Chapter 2
Footsteps squelched in the wet earth as rain continued to fall, turning the forest path into a muddy trail of despair. Four men trudged forward in formation, their footsteps heavy, solem like executioners walking to their task.
Each wore the black-and-gold attire of royal enforcers: high-collared cloaks, armored gauntlets, and shoulder plates engraved with the crest of the Phoenix Kingdom—a flaming bird encircled by swords. Their helmets bore sharp visors and red plume streaks symbolizing blood loyalty.
Cradled in a box-like carrier on one guard's arm was a newborn—Ethan—still too young to hold up his own head.
They marched deep into the Forest of Nihilith, a cursed place known for birthing monsters even elite warriors feared. Only those of A-Rank or higher dared enter and live to tell about it.
"So it's my first day alive... and I'm already being dumped in monster territory," Ethan thought bitterly, barely able to wiggle in the carrier. "Talk about a rough start. Goodbye, cruel new world. I barely even saw you with my beautiful eyes...if my eyes are beautiful, that is."
Suddenly, one of the guards came to a stop.
"I believe this is far enough," he said flatly.
"Yeah. Put the child by that stone," another added, pointing toward a moss-covered boulder in a clearing. "Easy spot for a predator to find him. He won't last an hour."
Without hesitation, the guard with the baby approached the rock and set Ethan down.
"Guess we won't have to waste rations after all. Hunger will probably kill him first," he muttered and turned away.
Their footsteps receded.
Then came silence.
The child lay still, rain pattering against his cheeks, the forest canopy dripping like an hourglass of fate.
Hours passed. No monsters came.
"Guess he was right. Maybe hunger really will get me first," Ethan thought weakly, his stomach tightening.
But just then...
Footsteps.
Heavy. Animalistic.
From the shadows emerged a beast quadrupedal, muscular, and terrifying.
It looked like a wolf, but something was wrong.
Its claws were bone-white, unnaturally sharp.
Fur burned like red embers along its spine.
Fangs dripped with saliva.
And its eyes… glowed with bloodlust.
It growled low and approached.
But instead of lunging, it paused.
It stared.
So did the baby.
Ethan's crimson gaze locked with the beast's and something happened.
The wolf froze. Its muscles tensed.
It shivered.
"What… why did it stop?" Ethan wondered.
"Why is it scared of me?"
Suddenly, a sound echoed in his mind:
♧ Intimidancy +100 ♧
"What… what's that supposed to mean?"
And then like a flood—knowledge poured into his mind.
Fragments of understanding. Words. Terms. Skills.
"So I can… intimidate beasts just by looking at them?" he thought, stunned.
"Makes sense. I was a commanding officer in my past life. My stare made trained soldiers freeze up."
Another message chimed:
♧ Qi +50 ♧
"Qi, huh? Energy, spirit, life force… right, I know this from martial arts. But how did I...never mind. This is all starting to click."
As if on cue, a clearer understanding formed in his mind:
The beast before him was called a "Flamebone Direwolf."
A mid-tier predator. Rank 4 in the Forest of Nihilith.
Its power was legendary among forest creatures. And yet it hesitated under the gaze of a newborn.
Another surge.
♧ Qi +100 ♧
♧ Chi Energy +100 ♧
"This body's too weak… but maybe I can focus some of this energy."
He gathered the Qi, focusing it near his throat.
"Let's try speaking. Just one word…"
But before he could form anything, the direwolf snapped. Fear gave way to instinct.
It lunged claws extended,fangs bared.
"Wait—NO!"
A sudden burst of heat exploded from Ethan's mouth.
A beam of orange energy tore through the air, hitting the wolf square in the chest.
BOOM!
The beast dropped smoking. A perfect hole in its torso.
Ethan blinked.
"That's… not what I meant to do."
Another message:
♧ Power +500 ♧
♧ Energy +500 ♧
● Total Energy: 600 ●
"Whoa. One kill gave me that much strength? Guess that was a strong one."
Ethan focused again, channeling the Qi into his limbs, wrapping it around his body.
His body levitated slightly above the stone.
"If I can't see clearly, maybe I can use energy to boost my vision…"
Golden light wrapped around his eyes and in a flash, the world came into focus.
He saw everything now. The towering trees. The thick mist.
And then movement.
His gaze shifted and he saw more direwolves.
Five. Maybe six.
Surrounding the corpse of the fallen beast.
Heads bowed. Eyes averted.
"Wait… they're bowing?" he realized.
"They're… showing me respect."
His stomach growled violently.
The wolves raised their heads in shock.
And then he saw her
The direwolf mother, watching from behind, her pups cowering beside her.
Her expression was unreadable.
"Oh no…" Ethan's eyes widened.
"Please don't make me do this…"
He looked down at his tiny hands.
Then at the direwolves.
Then at the mother's nurturing gaze.
"Oh man… I really don't wanna do this…"
....