Before Rany truly returned to the waking world, she found herself drifting in a realm that defied all logic. There was no floor, no ceiling—only a vast, shimmering expanse of starlight that felt as soft as silk against her skin. She was floating, weightless, suspended in a sea of cosmic tranquility.
Above her, a radiant presence materialized. It was the Goddess, her form woven from threads of pure light and maternal warmth. She leaned down, cradling Rany in a ghostly, ethereal embrace.
"You pushed yourself too hard, my child," the Goddess whispered, her voice like the chime of silver bells.
Rany looked down at her tiny, glowing hands. "I... I'm sorry," she murmured, the voice of a little girl carrying the weary soul of a man. "I suppose because I used to be a man, and someone who was used to being strong, I forced myself to fight like I still had that old body."
The Goddess smiled, a gesture so filled with compassion it made Rany's heart ache. "It is no matter. But next time, you must be more careful. You must be gentler with yourself, little one. You are a small girl now, not a soldier of steel."
With a wave of the Goddess's hand, flickering images of Rany's past life as Raky appeared in the stardust—the lonely nights at the computer, the cold office lights, the exhaustion of a life lived for a company that didn't care.
"Make more beautiful memories for your life this time, child," the Goddess urged softly.
Rany felt tears welling up in her ruby-red eyes. The weight of a second chance, a life free from the grey shackles of her past, washed over her.
"Thank you... thank you for this second life, Goddess," she whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude.
The Goddess pulled Rany into a final, tight embrace, the warmth of it seeping into her very soul.
"Rest now, little girl. Your journey is still long, and the world is waiting for you."
The Awakening
The warmth of the Goddess's hug slowly transitioned into the warmth of a sunbeam hitting her face.
Rany blinked her eyes open. She wasn't floating in space anymore. She was lying on a simple, sturdy bed layered with soft, fragrant furs. Her body still felt heavy, a lingering ache reminding her of the Ogre's defeat, but the sharp, agonizing pain was gone.
She turned her head slightly and saw a girl sitting on a stool beside her. It was Vany. The silver-haired girl had clearly stayed by her side all night, for she was now fast asleep, her head resting on the edge of the mattress, her tufted ears twitching occasionally in her slumber.
Rany didn't want to wake her. She looked past Vany, toward the open window nearby.
The sight that met her eyes was breathtaking. She wasn't just in a cabin; she was in the heart of a hidden sanctuary. Outside, the village of the Werewolves stretched out in a valley of vibrant green. The houses were built from natural wood and stone, blending perfectly with the towering ancient trees.
In the central clearing, she saw them—werewolf children, some in human form with fluffy ears and others in small, playful pup forms, chasing each other through the tall grass. Their laughter drifted through the window, a sound so pure and full of life that Rany felt a lump in her throat.
For the first time in two lives, Rany didn't see a deadline, a screen, or a grey sky. She saw a world worth living in. She was no longer a programmer trapped in a loop; she was a girl at the beginning of a grand adventure.
Not long after, Vany's ears twitched. With a loud, snorting gasp, she sat bolt upright. Her silver hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction, and a thin trail of drool was glistening on her chin.
Rany couldn't help it. A small, melodic giggle escaped her lips—a sound so high and sweet it surprised even herself.
Vany's eyes went wide. She frantically wiped her mouth with her sleeve, her face turning a bright shade of pink.
"You... you're awake!" she stammered, trying to pat down her wild hair.
"I am," Rany replied, her voice sounding like tiny silver bells.
"I'm Vany," the silver-haired girl said, puffing out her chest to regain some dignity. "My mother, Valia, brought you here. You've been asleep for a whole day!"
"I'm Rany," she replied softly. "Thank you for taking care of me, Vany."
Vany leaned in closer, her golden eyes filled with intense curiosity.
"So, Rany... my mother told me what happened. But I have to ask... where is your family? Why was a little girl like you wandering alone in the Forest of Whispers? It's full of monsters!"
Rany looked down at the fur blanket, her mind racing. "I... I don't have anyone left. I'm all alone. I don't even know how I ended up in that forest. I think I was just... lost."
Vany narrowed her eyes, her wolf-like intuition tingling. She looked at Rany's tiny, pale arms and her delicate face.
"Lost? Rany, you look like a porcelain doll. You're so small and... well, incredibly cute. How did a 'lost' little doll like you take down a mountain Ogre? It doesn't make sense!"
Rany blinked, her brow furrowing.
"A doll? Cute? What are you talking about? I'm just... me."
In her mind, Rany still pictured the tired, unshaven face of Raky the programmer. She didn't feel cute; she felt like a man in a very inconvenient situation.
"You really don't know, do you?" Vany giggled. She reached under the bed and pulled out a hand-mirror framed in polished wood. "Here. See for yourself."
Rany took the mirror with trembling hands. She braced herself and looked at the reflection.
Her breath hitched. Staring back at her was a girl who looked like she had stepped out of a masterpiece painting. She had skin as white as snow, large blue eyes that shimmered with intelligence, and long, silky white hair that fell over her shoulders. Her small nose and rose-colored lips were perfectly shaped.
"Oh god..." Rany gasped, her eyes widening in the mirror.
" I'm... I'm freaking adorable!"
She poked her own cheek, watching it squish under her finger. It was soft, bouncy, and undeniably "moe." The rugged programmer was gone, replaced by a creature so cute it felt like a crime.
The First Meal
The heavy wooden door creaked open. The savory aroma of roasted meat and wild herbs flooded the room, making Rany's stomach let out a loud growl.
Valia entered with a tray, smiling at the sight of Rany holding the mirror.
"I see you've met your new self. And it sounds like your stomach is just as fierce as your swordsmanship."
"Mother! Rany is all alone! Can she stay with us?" Vany pleaded.
Valia looked at Rany's blue eyes.
"You are welcome here as long as you need, Rany." She handed her a wooden bowl of thick stew.
"Eat. You need to replenish your energy." Rany took a spoonful.
The earthy, rich flavors were better than any takeout she had ever had. She began to eat with the focused intensity of a starving programmer during a system crash.
"Slow down, little one!" Valia laughed,
wiping a smudge of gravy from Rany's chin.
Rany froze, bread halfway to her mouth. She realized she was acting like a middle-aged man at a buffet. She quickly slowed down, her face heating up. Right... I'm a 'cute girl' now. Manners, Rany. Manners.
"Thank you," Rany whispered. "It's the best thing I've ever tasted."
As she finished,
looking at Valia and Vany, Rany realized the Goddess was right. This was her chance. She would protect this warmth with every bit of the 'source code' and 'Murim' in her soul.