I sighed, letting out a frustrated huff that could rival a dragon's roar, and massaged my throbbing temples. 

Oh boy, my brain felt like a rollercoaster that went on a loop-de-loop without any breaks. But honestly, my sanity had always been a bit of a wild ride, even before this whole whacky adventure began.

Life sure knew how to throw a curveball my way, but hey, I wasn't going to let it bowl me over like a set of pins.

(Focus… focus…)

Despite the never-ending flood of info coming my way, I pulled myself together and focused on the task at hand.

"Merecritt? Rank F? Skills and techniques? Connections?" I mused out loud, my voice echoing like a curious cat's meow in a cavern. "Feels like I've been thrown into a mind-bending video game with no pause button." And who was the game developer, you ask? Well, it was none other than the mastermind who sent me here.

"But enough about that, Aera," I scolded myself. "Stay on track!" I couldn't help but notice my tail involuntarily swishing back and forth, like a happy cat's tail when chasing a bouncing ball of yarn. Placing a minuscule paw to my chin, I pondered.

Ok. The way the data presented itself was like diving headfirst into a futuristic game console. G.A.I.A., the new companion in this crazy escapade, claimed to help me process and make sense of all this "data" swirling around me. Pretty neat, right? 

But why did it kick into gear all of a sudden? And how did it even work, for crying out loud? I vaguely remembered absorbing some peculiar particle, so maybe that was the magical key that activated this whole thing?

I glanced around, half-expecting a mysterious wizard to pop out of thin air and provide me with all the answers from the confines of their sleeves. But, darn, no such luck. I sighed.

Life wasn't all rainbows and unicorns. You couldn't just snap your fingers and get a genie to grant your every wish. It was time to be my own detective and put the puzzle pieces together like a pro.

'Merecritt...' okay, so that's what I am now. A 'Merecritt'—a whimsical creature with retractable ears and eyes that sparkled with curiosity. I twitched my new set of ears, enjoying the novelty, before glancing at my paws that now looked like something out of a fairy tale.

'Rank F...' guess that means I'm not exactly top of the food chain. 'More like a lowly snack for anyone with bigger teeth and sharper claws,' I thought with a touch of sarcasm.

'Skills and techniques...' well, I practiced karate once upon a time, I sighed, and hey, at least I still remembered and retained all that from my life as a human. So maybe that counted for something? But was it enough to help me survive in this strange world?

'Connections...' Now that was a tricky one. Making friends wasn't exactly my strong suit. Would that be my Achilles' heel in this new world? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain—I wasn't giving up now. 

I was going to find my way through this labyrinth of mysteries and challenges, like a daring adventurer in uncharted lands, and show everyone that this tiny creature had the heart of a lion—or whatever the equivalent to such a majestic creature would be in this realm. Please, please, please do not speak such a creature into existence…

Taking a deep breath, I glanced over my shoulders once again, surveying the area. I found myself in a clearing surrounded by a dense tropical forest of towering glassy trees. It was akin to stepping into a magical realm where nature had turned its colors up to eleven.

In my vicinity were vibrant red and blue vegetation, and crystals sprouting from the ground which painted the scenery equivalent to a lush zone of sparkling jewels that an extravagant dragon would hoard. 

Whereas, the air was filled with the melodies of bird-like creatures, the buzzing of insects, and an eerie howl in the distance that sent shivers down my spine... irk.

It was beautiful, in a way, yet I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered within me. I was alone, lost, and feeling as defenseless as a kitten in a dog park. 

Anything could happen, and and I had to be ready for whatever came my way.

Suddenly, a snap of a branch jolted my nerves, and I anxiously twitched my long, fuzzy ears, straining to catch every sound in the world around me.

[ Critical Observation ]

Whenever something grabbed my attention—a "bird" chirping nearby or leaves rustling in the wind—my senses sprang to life, soaking in the information.

[ Critical Observation ] Ok, stop.

As far as my eyes could tell, everything looked the same, yet every sense felt different; like they were being stimulated for the very first time. This was truly an amazing sensation—one that made even my heart race!

[ Critical Observation ] I’m aware, G.A.I.A…

Then, a figure caught my eye; a magnificent creature came into view, resembling a majestic deer with striking red dots for eyes, a sleek coat of black fur, and regal crimson patches enhancing its impressive frame. But what truly took my breath away was the vibrant, electrifying orbs dancing atop its antlers, lighting up the world around it with pure zest and vigor.

I couldn't help but gawk at the creature, feeling like I stumbled into a fairy tale. It was unreal, and yet, there it was, right in front of me.

But my feelings of wonder were short-lived as the creature suddenly turned its head and locked eyes with me. My heart raced as I realized that it was staring directly at me. Was it about to attack me? Was I… going to be its prey? In this world there are no guarantees as to what could happen, so I held my breath, while locking eyes with the deer creature.

That's when...

G.A.I.A. Online!

— Eldritch-Abyssal Detected and Verified:

The voice of G.A.I.A. boomed in my mind.

— Species: Doervus

— Sub-Name: "Doom Deer"

— Rank: F

— Classification: Common

I instinctively took a step back ready to bolt at any moment, but instead of attacking me, the deer creature simply tilted its head, as if it were curious, studying me with its striking red eyes.

"Er, well, hello there… Mr. Doom Deer," I greeted it with a mix of caution and curiosity. "Just hanging out, huh? Cool, cool." I cautiously offered a wave, hoping it understood my friendly gesture and didn't mistake me for a walking snack. At this point, I was slowly backing away.

With heedful steps, it moved closer, walking alongside the serene pond that separated us. My heart pounded with both fear and awe—acknowledging this was a creature of the wild, and yet it seemed to have a sense of intelligence behind those red orbs…

Then, something peculiar occurred. The Doervus emitted a soft, almost melodic sound. Now, get this, the weird part was that it didn't have a mouth, but the sound seemed to come right at me—a secret message just for my ears? Though soothing, it caused my head to throb.

The Doervus seemed to be attempting to communicate, but I couldn't make heads or tails of what it was saying. In addition to its headache-inducing hums, it appeared agitated as it stomped its hooves and cranked up the volume on its melodic notes. Soon, the vibrations reverberated through the ground and air, intensifying my unease by the second.

— DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED

— DANGER ⚠️ DETECTED

Those were the warning bells going off in my head…

My eyes drifted to the deer's orbs and I noticed that it and its antlers pulsated with electricity. Before I could process it all, my instincts kicked in, and I launched myself off the ground with a mighty leap, narrowly avoiding the electrical zaps released from its antlers.

I hit the ground on all fours, shaking like a leaf in a gusty wind, thanks to the adrenaline party raging inside me.

But I didn't stop there—I swiftly propelled myself upward again, barely dodging the hostile and bizarre deer as it charged at me with its menacing horns. It was like playing a high-stakes game of tag, and you know I was determined not to be "it"!

The Doervus crackled with crimson electricity, leaving a trail of electrified sparks as it zipped past me. The wind it created ruffled my fur like a playful breeze, and I could feel the heat radiating from its electrifying coat. 

Talk about a shocking revelation: This creature meant business, and I got the memo loud and clear—it was a predator through and through.

Sprinting away, so many questions flooded my mind: Why did this seemingly peaceful creature turn into an electric maniac all of a sudden? Was it because I was a Merecritt? 

Or was it just defending its turf like a fierce warrior? Heck, for all I knew, it might just be a reminder that no creature in this wacky dimension could be trusted.

Unable to fully grasp the reason, the eldritch deer came charging toward me once more, steadfast to crush me beneath its hooves.

I danced and twisted like a gymnast, dodging its next charge, and boy, that adrenaline-fueled tango had my heart beating like a drum solo. I rolled and tumbled out of harm's way, just in time to see hooves and lightning bolts sizzle past me. I could feel the heat on my fur and skin as it zipped by, and I knew a direct hit from this beast would turn me into a crispy critter in no time!

I managed to scramble to my feet, feeling my heart pounding in my chest as I zoomed through the field and tried to figure out my next move, and I needed a plan, pronto!

I took a deep breath and steadied myself, preparing for its next attack. The Doervus was now circling me, the orbs hovering within its antlers flashed with an eerie light. The air crackled with electricity, making the hair on my fuzzy body stand on end. My fight-or-flight response had kicked in, and I was definitely leaning towards flight. But I couldn't run away from every danger in this world—I needed to... 

I needed to focus, learn how to defend myself, and fast.

Drawing on the survival skills from my previous life, I reminded myself to keep a clear head, analyze the situation, and strike when the opportunity presented itself. I kept my eyes locked on the creature, watching its every move, waiting for the perfect chance to strike back.

[DOERVUS] SKILLS ANALYZED:

— Regal Ram

— Doom Zap

— Cruel Chomp

My intuition alerted me with a jolt and I quickly scanned my surroundings for any potential weapons or escape routes. The trees seemed too polished to climb, but the crystals scattered on the ground caught my attention. Perhaps they could be of some use.

Swiftly evading another charge from the Doervus, I felt the crackling electricity grazing against my fur. Grabbing a crystal, I yanked it out of the ground and held it tightly in my paws, hoping it would prove effective.

As soon as the Doervus rushed toward me again, electricity crackling in the air, I swiftly dodged to the side, using my agility, which I recalled to be [MereSwiftness], to dash and zoom through the field with accelerated speed, avoiding a deadly current of electricity zapping across the ground.

And then, with the grace of a soaring hawk, I landed on the Doervus's back.

The Doervus bucked furiously beneath me, trying to throw me off, letting out a horrific melodic howl. I held on tightly, using my small size and stretchable ears to my advantage—wrapping and grasping onto its neck.

I raised one of my paws and focused my willpower, allowing the energy within me to flow through it and into the crystal that naturally drew upon my energy. The crystal glowed with a blue light, and I thrust it straight into the Doervus's back. An explosion of energy rocked the air as the crystal hit, causing the Doervus to let out a horrible, singsong screech, its orbs flickering wildly.

I took advantage of its momentary weakness, hopped off its back, and landed on the ground.

Swiftly, I dashed towards a nearby crystalline boulder, maintaining my sight upon it while the Doervus kept charging after me.

I waited, waited, and then at the very last second, I sprang upwards, scaling the crystalline surface of the boulder. The Doervus charged forward, colliding headfirst with the boulder, sending tremors through the ground and causing fragments to scatter.

I observed from above, but my intuition kicked in, warning me to hop off the boulder just as the Doervus stepped back, ready to tackle it again, and—BOOM; it tackled into the boulder, leading it to crumble into pieces, scattering everywhere like a puzzle someone tossed in the air.

As my feet touched the ground again, I watched the Doervus, which had just regained its senses, shaking its head. It was time to reevaluate my situation. We were both F rank monsters, which meant I had a shot at taking it down, right?

If I wanted to beat this creature, I needed to make use of my skills and abilities. 

But here's the thing—I didn't want to harm it more than necessary. So, I still had another plan up my sleeve.

"Wait! Wait! I am not an enemy!" I cried out. "I have no intention of causing any more harm! So, let's quit while we're still intact!"

Honestly, I didn't expect my plea to work, but deep down, I genuinely meant every word. My motto was simple—no point in fighting unless it was absolutely necessary. I always preferred peace over punches. 

I just hoped the Doervus understood my intentions.

My gaze held steady on the creature and the Doervus seemed taken aback by what I said. Believe it or not, it actually looked like it understood me. Its head tilted to the side, lost in thought for a moment, before it slowly nodded and lowered its antlers... 

…could it be happening?

But before I could react, a painful jolt shot through my body as its antlers sparked with electricity. Somehow, it wasn't as bad as I expected, but man, it still hurt a lot!

Gritting my teeth and almost losing my balance, the stag-like creature let out a deep, melodic noise before taking a step closer, its large, razor-sharp hooves poised to attack. It was clear at this point that this creature wouldn't stop attacking until I perished.

'Well, let me tell you,' that thought didn't sit well with me. It sent a shiver down my spine, but more than that, it ticked me off big time.

'Whatever, if you want to fight? Then let's fight!' I thought, as I got ready to put on a show it wouldn't forget.

The Doervus came speeding towards me, its entire body sparking with red electricity and emitting an intense amount of heat. 

It was clearly trying to skewer and fry me alive! Fear made my fur stand on end, but instead of fleeing from the monster's attack, I leapt—amazed at my bound—and landed behind the beast, preparing myself for its next move!

'Another Doom Zap!' I thought, anticipating the Doervus's next move.

It turned and unleashed its electrical power with a loud crackle, a bolt of lightning arcing across the ground towards where I stood. Just as the electric energy was about to hit me dead-on, I jumped out of the way and rolled to safety.

"Aaagh!" I let out a high-pitched shriek, narrowly avoiding the stag's swinging antlers that sliced through the air with a mighty crash.

Once again, I dodged its electrifying antlers and hooves, leaving the Doervus momentarily disoriented, giving me a chance to catch my breath and reassess the situation.

With the opportunity to formulate a strategy, I considered the Doervus's remaining skills.

"Alright, there's one move to go. '[Cruel Chomp],' huh...? Well, that sounds pretty bad. But then again, that last one looked deadly—it must have been its [Regal Ram] if I were to make a guess."

I dashed across the field, zooming diagonally here and there to disorientate the Doervus while I thought up my next action.

The creature struggled to keep up with my agile movements, its red orbs flickering as it tried to anticipate my next move.

As I weaved through the field, an idea struck me. I noticed a patch of dense shrubs nearby, providing ample cover. If I could lead the Doervus there, I might be able to gain an advantage.

I altered my path, heading towards the shrubs, making sure to leave a tantalizing trail for the Doervus to follow. With each twist and turn, I could hear its thunderous hooves and crackling electricity behind me.

If anything, Cruel Chomp sounds less worse than being electrocuted to death... I hope. Thing didn't even have a mouth…

And oh, how wrong I was. 

The deer darted forward, and before I could react, its neck extended and its mouthless face ripped open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. 

In a blink of an eye, I felt a sudden jolt in my back as it sank its teeth into my waist! My body spasmed as an electrical shockwave swept into and coursed throughout my body.

I let out a high-pitched cry as the electricity coursed through my body.

I gritted my teeth and instinctively wrapped my tail around its neck and began pummeling it with my elongated ears—the very ends balled up into pseudo-fists! This argh—screw it! Duck this! I unleashed a yowl as I continued to punch it.

The deer buckled under my assault, and it let out a yelp before letting go of its bite; however, its horns were still electrified! And they were not going anywhere until I managed to knock them off!

Which meant I needed to keep attacking!

"I will break your antlers! Back down, or I'll shatter them!" I unleashed another high-pitched scream as I continued punching the Doervus with the pseudo-"fists" of my ears!

The Doervus made a vigorous attempt to throw me off, as it tried to fire bolts of lightning from its antlers but—depicting that it had no desires to back down, I, too, had no desire to stop striking this monster after what it has done.

Soon in the midst of my assault, I noticed that the Doervus's electric charge was beginning to fade but the eldritch deer's antlers were still active. But its antlers began to crack from my relentless assault on its head.

My "fists" still weren't enough I realized. What else did I have to attack it with when my "fists" weren't enough!?

─ G.A.I.A Activated   

─ RECOMMENDATION: MereSphere, a technique that harnesses energy particles from the user's interior and the environment around them to expel a ball of energy. Create a ball of energy, then hurl it at the opponent to strike them. The power of the blast is dependent on the amount of 'Abyssal Particles' the user can absorb.

'Abyssal Particles?'

I had no idea what they were, but I trusted the G.A.I.A.'s guidance. I focused all my concentration on gathering energy, pulling it from deep within me and the world around me. Once I felt a surge of energy, I opened my mouth wide and let out an ear-piercing shriek. In front of me, a ball of energy formed—a glowing [MereSphere].

With a quick swipe of my tail, I released my hold on the Doervus and grabbed the sphere with my tail. I plunged the glowing sphere directly onto the stag's antlers as I was blasted upwards. It was like lighting a fuse. The Doervus's head and antlers burst with a loud bang, smoke and sparks shooting through the air. 

The stag's head jerked violently to one side, signifying the intensity of the impact. But I wasn't done yet.

My ears twitched and my head turned. With a swift and successive motion, I used the last of my energy to swing my elongated ears at the Doervus, smacking it hard and square on its head as the monstrous deer dropped to the ground in a dusty heap.

Plopping on the ground, heaving, I swiftly placed some distance between us.

I noticed that the Doervus didn't seem too damaged by the blast as it shakily got back to its feet.

Now how would I perform this skill... [MereEar:Slash]? Well, if there ever was a time to use it, then now would be perfect!

As the ferocious Doervus got back to its feet, it galloped towards me with renewed fury.

I made a split-second decision to switch to a more defensive strategy. I jumped to the side, dodging its sharp horns, and then in one fluid motion sprang forward to unleash a fierce strike with my stretching, flailing ears—targeting its vulnerable flank and caused the Doervus to stumble.

And with a burst of energy, I activated the natural skill of the Merecritt's—the [MereEar:Slash]—and launched myself forward with incredible speed. But not towards where its antlers were located!

Instead, outside my expectations, I sliced and flew straight through its torso to my horror..!

The impact was like being hit by a truck and the pain almost made me pass out! But it also felt pretty satisfying and terrifying at the same time! And after a few seconds, the Doervus finally fell over with a THUD!

I had won against my first monster… but at a saddening cost.

Or so I thought, as I turned and faced it…