"Tsk."
The image of the little girl floated in my mind. It was a massive contrast to the sound of the voice I was currently hearing over the phone.
Director.
Damn.
I should be honored. I do feel honored.
But what on, Nirvana! I was in charge of signing papers and approving projects and nothing else. Someone would have loved to do such a thing but not me.
I want to be doing something.
Is this how Nichen viewed me?
"You're complaining. You also complained a lot when you woke up in that teenage boy's body. Shouldn't you learn to say thank you first?"
I was appalled.
"And since when did you learn to talk back?"
"Since you undoubtedly admitted that you wanted nothing to do with me."
Hurt was evident in her voice. I couldn't even think of a good defense and instead stared at the city below me.
It was a fact.
I was too selfish to make that choice and only thought about getting my life back.
But, what happened?
I'm still in Exo's body, but there was a twist. Fifi is now my sister, and I was no longer a seventeen-year-old nobody.
Am I dreaming?
I pinched myself again.
"Ow!"
No.
I wasn't dreaming.
"Hey," I lowered my voice. "That wasn't what I meant."
"Whatever."
A loud beep followed our exchange. I stared at the mobile device and was irritated that she hung up on me.
"What happened to the charming and sweet Fifi?" I mumbled, scoffing at the little rascal she had become.
Her words stung, though. It felt like lightning suddenly struck me and hit the most delicate part of my body.
I didn't intentionally hurt her. I wasn't thinking about the consequences of the choice I was going to make. It didn't occur to me that she would even know about that.
"Wait a minute," I massaged my temple, rubbing my right hand onto it. "How did she know about that?"
I gasped, panic rising in my chest.
"Did she read my mind?"
I tried to dial the number with the name 'home' and waited for her to pick up. The line was ringing.
While waiting for Fifi to pick up, I was lining up the questions I was to ask her. There were many. As many as her little fingers could count.
I heard someone picking it up; however, my mouth suddenly clogged up, watching with horror as a strange red streak flashed on the horizon. With it, a writhing green, scaly creature emerged.
"Oh, no, no, no."
I clicked my tongue, waiting for Fifi, who was also Esther. The two names seemed to jumble in my head.
It made my insides churn, but I managed to utter one curse before realizing that the scaly beast was approaching fast.
It was dangerously coming swiftly that I didn't have the time to duck.
Shattering glass echoed around me while I tried to shield my face with my hands, protecting my eyes from the glass shards.
I didn't realize I was shaking until a familiar figure appeared before me.
"Fifi?"
I watched the monster bounce back against the invisible shield Fifi must have evoked. I blinked in surprise at her sudden appearance.
The little girl was floating in the air, her hair a mess on top of her head, and it was apparent that she didn't have time to shower yet.
[Act now and ask questions later]
She snapped at me, sounding authoritative. It was scary.
[Activating Fire Dragon]
[Fire Dragon activated]
[Are you ready?]
I was dumbfounded but nodded anyway.
Although it was no longer my first time, the sensation still left me in awe. The warmth spread from my chest to my body as if my blood was in flames, circling in my system.
The evolution no longer surprised me, unlike the first time. But it was when I should be wary of what I think about.
Fifi could hear my thoughts.
That I was sure of.
[...]
[You still haven't changed even one bit]
[Sadly, I'm stuck with you too]
'Right.' I scoffed, creating the usual puff of smoke from my snout.
If Fifi was standing before me now, I imagined her pouting, ready to report me to the mother who doted on her.
I still have no idea what happened. It's killing me that I was at a loss.
I was pretty sure I had chosen the option to be reborn.
[Yeah, I could attest]
'Well, if you were in my shoes, you would have chosen the same, wouldn't you?'
[...]
[No]
[I'd think about it carefully. I may not be human, but I know how to be considerate of others]
I snorted, causing the puff of smoke to appear.
'Yeah, sure. Like you've been very considerate of my feelings.'
I mentally clicked my tongue since it was impossible to do it in my current state.
[I told Nichen as soon as I got the chance. If that's not being considerate, explain it to me then]
Again, I was left speechless. The truth of the matter was sitting right in my memories, and it didn't occur to me how much she resented me for this.
Was that the reason why I woke up as Exo?
[Let's solve this dilemma later, Exo]
[Focus]
[Beast: Aztrax]
[Danger level: High]
[Evolution points granted: 5000]
'What? Could you explain to me how this danger level works?'
[The danger levels would indicate how Exo should proceed. If a beast has a Low danger level, it means one shot of any attack would suffice to defeat it. Medium, you already encountered the Cypher. This one requires you to be strategic. Comparing your statistics, your Evolution points are still too low to win on the first blow]
'Okay. So, you mean to say, I would need to figure out how to execute a simultaneous attack until it dies, correct?'
[Yes]
'That sound so easy. But of course, it wouldn't be the case, is it?'
[Yes]
[For your information, these monsters aren't as intelligent as you are. Hence, don't undermine being a mortal]
'Wow.' I imagined myself applauding Fifi. 'You sound so unlike yourself. Didn't you mock me for thinking like one before?'
[I didn't]
'You did.'
[...]
[I didn't]
'You did.'
[Do you have a death wish?]
I scoffed, the white smoke returning me to the present, seeing a flaming red ball hurtling my way.
'Maybe.'