Someone like… me?

Three Years LaterEvolm Forest — Twilight Region, Estyia Continent

A cool wind drifted through the dense canopy of the Evolm Forest, rustling emerald leaves high above and scattering shafts of golden light across the moss-covered ground. The scent of wet bark and wild herbs lingered in the air—familiar, wild, alive.

A boy stood at the edge of a stream, his reflection rippling in the clear water. Silver hair hung down to his neck, faintly illuminated by the dancing sunbeams. His eyes, bright crimson, stared with quiet intensity. Though he looked barely older than ten, his gaze carried a wisdom—and weariness—far beyond his years.

Archi: (This is Evolm Forest… one of the five great danger zones on the continent of Estyia.)

He bent down, scooping water into his cupped hand and drinking slowly, eyes scanning the dense foliage around him.

Archi: (I've lived here for three years now… since the day I formed my first Qi limbs. While humans out there rely on magic circles and runic inscriptions, I've been training in something older—something deeper. The Core Path.)

He closed his eyes, placing a hand over his chest.

Archi: (Unlike the mages of this world who burn spells into their bones, I channel Qi into my being, condensing it, purifying it. Once enough gathers, it crystallizes into a Core. Its color determines its grade. And today… today is the day I form mine.)

He opened his eyes and smiled faintly.

Archi: (How do I know this is the right time? Because Fedora told me. She raised me… along with her sons.)

Archi turned and looked behind him toward the forest clearing beyond the stream. A flash of silver fur darted through the trees. Then another.

Archi: (Geld and Pico—her two cubs, though they're almost wolves now. We grew up together. Trained together. I've even contracted them through the Chained Contract spell. We're bound by more than blood. We're a pack.)

He raised a hand.

Archi: "System. Status."

[ STATUS ]NAME: Archivold PeristineRACE / BLOODLINE: Half Human / Half LycanLEVEL: 12 [38 / 2400]

STATS• Strength – 13• Endurance – 11• Agility – 15• Spirit – 282• Divinity Content – 0%

SKILLS• 7 Myriads Bloodpath• Wave Breathing• Chained Contract• Telepathy• Mana Solidification

TITLES• Cursed Genius

Archi gazed at the numbers with a hint of disappointment.

Archi: (I haven't learned many new techniques. But the ones I do have… they're enough to survive.)He clenched his fists, Qi subtly pulsing around him.Archi: (I've used the Bloodpath to hunt with the wolves… but lately, it's not enough. Weaker prey barely feeds the path. I need stronger enemies… but not yet. I need a solid foundation first. Power means nothing if it crumbles beneath my feet.)

A sudden rustle broke his thoughts.

"Raawr!"

A grey blur leapt out of the bush.

Pico: "Did I get you!?"

Archi didn't even flinch.

He blinked once, then raised his hands dramatically.Archi: "Oh no, Pico! You almost gave me a heart attack!"He feigned a stagger, placing the back of his hand against his forehead.

Pico squinted. "You're pretending again. Ugh, you're so boring sometimes."

Without warning, Archi reached forward and grabbed Pico's cheeks, stretching them playfully.

Archi: "And what does thou royal highness wish from a lowly peasant like me?"

Pico: "Ha ha! Very funny. Mom's calling for you. Something about... I dunno, a guest or something."

Archi: "A guest in Evolm? That's rare…"

They weaved their way through thickets and vines, climbing over ancient roots that jutted from the earth like sleeping serpents. Eventually, they reached a familiar cliff wall where a hidden cave entrance yawned at the base.

They entered.

The inside was surprisingly vast, carved naturally by wind and time. Soft moss cushioned the floor, and faint bioluminescent fungi clung to the walls, casting a faint blue glow.

At the back of the cave, Fedora stood watch—her silver fur streaked with age, her eyes calm and unreadable.

Archi approached.

Archi: "What are we doing in a cave, Mom?"

Fedora: "Someone's here. They're injured."

She turned her gaze to a shadowy corner where a figure lay on a makeshift bed of leaves and furs.

Fedora: "He smells like you."

Archi's eyes narrowed, curiosity instantly spiked.

Archi: (Someone… like me?)He stepped closer and muttered:

Archi: "System—use Insight."