Three pairs of eyes glowed in the darkness.
Malric Thorn stared at them, feeling the tension thicken in the air.
The dogs were watching him.
An uncomfortable silence stretched for several seconds, broken only by the soft whisper of the wind that scattered a few feathers still stuck to the sidewalk from the earlier chaos in the park.
Malric sighed, resigning himself to whatever came next.
Of course… he muttered. More animals.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared instantly in front of his eyes.
New faction detected.
The blue screen expanded, revealing information he couldn't ignore.
Faction detected: Dogs Current relationship status: 5 / Neutral
Malric raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of curiosity and caution.
Five sounds… acceptable.
One of the dogs stepped forward. It was large, with dark brown fur. Its ears stood upright, and its gaze was calm but alert.
Malric decided to test his new skill. He activated Animal Tamer. The dog's voice immediately rang clear in his mind.
Human.
Malric blinked, surprised by how sharp and clear the communication was.
Hello.
The other two dogs began circling him slowly, sniffing the air with restless noses. Malric raised his hands in a peaceful gesture.
Easy. I'm not here to fight.
The lead dog stopped right in front of him and started sniffing him carefully. Its expression grew serious.
You smell like cat.
Malric closed his eyes for a second, remembering everything that had happened earlier.
Yeah… that happened today.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared again.
Relationship change detected. Relationship with Dogs faction updated. Previous level: 5 New level: 4
Malric's eyes snapped open.
What?! That was immediate!
Feline scent detected, S.I.M.I.O. replied with absolute calm.
Malric dragged a hand down his face, feeling his reputation crumble.
You lowered my reputation just because I smell like cat?
Correct.
Malric looked at the dogs, the conversation growing more ridiculous by the second.
Listen… I'm not anyone's enemy.
The lead dog tilted its head, evaluating his words.
This is our territory.
Malric glanced around: the sidewalk, a streetlight, a trash can.
This place?
Yes.
Malric crossed his arms, feeling increasingly awkward.
Why?
The dog puffed out its chest with pride.
Walk time.
Malric blinked, not fully understanding.
…Walk time?
The other dogs continued circling him. One sniffed a lamppost while another investigated a forgotten garbage bag.
The lead dog spoke again.
Human. Leave our territory.
Malric sighed, feeling like his day truly could not get any worse.
Okay. That's reasonable.
He took a step back, preparing to leave.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared once more.
Observation.
Malric frowned.
What?
The screen wrote slowly.
Multiple animal faction interactions detected.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
I already knew that.
The screen continued.
Experience granted.
Malric blinked, his day becoming stranger with every passing minute.
Experience?
S.I.M.I.O. replied calmly.
The user has survived multiple urban encounters with local fauna.
Malric sighed, feeling ridiculous.
That sounds pathetic.
The screen changed.
Skill improved: Improvised Claws. Level increased.
Malric looked at his hands as his nails extended again.
Now they're three and a half centimeters?
Correct.
Malric sighed, feeling like this so-called power was more of a burden than a blessing.
Impressive evolution.
S.I.M.I.O. responded.
Technically, it is a 16% increase.
Malric decided to ignore that comment. The screen changed again.
Skill improved: Animal Conversation. Level increased.
Malric raised an eyebrow.
What changed?
S.I.M.I.O. replied.
Your ability to interpret animal thoughts is now more stable.
Malric crossed his arms, still confused.
That's still very vague.
Correct.
The dogs kept staring at him with firm, challenging gazes. The leader spoke again in his mind.
Human. Final warning.
Malric raised his hands in surrender.
Yeah, yeah. I get it.
At that moment, the blue screen appeared once more.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED.
Malric sighed, feeling like his life had become some bizarre video game.
Now what?
The achievement name appeared slowly.
Urban Lord.
Malric blinked, caught between surprise and disdain.
That actually sounds important.
The description followed.
Condition: Interact with multiple urban animal factions. Reward: You now know all animal factions present in the city.
Malric raised an eyebrow, feeling slightly more informed.
That sounds useful.
S.I.M.I.O. replied immediately.
It is not.
Malric sighed, his luck feeling worse than ever.
Thanks for the honesty.
The screen continued.
Urban animal factions detected: Rats Pigeons Felines Dogs Crows Raccoons Seagulls Urban Insects
Malric frowned, feeling overwhelmed.
Insects?
Yes.
Malric shook his head, deciding not to think about it.
I'd rather not think about that.
The dogs began advancing, not aggressively, but firm in their stance. The leader spoke again.
Human. Territory.
Malric took another step back, knowing his time was up.
I'm leaving.
The dogs followed him for a few meters, making sure he moved away without causing trouble.
Malric walked slowly down the sidewalk, relieved by the growing distance. When he was far enough, the leader spoke one last time.
Do not return smelling like cat.
Malric sighed, feeling trapped in an endless cycle.
I'll try.
The dogs returned to their corner, sniffing posts and marking territory, while Malric continued on his way. The street was quiet. Too quiet. It sent a chill down the back of his neck.
S.I.M.I.O. appeared again.
Final observation.
Malric sighed, exhausted.
What now?
The screen wrote slowly.
The user has been: Chased by rats. Attacked by pigeons. Helped by cats. Expelled by dogs.
Malric looked up at the night sky, feeling like his life had turned into a series of absurd events.
That sounds like a bad day.
S.I.M.I.O. replied.
It is only the beginning.
Malric walked a few more steps, feeling like an adventurer in a strange new world. But then he stopped, a question forming in his mind.
System.
Yes.
I have a question.
Go ahead.
Malric looked at the city around him — the streets, the lampposts, the shadows on the rooftops.
Why do the animals have organized factions?
There was a brief silence, as if the System was carefully considering its answer. Then the screen replied.
Because the System did not only choose humans.
Malric froze, feeling an entirely new reality unfolding before him.
…
What?
The screen flickered, and a warning appeared.
Warning.
Malric frowned, bracing for the worst.
Some animals are also awakening abilities.