Chapter 9: Shadows River
The fire crackled softly, sending sparks into the night air. The river beside them shimmered in the moonlight, and the forest whispered with the sound of unseen creatures. Arjun sat close to the flames, clutching his sword, eyes darting from the trees to Lira and then to Seris.
The system's glowing text still floated faintly in the air.
[New Option: Invite Lira as Companion.]
[Warning: Choice will affect future bonds.]
Arjun rubbed his temples. "Great. Just great. As if surviving wasn't already hard enough, now I have to make… relationship choices?"
He muttered to himself, but Lira caught the tone. "What's with that sour face, kid?" she asked, leaning back against a rock. Her amber eyes reflected the firelight, sharp and amused. "You look like you swallowed poison."
"Nothing," Arjun said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just… thinking."
"Don't hurt yourself," she teased, smirking.
Seris sat quietly, watching the flames. Her presence was calm as always, but Arjun noticed the way her eyes occasionally flicked toward Lira, cold and unreadable.
The silence stretched until Lira suddenly stood. She adjusted her bow and glanced at the forest. "Something's watching us."
Arjun stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Her voice lowered. "Tracks near the riverbank. Fresh ones. Bigger than wolves. And the forest's gone too quiet."
Arjun swallowed hard. "So… something worse than wolves?"
Lira smirked. "Definitely."
Before Arjun could reply, a deep growl echoed from the trees. The sound was low, guttural, vibrating through the ground. The firelight flickered as if shrinking from the noise.
Arjun's grip on his sword tightened until his knuckles turned white. "What the hell is that?"
The answer came soon.
From the darkness stepped a beast. Its body was massive, taller than Arjun, with fur black as midnight. Its eyes glowed faintly red, and its fangs gleamed in the moonlight. The creature's muscles rippled as it moved, claws digging into the earth.
[Beast Identified: Shadowfang Predator.]
[Rank: Low-tier Monster.]
[Danger: High.]
Arjun's mouth went dry. "Low-tier? This thing looks like a nightmare!"
The beast snarled, and the sound rattled Arjun's bones.
"Stay behind me," Arjun said quickly, glancing at Seris.
But Seris shook her head, stepping forward, the faint glow of her chains returning. "No. We fight together."
Lira grinned, already drawing an arrow. "Now this is what I call fun."
The Shadowfang lunged without warning.
Arjun barely raised his sword in time. The impact nearly ripped the weapon from his hands as the beast's claws slammed against it. He stumbled back, feet digging into the soil.
"Too strong!" he gasped.
Lira's arrow whistled through the air, striking the beast's shoulder. It howled in pain, thrashing, but the wound was shallow.
"Damn, its hide is thick," Lira muttered, already notching another arrow.
Seris raised her hands. The silver chains burst into existence, glowing brighter this time. They lashed out like serpents, wrapping around the beast's legs. The creature roared, struggling, but for a moment, it slowed.
"Arjun, now!" Seris shouted.
Adrenaline surged through him. He gritted his teeth and charged, slashing his sword across the beast's flank. Sparks flew as steel met fur and muscle. The blade cut deep, but not enough to kill.
The Shadowfang twisted violently, breaking free of the chains. Its claw swiped at Arjun, who barely rolled aside, the strike gouging the earth where he had stood.
"Close one!" he gasped, scrambling to his feet.
Lira fired again, aiming for its eye this time. The arrow struck true, piercing deep. The beast screeched, blinded in one eye, and thrashed in rage.
Arjun's chest heaved, sweat pouring down his face. "We can't hold out like this!"
The system's voice chimed suddenly in his mind.
[Host's survival depends on cooperation.]
[Bond Option: Lira. If accepted, her strength will increase by 20% while fighting beside you.]
Arjun's eyes widened. "So that's the test, huh?"
The beast charged again. Arjun felt the ground shake beneath its weight. He didn't have time to think.
"I don't care what this system wants," he growled. "If we're going to live, then fine Lira, you're in!"
The text glowed brightly.
[Bond Established: Lira.]
[Strength and Coordination Boost Active.]
Suddenly, Arjun felt lighter. His grip on the sword steadied, and his movements sharpened. At the same time, Lira drew her bow, and her arrow seemed to glow faintly as if infused with power.
She blinked, surprised. "What the…? My shot feels stronger!"
"No time for questions!" Arjun shouted. "Shoot it now!"
Seris's chains lashed out again, binding the beast's legs for a brief second. Lira fired with deadly precision, her arrow slamming into the creature's chest.
"Arjun!" Seris called.
Arjun didn't hesitate. He ran forward, heart pounding, and drove his sword deep into the Shadowfang's neck. Blood sprayed, hot and dark, coating his hands. The beast howled one final time before collapsing with a heavy thud.
For a moment, the forest was silent again. Only the sound of the river filled the night.
Arjun stumbled back, gasping for breath, his hands shaking. "We… we did it."
Seris lowered her glowing chains, her face calm but pale. "Yes. It is over."
Lira yanked her arrow from the corpse, wiping it clean on the grass. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."
Arjun collapsed onto the ground, laughing weakly. "Not bad? I almost died."
She smirked. "Almost. But you didn't. That's what counts."
The system's panel appeared in front of him again.
[Quest Update: Survive 24 Hours.]
[Time Remaining: 12 hours, 2 minutes.]
[Reward Progress: Increased.]
Arjun groaned. "Still twelve more hours? You've got to be kidding me."
Seris sat beside him, her eyes softening slightly. "You fought well."
Arjun blinked, surprised by the rare praise. "Thanks… I guess."
Lira flopped down on the other side of the fire, stretching her legs. "So, I'm officially part of your little group now, huh? Guess that makes me your second companion."
Arjun frowned. "Don't say it like that."
But the system's cold voice echoed in his head.
[Companions: Seris, Lira.]
[Harem Progress: 2/??]
Arjun buried his face in his hands. "Why does it sound so wrong when you put it that way…"
Lira raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"Nothing!" Arjun said quickly.
The night deepened, and the three of them sat around the fire, their shadows dancing on the ground. The beast's corpse lay nearby, a reminder of how close they had come to death.
But for the first time since arriving in this world, Arjun felt a strange sense of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't alone anymore.