The moon hung high above the Wolf Fang village, casting its pale glow across the clearing. The air was crisp and alive with tension. Tonight wasn't like the quiet nights Ari had grown used to. The villagers had gathered in a wide circle around the central fire, their faces half-shadowed and half-lit, eyes glimmering like wolves waiting to see if the cub among them would stand or break.
Ari stood in the middle. Barefoot. Her small toes pressed into the cold soil. The warmth of the bonfire brushed against her face, but the chill crawling up her spine came from somewhere else — from all the gazes pressing against her back.
Kael's voice broke the murmuring silence.
> "You've learned to gather, to cook, to listen," he said, stepping into the circle. "But tonight you'll learn to face what makes this tribe strong — survival, even when your heart tells you to run."
He stopped before her, his expression calm but unreadable. The flickering firelight painted his silver-gray hair with streaks of gold. Behind him, a few warriors stood at attention — young but already seasoned with scars that spoke of hunts and close calls.
Ari's throat felt dry. "...What do I have to do?"
Kael smiled faintly, not kindly but not cruelly either.
> "You're going into the forest. Alone. For one night."
The murmurs grew louder. Some of the women looked uncertain; a few children near the back gasped. Ari's eyes widened as she stepped forward.
> "Alone?!"
Kael's gaze remained firm.
> "You'll take a knife and a torch. The rest depends on your instincts."
For a moment, all Ari could hear was her heartbeat — fast and uneven. Her mind flashed back to her first night here: the shadows moving between trees, the sound of something breathing in the dark, and the constant, gut-twisting fear of not knowing what was out there.
> "But… I-I'm not strong like you," she said, clutching her hands. "What if something—"
Kael raised a hand.
> "The forest doesn't care how strong you are," he said softly. "It only listens to those who don't give up."
His eyes softened slightly.
> "You're not being sent to fight, Ari. You're being sent to listen. Survive until sunrise — and come back."
A hush fell. Even the crackling fire seemed quieter.
The System flickered faintly at the edge of her vision.
> [System Notification: Special Trial Triggered – "First Moon Alone"]
Objective: Survive one night in the Outer Forest without leaving the marked range.
Reward: Status Unlock – "Awakening: Instinct."
Penalty for Failure: None. (Emotional Regression Possible.)
Her fingers trembled as she read the glowing letters. Awakening… Instinct? What did that mean?
Before she could ask, Kael held out a short knife and a wrapped torch. She hesitated before taking them. The knife was cold and heavy, its handle wrapped in beast hide, while the torch smelled faintly of oil and herbs.
> "Stay within the glowing stones," Kael said, nodding to the faintly luminous markers that would form her safe circle. "The wolves will watch from a distance. They will not help you — but they will make sure nothing unnatural crosses your line."
Ari nodded, biting her lip. "...Okay."
Her voice was small but steady enough. The villagers parted, giving her a narrow path leading into the forest. The air there was thick, almost humming with life. Shadows twisted between the branches like silent watchers.
As she stepped beyond the last torch of the village, the noise behind her faded until only the rhythm of her own breathing remained.
The forest at night was nothing like during the day. Every rustle sounded too close. Every breath of wind felt like fingers brushing her skin.
She crouched near one of the glowing stones, trying to steady her heartbeat. The circle they made was large enough for her to move, but not so big that she could wander far. The faint luminescent light pulsed gently — a reminder that this was her boundary, her test.
The torch flickered as she planted it into the ground.
> "Okay, Ari," she whispered to herself. "You just… have to stay awake. And not panic. Easy."
The System, as usual, wasn't helpful.
> [Tip: Emotional stability increases survival rate by 60%. Try humming a song.]
She pouted slightly. "You hum then."
Still, she obeyed — humming softly, a tune she half-remembered from her old world. It helped a little. The trembling in her hands lessened.
Then she heard it — a low growl, faint but clear. Her humming stopped.
Something moved between the trees. Slow. Deliberate.
A pair of golden eyes glinted from the darkness.
Ari's heart nearly stopped. Her hand tightened around the knife, even though she knew it would be useless if the creature decided to attack. The beast — wolf-shaped but larger, thicker fur gleaming faintly silver — stepped into the torchlight.
It wasn't the same as Kael's tribe wolves. This one carried itself differently — shoulders lower, eyes sharper, coat mottled with scars.
It stared at her, unblinking.
Her breathing hitched. "...H-hello?"
The creature's ear twitched.
> [Warning: Unknown beast detected – Subspecies "Nightfang Wolf." Rank: Low D.]
D-Rank. That wasn't too bad — but it was still above what she could handle.
The wolf growled, a low rumbling sound that vibrated in her chest. Ari stumbled back, nearly tripping over the glowing stone. The wolf didn't cross it — instead, it circled, watching her carefully.
> "It… it can't come inside the circle, right?" she whispered.
> [Correct. The barrier recognizes the forest's natural balance. However… prolonged eye contact is unwise.]
"...Thanks for telling me now!"
She ducked, clutching the knife close, breaking eye contact. Minutes passed like hours. The wolf eventually backed away, vanishing into the dark, but her pulse didn't slow for a long time.
When the forest grew silent again, she finally sat down. Her body trembled, but she forced herself to stay awake.
Time crawled. She talked quietly to herself, sometimes to the System, sometimes to the stars peeking through the branches.
> "Do you think Kael's watching?" she muttered.
> [Observation probability: 97%. However, he will not interfere.]
Ari smiled weakly. "Good. Then I can't look pathetic."
She didn't know when her eyelids began to droop. Just as sleep began to pull her under, she heard something faint — like footsteps. Human ones.
Her eyes snapped open.
The torchlight flickered, revealing a figure standing just outside the stone circle — tall, cloaked in furs, holding a spear. The face was shadowed, but the outline was unmistakably human.
> "You…" Ari whispered.
The figure tilted their head, studying her. The scent of wild herbs and iron drifted through the air. Then, as quietly as they had appeared, they vanished back into the forest.
The System flickered.
> [Unknown presence registered.]
[Tribal Mark Resonance detected… Origin: ???]
Her eyes widened. "Tribal mark?"
But no further explanation came. The System stayed silent, as if it too didn't understand what it had just detected.
And so the night stretched on — filled with whispers, light, and shadows that moved just beyond reach.
When the first light of dawn touched the trees, Ari's head jerked up. Her torch had burned down to ash, and her limbs ached from sitting still.
The System's message appeared before her, glowing like the rising sun.
> [Trial Completed.]
Reward: "Instinct – Lv. 1" Unlocked.
Sub-Achievement: "Endure the Night." Bonus reward: +3 Constitution, +2 Willpower.]
She stared, blinking sleep from her eyes.
> "I… I did it."
Her voice cracked, but she smiled.
Footsteps approached — Kael, followed by two warriors. He stopped just outside the now-dim stones, watching her quietly.
> "You didn't run," he said finally.
Ari shook her head, her small smile trembling. "I was too scared to move."
For a moment, Kael's stern expression softened. He crouched down to her height, placing a hand on her head.
> "That's still courage," he said. "Remember that."
And when the sun rose fully over the village, the child who had once fallen into this world as nothing but a frightened stranger stood at the edge of the forest — exhausted, trembling, but alive.
The trial of the first moon had ended. But the real test of belonging had only just begun.
The sun had barely climbed over the eastern ridge when the Wolf Fang village stirred from its slumber. The cold dew clung to the furs of the tents and glimmered faintly, like beads of silver. Smoke rose from the central fire pit, carrying the faint scent of cooked roots and meat.
Ari walked behind Kael, her steps slow and heavy. Every muscle ached, her knees scraped and muddy. The small knife still hung from her waist, dulled from nervous gripping. Despite her exhaustion, her eyes were bright — not with confidence, but relief.
The villagers turned to look.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
> "She really came back…"
"Alone?"
"Kael must've followed her, surely…"
Ari lowered her gaze. She didn't know if they were mocking or impressed, and she didn't have the strength to care. She only wanted warmth. And food. Maybe a nap that lasted a week.
Kael led her to the center of the square, where the bonfire still crackled faintly from last night's trial. Elder Mae — an older woman with graying hair braided into loops — stood waiting. Her eyes, sharp despite her age, scanned Ari from head to toe.
> "So, the cub didn't break," the elder said, voice calm. "That's a good start."
Kael inclined his head. "She completed the trial as instructed."
Ari fidgeted. "I… didn't fight anything."
Elder Mae gave her a small, amused look. "Survival isn't always about fighting, child. Sometimes, it's about stillness. The forest spares those who listen."
The crowd quieted as Mae stepped forward, taking a small bowl filled with dark red paint — crushed herbs and minerals mixed with wolf's blood. Ari froze as the elder dipped her finger into it.
> "Kneel," Mae said softly.
Ari obeyed, the cold dirt pressing against her knees.
Mae drew a mark across her forehead — a curved line with two short strokes at each end, resembling fangs. The paint felt cool against her skin, but the moment it touched her, something in her chest stirred.
> [System Notification: Tribal Recognition Detected.]
Title Gained: "Cub of the Fang Tribe."
Effect: +5 Affinity (Wolf-type Beastmen). Minor Increase in Social Trust.]
Her breath hitched. Cub of the Fang Tribe.
The villagers murmured. Some clapped softly, others smiled. The cold wall that had separated her from them since she arrived seemed to thin — not vanish, but soften.
Kael spoke again, his voice carrying clearly.
> "From this day, she will train under my care. Her path will be her own, but her fangs —"
He paused, glancing at Ari. "— will grow among ours."
Cheers broke out, deep and wild. It wasn't loud like a modern celebration — it was primal, rhythmic. The warriors howled toward the sky, their voices echoing through the trees. For a heartbeat, Ari felt it vibrate through her chest — the pulse of belonging.
She didn't notice that her hands were trembling until Kael crouched beside her. "You did well," he said simply.
Her lip quivered. "I… was so scared."
"I know." His tone was steady, almost gentle. "That's why it matters that you didn't run."
After the ceremony, Ari was led to a small hut near the central stream. Steam rose from a wooden basin filled with warm water. Her stomach growled loudly, earning a small laugh from the woman preparing the food outside.
> "Eat first, then wash," the woman said, placing a clay bowl beside her.
Ari peeked inside. There was broth, thick with roots and small chunks of meat — it smelled faintly gamey but rich. She drank it all in three gulps.
> "...Ahhh…" She sighed, patting her belly.
> [System Notice: Hunger satisfied. Fatigue reduced by 25%.]
Her reflection rippled faintly on the water's surface. The faint red mark still glowed slightly. It looked… cool. And scary. But mostly cool.
"Cub of the Fang Tribe, huh?" she muttered. "That sounds like I joined a club."
> [Clarification: Tribe > Club. Importance difference = 999%.]
She snorted. "I was joking."
> [Detected: Sarcasm. Noted for future response calibration.]
"...You're hopeless."
Still, she smiled.
When she finally bathed, the warmth of the water made her muscles sigh in relief. The forest's scent — moss, dirt, and faint blood — clung stubbornly to her skin, but washing helped her feel like herself again.
By midday, Kael came by. He didn't speak immediately, simply watched as she dried her hair by the fire. When he finally sat down across from her, she noticed the faint hint of tiredness in his eyes too.
> "You didn't sleep either?" she asked softly.
He shrugged. "A leader stays until the trial ends."
> "You were… really watching?"
He gave a small nod. "The wolves kept their distance, but something else was out there last night. You felt it too, didn't you?"
Her fingers tightened on the cloth she was holding. "A person. I thought it was just my imagination."
Kael's jaw tensed. "It wasn't."
The crackle of the fire filled the silence between them. Outside, the faint sounds of the tribe training drifted through the air — grunts, laughter, clashing wood.
> "You'll learn more soon," Kael said finally. "For now, focus on understanding your new skill."
Ari blinked. "My… 'Instinct' thing?"
> "Yes. Close your eyes."
She obeyed, feeling oddly nervous. The world dimmed. Her breathing slowed.
> "Now," Kael said quietly, "listen — not with your ears, but with your body."
At first, she heard nothing but the rush of water from the stream. Then… something shifted. Her skin prickled. The faint scrape of claws, the whisper of leaves, even Kael's steady heartbeat — they all pressed into her awareness, like invisible threads connecting everything.
> [Skill Activated: Instinct Lv.1]
Function: Enhances sensory awareness and emotional prediction in living entities within 10 meters.]
Her eyes snapped open. "I can… feel things moving."
Kael nodded slightly. "Instincts keep the body alive when the mind hesitates. You'll learn to trust it."
She tried again, focusing on the sounds. For a brief moment, she could almost sense something beyond the stream — a faint rhythm, like footsteps retreating into the trees.
Her stomach twisted. "Kael… that person…"
He looked toward the same direction. "We'll find out soon enough."
That evening, as the tribe feasted in celebration of her survival, Ari sat beside the fire, surrounded by the laughter of warriors and cubs alike. Someone handed her roasted fruit wrapped in leaves, another poured water into her bowl.
For the first time since arriving, she didn't feel like an outsider watching from the edge.
> "Eat, little cub," one of the older warriors teased. "You'll need your strength when training starts tomorrow!"
She made a face but smiled. "I'll be ready!"
The laughter that followed felt different this time — not mocking, but genuine.
As the night deepened and the fire dimmed, Ari leaned against a pile of furs, eyes growing heavy. The System flickered faintly, its tone softer than usual.
> [Status: Accepted.]
[You have survived your first moon. Growth rate will now increase by 12%.]
Her lips curved into a tired smile.
Somewhere, far beyond the light of the campfire, golden eyes watched from the treeline. The same mysterious figure she had seen before moved silently, hand brushing the hilt of their weapon.
> "So… she lived," a low voice murmured. "Interesting."
And then they were gone — swallowed by the shadows.
Dawn stretched across the Wolf Fang village, casting long, silver shadows from the Great Oak over the dirt paths. Ari blinked against the soft light, the remnants of last night's trial pressing down on her limbs like lead. Her small frame ached everywhere — knees, arms, back — but the fire in her chest burned brighter than her exhaustion. She had survived. Alone.
Kael led her through the village silently, his long strides steady and sure. Around them, the cubs of the tribe were already stirring, some giggling as they chased each other with sticks that served as practice weapons. Adults moved with calm purpose, repairing tents, sharpening blades, or tending to the wounded from yesterday's chaos. Ari noticed a few hunters whispering in corners, glancing toward her with a mixture of awe and guarded curiosity.
She kept her gaze forward, not wanting to meet their eyes. The mark of the tribe still glimmered faintly on her forehead, warm under the morning sun. Even after the System confirmed her recognition, she couldn't shake the feeling of being… different.
> "You're quiet," Kael said, his voice low but not unkind.
Ari swallowed. "I'm… thinking."
Kael tilted his head. "About last night?"
"Yes. About… everything."
They passed the edge of the training grounds — a clearing bordered by thick trees and dotted with logs, rocks, and targets for spear and knife practice. The ground was scarred with claw marks and trampled vegetation. Ari hesitated, glancing at it. Her chest tightened.
> "You'll train here soon," Kael said, reading her expression. "But not today. Today… you recover. You eat. You rest. You let your instincts settle."
Ari nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility settle like a mantle across her small shoulders. She wanted to ask a thousand questions, but Kael didn't give her time — and perhaps she didn't have the energy to speak anyway.
The morning passed in slow, careful steps. Ari ate sparingly at first, nibbling on roots, dried meat, and small fruits from the village gardens. The System flickered intermittently, reminding her of the changes in her body.
> [Health restored: +30%.]
[Fatigue reduced: +40%.]
[Instinct Lv.1 stabilized. Sensory connections enhanced.]
She tilted her head, considering the data. Instinct… sensory connections… The words had weight now. They weren't just abilities — they were extensions of her own body, her own awareness. And if the golden-eyed stranger she had glimpsed in the forest had something to do with this… she felt a shiver of anticipation.
After her meal, Kael guided her to a quiet spot near the stream. The water ran clear and cold, splashing softly over smooth stones. Ari knelt, cupping the cool water in her hands and bringing it to her face. She felt the forest breathe around her — the subtle hum of life in the soil, the whisper of leaves, the distant rustle of a deer. The world itself seemed to settle around her, approving, waiting.
Kael crouched beside her again, eyes scanning the treeline. "Instinct doesn't just help you survive," he said softly. "It tells you what the forest wants. What it notices. You will need that."
Ari dipped her hands into the stream again, letting the water run over her fingers. "It… felt like it was alive," she whispered. "Like the forest was… crying."
Kael nodded. "And it was. The Stoneback, the corruption in the southern valley — the forest senses it. That is why you felt it. That is why it reached you."
A chill ran through her. Corruption? She remembered the Stoneback's eyes, molten gold flickering with pain and rage. It had been more than just hurt — something had twisted it, made it strike blindly.
> [System Alert: Nearby mana anomaly detected. Corruption signature faint.]
Ari's pulse quickened. She had survived the trial, but the world beyond the village — beyond her comfort — was already calling.
By mid-afternoon, the cubs returned from minor hunts, carrying small prey and crude weapons. They chattered endlessly about last night's events, eyes wide as they whispered about Ari's glowing hands and the Stoneback's sudden submission.
Ari watched from the edge of the training ground, sitting on a log. Their excitement was infectious, yet she felt distant. She knew instinctively that surviving one night was not enough. There were challenges she hadn't faced — dangers, traps, and perhaps creatures far beyond her current comprehension.
Raku padded to her side, tail low but eyes alert. He pressed his head into her lap, grounding her. Ari ran her fingers through his fur, feeling the familiar pulse of his heartbeat. The System's interface flickered.
> [Sub-skill Unlocked: "Predator Awareness" – Allows detection of living beings within 20 meters based on energy patterns. Passive.]
Her eyes widened. "I… I can feel them?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gestured toward the forest. "Tomorrow, you'll practice using it. You'll learn to track, to anticipate, to move without being seen. And then…" He paused. "Then we'll see what your instincts truly allow."
Ari nodded, swallowing the nervous lump in her throat. She wasn't sure she was ready. She wasn't sure anything could prepare her. But the spark inside — the same one that had allowed her to calm the Stoneback — flickered brightly again.
As evening approached, the villagers began preparations for another communal feast. Fires were lit, herbs roasted, and water drawn from the stream. Ari stayed close to Kael as he supervised, learning to notice the subtle movements of the tribe, the flow of energy in the air, the tiny shifts in the cubs' expressions.
> "Do you feel it?" Kael asked softly, stepping closer.
> "Feel what?"
> "The watcher. Last night. The human who crossed your path in the trees. I felt him too — but fleetingly."
Ari's stomach twisted. "Do you… think they're dangerous?"
Kael shook his head slowly. "I don't know. But they are important. And you will have to notice them, when the time comes."
She stared into the fire, letting the flickering light reflect in her wide eyes. Her mind replayed the encounter — the shadowed figure, the glint of iron, the unmistakable aura of someone skilled, someone more than human.
> [Unknown presence remains active. Monitoring recommended.]
Her small hands clenched. I'll see them again. I have to.
Night fell once more. The campfires burned low, and the cubs fell asleep under blankets of furs. Ari lay beside Raku, listening to the steady rush of the stream and the soft sounds of the forest. The System pulsed faintly, alert but unobtrusive.
> [Status: Resting.]
[Instinct Lv.1: Enhanced. Passive sensory awareness increased.]
[Objective Updated: Investigate southern valley corruption – preliminary reconnaissance recommended.]
Her eyes drooped, heavy with exhaustion. But even in sleep, Ari's instincts were awake, sensing shadows, rustles, and distant, hidden movement. Somewhere beyond the trees, the golden-eyed watcher remained. Observing. Waiting.
And Ari — child of another world, cub of the Fang Tribe, wielder of instinct beyond comprehension — would rise with the dawn ready to face the first real challenges of the wild.