It had been two months since I woke up in this bizarre new existence. Two months since I'd stopped being a human and accepted the cold, shiny truth—I was now nothing more than a ring.
At first, I panicked. I screamed in my head, I cursed at the universe, and I begged anyone to notice me. But after a while, I gave up. These days, all I can do is hope that someone will buy me. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get an owner who doesn't just toss me into a drawer.
One small blessing: I've figured out how to control the weird status window that keeps popping up. At the start, every single person who walked into the shop triggered it, their stats flashing before me whether I wanted to see them or not. It was maddening. Eventually, I learned how to switch it on and off, peeking only when I'm curious.
And one day, that curiosity paid off.
The shop bell chimed, and a girl with striking red hair stepped inside. She walked with elegance, the kind you'd expect from a noble's daughter.
"Excuse me," she said softly. "Do you have a recommendation for the best ring here?"
The shopkeeper didn't hesitate. He pointed right at me, his most prized merchandise. "This one. The finest choice for an aspiring adventurer."
Normally, customers balked at my price. I was expensive, after all. But to my shock, this girl didn't flinch. She bought me without hesitation.
Finally! After two months of being handled and ignored, I've got an owner!
Naturally, the first thing I did was check her status.
[Aliss Steensiws] – Level 12
Health: 800
Mana: 150
Body
Strength – 10/100
Dexterity – 13/100
Agility – 13/100
Mind
Intelligence – 40/100
Perception – 52/100
Charisma – 77/100
Spirit
Magic – 11/100
Resistance – 0/100
"…Huh. Pretty average."
At least, that's what it looked like to me. If anything, her stats screamed "not an adventurer." And from her posture, her clothes, and the air about her, I was willing to bet she was a noble's daughter. But hey—who was I to complain? A ring doesn't get to choose its master.
Sure enough, my hunch was right. She took me to her home, and what a place it was. Massive estate. Manicured gardens. The kind of house you'd only ever see in anime when the heroine comes from a rich family.
The moment she stepped through the door, a maid greeted her politely. Then, in the living room, a stern-looking man sat waiting.
"Aliss! Where have you been?" His voice boomed with authority. "We need to discuss your marriage."
The girl stiffened. "Father… we've already talked about this. I don't want to marry Linceo."
Oh boy. Here we go. This is straight out of the noble-daughter anime trope. Overbearing dad, unwanted fiancé, the works.
Her father rose from his chair, walking toward her. He placed a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"I know what this is really about," he said, his voice softening slightly. "You want to become an adventurer, don't you? Just like your mother."
Aliss clenched her fists. "Yes. I want to follow in her footsteps. I want to live as she lived."
The man's expression twisted with anger. "Your mother died because of that life! Do you want me to lose you too?"
She shook his hand off, eyes burning with determination. "That's exactly why I want to do it. To honor her."
Her father's patience snapped. He grabbed me from her finger and glared at her.
"I gave you all these luxuries, and still you defy me! Fine then!"
Without another word, he hurled me out the door.
Thud!Roll… roll… roll…
I bounced across the courtyard before finally skidding to a stop outside the estate gates.
Whoa! The distance on that throw! Did he train for the shot put or something?!
Lying there in the dirt, all I could do was stew in silence. My first owner… and I'd already been tossed away.