[Work being translated into English; there may be translation errors, but I hope you enjoy it]
The room was wrapped in silence, except for the soft sound of Melina's breathing. Her chest rose and fell slowly, her face serene in a way it hadn't been for a long time. The world around her seemed distant — for the first time in days, maybe weeks, she allowed herself to truly relax.
Suddenly, a warm, savory, and inviting aroma slipped through the fog of her dreams. Melina wrinkled her nose, sniffing half-asleep.
Melina (mumbling) — Mmm... food...
With an almost instinctive jump, she got out of bed, her hair a mess and the marks of battle still visible on her body. She wore short blue shorts and a long, slightly wrinkled white T-shirt that gave her a messy but adorable look. Guided by the smell, she walked toward the kitchen.
There was Saicha, casually dressed, humming an old K-pop song — one of those that survived through the ages as an echo of the old Earth. She stirred the pots with skill, slightly swaying her hips to the rhythm, her eyes lit by a simple kind of joy.
Melina approached silently, sat at the table, and rested her head in her hand, watching the scene like a beautiful dream she didn't want to wake up from.
Melina (thought) — She looks so beautiful like this... as if nothing bad existed in the world...
Saicha turned around and jumped when she saw Melina.
Saicha — Holy crap! You scared me, you pest!
Melina (giggling) — Hehe... you look super cute like that, you know? You'd make a great housewife.
Saicha (making a face) — Idiot… how long have you been standing there ogling me?
Melina — Since the first chorus.
Saicha (blushing) — Aaah, how embarrassing...
Melina — Silly... hehe.
Saicha placed the plates on the table.
Saicha — You were knocked out for two days... those two were going crazy. Especially Gohoah, he was like a caged animal in the room.
Melina (already devouring the food) — Theeey… get usedtoit...
Saicha — Swallow that crap before you talk, you ogre.
Melina (swallowing) — They'll get used to it.
Saicha — Only a crazy person gets used to almost dying.
Melina (savoring) — This food is amazing… ahhhhhh!
Saicha — Stop screaming, geez, you'll freak out the neighbors.
Melina (curious) — Hey… why aren't you with your group?
Saicha's expression shifted a little.
Saicha — Unfortunately, they're heading to Ares. And since I haven't earned the Master title yet, I was left behind.
Melina (trying to cheer her up) — If you want, we can take them down, hehe.
Saicha (laughing) — Idiot… why do you take everything as a joke?
Melina stood up, went to her friend, and hugged her from behind, resting her face on Saicha's shoulder.
Melina (softly) — Because… when I'm with you… everything feels fun.
Saicha tried to push her away, laughing awkwardly.
Saicha — Get off me… I don't do mushy stuff.
Melina (teasing) — You sure?
Saicha — Hehe… dumb. Doesn't even seem like you were half-dead a second ago.
The joy in the air cracked for a moment. Melina grew serious, her eyes distant, tightening the hug.
Saicha (concerned) — Huh... what now, you impulsive maniac?
Melina turned to face her and hugged her tighter. Her voice came out soft, sweet, and sad at the same time.
Melina — We could die at any moment, Saicha. On missions, in the Dungeons… it scares me. I… I try to make the most of every second with you.
Saicha gulped, unsure how to react. Then she tried to play it off.
Saicha (forcing a light tone) — Got PMS or what? What's with this vibe shift? And hey — I'm top 2 healer in Earth 4, alright? With me around, no one's dying.
Melina said nothing, just squeezed her tighter. Saicha understood and returned the hug.
Melina (softly) — You're the only thing I have left from my old life.
Saicha's chest tightened.
Saicha (smiling) — I get it, you crazy girl… even if you're brainless, you're like a little sister to me.
With a quick move, Melina grabbed Saicha's butt.
Melina (teasing) — Naughty little sister?
Saicha — Argh! Cut it out! I told you I like guys, Mel!
They both laughed, the lightness returning to the room.
4 days later...
City of Asty — East of Apex
Melina walked through the narrow streets of Asty, her eyes scanning every corner. The city was simple, with stone houses, dirt roads, and barefoot children running around. The faces around her were different — closed off, suspicious. People looked at her as if she were something strange.
Melina (thought) — Don Rosário sent me to this forgotten place… Asty, a city built by natives of Apex… a poor city, where most people have no affinity with the system.
The memories returned.
Don Rosário — All Earthlings who come to Apex are warriors with system powers… but not everyone born in Apex has gifts. This creates prejudice, inequality… and fear. Go to Asty. There, you will understand.
Melina (thought) — So that's it… a forgotten place… where being normal means being weak… and being weak here… is almost like being nothing.
She kept walking, her expression changing — she could feel the scent of inequality in the air, like dust no one else saw. And for the first time, maybe she understood what Rosário meant.
Asty, East of Apex
Melina walked along the dusty streets of Asty. The houses were simple, made of stone and wood, and the air constantly smelled of baked bread mixed with dust. She felt curious eyes on her — it wasn't common to see an outsider there, especially one wearing light fabric clothes and walking around carefree.
As she walked, she heard children's laughter coming from a small improvised square, where some kids played with rag dolls and stone balls.
Curious, Melina slowly approached. A girl with her hair tied up with a red ribbon noticed her and hid behind an older boy.
Boy:
— Hey, who are you? Are you from the Guard? — he asked suspiciously, clenching his fists.
Melina smiled gently, crouching down to the children's level.
Melina:
— Easy, little one. I'm not from the Guard… I'm just a traveler. My name's Melina.
The children looked at each other, still suspicious, but a younger boy, with freckles and a toothless grin, stepped forward.
Boy:
— If you're a traveler… do you know stories? Rosan always said travelers know stories from all over the world!
Melina chuckled.
Melina:
— I sure do… want to hear the story of the Blue Dragon who lived hidden in the misty forest?
The kids' eyes lit up, and in seconds, they were all sitting around her, excited.
Melina began to tell the story, using her hands to illustrate and changing her voice for each character. The children were captivated — laughing, gasping, and marveling at every word.
At the end, a little girl held her hand.
Girl:
— Miss… will you come back tomorrow? We never get stories here… and you're nice.
Melina felt her chest tighten and smiled, ruffling the girl's hair.
Melina:
— If I can, I'll come back… you all gave me more courage than you know.
Melina had finally understood Don Rosário's concern.
Melina:
— The children…