Chapter 6
“Now we’re here!”
The unicorn and the wisps hovered and stood beside me, staring ahead in silence.
Before us stood a familiar sight, a tall waterfall cascading endlessly into a clear basin below. The very place where I first opened my eyes in this world.
Both the unicorn and the wisps wore the exact same expression.
…This is it?
“Now, now,” I said lightly, clapping my hands together. “No need to look so disappointed. This place will be remembered as my place of birth.”
I spread my arms wide, smiling proudly.
“And to commemorate this sacred moment, I shall take this opportunity to bestow upon you, names!”
The reaction I received was… mild.
The wisps blinked once.
The unicorn tilted its head.
There was no dramatic gasping. No sparkling excitement. Just a neutral calm, with the faintest hint of happiness tucked underneath.
“…Oh,” I muttered. “This is not the reaction I expected.”
I sighed exaggeratedly.
“Well, I suppose you don’t really like your master that much, huh…”
With that, I turned my back on them and crouched, pretending to draw shapes into the damp earth.
The response was immediate.
The wisps zipped forward in a panic, pressing themselves against my cheeks, glowing brighter as if trying to apologize. Behind me, the unicorn lowered its massive head and gently rubbed it against my back, the weight warm and apologetic.
“Hehe,” I chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’m just messing with you.”
I turned around and placed both hands on the unicorn’s face, meeting its wide, earnest eyes.
“I’m going to call you… Minjun”
The unicorn froze.
“Min,” I continued softly, “because you’re big, yet gentle.”
“And Jun,” I added, smiling wider, “because you’re loyal… and outstanding.”
I leaned my forehead against its horn.
“Together, Minjun. My capable, gentle giant.”
For a moment, there was silence.
Then,
Minjun let out a low, rumbling whuff, stamping the ground once as his tail swished wildly. His ears perked up, posture straightening with unmistakable pride. He lowered his head slightly, nudging me with surprising care, as if afraid to apply too much strength.
“Oh?” I laughed. “You liked that?”
The unicorn snorted proudly.
I turned to the wisps floating eagerly beside me.
“As for you two…” I said thoughtfully. “You’ll be Hwan and Hyuk.”
They leaned closer.
“Because you’re both bright… and mischievous.”
At once, both wisps erupted into joyful light, spinning, chiming softly, bumping into each other in excitement.
One zipped upward in a spiral while the other darted in circles around my head, glowing so brightly they nearly outshone the waterfall’s reflection.
“Hehe,” I said fondly. “It really fits, doesn’t it?”
I stepped back, inhaling slowly.
“Now…”
“…for the main event.”
I extended both arms.
My feet lifted from the ground.
Soft light enveloped my body as my form grew ethereal, threads of astral glow tracing along my limbs, my presence shimmering like a reflection upon water.
The reactions were immediate.
Minjun took a step back, eyes wide.
Hwan and Hyuk froze midair, light flickering in stunned pulses.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“You didn’t really think this was over, did you?” I teased.
“Come on, who do you think I am?”
I tilted my head playfully.
“I’m not that bland~”
I drifted toward the waterfall, raising one hand.
The cascading water slowed.
Then,
split.
The torrent parted cleanly down the middle, flowing aside as if bowing, revealing a hidden passage beyond.
Warm light spilled outward from within.
The wisps gasped, glowing brighter.
Minjun’s breath caught, hooves shifting with excitement.
“Well?” I gestured inward.
“Come on, get in!”
Hwan and Hyuk shot forward without hesitation, disappearing inside in streaks of light. Minjun followed, leaping gracefully, landing with feather-falling ease despite his massive size.
I followed last.
Inside, the world changed.
We stood within a vast hollow space, like the heart of a mountain shaped by gentle hands. Trees grew naturally along the stone floor, their leaves softly rustling despite the absence of wind.
Grass spread like a green carpet, dotted with tiny flowers. Small animals darted and watched curiously from a distance.
At the center lay a clear pond, its surface perfectly still.
Above us, an opening reached all the way to the mountain’s peak, allowing moonlight to pour down like a silver pillar. The light reflected upon the water. Upon me, my reflection shimmering faintly within.
It felt… separate.
Like another world nested inside this one.
I floated down gently and turned to them.
“Well?” I asked, spreading my arms.
“Our own safe haven.”
Minjun stood frozen, awe written plainly across his face.
The wisps hovered silently, light pulsing softly in reverence.
“Hehe,” I chuckled.
“So… what do you think?”
Fufu as expected, with this. We won't have to worry about outside threats, we can choose to reveal ourselves whenever we want.
And most of all
I looked at my children playing around the open space
"A good place to keep everyone's future safe"
I have the system to thank for taking appropriate measures in dealing with future uncertainty.
Most of my worries were now unfounded with the system's help.
And with that, I am grateful.
"Right, System?"
My then body dissappeared with traces of starlight glows remain
I looked at the status window with hopeful and expectant eyes
But what came, was unexpected.
My expression momentarily surprised, then turned serious with a tinge of nervousness
"Everyone!"
I turned to look at my companions beside me, as they turned in response
"We're not alone.."
—
Somewhere deep within the northern part of the forest.
Crickets chirped endlessly, their rhythm echoing through the oppressive darkness. Only thin streaks of moonlight pierced the thick canopy above, barely illuminating the ground below.
A foul place.
Dark swamp water pooled between twisted roots, the mud thick and sticky beneath bare feet. The air itself carried a rotten stench.
Three female goblins lurked nearby.
They were grotesque. Short, hunched figures with sagging, greenish-gray skin. Bald heads gleamed dully under the moonlight, faces wrinkled and warped like withered fruit.
Their sharp teeth gnawed noisily as they tore into a freshly caught male goat, blood staining their clawed hands while mercilessly violating it.
Snickering.
Laughing.
Then,
SWOOSH
KYUK!
KRAA—!
SPLAT
One by one, the goblins collapsed.
Arrows flew from the darkness with ruthless precision, piercing throats, skulls, and chests before the creatures could even scream. Their bodies dropped limply into the mud, blood mixing with swamp water.
Silence returned.
Then, glowing eyes appeared.
Nocturnal, sharp, and numerous.
From the shadows, figures emerged one after another.
Wolf beastkin.
Masters of the wild.
They moved effortlessly through the dense forest, feet barely making a sound as they stepped over roots and mud alike. Their bodies were lean yet powerful, ears twitching at every sound, tails swaying low and alert.
Small monsters lurking nearby were swiftly dispatched. Throats slit, necks snapped, efficient and merciless.
Two of them approached the dead goat.
One male, one female.
“Disgusting creatures…” Duran sneered, wrinkling his nose as he looked down at the mangled corpse.
“I know,” Puka replied, covering her mouth slightly. “I’ll never get used to this.”
“There’s no time for sightseeing,” Yara’s voice cut in sharply as she appeared behind them. “The scent is getting stronger.”
Though she bore no official title, it was an unspoken truth among the pack. Yara was the Chief’s right hand.
Duran glanced around. “By the way… where’s the Chief?”
A hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
“Looking for me?”
Duran nearly jumped out of his skin.
Puka yelped.
Only Yara remained composed.
Standing behind them was a tall, lean figure. Tan skin marked faintly with scars, wolf ears upright, tail swaying lazily.
Aiza.
“Oh, Chief!” Yara spoke quickly. “I believe we’re close. The scent is much stronger now.”
“Good,” Aiza said calmly. “Let’s wait for the others. We’ll adjust our formation, this may require changes.”
“Understood.”
Duran stared blankly ahead.
“She… touched my shoulder…” he murmured, gently rubbing the spot.
Puka snorted. “Why are you so happy over just that? Well, if you like it so much.. maybe I can—”
SMACK!
“Don’t you dare!” Duran snapped. “My body is preserved, ONLY for the Chief!”
Puka laughed. “Haven’t you heard? She only accepts strong males. I think.”
“That’s exactly why I’m confident!” Duran puffed out his chest proudly.
Puka’s eyes wandered unconsciously.
“Ahh~ just imagining mating with such a powerful alpha female…”
“Ehhh~ don’t get your hopes up,” she teased. “She barely cares about romance. She’s always busy protecting the pack.”
“What makes you think you stand a chance? You’re not the only male around, you know?”
“I-I can do it! You’ll see!”
“Hmmm~?” Puka smirked, sensing his stutter.
“Ugh! You’re so annoying!” Duran’s face turned red as he lightly punched her shoulder repeatedly.
As their banter continued, Yara stood beside Aiza, eyes scanning the forest.
“Chief,” she said quietly.
“Hm?”
“Did you sense it too? Something about that bicorn… changed.”
Aiza’s expression sharpened. “I did. It may be connected to the Bloodmoon. Stay alert.”
“Understo—”
Yara froze.
Her eyes widened.
Aiza followed her gaze.
Floating gently before them, a faint blue glow emerged from the darkness.
Small.
Soft.
Almost harmless.
“…A wisp?”
