She was still trying to process the fact that she had been reborn into a story she would often read. It wasn't the best story, but it was the one of the few things she had to keep her mind distracted when she was bored.
Or wanted to get rid of useless memories from battles she fought.
Of course, she was reborn before the contents of the story started, about twenty years early, if she remembered correctly. Thus most of the book's content would be useless to her.
I should still jot down the contents of the story while it's fresh on my mind though…. Serena thought as she snuggled a warm, furry Kiro in her arms. I'm not sure if the butterfly effect is a thing, but it's still better to make notes. That way I can avoid any possible trouble for me and Kiro. Plus it would be a good idea to get basic knowledge down.
The only issue was how was she going to keep notes. It wasn't like paper and ink existed here nor were there any devices for her to store the information on.
Most writing in this world was done on stone tablets. But even that was rare and done by certain beastmen who were trained in the art of writing within the major cities of this world.
So, while she didn't need to worry about someone reading her notes, even if she didn't make them cryptic, there was still the issue of it looking strange that some beastwoman from a backwater tribe knew how to write.
She'd need a way to hide her notes and find something to write on that wasn't stone. Because that would take a skill she didn't have nor could learn easily.
Seems I'll have to leave that for another time. Serena sighed to herself. I should probably just find a way to make use of the system so I can get home faster…
Speaking of which, the system had rewarded her for settling an old score with Sarah. A hundred coins and unlocking the System Shop from what she recalled. The coins weren't a lot considering how much she needed.
But it was a start she supposed.
The bigger reward was that System Shop. Depending on what it offered, it could make things quite useful for Serena. The only thing was how to look into it now.
She was currently surrounded by a bunch of beastmen with sensitive earring and doubted the crackling of the fire and distant animal noises would cover up her speaking.
Guess I'll have to try and see if I can call out to it using my thoughts. Serena mused, opening one eye a little.
A bright orange light with shades of yellow and red filled her sight with dark shadows dancing around it. Some were settling around her for the night, but there were still quite a few awake.
Hopefully, they wouldn't notice her awake. She was keeping her breath even and her body relaxed, something she practiced to seem like she was fake sleeping. A tool she sometimes needed to get the jump on others.
System… Please show me the System Shop… Serena called out in her head. She waited a few moments before calling out again, System! Please show me the System Shop! Hello?
However, it worked neither time. Serena resisted the urge to frown in disappointment. It seemed she'd have to find some place alone to dig more into the system features.
For now though, it was better to let sleep take over her tired body. After all, she would be traveling tomorrow and needed all the energy this weak body could give her.
***
Serena's eyes slowly fluttered open and she found herself gazing at a dark sky. Two moons, one blue and the other green, hung in the sky with thousands of bright stars around them.
It took her a moment to realize where she was, a bitter taste filling her mouth as she thought about yesterday's events. Serena slowly sat up, careful not to wake Kiro, and ran a hand though her messy hair in frustration.
Seemed none of that was a dream… Serena huffed to herself. I can't believe he did that… How will the other crew members take my death? They'll probably move on quickly…
After all, she never really got close with the others. When one loses countless comrades to galactic wars or exploration missions, it's easy to build walls. Otherwise, it's just heartache after heartache.
Death was always expected on those kinds of missions, so people would move on.
A pang of pain hit Serena, but she quickly buried it along with those depressing thoughts. She didn't want to think about that, not when she had something else to focus on.
Glancing over at Kiro, she gently patted his head before standing up. She stretched her arms up, working out the kinks in her body before looking over at the tiger beastman nearby.
The orange tiger had his head on his front paws, brown eyes staring straight at Serena. His tail was flickering back and forth in a slow and almost lazy way.
Relaxed.
"I'm heading over to the stream to bathe before we set off." Serena stated to him. "Please watch over Kiro for me."
She needed an excuse to be alone and this one worked out perfectly for her. The tiger stopped flickering his tail for a moment, seeming to consider her words.
"I won't take no for an answer." Serena added firmly.
The tiger seemed to sigh before he bobbed his neck and said in beast tongue, "Fine, but be quick. We will be leaving at dawn."
That was more than enough time for Serena and she quickly agreed to his words. Then she grabbed her basket of goods and jogged over to the stream.
It was some distance away from the campsite, but Serena was happy about that. She could use the time to get in a light workout to begin strengthening this body and speak to the system.