Next morning, I started to make plans for what I wanted to do in this world now that I had both time and money on my side, and soon, a small list was formed.

I nodded to myself, more out of habit than conviction, and picked up my phone. It was time for me to leave and have some fun. But for some reason, I did not feel the same excitement I used to feel about outings anymore.

"Let's go out. No point staying cooped up all day."

I said, slipping on my shoes.

Fenrir's ears perked up immediately. He was by my side before I could say anything, and his tail thumped against the ground in an excited manner.

"Are we going hunting?"

He asked, eyes bright.

"…No. But we are going to do something much more fun… I think so…"

I replied.

We started simple. A small walk around the town to keep my mind cool and not think about anything. Fenrir kept walking by my side as well.

But I had forgotten just how noisy the world was, and people started to take pictures and videos of Fenrir to post online once more.

That instantly tanked my mood, and my powers slipped out, causing people to feel uncomfortable and look away.

That had not been my intention, but I could not say that I was disappointed by what happened either. I just felt relieved to have the humans look the other way when I walked around with Fenrir.

Fenrir stopped every few steps, his nose twitching as he tried to catalog every unfamiliar scent.

"There are too many humans. I don't like their smell or their presence. It feels… artificial…"

He muttered.

I almost laughed, but the sound never came. Modern humans were too used to putting fake scents on themselves to appeal to each other, and that must be bothering Fenrir.

I quickly explained it to him to make him a little more comfortable, but Fenrir just frowned and did not say a word.

We went to an amusement park next. I thought maybe the noise and movement would shake something loose in my chest. But I felt no joy as I went on some rides. My heart used to skip beats in fear, but now all I felt was calmness.

Fenrir stared up at the steel tracks with open suspicion.

"You get on those… willingly?"

"Yeah, and I enjoy it as well. Or at least, I used to."

I said before getting on another coaster. My magic allowed humans to overlook Fenrir and allow him on the roller coaster as well.

The drops still pulled my stomach upward, and the speed still made the wind tear at my face-but the excitement never arrived. It was a boring affair that did not yield any results like what I wanted.

Inside, I felt nothing.

Even standing at the top of the Ferris wheel, the city stretching endlessly beneath us, lights flickering like a field of stars, all I felt was distance.

It almost felt like I was watching someone else's memories play out through my eyes.

"This view is beautiful. There are so many lights."

Fenrir said softly.

"…It is."

I agreed.

But this softness and beauty hid a lot of dirt as well.

We left before sunset and wandered into a museum next, cool air and quiet halls a sharp contrast to the park. I wanted to see if I would feel anything from the ancient artifacts, but I did not see much here.

I had once wanted to understand the significance of this world, but now I could no longer even stand being in it.

"Shopkeeper… this world has no gods watching over it, does it? I cannot feel their presence."

Fenrir said after a while, lowering his voice as if the statues could hear him.

"…I… cannot say. The presence of faith in our world is a lot different from here."

I answered.

"Then how does it keep going?"

I didn't have an answer. Sometimes, I felt like the only reason this world kept going was because a higher entity was manipulating it.

Otherwise, there was no way it could turn out alright after all the things humans had put this earth through.

We walked until night fell, the city transforming under artificial light. Street performers played music for loose change, couples laughed over shared meals, and strangers brushed past without a second glance.

By the time we reached a quiet park and sat on a bench beneath dim streetlights, my exhaustion felt heavier than it should have.

Fenrir sat beside me, unusually still, his gaze fixed on my face rather than the world around us.

"Shopkeeper, you want to go back, right? I can tell that you are not enjoying this place."

He said suddenly.

I blinked.

"That obvious?"

"Yes. You keep looking at everything like you're already saying goodbye. Is this the place that you originally came from?"

His ears drooped slightly.

I leaned back, wondering if I should lie to Fenrir right now.

'But what would even be the point? It would just be better to tell him the truth and put the past behind me.'

"This world used to excite me. I wanted money, freedom, time. I thought if I had all that, I'd finally feel… complete."

I admitted. Fenrir waited, patient in a way only he could be.

"But now that I have it, it feels hollow. Like I'm wearing clothes that don't fit anymore."

I continued, my voice quieter.

He shifted closer, his shoulder pressing against my leg.

"Then why stay? We can go back. The shop is waiting. The place where you belong… you chose it yourself. If you don't want to stay here, you don't have to,"

Fenrir said.

He sounded so wise that I wanted nothing more than to take his hand and follow his advice.

Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do. I was stuck in this world because of my own actions.

"I can't. The gate's on cooldown. One month. Until then… we're stuck here."

I said, exhaling slowly.

Fenrir frowned, his claws scraping lightly against the pavement.

"That's… isn't there anything we can do about it?"

I snorted.

"I am afraid there is nothing. We will just have to stay here for now."

Silence settled between us-not uncomfortable, just heavy. Somewhere nearby, laughter echoed. Life went on, indifferent to my thoughts.

"I thought coming back would help me settle things. Instead, it just made things clearer."

I murmured.

"And that is?"

Fenrir asked.

"That I don't belong here anymore."

My plan had been simple before-come back and choose someone else to lead the other world in my place. I wanted to do the same thing the shopkeeper before me had done.

But instead, I ended up finding a place to call my own.

Home.

The word felt right in a way this world no longer did.

I stood up and tugged gently on the leash.

"Come on. Let's head back."

As we walked away from the park, the city lights stretching endlessly ahead of us, I realized something unsettling.

This world hadn't changed while I was gone.

I had.

And no matter how long I stayed, no matter how much I tried to blend in, I would always feel like a visitor passing through-waiting for the moment I could finally leave again.

The next few days passed slowly. Time seemed to crawl at a snail's pace, and I felt it affecting me as well.

I closed my eyes and allowed my body to relax, but even that did not help. Going out helped, but it also served to kill what little excitement I had left for this world.

By the end of the month, I genuinely felt like I was going out of my mind, and Fenrir's company was the only thing keeping me sane.

A week passed before I decided to head out again. But this time, things were far from normal.

I had decided to take a small walk in the mall and buy everyone back home presents. Fenrir was helping me choose something when there was a sudden loud shot, and someone walked into the store.

"Do not move. We are here to rob the shop, and we are armed. Hey you-put all your money and valuables in the bag before I shoot you."

The man, dressed in black and wearing a black mask, pointed his gun at the cashier. She panicked before quickly beginning to fill his bag.

"Shopkeeper, should we interfere and help that lady?"

Fenrir asked as he got ready to attack.

I caught him at the last second before he could launch himself at the intruders.

"Let's… leave it be for now. There is no need for you to put yourself in danger like this. Robberies like these are common, and it won't-"

A loud gunshot rang out near me. I looked up, only to see one of the robbers glaring at me as he walked closer.

"Tsk. You think you're so great, you punk? Want me to teach you and your mutt a lesson?"

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