Elbows jabbed into my sides and I stumbled, the impact a sharp sting against my ribs. Pain flared, a reminder of the fray I was caught in, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the treasure ahead. 

It was a small price to pay, these jabs and bruises, fleeting discomforts for a prize that promised endless hours of escape and answers to some long awaited questions.

The air was thick with the scent of anticipation, paper, and the sharp tang of adrenaline. Voices clashed around me, a symphony of desperation and desire.

"Got it! No, let go!" To my right, two figures grappled over a book, their shouts piercing the din.

"Out of my way!" The snarl came from behind, breath hot on my neck. I didn't need to look back to know the eyes boring into me were as fierce as the voice. But the world doesn't move, just cause for a shout.

Ignoring the man, I edged closer, every muscle tensing for the final lunge. 

The last two copies of The Song of Fire and Ice shimmered under the store lights, a jewel among stones. 

My hand shot out, but another snatched the book under my fingertips. My heart sank for a moment, the disappointment a heavy stone in my stomach.

But luck was on my side today. The two hands that reached for the last copy, entangled in a moment of confusion, their movements clumsy and desperate, as I heard their frustrated exchange.

"That's mine!"

"No way, I saw it first!"

Seizing the opportunity, I darted forward, my hand slipping between theirs to grasp the coveted book. Tthe feel of the cover against my fingers was exhilarating, a tangible reward for my persistence.

I clutched the book closer to my chest, turning to make my escape.

A collective sigh of disappointment rose from the crowd, a wave of defeated spirits that nearly drowned my triumph.

Eyes followed me, some burning with envy, others resigned to their loss. But none dared to challenge me; the unwritten rule hung heavy in the air.

There would be another chance tomorrow, and no one wanted to risk being barred from the store.

Quickly, I navigated through the checkout, my movements brisk, my mind already racing ahead to the adventures waiting between the pages. 

The bell above the door chimed as I stepped outside, the cool evening air a sharp contrast to the heated atmosphere I'd left behind.

As the sun set, bathing the sky in a vivid orange glow, I hurried back to campus, my steps quickening with excitement, nearly breaking into a jog.

People glanced at me curiously, but it wasn’t unusual to see students rushing around here.

Friday had rolled around again, which meant the weekend was just around the corner— my favorite part of the week.

Tomorrow meant freedom, a break from the regular routine of classes and assignments.

But this weekend was special. The treasure I grabbed from the bookstore was safely tucked inside my worn college backpack.

Just thinking about it filled me with anticipation, mixing with the cool evening air, giving me an extra spring in my step.

The Song of Fire and Ice series had entertained me for so long, and now, with the end in reach, it felt like the perfect time to dive into the last book.

As I turned the corner, the familiar sight of the public park came into view, signaling I was almost back. The park was on the other side of the road, which meant that the campus was just around the corner. Just a few more minutes to go…

That’s when something strange tugged at my senses— an instinctual pull that something was wrong. Something felt off as I eased my pace, scanning the surroundings.

A truck sped down the road, moving too fast for comfort. Its headlights flickered erratically as if in a warning.

My heart tightened in my chest, and my pulse thrummed in my ears. 

Too fast. The truck is way too fast.

The energy pulsing through me made every sound sharper, every color brighter, heightening my senses as I stood frozen across the Park gate.

Checking the road the truck was passing through, my attention was caught by a big, brown husky. It dashed straight across the road, the fur catching the last rays of the sun, right in front of the fast-moving truck.

I watched, heart in my throat, convinced the dog would make it to the other side in time. Fate, however, had other plans.

The truck's horn blared, piercing the air. The sound startled the husky, stopping it dead in its tracks, right in the middle of the road.

In that split second, when time seemed to slow down, I considered the situation. Compared the value of a dog's life against my own. It was an easy decision.

Sure, I could reach the dog in time, but I was uncertain if I could save both of us.

In the end, it was just a dog. Not even mine. My life was more important than the dog. Many would curse me, but those are invited to try their luck.

Had it been a child in danger, the decision would have been straightforward. But for a dog? The risk wasn't worth it.

Still, my eyes remained glued to the scene, my body tensed for action despite my reservations.

Just as I braced for the impact, my focus snapped toward the commotion behind the dog.

A little girl in a bright yellow dress ran after the fluffy husky, pursued by an older woman with a striking resemblance—likely her mother. 

My eyes widened as adrenaline pumped through me, quickening my already fast pulse.

The frantic expression etched across the woman's face betrayed her fear of losing her daughter.

"ALISSAAA!!!"

Her anguished voice tore through the evening, resonating with a mix of fear. The raw intensity sent shivers down my spine.

In that moment, everything else fell away. The question of risk, the weighing of lives, vanished. The need to act overcame any previous reluctance. 

Without a second thought, my body surged forward, propelling me into action.

My bag slipped from my shoulder, hitting the ground with a muffled thud, forgotten in my rush as I surged forward.

Every muscle in my body tensed as I ran, my sudden movement drawing a collective gasp from the bystanders.

"Look OUT!!!!" someone yelled, as I propelled myself towards the danger

But it was just background noise to me. My entire being was laser-focused on the girl.

With each stride, I cut through the space between us, my heart pounding a fierce rhythm against my chest. One.. Two.. Thre…

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I zeroed in on the girl and the dog, now mere meters away.

Not enough time… The thought was a whisper, giving a silent warning. Summoning every ounce of strength, I launched myself forward. 

With the final burst of speed, I closed the distance, and my instincts took over completely. 

Reaching the dog and the girl at the same time, I shoved them out of the path of danger with all the strength I could muster.

In that fleeting moment, scratches seemed inconsequential compared to the potential alternative.

With the girl safely clear, it was time to save myself, but my momentum was slowed down, and my doubts came true.

The truck was only a few feet from me. Its bright headlight was all I saw, and the sound of its horn was all I heard before it hit.

Shit! I'll never know what happened in… And the world turned black.

 

---

 

The first thing I noticed was the overwhelming stink that assaulted my nose, something awful, like rotten eggs mixed with garbage.

"Gross," I muttered, clutching my stomach as it churned in protest. Ugh, I think I'm gonna hurl...

When my lunch stayed inside me, I became aware of gentle rays of sunlight on my body and the hard floor under me.

Trying to ignore the discomfort, I cracked open my eyes, instantly regretting it as the sun stabbed through my eyelids like a thousand tiny needles.

"Ow, ow, ow, too bright," I whimpered, squinting against the glare.

Blinking away the spots dancing in my vision, my pupils dilated in surprise as they adjusted to the brightness.

Sunlight? What the heck! Where am I? Where's the hospital?

My mind raced to understand the totally unexpected scene. After the crash,  I expected to wake up to the clean, white ceiling of a hospital room and the constant beeping of machines.

Instead, I was outside, feeling the sun’s warmth and breathing in a stinky air that didn’t make any sense.

The reality before me was jarringly at odds with my expectations. Lost in a haze, my gaze drifted upwards, absorbing the blue sky that stretched infinitely above.

My breath hitched as I gaped at the suns peeking out from behind the clouds. There were edges of buildings in my sight, but I was not focused on them. T-two suns.

Two suns hung in the sky, defying all logic. Two fucking suns.

No way.

The revelation sent a shiver down my spine, a cold sweat breaking out across my back as the sheer impossibility of the scene before me began to sink in. 

Truck, accident, two stars, new world… But I pushed aside the nagging voice that was shouting absurd ideas. 

"This can't be happening. This... it's not possible." I tried to rationalize, searching for any semblance of sense in this bizarre scenario. Am I dreaming? Or... in a coma?

They were the only explanations that seemed plausible.

My eyes shut tight with a determined squeeze, my hands vigorously rubbing them in a vain attempt to erase the impossible vision before reopening them. Nope. Still there.

Since when are there two suns in the sky!?

I'm dreaming in a coma. It's alright. It's just a coma.

The first sun is hiding behind the clouds, and there, to the left, the sec— the second maybe-sun, smaller and more red, beams in the sky.

My mind took a deep breath as a thousand thoughts began racing through my head. I had to be certain, needed some sign to make sure this wasn't all just a strange dream.

Unlike what I might have been half-expecting, half-hoping for, the pain of pinching my forearm to test the fabric of this dream did not result in me jolting awake. 

Ouch.

Of course, failure didn't deter me, my efforts escalated instead until my nails were digging into my skin and blood began flowing freely out of the resulting wounds. 

The sting was unmistakable, the pain real, and the redness and blood too natural to deny. Oh joy.

With a heavy sigh, I focused on the tiny patch of red skin and the blood drops, unwilling to face the sight of two fucking suns hanging in the sky.

Was I running from my problems? Hell no. I-It's a... strategic retreat. And what the hell could I do to the suns?

The sheer absurdity of the situation coaxed a reluctant chuckle out of me. 

Seriously, who needs two suns? One's enough to get a decent tan.

Bizarre skyline, with double the sunshine and none of the familiarity. This place is nothing like the hospital room I expected. Or my world, for that matter.

After taking a deep breath, I reined in my thoughts from spiraling out of control.

Instead, I focused on taking stock of the situation. Beneath me, the ground felt rough and unforgiving. I shifted, but all it did was to send a sharp pang of discomfort through my body.

Carefully, I pushed myself upright, wincing at the sharp jolt of pain darting through my skull at the effort. 

The world around me came into focus, revealing an alleyway cluttered with heaps of refuse and discarded objects littering around me.

Piles of rancid food scraps attracted swarms of buzzing flies, creating a sickening hum. The air was thick with the smell of garbage, mingling with the faint scent of rotten eggs and something metallic, like the tang of blood.

Same as the refuse bins behind my dorm, only ten times worse.

Trying to make sense of my surroundings, I gaze around. 

The cobblestones under my palms felt real enough, each rough, uneven surface a testament to the world's tangibility. My fingers traced the contours of the stones, their cold, hard edges grounding me in the surreal reality.

That's classic. Either I'm in Europe, or I really traveled to a different world. And honestly, I'm leaning towards the latter. The two suns were potent proof.

As tempting as it is to chalk this up to an epic lucid dream, it was time to face the truth, no matter how bizarre. 

Shifting my focus from the cobblestone ground, I allowed my eyes to wander upwards, taking in the towering buildings that surrounded over the narrow alleyway. They were a far cry from the sleek, modern architecture I was used to, sporting a weathered look that screamed ancient.

These two-story structures rose up on either side of the alley, their walls constructed of rough brick and mortar. The windows, framed by once vibrant shutters, now faded, bore the soft patina of age, their colors muted but dignified under the twin suns' scrutiny.

A few shutters remained vibrant, a defiant splash of color against the otherwise muted palette of the alley, suggesting sporadic attempts at upkeep.

But what really caught my attention were the faded intricate details etched into their facades. Each one was different, with its unique carvings and designs.

"Meoww"

The sound interrupted my thoughts, causing me to startle in surprise.

My heart raced as I scanned the alley, searching for the source of the unexpected noise.

Turning towards the source of the noise, I spotted a small cat perched on a window sill, its sleek black fur absorbing the scant light filtering through the alleyway.

Its tail swayed gently from side to side while its piercing amber eyes bore into mine with curiosity.

I smile at the unexpected encounter, feeling a sense of normalcy amidst the strangeness of my surroundings. At least it's not a dog.

But the brief warmth of the moment was short-lived as my eyes were drawn to something unexpected above the cat. Strange letters hovered in the air, catching my attention with their otherworldly glow.

[ Cat Lvl 8 ]

If that wasn't strange enough, a disembodied voice, robotic and impersonal, filled my head, and a shaky, golden see-through screen fell over my vision.

‘ding’
Congratulations! You have used the unique skill [ Identify ] for the first time.

Identify Lvl 0 -> Lvl 1

I reflexively whacked the screen with my hands, surprised, but it didn’t flinch.

What the…?