Reincarnated into my favorite videogame

Nari sat cross-legged on her bed, her fingers absently tracing the embroidered edges of her pillow before she slammed it down in frustration. "I don't want to go back!" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely a whisper as if saying it too loudly would make her feelings more real. The thought of facing her old group, particularly Leo, made her face red.

"Why did it have to get so awkward?" She punched the pillow once, twice, trying to expel the frustration boiling inside her. All she had wanted was to get away, to distance herself from the mess she had caused. The fireball incident, the questions… Leo's unnerving interest. It had been too much.

Nari glanced toward the edge of her bed where Iris was curled up, eyes gleaming in curiosity. The little creature blinked up at her, as if wondering why her human was so worked up. "Ugh, why am I like this?" Nari groaned, tossing the pillow aside and flopping onto her back. The ceiling provided no answers.

Iris tilted her head, confused, and let out a soft whine.

"Yeah, let's go," Nari sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. "He can't be there every day." She scooped Iris up gently, tucking her into the familiar comfort of her shoulder bag. "And even if he is," she added with forced bravado, "what can he do to us?"

Her words felt hollow, but Nari tried to shake off the sense of unease that lingered. She grabbed her staff, the smooth wood cool and reassuring under her fingers. The staff had been her constant companion since arriving in this world, an anchor when everything else felt unpredictable. She whispered, "Can't forget you," before slinging it across her back.

Leaving the inn, she made her way through the bustling streets. The usual energy of the marketplace, the clamor of merchants shouting their wares, and the chatter of townsfolk did little to distract her from the knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. The closer she got to the guild, the heavier her steps felt.

Nari's thoughts tumbled over each other, replaying the previous days like a broken record. She was still trying to make sense of it all—Leo's words, the awkward tension with her group, the uncontrollable power she had unleashed. It was like the world had tilted sideways, and she was struggling to find her footing.

When she finally reached the guild, she hesitated just outside the entrance, taking a deep breath. The wooden door loomed before her, as though it knew the weight of her uncertainty. What if Leo was inside? What if her old group confronted her again? She shook her head, brushing the thoughts aside. She had to get her new group assignment, money was running short, and she couldn't afford to avoid work.

With a final breath to steel herself, Nari pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The familiar sight of the guild hall greeted her—large wooden beams crisscrossing the ceiling, walls lined with noticeboards filled with missions, and adventurers bustling about. But the sight that calmed her most was the green-haired attendant at the front desk, who was thankfully free.

"Good morning," Nari greeted, her voice a little more cheerful now that she knew she wouldn't have to face anyone from her old group just yet.

The attendant looked up from her ledger and smiled. "Good morning, Nari. You left early yesterday before I could assign you to your new group."

Nari shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, sorry about that. I wasn't feeling too well."

The attendant waved a hand dismissively. "No need to apologize. I'll get you set up with a new group now. Just give me a moment." She flipped through the pages of the large guild ledger, her fingers moving swiftly over the names and assignments.

Nari stood there, fidgeting as she waited. Her mind began to wander, thoughts drifting back to Leo. The way he had looked at her in the library… so intense, like he could see right through her. She hated it. It made her feel exposed, vulnerable, and she despised feeling that way. Why did he care so much? It was like he knew something about her that even she didn't understand.

"Do not become friends with any of your new group members," Nari muttered under her breath as a reminder. She couldn't afford any more complications. She would get the missions done, earn her money, and keep her head down. No more messes, no more strange looks, and definitely no more fireballs.

"Alright," the attendant said, handing Nari their information. "You've been assigned to Group C. They're currently out on missions, but they should be back shortly. You can wait here, or you can check in with them later."

Nari gave a small nod, a sinking feeling starting to settle in her stomach. "Thanks," she muttered, forcing a smile before stepping away from the desk.

She didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, a group of adventurers sauntered through the guild doors. Nari recognized them immediately—the tall, lanky guy with slicked-back hair, a short woman who wore a permanent scowl, and a muscular man who looked like he'd seen one too many fights. They didn't look friendly, not in the slightest.

The lanky one spotted her first, a sneer curling at the edge of his lips as he sauntered over. "You must be Nari," he drawled, eyeing her from head to toe. His gaze lingered on her staff, and she could see the wheels turning in his mind. "You're the mage, right?"

Nari swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. "Yeah, that's me."

"Good." The woman stepped forward, crossing her arms and giving Nari a once-over. "We needed some extra backup. Just make sure you stay out of our way and handle any of the tough stuff that comes our way."

"Basically," the muscular man chimed in with a low laugh, "you'll be our shield if things go south. Keep the monsters busy while we handle the real work."

Nari's heart sank. These weren't teammates—they were using her. She could feel it in their sneers, in the way they looked at her like she was nothing more than a tool for them to exploit. They didn't care about working together; they only wanted to use her magic as a shield.

Her hands tightened around her staff, the wood grounding her as her mind raced. She couldn't back out now, not when she needed the money. But this wasn't what she had hoped for in a new group. She had wanted a fresh start, a chance to move past the mistakes she'd made with her old group. Now, it seemed like she had just stepped into a worse situation.

"Let's get moving," the lanky one said, turning to leave. "We've got a mission to complete. Don't slow us down, mage."

Nari followed them out of the guild, her mind a swirl of frustration and dread. What had she gotten herself into?