"It’s useless. Don’t waste your energy."

The alluring woman looked down at her, triumph blazing unmistakably in her eyes.

The girl on the ground tried to move—but her body refused to obey.

"Blame only yourself for being worthless."

Why did this scene feel so familiar?

As if she’d lived it before.

A strange sensation…

The black-haired girl strained to rise, but every nerve screamed in agony.

Then—a sword thrust forward, piercing her heart before she could react.

"I’ve always wanted to kill you. Always craved your body. And now… I’ve finally done it."

The woman’s maniacal grin burned into her fading vision.

The blade withdrew, drenched in blood. The girl’s ruby eyes dimmed, light vanishing completely.

Pain consumed her, yet she couldn’t move—could only feel her life draining away.

"Xiao Mo!"

A voice called her name… but whose was it?

Familiar, yet utterly foreign.

Only one certainty remained: it belonged to a girl.

"I’m sorry, Xiao Mo. This is all my fault!"

Strange… she’d never heard those words before.

Was this a dream?

"Please… just open your eyes. I’ll never do it again. Take my life if you wake up!"

*Don’t cry…* The voice squeezed her heart like a fist.

"Xiao Mo!"

Then—silence.

*Why this dream?* She didn’t understand.

Only that a memory clung to her mind, impossible to erase.

This feeling… carved deep into her soul. Unforgettable.

*Perhaps… because it felt too real.*

— — — — — — — — — —

"Hah!"

The girl jolted upright in bed, sweat-soaked clothes clinging to her skin. The dream’s vividness left her wide awake.

Moyu Manatsu pressed a hand to her forehead, steadying her breath.

*Just a dream…*

That nightmare again.

Ever since she’d woken as a girl one month ago, it haunted her—at least once a week.

In it, she—Moyu Manatsu in a girl’s body—was slain by an alluring woman’s sword.

So real, she’d once feared it was a premonition. Her therapist called it stress.

But after swapping bodies with Lunorette, the dreams stopped. Until now.

Moyu hugged herself, shivering with the phantom relief of escaping death.

Her damp clothes needed changing. She stood—

*What… is this?*

Silver-white strands hung in her trembling hands.

She grabbed a small mirror. Staring back: porcelain skin, ruby-red eyes.

"Lunorette…?"

Moyu’s jaw dropped. She pinched her cheeks—again and again—but the face never changed.

She dropped the mirror, then gripped her chest firmly.

A strange ripple shot through her—but she barely noticed. Her focus was the *feel*.

This fullness… nothing like her own flat chest.

"No doubt about it… these are Lunorette’s breasts."

A flicker of defeat crossed her mind, but she admitted the truth: this touch belonged to Lunorette.

Moyu had only been a girl for two months. After thorough self-examination, she’d accepted her flat-chested reality. Lunorette? Modest but undeniably present.

*Nothing like me.*

"But why am I still Lunorette today?!" she shrieked.

The same tent surrounded her. She was still in the wilderness—not home.

*If I’d switched back, I wouldn’t be stuck in this hellhole.*

"What’s all the screaming about, Lunorette?"

Saria lifted the tent flap, exasperation in her voice.

"Why stare like that? Something on my face?"

"N-no, it’s just…"

"Get ready. You *did* promise to continue the mission. Move."

Saria turned and left, leaving Moyu bewildered.

She stared at her hands, then at last night’s tank top.

*Am I… permanently Lunorette now?*

Had her soul fully merged with this body?

Swaps usually lasted two or three days—never without returning.

*Wait…* She recalled one swap lasting exactly two days. *Just like now.* Her shoulders relaxed slightly.

*Do I really have to wait until tomorrow?*

She dreaded another day fighting in this forest.

Dressed and packed, Moyu stepped outside. The others were nearly ready.

"We’ll take Erica back to the academy first."

"Be careful."

"Same to you."

Of the ten students, four withdrew—escorting the injured Erica. The rest stayed: some for noble pride, some refusing to quit, others trapped by circumstance. Moyu belonged to the last group.

*I’d planned to dump this mess on Lunorette herself tomorrow. Who knew I’d still be stuck in her skin?*

Resentment simmered. But quitting now? Impossible. She’d survive today like yesterday—by any means necessary.

Then she spotted a familiar girl. Their eyes met. Awkwardness froze them both.

"Uh… good morning, Luno-chan…"

After hesitation, she forced her usual greeting—but her voice sounded stiff, unnatural.

"Mm. Morning, Caina."

Moyu offered a stiff smile.

Silence thickened the air.

"Let’s move out."

Theos, the de facto leader, signaled departure.

Lunorette—the academy’s Chief Student—had fought uncharacteristically poorly yesterday. Everyone noticed her weakened state.

*Naturally. This body houses a soul from another world.*

Moyu knew she was dead weight. Yet expectations weighed on Lunorette’s shoulders.

*Only I know I’ll just drag them down.*

But she couldn’t confess—not now.

"Lunorette."

Saria’s voice cut through her thoughts.

"You and Caina… fighting?"

Moyu froze.

"Even if you stay silent, it’s obvious. Something happened."

"Saria, I—"

"Idiot. We’ve known each other two years. I see how she looks at you. *Something* happened."

Saria’s sigh held weary affection.

"Apologize properly. Understand?"

"...Mm."

Moyu could only nod.

Saria’s smile faded completely. She watched Moyu’s back, suddenly feeling like a stranger.

*Sorry, Lunorette. I don’t recognize you anymore.*

"Hm? Muttering to yourself?"

"Ah—nothing! Let’s go!"

Saria hurried ahead, leaving Moyu puzzled.

Death Forest loomed as eerie as ever. Yet Theos leading the way brought quiet reassurance—his strength was undeniable.

Guilt pricked Moyu. *I’ve caused Lunorette so much trouble. She’ll be furious when she gets her body back.*

*Especially after I failed so badly as her.*

"The edge is visible."

Theos pointed ahead.

Trees thinned, revealing an endless horizon. Beyond lay cliffs—the rumored den of silver wolves.

Unlike yesterday’s aimless wandering, today held purpose. A breakthrough.

*Perhaps the princess is hidden here too.*

"Didn’t expect them to find this place. Thought they’d have run home yesterday."

Xiejit watched the holographic display, rare surprise flickering across his face.

His gaze settled on Theos.

*Did that boy uncover my hideout?*

The youth looked nothing like a hardened warrior—slight build, delicate features. But his mind? Sharp.

*If he’s the strategist type… this makes sense.*

He hurled a glass cup. It shattered on the floor, shards glittering under the light.

He didn’t notice the white-haired girl on-screen studying her surroundings…

*Moyu Manatsu was already calculating the enemy’s location—though no one could tell.*

*Only caves or underground tunnels could hide them. No time to dig tunnels with a hostage. Must be a cave. But which one?*

"Lunorette, what are you muttering about?"

"Ah—nothing!"

Moyu climbed the cliff edge, gazing at the horizon. Pebbles tumbled from her boots, vanishing into the abyss without a sound.

Wind whipped her hair. Her eyes hardened. Her mind raced.

*How do I escape this time?*