Her awareness lingered on the glowing panel.
True Form Shifting. To change her crystal body into the form of any creature whose essence she possessed. DNA, or even simple physical contact, would be enough to unlock a new vessel.
The thought unsettled her. So I need DNA… or touch. To use this ability, I have to gather from something alive. It sounds powerful… maybe too powerful. Could such a thing really exist without some hidden price?
She tried to quiet her doubts, but unease lingered.
Then, without warning, the ground shook.
A roar thundered through the cavern, so deep and violent it rattled her very core. Her crystalline vessel resonated, vibrating to the sound. It wasn't just noise—it was authority, a proclamation of dominance that pressed down on everything nearby.
Her soul quivered. Something dangerous… something alive is here.
Moments later, she heard them. Voices.
They echoed faintly at first, then clearer—sharp, guttural sounds. Too deliberate to be animal cries. Too structured to be meaningless noise. Intelligent speech.
Her being stirred with uncertainty. "System," she whispered into the void of thought, "what should I do? I can't understand them. I don't even know if they're human—or some kind of monster speaking a foreign tongue."
Ding.
"Host, do you want me to analyze their language? The process may take time. However, because your memory and learning speed are greatly enhanced, you will gradually begin to understand as the analysis continues."
Her soul flickered uneasily. "…So if I let you do this, I'll eventually comprehend their words?"
"Correct. The more you are exposed, the faster comprehension stabilizes. Estimated time: indeterminate, dependent on complexity."
The voices grew louder, closer. A heavy thud struck the cavern floor—like a body falling. The sharp clatter of steel followed, harsh against the stillness.
Her crystal vessel pulsed faintly. Someone just died. Whoever these beings are, they're fighting. My first encounter in this world… may not be a friendly one.
Her decision solidified. "System. Start the analysis."
Ding.
"Language analysis protocol initiated. Host, continue listening and observing. Comprehension will improve naturally as data accumulates."
A strange warmth spread through her crystalline body, subtle but steady. It felt like invisible threads latching onto every vibration, catching syllables and carving them into patterns within her soul.
Each guttural cry, each word, each harsh laugh etched itself into her memory. Slowly—agonizingly slowly—fragments began to form.
Yet unease gnawed at her. What if they aren't allies, but predators?
The system's voice followed, calm and detached.
"Host, you need not fear. This crystal is one hundred times harder than the diamonds of your previous world. It is unbreakable, unless struck by a material of equal strength."
Her awareness jolted. What?!
Shock rippled through her. If that was true… her vessel was invulnerable to most dangers. Unbreakable… unless something equally strong exists.
The confirmation came flatly. "Correct."
Before she could settle into that thought, footsteps echoed closer.
Two figures emerged from the shadows, their presence sharp against the cavern's glow.
Blood stained their clothes, trailing down their arms, but the wounds were shallow—painful but not fatal. Their movements carried exhaustion, yet also the steadiness of survivors.
They muttered to each other in that foreign tongue, their syllables harsh and guttural. She strained to catch fragments, letting the system feed her the beginnings of comprehension. For now, most was still lost to her.
And then she saw them.
A man and a woman. Both young—perhaps in their twenties. Both… striking. Too much so.
The man bore silver hair that shimmered even in the cavern's dim glow, his battered armor still intact despite clear battle. His blue eyes carried the weight of countless struggles, tempered into steel. A thin cut streaked his arm, blood glistening faintly. In his hand, he held a sword whose edge gleamed with fresh crimson.
Beside him, the woman's golden hair spilled in loose strands, dulled with dirt and sweat, yet still radiant. Her crimson eyes cut sharply through the shadows, alive with intellect and vigilance. She leaned upon a staff crowned with a dim crystal, its light flickering weakly—spent, yet still pulsing with traces of mana. A shallow cut marred her hand, signs of spellwork driven to its edge.
They looked like a pair drawn from some tale: knight and mage, forged together by battle. The way they glanced at one another spoke of trust that went beyond words.
Their voices carried again. She strained to listen, the system humming in rhythm. Fragments surfaced. Clean… monsters… mine…
Her awareness sharpened. Mine? A mine? Are they searching for resources? Clearing this place of beasts?
She didn't know yet. But one thing was clear—these two were strong. Strong enough to have survived the roar that had shaken the cavern. Strong enough to spill blood and keep moving.
And if they discovered her… would they see her as treasure? Or threat?
The woman paused suddenly. Her crimson eyes narrowed, staff lifting faintly as she whispered.
"Leon… look… a beautiful crystal…"
Her soul jolted. What?!
Panic rippled through her. Was she the crystal they saw? Or was the cavern littered with others? She had no way to perceive herself, no eyes to look down upon her own vessel.
The knight—Leon—followed her gaze. His blue eyes scanned the cavern wall, settling dangerously close to where she lay. His sword-hand tensed slightly, though his expression carried more curiosity than hostility.
The system's tone cut into her panic.
"Host, possibility detected: they may have discovered your form. Alternatively, they may be reacting only to your radiance. Current conclusion: uncertain."
Her awareness wavered. Radiance? I'm glowing?
Leon spoke, his voice deep, though broken by words she couldn't fully grasp.
"Sally… rare… mana… [unknown]… mine…"
Her thoughts caught on two fragments: rare… mana.
The woman, Sally, leaned forward, whispering back. Fragments fell into place like broken glass.
"…maybe… [unknown]… worth… [unknown]…"
Her crystal vessel pulsed faintly, as though resonating with their attention.
Worth? Treasure? Are they mistaking me for some precious ore?
Sally's gaze lingered for a moment longer before she lowered her staff. A soft sigh escaped her lips. Her tone shifted, casual compared to before.
"…Leon… first… treat… wound… [unknown]… bandage… I… have… after… go… there…"
The fragments she could grasp flickered into her mind: first… treat… wound… bandage.
Sally pulled fabric from a pouch—bandages. She tugged Leon closer, wrapping his arm with careful, practiced movements. The knight didn't resist. He only smiled faintly, letting her tend to him.
The dim light caught in his silver hair as he shifted, a warrior at rest.
Meanwhile, her vessel vibrated faintly, torn between panic and awe. For now, they seemed to be ignoring her—postponing their curiosity until wounds were handled.
The system whispered steadily:
"Analysis progressing. Host, comprehension increasing by 2.7%."
Her awareness stilled.
For now, she remained unnoticed—or unthreatened. But sooner or later, their eyes would return.
And when they did… she had no idea what they would see her as.