A "broken" person doesn't necessarily refer to someone who is emotionally shattered, nor someone whose values completely differ from others. It might be someone who, due to an uncommon or extraordinary experience, slightly deviates from common sense, leading them to make decisions that seem unusual to others. You could say that everyone is born with a similar mental structure, but it is their characteristics, circumstances, and the environment they live in that shape who they become. In this sense, anyone could be just one unknown experience away from becoming a "broken" person. After going through an event that breaks them, a person must find the pieces again to rebuild themselves into someone new.It had been a day since Runa arrived in this world.Upon waking up, she fell out of bed with a start. She quickly realized she was no longer in the storage room where she used to live.Runa: "Yes!"Her excitement was justified. She had overcome her second biggest fear since arriving in this world—waking up back in her old life. Smiling, she got up from the floor. She was still wearing the same armor she had arrived in. It wasn't the most comfortable outfit to sleep in, but she couldn't risk anyone stealing it while she slept. It was one of the few possessions she had at the moment.She tried to find a mirror in the room, but there was nothing like that around. Perhaps the elves in the village didn't use mirrors. She hadn't had a chance to see her face the day before due to the number of things that had happened. However, now that she was aware of her transformation, she needed to look at herself, especially after changing bodies. Even though she knew Runa's appearance well from the game, seeing her new form in person was a completely different experience.She rummaged through her belongings and took out one of the knives she had brought with her to this world. She unsheathed it and used the blade as an improvised mirror to see her reflection. When she saw her reflection for the first time, she couldn't help but make a comment.Runa: "Too beautiful."She was speechless at her own beauty. For a moment, she felt the need to apologize to every woman in the world for achieving such perfection effortlessly. Maybe she should even try to take her looks further. Although she knew nothing about makeup or that sort of thing (after all, she still thought like a man), she probably wouldn't need it. Runa was naturally gorgeous. She recalled how some naturally beautiful women ruined their looks with too much makeup. Then, a famous phrase came to mind: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."Though she liked her new appearance, when she thought about what it meant, she frowned and sighed, glancing down at her lower body again, feeling a bit down.After clearing up her doubts about her appearance, she started thinking about what to do next.Looking back, she had killed two slave traders. She didn't feel any remorse; Arata had already been a desensitized person before arriving in this world. However, she knew those deaths could cause problems for her in the future.As for the present, what she wanted most was to explore the elven village as soon as possible, make some connections, or practice with her weapons. None of the names Fimas mentioned yesterday sounded familiar to her, which led her to believe she wasn't in the world of Runes and Worlds, at least not in its first or second version. She needed to confirm what kind of world she was actually in and, additionally, find out if other players had been transported to this place as well.And as for the future...She knew that the Zhyrthia, an elven tribe that collaborated with humans, had invaded the village, which led the elves to relocate to this new place. Now, with Runa's arrival and the death of the human traffickers, the human city had lost its "products." In the world of Arata, when a boss was angry over a poorly done job, the pressure fell on the workers, who either had to improve or be dismissed. Following that logic, Runa deduced that the Zhyrthia elves would soon return to attack the village.As she pondered this, someone knocked on the door.Reinell: I brought you something for breakfast. May I come in?The person who knocked was Reinell, Lynell's brother, the elf Runa had rescued. He also seemed to be a hunter in this village. Runa quickly hurried to the door, moving the items she had placed in front of it before going to sleep.Runa: Thank you for going out of your way to bring me food.The elf was a bit surprised to see Runa holding a knife. It was the same knife she had used as an improvised mirror before Reinell entered. Likewise, Runa was puzzled to see that Reinell was dressed the same as the day before, with a hood and face mask. She wasn't sure if it was an elven custom to dress like an assassin all the time, but so far, Reinell was the only one who did this in the village.Reinell: It's nothing, this is the least I can do for our benefactor.Runa looked at the plate with anticipation, grateful for the drink as well. Her throat was dry, and it seemed that her new body, once bound by the rules of a game, was now not exempt from thirst, hunger, or exhaustion.Runa: Thank you very much, but, Reinell, I need to talk to you before you go.Reinell: Yes, how can I assist you?Runa: You see, I don't know anything about this forest or the village right now. I don't want to cause trouble by wandering around, so I was wondering if you had time to guide me through the place.Reinell: I see... I'm not sure if I'd be much help. My role here is as a hunter, plus Lynell wanted to be the one to guide you once you woke up. I'm sure she'd scold me if I took over.Runa: A hunter? Well, what exactly do you do as a hunter?Reinell slightly lowered his head, as if preparing for a grand revelation. A dramatic gleam appeared in his eyes as his voice turned deep and theatrical.Reinell: As a hunter, my duty is to protect the village from the creatures that lurk in the shadows. I glide between the trees like a shadow, crafting strategies to hunt the cursed creatures that threaten our peace. With my bow and arrows, I am the silent defense of the elves. The last guardian chosen by the forest.Runa watched him, incredulous, as he spoke with total seriousness. For a second, she didn't know whether to laugh or worry about his sanity. The exaggerated pose, the ominous tone... Reinell was clearly fully immersed in his mysterious hunter persona.Runa: Oh... right, that makes sense... I suppose...Reinell: Ah, so you understand, Runa-sama!Runa stifled a small internal laugh; Reinell's antics triggered something akin to secondhand embarrassment. Reinell wasn't just a hunter; he had... a condition, what in her world was known as "chuunibyou." Maybe, to the people of this world, some of those lines sounded impressive, but for Runa, who understood this behavior in a different context, all she could feel was a mix of embarrassment.Runa: Well, Shadow Guardian, how about we go hunting? Maybe you can show me how you handle the "cursed creatures" of the forest.Reinell: So be it! The day has finally come where I meet another companion of the shadows. I feel a bit sad for Lynell, but if it's your wish, Runa-sama, I'll guide you on our adventure to deal with the cursed creatures.Runa: Alright, I see, Reinell. Just... tone down the enthusiasm a little.After leaving the cabin, Runa found herself chasing a strange animal around the forest. She had gotten closer than a normal person would think possible without the animal noticing. At that moment, she was making use of her "stealth" ability provided by her cloak. With a swift movement, she lunged with her knife at the tiger's throat. The blade cut cleanly through the flesh, and instantly, the creature let out a terrible cry of agony. Blood spurted uncontrollably, splattering everywhere as the tiger tried to comprehend what had just happened.Runa watched coldly as the beast struggled to breathe, its torn throat unable to produce more than a gasping wheeze. Without giving it time to react, Runa struck again, this time with a brutal vertical slash that split the tiger's head in two, from the skull down to its chest. The sound of bones cracking echoed through the air as the head grotesquely split, and a wave of fresh blood splattered across the forest floor.Runa: I see... two strikes.She muttered as she observed the mangled body at her feet. She had expected one cut to be enough, but the creature's resilience had surprised her. The tiger collapsed with a final sigh, its lifeless body sprawling on the ground in a pool of blood.Reinell: What in the world...?Runa, with the scene of slaughter before her, calmly turned her head toward where Reinell stood, frozen.Runa: Ah, Reinell, you're back. Did you finish what I asked?Reinell had gone into the forest to mark large stones of various sizes, following a recent request from Runa, though he didn't fully understand the purpose. Still, he had agreed to carry out her request and accompany her that day, showing her part of his trade. However, as he was returning after finding the stones, he sensed something that filled him with dread: an ominous presence in the area. Upon investigating, he saw from a distance an enormous and dangerous figure. It was a thornpaw, a massive tiger, easily fifteen times the size of a normal one. Its skin was as thick as rock, and its claws could easily tear through the toughest armor. No one had ever faced one of these beasts and lived to tell the tale. Reinell knew this well; every time one appeared near the village, the hunters would simply flee and stay away from its territory. It was a monster impossible to defeat, the most fearsome creature in the forest.The elves lived among the trees precisely to avoid encounters with these monsters. Neither elves nor humans stood a chance against such a creature; Reinell doubted even his arrows could penetrate its dense fur. His only option was to return to the village and warn the others. But there was a bigger problem: Runa. If the thornpaw saw her walking nearby, she wouldn't stand a chance. He had to find her and escape as quickly as possible.But he couldn't move. The thornpaw's roar had paralyzed him with fear. If he moved and the thornpaw noticed, he would die instantly. There was no way to escape. He was doomed. All he could do was wait and pray that the beast didn't notice him. Suddenly, the thornpaw's roar was interrupted by a horrifying sound. He watched in horror as the creature staggered, blood gushing from its slit throat. The figure of a girl appeared out of nowhere, like a specter. With unsettling coldness, Runa delivered a second brutal blow, cutting the tiger from its head almost down the middle of its body. The thornpaw was split in two, and blood and entrails spilled onto the ground in a grotesque display.Who in the world was this girl? A sense of dread washed over him again. He knew Runa was strong, or at least that's what his sister had described, but now he realized how naïve that description had been. The strength he had just witnessed wasn't just formidable; it was terrifying, breaking the limits of what he thought was possible. This girl wasn't normal. When Runa turned her gaze toward where he was hiding, Reinell felt his heart stop. He had always found her angry expression somewhat cute, but at that moment, all he could feel was pure terror.Then, the thoughts started to click in his mind. That very morning, when he had knocked on her door, she was holding a knife. Had he done something to upset her? After that, she asked him to take her hunting... and now they were alone, in the middle of a forest where no one would know if he disappeared. No one, except Runa.Runa: Hey, Reinell, are you alright?The blood on her face and her nonchalant tone as she asked if he was okay terrified him even more. Reinell didn't respond. His mind was caught in a whirlwind of dark thoughts. The way she looked at him chilled him to the bone.Runa: Did you manage to mark the stones I asked for?"The stones... what did she want the stones for?" A terrifying idea crossed his mind: Was she planning to bury him alive under those stones so they would never find his body?Runa: Reinell?Reinell swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure. The words came out awkward and broken.Reinell: Y... Yes, I found the stones... large, as you ordered, Runa-sama.Runa approached him, carelessly wiping the blood from her hands. Reinell instinctively stepped back, his body betraying him; he could not hide the fear that engulfed him.Runa: Great. Then guide me. I need to gather those stones for an experiment.Reinell led Runa through the forest to the rocks he had found. Each time they spotted one, Runa picked it up to place it in a common spot. Some of the rocks were extremely large, one weighing easily around three tons. Still, Runa managed to carry it without difficulty, leaving Reinell even more astonished. After they had finished moving all the rocks to a single location, she prepared to begin her experiment.As they walked through the forest, Reinell tried to remain calm, but time and again, his mind returned to the scene of the massacre. Each time he glanced sideways at Runa, fear seized him again. He knew he was not dealing with an ordinary person.Reinell: R... Runa-sama, I don't think I'm feeling well...Runa looked at him, frowning.Runa: Not feeling well? Did you not sleep well last night?Reinell avoided her gaze. How could he explain that it wasn't exhaustion affecting him but terror? He couldn't admit that, at that moment, he feared her more than any beast in the forest.Reinell: I... maybe... I just need to rest a bit...Runa watched Reinell as he tried to maintain his composure, but the fear was evident on his face. It showed in his halting, hesitant words.Reinell: I think... I could do that. I'm sorry for saying I would take you hunting. If you'll excuse me, I will return to the village. I suppose you know how to get back on your own, right?Runa didn't understand why Reinell was so shocked after seeing her kill the giant tiger. Supposedly, Lynell had already told him about her strength, but it could also be that the animal she had slain was some kind of creature that the elves revered due to their religion or something similar. She decided not to dwell on it much, as Reinell seemed to fall silent, so this secret would remain between the two of them.Runa: I see, that's a shame. Before you go, could you lend me some of your arrows?Reinell: Sure, here you go.Reinell, still trembling, handed over his full quiver. He was too shaken to argue or ask why she needed them. He just wanted to leave as soon as possible.Runa: Thank you very much... I won't need many. I'll return the leftovers.Or maybe She'll return them stuck in my back once I turn around, thought Reinell, swallowing hard. He didn't know if his paranoia was overflowing, but everything about Runa now seemed like a threat.Reinell: It's fine, you don't have to return them. Well, if that's all... I'll take my leave.Runa: Thanks for your hard work.Runa watched as Reinell hurried away, almost fleeing. She knew something about his behavior had changed after the fight, but she didn't care much. "Would he really leave a girl alone in the forest after promising to guide her?" she thought. Her opinion of Reinell dropped due to his irresponsibility.With Reinell out of her mind, she focused on her experiment.Runa: Okay, first this.She approached the largest rock, and although it took her a bit of effort to lift it, she succeeded. In her judgment, it had to weigh at least three tons, but without a scale, she couldn't confirm it.Runa: Now for the next...She took off her gauntlets and tried to lift the rock again. This time, the effort was noticeably greater. Finally, she removed one of the rings she was wearing, but this time, she couldn't lift it at all.She was doing all this to test the impact her gear had on her physical strength. Apparently, each piece contributed in some way to her power, and she wanted to ensure how much removing each one weakened her. The rocks of different sizes were her way of measuring it.Once satisfied with the tests, she drew a circle on one of the rocks. She placed one of the arrows borrowed from Reinell in her crossbow and prepared to shoot. However, as she drew back the bowstring, the arrow snapped before it could be released.Runa: Tch... I guess I have no choice but to use my own arrows.With just one arrow she had brought with her, Runa was ready to test her crossbow. It pained her to have to use it since she only had 65 of those arrows in this world. Maybe she couldn't get more apart from those, but it was worth experimenting with one. In the game, her weapon had various skills, but in this world, she wasn't sure if she could activate them in the same way. She focused, recalling how she had activated the stealth skill with her cloak. If she had been able to do that, maybe she could activate the skills of her crossbow as well.She carefully aimed at the center of the circle she had drawn on the rock. She concentrated on using one skill: Lethal Shot, which increased damage and apparently ignored the target's defense.The shot didn't hit exactly in the center, but it struck the rock with such force that it shattered into several pieces. The arrow continued its path, piercing a giant tree behind it. Although it wasn't as enormous as the great tree in the center of the village, its size was impressive, and the arrow had managed to create a considerable hole in its trunk. It hadn't gone all the way through, but the damage was evident.After a few seconds, the tree began to lean, and finally, it fell with a crash that reverberated through the forest. Runa watched it carefully, increasingly understanding her abilities in this world. Although her skills seemed to be the same as in the game, she couldn't replicate them with the same ease. The lethal shot had worked, but not automatically as before. She needed to concentrate more and adjust her accuracy.Furthermore, she realized that even though she had the crossbow and her skills, the handling was different. In the game, everything was instant and efficient, but here she had to reload and shoot manually. Something as simple as reloading the crossbow would take her ten times longer than in the game. With her knives, she could defend herself, but she hadn't perfected her technique yet. And regarding the shield, it depended on her ability to anticipate an attack to block it correctly. In short, she could only replicate about 50% of her potential in this world.For a moment, she regretted not adopting a simpler fighting style, like Kiyoshi's. If her weapons were less complex, she could have utilized up to 80% of her skills without any issues. Assuming other players had also been transported to this world, she couldn't afford to be weak. Against normal max-level players, she could probably face three or five at a time, but if among them were professional players, it would be a different story. Depending on their equipment and roles, they could defeat her, especially if they had the advantage of a simple fighting style. Unlike Runa, who now had to deal with the precision and skill necessary to wield her weapon effectively.Cutting off her thoughts, a foul smell brought her back to her senses. It was her. She had been wearing the same clothes all this time, and in addition, she had stained her cloak and sleeves with the blood of the creatures she had killed yesterday and today. Finally, after finishing her experiments, she decided it was time to take a bath. She didn't know how the elves in this forest bathed, but taking advantage of the fact that she had come down from the village, she decided to search for a nearby lake. She assumed there had to be some source of water since the village would need it to survive.Upon finding a lake, Runa began to remove her equipment, leaving only her necklace and rings. There didn't seem to be anyone nearby, and the water in the lake appeared relatively clean. She tried to ignore as much as possible the fact that she was now a woman, but as soon as she stepped into the water, she saw her own reflection again. She didn't know how long she would stay in this world, but she was determined: even though she looked like a woman, she would still be a man in mind.As she submerged herself in the lake, she let her body float and be guided by the current. It was a feeling of tranquility. She wanted to explore, and at the same time, she didn't, the new parts of her body that her previous form didn't possess. She looked at her hands again and noticed something strange. Yes, they were pretty, delicate, as one would expect from a girl's hands. Runa had already gotten used to that, but if she stared at them for too long, she noticed something that differentiated her from anyone else: she had no scratches, scars, wrinkles, calluses, or folds on her entire hand. They were practically as if they had been born yesterday, which, in a sense, was a reality. Even mannequins replicated some imperfection to appear more realistic.Minutely, she brought her hands to a place her old body didn't have. Her ears were long and bent easily. She touched them until she reached the tips, and the sensations were quite light. Just like in humans, elves' ears seemed to have few nerves. At least it wouldn't hurt if they accidentally bent when passing through a door. Then she looked down at another area that caught her attention. For a moment, she was glad she hadn't designed Runa with much front power. If she had, this situation would have been even more awkward. They were even smaller than her stoic sister's. For some reason, she imagined her smiling foolishly, as if she had won some absurd competition.Runa: No, but there's no reason I'd want to win against you in this.Although she couldn't deny that she was intrigued at that moment, she had heard that women felt it differently. She just wanted to familiarize herself with that sensation when, suddenly, a voice interrupted her moment.Lynell: Runa, so you were here.Runa: AAAAAAAAAAhhh!Runa was startled by Lynell's sudden appearance just as she was about to do something inappropriate.Runa: Lynell, what are you doing here?Arata really wouldn't have cared if any of his friends saw him naked in the baths, but when it came to a stranger, well, it still wouldn't have bothered him much. The problem arose when someone of the opposite gender found him in such a condition; that's when he would feel embarrassed. But... did that apply now? Was this really the case?Lynell: Well, I was busy with my tasks and went to look for you at your cabin, but I couldn't find you anywhere. Then one of the guards told me you had gone hunting with my brother. I met him on the way, and he looked pretty down; he showed no signs of the enthusiasm he always has. Did something happen?Runa: Well, he was fine, but suddenly he said he felt sick and decided to return to the village. He probably didn't sleep well, since he was still shaken by what happened; remember, you were kidnapped just yesterday.Lynell: I see. Still, my brother is really an idiot. How could he be so irresponsible as to leave you alone in the forest? By the way, are you taking a bath, Runa-sama? Let me wash your back as an apology for my brother's irresponsibility.Runa: You don't need to apologize, Lynell. After all, I was just about to leave and planned to return to the village.Lynell, who had already started to undress, stopped upon hearing this, and her enthusiasm faded. She put back on the clothes she was about to take off.Runa: By the way, Lynell, do you have a change of clothes you can lend me?Lynell: Of course, Runa-sama.Lynell began to undress again.Runa: No, let's leave it like that!Runa: How do elves wash their clothes in this village?Lynell observed Runa's expensive clothes left aside with a bit of seriousness on her face; she wanted to be of help to Runa somehow to thank her for everything she had done for her, but what if she ruined her expensive clothes while trying to wash them? She wouldn't have a way to pay her back for the rest of her life, so it was a challenge that couldn't be taken lightly.Lynell: Well, we wash clothes in a river that's underneath the roots of the great tree. The water is very clean because we filter it with special stones that trap impurities. Also, our techniques are very delicate, so as not to damage the fabrics, especially the finer ones, like the one you're wearing, Runa-sama.Runa: A river beneath the tree? Is there a river underneath the tree?Lynell: Yes, this forest has underground channels that allow us to access the water. The river runs right beneath the village; it's very convenient.Runa: Do you have some kind of soap, or do you just use water?Lynell smiled, as if Runa's question seemed strange yet charming to her.Lynell: We use local herbs that we mix with ash and a little animal fat. It's a gentle soap, but very effective. Your clothes will be spotless!Lynell: Would you like us to wash your clothes together? I can show you the washing area if you want. It's a good place to chat! And I'm sure you need something to change into, right? I'll lend you something.Runa: A change of clothes wouldn't hurt. If I don't wash this cloak soon, I fear even the monsters will avoid me because of the smell. Let's go then.She wasn't entirely sure about washing her game clothes. What kind of effects could it have? After all, with her bad luck, it wouldn't be surprising if someone told her: "The Cloak of the Hidden King has lost 70% of its attributes for being put in the dryer." However, she also couldn't afford to walk around in dirty clothes forever.Both set off toward the village, with Lynell chatting animatedly about local customs while Runa listened, more interested in learning how to survive in this world than in the everyday details of elven life.Lynell: Here it is. Don't worry about the other elves, Runa-sama; they won't bother you. If you want, you can wait in a more secluded area while I wash your clothes.Runa: No, it's fine here. Thank you as always, Lynell.The other elves glanced at them briefly, greeting them with respectful smiles, but continued with their tasks. Runa felt somewhat uncomfortable, not only for being in such a strange place but also because she had never washed her own clothes; she always left them at the laundromat.She felt bad for letting Lynell do all the work, but as they say, "it's better to leave things in the hands of experts."Elder Elf: Runa-sama, I heard you were the girl who rescued the other captives. How admirable! Since you're so willing, could you help us with another task? It's something simple, don't worry.Runa raised an eyebrow, intrigued but also suspicious.Runa: What task?The elder elf pointed to a group of children playing nearby.Elder Elf: We just need you to watch the children for a while. Lynell always does it, but now she's busy washing clothes. They'll be safe with you!Lynell, who was observing the scene, tried to suppress a smile.Lynell: Don't worry, Runa-sama. It's easy. Just make sure they don't get into trouble.Runa, who had never dealt with children, felt a cold sweat running down her back. Fighting monsters? Sure. Solving complex puzzles in the game? No problem. But taking care of children?Runa: I don't know if I'm the best for that...Elder Elf: Oh, don't worry! I'm sure you'll do great. It will just be for a little while.Before she could refuse, a small group of children was left in her care. The little ones surrounded her, curious, giggling and looking expectantly. One elven girl, about nine years old, gently tugged at the hem of the skirt that Lynell had lent her while they washed their clothes.Known Elf Girl: Are you the super strong onee-chan from yesterday?Known Elf Girl: Yes, it's the princess who rescued us!It was the girl who had been trapped with Lynell when Runa rescued them.Runa: Well... yes, sort of.Enthusiastic Elf Boy: Teach us how to fight!Another excited boy ran up to her, waving his arms.Pompous Elf Boy: Fight me! I'm sure I can beat you!Runa blinked, surprised by the enthusiasm of the children. How had she gone from washing clothes to being a babysitter and improvised trainer?Runa: Wait, you know, how about you go to...!For a moment, Runa considered clumsily playing with the children or just letting them play by themselves, as she would have done in her previous world. There, she always had things to do, and spending time with kids would have seemed like an unnecessary distraction, something she could have used to do something more "productive." But this was not her old world. Here, in this fantasy world she had dreamed of all her life, there was no rush. It was a place where everything seemed possible, and the children, with their overflowing imagination, fit perfectly into the fantasy she had longed for.Runa remembered how much she loved these fantastic worlds. She had grown up believing she was chosen by fate, and that everything she did and every person she met was for some reason dictated by destiny. She could not ignore the fantasy that now surrounded her, nor the excitement that those children had. For the first time in a long while, Runa felt the urge to share a part of herself, the part of her that believed in fantasy as something as real as the world she now lived in.So, she decided to set aside her usual seriousness and came up with an idea. If this was a fantasy world, then they could also have their own beginner mission.Runa: Alright... I actually need you to help me with a mission.The children looked at her, puzzled but excited, waiting for what would come next.Runa: You see, in this place, special flowers grow. Some can even bloom in the dark. They are unique because they have adapted to this environment, but among them, there are even rarer ones with unknown effects. I need you to look for and bring me the flower that seems the strangest to you from the area!The children nodded enthusiastically, delighted with the idea of participating in a quest like little adventurers. As they scattered in all directions looking for flowers, Runa, with an ironic smile on her face, began to enjoy the game more than she expected. Meanwhile, Lynell continued washing clothes, watching the scene with a warm smile.After a while, the children started bringing flowers, excited about their "mission."Enthusiastic Elf Boy: Look at this flower! It has a lot of thorns; it looks great, doesn't it?Pompous Elf Boy: Ha! That's nothing. This flower smells horrible; I'm sure it has something special.Known Elf Girl: I found this flower in the dark. It seemed to glow, even in a place without light. I thought it was as beautiful as you, onee-chan.Runa looked at the flowers the children showed her, thinking about how to respond. Although she had no idea what they really were, she didn't want to disappoint them.Runa: Oh, I see... a flower that glows in the dark, that's pretty impressive. I think we have a winner.Pompous Elf Boy: It's just a flower that glows a little! It's nothing special.Runa smiled at his challenging attitude and decided to take the game a little further.Runa: You're right; by itself, it doesn't seem like much. But if you combine it with your stinky flower, you could create a potion so powerful you can't even imagine... a real secret weapon!The pompous boy's eyes widened in surprise.Pompous Elf Boy: Really? That sounds amazing!Runa: And if we add the thorny flower, we could make a medicine capable of healing any wound. Isn't that cool?Enthusiastic Elf Boy: That sounds super amazing!Runa smiled as she saw the excitement reflected on the children's faces. Although she had no idea what the hell those flowers actually did, she had managed to make the little ones feel part of something special, as if they had just completed their first great mission. In this world, where there was no internet, she was sure her little white lie would go unnoticed.Despite the unexpected situation, Runa realized she was enjoying the moment. The fantasy she had always loved was now part of her reality, and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to let her imagination flow freely.The day began to darken, and after several laughs, Lynell finished washing the clothes. Runa, exhausted after playing with the children, sat next to her, waiting for the garments to dry.Suddenly, a young elf appeared, interrupting the tranquility of the moment.Celine: Ah, there you are, Lynell! And the girl from the south. Good afternoon.Lynell: Goodness, Celine! It's Runa-sama for you. She just saved you from becoming a slave yesterday!Celine: I'm sorry, I'm sorry; I forgot...Lynell continued scolding Celine, who seemed like a carefree person, ignoring her friend's words. Watching them exchange reproaches and jokes, Runa couldn't help but imagine a similar scene with Kiyoshi. Arguing, calling each other's attention, laughing at nonsensical things. That's how they were, how good friends acted. For a moment, a deep longing to meet Kiyoshi again in this world overwhelmed her, and as she watched the scene, a sense of nostalgia enveloped her.Suddenly, another voice interrupted.Rosa: Wow, Celine, now that you've decided to show your face after three years, maybe you want to help us a little.Celine put on a fearful expression and turned to see the woman who had spoken.Celine: A-Grandma Rosa! Long time no see...The one who spoke was Rosa, the same elder elf who had put Runa in charge of the children. Although Celine called her grandma, to Runa, she looked like another young girl. This sparked her curiosity, a question she had had since arriving in the village.Runa: Hey, girls, how old are you?Lynell: I'll be 44 this year.Celine: I think I'm already 52... or maybe more.Hearing these numbers, Runa was startled. She couldn't believe that these young women were actually so old. She had heard that elves aged slowly, but seeing them was another thing. She tried to pinch both their cheeks to test their collagen, but she found not a single wrinkle.Lynell: By the way, Runa-sama, how old are you?Runa: 27.Lynell: What!? 27 and you're already this strong?Rosa: The youth of today are admirable.Celine tried to slip away, sensing a reprimand was coming, but Lynell stepped forward.Lynell: See, Celine! Runa-sama, being so young, works harder than you. You should learn from her!Runa: By the way, Rosa, I didn't ask your age.Runa also tried to pinch Rosa's cheeks and, to her surprise, a small wrinkle appeared.Lynell: That's true, I never asked about your age, Grandma Rosa. Do you know anything, Celine?Celine: No, I only know that Grandma Rosa was already an adult when I was a child.With a maternal smile, Rosa replied.Rosa: My age is nothing surprising; I'll probably turn ??? this year.Before she could finish the sentence, not only Runa but also the other two elves were left in shock, with expressions of astonishment and fear.Night had fallen when Runa put on her clothes, which were already dry. Fortunately, washing them hadn't affected the attributes of her garments, as she had feared. Just when they were about to return to the elven village, they saw flames spreading from the treetops. Chaos was taking over the place; some elves were trying to flee, but others were being caught by the flames or falling from heights while trying to escape.Runa: Lynell, you and the girls stay here! I'm going to see what's happening.Lynell: Runa-sama, it's dangerous! Be careful!Runa: I know, I'll keep that in mind.Although her words seemed to calm Lynell, the real reason Runa decided to head to the village wasn't just to investigate the attack, but to retrieve her belongings that she had left in the cabin. She couldn't afford to lose them, and at that moment, she had no way to extinguish the flames consuming the forest. The elves of the village had treated her kindly, and although she didn't feel an absolute obligation, she believed that if she couldn't save them, at least she could avenge those who were being massacred.With determination, Runa leaped toward the village, jumping to an almost unheard-of height. The fire illuminated her face as she advanced through the smoke and chaos.A few hours earlier...???: So, how are the preparations going????: They're almost ready. We have the new location of the village where they relocated, and the battle unit is prepared.???: Good, let's hope this time they do their job and leave no one capable of fighting alive.???: What a joke; none of this would have happened if they hadn't skimped on costs by hiring more guards for the transport.The conversation took place between Kaelion Mondrake, a former mage of the Order of Fetchium, one of the main military organizations of the Algorythia Empire, formed solely by exceptional mages, and Sylthas Elentharion, son of the chief of the Zhyrithia tribe, known for his combat skills and mastery of the bow. Both commanded warriors: a mix of humans and elves. At that moment, they were heading to fix the disaster of a failed job.Kaelion: And what's the strategy this time? Don't say stupid things like attacking without a plan. We can't afford more losses after that fiasco. Besides, we don't know who killed Rolan and Kerser.Sylthas: It's simple. The village must be weakened right now. Exhausted from the first attack and out of resources. My father used to say their leader, Fimas, was clever, but they won't foresee an attack so soon. Especially knowing we have a traitor among them.Kaelion: A traitor?Kaelion raised an eyebrow in distrust.Sylthas: Exactly. We plan to set fire to the trees. The smoke will weaken them, and when they come down, we'll finish them off one by one. The women, of course, will be left alive. My people are good at climbing trees; when they're weakened, we'll go up and eliminate those who can still fight, and we'll take the rest as slaves. We'll also throw ladders down so your inexperienced men can climb up.Sylthas: And if they try to escape west, there's a Thornpaw territory. My tribe spotted it recently. This one in particular is huge, its territory is vast. They won't have anywhere to flee.Kaelion: You're crazy. If you burn the forest, you'll endanger your own village, you stupid elf.Sylthas: Ah, but that's where you come in, isn't it? The best water mage of Bytea.Kaelion, an expert in water magic, was considered the most powerful in his current city, Bytea. Although he had previously been surpassed by the top ranks of his former organization in the capital, he now felt fulfilled with his abilities.Kaelion: Damn you, bastard elf. You know how to make others work. Fine. Your plan has merit, but don't forget your position.Sylthas: Yes, yes, whatever you say.Although Sylthas seemed disinterested, Kaelion knew that the young leader was extremely intelligent, with a natural talent for strategy and leadership. He was someone capable of guiding his people.The group finally arrived at the area indicated by their informant. As they approached the village, Sylthas pointed something out with his finger.Sylthas: What is that? It looks like an olux tied there... Since when did the elves of this village learn to use them for transport?Kaelion: Wait a moment... that carriage...Kaelion moved closer to inspect the carriage next to the olux. His eyes narrowed as he recognized it.Kaelion: This is the carriage Rolan and Kerser were supposed to use to transport the elven women. Something doesn't add up... Did they rescue them and use the olux to get here?The pieces didn't fit. Elves didn't use olux, and if they had, they should have released it into the forest to avoid suspicion. There was no reason to leave it chained near the village. Immediately, Kaelion felt that something was wrong.Sylthas: Strange, right? But whatever it is, we're not going to retreat over something so trivial. We stick with the plan.Sylthas ordered his men to aim incendiary arrows at the treetops. Soon, the fire began to consume the village. Screams echoed as the villagers tried to flee by the elevator, only to fall into the invaders' traps. Most of those who came down to escape were women, just as they expected. For more than 40 minutes, fire and chaos spread throughout the village. The Zhyrithian elves climbed the trees to finish off those who still resisted.Fimas couldn't believe what he was seeing. His people were dying, and the village was burning. Chaos surrounded him, and the suffocating smoke seemed to mock his helplessness. How could something like this have happened? They had barely moved to this place, hidden in the heart of the forest. There was no way they could find them so quickly.His mind, clouded by desperation, led him to a single conclusion: Runa. That girl had been suspicious from the start. When she arrived, she lied about being from the south; her behavior had always been strange. How had he not realized it sooner? He hadn't seen her all day since she decided to stay in the village.The suspicion completely consumed him. Had it all been a plan from the beginning? A spy from Zhyrithias? Now everything clicked into place in his mind. He had made a mistake by trusting her.Fimas: Keep calm! Let the women and children go down first by the elevator.Reinell: We can't do that! They already know the location of the elevator; they're capturing everyone who comes down.Fimas: Damn it!Suddenly, he saw shadows moving through the trees. His worst fear materialized: the Zhyrithian elves were here. His village, their lives, everything was lost. The houses were being looted, the women kidnapped, and there were only a few warriors left.A whistle sliced through the air. Reinell, who was near Fimas, fell injured, an arrow embedded in his back. As Fimas ran toward him, a figure emerged from the shadows.Sylthas: Well, well... if it isn't old Fimas. My father won't stop talking about you. I always wanted to meet you.Fimas: Who the hell are you?Sylthas: My apologies. I'm Sylthas Elentharion. You probably don't know me, but you know my father, Zytras Elentharion, chief of the Zhyrithias village.Sylthas: He ordered us to kill everyone who could fight. But you... you specifically he wanted alive.Fimas: You son of a bitch!Fimas felt a burn of hatred upon hearing that name. Zytras, his former friend, had betrayed him, condemning the village to ruin. But it was too late. His own naivety had led to all of this. He could only laugh at his own foolishness.Sylthas: Let's finish this once and for all.Sylthas approached Reinell, who lay on the ground, unable to move. He was about to deliver the final blow when he noticed something strange. Men were missing, and those who remained were on the ground, covered in blood.Sylthas: What's going on?He stopped, observing the chaos. In the distance, one of his men was dragging a woman, but suddenly, his head flew off. And he wasn't the only one. One by one, his soldiers began to fall, cut down by something invisible. First one, then another, and another more. What the hell was this?The tales of forest spirits punishing those who harmed the woods flashed through his mind. Maybe burning the forest had been a bad idea. But those were just fairy tales for fools, right? However, fear crept in. He turned to Fimas, who was still standing, watching.Sylthas: You! Stop this right now!In his desperation, Sylthas pulled out a knife and plunged it into Fimas's shoulder. The village chief fell to the ground, screaming in pain, but the invisible cuts on his men did not cease.Suddenly, Sylthas felt his body becoming weightless; his legs no longer responded, and his vision blurred. The world spun around him. What had happened? In his blurry field of vision, he saw a girl beside him. She hadn't been there before... Where had she come from? He tried to speak, but he couldn't. His vision darkened, and finally, he fell into unconsciousness.While all this was happening, Fimas watched the figure of the girl, who moved among the fallen bodies of the Zhyrithian soldiers. Rage consumed him, but so did confusion. Hadn't she disappeared just before the attack? Everything pointed to her being allied with the invaders. But then why was she fighting against the Zhyrithian men?Perhaps he had been too quick to judge her. Still, the anger continued to pulse inside him. It didn't help that Runa carried a backpack that seemed to be filled with items from his cabin. In the midst of the chaos, she had taken the time to retrieve her belongings before coming to save the village. He couldn't blame her, but it still irritated him.When he found himself face to face with her, his gaze filled with uncertainty.Reinell: Runa-sama... Where is Lynell?Runa: Don't worry, she's safe.Runa turned her gaze toward Fimas, who looked at her with a mixture of confusion and barely contained hatred. He had thought she had betrayed him, but now the situation made no sense. It was clear that Runa was not responsible for the betrayal.Fimas: The fire... can you do something about the fire?The Zhyrithian soldiers had already been eliminated, but the flames continued to consume the village. Fimas doubted that one person could extinguish a fire of that magnitude, but after seeing Runa's abilities, perhaps the impossible was attainable.Fimas: Please... save the village.Runa: I'll do what I can.Without wasting any time, Runa ran toward the center of the village. She pulled out one of her special arrows, the kind she used in the game. She knew this arrow generated a water dragon that inflicted damage of that element. She wasn't sure if it would work in this world, but she had no other option. She shot the arrow into the sky, and with a deep sound, the water dragon emerged and soared into the clouds. Within seconds, a torrential rain began to fall, extinguishing the flames throughout the forest.Two hours had passed since the attack began. Kaelion didn't understand why his elven allies were taking so long to come down the stairs so his troops could ascend. The delay was strange, and the bad feeling he had about the situation was growing stronger. He was about to order his troops which have been kidnapping the elves descending from the elevator and simply retreat with the people they had already managed to capture when suddenly...A great water dragon emerged from the center of the village, and suddenly a fierce downpour began to suffocate the fire in less than three minutes. If it had been him using his own water magic, it would have taken at least six hours to achieve something like that. He couldn't contain his astonishment, but he knew it wasn't the time for that. He had to give an order quickly.Kaelion: Everyone, retreat!Kaelion shouted the order to retreat, still stunned by what he had just witnessed. But before his men could even react, an invisible gust swept through the air. In an instant, the heads of his soldiers rolled across the ground, leaving a trail of blood. Terror completely consumed him. He ran toward his mount, an olux he had brought with him, but before he could reach it, he stumbled. He looked down in desperation. His leg... was gone. An unbearable pain coursed through his body, and his mind sank into an abyss of despair.Kaelion: AAAAAAAAAAH!Before he could fully process the pain, something invisible grabbed him by the neck and dragged him into the depths of the forest. When he finally stopped moving, an elf with white hair and crimson eyes appeared before him, as if she had sprung from nowhere.Runa: It seems no one will be able to see us here.Kaelion: What... what the hell are you?Runa: Calm down, you're not the one asking questions. I just need you to answer a few things and participate in a brief experiment. Then I'll leave you in peace.Kaelion didn't know what this girl wanted, but from her gaze, he sensed that nothing good was coming.Runa: Tell me, who sent you here?Kaelion: The elves of Zhyrithia... they hired us as mercenaries. They wanted us to invade this place. I'm just a water mage... my job was to extinguish the fire once they were done.In silence, Runa took something from the backpack she carried and, with an almost romantic gesture, slid a ring onto Kaelion's finger.The sensation was agonizing. He felt nauseous, as if he wanted to vomit, and his muscles contracted while his organs seemed to collapse.Runa: Do you feel like telling the truth yet?Kaelion: W-we're soldiers... from the empire. We work with the duke of the city of Bytea... we collaborate with those from Zhyrithia... we capture the elves from these areas and sell them as slaves... to make money.Kaelion didn't know if the elf understood what he was saying, but he decided to speak the truth, desperate for her to remove the ring as soon as possible.Kaelion: P-please... take it off...Runa: Wait, we've just begun. What you said about being a water mage, that's true.Kaelion: Yes.Runa: What's the strongest magic you can use?Kaelion: Water Bubble.Upon hearing the name of the spell, Runa immediately knew it was the third-level spell in the game. Water Bubble was a simple crowd control ability, but it required at least 20 arcane points to learn. Given the level of this world, this mage was likely quite skilled.Runa: Are there people stronger than you in the city?Kaelion: Probably just two...Kaelion: God, please, just take off the ring... please...Kaelion, nearly fainting, begged Runa to remove the ring, but she continued with more questions.Runa: Can you hold this knife for a moment?Pulling a knife from her backpack, she handed it to Kaelion. He held it without any problem, unlike the ring. This was because, in the game, equipment effects directly increased a character's attributes, while weapons had their own separate effects that didn't modify attributes upon being equipped. Grabbing the knife again, Runa looked at the agonizing Kaelion.Kaelion: The Empire values strength above all else, and I'm sure they would welcome you. If you spare my life, I can assure you a good position... I could help you.Runa: Well, it seems you're reaching your limit.Kaelion: The... r-i... ng...With a cold smile, Runa pulled out another ring from her backpack and put it on him. Kaelion began to convulse immediately, blood pouring from his mouth, nose, ears, and eyes. His body exploded internally until he finally stopped moving.After things calmed down, the air in the village was heavy with sadness and despair. Many elves had died, others were injured, and none of the attackers had survived. The injured were taken under the large tree to be treated, while the bodies of the fallen lay covered, waiting to be honored.In the center of the village, the adult elves gathered in a circle. The atmosphere was tense, each face reflecting pain and uncertainty. Fimas, with a visible wound on his arm, tried to maintain composure before his people.Fimas: Everyone, we need to stay calm. What we've lost is devastating, but we can't let fear consume us. We must think about our future.Unknown Elf: What future do we have, Fimas? The village has been ravaged, we've lost many, and we barely have supplies left. Are you going to suggest we move again?Unknown Elf (Female): We could head west; I've heard that the kingdom treats elves better.Fimas: That's impossible. To get there, we would have to cross Thornpaw territory, and it's too risky.Another Elf: What about the south? If Runa-sama leads us, we could find refuge and live in peace.Fimas: That wouldn't be easy either. The southern elven kingdom is protected by a magical barrier; only those born there can enter or leave.Fimas shot a quick glance at Runa, who nodded slightly, supporting his lie to avoid encouraging an impossible journey.Runa: Listen! I think the best course of action is to stay here and prepare to counterattack the Zhyrithia village.Silence fell abruptly at Runa's words. Everyone present looked at her, surprised by her proposal.Unknown Elf: Counterattack? Are you sure we can do that? We hardly have any warriors, and there's no guarantee they won't attack us again soon.Runa: They tried to burn the forest because they had a water mage who could control the fire, but I killed him during the battle. Without him, they won't be able to repeat that tactic. We have time to prepare.Amazement spread among the elves, and a slight air of hope began to fill the room.Fimas: Runa, that's too risky. We can't launch an attack without a plan. We don't have enough warriors, and if we fail, we'll lose everything.Runa: If we do nothing, they will continue to attack us. We can't stand by while they destroy everything we love. This is our home, and we must defend it.Lynell: Runa is right. If we don't show we are strong, they will keep hunting us until none of us are left.Fimas: And what happens if we attack the Zhyrithia? What awaits us afterward? The human city is allied with them. If we confront them, they will come for us and crush us.Runa: Then, after the Zhyrithia, we will destroy that human city.Fimas: Do you understand what you're saying?Unknown Elf: I'm tired of being trampled just because we're weak. We can't keep running.Another Elf: We've lived like cowards, hiding in this forest because we never had the courage to face our enemies.Fimas: Silence! This plan is madness. We don't have the strength to win. Stop talking out of sentimentality.Runa: We will achieve it because we are special. We were chosen by destiny; we have survived cruelty and persecution. Now is the time to break this chain. We will destroy our enemies, conquer their cities, and if more stand in our way, we will defeat them too, until we conquer the whole empire.Though Runa felt a bit embarrassed by her words, as they reminded her of Reinell's speeches, the atmosphere in the room changed. A round of applause broke the silence, followed by more. Soon, the place was filled with support and shouts of approval. Unknowingly, Runa had sparked a glimmer of hope in the people, making them begin to believe in her madness.The cheers of support echoed loudly in the center of the village, a force that hadn't been felt since the village was founded. Fimas, defeated by the wave of irrational emotions, left the room, knowing there was no turning back.In a dimly lit room by candlelight, Runa reviewed the reports the elves had gathered about the current situation in the village. The place was filled with maps and scrolls scattered across a large wooden table. Some elves came and went, leaving information or receiving orders. The atmosphere was charged with tension, but everyone remained focused on their work.A young elf named Elendor approached Runa with a bundle of papers and a rolled-up map in hand.Elendor: Runa-sama, here are the latest reports. This is what we've been able to compile about the village after the attack.Elendor unrolled the map on the table. It was a detailed map of the village, showing the areas affected by the fire and the points where the elves had fallen.Elendor: These points marked in red are where the most destruction occurred. Most of the forest remained intact thanks to your intervention, but we have lost a large part of the houses near the south. Additionally, the water supply has been damaged in several places.Runa looked at the map, but she was not really concerned about the current state of the village at that moment, so she indifferently tossed the map onto the table without giving it further attention.Runa: And what about the state of the warriors?Elendor: Many of them are injured, and some are still not fully recovered. We've lost at least a third of our fighters. Those who can fight are exhausted, but they are still protecting the village.Runa: We will need more medicine for them to recover quickly before we launch the attack.Elendor: Here's the map of the nearest human city. It's not very detailed since we don't know what it looks like inside.The young elf unrolled another map, this time of the nearby human city. It showed the walls, the layout of the districts, and the areas where their military fortifications were likely located.Elendor: If you decide to investigate the city, you could enter through the nearby forests. There's a network of underground tunnels that humans use for trading, and you could take advantage of it to enter undetected.Runa examined the map closely, taking note of strategic points and less guarded paths. She knew she needed detailed information about her enemies before planning any attack.Runa: I'll have to go to that human city. I need to know what forces they have before making the next move.Runa: Thank you for your work, Elendor.After that, Elendor, excited by Runa's words, left the room.While she pondered her next step, the door opened, and Lynell entered the room. Although her face showed concern, there was also a spark of determination in her eyes.Lynell: Runa-sama... I wanted to talk to you about what you said earlier, in the meeting.Runa: About what part?Lynell approached the table, looking over the maps before speaking.Lynell: About what you said regarding fighting, about making ourselves stronger. You were right. We can't keep running... and I want to be stronger too. Not just for myself, but to protect others.Runa watched her for a moment, crossing her arms. She knew that Lynell had been through a lot and that inside, she struggled with her own fears.Runa: Are you sure about what you're saying? This won't be easy. To become strong, you'll have to overcome many things... and not all of them are pleasant.Lynell: I know. But if I can protect the village, if I can prevent us from suffering more attacks like this... then it's worth it.Runa paused, carefully choosing her words. She understood what it meant to want to protect others, but she also knew the price of strength.Runa: If you truly want to be strong, you'll have to show me your determination.Runa took one of her knives, a special item from the game, and plunged it into the table. Lynell watched it silently, reflecting. Although Runa didn't want to part easily with one of her most cherished items, she understood it was important to give it to someone she trusted completely.Lynell: I'm ready for whatever it takes, Runa-sama. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I want to fight by your side.With determination in her eyes, Lynell took the knife and quickly left the room.Runa remained silent for a moment, contemplating the course of events.Runa could easily secure a comfortable life in the empire thanks to her power, but if she did, she would only be repeating the boredom of her previous life. She wanted a life filled with adventures and challenges, and for that, she needed a goal. She was finally beginning to understand why she had been transported to this world with this body. The powerful would offer her a false sense of comfort, a "bone" to keep her from aspiring to more, to keep her controlled. But in this tragic scenario, Runa understood how the strong used their power to dominate everything. She wouldn't join them or follow the ambitions of others.Runa also wanted to control her own destiny, and this time she had the power to do so. In this world, she would use everything at her disposal to conquer the empire. With that determination, the broken fragments of Kobayashi Arata began to piece together, forming her new being: Runa.With that, two days had passed since Runa arrived in this world.A mysterious shadow lurked again in the village during the night, but this time it was not near Runa's cabin. Though partially burned, Fimas's house was still in use. The door, as always, was open. Fimas, as the village chief, never closed it so that the villagers could come to him in case of need. The shadow observed Fimas sleeping peacefully, and with cold determination, ended his life while he continued to sleep.???: I'm sorry, but for the sake of Runa-sama's ideals, you must disappear.Lynell, having seen Runa stab the knife into the map, pointing to Fimas's house, fulfilled her first mission as an executioner.End of part 3