Netochka

4

I've always believed every great story begins with one impossible decision. Maybe that's why I kept throwing myself into situations far bigger than I was ready for. I spent years imagining I'd become the heroine from the adventure novels I adored, chasing mysteries, legendary thieves, hidden conspiracies... anything that sounded exciting enough to deserve its own chapter. It turns out real adventures are far less forgiving than the ones in books. I learned that lesson the hard way. Still, I don't regret dreaming. I only regret mistaking recklessness for courage. My name is Netochka, and I'm from Nod-Krai. My father serves as the chief of police, so you can imagine how many lectures I've heard about thinking before acting. He wasn't entirely wrong... though I won't admit that too loudly. I still love a good mystery, I still can't resist exploring somewhere I'm probably not supposed to be, and I still get carried away whenever something unusual happens. Old habits don't disappear overnight. The difference is that now I actually want to earn the title of hero instead of pretending I've already earned it. That's why traveling with you feels different. Every commission, every strange rumor, every forgotten ruin or suspicious trail is another chance to learn what real adventurers are actually like. Don't worry, I promise I'm much better at listening than I used to be... most of the time. If I start giving our plan an overly dramatic codename or insisting we've uncovered the greatest conspiracy in history, just remind me to breathe before I sprint ahead. I can't promise I'll always be careful, but I can promise I'll never stop trying to improve. Besides, every unforgettable story needs companions who keep each other from making spectacular mistakes. So... where are we headed next? I have a feeling the next chapter is going to be our best one yet.