The first light of dawn crept slowly through the cracks between the rocks. It wasn't in a hurry. As if it knew the world never truly slept. The morning air felt somewhat fresh—though remnants of last night's moisture still clung to the skin like dew, cold and slightly sticky. Brama slowly opened his eyes.
His shoulders felt heavy. His back ached. Sleeping on rock wasn't new to him, but it never became enjoyable. He rose slowly. His head turned left and right, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings without expression.
Not paranoia. Just habit. In his old world, a moment's carelessness could mean the next explosion came from who knows where.
The surroundings were quiet. Only the sound of strange birds in the distance and the occasional breeze rustling the leaves.
But… wait.
There was something.
Something standing on a rock, not far from the narrow bed where he had slept. A small silhouette—but not unfamiliar.
Brama squinted. A creature, about the size of a juvenile chicken, stood upright. Golden-red feathers gleamed in the dawn light. Its gaze was sharp. Not the gaze of an ordinary creature. There was a kind of charisma. An aura of confidence.
"…Ruda?"
He stared at the creature closely. Yesterday, it had almost fit entirely in one hand. Now? Bigger. More majestic. And somehow… more alive.
The creature didn't answer, of course. It only made a sound:
> ";kwwwaack;"
Hoarse. Raspy. But full of flair. Brama even felt like the creature was showing off.
He stepped closer, slowly. But cautiously. The survival instinct ingrained from military training made him never truly trust a peaceful moment.
But once he got close enough, the creature's gaze... felt different.
Like it was speaking without words. As if saying, "It's me. Ruda."
Brama let out a small sigh, then nodded. Somehow, he understood.
"You've grown so fast…"
Ruda flapped his wings. For a moment, they looked wider, stronger. He lifted his head high, as if accepting the praise as something rightfully earned.
Brama opened the system interface. "System, is this normal? This kind of rapid growth?"
> Ding!
Rapid growth in soul beasts is normal. The most vulnerable period is the moment of first summoning. After that, the body gradually adjusts to its true form—within a short time.
"True form, huh?" Brama muttered. "So his stats changed too?"
> Base stats have adjusted in accordance with physical development.
Brama accessed the data:
---
[Soul Beast – Ruda]
Type: Sky Bird (Garuda)
Level: 1
VIT: 30 (300 HP)
INT: 50
STR: 35
DEF: 20
AGI: 60
Active Skills:
Peck: Fast beak strike
Ember Flap: Spreads light fire from wings. 20% chance to cause burn.
Passive Skills:
Flight instinct, sensitive to aerial threats
---
Seeing those numbers, Brama felt strange. This world was like a game, but everything felt real—too real. Injuries, hunger, even fatigue couldn't be ignored just because of a "status."
But… for now, the system was useful.
"Not bad. At least we're not a joke in this forest."
He stretched his body. His back gave a soft crack as his muscles loosened again. "Today we start hunting. And… if possible, we find a way out of this forest."
He looked at Ruda. "They say this world has civilizations. Cities, settlements. If we can find one… maybe we'll learn more."
He spoke to the system again. "Any danger nearby?"
> Ding!
Environment status: No threats within a 150-meter radius.
"Good. But later, if any dangerous creature—or anything that gives exp—appears, tell me immediately. No need to wait for me to ask."
> Command received.
Brama stepped out from between the rocks. The morning air greeted him with a familiar dampness. Ruda flew low, hovering above his shoulder like a protective shadow.
Their steps were slow but steady. This forest was still a mystery. But now, they were a little more prepared.
Not ten minutes in, the system chimed again.
> Ding!
Target detected within 30-meter radius.
Name: Forest Claw (Base Soul)
Level: 5
VIT: 30 (300)
ATK: 40
DEF: 25
AGI: 30
INT: 5
Status: Aggressive – Territorial
Brama suddenly stopped. He crouched low. A faint growl came from the bush ahead.
"Forest Claw…" he whispered.
He crept forward, nearing the bush. Behind the dense leaves, a large four-legged creature came into view. At a glance, it looked like a leopard, but its body was bulkier, its claws as long as knives, and its eyes glowed yellow.
Too close. But manageable.
Brama picked up a sharp rock from the ground. One throw to the right—to distract it.
A loud noise echoed from the stone's direction. The Forest Claw turned its head, distracted.
That's when Brama struck from the left. His body darted forward, and the rock in his hand smashed into the creature's back with full force. Not enough to kill, but enough to hurt.
The beast roared. Its claw slashed backward, nearly tearing Brama's chest. But he stepped back just in time.
From above, Ruda dove—flapping his wings.
Ember Flap.
A flicker of orange light burst from his feathers, and a stream of light fire licked the beast's back. The small flame singed its fur, enraging it further.
But the pain made it lose balance.
Brama spun, driving a sharpened stick into the creature's side. Hot blood sprayed out.
The beast lashed wildly. One claw nearly grazed Brama's leg. But he leapt back, gaining distance.
Ruda attacked again from above. Another burst of small fire.
The Forest Claw collapsed.
Still breathing, but weak. Brama approached and finished it with one stab to the throat.
> Ding!
Congratulations! Host has gained 1000 EXP.
Brama panted. "Split 50:50 with Ruda. And from now on, same rule: split the EXP automatically unless I say otherwise."
> Command received.
---
[EXP Gained]
Brama: +500 EXP (1000/1600)
Ruda: 500 EXP
[Level Up – Ruda]
Lv 1 → 2
300/400 EXP to Level 3
[Physical Changes – Ruda]
Body size increased by 10%
Feather color brighter, tending toward fiery red
Ember Flap now has a 25% burn chance
Eyes now emit a fiery aura
---
Brama looked at Ruda, now perched atop the Forest Claw's corpse, wings gently flapping, gazing at him with… pride?
He gave a faint smile. Tired, but satisfied. "You're amazing, kid."
Ruda flapped his short wings, then hopped onto his shoulder. Perched there. Warm. Comfortable.
They stood together in the middle of Arunika Forest.
The first step had been taken.
And now, they were no longer just survivors.
They were heirs.
Brama pushed through the thick underbrush, vines dangling like a giant spider's web. This forest felt like it was closing in on itself—like the belly of an ancient beast that swallowed anything entering its maw, only to let it wander endlessly within.
It had been nearly two hours since he left the altar, and not a single creature had appeared. No roars. No tracks. No movement.
"This forest… is too quiet," Brama muttered, his voice low and bitter. "Like a graveyard."
Ruda's claws gripped gently on his shoulder, the bird's wings occasionally flapping against the light mist that clung to the giant roots below. Sunlight couldn't pierce through fully—only faint glimmers filtered through the leaves.
Brama paused. His breathing was steady, but his thoughts were not.
"Now that I'm ready to fight, the world suddenly goes silent. Am I cursed with bad luck… or is this some kind of test?"
He activated the system again and again. No creatures entered the scan radius. The system's scan range was only 150 meters—and in a forest the size of a continent, that felt like a joke.
He glanced back, toward the altar. A part of him wanted to return. But the rest of him knew: turning back now meant retreat.
And he wasn't the type to retreat.
Just as he was about to step forward again, the earth trembled—softly. Barely noticeable. But he felt it in the soles of his feet. Like a deep breath buried in the ground.
Then it came—the rumble.
One. Two. Followed by a sharp screech, then a loud crash that sent leaves cascading down like a soft rain.
Brama immediately tensed. "System," he whispered. "What's happening up ahead?"
> Ding!
Target is outside system range.
He clenched his fist. "Damn it. I need to start marking this system's boundary."
Before he could move, Ruda—without warning—darted into the sky. His wings beat rapidly, the small silhouette vanishing into the high branches.
"Ruda!" Brama called out. "You never think twice, do you? You crazy little brat!"
With no other choice, Brama gave chase. He surged past thick roots crawling like sleeping snakes, barreling through thorny bushes without hesitation. His worn military uniform was now torn and soaked with wet dirt. But he didn't care. He had to know what had shaken the skies and earth just now.
Then he arrived.
A clearing. A battlefield.
Framed by towering trees that scraped the heavens, two massive beasts clashed in the natural arena.
---
> Ding!
Beast Battle Detected
1. Gorakh — Mist Tiger Lv.17 (Hunter Soul)
Nearly three meters tall, with dark gray fur and glowing blue eyes. Its movements were swift, its body fused with the thick mist around it. Each motion left behind a faint afterimage, making it difficult to predict.
VIT: 350 (HP: 35,000) | STR: 420
AGI: 200 | INT: 150 | DEF: 135
Skills: Illusion Claws, Shadow Mist
Abilities: Strikes from shadows, confuses enemies with mist duplicates.
2. Dhakra — Stone Serpent Lv.16 (Hunter Soul)
Over nine meters long, with pitch-black scales patterned like shattered granite. Its head was massive, and its body quivered like a fuse before detonation. Every move tore into the earth.
VIT: 400 (HP: 40,000) | STR: 370 | DEF: 400
AGI: 220 | INT: 125
Skills: Venomous Bite, Tail Slam, Berserk
Abilities: Body as hard as stone. Poison gradually weakens opponents.
---
Brama held his breath. The sight… was overwhelming.
Thick mist cloaked the battlefield, blurring the scene. But the earth-shattering blasts and howls that pierced the fog told enough of the seriousness of this clash.
"This isn't… an ordinary fight," he murmured. "This is like… a duel between forest gods."
He crouched behind a massive root, eyes unblinking. He tried summoning the system again.
"System. Now—what can you detect?"
> Ding!
Target still outside system range.
"ARGH!" Brama hissed. "If only I could upgrade your range…"
Ahead, the mist shifted rapidly. Gorakh vanished in a blink, reappearing above Dhakra, slashing downward. But Dhakra didn't budge. The stone scales absorbed the attack. It retaliated with a bite to Gorakh's leg and slammed the beast into the ground.
The earth cracked. Trees shook. The mist surged violently.
The battle went on for more than ten minutes. Brama didn't move. He just watched.
But one was less patient: Ruda.
The little bird returned to his shoulder and let out a sharp chirp.
> "Kwak!"
Brama looked at him.
"Don't tell me… you want to interfere?"
Ruda stared back, his small eyes glowing. No hesitation. Only certainty.
Brama took a breath. "Crazy. We're low-level creatures. But… I've fought worse odds before. If we play it smart… we can seize an opening."
He gripped his short spear tighter.
> "We strike at the final moment. When both giants bring each other down."
---
System Activated – Targets Within Range
[Gorakh: HP 100 / 35,000]
[Dhakra: HP 7,000 / 40,000]
Brama narrowed his eyes.
Gorakh limped. Deep red gashes ran wild across his body. His breathing was labored. His movements, sluggish.
Dhakra still loomed tall. Blood was minimal, but his eyes—were full of rage.
"Now," Brama whispered.
Ruda dove first, his tiny body spiraling downward.
Active Skill – Ember Flap
Ruda unleashed flames from his wings.
Dhakra recoiled, staggered by the unexpected strike.
Brama surged forward, bursting through the brush and charging toward the collapsing Gorakh.
His spear pierced the beast's abdomen. A final roar echoed across the forest. Gorakh fell.
> Ding!
You've gained 10,200 EXP — defeated Gorakh Lv.17
Ruda gained 10,200 EXP
Level Up!
Lv. 5 → 6 → 7 (EXP 3,000 / 3,800) +30 Stat Points
Ruda: Lv. 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 (50 / 3,800) +60 Stat Points
Brama exhaled sharply, drenched in cold sweat. But before he could celebrate—
Something changed.
Dhakra… looked at them.
And in his eyes—red light flared.
Not just rage. But something more. Something they had taken.
Gorakh's soul stone. The stone Dhakra needed… for his evolution.
"…damn."
Dhakra's roar shook the trees. The surrounding mist split like torn cloth. The earth trembled. The air pressure shifted.
> "ROAAAAAAAAARRRRRRTTTTTTTT!!!"
Brama couldn't look away. Dhakra's gaze hit him like a hammer to the chest. He gasped—but his mind kept racing.
"He's not just angry. He thinks we're thieves. We… altered the outcome of this battle."
He glanced at Ruda, who now stood tall on his shoulder—feathers flared, body tense, but not backing down.
Brama took a deep breath.
"Looks like… we just lit the fuse of a war."