Chapter 2 - My New Self

-

There's no way this is real…just no way.

Then I heard a sudden purring noise.

"Huh?"

I looked down at the creature in my lap and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Well…I can't deny that it's cute." I stroked its head gently with my hand as it nuzzled into it.

"Firstly, I need to find out where I am." I lifted myself up with the sleeping fox in my hands.

I I looked to the side towards the shopping window and saw my reflection. My pure red eyes were the first oddity I noticed. I was pretty much wearing rags, but I kept most of my original appearance other than the strange black X on my cheek and the fact that a small patch of my front bangs was a red color. But…

I moved closer to the window panel and laid my hand on it.

"Do I..look more attractive..?" I blushed at myself and shrugged with a look of satisfaction. "Well, it'll do! Heh…"

[Would you like to activate the ability:

*Character Profile*

On 'Sasaki Hinata'?]

Character profile…? This wasn't in the original novel. Maybe it's just an attribute only I have? Anyhow, I need to learn more about myself.

"Yes, I would."

[Ok. Processing…]

Then a huge window filled with information popped up in front of me.

———

Name: Sasaki Hinata

Age: 21

Species: ???

Attributes:

-Character Profile LVL 1

-🟥🟥⚫️ LVL ???

-Embodiment of the Wind -LVL 1

-Mind Reading -LVL 1

-Beholder of the Future -LVL 1

-Mother Nature's Blessing -LVL 2

-??? -LVL ???

-Lie Detection -LVL 1

-⚫️⚫️⚫️⚫️ -LVL ???

-Underworld's Wrath -LVL 2

-Origin of Humanity -LVL ???

-Sound Transmission -LVL 1

{You are able to obtain more skills}

{Some skills have been hidden due to unknown reasons}

Description: ???

{'Description' is currently unable to be viewed due to unknown reasons}

———

Wow…I'm so…so…cool! I wasn't totally unaware of some of these skills. Some characters in the novel possessed some of these attributes. Such as 'Lie Detection' and 'Mind Reading.' But what are these things? I've never heard of some of these. Beholder of the future sounds similar to 'Foresight' which appeared in the original novel. But why is it a different name? Is it different then Foresight? The same could be said for some of these other attributes. Not to mention there were a lot question marks. A lot of things are censored.

"Eh, don't know, don't care." I exited out of the screen and continued walking. I may have a lot of cool unknown attributes, but that doesn't hide that fact I'm pretty scrawny. You'd think that they would improve my body type as well.

That was when the small winged-fox, who supposedly goes by 'Yuki' awoke.

[Neeeeeeeee!]

A strange high-pitched noise left it's mouth.

"Yuki, was it? Are you supposed to be my helper?"

[Aaaaaaa!!]

"Uh…huh…." How is it supposed to help me if it can't even speak?

[Bah…baaaaaaa…]

"Um."

[Hahhh…haaa…hiiiiii~…]

"W-woah! Did you say hi? Was that a word?"

[Foolish human. Did you actually fall for that?]

"GAHHH!" I jumped back and threw the fox forward.

"You-? What!? Huh…" I stuttered indecipherable words.

[Joookinggg~ I'm not that mean…but it was pretty funny how you fell for it!]

"Ehhhh…?" God how embarrassing. I must've seemed like a total idiot.

[Anywaysssss, if you have any questions, make sure to ask me! The amazing Yuki!!]

"Um. Ok. Yeah, sure." I awkwardly nodded as the fox flew back over to me and hung over my shoulder.

"Where am I?"

[Your in Gestania Village on the East Coast of Retania! If you look over there, you can see the Royale Palace!]

I looked towards the huge, gorgeous, palace in the distance. It was coated with a vibrant gold and a beautiful white.

"Oooooh….wait I recognize this place!" In the original novel, this was at the very start of the story.

A newbie Bounty Hunter captures a big bounty. This was where the main character visited when he was on the lookout for a certain fugitive with a huge bounty. Turns out, the fugitive was hiding out in the Royale Palace and even more surprisingly, the culprit was one of the royal sons. Not only did the main character capture the target and earn a huge sum of money, he also managed to milk some money out of the royal family. It was the kick-off to his goal of obtaining absolute wealth.

"Yuki."

[Yes?~]

"What's the date?"

[Its the year ****, April 24th!]

"Alright, thanks." I patted his head and looked back towards the palace.

As I suspected. It's almost about time for that part of the story to occur, the beginning. Hm, I could either live my life in peace OR I could ruin the main characters life…maybe I should help him? Wait, no…I can't. At the end of the original novel, when he achieved his goal, he ended up betraying and killing all his companions; even his lover. The protagonist possessed a cold-hearted attitude, which seriously annoyed me.

He was a cliche emo mc, attracting all the ladies. He was immensely powerful, well-built, and tall. Obviously, he was always getting cheat weapons and abilities. I had always been jealous of his other-worldly looks that had anyone head-over-heels for him, and his insane luck. It's not fair he gets to have all the luxury. Perhaps I should try and steal his goal away from him? But unlike him, I wont purposely kill my companions out of selfishness.

"I've decided."

[Hm?~]

"I'm going to go to the Royal Palace!"

[Oh? Sounds fun! Count me in!!]

Yuki nuzzled his head into my neck and purred. The royal palace. The place where instead of the main character, I will be the one to start my journey; just, not in the way he chose.

I took a step forward. Then another. And then another. Excitement shone in my eyes. That was… until a piece of paper slammed into my face.

"Darn wind…" I pulled off the rugged piece of paper and what I saw on the cover surprised me.

It was…

"Me?" It was my face with a large number under it.

'Sasaki Hinata'

'10,000,000 Pentos'

10,000,000….bounty…me…huh?

[Nehehehehee~ Looks like numerous bounty hunters are gonna be after your head!]

"Ughhhhhh….damn it! Just my luck."

[Now it will be more fun!]

"Quit it. You aren't the one being hunted."

"Ok but why 10,000,000 Pentos!? That's a ridiculous amount here!" Pentos are the form of currency in this world.

[Hehehehe…]

"You know something, don't you? Rascal."

[I don't know what you're talking about~…]

What I need to prioritize are clothes. I need to cover myself. Darn, even right after my looks improved, seriously? This world really does hate me.

"Let's go."

[Nyaaah?~]

"I need proper clothing, I can't keep walking in rags. I also need to cover up so people don't recognize me."

[Mmmm ok!]

Yuki licked my neck and snuggled into me. I scratched behind his ears and smiled.

I don't know if I smiled out of nervousness or happiness. What I did know was that the future had a lot in store for me. What I didn't know was what it exactly had in store.

…