Oracle's Realizer Chronicles: Adventure Awaits!

The humid jungle air clung to her skin as the distant cries of exotic birds echoed through the canopy. Lara Croft—no, Futaba Sakura—pressed her back against the thick trunk of a towering ceiba tree, her breaths controlled but rapid. The adrenaline coursing through her veins was an undeniable reminder—this was no longer just a game. What had started as an exciting test of the "Realizer App" had now thrown her into the heart of an expedition she had absolutely no preparation for.

"Goddammit," she muttered under her breath, clenching her fists. "Why the hell did I say yes to this job? Oh, right—because I was a dumbass who picked up the damn phone!"

She let out a frustrated groan, swiping at the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "Seriously! Who even does that?! I could've ignored it, could've let it ring, could've just—UGH! But nooo, 'Lara Croft' had to be all professional and answer like some seasoned tomb raider!"

A rustling in the undergrowth made her freeze. She turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of glowing yellow eyes peering at her from the dense foliage. Jaguars. Two of them. Their sleek, muscular forms were low to the ground, ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Instinctively, her hands moved to the twin pistols strapped to her thighs. She wasn’t just Futaba anymore—she was Lara Croft, and Lara knew how to survive.

Before she could get lost in the intensity of the moment, her mind drifted back to the night before. The night she had a special transformation… and a very reckless choice…

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The luxury hotel was as extravagant as they came, and while Sojiro busied himself with old acquaintances, Futaba found herself alone once more. Boredom gnawed at her, so she did what any self-respecting gamer-hacker would do: she pulled out the mysterious black smartphone and booted up the "Realizer App."

"Let’s see… Who should I be tonight?" she mused, scrolling through the vast selection of personas she could assume. Her eyes flicked past countless icons—warriors, assassins, spies—each one tempting in its own way.

Then her gaze froze on a familiar symbol: Lara Croft.

A slow smirk played on her lips as she tapped the icon. "An adventurous babe with an insane skillset, nerves of steel, and a figure to die for? Pfft, no contest. This one’s a dream pick."

Her fingers hovered over the customization settings, anticipation building in her chest. "Just imagine it—climbing cliffs like it’s nothing, solving ancient puzzles like a boss, dual-wielding pistols like a total badass… Man, this is gonna be sick!"

Adjusting the settings to match her desired transformation—full skill integration, period-accurate attire, and a temporary reality shift—she hovered her finger over the "Applying Change!" button.

With a decisive tap, the room around her blurred into nothingness. Her body shivered as a warm glow enveloped her, her baggy sleepwear dissolving into pure light. Her petite frame stretched, muscles tightening and toning as she aged into her mid-20s. A pleasurable tingle coursed through her as her bust swelled, her waist narrowed, and her once-slender hips flared into an athletic hourglass figure. Her vibrant orange hair darkened at the tips, cascading into deep chestnut waves, while her amethyst eyes dimmed into a shade of brown as sharp as an eagle’s.

The glow faded. Futaba—now fully Lara Croft—stood in a grand bedroom, clad in nothing but a lacy blue lingerie set. She flexed her fingers, then rolled her shoulders. The weight of her newfound strength settled in, yet it felt as natural as if she had been born with it. Every muscle was primed for movement, every sense heightened for adventure.

"This… is… AWESOME!" she cheered, bouncing on her toes and marveling at her new physique. Spinning around, she caught sight of herself in the full-length mirror and gasped. "Damn, I actually look like her! This is insane!"

Her excitement doubled as she spotted a neatly folded outfit on the Realizer Suitcase—Lara’s iconic attire. She practically lunged for it, slipping into the tight, blue tank top and fitting the rugged brown shorts snugly around her hips. The weight of the twin holsters settled naturally against her thighs as she fastened the belt, securing the small pouches and extra gear with expert precision. The brown fingerless gloves and sturdy boots completed the ensemble, making her feel every bit the legendary adventurer.

Grinning, she grabbed a hair tie from the dresser and pulled her long chestnut waves into Lara’s signature braid, tying it off with a satisfying flick. "Oh man, this is next-level cool! I feel like I could take on an entire army!"

She instinctively reached for the twin pistols at her sides, drawing them in a swift, controlled motion. Without thinking, she pivoted, flipping over the bed and landing smoothly on one knee, arms extended in a perfectly balanced combat stance. Her breath hitched as her body moved with effortless precision, her mind perfectly in sync with the movements.

"Whoa," she whispered, twirling the pistols before holstering them with a satisfying click. "That was awesome!" She dashed forward, leaping onto a nearby chair and launching herself off with a graceful aerial spin, landing flawlessly on the ground. "Okay, okay, I think I’m in love with this setup."

Heart racing with exhilaration, she laughed, running a hand down her toned stomach. "Alright, time to see just how deep this rabbit hole goes. I could get used to—"

Her celebration was cut short by the abrupt vibration of her phone. Confused, she snatched it up.

"Hello?" she answered without thinking.

"Ah, Miss Croft," a deep voice rumbled on the other end, rich with an air of authority. "Excellent. You accepted the job. We’ve made the necessary preparations at the excavation site—an ancient temple believed to hold the lost relic of the Aztar Empire. The place is riddled with traps, but I trust that’s of no concern to you. After all, a seasoned adventurer like yourself thrives on the challenge."

Futaba—no, "Lara"—tilted her head slightly, a knowing smirk gracing her lips. "Of course," she purred, her voice rich with that signature blend of allure and unwavering confidence. "Traps and treasure go hand in hand—one simply doesn't come without the other."

"Splendid. Then you'll find everything you need waiting for you. A private plane is already fueled and ready at the airstrip. It will take you to the site within the hour. I expect great things from you, Miss Croft. Best of luck."

Click.

The call ended.

Futaba blinked. Her mind caught up with her mouth.

"...Fuck."

----

And now here she was, weaving through the dense undergrowth of a perilous jungle ruin, all because she had answered that damn call.

"Okay, Futaba, think!" she hissed. "You’ve got Lara’s skills! Use them!"

A guttural growl made her tense. The jaguar lunged, muscles rippling beneath its sleek fur. Instinct took over—she sidestepped with effortless precision, drawing her pistol in a fluid motion and firing a warning shot into the air. The sharp crack of the gun sent the predator skidding back, ears flattening, but it wasn’t retreating. She needed an escape route—fast.

Her sharp gaze darted across the crumbling ruins, spotting a vine-covered ledge above. There! Taking a deep breath, she sprinted forward, vaulting over broken pillars before leaping to grab the ledge. With a powerful swing, she hoisted herself up just as the jaguar lunged again, claws raking the air where she had just been.

Her keen eyes darted around the crumbling ruins, spotting a ledge above. There! With a deep breath, she sprinted forward, leapt off a crumbling platform, and grabbed the ledge with a single, powerful swing. She hoisted herself up with an ease that she knew, deep down, wasn't truly hers—but in this moment, she was Lara Croft, and Lara Croft didn’t falter.

The jaguar snarled below as she scrambled over the edge, landing safely beyond their reach. Panting, she allowed herself a small victory smirk.

"Holy crap," she exhaled. "That was badass."

But there was no time to rest. The ruins were riddled with traps, ancient puzzles, and the promise of something valuable hidden deep within. She pressed on, using her newfound intellect and agility to navigate collapsing corridors, decipher ancient inscriptions, and barely dodge spears that jutted out from the walls.

Finally, she found it—the artifact. A jewel-encrusted idol of unknown origin sat atop a stone pedestal, beckoning her to claim it. Carefully, she reached out, swapping the idol with a nearby rock of similar weight—because, obviously, she had seen enough movies to know better than to grab it outright.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the entire ruin began to shake.

"Oh, come on!" she groaned, bolting for the exit as the ceiling caved in behind her.

Dirt and debris rained down as she sprinted through the narrow passageway, leaping over pitfalls and sliding under falling pillars. The exit was within reach, but the final stretch required a daring leap across a crumbling bridge.

"Alright, Lara," she muttered. "Don’t fail me now!"

With a powerful push, she vaulted through the air, arms outstretched as she grasped onto the ledge. Digging her fingers into the rough stone, she hauled herself up just as the ruins collapsed in a thunderous roar behind her.

For a long moment, she lay on her back, staring at the sky, her heart hammering in her chest. Then she burst into laughter.

"That. Was. INSANE! This is AWESOME!!"

----

A few hours later, "Lara" lounged by the hotel pool, clad in a black bikini as she sipped on a tropical drink, basking in the satisfaction of her adventure. The Realizer App had done its job spectacularly, allowing her to experience the thrill of a full-fledged expedition while still returning to the lap of luxury.

She stretched lazily, dipping her fingers into the water before sliding in, letting the cool embrace of the pool wash away the sweat and dirt from the jungle. Floating on her back, she stared at the sky, reliving every heart-pounding moment—the chase through the ruins, the death-defying leap, the weight of the idol in her hands. It had all felt so real.

Swimming to the pool's edge, she propped her arms up and reached for her drink, savoring the sweet citrus burst as she took a slow sip. Her reflection in the water caught her eye—Lara Croft, as poised and confident as ever. It was a surreal sight, one she wanted to hold onto just a little while longer.

"Maybe I’ll stay like this a bit more," she mused with a smirk, her voice dripping with that signature Lara Croft charm. "No harm in indulging a little."

With one final glance at her phone, she knew she could end it whenever she pleased—revert back to being Futaba Sakura, as if no time had passed and nothing had happened. But for now? The adventurer deserved a little R&R.

After all, even Lara Croft needed a vacation.
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Artworks generated with NovelAI

Characters belong to P-Studio, Atlus and Core Design