What have I gotten myself into? Ahcehera gritted her teeth, her muscles screaming in protest as she swung her sword. The blade cleaved through one of the beast's heads, sending a spray of dark blood across the ground. What kind of creature is this?
The creature howled in agony, thrashing wildly as if in its death throes. But Ahcehera knew better than to let her guard down. She forced her battered body to keep moving, dodging as the remaining heads lunged at her. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her vision blurred with sweat and blood.
Every step felt like dragging chains behind her, but she couldn't stop, not when survival was so close. With one final surge of strength, she leapt forward and drove her blade deep into the beast's chest. The creature's roars faltered, its massive body shuddering before it collapsed.
Ahcehera staggered back, barely able to stand as she watched the beast's form dissolve into a swirling mist. Relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. From the fading mist, dozens of smaller versions of the beast emerged, miniature creatures with snarling faces and burning eyes.
Where did they come from? They swarmed toward her like a tidal wave. Ahcehera cursed under her breath, gripping her sword tightly. Her arms trembled from exhaustion, and her wounds burned fiercely, but she had no choice but to keep fighting.
The first wave struck fast, forcing her to swing her sword in wide arcs to keep them at bay. Her blade slashed through their ranks, yet for every creature she felled, more took its place. Claws raked at her arms and legs, tearing through her tattered clothes and digging into her skin.
I can't die! Blood seeped down her limbs, but Ahcehera ignored the pain. She couldn't afford to fall now, not when survival depended on her endurance. She dodged and countered. The smaller beasts weren't as strong as the original, but their sheer numbers overwhelmed her.
Desperation fueled her strikes, and she poured everything she had into every slash and stab. Sparks danced from her blade as it met their hardened scales. The sharp tang of metal filled her mouth as she clenched her teeth, refusing to let fatigue take over.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last creature fell, its broken form vanishing into dust. Ahcehera stumbled backward, her breath ragged and uneven. Her sword slipped from her fingers, clattering to the ground as her legs buckled beneath her.
I've never felt so tired in my whole life! She lay sprawled on the bloodied battlefield, her chest heaving. Then, a mechanical voice echoed through the air, cold, emotionless, yet oddly reassuring.
[War Simulation Completed. Achievement: Unprecedented Victory.]
Ahcehera blinked in confusion, her mind struggling to process the words. Before she could react, her vision darkened, and for a brief moment, everything turned black. When her senses returned, Ahcehera found herself standing in a featureless room.
The cold and metallic floor reflected the dim glow of the control panel beside her. Rows of holographic screens displayed various battle scenarios, each marked with different levels of difficulty.
Her gaze fell on the screen listing her previous simulation data, the one she had just survived. Her eyes widened as she realized it was set to the highest difficulty. Moreover, the screen indicated that this particular version was newly added and no one else had attempted it yet.
"Damn... I was the first to finish it?" Ahcehera muttered under her breath. The insanity of her achievement made her laugh dryly. Was the princess so crazy?
It wasn't skill that had gotten her through that mess, it was desperation, instinct, and stubbornness. Curiosity tugged at her, and she leaned closer to inspect the machine. This kind of technology is somewhat amazing!
The interface displayed information about the Andromeda Galaxy's advanced technology with hyper-realistic war simulations designed to push participants to their limits.
Her fingers traced the control panel as she muttered, "Is this the power of technology in the interstellar era of the Andromeda Galaxy?"
Still trying to process everything, Ahcehera left the training room. The corridor outside was modern, lined with polished metal walls that reflected her weary face as she passed.
Servants bowed respectfully as she walked by, murmuring greetings that reminded her of her current identity, Princess Ahcehera Bloodstone. Her new reality pressed heavily on her shoulders. She didn't know how much time she had before fate, as written in the novel, caught up.
The original Ahcehera had met a tragic end, and if she wanted to change that outcome, she needed to understand her role in this world. Determined to make sense of her circumstances, Ahcehera began exploring her surroundings.
The Bloodstone's Royal Palace was vast and magnificent, it boasted her family's power. Guards patrolled every corner, their cold stares unwavering. The servants were equally cautious and respectful but distant, clearly accustomed to the original Ahcehera's snob nature.
Sighing, she retreated to her quarters and spent the remainder of the evening reading through documents that detailed her responsibilities as a princess. The Sirius Kingdom's jurisdiction stretched across several planets, with trade routes, diplomatic ties, and security matters under her influence.
It was overwhelming, yet Ahcehera forced herself to memorize as much as possible. If she was going to survive in this world, she couldn't afford to make reckless mistakes. The following morning, Ahcehera ventured out into the city.
Disguising herself in a simple cloak, she wandered through bustling streets filled with merchants, traders, and travelers from distant systems. Towering holographic billboards flashed advertisements for starship enhancements, cybernetic implants, and luxuries only the wealthy could afford.
Citizens moved with the flow, some discussing political disputes while others haggled loudly with vendors. Ahcehera paused near a marketplace, watching children play with toy drones that danced through the air. Such an expensive lifestyle compared to children back on Earth.
Their laughter was infectious, momentarily easing the tension that had gripped her since her arrival. Yet beneath the surface, she sensed unease, whispered conversations about growing unrest and border skirmishes with rival kingdoms from other planets.
The Sirius Kingdom's power was strong but fragile at the same time. One wrong move could shatter the delicate balance of power in the galaxy. As she continued her walk, Ahcehera's gaze fell on a towering statue in the city square, a marble likeness of King Dan Bloodstone, her supposed father.
His stern expression and powerful stance reminded her of the pressure that awaited her back at the palace. She clenched her fists. If she wanted to survive and rewrite her fate, she couldn't afford to hesitate. I must face everyone without fear or worry. No one will know that I am not the original princess.
Ahcehera turned away from the statue, her thoughts racing. The world she had entered was complex and dangerous, filled with enemies both seen and unseen.
But she had already survived the impossible once. No matter what challenges awaited her, she was determined to carve her path, a path that wouldn't end in tragedy.