sounded so familiar. I'd been told the exact same thing before when I teased someone… And her voice, her features—it all matched.
"...Lina?"
"That's right, I'm Lina. Come on, let's go already."
Wait, what? This beautiful young woman was Lina!? But Lina should only be 6 years old! The Lina in front of me looked like she was in high school, which could only mean one thing—so was I.
"Okay…"
Before I could fully process it, Lina grabbed my hand and started walking briskly ahead.
(Why does she feel so assertive now? This isn't the Lina I remember.)
It felt strange—unfamiliar, even. Had something changed between us?
I watched her from behind. She wore a sky-blue hooded cloak embroidered with elegant floral patterns, perfectly matching the color of her hair. With her staff slung over one shoulder, she looked like a tough leader type. It was… a little intimidating.
But apparently, I'd gotten tall. Lina was probably around 160cm, and I stood at least a head taller—maybe around 180cm.
I glanced at her side profile. Hard to believe… someone this beautiful was my childhood friend. The thought just slipped out of my mouth before I realized.
"Beautiful."
"!?"
Lina suddenly stopped, turning her head toward me with a flustered look.
"What are you saying, you idiot!?"
"Huh?"
"'Huh'!? Why do you always say things like that so casually!?"
She pointed a finger at me, cheeks puffed in embarrassment, before huffing and facing forward again.
"Let's just go. The dungeon's waiting!"
"Ah, okay."
Lina began walking again, letting go of my hand. For some reason, that made me feel oddly complicated inside. It used to be me leading her. Now, it was the other way around.
Wait—dungeon? Were we going monster hunting? I wonder how strong I am now...
We walked for a while, soon arriving at the mountain I'd seen earlier. At its base was a large, square-shaped hole. Many adventurers were walking inside—it must have been the entrance to the dungeon.
Following Lina down, I saw stairs leading deep below, torches lining both sides.
When we reached the first floor, the space opened wide. A few poorly equipped adventurers were fighting a wounded monster—it looked like they were about to win.
Was it really just me and Lina in this party? No other teammates? I decided not to ask—Lina would probably call me an idiot.
Without stopping, Lina walked straight toward the next staircase. So we weren't staying on this level, right?
Then, out of nowhere, a blue, jelly-like creature bounced into our path—a slime?
"Slime again…"
So it was a slime. But wait—she said again?
"What's wrong with slime?"
"'What's wrong'? Yesterday we ran into forty of them! I'm sick of seeing them!"
"...Really? I didn't count."
I didn't have any memory of yesterday. This wasn't the Lina I remembered—or the one I'd taught. Did she meet new friends or something? And why didn't I correct her behavior?
While I was lost in thought, the slime suddenly leaped at us. I stood there frozen, while Lina took a batter's stance and, with a loud "Hah!", swung her staff like a baseball bat. The slime flew off at a perfect forty-five-degree angle into the distance.
(Did she just… use her staff as a baseball bat? Is Lina a physical fighter now?)
Lina gave me a puzzled look, and I returned it. Then, suddenly, she grabbed my head and pulled it close—our foreheads touched. Before I could even react, she pushed me away.
My heart, however, did react. It was my first time seeing Lina's face that close. Her lashes were long, her skin smooth and radiant—like porcelain.
"You don't have a fever. Karen, what's wrong with you today?"
"Do I… seem weird?"
"Usually, you draw your sword the moment we enter the labyrinth. But you haven't even unsheathed it—and you didn't react to the slime just now. Are you feeling unwell?"
"Ah, I was just thinking about something. Nothing weird."
Terrible excuse. Lina's expression screamed "I don't believe you." Maybe it really was a bad one. But if I said too much, it'd only sound more suspicious.
"...If you say so."
I quickly drew my sword and gave her a reassuring smile. "See? Totally fine."
"..."
She still looked doubtful. Awkward.
"Let's just move on. Which level are we heading to?"
"Level 10."
"Let's go, let's go."
"Mm…"
This time, I took the lead—both hands gripping my sword, scanning my surroundings carefully. How should I swing? How big are the monsters? How do they attack? I could only compare them to animals from my previous life—tigers, wolves, gorillas—but it should be similar enough.
As soon as we reached the Level 2, a monster appeared. It looked like a wolf, except with a single horn on its head.
"A Unihorn Wolf," Lina said.
So that's its name. I raised my sword. The wolf howled, and I sensed danger—fire gathered above its head and shot straight at me. I jumped aside just in time, the flames scorching where I'd been standing.
Seeing me dodge, the wolf charged another blast—this one even larger, and aimed right at Lina.
"Lina!"
Without thinking, I ran in front of her and slammed my hand to the ground. "Wall"
A thick wall of soil rose between us and the fire. The flames struck it with a dull boom, but not a single crack appeared. Taking the chance, I dashed around the side and swung upward at the wolf's neck—its head flew clean off, rolling several meters away.
I wasn't even out of breath. My body felt light—fast—and strong.
"How long are you going to stay in that pose?"
"Ah."
Only then did I realize I was still frozen mid-swing. Embarrassing. I quickly lowered my sword.
"Awoo!"
"!"
Another Unihorn Wolf appeared near Lina. I shouted for her to watch out—but then froze in disbelief at what I saw.
"Watch out—uh…"
Lina gripped her staff by the end, raised it high, and slammed it down on the wolf's head. It barely had time to react. She lifted it again—and again—smashing it over a dozen times until it collapsed. Then she raised a hand.
"Ice Lance"
An ice spear materialized and pierced the wolf's skull. The swift brutality left me speechless. I swore then and there—never make Lina angry. If I did, I might end up just like that wolf.
"Karen, you're definitely acting strange today."
She eyed me suspiciously again. What did I do this time?
"What do you mean?"
"You usually collect the magic stones from monsters you defeat—unless it's for a commission or good material."
(So that's the kind of person I am?)
I learned something new about myself. But… magic stones, quest, materials…?
Right—I hadn't even checked what I was carrying. I patted myself down, prompting Lina to give me a questioning look.
I found a small knife, a few potions, a folded piece of paper, and a wallet.
When I unfolded the paper, the first thing that caught my eye were four large characters written on it: 『Two Tigers』
I blinked. "Huh?" It reminded me of that children's song from my past life. Reading closer, it actually said: Defeat one two-headed tiger.
Reward: 5000 coins.
I nodded slowly as understanding dawned… then froze again.
(Wait, why can I read this? I haven't even learned the language yet… These are all Chinese characters. Why? Am I dreaming?)
Thoughts swirled in my mind—and then I remembered. I had just fought monsters. Wolves were supposed to be quick creatures, but both Unihorn Wolves reacted so sluggishly, like they were moving according to my will.
Then—darkness.
I heard the faint crow of a rooster, and steady breathing beside me. That's when I realized—
(Morning?)
But I didn't get up. I replayed the dream in my head—bits and pieces returning. Grown-up Lina's beauty, the magic stones… and that I really needed to teach her that staves aren't baseball bats.
I reached up to rub my forehead with my right hand—only to find my left arm wouldn't move. Opening my eyes, I saw why.
Lina's sleeping face was right in front of me—so close I could feel her breath.
I gazed at her peaceful expression. So cute… Her eyelashes were long, her skin soft and radiant, smooth as porcelain. It made me want to poke her cheek—but I didn't. I just quietly admired her.
Oops. I'd gotten distracted. I gently lifted the blanket and saw why my left arm couldn't move—Lina was hugging it tightly. Just trying to move it filled me with guilt. I reached over with my right hand to pry her off—but she mumbled in her sleep.
"Don't… don't take Karen away from me…"
"!"
Her words made me freeze. I looked at her again—still fast asleep, a blissful smile on her face. Probably just talking in her dreams.
Still, hearing that made my heart race a little.