BEAST-MAN VILLAGE

3rd person pov

In a dark, damp cave lit only by the flickering light of a small fire, Riku and Luna sought refuge from the harshness of the outside world. The walls of the cave were jagged and uneven, with faint streaks of mineral deposits glistening like veins of silver in the firelight. The distant sound of water dripping into shallow pools echoed softly, giving the space an eerie yet oddly serene atmosphere.

Riku sat on a smooth stone near the entrance, his posture rigid as he kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. His extremely long white hair cascaded down his back, its silken strands reflecting the glow of the fire. His piercing blue eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the shadows beyond the cave, ensuring their safety.

Near the fire, Luna sat cross-legged, her long brown hair tumbling in loose waves over her shoulders. Her sparkling blue eyes stared into the flames, but her mind was far from idle. She rested her chin in her hand, her lips pursed in thought as she tried to come up with a name for Riku.

Riku had explained that the name "Riku" belonged to a past life, and in this life, he had no name. Luna had taken it upon herself to remedy that. Her playful nature, however, made the task more entertaining for her than it was for him.

"Hey, you!" Luna called out suddenly, her voice carrying a mischievous lilt.

Riku didn't turn from his post, his focus unwavering. "What?"

"I've got it!" Luna declared, sitting up straighter. Her face lit up with excitement as she pointed a finger at him dramatically. "I've thought of the perfect name for you!"

Riku glanced over his shoulder, raising a skeptical brow. "Let's hear it."

With a triumphant grin, Luna announced, "Your name will be... Shirochi!"

Riku's expression immediately flattened. "No."

"What? Why not?" Luna pouted, crossing her arms.

"It's… a stupid name," Riku replied, turning his gaze back to the cave entrance.

"Stupid?!" Luna gasped, scandalized. "How dare you! I worked so hard on that!"

Riku sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Just think of another one."

Grumbling under her breath, Luna turned back to the fire, resting her chin on her knees. After a few moments, she perked up again. "Alright, I've got another one!"

Riku gave her a sidelong glance, already bracing himself. "What is it this time?"

"Hakuto!" she announced with pride.

"No."

"What?!" Luna's jaw dropped. "Why not Hakuto? It's a strong name!"

"It's not for me," Riku replied simply.

Luna scowled, leaning forward and jabbing a finger in his direction. "You're impossible! Fine, I'll come up with one more, and that's it!"

"Good," Riku muttered under his breath.

Luna huffed and turned away, puffing her cheeks in frustration. "You're such a pain. You know that?"

"You're a child," Riku replied, his tone flat but with a faint trace of amusement.

"I am not!" Luna shot back, glaring at him.

Riku shook his head, a small, rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

As she sat in silence, Luna found her eyes drifting toward Riku again. Her gaze softened as she observed him. His white hair, impossibly long and flowing, caught the firelight in mesmerizing ways. He was always so serious, his blue eyes constantly scanning for danger, but she'd seen glimpses of kindness beneath the stoic exterior. To her, he felt like an older brother—protective, reliable, and occasionally exasperating.and also his appearance lot similar to her elder brother then others from her family ."

Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck her. Luna's eyes widened, and she shot to her feet, nearly knocking over the firewood. "I've got it!" she yelled, pointing at Riku with both hands. "I've got the perfect name!"

Riku winced at the sudden noise, turning to her with a sharp look. "Luna, don't yell. What is it?"

"Sora Kuragami!" she declared, her voice brimming with excitement. "It's the name my elder brother used when he went to town! It's perfect for you!"

Riku blinked, considering the name. "Sora Kuragami… At least it's not ridiculous," he said after a pause. "Fine, I accept."

Luna beamed, clasping her hands together in triumph. "Ha! I knew you'd like it!"

But before she could gloat further, a deep, resonant voice filled the cave, echoing in their minds like the toll of a divine bell:

<< Name accepted. Individual shall now be known as "Sora Kuragami." >>

Both Riku—now Sora—and Luna froze, their eyes widening in shock.

Luna broke the silence first, her face lighting up with wonder. "What was that?!"

Sora sighed, rubbing his temples. "The Echo of Creation. It seems the name has been officially registered."

Luna grinned, looking impossibly pleased with herself. "See? I told you it was the perfect name!"

Sora gave her a tired look but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks… I guess."

Luna giggled, skipping over to him and plopping down by his side. "You're welcome, Sora Kuragami. You better live up to that name!"

Sora shook his head, turning his attention back to the cave entrance. "Let's just focus on staying alive first."

Sora Kuragami"s pov

The crackle of the fire was the only sound filling the cave, its light casting dancing shadows along the rough stone walls. I leaned against the jagged surface of the cave, my arms crossed and eyes locked on the flames. My mind wandered back to the name Luna had given me—Sora Kuragami. It rolled off the tongue easily, almost naturally, as if it had always been mine.

She said it belonged to her elder brother, someone she clearly admired. The name felt… significant, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why. There was a weight to it, an odd sense of familiarity I didn't fully understand. Despite that, I didn't hate it. In fact, I liked it more than I cared to admit.

I sighed, glancing toward Luna. She was sitting cross-legged near the fire, poking at the embers with a stick. Her wide, sparkling blue eyes were locked on me, and her expression was filled with a mix of pride and mischief. She was waiting for something—probably for me to acknowledge her.

Annoying.

But no matter how much Luna got on my nerves with her constant teasing and childish antics, I couldn't bring myself to hate her. It wasn't just because she reminded me of my sister from my past life—though the resemblance was there in her relentless energy and occasional stubbornness. No, it was something deeper, something I couldn't fully explain.

I felt connected to her.

"Hey," I said finally, breaking the silence.

Her eyes lit up even more, and she leaned forward eagerly. "What?"

"Thanks," I muttered, my tone flat.

Luna blinked in surprise before a wide grin spread across her face. "Wow, did you just thank me? I didn't think you had it in you!"

I ignored her jab, turning my gaze back to the fire.

She wasn't done. "You know, for someone as serious as you, you're actually kindhearted," she teased, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

I didn't flinch, didn't give her the reaction she was fishing for.

Luna groaned, throwing her arms up in mock exasperation. "Ugh! I'm trying to tease you here. Could you at least pretend to care?"

Still nothing. I didn't even glance her way.

"Fine, be that way," she grumbled, crossing her arms.

After a moment, I spoke, my voice calm but curious. "You said you gave me the name of your elder brother. Why?"

Luna blinked, surprised by the sudden question. Her expression softened as she looked down, poking at the fire again. "Well," she began, her tone quieter than usual, "you remind me of him."

I raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt.

"He was protective," she said, her voice steady but tinged with something I couldn't quite place. "Reliable. Always there when I needed him, even if he was annoying sometimes. Just like you."

"Annoying?" I repeated, deadpan.

She grinned, her playful nature returning in full force. "Yep! Especially that part. You've got it down perfectly."

I sighed, shaking my head.

"And then there's your appearance," she added, her gaze traveling over me. "The white hair, the serious face. You look just like him. It's kind of eerie, actually."

I leaned my head back against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. "Why do I even bother asking…"

Luna huffed, puffing her cheeks in frustration. "You should be thankful! I gave you an awesome name. Most people wouldn't get this much effort from me, you know."

"Yeah, yeah," I said dismissively. "Sure. Now go to sleep."

Luna pouted, glaring at me as if daring me to make her. "You're no fun."

"And you're a headache," I shot back, not missing a beat.

Despite her grumbling, she lay down near the fire, curling up on her side. "Fine, but only because I'm tired. Not because you told me to," she said, her voice muffled by her arms.

"Whatever helps you sleep," I muttered.

The cave grew quiet again, save for the crackling fire and the faint sound of Luna shifting to get comfortable. I stayed where I was for a while, watching the shadows flicker and listening to the distant drip of water. The air was growing colder, the fire's warmth barely enough to keep the chill at bay.

When I glanced over at Luna, I noticed her shivering slightly. She was stubborn, but her small frame couldn't exactly handle the cold. I sighed, pushing myself up from my spot.

As I walked over to her, Luna's eyes cracked open. "What are you doing?" she asked groggily.

I didn't answer. Instead, I grabbed the bear skin we'd scavenged earlier and draped it over her.

"It's getting cold," I said simply, turning to walk back to my spot.

Luna's voice stopped me. "Hey… Thanks."

I glanced back at her, meeting her gaze briefly. She looked genuinely grateful, her usual playful smirk replaced by a soft smile.

I nodded and returned to my position by the cave entrance, sitting back down and resuming my watch.

As the fire continued to crackle, I heard her voice again, softer this time. "Goodnight, Sora ."

I didn't respond, but I felt a faint warmth spread in my chest. For the first time in this life, I had a name. Not one tied to my past, but something new. Something given to me by someone who—despite everything—felt like a connection I didn't want to lose.

"Goodnight, Luna," I muttered under my breath, too quiet for her to hear.

The fire flickered steadily in the center of the cave, its warmth barely cutting through the chill that seeped from the stone walls. I leaned back against the uneven surface, arms crossed, keeping watch as Luna slept peacefully under the bear skin I had draped over her earlier. Her faint breaths were the only other sound accompanying the crackling fire.

But my mind wasn't on her or the cold. It was on the voice I'd heard earlier—the one from the Echo of Creation.

* << Name accepted. Individual shall now be "Sora Kuragami." >>*

That voice wasn't something ordinary. It was powerful, distant, and yet… absolute. The name Luna gave me had triggered something, and I needed to know more.

I closed my eyes and called out mentally to one of my most useful tools.

"Analyzer."

The response was immediate, the familiar mechanical voice resonating in my mind.

[[ Acknowledged. How may I assist you,master Sora Kuragami? ]]

Hearing the new name spoken so plainly felt strange. I ignored the sensation and focused. "You mentioned earlier that being named could cause me to evolve. Did I?"

There was a brief pause before Analyzer replied, as if it were calculating its response.

[[ Correct. Being named by another individual has the potential to trigger an evolution, depending on the strength of the one named and the circumstances of naming. However, after analysis, you have not evolved. ]]

I frowned, sitting up slightly. "Then what's the point of being named if I didn't evolve?"

[[ Explanation. While evolution was not achieved, being named still resulted in a significant power boost. Naming establishes a bond with the individual granting the name, allowing a transfer of essence. Furthermore, the process has unlocked several new abilities and attributes. ]]

That caught my attention. "New abilities?"

[[ Affirmative. Upon being named, the following skills and elemental affinities were acquired: ]]

I waited as the voice listed them.

[[ Skills acquired:

1. Weapon and Armor Creation (Common Skill): The ability to forge and craft weapons and armor from available materials, including magical enhancements.

2. Appraisal (Soul Skill): A skill capable of analyzing objects, beings, and phenomena to extract detailed information. It is based on your soul and thus unique to you.

3. Unknown Soul Skill: This skill remains unprocessed. Analysis is ongoing. Completion estimated at 2.5% progress.

Elemental Affinities:

1. Wind

2. Earth ]]

I leaned back, absorbing the information. The list wasn't long, but each of the skills had potential. My gaze turned toward the cave entrance, and I let out a quiet sigh.

"Tell me about the common skill, Weapon and Armor Creation," I said.

[[ Weapon and Armor Creation: A widely recognized common skill. It enables the user to create weapons and armor using raw materials, magical energy, or both. Creations are limited by the user's understanding of the item being crafted and the quality of available resources. ]]

A practical skill, but not surprising. It could come in handy, though.

"What about Appraisal?"

[[ Appraisal: A soul-based skill unique to you. It allows for a comprehensive analysis of objects, beings, or phenomena, extracting detailed data beyond surface-level information. This skill is a reflection of your inherent analytical nature. ]]

Hearing that piqued my curiosity. Appraisal sounded incredibly similar to Analyzer itself.

"Analyzer," I began, my voice slow as I thought aloud, "you and the Appraisal skill… you're not that different, are you?"

[[ Correct. The functionality of the Appraisal skill overlaps significantly with my core processes. However, my capabilities extend beyond that of the Appraisal skill. I am a separate skill ]]

A thought crossed my mind. "If they're so similar, can the two be merged?"

[[ Analyzing request. ]]

The pause that followed was longer than usual. When Analyzer spoke again, its tone was as steady and mechanical as always, but there was a faint note of finality.

[[ Conclusion reached. Merging the Appraisal skill with my core functions is possible. However, this process will require time to ensure a seamless integration. Estimated duration: approximately 10 hours. ]]

10 hours wasn't unreasonable. I nodded to myself. "Do it. Let me know when it's finished."

[[ Acknowledged. Merging process initiated. Progress will be reported upon completion. ]]

The voice faded, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. My gaze shifted toward Luna, who was still sleeping soundly.

"Guess I'll have to keep an eye on things for a while longer," I muttered.

I didn't know what kind of power boost I'd gained from being named, but it was clear that Luna's act of giving me a name had strengthened me in ways I was only beginning to understand. And yet, I couldn't help but feel uneasy. This world was dangerous, unpredictable, and unforgiving. Even with the added strength, I wasn't foolish enough to think I was invincible.

"Analyzer," I called out again, needing to know one more thing.

[[ Yes, master ? ]]

"What's my EV now?"

The response came almost immediately, but it wasn't what I expected.

[[ Error. EV analysis unavailable. Current EV exceeds my processing capacity. ]]

I frowned. "Exceeds your capacity? Isn't that supposed to be impossible?"

[[ Correction: Analysis of EV becomes impossible when it surpasses the threshold my system can handle. Your current EV is significantly higher than when last recorded. ]]

That didn't exactly answer my question, but I decided not to press the issue. Knowing that my EV had increased was enough for now.

I sighed, leaning back against the wall and closing my eyes for a moment. The warmth of the fire was soothing, but my mind refused to rest.

The Appraisal skill merging with Analyzer could be a game-changer. Having a single, unified ability to analyze and understand the world around me would be invaluable. But for now, I had to wait.

"I hope nothing bad happens while I wait for this," I muttered under my breath.

The fire continued to crackle, its light flickering against the cave walls. Outside, the wind howled faintly, a reminder of the harsh world beyond this temporary refuge. I would stay vigilant, as always.

But as I glanced at Luna one last time, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

"Thanks for the name," I said quietly, though she couldn't hear me.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like I wasn't entirely alone. And that was something worth holding onto.

NEXT DAY

The morning light filtered weakly into the cave through its narrow opening, casting long shadows on the rough stone walls. The fire had burned low, its embers glowing faintly, but the warmth still lingered, warding off the lingering chill of the night. I stood near the entrance, leaning against the cold stone, my arms crossed as I surveyed the surroundings outside. The dense forest stretched endlessly, its canopy shrouded in mist, and the occasional chirp of birds signaled the start of another day in this unforgiving world.

Behind me, Luna was still asleep, bundled up under the bear skin I had thrown over her the night before. Her brown hair spilled over her face in a tangled mess, and she snored softly, completely oblivious to the fact that it was well past sunrise. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. If we were going to make it anywhere before noon, she needed to wake up.

I turned back into the cave and walked over to where she lay. "Luna," I said, keeping my voice calm and firm. "Get up."

She didn't stir. I crouched beside her and poked her shoulder. "Luna, it's time to wake up. We need to leave."

Still nothing. She mumbled something incoherent, shifted slightly, and burrowed deeper into the makeshift blanket.

"Five more minutes," she murmured, her voice muffled and groggy.

I straightened, pinching the bridge of my nose. Patience, Sora, I thought to myself.

"Luna," I said, my tone sharper this time. "If you don't get up now, I'm leaving you here."

Her eyes shot open in an instant, wide and panicked. "Wait, what?!" she yelped, scrambling to sit up.

In her haste, she got tangled in the bear skin and nearly toppled over. "You wouldn't really leave me, would you?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and desperation as she worked to free herself.

"I would," I said flatly, crossing my arms and watching her struggle.

Her panic kicked into overdrive. She flailed wildly, finally freeing herself from the bear skin and jumping to her feet in record time. "Okay, okay! I'm up! I'm ready! See? No need to leave me!"

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. She was still a mess—her hair sticking out in all directions, her tunic wrinkled, and one boot halfway on.

"Sure," I said, turning back to the fire. "You look... totally ready."

She puffed out her cheeks, glaring at me as she pulled on her other boot. "You're so mean, waking me up like that! A simple 'good morning, Luna' would've been nice."

"If I'd tried that, we'd still be here," I replied, kicking dirt onto the embers to smother them.

She huffed but didn't argue further as she grabbed her small bag and slung it over her shoulder. Once everything was packed, I gestured toward the entrance.

"Let's go," I said.

Luna trudged after me, muttering under her breath about rude wake-up calls and heartless companions.

The forest outside the cave was alive with the sounds of morning. Birds chirped overhead, and the leaves rustled gently in the breeze. The dense canopy filtered the sunlight into dappled patches that danced on the forest floor, making the path ahead unevenly lit. It was peaceful, but I kept my guard up, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.

Luna, on the other hand, was entirely unbothered. She walked beside me, her eyes wide with curiosity as she took in every detail of the forest.

"This place is so beautiful," she said, twirling a strand of her brown hair around her finger. "Don't you think so, Sora?"

"It's fine," I said shortly, keeping my focus on the path ahead.

She tilted her head, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Fine? That's all you have to say? You're so boring."

I ignored her, hoping she'd get the hint and stop talking.

"Hey, Sora," she said after a few moments of silence.

"What?" I asked, my patience already wearing thin.

"If you could be any animal, what would you be?"

I stopped walking and turned to look at her. "What?"

"You know, like a wolf or an eagle or maybe a bear! You give off serious wolf vibes, by the way," she said, nodding as if it were a well-reasoned conclusion.

I stared at her for a moment, then turned and kept walking. "I wouldn't be any animal. I'm fine as I am."

"Lame," she said, skipping after me. "I'd totally be a fox. They're clever, cute, and sneaky. Don't you think I'd make a great fox?"

I didn't answer.

"Hey, Sora," she said again after a few minutes.

"What now?"

"Do you think the trees here are older than us? Like, what if they've been here for hundreds of years, watching everything that happens in this forest? Isn't that wild to think about?"

"Luna," I said, my voice tight with annoyance.

"Yes?" she asked, completely unfazed.

"Shut up."

She gasped, putting a hand to her chest in mock offense. "How rude! I'm just trying to make conversation, and you—"

I quickened my pace, hoping to outwalk her. It didn't work. She jogged to catch up, grinning as if she found my irritation amusing.

"You can't escape me, Sora!" she said cheerfully. "We're in this together, remember?"

I sighed, deciding to tune her out entirely. If I didn't acknowledge her, maybe she'd eventually stop.

She didn't.

For the next hour, she continued to bombard me with questions, comments, and random musings about everything from the shapes of the clouds to whether or not mushrooms had feelings. By the time we reached a small clearing, my patience was hanging by a thread.

Luna flopped onto a fallen log, stretching her arms over her head. "Ah, I'm starving. Think we'll find any berries around here?"

I glanced at her, debating whether or not to answer. She didn't wait for me to respond, jumping up and darting toward a nearby bush.

"Look! Berries!" she said, holding up a handful of small red fruits.

"Don't eat those," I said, grabbing her wrist before she could pop one into her mouth.

"Why not?" she asked, pouting.

"They could be poisonous," I said.

She blinked, then dropped the berries onto the ground. "You're no fun," she muttered.

"Being alive isn't fun?" I asked dryly, moving past her.

She stuck her tongue out at me but followed, her usual playful energy undiminished.

As we continued through the forest, I found myself wondering how someone like Luna had managed to survive this long 4 mounths of running away . She was impulsive, talkative, and far too trusting. Yet, despite her many flaws, I couldn't bring myself to dislike her.

"Hey, Sora," she said, skipping ahead of me.

I braced myself for another ridiculous question, but she surprised me by simply smiling.

"Thanks for not leaving me behind this morning," she said.

I met her gaze, momentarily caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice. "...Don't mention it," I said, looking away.

She grinned, spinning around and continuing down the path. "Come on, slowpoke! Let's find something to eat!"

I sighed, shaking my head as I followed her.

Luna was exhausting, but at least with her around, the journey was never dull.

The forest stretched endlessly beneath a canopy of green, the dense foliage casting uneven patches of light and shadow across the ground. I kept my eyes sharp, scanning every corner for movement, but the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of distant birds. Luna followed behind me, her steps light and almost too carefree for someone traveling through a dangerous place like this.

Her voice broke the quiet. "Hey, Sora, how much longer do we have to walk? My legs are killing me."

I didn't bother looking back. "We've barely been walking for an hour."

"Exactly!" she huffed. "An hour is an eternity!"

I sighed, ignoring her dramatics. She wasn't entirely wrong—the forest did seem endless. The farther we walked, the more it felt like it stretched on without end.

Eventually, the trees thinned, and we came to the base of a towering mountain. Its rocky face loomed over us, jagged and uninviting, the peak hidden somewhere beyond the clouds.

"Well, that's inconvenient," Luna muttered, staring up at it.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Inconvenient? You're the one claiming to be a dragon. Shouldn't this be easy for you?"

She crossed her arms and pouted. "Just because I'm a dragon doesn't mean I like climbing mountains."

"Good thing you don't have to climb it." I stepped back and spread my wings. They unfurled with a sharp snap, the mix of white and black feathers catching the faint sunlight filtering through the clouds.

Luna's eyes widened, lighting up like she'd just found a treasure. "Whoa, those are so cool!"

I glanced over at her, slightly taken aback by her sudden excitement. "Thanks, I guess."

"But," she added, with a mischievous grin, "not as cool as mine."

Before I could respond, she spread her own wings. Light brown, with streaks of green and black, her wings were softer and more natural-looking than mine, almost like they belonged to the forest itself. She flapped them lightly, smirking at me.

"See? Mine are way more stylish."

"Stylish doesn't mean practical," I said, already lifting off the ground.

She stuck her tongue out at me before following.

The wind rushed past us as we ascended, the mountain shrinking beneath our feet. I kept my flight steady, while Luna darted around like a bird enjoying its freedom.

"Hey, Sora," she said, her voice cutting through the wind. "Why didn't we just fly across the forest from the start? Wouldn't that have been faster?"

I glanced at her, sighing. "Do that if you want to get caught by that red-haired man from yesterday."

Her playful expression vanished, and she shook her head. "Oh. Right. Never mind!"

I smirked faintly at her reaction but didn't say anything else.

When we reached the top of the mountain, the view was... unexpected. The peak was flat, with patches of grass and wildflowers growing between the rocks. The forest stretched out in every direction like a sea of green, its vastness almost dizzying.

Luna spun in a slow circle, her face glowing with awe. "Wow. This is amazing! Look at how far we can see!"

I nodded silently, my eyes fixed on the horizon.

"Wait." She stopped spinning and turned to me, her grin widening. "Did you just agree with me?"

I frowned. "No."

"You totally did!" she teased, poking my arm. "Admit it—we finally agree on something!"

I shrugged her off, turning my attention back to the forest below. It really did seem endless. "How much bigger is this forest? It feels infinite."

"What did you expect?" she said, smirking. "It's the Hellshade Forest."

I turned to her, narrowing my eyes. "The what?"

Her expression shifted to one of shock. "Wait, don't tell me you don't know about the Hellshade Forest."

"I don't," I said flatly.

She stared at me, her jaw slightly open. "How do you not know? This is the most dangerous forest in existence!"

"No one told me," I said, crossing my arms. "What's so dangerous about it?"

"For starters, most of the monsters here are A+ rank or higher," she explained, gesturing dramatically. "Even experienced adventurers avoid this place. Only idiots—or brave geniuses like us—would wander in here."

I raised an eyebrow. "And you thought it wasn't worth mentioning this earlier?"

She shrugged, giving me a sheepish grin. "I thought you already knew. Besides, you're strong, right? You can handle it!"

Before I could respond, I noticed a thin column of smoke rising in the distance. I pointed toward it. "Looks like there's a campfire over there."

She followed my gaze and nodded. "You think someone's there?"

"Probably. Let's check it out."

Before I could say anything else, she leapt off the edge of the mountain, spreading her wings as she began to glide down.

"Luna!" I called after her, exasperated.

She glanced back, grinning. "Come on, slowpoke! What's the holdup?"

I sighed and jumped after her, letting my wings catch the air as I descended. Her descent was playful, her movements carefree and full of energy, while mine remained steady and deliberate.

We landed near the base of the mountain, the forest quickly closing in around us again. Luna bounced on her feet, clearly eager to move.

"Let's go see who's at that campfire!" she said, already heading in the direction of the smoke.

I shook my head, adjusting the strap of my bag before following her. "This better not be another trap," I muttered.

20 minutes later .

The forest thickened as Luna and I made our way toward the source of the smoke. Each step brought us closer, and the air grew heavier with the distinct scent of burning wood. The towering trees surrounded us, their twisted branches weaving a canopy so dense it almost blocked out the light. The occasional rustle of leaves reminded me we weren't alone. It wasn't unnerving, but I kept my senses sharp just in case.

Luna, walking a few steps ahead, hummed softly to herself, completely at ease. Her carefree demeanor was almost irritating, but I let her be—she wouldn't change even if I said something.

As we walked, a familiar voice rang out in my mind.

[[Master. Unique skill update successful.]]

I stopped in my tracks, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Finally," I muttered, relieved. "Alright, tell me the details of this updated version."

The voice of my skill, Analyser, responded with its usual precision, its tone cold and distinctly artificial.

[[After merging the skills "Analyser" and "Appraisal," your unique skill, "Analyser," has been updated to a new analysis level. The skill's functionality has improved tenfold.]]

Tenfold? That alone was impressive, but the voice wasn't finished.

[[Additionally, the skill has acquired a new ability: the capacity to copy any skill possessed by a target, provided that the target's EV is equal to or lower than your own.]]

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden revelation. "Copy any skill…" I repeated, letting the words sink in. A grin tugged at the corner of my lips. "That's... not bad."

Luna noticed me lagging behind and turned around, tilting her head. "What's up? Did you forget how to walk?"

I waved her off. "Nothing. Keep going."

As she shrugged and skipped ahead, I returned my focus to Analyser. "What's my EV now?"

There was a brief pause before it responded. [[Current EV: 200,000.]]

My eyes widened. "Two hundred thousand?" I asked in disbelief. "Wait. How did it jump from 51,000 to 200,000 just like that?"

[[Upon being named, your EV increased by 100. However, the merging of the two skills resulted in a significant evolution of your essence, causing an additional increase of 149,900 EV.]]

I stood there, stunned. "You're telling me merging two skills added nearly 150,000 EV?"

[[Correct.]]

I took a deep breath, trying to process the information. The sheer leap in power was more than I had anticipated. If combining two skills had this kind of effect…

"Analyser," I said, testing a theory. "What about merging you with my Adapter skill?"

The response came immediately. [[Skill merging with "Adapter" is not possible. The compatibility between these skills is insufficient.]]

I sighed, disappointed but not surprised. "Figures. Oh well, at least now I can see how much stronger I've become."

As I caught up to Luna, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. This wasn't just a minor improvement—this was a game-changer. Still, I kept my composure, reminding myself that raw power alone wouldn't solve every problem.

Luna glanced at me over her shoulder, her curious gaze lingering for a moment. "You look like you just won the lottery," she teased. "What's got you so smug?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," I replied evenly.

She rolled her eyes but didn't push further, to my relief.

We continued toward the smoke, the forest slowly thinning as we neared our destination. The air grew clearer, the scent of burning wood becoming more distinct. Occasionally, Luna would dart ahead, excitedly pointing out random plants or rocks as if they were the most fascinating things in the world. I didn't bother responding—her enthusiasm was boundless, and I wasn't in the mood to entertain it.

Still, I couldn't help but glance up at the sky through the breaks in the canopy. My wings twitched slightly at the thought of flying again, but I dismissed it. Staying grounded was safer, especially now that I knew just how dangerous this forest could be.

"Hey, Sora," Luna called, slowing down to walk beside me. "What do you think the smoke is? A camp? A monster? Maybe treasure?"

"Probably a camp," I said, not particularly interested in guessing.

She pouted at my lack of enthusiasm. "You're no fun, you know that?"

"I'm practical," I corrected.

"Boring is what you are," she muttered under her breath.

I ignored her and quickened my pace, eager to reach the source of the smoke. Whatever awaited us, it would be better to deal with it sooner rather than later.

The scent of smoke grew stronger as we made our way closer. Pushing through the thick underbrush, the sight of wooden huts and tents came into view. A village, tucked into the depths of the forest, with a steady column of smoke rising from the largest bonfire in the center.

As Luna and I approached, I noticed the inhabitants—beast-men—scrambling around, their expressions filled with panic and fear. Some were armed, others clutching their young or preparing to defend their home. It wasn't hard to see that something had them on edge.

"What's up with them?" Luna asked, tilting her head. Her lighthearted tone didn't match the tense atmosphere.

"They're scared," I replied, scanning the area.

"Of what?" she pressed, her playful curiosity evident.

"Something big enough to make them panic," I said.

Before she could respond, a group of beast-men spotted us. Their ears perked up, and their eyes narrowed. In seconds, they were armed, weapons pointed in our direction.

One of them, a large tiger-like man with sharp fangs, stepped forward. "Halt! Who are you, and what business do you have here?" he growled, his voice deep and commanding.

Luna stepped back slightly, her wings twitching nervously. "Um... wow, not the friendliest welcome," she muttered under her breath.

"They think we're here to cause trouble," I said, keeping my voice calm.

The tiger-man's gaze sharpened. "Humans," he spat, glaring at us. "Answer the question!"

I held my hands up, keeping my stance neutral. "We're not here to cause trouble. We were just passing through and saw the smoke."

The tiger-man didn't lower his weapon, his tail flicking irritably. "Who are you?"

"Sora," I said simply, nodding toward Luna. "And this is Luna."

The beast-man eyed us both suspiciously before barking an order. "Bring the elder!"

One of the others nodded and sprinted off, disappearing into the village.

Luna leaned closer to me, her voice low. "What now?"

"We wait," I said.

She pouted. "If this goes bad, I'll be mad."

"Good," I said, barely looking at her.

"Good?" she snapped, crossing her arms. "What kind of response is that? You're so mean, Sora!"

Her exaggerated frustration was almost comical, and I could hear the beast-men murmuring among themselves. One of them finally spoke up.

"Are you two... alright? You're acting like some crazy duo."

"Excuse me?" Luna shot back, puffing up her chest indignantly.

"Stop," I said firmly, cutting her off before she could go on a rant.

She huffed but didn't push it further, though her hands swished in irritation.

It wasn't long before the beast-man who had gone to fetch the elder returned, an older, wolf-like beast-man in tow. His fur was streaked with gray, and he carried himself with a sense of authority.

The elder approached us, his piercing eyes scanning me and Luna. "Names," he demanded.

"Sora," I repeated, nodding toward Luna. "And she's Luna."

He looked us over for a moment, then gestured for us to follow. "Come. We'll talk inside."

I nodded, and we began following him deeper into the village, surrounded by wary beast-men. Luna trailed just behind me, her eyes darting around at the bustling activity.

"What's going to happen?" she whispered, her voice unusually quiet. "I'm... a little scared."

I glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "What's there to be scared of? You're a dragon, aren't you?"

She nodded quickly. "Y-yeah, but I'm also a girl! Girls can be scared too, you know!"

I sighed. "Whatever. Just focus."

She nodded again but stuck her tongue out at me when she thought I wasn't looking. I ignored her, keeping my attention on the elder ahead of us.

The village was larger than I expected, with sturdy wooden structures and an organized layout. Despite their panic, the beast-men were clearly a capable group. I couldn't help but wonder what could have them so on edge—and what it might mean for Luna and me.

"Hey, Sora," Luna whispered, leaning closer. "Do you think they have any cool food here? Like... beast-man snacks?"

"Not the time," I muttered.

"Oh, come on," she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "You're always so serious. Loosen up a little!"

"Luna," I said, keeping my tone firm, "focus."

She sighed dramatically, but her grin never wavered. "Fine, fine. But I'm just saying, if they offer me food, I'm taking it."

The elder glanced back at us briefly, his expression unreadable. I could tell he was sizing us up, trying to figure out if we were a threat. I met his gaze without flinching, silently conveying that we weren't here to cause trouble.

Still, Luna's playful energy was a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere, and I couldn't help but feel like she'd say or do something to make things even more awkward.

"Hey, do you think they'd let me ride one of their giant wolves?" she whispered.

I didn't answer, deciding it was best to let her ramble to herself for now. Whatever was coming, I had a feeling it wouldn't be boring with Luna around.

TO BE CONTINUED