Lilith approached the village as the morning sun cast long shadows across Oakhollow. The settlement buzzed with activity—so different from the urban mornings she'd known in her previous life. No traffic sounds, no smartphone notifications, no coffee machines whirring to life. Instead, roosters crowed, livestock shuffled in pens, and villagers called greetings to one another as they began their daily routines.

  It was quaint. Primitive. Yet oddly refreshing.

  She spotted Miroslav near a modest wagon, engaged in conversation with a younger man. This must be Tomas, she thought, making her way toward them with purposeful strides.

  Miroslav brightened when he noticed her approach. "Ah, there she is! Tomas, this is the Bleider I told you about." He gestured toward Lilith with obvious pride, as if her mere presence validated some claim he'd made.

  Tomas turned to face her, and Lilith watched his expression shift from polite interest to undisguised appreciation. His eyes widened slightly, then performed a deliberate journey from her face downward, lingering noticeably on her chest before snapping back up to meet her gaze.

  A strange sensation washed over Lilith—not anger, exactly, but a peculiar discomfort mixed with an unexpected thread of satisfaction. She'd been on the other side of this exchange countless times as Jacob, appreciating a beautiful woman from afar. Now, being the object of that attention felt... complicated.

  "Pleasure to meet you," Tomas said, his voice carrying a hint of breathlessness.

  Lilith extended her hand in greeting, the gesture automatic. "Likewise."

  The handshake seemed to break Tomas from his slightly dazed state. He coughed nervously, his palm warm against hers, and quickly withdrew his hand.

  "We'll be leaving soon," Miroslav explained, gesturing to the wagon. "Just need to secure these last few barrels and check the harness."

  "Take your time," Lilith replied, leaning casually against the wagon's wooden side. "I'm in no rush."

  As the men returned to their preparations, Lilith found her thoughts wandering in unexpected directions. The way Tomas had looked at her—it wasn't something she wanted from men, was it? She'd been straight as Jacob, after all. Did that make her a lesbian now?

  She imagined a beautiful woman giving her that same appreciative glance, and a pleasant warmth bloomed in her chest. With this body—this perfect embodiment of desire—she could probably have anyone she wanted. Even women who considered themselves straight might find themselves swayed by this body's charms.

  The direction of her thoughts surprised her. Jacob had never been particularly preoccupied with sex after outgrowing his teenage years. These sudden impulses felt foreign yet natural, as if they'd always been part of her.

  As she contemplated the idea, a realisation dawned on her—this body wasn't just physically different; its very essence operated on different rules. Desire wasn't just an emotion for a succubus—it was sustenance. Life force.

  The teenage hormones Jacob had outgrown now coursed through Lilith's veins by design. Her new form had dragged her back into that phase, hardwired for desire.

  * * *

  Hushed voices pulled her from her thoughts. Lilith's enhanced hearing caught the men's whispered conversation several feet away, their words crisp despite the distance.

  "Are you sure about her?" Tomas murmured, casting a doubtful glance in her direction. "She looks more like a tavern entertainer than a fighter."

  Miroslav shrugged. "She came here alone, didn't she? And she mentioned knowing magic. Besides, if she's pretending, what difference does it make? You'd have to make the journey anyway."

  Tomas sighed, resignation clear in his posture. "I suppose you're right. At least she'll be pretty to look at during the trip."

  "And try to hold your tongue," Miroslav warned. "If she really is a Bleider and takes offence, bandits and wild animals might be the least of your worries."

  Tomas laughed nervously. "I'll keep that in mind."

  Lilith suppressed a smile, pretending she hadn't heard their exchange. The leather armour she'd chosen from her inventory certainly didn't help dispel Tomas's impression. Though functional, it hugged her curves in ways that emphasised rather than concealed her figure—typical of game design that prioritised appearance over practicality.

  She straightened as the men finished their preparations. Time to begin her first quest in this strange new world.

  * * *

  Lilith approached the pair, her steps light despite the unfamiliar body. "Are the preparations finished?" she asked, keeping her tone casual.

  Miroslav nodded, wiping his hands on his worn trousers. "Everything's ready. Just need to hitch up the horse."

  "I'll get her," Tomas volunteered, heading toward a small stable attached to the side of Miroslav's home.

  As his nephew disappeared around the corner, Miroslav cleared his throat. "About Tomas," he said, lowering his voice. "He's still young and stupid. Don't take anything he says to heart. Good lad, but his mouth works faster than his brain sometimes."

  Lilith laughed, the sound still strange in her ears—melodic and light where Jacob's laugh had been deeper. "I'll keep that in mind. I've dealt with worse, trust me."

  "I don't doubt it," Miroslav replied with a knowing nod. "Bleiders see all sorts, I imagine."

  Before Lilith could respond, Tomas returned leading a sturdy brown mare. The horse snorted and tossed her head as Tomas guided her to the front of the wagon, expertly securing the harness.

  "There we go," he announced, patting the mare's flank. "Ready to head out?" He glanced at Lilith, his earlier scepticism masked behind a veneer of professionalism.

  Lilith nodded. "Ready when you are." She approached the wagon, suddenly aware of the awkward logistics of climbing up in her new body. With a mental shrug, she hoisted herself onto the wooden seat with more grace than she expected, settling on the front bench.

  The wagon offered only one place to sit—the driver's bench at the front—which meant she'd be sitting beside Tomas for the journey. He climbed up next to her, leaving a respectful distance between them, though the narrow bench meant their shoulders would likely brush with the wagon's movement.

  "Wait," Miroslav called, approaching the wagon. He extended his hand toward Lilith, a small leather pouch clutched in his weathered fingers. "Almost forgot."

  Lilith blinked, momentarily confused before realisation dawned. Payment. This wasn't a game where currency would automatically transfer to her inventory upon quest completion. She took the pouch, feeling its weight—light, but substantial enough to jingle.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Loosening the drawstring, she peered inside to find a collection of bronze coins. They looked different from the currency she remembered from the game—these were worn, with uneven edges and varied patinas that spoke of actual circulation through countless hands.

  "It's not much," Miroslav said apologetically, "but it's what I can spare."

  Lilith closed the pouch and tucked it securely into her belt. "It's enough," she assured him. "Don't worry about it." The amount was likely modest, but she appreciated the tangible reminder that this world operated by different rules than the game she'd known.

  As Tomas flicked the reins and urged the horse forward with a gentle "Hyah," Lilith wondered if the currency from her inventory—the crystal, gold, silver, and copper pieces she'd accumulated as a player—would still hold value here. The coins looked different, but perhaps the precious metals themselves would be recognised. Another question to add to her growing list.

  The wagon lurched forward, wheels creaking as they began their journey to Westbridge.

  * * *

  The wagon creaked along the dirt road, a rhythmic soundtrack to their journey. Lilith watched the countryside roll by, still marvelling at the vivid colours her enhanced vision captured—the deep emerald of distant trees, the golden hue of wheat fields swaying in the breeze. Everything possessed a clarity and depth that human eyes could never perceive.

  Beside her, Tomas shifted uncomfortably on the wooden bench. He'd been stealing glances at her since they departed, opening his mouth several times as if to speak before thinking better of it. The silence between them had stretched for nearly twenty minutes when he finally cleared his throat.

  "Nice weather we're having," he offered, his voice cracking slightly.

  Lilith turned to him, suppressing a smile at the painfully awkward opener. "It is," she agreed. "Clear skies make for good travelling."

  "Yes! Exactly." Tomas nodded enthusiastically, clearly relieved she'd responded. "Last time I made this run, it rained the whole way. Miserable, that was. The road turns to mud, and the wheels get stuck, and..." He trailed off, perhaps realising he was rambling.

  "You make this journey often?" Lilith asked, genuinely curious about the patterns of life in this world.

  "Every few weeks. Uncle Miroslav's cider is popular in Westbridge. Best in three counties, they say." Pride coloured his voice. "Usually another farmhand comes with me, but he took ill. I'm glad I don't have to go alone this time." His eyes darted to her face, then quickly away. "Bandits sometimes, you know. Not that I couldn't handle them," he added hastily.

  Lilith nodded, filing away this information. Bandits meant danger zones between settlements—just like in the game. "How long have you worked for your uncle?"

  "Since I was twelve. My parents died in a fever that swept through our village." He spoke matter-of-factly, the grief long dulled by time. "Uncle Miroslav took me in. Been working the orchard ever since."

  "I'm sorry about your parents," Lilith said softly.

  Tomas shrugged. "It was a long time ago. Uncle's been good to me." He flicked the reins gently as the horse slowed at an incline. "What about you? Where are you from? Don't get many Bleiders passing through Oakhollow."

  Lilith tensed slightly. This was the question she'd been anticipating and dreading. She couldn't exactly tell him she was from a modern world with smartphones and the internet, nor could she claim to be from the Nocturne, the Demon Empire.

  "I grew up in a city to the east," she said vaguely. "Much bigger than Oakhollow. Or Westbridge, from what I understand."

  "A proper city?" Tomas's eyes lit up with interest. "With stone buildings and everything?"

  "Yes," Lilith smiled, thinking of Aubertou, one of the major human capitals in Infinity. "Tall stone buildings with coloured glass windows that catch the sunlight. Markets that stretch for blocks, selling goods from all over. Streets paved with fitted stones instead of dirt."

  "Sounds grand," Tomas said wistfully. "What's it like living there?"

  Lilith described the city as she remembered it from the game—the grand cathedral with its soaring spires, the bustling trade district where merchants hawked exotic wares, the residential quarters divided by wealth and status. She omitted specifics and names, still uncertain if this world truly aligned with the Infinity she knew.

  "People lived on top of each other in these tall buildings?" Tomas asked, fascinated. "How many floors?"

  "Some had five or six floors," Lilith replied, remembering the player housing districts. "The wealthy had entire floors to themselves, while others might share a single room."

  "And you grew up there? Your family were merchants? Artisans?"

  Lilith hesitated. "My parents were... scholars," she improvised, thinking it the safest option. "They studied ancient texts."

  "Is that how you learned magic?" Tomas asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

  "In a way," Lilith hedged. "I had an aptitude for it from a young age."

  The conversation flowed more easily after that, with Tomas asking questions about city life and Lilith carefully constructing answers based on her knowledge of the game world. She found herself enjoying his genuine interest, his eyes widening at descriptions of things she considered mundane from the game.

  In turn, she asked about village life, about Westbridge, about the surrounding lands. Each answer helped her piece together a clearer picture of this world—a world that increasingly seemed to be Infinity, but centuries after the time period she knew.

  "So these Bleiders," she ventured during a lull in the conversation. "Do they come through this area often?"

  Tomas nodded. "Not too many in Oakhollow, but they pass through now and then. Taking contracts to deal with dangerous beasts or bandits. Some work for nobles or merchant guilds. Others just wander, going where the coin is good." He glanced at her. "Like yourself, I imagine?"

  "Something like that," Lilith replied noncommittally. "What kind of work do they usually find around here?"

  "Mostly clearing out wolf packs that get too close to the farms, or hunting down the occasional troll in the hills." Tomas shrugged. "Nothing too exciting compared to what you must have seen in the bigger towns."

  They fell into a comfortable silence as the wagon crested a small hill. The sun had climbed higher, warming Lilith's skin through her armour. She closed her eyes briefly, savouring the sensation.

  "Can I ask you something?" Tomas's voice broke into her thoughts.

  Lilith opened her eyes. "Of course."

  Tomas gestured vaguely toward her, his cheeks flushing. "Your, um, attire. Is that what Bleiders from cities wear? It's just... different from what I've seen before."

  Lilith glanced down at her leather armour, suddenly self-conscious. She'd chosen it from her inventory primarily because it covered more than most of Lilith's protective gear, but by normal standards, it was still rather form-fitting. The leather hugged her curves in a way that was practical for movement but undeniably flattering.

  "It depends," she answered awkwardly. "Bleiders wear what suits their fighting style."

  "Oh." Tomas nodded as if this made perfect sense, though his eyes lingered on the way the leather cinched at her waist.

  "Despite how it might look," Lilith added, feeling a need to justify her choice, "it's actually of high quality. Enchanted leather. Offers more protection than you'd think."

  "I'm sure it does," Tomas agreed quickly, his eyes snapping back to the road. "Very practical. For fighting and... movement."

  Lilith shifted uncomfortably, She understood this interaction perfectly— Tomas was just an awkward young man trying not to stare at an attractive woman. Still, the attention felt invasive in a way she hadn't anticipated.

  "So, Westbridge," she said, changing the subject. "Tell me more about it. Is it much larger than Oakhollow?"

  Tomas seized the new topic with visible relief. "Oh yes, several times larger. It's built where two rivers meet—hence the name. Has a proper market square, an inn with three stories, even a small garrison of the king's soldiers."

  "The king's soldiers?" Lilith asked, hoping to learn more about the political landscape. "From Landskavia, yes?"

  "That's right. King Aldrich's men. They keep the peace, collect taxes." Tomas shrugged. "Don't see them much in Oakhollow, but Westbridge is important enough to warrant a garrison."

  "And beyond Landskavia? Do you know of any other kingdoms?"

  "Well, there's the Solarian Empire to the west, of course. Biggest realm there is. Then Winterholm to the north, though they keep to themselves mostly. The Free Cities along the eastern coast." He counted them off on his fingers. "The Verdant Pact in the great forests. There are also the Wastelands within borders of Solarian Empire, though that's not really a country. Just a dangerous place full of monsters and demons."

  Lilith's heart quickened. "Demons? What kind?"

  "All sorts, from what I hear. Never been there myself—no sane person goes to the Wastelands willingly." Tomas shuddered. "They say the land itself is twisted, corrupted by dark magic from the time before the Shattering."

  "Have you ever heard of a place called Nocturne?" Lilith asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

  Tomas furrowed his brow. "Can't say that I have. Is it a city?"

  "Something like that," Lilith murmured, disappointment settling in her chest. If Nocturne—the capital of her Demon Empire—wasn't even known to the common folk. Perhaps it was a different world after all?

  The wagon hit a rut in the road, jolting them both. Tomas steadied himself with a hand on the bench, inadvertently brushing against Lilith's thigh. He jerked his hand away as if burned.

  "Sorry!" he blurted, his face turning crimson.

  "It's fine," Lilith said, drawing her leg away slightly. "Just a bump in the road."

  Tomas nodded vigorously, his attention suddenly very focused on guiding the horse. Lilith turned her gaze back to the passing landscape, her mind churning with all she'd learned. This world was familiar yet strange, like a book she'd read long ago but could only half-remember.

  One thing was becoming increasingly clear: She would need to learn more—much more—before she could even begin to understand what had happened and how she should proceed.