𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃

Spirit

My first thought after successfully driving away a certain pervert is to not risk any further humiliation. Priority one: covering myself up.

Luckily, I happen to be in the bedroom itself. With my cheeks still blazing hot, I make my way toward what looks like a wardrobe, shaking dirt and stray vines off my skin as I go. Each step is deliberate; I'm not about to destroy any more of the male lead's precious greenery and invite more of his wrath. His beloved plants might as well be his children at this point.

The wardrobe stands tall, its ornate wood carved with intricate patterns of swirling branches and blooming flowers. Typical. I hesitate, my fingers brushing the vine-covered handle, when something glints in the corner of my eye.

A mirror.

The long, slightly warped mirror spans most of one wall, encased in more vines, as if the plants are trying to pull it into their grasp. Does this man have some kind of weird plant kink? I've read about those on some very questionable sites in my original world. I'll have to ask him about that-though probably not while I'm still recovering from this particular brand of mortification.

I catch a glimpse of my reflection, and for a moment, I don't recognize the figure staring back at me.

Silver-white curls cascade down her back, tumbling like liquid light. The locks glint and shimmer faintly, brushing the curve of her waist, mercifully covering most of her body. Her skin glows with the same otherworldly sheen that seems to follow Layza everywhere-so it's probably a spirit thing. Still, it's unnerving to see it on me.

My eyes roam over the reflection, taking in the fine-boned features, the luminous eyes that seem almost too large for the delicate face. I tilt my head, and she tilts hers, mimicking my movements with eerie precision. It's beautiful.

But it's not me.

At least the system didn't skimp in the looks department. This body is undeniably gorgeous. Of course, it's no match for my original body-not that anything could be-but I'll give it a pass.

My lips curve into a dry smile as I run a hand through the shimmering curls. "So this is what gave Layza a nosebleed," I mutter. "Not bad."

Turning back to the wardrobe, I fling open the doors and rifle through its contents, my glowing hands brushing against fine fabrics. The clothing is surprisingly practical-long robes, loose tunics, and trousers made from soft, breathable material. The color palette leans heavily into whites, silvers, and blues, mirroring Layza's aesthetic.

I pull out a simple silver tunic and matching pants from the wardrobe. The tunic drapes loosely over my frame, its cool fabric brushing against my skin like a whispered apology for the chaos of the day. Subtle embroidery along the cuffs and neckline glimmers faintly in the low light, understated yet elegant. It falls just to mid-thigh, modest but functional.

The trousers, softer than anything I've ever worn, sit a little loose on my hips, gathering gently at my ankles. The material moves with me like a second skin, a far cry from the heavy spirit-cat form I'd been stuck in. There's no room for complaints here-not that I'd dare tempt fate again.

Once dressed, I step back to face the mirror. The glowing figure in silver regards me quietly. I run a hand through my still-dirt-dusted curls, trying to smooth out some of the chaos. The woman staring back is ethereal, like something out of a dream. And yet, piece by piece, she feels a little more like me.

I tug at the hem of the tunic, straightening it with a critical eye. "Not bad," I murmur, my lips curling into a faint smile.

With a final shake of my hair, scattering a few more stray vines, I turn my attention back to the one thing that's been haunting me for days: the cursed plant. It sits quietly on the floor where it landed after our earlier tumble, looking so deceptively innocent that it almost makes me want to laugh. Almost.

I crouch down, brushing aside some of the scattered dirt, and study it. As thrilled as I am to be in this new form-with limbs instead of paws-there's no telling how long this will last. I need to make the most of this opportunity while it's still here.

Taking a deep breath, I let determination settle over me like armor. My fingers stretch toward the plant, pausing just before contact. Then, finally, I let them connect.

This time, something is different.

The air around me hums, alive with a subtle magic I hadn't noticed before. A strange warmth rises within me, threading through my veins like liquid sunlight. The familiar, searing pain from the plant begins to flow into me, but before it can overwhelm, the sensation shifts. The ache dulls, softens, and finally, it ceases altogether.

My lips part in surprise as I pull my hand back. The plant seems to glow faintly now, no longer exuding that strange energy of brokenness.

"So, it wasn't my powers being faulty," I whisper, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "The cat form must have suppressed them."

A soft laugh escapes me as I rise to my feet. A new energy buzzes under my skin, filling me with confidence I hadn't felt since arriving here. With a renewed sense of purpose-and a not-so-subtle hunger clawing at my stomach-I stride out of the bedroom.

The hallway stretches before me, lined with soft pink light filtering through the spirit-world sky. My steps are light, almost bouncy, as I make my way downstairs.

Time to collect my well-earned payment.

And more importantly, time to eat.

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A/N: I BET Y'ALL FORGOT TO DRINK WATER TODAY HAH. IDIOTS. Go drink water. NOW.