The next day, as dawn broke, soft rays of sunlight filtered through the gaps in the wooden logs and fell on Evan's face, disturbing his peaceful sleep.
He looked like he was really enjoying it, but then—suddenly—a realization hit him. His eyes snapped open, and he shot up in alarm. Scanning the makeshift tent, his gaze darted around, searching for signs of damage or intruders. Only after confirming that everything was intact did he allow himself to breathe a little easier.
Gradually, memories of yesterday's events returned, playing like a slow reel in his mind. A strange wave of loneliness washed over him—he couldn't tell when it arrived, but now it lingered.
That feeling... it was weird. Heavy. The kind that silently chips away at you. Evan got to his feet, brushing off the dirt, his thoughts drifting toward the peaceful life he had once known. Would he ever be able to return to those days?
He stepped toward the exit and slowly opened the flimsy wooden door of his log-built shelter. His eyes swept the area with caution—muscle memory now. Only when he confirmed there was no danger did he finally step outside.
He stood there for a moment, letting the morning sunlight warm his skin and the fresh breeze brush against his face. It was calming—soothing, even—but he knew better. This peace was temporary. He had to keep surviving. Survive to see another morning like this. Survive to witness what this strange new world would become. And most importantly—survive to see his brother again.
After a minute of silent resolve, Evan snapped back into motion. He wouldn't stay in one place too long. Moving swiftly, he gathered dry firewood and used his energy to form a small, flickering flame. Before long, he had a modest fire going.
He took out the meat he had gathered yesterday and began grilling it over the flames.
It had to be said—this meat was delicious. Even without salt or seasoning, it was... indescribable. Tender, juicy, and rich with flavor. Evan found himself speechless, simply savoring each bite.
As he ate, he opened his status window to check his progress.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Evan
Level: 8
EXP: 210/800 (26%)
Race: Human
Job: {None}
Titles: {None}
Health: 260/260
Energy: 220/220
Stamina: 400/400
Hunger: 0/100
Fatigue: 0/100
Strength: 17
Agility: 20
Vitality: 13
Defense: 14
Spirit: 11
Unallocated Points: 8
Skills:
Energy Blast (E) – Level 1
---
Evan nodded to himself. Just one day, and he'd already become this strong.
His thoughts drifted to the system prompts he'd seen when it all began—the mention of "eligibility for entering the Enopio Cosmos" and the mysterious transportation scheduled five years from now.
Something massive was going to happen in five years. He could feel it. The unease in his chest wouldn't let him ignore it. Whatever that event was... he had to be ready. Ready to survive it—and maybe, just maybe, enjoy the ride.
Just as Evan zoned out in thought, a sudden flicker of movement in the corner of his vision snapped him alert.
Two glowing blue eyes stared at him from within the nearby bushes. The eyes were wide and unblinking, fixed on the grilled meat in Evan's hand.
Whatever it was, it wasn't hostile—not yet. The creature, drawn by the irresistible aroma of cooked meat, slowly crept forward. Leaves rustled as its small frame pushed past the bush line.
Step by step, it revealed itself...
His hand instinctively went to his sword. He didn't move—eyes locked on the glowing blue orbs staring back at him from the darkness.
It stepped forward—barely—revealing a sleek, panther-like body with an eerie shimmer to its coat. Its movement was silent, deliberate, yet... not aggressive.
Still, Evan didn't take any chances.
He crouched low, muscles tensed, observing. The creature didn't attack. It just watched. Like it had been watching for a while.
Seconds stretched. The stare-off continued.
Then Evan slowly reached into his pouch and pulled out a strip of half-charred meat. He didn't toss it. Not yet. "You hungry... or are you just figuring out if I'm worth killing?"
The creature tilted its head, eyes glowing a little brighter.
Evan weighed the risk, then placed the meat gently on a flat stone halfway between them, backing off a step.
The creature padded forward, sniffed the offering cautiously, then snatched it and devoured it in seconds. It didn't run away. It stayed. Waiting.
Evan raised an eyebrow, reaching in for another piece. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."
He laid the second piece down, a little closer. The third one, even closer. With each offering, the distance closed, the tension softened.
By the fifth chunk, the creature was sitting comfortably just a few feet away, tail swaying, eyes curious instead of cautious.
Then it did something unexpected.
It let out a low rumble, almost like a purr, and leaned forward to nudge Evan's hand gently with its head.
A soft ding echoed in Evan's mind.
> [System Prompt: Unknown Creature has accepted your offering.]
[Taming Initiated...]
[Success — Creature is now bonded to you.]
[Name not set — Assign name?]
Evan blinked. "...Seriously? We have this too? That was way too easy."
He looked down at the creature, now looking up at him with those intelligent, glowing eyes.
"Alright, you little weirdo. You're officially my pet now, I guess. Let's see... what do I call you?"
The prompt hovered patiently.
Evan rubbed his chin. "Blue eyes,
glows sometimes… How about Luma?"
The creature wagged its tail—seemed to approve.
"Luma it is"
Just then a soft flash of light shimmered over its body. The sleek shadow-drifter form dissolved into something smaller—less threatening. It was adapting.
[ A unique creature has acknowledged you as its master.
Species: Unknown
Class : Shape shifter(Stage 1)
Name: Luma ]
Before Evan could say anything more, Luma's body shimmered again. The glow pulsed, not as intense this time, more like a soft wave of light. Its form began to shift—no longer the sleek, panther-like shape of a Shadow Drifter. The limbs shortened, the body compacted, and the shadows peeled away to reveal something new.
Standing before Evan was a small, draconic creature no taller than his knee. It had smooth, midnight-blue scales with faint silver patterns glowing faintly along its back. Two tiny horns curled from its head, and its tail flicked playfully, tipped with a soft, glowing tuft. Its big blue eyes—still the same—looked up at him with a strange blend of intelligence and innocence. Small wings twitched on its back, clearly not yet strong enough for flight, and its paws had tiny, stubby claws more adorable than dangerous.
Evan blinked, then squinted at the system prompt.
"Species: Unknown... Shape shifter..." he muttered. "So that Shadow Drifter thing was just a disguise. You can change forms?"
He crouched, still cautious but more curious now. "you've got some tricks up your sleeve."
Evan chuckled and gave Luma a scratch behind the ear. "Man... you're just like a cat. I used to love cats back home. Hey, can you… shapeshift into one?"
Luma blinked.
Evan pointed at himself, then made cat ears with his fingers. "Small. Cute. Paws. Tail. Meow."
Luma stared for a moment, clearly processing. Then its body shimmered, form shrinking, twisting...
What stood before Evan now had... fur. Sort of. It had four legs—but also two more sticking awkwardly from its back. It was fuzzy, but in a spiky, swamp-moss sort of way. And its meow sounded like someone stepping on a rubber chicken.
Evan stared. "...What in the mutated hell is that?"
Luma blinked innocently.
Then Evan burst out laughing. "Close enough, buddy. We'll work on it."
Just then another prompt appeared in front of him which left him speechless!