"Anything," the system said.
Aurora stilled and stared at the system, waiting for it to explain further exactly what it meant by 'anything'.
The system seemed to have realized it too, so it immediately started explaining, "You can ask for anything within the authority of the Great Entity behind me. It can be a new life in another world. Wealth. Power. Fame. Or maybe to return to your original world - though this one could only be done with a new identity. But you get the idea."
Aurora's mind moved quickly. "Anything," she repeated.
"Yes."
Another moment of silence passed between them before she asked, "And if I fail?"
"You die," the system said simply.
Aurora nodded, "Reasonable."
"…Reasonable?"
"Yes."
The system stared at her. "You are taking this very well."
Aurora tilted her head slightly and corrected it, "No. I'm evaluating."
The system stared at her before it asked, "And?"
Aurora looked out into the endless abyss. Her lips curved slightly as she spoke, "It's inefficient... this world. It's poorly managed."
"Right. And that's why you are here." The system paused for a moment before asking, "So you'll accept?"
Aurora didn't answer immediately. Instead, she reviewed everything - her sudden death during the mission, her new body, her current situation - with a hostile, powerful beastman waiting the moment she returned. There were clearly risks, but then there were rewards too.
"I'll do it," she finally said.
The system froze. For some reason, it expected her to disagree, or at least, argue some more. "You will?"
Aurora's gaze turned sharp as she put out her index finger and said, "But on one condition."
The system tensed and asked, "What condition?"
Aurora's voice was calm as she told the system her condition. "You assist me properly."
"I was already going to-"
"No half-measures," she cut in. "No vague instructions. No withholding critical information. If I'm fixing your broken world, you will provide everything necessary to do so efficiently."
The system hesitated just for a moment before it nodded, or at least it looked like a nod. "Agreed."
Aurora nodded once too. "Then we have a deal."
A bright light flared beneath her feet as the platform lit up even more brightly.
[Agreement confirmed.]
[Welcome, Host Aurora.]
The light beneath Aurora's feet pulsed once, then stabilized into a steady glow. And then she heard the familiar cold, mechanical voice.
[Starter Reward Unlocked.]
A translucent screen flickered into existence in front of her, and Aurora's gaze sharpened immediately. The interface hovered mid-air. It was semi-transparent yet vividly defined, like glass layered with light. Symbols and text glowed faintly across its surface, arranged in clean, structured panels. There were sections labeled with - Status, Inventory, Tasks, and Encyclopedia sitting neatly aligned, though most of them appeared dimmed, as if locked or awaiting activation.
At the center of the screen, a highlighted window expanded.
[Welcome Package: Beginner Luxury Care Set]
Aurora stared at it for a moment before repeating flatly, "Luxury."
The panel shifted, displaying the contents in an orderly list:
Shampoo (1L)
Conditioner (800ml)
Scalp Scrubber (1)
Hair Serum (500ml)
Wooden comb (2 sets)
Body Wash (1L)
Body Scrub (800ml)
Body Lotion (500ml)
Towels (2 sets)
Bathrobes (2 sets)
Toothbrush (2 sets)
Toothpaste (100g)
Razor (2 sets)
Silence.
Aurora did not react for a full five seconds. And then she turned to the system and asked, "Are you joking?"
"I am not joking!" Navi's voice chirped, sounding far too pleased with itself. "This is a premium starter package!"
Aurora's eyes didn't leave the list. "I asked for a better body," she reminded.
"And I gave you a better lifestyle," the system corrected brightly.
Aurora thought about the body she currently occupied, and just by thinking about the state it was in, she knew this Luxury bath and body set was way more than anything else she could have asked for right now - except for a better body, of course.
"Fine," she admitted finally.
Navi brightened further. "I knew you would appreciate it!"
"I didn't say that." Aurora lifted a hand, inspecting it briefly before looking back at the screen. "However," she continued calmly, "given the current condition of this body, hygiene is a logical starting point."
A moment later, she added almost as an afterthought, "...I refuse to negotiate with the world while smelling like this."
Navi made a small, satisfied noise. "See? Progress already!"
Aurora ignored that. Her gaze moved across the interface again, noting the structure, the responsiveness, the clarity of categories.
"Explain the system," she said.
Navi immediately shifted into a more formal tone. "As you wish, Host!"
The screen expanded and multiple panels slid into view with smooth precision.
"The system operates on a task-and-reward structure," Navi began. "You will receive quests aligned with your primary objective - advancing this Beastworld's development. Upon successful completion, you will receive rewards."
Aurora nodded slightly before asking, "What kind of rewards these would be?"
"Variable," Navi replied. "They can range from physical items, tools, and resources… to skill enhancements, knowledge unlocks, or environmental upgrades."
Aurora's eyes flickered. "Skill enhancements?"
"Yes!" Navi chirped. "For example, improving your physical capabilities, increasing stamina, enhancing perception - things that will help compensate for your current…" it paused delicately, "…limitations."
Aurora didn't respond to that and said flatly, "Continue."
"The Encyclopedia," Navi went on, "contains comprehensive data about this world - flora, fauna, tribes, cultural structures, medical knowledge, and more. It will also update dynamically as you discover new information."
Aurora's interest sharpened slightly and she asked, "Does it include comparative data?"
"Yes! It also holds information on similar Beastworlds across the universe which will be useful for identifying development patterns and potential solutions."
"Good."
Navi puffed up proudly and continued, "Then there's the Storage Space."
Aurora glanced at the relevant tab.
"And it has no limit," Navi said, almost smugly. "You can store anything - materials, tools, resources. Time does not pass inside the storage, and items remain in perfect condition."
Aurora's expression didn't change, but her mind moved quickly. "Any other features?" She asked.
Navi perked up. "Yes!"
A new panel flickered open.
"There's also this Analysis Function. You can scan objects, creatures, or injuries to receive detailed breakdowns. It will be very helpful for medical applications."
Aurora's eyes narrowed slightly. This was also a useful feature.
"And," Navi continued, clearly enjoying itself now, "there's also a Blueprint System. Once you unlock it, you can recreate tools, medicines, and even infrastructure designs using gathered materials."
Aurora exhaled softly, nodding in approval "Such an efficient system."
"I try my best."
A brief silence settled before Navi spoke again, it's tone turning serious. "Your first task is here, Host."
A sharp ping echoed as the Tasks panel lit up.
Aurora's gaze moved to it.
[Primary Task: Heal Alpha Asher]
[Difficulty: Medium]
[Reward: Pending]
Aurora stared at it before she turned to Navi. "Care to explain what is going on here."
Navi hesitated before speaking carefully, "You already know him. He's the man in the cave."
Aurora's eyes flickered. "You mean the one I'm currently responsible for attempting to assault."
"Yes," Navi said weakly.
Aurora folded her arms. "And I'm supposed to heal him. Why?"
Navi straightened as it explained, "Because he is not just any beastman. He is Alpha Asher - the leader of the Wolf Tribe."
Aurora stilled. "An Alpha."
"One of the strongest," Navi confirmed. "He's a key figure in the Beastworld's power structure. His survival, and his future actions, will significantly impact the balance of this region."
Aurora's mind moved quickly - Power hierarchy. Tribal influence. Strategic positioning.
"So this is political."
"It's everything," Navi said. "Health, power, influence, survival. If he dies, it creates instability. If he lives-"
Aurora finished the thought. "-he becomes an asset."
Navi nodded in approval. "Exactly."
A quiet breath left Aurora as she said, "And he currently wants to kill me."
"Yes," Navi admitted.
Aurora exhaled quietly. "Alright. Let's fix this mess."