The morning sun rose gently over the Foxy village. Birds chirped in the trees, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves. Everything felt peaceful—until the gates suddenly burst into action.
A gatekeeper's sharp eyes caught sight of something strange in the distance.
"Wait! Those are our people!"
Several Foxy, wounded and dragging themselves forward, came into view. Their clothes were torn, and bruises covered their bodies. Blood stained the herb sacks they carried. They were the transporters sent to deliver herbs to the Goblin village.
"Help! Someone get help!" the gatekeeper shouted.
He rushed to them, followed quickly by others. Healers were called. Villagers came running. The injured were gently lifted and taken to the medical hall.
Soon, Lily arrived, walking alone with concern on her face. When she saw the wounded Foxy, her heart tightened.
"What happened?" she asked, kneeling beside an elder transporter.
One of them, an older male with a cut across his cheek, struggled to speak. "It was... the Li family."
Lily's expression darkened.
"They appeared in the forest," the man continued. "A human boy, arrogant, with three strong guards. He demanded half of our herbs. Then... then he took all of them. When we refused, they attacked. Said the Royal Academy wouldn't dare touch them because of their business ties."
Lily's fists clenched. "Li Fang…"
She thanked them gently, told them to rest, and immediately made her way toward the village center.
Soon, a private meeting was called. Inside the council chamber sat Queen Elowen, village elders, and the Foxy trading officials. Lily entered with calm purpose.
Just as the meeting was about to begin, a small voice called out.
"Mom!"
It was Aurelian—Aura.
He rushed in, his golden hair bouncing with each step. He clung to Lily's robe.
"You should be playing with the other kids, sweetheart," she said gently.
"I wanna be with you," he pouted.
The queen chuckled and waved her hand. "Let him stay. Come here, little one."
Aura shyly walked over. Queen Elowen picked him up and placed him on her lap.
Everyone smiled at the sight. A tiny human boy with glowing golden hair sitting comfortably on the queen's lap—it was something no one had expected to see. A strange, warm feeling spread across the room.
"Now," Queen Elowen said, her voice serious, "Let's begin."
Lily stood and calmly told the room everything that had happened in the forest—the attack, the theft, and the threat against the Foxy. The traders nodded, backing up every word.
Aura listened closely. His little hands clenched. Why would anyone hurt these kind creatures? he thought. He looked at the old Foxy around him, all of them kind, gentle, peaceful people. His heart burned with quiet anger.
How dare they bully these villagers?
[Heart Echo increased: 31% → 39%]
Suddenly, a thought struck Aura.
"System?" he asked in his mind.
[Yes, Host?]
"What exactly are you?"
The system paused before answering.
[I am... System. I do not know where I come from. I exist to assist you.]
"Assist how?"
[You gain experience and ability points twice as fast as others. In battle, you have a 25% chance to copy your opponent's strongest skill. Completing quests will grant weapons, skills, martial arts, and powerful artifacts.]
"Quests?" Aura asked, curious.
[Yes. Quests may begin anytime, anywhere. Stay alert.]
Aura's eyes sparkled. So many secrets... so many possibilities.
But he stayed quiet, listening to the meeting continue. They couldn't tell him what was happening yet. But he would be ready.
Back in the meeting, one elder asked, "But what do we do? We can't fight the Li family."
Another added, "If what they said is true, the Academy is tied to their businesses. We can't just accuse them without proof."
Lily nodded. "That's why we must be smart. First, we send word to the Goblin village. They need to know why the herbs will be delayed."
The queen agreed. "And we must try to contact the Royal Academy. We must ask—carefully—if anything can be done. Perhaps not openly… but there might be someone willing to listen."
A plan slowly began to take shape.
Some Foxy would head to the Goblin village and explain what happened. Others would draft a letter to trusted sources within the Academy.
Aura looked around at all the serious faces. He didn't fully understand politics yet, but he knew one thing:
These people were his family now.
He wouldn't let anyone hurt them again.
[Emotional stability:Good]
[Reputation with Foxy Village: Neutral → Kind-hearted Cub]
[Status: Integration successful. Monitoring continues.]
When the meeting ended, Queen Elowen gently lifted Aura from her lap and patted his head.
"You're a good boy," she said softly.
Aura smiled shyly, then ran back to Lily, who took his hand and led him home.
That night, after dinner, Kael ruffled Aura's hair. "You were brave today, little guy."
Aura just grinned. "I just wanted to help."
He was tired, but happy.
Later, when they returned home, he climbed onto the bed beside Riku, who was still sound asleep from his curse.
Aura lay down next to him and stared at the ceiling.
His life had just begun in this new world.
But he had already made up his mind.
He would get stronger. He would protect his new family.
No matter what.