Reincarnated into my favorite videogame

As Nari approached the familiar entrance to the town, a rush of nostalgia flooded her senses. The cobblestone paths, the vibrant market stalls, and the lively chatter of townsfolk brought back memories of her earlier adventures. But this time, she wasn't alone. Beside her walked Valerie, the girl who had unexpectedly transformed from a wolf into a human, and who now looked at the world with wide, curious eyes.

Nari glanced at Valerie, her heart swelling with a mix of protectiveness and excitement. "Alright, Valerie, we need to make sure you blend in," she said, her voice low. With a flick of her wrist, she cast a spell to conceal Valerie's wolfish ears and tail. The transformation was subtle yet effective, and Nari felt a sense of relief wash over her. "You'll have to act normal, like any other girl."

Valerie nodded earnestly, her bright red eyes shining with curiosity. "What do you want me to do?" she asked, her voice a mixture of innocence and eagerness.

"Just follow my lead and, um," Nari paused, searching for the right words. "When we enter the town, I want you to address me as your mother. It will help keep suspicion away."

Valerie tilted her head slightly, a look of confusion crossing her face. "Mother? But I thought I was just your disciple..."

"You aren't- I mean you are, but for now, we're playing pretend," Nari explained, smiling to soften the instruction. "It's safer this way."

With a serious nod, Valerie straightened her posture. "Okay, Mother."

Together, they stepped into the bustling town. The moment they entered, Valerie's eyes widened in amazement. She had never seen a place like this before. Merchants shouted their wares, children ran by laughing, and the aroma of baked bread wafted through the air. "What is this place?" she asked, tugging gently at Nari's sleeve.

"This is a town where humans live, work, and trade," Nari replied, watching as Valerie took in every detail.

Valerie's brow furrowed as she observed the townsfolk engaging in various activities—some bartering goods, others simply chatting, and a few carrying heavy baskets on their heads. "Last time I was in a 'town,' there were no houses, and the people barely wore any clothes!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief.

Nari chuckled softly, unable to imagine the kind of town Valerie had experienced. "Well, it sounds like you were in a very different place. This is what we call civilization."

They walked down the busy street, and Valerie was utterly fascinated. Every few steps, she stopped to look at something—a vendor selling colorful fabrics, a group of children playing tag, a baker pulling fresh loaves from a stone oven. Nari couldn't help but smile at her excitement.

As they approached the guild, Nari felt a mixture of anxiety and determination. The guild was a hub of information, quests, and opportunities, but it was also a reminder of her past failures. She needed to be strong for Valerie. "Alright, Valerie," Nari said, stopping at the entrance of the guild. "Before we go in, I need you to act like you've been crying for a long time. Can you do that?"

Valerie's face shifted to mimic sadness, and she nodded dramatically. "Like this?"

Nari stifled a laugh. "Close enough. Just make it believable."

With a deep breath, Nari pushed open the heavy wooden door, and they stepped inside. The interior was warm and inviting, filled with the chatter of adventurers sharing stories and the rustle of parchment as quests were posted on the bulletin board. As they entered, a nearby attendant looked up, concern etched across her face.

"Where is the rest of your group?" the attendant asked, her brow furrowing as she surveyed Nari's tear-streaked face.

Nari swallowed hard, forcing a shaky voice. "The—they died. I was the only one who could escape." The words tumbled out, laced with genuine emotion, even though they were only half-true.

The attendant's expression softened. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said gently, her eyes glistening with sympathy. "I didn't know they were so weak."

Nari's thoughts spiraled for a moment. Sheesh! Spare the dead some sympathy, why don't ya? She forced herself to stay in character, maintaining her facade of sorrow.

"Um... who is this?" the attendant asked, pointing to Valerie with a hint of curiosity.

Nari quickly crafted a response. "My child," she said, offering no further explanation, her heart racing slightly at the suddenness of the question.

The attendant's face shifted from concern to a gentle smile. "What's your name, little darling?" she asked Valerie.

Valerie looked at Nari, who gave her a reassuring thumbs up. "Valerie," the girl replied, her voice soft yet clear.

"Nice to meet you, Valerie! I'm Natalie," the attendant said, a hint of warmth in her smile. Nari felt a flicker of relief; perhaps things would go smoothly after all.

Then, unexpectedly, Natalie's expression shifted again. Her eyes became pleading as she focused on Nari. "There's no other group to join except your first group..."

Nari's heart sank, disbelief crashing over her like a tidal wave. "WHAT!" she thought, shock coursing through her veins. The implications of that statement were staggering. "I can't go back to them! Not after everything that happened!" 

"Is there a problem?" Nari managed to ask, her voice quiet, masking her rising panic.

Natalie's gaze softened as she sensed Nari's distress. "I'm sorry, but since your group was the last one to complete a quest, it's customary for those without a party to join their previous group again. I can't assign you to another team; it's against the rules."

"But I... I can't!" Nari stammered, her mind racing with a million thoughts. She had left that group behind for a reason. She didn't want to face them again, especially not after what she had done. She had to look after Valerie and Iris, too.

Seeing Nari's turmoil, Valerie's expression changed to one of concern. "Mother, are you okay?" she whispered, reaching out to grasp Nari's hand.

Nari took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain composure. She couldn't let fear control her. "I... I just need some time to think," she said, trying to sound composed.

Natalie nodded sympathetically, her eyes softening further. "Take all the time you need, dear. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

Nari glanced at Valerie, who was watching her with innocent curiosity, and felt a surge of determination. She wouldn't let her past dictate her future. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them head-on—together with Valerie and Iris.

As they stepped out of the guild, the bustling town felt alive with possibilities. Nari squeezed Valerie's hand, feeling a sense of responsibility. "We'll figure this out, I promise," she said, more to reassure herself than anything. "Let's explore a bit more."

Valerie's eyes sparkled as they wandered the streets. Nari pointed out different stalls, explaining the various goods and trades that people engaged in. They passed a blacksmith hammering iron, and Valerie's jaw dropped in awe. "Can I do that someday?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

"With practice, anything is possible," Nari replied, feeling a warmth in her chest at Valerie's enthusiasm.

As they moved along, Nari's thoughts kept drifting back to the guild's revelation. What do I do if I can't join another group? The reality of being alone again loomed like a shadow over her. She had worked so hard to carve out a new life, one that was her own, free from the burdens of her past.

Suddenly, Valerie stopped, staring wide-eyed at a stand filled with colorful trinkets. "Look, Mother! Can we get something?" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.

Nari chuckled, her spirits lifting despite the weight of her thoughts. "Alright, but just one thing." She led Valerie to the stall, where an elderly woman smiled warmly at them.

"What would you like, dear?" the woman asked, her voice kind and gentle.

Valerie's gaze darted from one shiny object to another until she finally settled on a small, ornate pendant. It shimmered in the sunlight, a delicate fox carved into the center. "Can I have this one, please?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

Nari nodded, feeling a pang of surprise thinks "coincidence?" before saying "Of course." She fished out a few coins from her pouch and handed them to the woman, who wrapped the pendant carefully.

As Valerie held the pendant in her hands, her face lit up with delight. "Thank you, Mother! I'll treasure it forever!"

Nari smiled back, momentarily forgetting the weight of her worries. "Let's go find a quiet spot to sit for a while," she suggested, leading Valerie toward a small tree nearby.

They settled under the shade of a tree, and Valerie immediately examined her new pendant, turning it over in her hands. "It's beautiful," she said, beaming at Nari. "Thank you for getting it for me."

Nari watched her with a warmth in her heart. "I'm glad you like it," she said softly. "You deserve nice things."