"Hm, la la la, yeah, you and me two happy birds in this dirty world."
A young woman with long black hair hummed a happy melody. A black graduation cap sat proudly on her head.
A smile stretched across her lips as she strode through the footpath toward her apartment.
"Hehe, I finally graduated! From now on, life's going to be a little better. No more teachers scolding me, no more late-night homework or stress."
She stopped at a red signal light, which is green now for cars, still bouncing lightly in place, too excited to stand still.
Beside her, an old man with white hair and a wrinkled face, dressed in office clothes, gave her a weary look after hearing her mumbles.
"Daughter, don't be so happy. Later, you'll only face difficulties." His voice carried the weight of long nights and endless office work.
"Eh…?" The woman stopped bouncing and glanced at him curiously. "What do you mean, Grandpa?"
The old man sighed, setting his briefcase down on the bench before turning fully toward her.
"I don't want to crush your expectations, but I know how it feels when reality hits. I was the same once. Now that you've graduated, you'll have to find a way to earn money."
The woman nodded slowly, already aware of the truth in his words. "Yes, I know…"
"Don't be disappointed," the old man added. "My only advice is, don't take the first low-level job that offers you money. Don't chain yourself down to labor just because it seems easy."
"What's your name?" the old man asked.
"Rina," she replied instinctively, still lost in thought after his words.
"Hmm. Okay… good luck, Rina, and do something different, don't follow blindly people."
Rina rubbed the back of her neck, watching his retreating figure with a puzzled look.
A few quiet seconds passed. Then her eyes widened at the signal timer.Five seconds.
"Oops!" She dashed onto the crosswalk, trying to make it across.
"BEEEEEEP! SCREEECH---!"
"Wha---?!" Rina's head snapped to the side. Her legs locked in terror as headlights blinded her. A massive truck loomed just meters away, tires screaming against the asphalt.
And then---
"BAAAAM!"
---
"Ahhh---!"
Rina shot upright, sweat dripping down her forehead. She swallowed hard, darting her eyes around the room in fear.
"Is… is this a hospital?" she muttered.
But no. The place was far too luxurious. The walls were painted an overwhelming shade of pink, and the furniture gleamed as if it belonged in a five-star hotel.
With trembling hands, she pushed herself off the bed.
'Was that truck driver some rich person? How did I end up in a place like this…?'
A creeping unease crawled up her spine. She began frantically checking her body—her arms, her legs, even her face---touching herself all over to make sure nothing was broken.
"Wait… didn't that truck hit me?" she whispered.
Her hands froze at her cheeks.
The soft, delicate skin she felt was nothing like what she remembered.
With unsteady legs, Rina stumbled toward the full-body mirror beside the dressing table.
When her reflection finally filled the glass, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
A woman with long, flowing purple hair stared back at her. Hazel eyes, slim figure, flawless skin---nothing like the girl Rina remembered being.
"Wh-Who is she…?"
Rina raised a trembling hand. The woman in the mirror raised hers at the exact same time.
"Gulp…""D-Did I… die? A-And transmigrate?!"
Suddenly, glowing text flashed before her eyes:
[Page One]
Age: 19Job: Unemployed {Haha}Strength: 5/10 (based on physical body without system help)Speed: 4/10Stamina: 6/10Charisma: 8/10
Starter Pack: {One Entry Card}
Rina shakily pointed her finger at the glowing screen and took a step back. To her horror, the display moved with her, floating closer every time she tried to retreat.
She froze. Her fear slowly gave way to wonder."Is this… some kind of hologram?"
Her eyes lit up, sparkling with sudden excitement."Hehe… is this a system? Am I about to get rich? Will I finally live the dream?!"
But when she looked more closely at the stats, her eyelid twitched.
"A-Are you mocking me? I just graduated! And for the record, I was a part-timer---not unemployed, you dumb box! Hmph!"
When no reply came, Rina huffed and turned back to the mirror, her hazel eyes narrowing.
"But… who is she, anyway?" she muttered.
After ten minutes of staring at her unfamiliar reflection, she finally gave up and flopped onto the plush, soft bed. Her body sank into the mattress like it was made of clouds.
"Mmmm…" A peaceful smile spread across her face as she rubbed her cheek against the pillow.
Rolling over so she faced the ceiling, arms spread wide, her gaze drifted back to the floating stats. She curled one arm, flexing what little muscle was there.
"Are these stats good or bad…? And what's this 'Entry Card' thing?"
The moment she spoke the words, a golden card shimmered into existence in front of her.
"Ew!" Rina recoiled, eyes narrowing in disgust.
On the card, a grotesque goblin was illustrated, short and hunched, dressed in filthy rags. Its jagged teeth twisted into a nasty grin, drool dripping from its mouth, while bloodlust burned in its eyes, pointy ears.
As the golden card touched her chest, Rina's vision warped. A crushing pressure squeezed her body, dragging her somewhere unseen.
"Ahhhh--!" Her scream grew muffled as her stomach lurched, like she was plummeting off a six-story building.
Then---"Thud!"
"Ouch, ouch…" She groaned, landing on something soft but scratchy. Stumbling to her feet, she hissed in pain.
"Agh, my knee…" A thin trickle of blood ran from a scrape as she looked around, kneeling on one leg, clutching her injured knee.
Hay. Piles and piles of hay covered the ground.
A sudden blast of icy air swept over her, making her shiver. She rubbed her arms for warmth, glancing upward. Holes in the cave ceiling allowed snow and wind to enter, chilling the entire cavern.
"HUFFFFF…" The heavy sound of breathing echoed.
Then---
"GRRRRRR… MUGHHHHAWUAM… SNAFIN---!"
Rina froze. Her heart pounded as the guttural roar bounced off the stone walls.
"Gulp…" She staggered back, eyes wide.
From the darkness ahead, two glowing red lights blinked open.