"Mmm..."

After wandering the city streets for a while, Rayelle silently halted. Staring at the identical buildings stretching before her, she sank into thought.

She was lost.

Why did every building here look exactly the same?!

A silent wail rose in Rayelle’s heart.

She’d barely gone far before getting hopelessly turned around in some nameless alley of Bonn City.

Forget finding the Chaos Sect—she didn’t even know where the Adventurers Guild was anymore.

Rayelle clutched her head and slunk into an empty corner, crouching like a little mushroom in the shadows.

Standing in the middle of the street was just too awkward.

For some reason, passersby kept glancing at her—probably because her white hair and blue eyes were rare here.

*What now...?*

Rayelle’s gaze darted helplessly over the utterly unfamiliar faces and outfits around her.

A shut-in who rarely left home, she was peak social anxiety.

Online, she could type a storm—flooding chats with dozens of messages a minute. But in real life? A timid rabbit, tongue-tied and silent.

Bold behind a keyboard, shy in the flesh.

Asking a stranger for directions in this unfamiliar place felt like torture. Even reborn as a young dragon girl, that deep-rooted shyness hadn’t faded.

Safety wasn’t her worry—despite her weak magic, her Dragon Breath and innate strength as Dragon Kind could level a city. She hadn’t even used her Extraordinary Power against that army earlier.

But... was she really waiting for Aerin to rescue her?

How lame. Her mission to help Aerin erase dark corruption had barely started before getting derailed by getting lost.

Rayelle cringed at herself.

*Maybe... ask someone kind-looking?*

*Be brave, Rayelle!*

After psyching herself up, she lifted her head and scanned the crowd.

Then she spotted her—a gentle-faced girl with chestnut hair, sitting quietly by a flowerbed. She cradled an injured kitten, stroking its fur.

A soft gray Lolita dress wrapped her petite frame like a porcelain doll. Delicate legs peeked beneath the skirt, sheathed in pure white thigh-highs that added an untouchable elegance.

Her water-soft gaze, tender touches, and a smile as warm as afternoon sun made even Rayelle want to approach.

She looked barely four feet tall—about Rayelle’s age.

Loli solidarity.

*Definitely not because I’m a loli connoisseur!*

Hope flared in Rayelle’s eyes. She sprang up from the corner and scampered over on little legs—*tap-tap-tap!*

The chestnut-haired girl noticed her, tilting up her head with a curious blink. Her pale blue eyes studied Rayelle’s breathless face.

Her small hands still glowed faintly, mending the kitten’s wounds as it rested on her lap. Rayelle sensed the subtle ripple of magic.

*She’s healing it... Such a kind girl.*

"U-um... hello?"

Rayelle’s nerves returned the moment she stood before her. But it was too late to retreat. She raised a trembling hand, gave a stiff little wave, and forced a smile.

"Hello?" The girl smiled warmly, head tilted, waiting.

Her gentle voice and open expression eased Rayelle’s panic. She’d feared cold shoulders, frowns, or dismissal.

Thankfully, none came.

Rayelle took a deep breath, fingers brushing her cheek as she glanced at the kitten. "Are you... from around here? I’m lost. Could you tell me where this is? And—where’s the Adventurers Guild? Thank you so much!"

She blurted it all in one breath, then clenched her fists, head bowed, awaiting the reply.

"I am local," the girl murmured, still petting the kitten.

"Really? That’s great!" Rayelle’s face lit up with hope.

Then came the icy bucket.

"But... I don’t know the streets either." The girl scratched her head sheepishly, offering an apologetic smile.

"Eh?"

"Sorry. I’m lost too. That’s why I’m sitting here."

Rayelle’s jaw dropped. Stone-faced, she froze.

She’d mustered every ounce of courage to ask for help—only to find another lost soul?!

*You’re a fake local...*

As Rayelle turned to slink away, the girl called out softly:

"Um... if you’d like, we could ask someone together?"

She tilted her head, eyes shimmering with quiet hope.

*Ah.*

*She’s shy too.*

Relief flooded Rayelle. Misery loved company. She bounced back to the girl’s side.

"Okay!"

"Oh—what’s your name?" The girl tapped her lips, studying Rayelle’s snow-white hair.

"I’m Rayelle. And you?"

"Chriss."

Rayelle searched her memory. No match. *Just a side character. Perfect—no risk of getting assassinated.* She exhaled inwardly and inched closer, gently taking Chriss’s hand.

It was small, soft, and carried the warm scent of coffee and sunshine.

"Hm?" Chriss blinked, puzzled by the gesture.

"Let’s go ask for directions!"

"Ah, right." Chriss nodded, setting the healed kitten down.

It leaped lightly to the ground, nuzzled her white thigh-highs in thanks, then darted away—vanishing into the city’s maze.