"Hah! I'm not that weak," I muttered, moving my trembling fingers toward the screen.
But before I could reach the window, I saw a figure approaching me through the translucent display.
"Is that you... Pretty lady?" I whispered, staring at the person with my blurry eyes.
"Why aren't you activating Ruru's blessing? Look how injured you are," Nymeria said softly, holding my hand as she came closer, her figure becoming clearer.
"Haha, it is indeed you—cough..." I mumbled, the words barely leaving my lips.
"I'm asking you something, idiot. Please activate the blessing now," she shouted, her voice cracking with every word.
"Not yet—cough... cough—That skill exhausts my mind. I need it strong for a bit longer," I replied, blood spurting out along with the words.
"Are these veins the reason you aren't activating it?" she asked, pointing at the cursed veins appearing on my body from Jambavan's chest.
"Yes, that's part of the reason. And listen—cough... cough—I might fall unconscious for some time; it's part of the absorption, so don't get scared, alright?" I said, then spoke further in my mind, "Vivi, press the [Yes] button."
"Initialising Host's request...
Merging Host's consciousness with target's memory...
Attempt Successful"
.
.
.
.
"Oi, get up, would ya? People're waitin' on ya outside," a loud and rough female voice echoed in my ears.
I opened my eyes and looked up.
A tall, muscular woman was standing in front of me, wearing a fitted blue gown with threads of silver sparkling across it. Her brown hair was divided into countless thin braids, held together with a silver hairpin.
But what shocked me the most was her physical appearance. She had the ears of a bear on her head, her hands were covered in the same brown colored fur as her hair, and her nails were sharp as claws.
"Gah'd grief, how could ya be nappin' on a day like this, eh?" She snapped, her voice carrying disbelief.
"What is it, darlin'? —Ahhh... It's too damn early in the mornin," I replied, yawning as I got up.
"I knew it, ya wouldn't remember. It's yer birthday today, and folks're waitin' outside to meet ya. Get ready, quick now!" she replied, and leaning closer, kissed my cheek as she whispered, "Happy birthday, m'lord."
I pulled her closer by the waist and replied, "Thankya, m'lady," and kissed her back on the cheek.
"Yer lookin' exceptionally beautiful today. Let's celebrate ma birthday by hibernatin' here," I whispered, reaching for her lips.
As I was about to kiss her, a knock came from the door, and she immediately pushed me back.
"We can do that later," she whispered, and in a louder voice, she spoke, "Who iz it?"
"It's me, Mama. Open da door," a high-pitched voice came from outside.
As that woman moved toward the door,
I pulled myself together.
"What the hell is happening? Where am I? Who is this woman?" I had a lot of thoughts.
That woman, whom I had never met, felt strangely familiar to me—like I had known her for a long time.
And that place—I was inside a large, luxurious room. Each wall and pillar had golden patterns. A chandelier embedded with diamond-like gems was hanging from the roof. The floor was covered with a mat, and the bed I was sitting on had a bedsheet made of silk.
There was a wooden table beside the bed, filled with silver utensils, and even the curtains covering the window were made of silk.
I was definitely inside Jambavan's memory. But I hadn't expected I would experience his memory by living as him. I couldn't control this body. It was like I was watching a 3D first-person movie.
It's dangerous. I was this close to losing my first kiss to Jambavan's wife.
The door opened, and a small girl, barely three, wearing a skirt, came barging in and jumped directly into my arms.
"Happy b'day, Papa," she exclaimed, looking at my face as her fluffy ears twitched with excitement.
"Bwaaaaaaa...—Mah lil' Vani came t' wish me b'ddy. It's the best b'ddy of mah lyf"," I growled, bursting into tears, trembling the bed with my roars.
"Here, this is yar present," she said, raising her tiny furry hands, holding a stone.
I grabbed it and took a look.
The stone was spherical in shape. Two small stones were embedded on top of it; a face with eyes, nose, and a mouth with canine teeth was carved into it.
"It's you, Papa," she said, her eyes gleaming, looking for praise.
"Bwaa... bwaaa—She went an' made a gift fer Papa... I can't wish fer nothin' else. I can die in peace now—bwaaaaaa!" I screamed even louder as I brought that stone closer to my heart.
"Buuuu..." Vani began sobbing, rubbing her eyes.
"Tch… tch—Ya went an' made her cry again," Vani's mother spoke, shaking her head in disappointment.
"But—but, I didn't do nothin' this time, Varena!" I blurted, bouncing Vani gently to soothe her.
"Are ya sure?" Varena asked, putting her hands on her waist.
"Ahh! I gotcha," I replied, and turning my face to Vani, I continued, "Papa's sorry fer babblin' without thinkin'. I ain't gonna die, so don't go cryin' no more, please."
"Ya plomise?" Vani asked, still sobbing.
"Ya bet I do," I replied, jumping off the bed and swinging her while holding her from under her arms.
"Stop playin' around and get ready, would ya?" Varena snapped, throwing a dress at me.
"Gotcha, gotcha," I replied, putting Vani down.
"Pfft... Papa got scared," Vani laughed, mockin' me by stickin' her tongue out.
"Ya brat, ya took after yer mother," I replied, and with a wide smirk, I spoke further, "Mah lil Vani, c'mere, let me give ya Papa's love."
"Uwaaaa, Mamaaa! Papa's gonna rub his beard on mah face again! Save meee!"
Vani screamed and ran into her mother's legs.
"Bwahaha, now who's scared, eh?" I laughed and began wearin' the dress Varena had thrown at me.
Then I stood in front of the mirror as Varena fixed my outfit.
When I looked in the mirror and saw my appearance, I couldn't even recognise Jambavan.
He looked entirely different in the memories. His body structure was that of a human. He had dark grey hair, a short beard, and a moustache. He also had ears of a bear on his head, and his torso was covered in light fur. He had bear hands—similar to his wife and daughter.
Varena spoke while helpin' me into a coat, "Oh, I almost fergot. Lady Ruru's comin' ta meet ya in the afternoon."