Reality overload

Awakening back in a body that isn’t quite yours anymore is weird in more ways than I care to count. My soul, or whatever you call it, was express‑delivered back into my flesh FedEx‑style.

As in: violently slammed into place. Like a shape being shoved through the wrong hole of a kid’s toy.

Then—

“THUMP, BADUMP, BUMP”

My lungs seized like someone had just jump‑started them with divine jumper cables. All I could hear was the blood roaring in my ears. Air slammed into me, sharp and icy, and I lurched upright with a gasp and sputtering. Far too dramatic to be intentional. Like a zombie in a low grade indie movie.

Yep. That’s the right analogy.

“I’m literally the zombie ice queen..”.

( ᐛ )

“Nnnggh..” my head

PING…

[BOOT SEQUENCE COMPLETE]

[REESTABLISHING THE BETWEEN LINK…]

Welcome Back, User Kris. Congratulations on 

acquiring hidden class ICE PRINCESS “

Gained 1250 exp

PING..

Level up

“HUH… whaat? Uugh.”

I blinked rapidly, my vision flickering like a dying lantern before stabilizing. For whatever reason, I could feel something reconnecting, snapping into place like a new fuse being forced into its socket.

“Uugh… so that’s what she meant by the in between…” I groaned clasping my head.

I heard another ping, but payed it no mind. Something about world notification … I don’t know. My senses were still reeling.

The world around me slowly came into focus: the cave ceiling… and then the pit. Distant echoes of goblins screeching somewhere above me.

I was back.

Back in my body.

Except… my body wasn’t exactly the same.

A chill crawled down my spine, not fear, but literal cold. My skin tingled and cracked like ice dropped into water. Frostbite and adrenaline had apparently decided to co‑parent my nervous system.

I lifted a hand, pulling out a torch and lighting it. The warm glow revealed my hands, and they reminded me of Jack Frost.

They shimmered.

Actually shimmered. Faint frost dusting my fingertips like I’d been sculpting snowflakes during my pseudo‑death.

“What the hell!?”

A soft PING appeared in the corner of my vision.

[NEW CLASS DETECTED]

Applying Cosmetic Adjustments…

Do not resist. Your resistance is adorable but futile.

My scalp prickled.

Then burned.

Then froze.

I grabbed a lock of my hair on instinct, and froze again, this time emotionally.

“Uugh! Hestia, no doubt.”

White.

Not silver.

Not platinum.

But…Like,

“Anime protagonist after trauma white,” I muttered. “How much more cliché can it get, dammit?”

Like fresh snow. Like divine printer paper. Like Hestia had dipped my head in a celestial bleach bath.

“Oh come on, man…” My newly melodic voice echoed off the cave walls.

Another PING.

[HAIR COLOR: PUREWHITE]

You’re hair is now white as the driven snow,

with eyes like shards of glaciers

Reason: Soul Resonance with Ice Princess Archetype

Complaints Logged: 0 (No one cares.)

Soul link integrity 10%

What does that even mean… soul link?

I groaned.

“You know, it’s NOT, polite to permanently messing with someone’s avatar looks, right!?” I snapped at the air.

“At least ask first!” I grumbled. I knew she could hear me.

Silence answered.

Then my vision caught something else, a faint blue glow reflecting in a puddle on the cave floor. I leaned closer, heart thudding.

My eyes.

They weren’t green anymore.

They were blue.

Not normal blue.

Not “pretty blue.”

No.

They glowed like someone had shoved two tiny ice crystals into my skull and told them to behave, and the face was mostly the same. Except more… beautiful. Like carved from jade. More refined.

“Okay… okay… don’t panic,” I whispered.

“Just… new eyes. New hair, New… everything. Totally fine. Totally normal. Happens all the time.”

[LIE DETECTED]

Lying will result in Devine punishment

ALSO…

You are absolutely panicking.

I slapped the notification away.

“This goddess has issues.”

A sudden rush of warmth pulsed through my chest, the lingering echo of Hestia’s blessing. It spread outward, settling into my limbs like a second heartbeat. Almost like a reminder to be polite when talking about said goddess.

“Ehehehe s s sorry…” I clasped my hand trying to appease Hestia “please don’t smite me or anything.” I prayed

Suddenly I felt warmth return to my body like a wave of sunlight on a cold wither morning.

I watched, as the frost on my skin slowly receded, returning to a more human temperature. The glowing orbs that were my eyes dimmed, no longer shining like glow sticks at a rave party.

“Neat. Built‑in defroster,” I mused. I sent a silent thanks to Hestia.

My hair and eyes stayed their new colors, but for all intents and purposes, I no longer looked like an ice queen about to set the worlds thermostat to permanent winter.

The cave around me felt warmer, my body only slightly cooler than the ambient temperature of the pit I’d landed in.

I pulled up my menus, scrolling to the quest section.

“Wait the quest is still there? “Did I not die yet… wait I’m so confused i thought i had died already. It felt like a full TPK. Damn, that rocks. Our first fight as a party and I’m the only survivor.

Thinking about it it was kinda lame still we did get waxed even if I somehow didn’t die.

At least we won’t have to wait twelve hours before we can try again.”

I sat there for a moment not sure what to do. When the realization smacked me like Truck- kun. Shouting in excitement.

“LOOT BOX!!!”

I opened my inventory, there it was at the bottom. That beautiful golden glow emanating from it as I pulled it out holding it reverently.

______________________________________

Meanwhile at the starting city of Cordova

Light.

Blinding, retina‑scorching, migraine‑inducing light.

Then,

POP.

Like champagne corks, four bodies materialized in the starter city’s plaza in a burst of white particles coalescing into human shapes.

Luke hit the ground first.

Face‑first.

“MMRPH….dammit!” he sputtered, pushing himself up and spitting out dirt. “Why does respawning feel like getting punted by God?”

Rhyll appeared next, landing in a perfect crouch like she’d practiced it in the mirror.

She in fact had.

“Ugh. I hate dying,” she muttered, brushing phantom dust off her leather armor. “I hate dying in the first ever quest even more.”

Nate spawned in upside‑down.

Literally.

He dropped from three feet in the air, robes flapping like a distressed bedsheet before he crashed into the cobblestone with a wheeze.

“My back… my ancient wizard back…”

Rhyll didn’t even look at him. “You’re nineteen, Nate.”

“I am spiritually ancient.” He shot back indignantly.

Char arrived last.

She materialized standing upright, perfectly balanced, hair immaculate, screaming in terror.

After a moment longer than necessary, she blinked. Looking around in confusion.

“Huh… “ Realizing she was no loner in danger. Her face flushed in embarrassment at her unnecessary fright. Looking around at the other three,

“ I guess we all died that was scary!”

she notice that Kris was currently missing.

“KRIS! WHERE’S KRIS?!”

Her voice echoed across the plaza, startling several NPCs and at least one player who fell off a bench. Giving her an annoyed glare.

Luke groaned, rolling onto his back. “We got wiped, Char. He’ll respawn here too.”

“She should’ve respawned with us!” Char snapped, panic rising. “She was right next to me when that giant goblin thing…”

She cut herself off, shivering. The sense of unease building.

“Orc…”Nate corrected,receiving a glare for his troubles.

Rhyll’s expression softened. “Maybe she spawned a few seconds late? It happens sometimes.”

Nate, still face‑down, raised a hand weakly. “Or… or maybe the system glitched. Or maybe she logged out. Or maybe—”

Char stomped on his back.

“NOT HELPING.”

“OW…my magical spine!”

Luke pushed himself upright, rubbing his temples. “Okay. Let’s think. Kris is… Kris. He probably got distracted by a menu or a shiny rock or something.”

Rhyll nodded. “Or she’s relaxing somewhere waiting for us. That’s also possible.”

Char’s eyes darted around the plaza, hope surging for a moment, scanning every player, every corner, every respawn shimmer.

Nothing.

No Kris.

Her jaw tightened. “I’m going to the admin kiosk. If the system bugged out and didn’t respawn her, I swear…”

But then—

A soft chime echoed through the plaza.

WORLD NOTIFICATIONA translucent message window flickered into existence in front of the four of them: and every other player in the game.

Congratulations player: Kris LVL 2

For being the first player to unlock Hidden class

Ice Princess.

Luke blinked. “A… what.”

Rhyll’s ears perked. “Hidden Class? At level two? That’s impossible… right.!?

“ Huh…, it’s a secret class.” Luke surmised, “so maybe not that impossible?”

Nate sat up so fast he cracked his neck. “No, no, no, that’s not just impossible — that’s dev‑level intervention. That’s lore‑breaking. That’s—”

SMACK

Rhyll hit him upside the back of his head. Looking at him like she would throttle him at any second.

“Obviously it’s possible, because it happened. You dimwit!!”

“Kris is alive,” char whispered, relief flooding her voice.

Then her eyes narrowed.

“But what is that class Ice Princess’ What’s it mean?”

Luke stood, gripping his shield. “It means we find him.”

Rhyll smirked. “And if she’s gotten herself into trouble… “ the words not having to be said.

Nate sighed. “She has definitely gotten herself into trouble.”

Char clenched her fists, determination blazing.

“Then we’ll save my poor baby sis… “ she said  “She’ll be so surprised, she’ll have no choice to cling to me!” Hehehe her laughter betraying her intentions. Her imagination running rampant.

“Come on Luke called.” We better get moving before it’s too late I’m going that have to log out soon.” He said checking the time.

The four of them stepped forward in unison, the starter city bustling around them, unaware that somewhere deep underground.

Kris was waking up as something entirely new.

______________________________________

There it was.

Sitting at the bottom of my inventory like a smug little treasure gremlin, glowing gold

The loot box.

My pulse spiked. My hands tingled. My brain short‑circuited.

“Okay… okay… don’t freak out… it’s just a legendary loot box from a literal goddess… totally normal…”

I immediately freaked out. Excitement warring with my will to stay calm.

(((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))♡

I yanked it out of my inventory so fast I nearly threw it across the cave.

The moment it touched my hands, the box vibrated, a soft hum, like it was purring. Frost curled around the edges, delicate and shimmering, as if the thing was breathing cold air.

“Ohhh that’s fancy. That’s dangerously fancy.”

I held it up to eye level, inspecting it

“Alright, you beautiful mystery cube… show me the goods.”

I cracked it open.

FWOOOOSH

A burst of icy light exploded outward, swirling around me in a miniature blizzard. Snowflakes spun in the air, glowing with soft blue light. The temperature dropped ten degrees instantly.

When the frost cleared, something hovered in front of me.

“It’s.. it’s, A FREAKING, BATTLE DRESS!?!?!?”

(ﾉಥ益ಥ）ﾉ ┻━┻

“Uugh…, figures given my luck lately. My masculinity outraged at the item.

This thing looked like it had been handcrafted by the dragon of ice, with a god complex. shimmering with frost and, winter.

The bodice made of what looked like armored ice thin and crystalline. The sleeve long with I lighter shade of blue at the edges the area where the forearms were covered in ice like vambraces. The same with pauldrons.

The skirt layered with fabric like silk. Flowy the petty coat underneath giving it volume. It reach to about knee length with gold trim and lace giving the outfit quite the royal air about it.

Then there were the boots, reaching just under the knee leaving a hint of absolute territory between the skirt and the tops of the gold trimmed boots. The blue leather giving off a touch me and I’ll stomp on you. Vibe, but in a very dignifiedly manner the two inch heels looking dangerously painful.

My hopes and dreams of a cool sword, or something more intimidating dashed like spilled milk.

My eyes full of tears if pity for my misfortune.

“S- s so Not wearing this thing dammit!!”

I reached out.

The moment my fingers touched it, a cold shock ran up my arm, not painful, but electric. Like the attire recognized me.

A soft whisper echoed in my mind.

Mine.

I shivered automatically.

“Oh… oh that’s creepy. That’s really creepy.”

“Now I’ve got voices in my head. Next it’ll be that I’ve been dreamed everything up, and I’m currently asleep in my bed at home…” I wished silently. Secretly pinching my leg. Nope no luck I thought.

Text scrolled across my vision.

ACQUIRED — BATTLE ATTIRE OF THE ICE PRINCESS

Rarity: (Common- legendary) currently common will grow with user Leveling

Element: Ice/wind

Passive: skill slot

Skill slot: Frostbite — Exudes a freezing mist that surrounds you. Enemies -5 movement speed

Active: + 5 to strength,speed,and intelligence.

Bow before the princess of winter!!

I stared at the battle dress “Huh wait it will grow with me?!?!? So what… like it’s technically it’s only common at the moment?!”

“Aaaah I’ve been played noooooooooo!”

Then I frowned like a feral raccoon discovering a dumpster full of shiny trash.

“I guess since there’s nobody around.. I- I could just use it. The stat boost is pretty good.”

I could feel my male dignity turning its back in disgust at me. The shame making my cheeks blushed with frost unbeknownst to me. I sat there for a long while contemplating on if I should wear it.

Ahhhh “Screw it!!”Its not like anyone will see it I can just take it off later.

I hit equip, and the battle dress shimmered for a moment, before falling into place over my body. It hugged me close. The gentle pressure making me flush once more. The feeling of the cloth cool against my skin.

Altogether it was quite comfortable. Like it was made just for me. I turned the hem of the dress releasing a mist of frost as I did so.

I giggled.

Actually giggled, well at least it will get stronger with time….” NO NONONONO! What am I some frilly chick…. ＿|￣|○

I grew silent as I thought about what I just said fresh tears leaking about of my eyes.

PING….

WORLD NOTIFICATION 

CONGRATULATIONS

PLAYER KRIS FOR EQUIPPING THE FIRST 

LEGENDARY ITEM BATTLE DRESS OF THE

ICE PRINCESS

Eeehehehehehe(´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀)

The cave echoed with my unhinged laughter as, I realized how I had been had by the goddess, yet again.

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!” I shrieked “whyyyyyyy!?!?!?!” I felt dizzy. “They’re going to know I put a dress on!!!” My manly dignity shattered into a thousand fragment as I stood there horrified. Thinking how Charlie was going to have a field day with this.

“ Dammit, I’m never going to like this down, am I.”

Then a thought hit me.

“…I should probably find my way out of this mess…” putting my mental issues on the back burner for future me to deal with.

I turned on the spot looking for any sight of a way out. The torchlight flickering shadows off of the wall. There just barely visible was a crack in the stone. Just barely wide enough for my now slender frame to squeeze through.

“Here’s to not getting stuck in a claustrophobic dead end… pure nightmare fuel.”

“Perfect.” I sighed and I started forward.