first hunt

Erie bowed respectfully, his formal tone unwavering. "Indeed, siw, youw showcase has gawnewed my compwete attention."

Duncan chuckled, scratching the back of his head. Erie's formality amused him, though he couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by it. Still, he didn't want to undo the boy's politeness—it was endearing, in its own way.

"Well, Erie," Duncan said, patting the boy's head and ruffling his hair playfully. "I'm glad you're impressed, but I won't be teaching you this. You'll need to find an ability that's your own."

Erie tilted his head curiously, but before he could ask, Duncan began walking back toward the house, gesturing for Erie to follow. Erie bowed his head again and quickly fell in step behind him.

"Duncan! Erie! Dinner is ready! It's time to come eat!" Rose's warm voice rang out from the house.

Inside, they gathered around the modest wooden table. Together, they gave thanks, and soon the room was filled with the comforting sounds of clinking plates and warm conversation. Duncan and Rose began sharing stories about Amos and Sarah, their voices filled with nostalgia. Erie listened intently, his wide eyes never leaving them.

"We knew your parents for over twenty years," Rose said, her voice soft but full of pride. "They were incredible people. Amos was strong and steadfast, and Sarah… she was brilliant and kind."

"This farm," Duncan added, gesturing around the cozy dining room, "actually belongs to your mother. We've just been watching over it for her. She trusted us to keep it safe."

Hearing this, Erie couldn't help but smile. A warmth spread through his chest, and for the first time in what felt like ages, he felt a deep sense of connection—not just to Duncan and Rose, but to the farm itself. He clutched the pendant hanging around his neck, as if it, too, were drawing him closer to this place.

After dinner, they each retired for the night. Erie climbed into bed, pulling the soft orange blanket up to his chin. The farm was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of the trees outside. As his eyes grew heavy, the events of the day began to fade from his mind, replaced by the serenity of the moment.

Soon, Erie drifted into a deep sleep, the pendant on his chest glowing faintly in the moonlight.

The next morning, Duncan knocked on the door and poked his head inside. "Good morning, Erie!" he called with a grin. "Today, I'll teach you how to hunt an F-class beast! You can sell its crystal at the market for one coin each!"

Erie sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes and looking confused. "What's a coin?" he asked.

Duncan chuckled, scratching his head. "Ah, right, I almost forgot! Coins are the currency we use here. We exchange them for goods and services. The more coins you have, the more you can buy or do."

He paused for a moment, watching Erie's expression. "Do you understand, Erie?"

Erie nodded, though he still didn't quite grasp the concept. He figured, for now, it was best to follow Duncan's training and focus on learning what he could.

"Great!" Duncan beamed. "Now freshen up, Erie! We'll meet outside, and then we'll head to the open field. It's time for our first hunt, and afterward, we'll visit the city."

After a quick breakfast, Duncan led Erie down a dirt path, the morning sun casting a warm glow on the landscape. There wasn't much talking between the two; instead, they silently enjoyed the scenery. Open waters sparkled in the distance, and rolling fields stretched out before them, dotted with various beasts of different ranks roaming freely. The air wasn't as sweet or fresh as it was on Planet Haeven, but it still carried a faint vibrancy, as if the land itself was teeming with life.

Breaking the silence, Duncan glanced at Erie and said, "You know, it wasn't always this vibrant. One day, we were facing a massive threat, and the next, there was a huge earthquake. After that, nature just started to flourish like this."

Erie tilted his head in curiosity. "What kind of thweat?"

Duncan shrugged, his expression shifting slightly. "Nobody really knows. The government won't answer the press, so everyone's left guessing."

Erie couldn't help but think of his parents. He remembered overhearing their arguments when they thought he wasn't listening. His father often spoke about "core crystals" and how harvesting them from certain planets disrupted the balance of the solar system. "What did Daddy call it again?" Erie wondered to himself, trying to remember the term.

As Duncan rambled on about his theories, Erie suddenly felt a strange tugging at his chest. His pendant started to pull, almost as if it were trying to merge with him, and a faint glow emanated from the golden surface.

Before Erie could react, a slimy glob splattered across his face. "Ahhh!" Erie screamed, stumbling back. "I'm being attacked!" He frantically wiped at his eyes, only to see a wriggling, slimy creature latched onto him.

Duncan turned around and burst out laughing. "That's just a Survaline Earthworm, Erie! It's an FF-ranked beast. Totally harmless."

But before Duncan could finish his sentence, the earthworm threw itself at Erie, wrapping its slimy body around his arm. Erie shrieked again, flailing wildly. "Mommy! Heeeelp! Knight Weviathin!" His cries grew louder until, overwhelmed with fear, Erie collapsed and passed out on the ground.

Duncan sighed and shook his head, muttering under his breath as he approached the unconscious boy. "We've got a long way to go…"

uncan noticed the pendant on Erie's chest start to glow again. A soft, white veil formed around the boy, pulsating faintly like a heartbeat. Erie's breathing began to slow as the calming light enveloped him. Duncan stared in awe. "What is this?" he muttered to himself, unsure of what kind of power the pendant possessed.

Reaching over cautiously, Duncan picked Erie up, holding him gently against his chest. To his surprise, the veil expanded, covering both him and Erie in its protective glow. Duncan shook his head, marveling at the phenomenon, and began walking back down the path. He didn't stop until he reached a shady spot under a large tree near their training area. Sitting down, he held Erie close, waiting patiently for him to wake up.

After a while, Erie's eyes fluttered open, his face still scrunched in fear. Duncan grinned and gave him a playful nudge. "Well, kiddo," he said with a chuckle, "your first fight was against an FF-ranked beast… and you lost!"

Erie sat up slightly, still clutching the pendant tightly. "It was so scawy, siw!" he whined, his voice trembling.

Duncan laughed heartily, ruffling Erie's messy hair. "That's nothing, kid. There are far scarier things in this world than a little earthworm." He gave Erie a moment to process before standing up and dusting himself off.

"Now, you see those rabbits over there?" Duncan pointed toward a small group of plump, gray-furred creatures hopping around in a nearby field. Their glowing red eyes and sharp teeth made them look anything but friendly. "Those are Overpopulating Hares. They're aggressive, but they're F-ranked beasts—lower than basic tier. They're not just pests; we can sell their cores for one bronze coin each, and their meat makes a decent meal."

Erie tilted his head, his curiosity piqued despite his lingering fear. "You mean… we gonna hunt those?"

Duncan nodded firmly. "That's right, kiddo. Today, we're hunting hares. They're a good start for you to learn the basics of fighting and survival. So, what do you say, Erie? Ready to give it another shot?"

Erie hesitated, glancing nervously at the glowing pendant in his hands. Finally, he nodded, his small face scrunching into a look of determination. "Yes, siw. I'll twy again."

Duncan smiled proudly. "That's the spirit. Let's get to work!"