Hidden Truths: A Superhero Quest

In the moments before she took that decisive gulp, Horo's mind was filled with the realization that this elixir was her key to unlocking extraordinary abilities. The idea of change wasn't daunting for her; instead, it fueled her excitement. The unknown future was far better for her than what she currently experienced. There were so many possibilities to be explored.

With a self-assured demeanor, Horo raised the vial to her lips, a glint of determination in her eyes. Due to her hunger, she was driven to improve her life. The brown liquid within the vial shimmered with potential, mirroring the boundless possibilities that Horo envisioned for her future with the aid of the brown vial. Yet, even as she drank, a certain anime was brought to mind; she would never understand what they saw she shared with Holo besides her name. She guessed she would never know.

[SLIDE title="Analysis Complete!"]

Horo stood in awe, her surprise evident as the Race System unfolded. An avid lover of anime and the immersive world of Monsters and Mazes, her favorite TTRPG, she had never imagined that these fantastical realms would intertwine with her reality.

The city, now encapsulated within a dimensional bubble, pulsated with chaos. Horo, torn between the enchantment of the newly revealed system and the concern for her cherished TTRPG friends, found herself in a situation where her circumstances changed how she should navigate the chaos within the chaos of the city itself. Chicago was a tumultuous blend of uncertainty, and she grappled with the weight of not knowing how to reconnect with those she held dear.

As the Race System beckoned her towards unexplored adventures, Horo couldn't shake off the worry that tugged at her heart. Her favorite friends, who had shared countless tales within the realms of Monsters and Mazes, were now distanced by the strange circumstances enveloping the city.

Horo had no idea what path she'd head down, not even caring about her friends enough to be confident she'd choose to pursue helping them in the state the city was.

As she perused the next tab she looked into the ability unlocked screen, and read the ability. Thinking to herself so, that was what this Race System specialized in for her… Brown's were way too rare, and yet the LITRPG fiction she had read, by the request of Brad. Did it give her some knowledge of the rarest vial? No, Black General existed. That's why the most powerful heroes of her city were gone… She had to remember that. So, it was the second-rarest vial.

Horo's stomach grumbled in the stillness of her apartment, a reminder of her hunger and the extraordinary circumstances that had led to the unlocking of her first race. Dog Food, an unlikely catalyst, had bestowed upon her the traits of the Dog-Folk, a race with a weird bend compared to her needs. It wasn't the mightiest power, but it was hers, a subtle enhancement to her senses that came at the cost of color vision.
The daunting reality of the rioting streets and the presence of supervillains had kept her confined, but now, with the yearning for more, she contemplated venturing out. Her desire for a stronger race, a bear-folk perhaps, fueled her determination. Was there such a thing as bear food? She knew cat food existed... maybe she should check out a pet store? The city's chaos had transformed the mundane into a quest for survival and strength.
Without hesitation, she voiced her intent aloud, "Racial Transformation Dog-Folk." She had no idea if it needed to be spoken, but the nature of it being her first made her feel the need demanded in this case.

As Horo underwent the Racial Transformation, she found herself in an unexpected moment of stillness. A loading screen materialized before her, a digital interlude within the tapestry of reality. Grateful that it wasn't the troublesome hues of a yellow or green vial, she acknowledged the simplicity of the loading screen.

However, a strange realization dawned upon her – her body was forcibly stilled. An unforeseen obstacle in the form of immobility presented itself. Panic flickered briefly, but her rational mind took charge. How was she supposed to use this ability effectively if she couldn't move when the ability was activated?

The solution became apparent; she needed to leverage the races corresponding to their unique strengths when she set out to do something. Horo wouldn't be able to do this during combat or other quick actions, but she paced herself she should manage. Though an unusual pause for a transformation like this, at least as far as she was aware, the loading screen became a moment of strategic contemplation. Her adaptability would be tested in this uncharted territory, and her choices during these transformations would determine the course of her adventures.

With the loading screen lingering, Horo prepared herself for the next phase, resolving to navigate this system thoughtfully and strategically. The stillness was temporary, and once the loading was completed, only two possibilities were revealed: human or Dog-Folk. Human was already highlighted; she, of course, selected Dog-folk. The selection waited until after loading, simply saying racial transformation would suffice in the future. Was this perhaps considering the change of circumstances even a brief pause would warrant?



In the moments that followed the loading screen, Horo's senses gradually returned, and her body underwent a transformation. The Dog-Folk race manifested itself, leaving her with a unique blend of human and canine features. Her form now adorned dog ears and a tail, a subtle yet distinct alteration. She had yet to learn what this would be termed outside her personal system, but she wondered if others had the proper terms, just with different abilities attached. What about a golden retriever-folk as well? Would such a race exist, or was a dog-folk as specific as it got? There were many questions to ponder, and she wondered about the potential of other races; there were sapient races of fantasy she needed to figure out this system encompassed, nor how she would unlock them. Similarly, she doubted consumption was the only way to gain access to a race, simply the only one she had thus experienced.

As she took stock of her physicality, the absence of increased strength puzzled her. However, a nuanced change resonated in her legs – muscles built for speed instead of endurance, a testament to the subtle but tangible effects of the Dog-Folk transformation. The true revelation, however, lay in her heightened senses.

Vision, once familiar, took on a new perspective, as did her sense of smell and hearing. The world around her unfolded in layers previously unnoticed. Colors appeared less vibrant, various objects she would never have imagined blended in with each other, scents more discernible, and the sounds of the environment were a symphony of nuanced tones. The Dog-Folk traits had seamlessly woven into her being, enhancing her physical prowess and perception of the world.
As a newly transformed Dog-Folk, Horo's enhanced senses brought the details of her apartment into sharper focus. The scent of mold lingered in the air, and the strange smells and lingering dust and dirt of her living space became more apparent. The perfumes in the other room mingled with the atmosphere, creating a curious blend of scents.

As she surveyed her surroundings, she couldn't detect anyone nearby. The absence of sounds raised the question of whether she was the sole occupant of the apartments. The hint of blood she had smelled added an unsettling layer to the mystery. Was there someone killing others within the building? The uncertainty gnawed at her instincts, urging caution.

Her mind raced as she tried to recall the layout of her one-bedroom apartment. The sharp knives in the kitchen, her purse, dresses, makeup, and various possessions came to mind. Random pills resided in the bathroom medicine cabinet, and cleaning supplies filled the space alongside other items she couldn't quite remember. She doubted any of these items would help against someone who could kill so many people so quickly if they existed.

Her dilemma was whether or not she should call someone, and if she did who? It gnawed on her. The rebels or the city's current leaders could offer assistance, but revealing her abilities carried risks. Moreover, the situation's urgency made her question the time it would take for help to arrive. The suspicion of a potential murderer in her building heightened the stakes, and Horo grappled with the decision of whether to disclose her abilities for the sake of assistance or to navigate the situation on her own. The threads of her choices intertwined, creating a complex narrative in which each decision held consequences. Still, being watched didn't help her nerves, a feeling she didn't realize that was present until she was so tense.

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It all boiled down to what should she do?
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