The First Pack Member

The sun blazed high in the sky, a golden orb reigning supreme in the vast, cloudless blue. Its unrelenting heat poured down onto the world below, scorching the earth and leaving the air thick and heavy. The trees stood motionless, their leaves drooping under the oppressive heat. Not even a whisper of wind dared to disturb the silence that stretched across the horizon.

The only sound that broke the stillness was the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the rocky dirt road, accompanied by the steady creaking of wagon wheels as they carved a path forward. Two horses, harnessed side by side, pulled a battered old wagon, its wooden frame groaning under the weight of its own years.

Seated at the reins was Bon, his face glowing with excitement, brighter than even the sun that bathed him in its golden embrace. Though his body remained on the wagon, his mind was already leagues ahead, deep within the Great Jungle that called to him like a whispered promise.

"The Great Jungle, here I come," he thought, his grin widening as his imagination ran wild, filling the silent road with vivid fantasies of the future.

"I'll show you, Tafari. I will become the wildest predator there is."

He chuckled to himself, his grip tightening around the reins. "I'll carve my path through the Great Jungle. I will never fall prey to anyone. But... if I'm going to make it, I need a pack."

Bon leaned back, letting the thought settle in his mind.

"I'll need six people. A strategist—someone who can handle all the thinking and talking for me. A healer—someone who knows their way around herbs and medicine. A guardian—strong enough to protect those who can't fight so that I can give my all in battle. And of course, three more warriors. The strongest ones I can find."

A satisfied smirk crossed his face as he imagined his future crew.

"Yeah... that sounds about right."

An unexpected blow violently shattered his daydreams.

A powerful kick struck his right side, the impact sending him flying off the wagon. He barely had time to react, twisting his body midair to minimize the damage, but it was too late—he crashed into the ground, rolling across the dirt before springing back onto his feet in a defensive stance.

His sharp eyes darted toward the wagon, his mind racing to process what had just happened.

What he saw made his heart skip a beat.

The air itself seemed to tremble under the suffocating pressure of the killing intent that filled it. A suffocating aura of rage and bloodlust loomed over him like an unrelenting storm.

Standing atop the wagon, her sharp eyes locked onto him with a murderous glare, was Kartia.

Her entire body radiated pure fury, her hands gripping two daggers that gleamed under the sunlight.

"You bastard!" she roared, launching herself at him like a vengeful spirit.

Her movements were a blur, her daggers slicing through the air with terrifying precision.

Bon's instincts kicked in. His hand darted to his side, fingers closing around the hilt of his nodachi. He barely had a moment to draw it before—

Clang!

Their weapons clashed in midair, steel grinding against steel as they locked together in a violent struggle.

Bon's muscles tensed as he absorbed the impact. His mind reeled in shock as realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

"The grumpy old man tricked me!"

His thoughts raced as he struggled to hold his ground against Kartia's relentless strength.

"He told me she wouldn't wake up for a day or two! But she's already up—and she's pissed!"

It was nothing short of a miracle that he had managed to draw his sword in time. If he had hesitated even a second longer, she would have sent him flying again—this time, for good.

"Kartia!" he called out, hoping to reason with her.

But she wasn't listening.

Her rage burned too brightly. Her movements were precise and lethal, her daggers flashing like twin fangs, seeking his throat.

She wasn't holding back.

She was going to kill him.

Bon cursed under his breath. He had no choice.

He reached into his pocket and yanked out a small, tattered handkerchief. Its fabric, once white, had faded into a dull brown over time, its edges frayed with age.

He tossed it toward Kartia, watching as it fluttered in the air between them.

Like a switch had been flipped, the moment her eyes landed on it, her entire body froze.

The killing intent vanished instantly.

Kartia snatched the handkerchief from the air, her gaze locking onto it with an intensity that surprised even Bon.

Her grip tightened around the worn fabric, her knuckles turning white.

"Where did you get this?" Her voice was sharp, demanding, filled with something deeper than anger.

A warning.

"The grumpy chief gave it to me," Bon admitted, lowering his sword slightly. "Said the old man wanted you to have it."

Kartia stared at the handkerchief for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, without warning—

She smiled.

A small, bitter smile, tinged with something like nostalgia.

"Can't you just stay in the Great Fire and share your tales, you old fart?" she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

Bon watched her carefully, but the fight was already over.

Kartia slipped the handkerchief into her pouch, her rage evaporating as though it had never existed. She turned her attention back to him, her expression calm, controlled.

She took a step forward.

"Where are we going next?"

Bon grinned.

"The Great Jungle."

She took another step, then another, until she was standing beside him.

"Will it be fun?"

His grin widened.

"I don't know. Never been there myself. But I've heard the stories—"

His voice dropped, his tone dripping with excitement.

"A forest that steals memories. Trees so tall they pierce the heavens. Fruits so massive that eating just one will keep you full for an entire week. And mysteries so vast that no one has ever uncovered them all."

Kartia's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Then—"

Before she could finish, Bon cut her off.

"Kartia."**

She blinked as he turned to face her fully, his expression serious for once.

He extended his hand toward her.

"Join my pack."

His voice rang through the quiet forest, unwavering.

"Walk beside me."

He took a step closer, his golden eyes blazing with determination.

"Death will be waiting for us at every corner. But what's the point of living if you're afraid of dying?"

His voice grew even stronger.

"Help me carve a path to the peak of the Great Jungle. Stand with me as we conquer it all. Become part of my pack."

His hand remained outstretched, waiting.

Kartia stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable.

Then—without hesitation—

She reached out and clasped his hand firmly.

"Yes."

And just like that—

Bon had gained his first pack member.