If someone asked me what my biggest flaw was, I'd have said something normal like poor impulse control, my inability to socialize for more than two minutes and maybe my tragically low gacha luck.
I definitely wouldn't have said: selling my soul at 3 a.m. to a smug fox goddess because I couldn't save enough gems for that cursed 0.4% banner.
Yet here we are.
I knelt down on my bedroom floor, surrounded by empty pink monster cans and regret. The moonlight reflected in my monitor screen, illuminating the one thing I wanted more than dignity: a limited SSR fox priestess with absurd curves, lily eyes, and a promise of nine tails that probably cost more than my life in animation hours.
My fingers trembled as I was down to my last pull-out of 200.
"One pull," I whispered, "Please, I'll give anything. Just... just let me win for once in my life."
I'm Sable; 5'7, technically male, though most people assume otherwise at first glance. Soft features, long eyelashes, a delicate jawline and a cute button nose ... the whole 9 yards. My reflection could pass for the pretty anime boy trope if it weren't for the fact that I wasn't trying to; my only redeeming feature was my rather large little brother.
But right now, even my insecurity couldn't pry my eyes from the pull animation. The iridescent glow of my screen mirrored the orgasmic lightshow happening in my brain as I successfully staked my existence for this busty fox, spinning in my chair with my eyes closed, basking in victory against the accursed slot machine.
A voice like velvet dipped in mischief whispered behind me:
"Desperation is a level currency, my foolish little mortal."
I jerked back in my seat, sending both the chair and me crashing.
She sat neatly on my bed, as though reality had politely stepped aside to make space for her.
Tiny... maybe 5'1, but she radiated arrogance like a dying star about to explode. Sleek black hair cascaded down her back, violet runes superimposed into reality running along her nine tails, and her eyes shone with a sharp silver, far too amused, studying me like I was a preorder she finally got to download.
"You! You're—"
She flicked her tail against my face. "Yes, yes. I am your new owner. Selithe, the goddess of fortune, indulgence and exceedingly poor choices."
"You're real? Like the same goddess from the gacha game?"
"Unfortunately for you," she eyed my room, "Your realm reeks of self-indulgence and loneliness. Charming."
I scrambled to my feet, cheeks burning. "What the hell do you mean own?"
The fox snickered. "You said you would give anything to have that little priestess, so I diligently took ownership of your soul. Sounds like a sweet deal, doesn't it?"
I stumbled into my chair, exasperated. "W-w-what?! I didn't mean that literally, I didn't even sign any contract, not even the devil would commit such blatant fraud!"
"You mortals never do." Selithe circled me like a mouse in her den. "And yet, you prayed with such sincerity. You wanted the fox priestess from your little game. You lusted after her image. You whispered your desire with conviction." Her smile sharpened. "That is a contract."
"There's no contract!"
"No parchment required. A soul is the signature."
My body tensed with dread. "Wait... no, hold on a mome—"
She snapped her fingers. The air ignited with power.
"Payment accepted."
I lunged for the bedroom door in hopes of escaping. "NOOOO PLEASE STOP!"
My body dissolved; my bones, skin and flesh shattered into stardust as Selithe's voice curled around me like smoke:
"If you crave her so deeply..."
Her tone turned into a cruel amusement
"...then become her."
"An unfamiliar ceiling", feeling an unknown, deep sense of accomplishment. The pathetic laughter of my joke turned into confusion as I sat up.
Everything felt wrong.
Too light.
Too... curvy.
I stood up to inspect the room—and froze.
My hair cascaded around my face in waves of ink, so black it made the shadows look washed out, streaked with a subtle purple glow like starlight trapped in an obsidian shard. My body... my body was smaller, softer, impossibly feminine. I couldn't ignore the way my chest shifted with each breath. My tail—m-m-my tail—flicked behind me as if shocked at its own existence, its slick black fur with those violet tips. My fluffy ears twitched as the wind bristled them.
"No," I croaked, voice as sweet as honey, harmonious and feminine. "No, no, no... Selithe!"
A ripple coursed through the air; starlight, laughter and there she was, gracefully resting on top of the wardrobe as if she had been waiting for the punchline to land.
"My creation wakes," she purred. "How does it feel, little Sable?"
"I'M SHORT!"
She blinked, then smirked. "That's what you have a problem with? Not the tail? The enchanting voice? Nor the chest you seem unable to stop staring at?"
My face flushed hot enough to spark a fire.
"You turned me in-in-into—!"
"Into exactly what you begged for." Selithe gestured lazily. "Behold, the fox priestess. Hourglass figure, ethereal charm, lilac eyes holding mystic allure, and a bust that nobles actually kill for. You're welcome."
I grabbed my hair, avoiding the ears. It was so soft I nearly cried out loud.
"Why did you transform me into a girl?!"
"You envied her. Desired her. Worshipped the idea of her. The soul does not lie." She tapped my nose. "And now, you are all you ever wanted."
"I wanted her in my raid party, not my body!"
Selithe chuckled. "Mortals really can't be honest with themselves."
My lilac eyes shone with righteous fury. "Change me back!"
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
"I don't want to, and you have a role to fulfil." She stretched lazily, tails rippling like the finest silk ribbons in the moonlight. "The previous shrine priestess has vanished. Mortals panic when divine emissaries go missing, and those head priestesses decided you are to take her place at the Human Academy."
"In frustration," I blurted, "I'm not a priestess!"
Selithe snickered. "You sure look the part."
With desperation, I grasped onto my last hope. "I don't even know magic!"
Selithe lazily gestured. "You'll figure it out when you get it."
With resentment, I listed, "So I need to play diplomat, participate in an academy for how long and manage to not get myself killed all while dealing with this voluptuous body!"
"Yup," she said, utterly unbothered. "At least you aren't as stupid as you looked, and if you look at the silver lining, at least it will be entertaining."
I lunged towards that brat of a goddess. My newly generous assets bounced traitorously. Selithe raised an amused brow.
"Careful," she drawled. "You'll injure yourself. Though I suppose that body was made with abuse in mind. It was designed to inspire conquest."
On the verge of tears, I cried out, "I hate this!"
"No, you're merely overwhelmed." She turned away, her tails slowly lifting, ready to vanish. "Besides, if you manage to complete your education at the academy with decent grades, we can talk about gaining your manhood back."
"Wait!" I reached for her. "How do I live like this—how am I going to last that long?"
Her smirk was that of pure evil.
"With confidence," she whispered, "and perhaps a bra."
Then she was gone.
And I was alone, in another world and in a body that was the stuff of my worst (and maybe someone else's best) fantasies while tasked with a punishment I didn't deserve.