Twilight descended slowly on the forest, coloring the tree trunks with a golden sheen. The light seemed beautiful, but behind it lay a strange, unsettling aura. Rian walked the path, accompanied by the damp smell of wet earth and the sound of insects that occasionally stopped abruptly. It was as if the whole forest was holding its breath, the silence emphasizing that something was lurking.
This was the first time Rian had truly stepped far from the safe area around the cave. The air felt heavier here. The trees looked older and denser, with large roots crossing the path like sleeping snakes. He could feel a clear difference; the sense of safety that had protected him was gone.
He opened the worn-out map he had found earlier. The parchment paper was fragile and smelled musty at the edges. His eyes traced the faint mark indicating a village to the northwest, behind the mountain.
If there are really people there, I can get a lot of information.From the system of government, news of monsters, to rumors about magic crystals.And most importantly, I can find out if the Fulakmi Kingdom really exists or is just a fairy tale.
The eagerness to understand this new world made his steps firm, even as he was aware danger could appear at any moment.
However, his sharp instincts, honed during a year of living alone, soon spoke up. There was a piercing gaze from behind the trees, like fine needles pressed against his back. He stopped walking. The crickets that had been noisy suddenly went completely silent.
From a gap in the dense bushes to his left, he saw a pair of glowing eyes. Rian's posture changed instantly: knees bent, hand gripping his sword, a stance like the heroes in the comics he used to read.
Who is that? It feels like something is watching me from behind those bushes.Is it a wild animal? I have to be ready immediately.
"Moal aya seneu anu nempel kawas kieu, geura hurung geura kuat… BLADE FIRE!"
A split second after the last word was spoken, blue fire consumed the sword blade, spreading the scent of sulfur and intense heat. The fire illuminated Rian's tense face and the area in front of him with a terrifying blue light. Rian raised his sword with full confidence.
"Come out! Who's there? Show your face, I'm ready!!"
There's no answer at all. What is that? What is this feeling?Should I just go check? I'm stronger now than before, I think I should ambush it.
There was no answer. Only the whisper of the wind among the branches. Cautiously, Rian approached the bush that reflected the gaze. His steps were slow, trying not to make a sound on the dry leaves. With every step, cold sweat trickled down his temples. As the last branch was pushed aside, his fiery blade extinguished instantly.
A large black cat emerged. The creature was no ordinary cat. It looked more like a panther. Its body was as high as Rian's shoulder, its black fur shining in the twilight. Its muscles were clearly visible beneath its thin fur. But its eyes held no savagery, more like wariness. Its eyes were bright yellow.
A long wound seemed to split its front leg, and gaping claw marks were on its back. Fresh blood was still dripping from its wounds, staining the leaves beneath it. The sight brought back memories of Rian's own injuries while training in the cave.
The cat hissed, a sound characteristic of a cat resembling a snake. Its back arched, ready to attack. Rian raised his empty hand, trying to calm it.
"Calm down, I'm not your enemy. Look at my eyes, watch my movements. I don't intend to attack."
The cat was still ready to pounce. Its front paw swung, but Rian dodged nimbly. He kept backing up while talking.
"I know what it's like to be hurt… I know the pain. Let me help you."
Doubt flickered in the animal's eyes. Its hiss softened. Rian dared to approach, then cast the healing spell.
"Jampe jampe harupat, geura gede geura lumpat… HEAL!"
Green light flowed from his palm, seeping into the wounds. This was the first time Rian had used healing magic on another creature. Slowly, the torn flesh closed, the blood stopped flowing, and the cat stood tall without pain. Its tail swayed, its eyes shining. For the first time, it looked relieved.
"Done. Now you can walk again," Rian said to the cat.
If only it would... Be my pet. I need a friend.It's so boring adventuring alone, at least I'd have someone with me on this journey.
As soon as those words left his mind, the ground beneath them emitted a silver-green light. Circular lines formed, adorned with ancient runes that pulsed slowly. In the center, the silhouettes of Rian's hand and the cat's paw were connected by a flow of light like a beating pulse. A warm vibration spread to Rian's chest, as if his soul was merging with the creature before him.
What is this? Magic? Is someone attacking? Or...
A soft voice echoed in his head: "Master… this is an automatic contract. Just a telepathic bond. I can talk to you."
Who is that?? You? This black cat? In front of me? You can talk?
"Not talk, master. Telepathy. When master wished for me as a pet, and I agreed… this contract bound instantly."
Rian was stunned. He remembered the first book he read in the cave. There was a chapter on peaceful beast races, but no details about magic contracts.
"Wait, wait. So that circle and light was a magical contract to connect you and me?" he asked it.
"Correct, master. Actually, I also wanted to make master my master. When that desire arose, suddenly the light appeared, and I greeted master through telepathy."
Rian held back a smile. "In that case, from now on you are my friend. But… what's your name? Or do you not have one?"
The cat looked down. "I was never given a name."
"In that case… I'll call you Catty," Rian said, giving it a name.
A moment of silence, then the creature's eyes sparkled softly. "Catty… meow." There was a tremor of emotion in the connected telepathy. Rian could feel a strong wave of emotion from the cat, a pure gratitude.
For the first time in his new life, he felt acknowledged, felt like he had a place. Rian could feel that gratitude flowing directly into him, making his heart warm.
However, their time together was immediately tested. From behind the bushes, a horde of goblins emerged. The small green bodies carried crude spears and rusty knives. Their eerie laughter filled the air. They smelled foul, a mixture of sweat and rotten meat.
Rian raised his sword, the blue fire igniting again. "Catty, get ready!"
The fight broke out. The goblins had no strategy; they just charged blindly. Rian slashed nimbly, his fire sword cutting the air. Each slash of the Blade Fire left a scorched mark on the goblins it hit. Catty leaped into the middle of the crowd, her movements fast and deadly, her claws tearing two goblins at once.
They protected each other, taking turns blocking attacks. Dark green goblin blood splattered, the foul smell mixing with the wet earth. When one goblin deviously tried to stab Rian from behind, Catty pounced on it, knocking it to the ground and protecting her master. Conversely, when a goblin tried to stab its spear into Catty's stomach, Rian slashed it faster. His sword split the wooden spear in two before burning the goblin's neck. In a short time, the ground was filled with lifeless goblin bodies. Perhaps about ten goblins lay defeated.
Rian panted. His shoulder was slightly wounded. A scratch from a goblin's rusty knife had pierced his already ragged clothes. But he still stood tall. Catty looked at him, her tail wagging.
"We… did it, master."
Rian nodded, then sat under a large tree to rest. He healed his wound with magic. Catty lay down beside him, also breathing heavily. The forest returned to calm, only the sound of rustling leaves and the burnt smell of the goblin corpses.
"Catty," Rian said while looking at the twilight sky, "you know… I'm glad you're by my side. It feels… like I'm not alone anymore."
Catty's telepathy vibrated softly. "Me too, master. All this time I've just been hiding, afraid. But with you… I feel like I have meaning."
I'm actually still curious, what hurt Catty before? Should I ask her directly?Maybe I can avenge her against who hurt her.
That moment made their bond even deeper. But the brief moment of connection was quickly replaced by seriousness. Rian turned. "Catty, who hurt you before?"
The cat's eyes dimmed. "A troll monster, master. It killed my parents. They sacrificed themselves so I could run."
This is the perfect moment. I have to avenge her parents so she can be happy.At least I'll prove that I can care about her.
Back then, when I was weak, I could defeat that troll. And now I'm much stronger than before.My mana is plentiful, I can use magic as much as I want, and use this fire sword.
Rian clenched his fist. "Show me the place. I will avenge your parents."
Catty trembled, her ears drooping. "Master… don't. That troll is too strong. I don't want to lose you too."
Rian smiled faintly, his tone full of confidence.
"I've killed a troll before. With my basic magic, I'm sure I can do it again."
Catty looked down even further, fear clear on her face. "But that Troll..."
But Rian had already stood up, sword tied to his back, his steps firm.
"Show me the way, Catty. I want to avenge you."
The forest fell silent again, as if witnessing two different souls: one full of determination, the other full of fear. But the path to a new battle had been set.