Chapter 2

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 2

Chapter Title: Transfer

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"Ugh, ptooey."

Another tuft of fur in the food.

It's been months since I got dropped into this world, but I still can't get used to it.

I lay out in the field, staring up at the sky.

Even in broad daylight, the stars shone vividly, pulling me into a daze of old memories.

One moment I was conscious, the next I was in another world.

Dropped naked into some nameless forest, no less. Luckily, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I didn't run into any wild animals and made it out unscathed, but if I hadn't found a proper path, dehydration or starvation would've done me in.

I have no idea how I got here. It's like a chunk of my memory got snipped out—film cut to black. I remember lying dead to the world on my bed, doing nothing... but nothing after that. Not even why I'd been lying there so still.

It all happened so abruptly that I wasn't even shocked.

Correction.

I didn't have time to be shocked.

Why?

Because I'd turned into a girl.

I wandered aimlessly until I reached the shore of some lake.

A mysterious beauty reflected on the water's surface.

Long, straight hair in a bright ivory shade, and a face that felt utterly unfamiliar.

Isekai transfer with a gender swap? What kind of joke is this?

Still, it was my body, so I adapted fast. I'd always been quick to roll with the punches, ever since I was a kid. No matter how absurd the situation, if I couldn't fix it, I'd accept it and move on. Find the best path forward. Maybe it's less acceptance and more escape.

'Feels like this world might be easier to drift through without overthinking.'

Human relationships had been a disaster back home anyway. Might as well live here instead. I shoved the gloomy memories aside and sprawled out flat.

Then, a bizarre howl echoed from afar.

- Kawwooo!

Monster.

The monsters visible in the distance were a stark reminder that this wasn't Earth.

That said, whether it was a transfer bonus or something, I had no issues with speaking or writing. And the special ability that came with it was a huge help in surviving.

The Status Window, for one.

It seemed like something only I could use. Everyone else just fought with swords or magic.

But the ability that came bundled with the Status Window was helpful yet pretty tricky.

'Animal Lover, huh.'

Better than nothing, I guess.

But that's beside the point—every time I saw 'Female' in the gender slot, I got dizzy.

I'd love to punch a wall or something, but I can't even do that.

"Keng..."

Because our 'Bori' would get scared.

"Aww. Were you scared?"

"Hek, hek..."

A Gray Wolf twice my size, with an overwhelming physique.

I wasn't sure about naming a monster like that 'Bori,' but he was ridiculously cute, so whatever.

Insanely broken specs.

My strength is 7, and Bori's is 37? I can't even gauge how strong that is.

'If only I could see other people's Status Windows too.'

Unfortunately, it seemed limited to me and the animals I tamed. Trying to view others just gave an access denied alert. Maybe there's some condition?

I wanted to know average strength levels too. No clue how weak 7 really is.

Anyway.

Screw the random thoughts—time to play with Bori first.

"Nngh."

I slipped my hand between his front legs, and he lifted his upper body, panting happily.

Bori moved just how I wanted, so it wasn't tiring.

- Lick.

"T-tickles! Ugh. Stop, heek."

As I hugged and lifted him, Bori raised his torso and stuck out his tongue.

Aimed right at my face.

He licked away like it was the tastiest candy.

- Thud.

I couldn't handle the weight and toppled backward. The sheer size difference made it impossible. Lifting a wolf with this puny 160cm frame? Absurd.

I rolled around in the grass, hugging Bori tight.

'Stars.'

I looked up at the sky.

Stars visible even in daylight.

Maybe because the air was so clean.

"Achoo."

The crisp air brought a smooth breeze—and a chill. I shivered and flipped Bori over onto his back.

"Grrm. Bori. I'm cold. Let's head in."

"Keng."

Bori seemed to think it was a fun game, folding his front legs and panting enthusiastically.

"You little rascal."

- Flop.

I sat astride him, stroking his face as I spoke.

"Listen to Dad, okay?"

Bori was good by nature. He always stayed by my side, and when I slept, he'd curl his tail over me like a blanket. Sleeping in his warmth was surprisingly comfy and cozy.

'Still wanna crash at an inn, though.'

Obviously, no inn would check in a massive wolf like this.

*

People in this world call folks like me 'Tamers.'

Tamer.

A class that commands monsters or beasts in battle. Doesn't matter if it's through magical contracts or physical training.

But get careless, and they turn the tables and eat you—so you need a clear master-servant dynamic and endless training. Naturally, the returns don't match the effort, so it's not a popular job.

I was a bit of an exception.

'Bori and I are friends.'

Master-servant? Please.

No other wolf would follow a girl bite-sized enough to be a snack.

Sure, it was an unnatural bond thanks to 'Animal Lover,' but as long as Bori liked me, I had no plans to be rough.

'Honestly, still kinda scary.'

My first meeting with Bori... yeah. I met this big boy while heading into some nameless mountain for a gathering quest.

'Two silver for mushroom picking? Jackpot!'

The 'Animal Lover' skill eliminates wariness and threats from wild animals.

It was a cheat-level trait that let me freely gather resources in dangerous zones.

Of course, if I'd known it was a Gray Wolf den, even with the skill, I'd have died before going.

- Grrr!

Suddenly, a massive wolf appeared.

He snorted hot breath and bared his fangs. I nearly stopped breathing, but 'Animal Lover' saved my skin.

The skill forcibly boosted his affinity. Once 'Animal Lover' kicked in, the wolf approached me like he was hypnotized, all caution gone.

'S-stop! H-heek. Ahh...'

I survived, at least. Though he slobbered over my hair and clothes until they were soaked.

After that, Bori followed me everywhere. The affinity buff made him see me as a 'friend.'

Looking back, it was a massive stroke of luck.

A newbie adventurer like me, no connections or kin? Prime prey.

A cute girl wandering hazard zones alone, no fear, no guards or party members. Easy rape-and-kill with no repercussions—a walking treasure bundle.

Shivers every time I think about it. No matter the scenario, it was totally plausible here.

Yeah, plenty of guys eyed me suspiciously. Fuck, it pissed me off.

Dunno if it was my old guy instincts or just culture shock, but if I'd kept going like that, I'd probably have ended up limbless and sold to a brothel.

But that's ancient history now.

"Let's go, Bori!"

No one rushed a wolf twice the size of an adult man.

Perfect. Time to tackle today's quest.

I darted out of the alley, steering him like a horse.

- Whoosh!

Gray mane whipping as he charged.

A huge wolf in the streets, and citizens and guards alike grabbed weapons in shock. But it was short-lived—spotting the tiny girl riding him, their faces soured in annoyance.

"It's her."

"Where'd she snag that wolf?"

"Kid's got skills."

- Whiiing!

"Wh-whoa, y-you're going the right way, right?!"

I buried my face in his back.

Bori didn't need orders; he ghosted the quest destination whenever I accepted one or had somewhere to be.

The downside? Once he got going, no controlling him. But rider buffs meant no falls during runs or fights.

Oh, since he's a dog, is it dismounting a pup?

- Trot-trot!

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"Hey! Watch it!"

"Sorry!"

I shouted a loud apology to the gate guard uncle and looked up.

Beyond the gates stretched vast fields. Bori leaped lightly over stiff grasses, heading for the goblin nest.

'A quest I'd never dream of back then.'

Monster hunting.

Tough for modern folks who never saw blood, let alone with this body—I couldn't beat a goblin, much less a stray mutt.

But Bori was different.

Any monster smaller than him? Toyed with and bitten dead.

We sped across the fields, and goblins yipped in excitement.

"Wolf! Wolf! Chaaarge!"

"Invader! Killll!!"

But Bori's specs were just too good.

Gray Wolves were C-rank threats by guild standards. Most animals didn't even make the monster encyclopedia—that alone was exceptional.

Blame their size, power, pack hunting, and brutal nature.

"Bori! Bite!"

"—Grrr!"

Boom.

His legs tensed, cratering the ground. Shattering earth, Bori barreled forward, reaching the goblin before it could react.

- Crunch!

Neck torn out, blood sprayed. Nauseating goblin stench filled the air, mixed with rotting flesh from Bori's jaws. I shook off the dizziness, opened my eyes—and saw the goblin, vitals ripped, eyes glazing over.

"K-kehek?"

Ptooey—he spat, and the head lolled off.

"Good boy! One more!"

"Grrrowl!"

Bori bared his fangs in fury.

Then he circled the goblins like herding sheep. He body-checked the flailing ones, menaced with growls to make them backpedal.

Herding hunt.

Bunched up, the goblins stared at each other, clueless.

"Gooo!"

I gave the order, but I was pumped too. Arm outstretched, cool as ice, I yelled.

"Kill 'em allll—!!"

- Whoosh.

Body swayed, gravity vanished—I floated up.

"Wh-wha?!"