Chapter 1: The World That Changed
[Five Hundred Years Ago – The World of Elyndor]
The world was whole—a vast and vibrant land where Humans and Furries lived side by side. Cities of stone and metal rose proudly across open plains, while deep within the enchanted forests, villages thrived in harmony with nature. Their cultures were different, their ways not always aligned, but peace had been their shared language.
Yet peace, as always, was temporary.
One night, a meteor fell from the sky. It burned silently through the clouds and struck the earth with a thunderous roar that echoed for days. The impact left little destruction. But what it carried was far more dangerous than fire or stone.
A strange disease, born of the stars, spread across the continents like wildfire. At first, it seemed harmless. But soon, its true nature became clear: it did not kill—it altered life itself.
From that day on, birth obeyed a new, unspoken law. Human women could no longer bear daughters—only sons. Furry women could no longer bear sons—only daughters. There was no cure. No magic or science could undo it. Scholars named it the Gender Curse, though it bore no symbol, no mark, no known source. It simply was.
Centuries passed. Generations faded.
Human females and Furry males slowly disappeared from the world—first rare, then relic, then myth. As balance collapsed, a new order emerged.
With no other way forward, Human men and Furry women came together. Love, survival, and necessity became indistinguishable. From them, a new mixed bloodline was born. Only Human males and Furry females could create life now. This was no royal edict, no divine punishment. It was simply the new truth of the world.
[The Kingdom of Vaeloria – Eirenwatch Town]
Eirenwatch was a quiet town nestled at the edge of Vaeloria's western forests. Cobblestone paths wound between moss-covered homes, and lanterns lit by soft enchantment flickered warmly in the evening breeze. Once a border outpost, now it served as a peaceful refuge—far from the chaos and politics of the capital.
In the early morning light, the town stirred to life. Human men and Furry women moved through the streets, chatting, trading, laughing. Stalls opened. Steam rose from bread ovens. Birds called from high wooden rooftops.
A lone figure walked the main road—tall and confident, yet calm in his stride.
He stopped before the large wooden doors of the Eirenwatch Adventurer's Guild.
The moment he turned, his face caught the sunlight.
Golden blond hair fell in soft waves, catching the light like strands of gold. His clear blue eyes were sharp and thoughtful, a contrast to the easy smile playing on his lips. Handsome in the classic sense—strong jaw, high cheekbones, and an effortless charisma—he looked like the sort of man who belonged on painted posters or in whispered tales.
This was Edric.
He stepped inside.
The guild hall buzzed with life. Adventurers filled the room—some laughing over drinks, others sharing stories of battles, monsters, and coin. Weapons clinked, mugs thudded, and the scent of metal and ale hung in the air.
Edric walked past the noise, making his way to the front desk.
There, behind the counter, stood the guild receptionist—Clara, a Bunnykin.
Tall for her kind, she carried herself with poise and warmth. Her fur was soft white with faint pastel hues, and her long, velvety ears draped elegantly over her shoulders. A pair of thin-rimmed glasses rested neatly on her small, pink nose. She wore the official guild uniform, cut to fit her shapely frame, striking a balance between modesty and charm.
As soon as she saw Edric, her face lit up.
"Good morning, Edric!" she said brightly. "Here to submit your quest?"
"Morning, Clara." Edric smiled. "Yeah, just finished it last night."
"You're always one of the first to report in," she replied with a chuckle. "Alright, hand it over and I'll take a look."
He passed her the quest sheet and proof of completion. Clara gave a professional nod and stepped away to process it.
A few minutes later, she returned—holding a small pouch of coins and something else.
"Well done. Your quest's been confirmed—and congratulations, Edric!" she added, eyes sparkling. "The guild has officially promoted you. You're now a D-rank adventurer!"
Edric blinked in surprise, then grinned as she handed him his updated ID card. It shimmered slightly with new markings.
"Finally made it," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "It's been almost two months since I joined…"
He looked down at the card in his hand, fingers tightening just a little. Two months of surviving in a world that wasn't his own.
Because Edric was no ordinary adventurer. He was a transmigrator—a man from another world who had somehow awoken in Elyndor without warning, memory of how he arrived, or a way back. No gold, no home, no name anyone knew.
Just his wits—and the bits of anime logic he half-jokingly relied on.
He'd started as an F-rank nobody, taking low-paying jobs just to eat. Now, two months later, he was D-rank. Not amazing—but a start.
Clara leaned forward, voice a bit more serious now. "When an adventurer reaches D-rank, the quests get harder. More dangerous. Because of that, the guild recommends joining—or forming—a party."
Edric nodded slowly. "Yeah, I've heard… but I don't really know anyone well enough to build a party. And I haven't been invited to one either."
Clara gave a knowing smile. "Actually, I have a suggestion."
"Oh?"
"There's a newly formed D-rank party. All girls. They're one member short and looking for someone to fill the spot. They're in the guild hall right now if you want to meet them."
Edric tilted his head. "So I can join, and if things don't work out, I can leave?"
Clara nodded. "Exactly. Nothing permanent."
"Alright then. Why not? Let's give it a shot."
Clara turned toward the tavern side of the guild and raised her voice. "Hey, Lyssa! I found someone who might be a fit for your party!"
Edric turned to follow her gaze.
Three women sat together at a corner table—each one striking in her own way. A foxkin in a flowing mage robe, a muscular wolfkin with a greatsword leaning against her chair, and a sleek black catkin sharpening twin daggers beside a half-finished drink.
And then… Edric's eyes met Lyssa's.
Golden eyes, calm and assessing, locked with his. Just for a second.
But in that second, something changed.
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By Ecstasy Crown