Author Becomes Character (Revised version)

I woke up to a strange noise outside the inn—Is it 3 a.m.? Is it breakfast time? Who knows? All I know is I woke up still in the outfit I hadn't paid for yet (classic me), but at least I wasn't in the middle of a magical training session. Progress, right?

Anyway, I dragged myself out of bed, done with the whole crying and self-pity routine—definitely not my usual style. 

I acted like I had it all figured out, even though my brain was still running on half a cup of sleep. But hey, at least I was upright and moving, so that's a win, right? I tiptoed over to the window, trying to shake off the melodrama and see what all the noise was about.

I activated my Dragon Eyes, The instant they kicked in, everything outside became crystal clear, even though it was the dead of night. Seriously, is it always this bright when you can see things at a distance like that? Just the magic being all show-offy again.

Outside, I saw four cloaked men just... hanging around, which is exactly how I don't want to start my morning. And because one guy wasn't creepy enough, there was another sitting on a tree branch like a bad guy in a low-budget movie, just watching me. The real question is, who wakes up and immediately decides to lurk in a tree? 

I thought about the front desk lady who had told me the inn was full earlier. But now, I had to wonder: was she secretly in on this whole thing? Was I the target of a very poorly executed business tactic?

Just as I was thinking to myself, a needle came flying through the air. Great. More drama. I caught it because apparently, I'm turning into some kind of action hero overnight. The Dragon had taught me a little spell for this and that, and guess what? It works on needles too! Who knew?

I threw it back at the guy on the tree like it was a game of "How Badly Can I Freak People Out," and boom, he was out cold. I quickly opened a gate and caught him before he fall off the tree. I guess the needle has some drug or poison.

So then I start snooping through his stuff like any self-respecting adventurer would do. Found a weird earpiece in his ear, and sure enough, it was a communication device. Naturally, I popped it into my own ear to eavesdrop. Because, let's be real, this entire scenario just screams "spy movie."

"She's not in her room!" someone said.

"Check the bathroom!" another voice called. Look, I get it, I'm hiding in the bathroom sometimes too, but really? What's the plan here?

And then, of course, someone had the nerve to say, "If I see her naked, can I have a taste?" To which I couldn't help but snap, "What kind of weird fantasy are you living out, dude? Absolutely not. Get a grip."

That's when everything went to hell. People started shouting, running around in circles, and suddenly, I found myself throwing enchanted needles like I was auditioning for a new Olympic sport. Seriously, the green needles? Absolute game-changers. If snake venom was a weapon, I just made it my new hobby. I was practically racking up points every time one of them hit the mark. A guy with a sword? He was on the floor convulsing in seconds. A lady with a big, shiny axe? Same deal—she was down faster than I could say "sudden nap."

Meanwhile, the others were freaking out, yelling for "Lundel," the guy I had knocked out earlier with the enchanted needle, who had apparently fallen asleep on the job. Real professional, right?

But it got even better. In a moment of sheer theatricality (because, why not, right?), I decided to levitate. Casually floated into the air, my hair whipping around like I was some action movie heroine. Honestly, I was starting to feel a little ridiculous, but hey, if you're going to do something, might as well make it dramatic, right?