Kana floated in the gray haze of her dream, caught between the heavy pull of exhaustion and the awareness that something—someone—was waiting for her.

The stillness cracked when she whispered a name, soft yet urgent.

"Ruby…"

For a moment, there was no response, only the echo of her own voice reverberating strangely in the dreamscape.

Kana felt a pang of disappointment, but just as she lowered her head, a familiar shimmer of pink appeared before her eyes.

Ruby's form gradually took shape, her long pink hair glowing faintly in the dim void, her expression caught between hesitation and annoyance.

"You called."

Ruby said finally, folding her arms as though trying to make herself appear unbothered.

Kana straightened, relief mixing with gratitude.

"Thank you… for earlier. I know it was you who stopped the wolf goddess's power from reaching me."

Ruby clicked her tongue, turning her gaze aside.

"Don't misunderstand. I wasn't helping you. I was making sure my investment didn't get ruined by something reckless."

Kana blinked, then tilted her head. Ruby's words were sharp, but her eyes betrayed something else entirely.

They flickered nervously, darting away from Kana as though she couldn't hold her gaze. That tiny hesitation was enough for Kana to see through the thin veil.

"You're lying."

Kana said softly, amusement coloring her tone.

Ruby's head snapped back toward her.

"Excuse me?"

A small chuckle escaped Kana despite herself.

"You look away when you say things you don't mean. You helped me because you wanted to. And that's fine—I don't mind."

For the first time, Ruby looked caught off guard. Her mouth opened as though to argue, but no words came out. Instead, she sighed, brushing a hand through her shimmering hair.

"You're insufferable."

Ruby muttered.

Kana only smiled. But the levity didn't last long. Her expression shifted, becoming more serious. She took a small step closer, her voice steady but earnest.

"Ruby… tell me. What do I need to do? How can I actually help? I don't want to keep standing back while people get hurt because of me."

Ruby's eyes softened briefly before she masked them again.

"There's nothing you need to do."

"That's not true. I don't want to stay powerless anymore. I don't want to just survive—I want to protect the people around me."

Kana pressed.

The conviction in her voice left no room for argument. Ruby studied her for a long while, lips pressed tightly together. Then, finally, the goddess exhaled in resignation.

"If you insist…Then you must search for the origin of your power. You need to uncover how your system actually works and what your admin privileges mean. Only then will you have any chance of standing against the wolf goddess."

Ruby's voice lowered, carrying weight.

Kana frowned slightly.

"Origin of my power…? Admin privileges?"

Ruby gave a single nod.

"The strength you hold is not normal. You must learn where it comes from, who designed it, and why it was given to you. Otherwise, you'll always be playing into someone else's hand."

Kana clenched her fists at her sides, determination flaring in her chest.

"Then I'll find out. I promise I'll try my best."

"Be careful. My hands are tied. I cannot help you in this regard. If you fail to discover the truth, nothing I do will save you."

Ruby warned, her tone unusually grave.

Her words carried a finality that made Kana's heart tighten. But instead of fear, she felt a growing resolve.

She gave Ruby a firm nod, the seriousness in her eyes mirroring the goddess's own.

"I'll manage. Somehow."

The dream began to fade, the gray haze dissolving into the soft glow of morning light.

Kana blinked her eyes open to find herself back in her room, the lingering warmth of Ruby's presence still clinging faintly to her.

She sat up, about to reach for the strange system window hovering faintly at the edge of her awareness, when the door opened with a soft creak.

"Up already? Good. It's time we left."

Irielle's familiar voice rang out, carrying both cheer and urgency. She leaned into the room, her expression calm but brisk.

Kana blinked.

"Left? Where?"

"The dragon kingdom. If we want to survive what's coming, we'll need their strength. And we don't have much time."

Irielle's lips quirked in a small smile, though her eyes betrayed tension.

Kana's thoughts stumbled for a moment. The dragons—proud, untouchable beings known for scorning alliances with anyone.

Even the idea of speaking to them sounded impossible. But before she could voice her concerns, Irielle added,

"Lysera already went ahead. She thought it best to secure an early lead."

Kana felt a pang at that—Lysera, so brave yet so burdened. But she pushed the worry down for now and nodded firmly.

"All right. Then let's not waste any more time."

she said, rising from the bed.

Irielle gave her an approving smile.

"That's the spirit."

Together, they stepped out of the quiet safety of the room, ready to chase after a path filled with uncertainty.

But even as Kana walked forward, she felt Ruby's words lingering in her mind, heavier than the thought of dragons or politics.

'Find the origin of your power.'

Her heart beat faster, knowing that her true battle was only just beginning.

As they made their way down the corridor, Kana's thoughts refused to quiet. Every step she took echoed Ruby's warning in her head.

The origin of her power. Admin privileges. Those words tugged at her like threads unraveling a tapestry she hadn't realized she was part of.

Her system's glowing interface flickered faintly at the corner of her vision. She had always seen it as a strange gift, something that guided her, shielded her, and sometimes even scolded her.

But if Ruby was right, then it was more than just a tool—it was a key. A key to something far greater, and far more dangerous.

Irielle glanced back at her with a curious look.

"You seem distracted."

She said.

Kana quickly shook her head, forcing a smile.

"I'm fine."

But deep inside, she knew the truth. Fine or not, her path had already changed.

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