“I just realized,” I laughed nervously, doing my best to change the subject. “I never got your name.”

  She sniffled a few more times and collected herself until she stopped crying. “Nia,” she replied. “My name is Nia.”

  “Heh.” I grinned. “That’s way too cute.” Her face flushed softly, and she turned her head away.

  That was probably weird to say as her owner. I didn’t want to say or do anything that would make her think I would make any sudden and unwanted advances on her. The fact I was her owner made things worse. Deep down, she knew that if I wanted, I could force her to do what I wanted. Of course, I would never do that, but she didn’t know that, and the thought was most likely ingrained into her mind.

  “Is my…name all that’s cute?”

  “Hm?” I tilted my head. “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you.”

  “N-Nothing!” She quickly got to her feet, determination filling her eyes. “I…I will do my best to show you I was worth every coin spent!”

  “Idiot,” I sighed as I stood up. “I already know you are.” I placed a hand on her shoulder as I walked past. “So, I’m counting on you to keep me safe.” I smiled.

  “From…slimes?” She asked as she followed next to me.

  I gazed awkwardly in the opposite direction as I smiled weakly. “M-More or less.” I laughed sheepishly. “I’m…pretty weak.” I scratched the back of my head.

  “Then…I’ll try my best to make sure nothing gets past me!”

  “Heh,” I rubbed my nose. “I like that fire in your eyes, Nia! Now, let’s get to it!” I pointed at a slime that now crossed our paths. “Show me what you can do!”

  “Yes, Master!” She unsheathed Nyroc. The blade was a stunning silver that seemed to shine in the moonlight, and she quickly ran toward the slime before launching herself into the air. Fire engulfed the blade, leaving a trail of fire as she crashed down. Fire erupted from the ground as she stabbed into the slime, killing it instantly.

  IT TOOK ME FIFTEEN MINUTES TO KILL A SLIME! SHE JUST ONE HIT KO’D IT!

  “Did I…impress you?” Nia meowed softly as she looked at me. The flames behind her were a stark contrast to her pale skin, and the shadows of her silhouette danced hypnotically. My face flushed red as I looked away and scratched my cheek.

  “Y-Yeah. I…I guess slimes are too easy, huh?”

  “I told you they were the weakest.” She walked to me and shot me an alluring smile. “So let’s try something harder.”

  “A-Are you sure? Aren’t you tired?”

  “I want to show you what I can do.”

  “Idiot.”

  I already have a good idea of what you can do.

  “Master?”

  “Yes?”

  “Why won’t you look at me?”

  “Hngh!”

  “Am I…ugly? Am I…not to your liking?”

  Why is she asking that!?

  “N-Not at all!” I waved my hands as I looked at her. “Wait, that came out wrong. You are to my liking. You’re totally my type. Wait, that came out wrong. You’re cute. Super cute. Wait-“

  “Hehe.” Nia giggled, her tail swaying fervently and her eyes shining.

  “W-What? What’s so funny?” Was it my stuttering? Was she making fun of it?

  I wouldn’t blame her if she were. I was a complete mess, and it was all because of her. She was way too attractive, way too adorable, and totally my type. Her soft ears, her gentle meows, and her fluffy tail were everything I always wanted in a girl.

  That meant on Earth, my dream girl was just that—a dream. But here, in this world, she was real and right in front of me. And now that my dream girl was no longer a dream, I couldn’t help but fumble the bag anytime she looked at or spoke to me.

  “Nothing.” Nia shook her head softly, her ears swaying with the motion. “Let’s go, Master. I want to show you what I can really do.”

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “R-Right.” I smiled weakly. “And I thought I said you didn’t have to call me that,” I said as we began walking, making our way into the forest in search of new enemies.

  “But that’s what you are.” She replied. “You own my body, heart, and soul.” I could hear her purrs from where I walked.

  Mmmm. Music to my-

  “Eh?” It had taken me a second to register what she had said, but when I did, my eyes opened wide.

  “What?” Nia asked as she placed her hands behind her back and quickly walked ahead of me. “Is this… too fast for you?” She looked back with a smile as she spoke.

  Is she…No. I perished the thought.

  Of course, she wasn’t flirting, nor was she attracted to me in any way. That wasn’t how real life worked, and this was real life, despite feeling like a video game and anime.

  People didn’t just fall for you like that. It made no sense, and they definitely wouldn’t have fallen for me, either. I wasn’t even the main character. Hell, I could hardly call myself the background character with how weak I was.

  “Nah, I can keep up,” I replied as I picked up my pace.

  “Hehe.” Her tail swayed. “I’m glad.”

  “I’m sure y-OOF. “ My foot hit a tree root, causing me to fall forward. Nia quickly turned to catch me.

  “Mas-NYA!”

  So cu-

  “Eh? What hole did we just fall-“

  “M-MYASTYER! D-DYO-MMM!” Her hand clasped the hair on the back of my head, and I immediately realized where I was.

  “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” I scooted back, and my face hit the ground with each apology. I was informed each time I had survived with one HP.

  “M-Master…”

  “Yes!” I was ready to accept whatever punishment she saw fit, prepared to see the disgust and rage in her eyes and face, but as my eyes met hers, I saw the flushed face of a cute girl who kept darting her eyes from the tree line and back to me while biting softly onto her finger.

  “W-Why did you s-“ Her ear flicked, and she quickly turned her attention to the nearby thicket. The mood immediately shifted from awkward to serious, and we stood up.

  “You heard something,” I said more than asked. I already knew the answer, and Nia drew Nyroc from his sheathe. I reached back and grabbed Rei.

  Click.

  Nia looked at me, and I gave her a pathetic smile. Still won’t let me draw you, huh?

  Rei vibrated softly.

  “Whatever,” I grumbled.

  “Trouble with your weapon?” Nia chuckled. “She’s probably jealous.”

  Why does she sound so arrogant? And why is her tail swaying like that? I shook my head to clear my mind.

  “Nah, she wouldn’t g-EEEGGGHHHH!” Rei shocked me violently. “DAMN YOU VILE WOMAN!”

  She wouldn’t get jealous; she was just being a bitch. That’s what I wanted to say, but Rei wouldn’t let me. She was, once again, giving me a hard time. If she wanted to shock me, I’d let her, but how the hell was she going to be of any use if she wouldn’t let me draw her? What was the point of choosing me as her wielder if I couldn’t wield her?

  “Don’t worry!” Nia chirped. “You can always rely on me!” She held her sword up as something made its way through the bushes.

  Even I could hear it now, and it sounded big. Twigs snapped, and a low growl was audible. However, there was another sound mixed with it. A hiss that was fairly familiar to that of a reptile. I stepped back, unsure of what the creature could be. Whatever it was, I knew it was a danger to me regardless.

  “N-Nia?”

  “I’ll protect you, Master!” She stepped in front of me. “I’ll save you just like you saved me, and then…” her body shivered, and the fur on her ears and tail stood on end. “Nya!”

  WHAT WAS THAT!?