Eris Wildfang

As the door creaks open, my heart beats louder in my chest. I brace myself for whoever might appear.

This time, it's not a dude.

But a catgirl.

And…

I'm stunned…

She's just too beautiful…

Yes, her beauty is undeniable, with her long, black hair flowing past her shoulders. Her skin is a bit tan, her sharp blue eyes emit a faint glow in the dim light, and her cat ears stand alert atop her head.

She's dressed practically, wearing black sleeveless tops and long pants, her waist adorned with several belts that hold a mix of glass tubes and what look like assorted weaponry. Despite the rugged attire, there's no hiding her toned physique. Her arms are defined with lean muscles, and I catch a glimpse of the subtle outline of abs beneath her shirt. She looks like she could handle herself in a fight, and for a moment, I'm speechless.

Fuck…

My thoughts spiral. I'm simping so hard right now.

I swallow hard.

If she was a character in a game, I'd undoubtedly spend every dime to acquire her.

Surely someone this mesmerizing couldn't be a bad person, right?

RIGHT?

Thus, instinctively, I lower the chair I've been gripping.

But then, a surge of caution strikes me.

No, this isn't a game.

This is reality!

I can't afford to let my guard down!

"S-stay back! Who are you?" I shout, my voice shaking just a bit as I raise the chair again, gripping it firmly with both hands, ready to whack her in the head if she dares to come closer without my permission.

Yes, I may appear as a girl now, but I haven't forgotten my ten years of karate training!

Back on Earth, I was a green belt master!

I am strong!

"Ah! Relax!" the girl pleads, extending her hand and bending slightly at the waist. "Please, I'm not here to harm you. My name is Eris. I'm an E-rank adventurer! I found you unconscious in the dungeon and brought you here!"

Her words hang in the air, echoing through my mind. I pause for a moment, processing what she's saying, trying to make sense of it all.

Dungeon?

Adventurer?

I was unconcious, and she found me?

Yep.

That explains why I'm here, but… it doesn't mean I can trust her just yet.

What if she's lying?

She could still be deceiving me. I have no way of verifying her story, no proof that she's telling the truth.

What if she's not just an adventurer, but a thief or something like that? What if she's planning to sell me off to some shady brothel and make money off me?

The idea flashes through my mind, wild and irrational, but I can't shake it. I stare at her, searching her face for any sign of deceit, but all I see is calm patience.

Regardless, I keep the chair aloft, my muscles tense. I need to stay on guard.

But my mind races, struggling to figure out my next move, my next question. The fear gnaws at the edges of my thoughts, and I don't know what to say next.

What am I supposed to ask her?

How can I prove that what she's telling me is true?

But then, as if sensing my doubts, Eris speaks softly, "Here, this is my adventurer badge." She reaches slowly into her pocket and pulls out a card, holding it up prominently for me to see.

The card catches the dim light, glimmering faintly. It resembles an ID card from Earth, but instead of a photo, there's a red fingerprint emblazoned on it.

Eris holds the card out toward me, her hand steady, keeping her distance as if she's mindful of not scaring me further.

I furrow my brow, wondering how the heck I'm supposed to read that from where I'm standing. She's too far away. But then, as if by magic, my vision sharpens. Suddenly, I can see every detail with perfect clarity. And somehow, I can even read the strange, unfamiliar script on the card. The writings shimmer, becoming legible as the card reflects the sparse light:

------------

Name: Eris Wildfang

Date of Birth: April 10, 1302

Race: Cat Furren

Hometown: Sablethorn - Zehrak Desert

Adventurer Rank: E

Criminal Record: None

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There's even a seal stamped at the bottom, bearing the image of a stylized lion's head.

"See?" Eris says gently. "I'm officially registered. I'm not a criminal or anything like that. Please believe me—I won't harm you." She lowers her hand slightly, still holding the card out but allowing me time to absorb the information.

I hesitate, my eyes lingering on the card. Even though she's showing me this proof, there's no real way for me to tell if it's legit. I don't know anything about this world, let alone what their documents are supposed to look like.

But as I think it over, doubt begins to ebb away. If she had wanted to hurt me, she could've done it when I was unconscious. If her intentions were bad, she could've tied me up or locked me away, making sure I couldn't escape.

Instead, I woke up free, able to move around, and even step outside this room. That small act of freedom reassures me more than the card ever could.

Slowly, I begin to lower the chair.

I think I can trust her now.

"Okay. But may I ask, where am I? What is this place?" I inquire.

"Ah, this is the The Gilded Horn, a small inn in the Mistvale town." Eris replies.

"And… where did you find me again?"

"In the Silverwolf dungeon, 10 kilometers to the South of Mistvale."

"When?"

"Two days ago."

I close my eyes, trying to remember if those locations ring any bell.

However…

Nope…

Nothing. I have no memory whatsoever of this place.

Still, Eris doesn't seem to be lying. Maybe she can even help me out—be my guide in this strange new world.

"All right, I trust you," I finally say, placing the chair down. "Thank you, Eris, for saving me and keeping me safe."

Hearing that, Eris smiles, relief evident in her expression.

"Well, I just happened to find you while scouting the Silverwolf Dungeon. You were unconscious, with no visible injuries, but leaving you there didn't feel right. So I brought you here. I'm sorry for leaving you alone and causing confusion."

"No, it's okay," I reply with a faint smile. "I'm just glad to be alive."

"Now, that aside," Eris continues, her tone lightening a bit, "May I ask… what's your name? And where are you from? You haven't told me anything about yourself yet."

"Ahhh… About that…"

Fuck…

Panic grips me again.

What the hell should I tell this catgirl now?

There's no way I can tell her I'm from another world, right?