When Ari woke again, it was to birdsong—sharp chirps that came and went like tiny bells.
The storm scent was gone; in its place lingered dew and something faintly sweet, almost like honey. Her body ached from sleeping on the ground, but at least she was warm.
For a moment she lay still, blinking up through the shifting green light.
Was last night real?
She remembered the golden eyes, the calm voice that had said she didn't belong here. The way the air had rippled around him like he carried a storm under his skin.
"Was that… a dream?" she whispered.
[Memory Log: Confirmed visual contact with Unknown Entity]
[Advisory: Proceed with caution.]
"…Right. Not a dream."
Her stomach gurgled loudly. "But maybe breakfast first, danger later."
She pushed herself up, brushing leaves from her hair. The feather she'd tucked behind her ear was still there, cool against her temple. Somehow it hadn't fallen overnight.
---
The forest looked different in the daylight. Gentler, even friendly. Small creatures darted between the ferns; the stream sparkled a few meters away.
Ari crouched by the water, cupping her hands to drink. The cold shocked her awake.
She glanced downstream—she could still see the faint smoke column far away.
"'Don't follow the smoke,' he said," she murmured, flicking water with her fingers.
"But if I don't… then what? Just stay here forever?"
The System shimmered faintly before her eyes.
[Main Objective Updated]
→ Survive until rescue or integration.
→ Optional Path Detected:
1. Approach Smoke Signal (High Risk, Possible Civilization)
2. Remain in Safe Radius (Low Risk, Slower Progress)
3. Explore Northern Ridge (Unknown Risk, Discovery Potential)
[Choose a Path]
"Wait, I have to choose?" she said aloud.
Her voice startled a bird into flight.
She stared at the options.
Smoke meant people—maybe help.
Staying meant safety—but also loneliness.
North Ridge sounded like adventure, but also uncertainty.
Her chest tightened. "System… which one do you think is best?"
[Decision must be made by User.]
"Figures," she sighed.
For a while she just listened to the wind. Somewhere far off, she thought she heard the faint cry of an animal—low, drawn-out.
Her hands clenched.
"I don't… want to be alone anymore."
The moment she spoke, the smoke seemed clearer through the trees—as if the world itself had decided for her.
[Choice Confirmed: Approach Smoke Signal]
[Path Difficulty: Moderate]
[New Objective: Reach Smoke Source (2.9 km)]
"Okay," she whispered. "Then let's go find out who's making breakfast."
She set off carefully, retracing her marks on tree trunks, then veering east. The terrain sloped downward before rising again, covered in huge roots that looked like coiled serpents. Her feet squelched in the soft mud.
Hours passed.
The sun climbed and fell again, leaving golden light slanting through the trees.
She hummed softly under her breath—an old children's song about the moon and rabbits—just to hear a voice other than her own.
After a while the forest grew quieter. No birds, no bugs.
Only wind.
Ari stopped. "That's… not good, is it?"
[Environment Alert: Silence detected – potential predator zone]
She swallowed hard.
"Right. Walk quietly. Don't panic. Maybe it's just nap time for everything…"
The ground ahead was disturbed—patches of dirt turned up, leaves crushed in an odd circle. Something had been here. Something big.
She crouched, touching one of the impressions.
Fresh.
Her pulse quickened. She turned to go around the clearing—then snap.
Her foot caught on something thin.
A rope hissed tight around her ankle, yanking her off the ground.
"Ah! 야, 뭐야—!" Ari squealed as she swung upside down, dangling several feet in the air. "A trap?! Are you kidding me?!"
[Status: Restrained]
[Injury: Minor – Ankle abrasion]
[Recommendation: Remain calm.]
"Remain calm?!" she shouted. "I'm hanging like a fish!"
She twisted wildly, trying to grab the rope, but it was too high. Her hair swung into her face. "Help! Anyone?! System, do something!"
No response.
Tears prickled her eyes. "A-Appa, I'm sorry for skipping gym class…"
Leaves rustled nearby.
Her breath caught.
Something—or someone—was coming.
Ari froze completely, heart hammering in her ears. Through the foliage came a tall shape—broad-shouldered, moving with the quiet precision of a hunter. Sunlight caught on silver strands of hair. Ears—wolf ears—twitched atop his head.
Her eyes went round as saucers.
Not human.
The stranger stopped a few steps away, hand resting casually on a wooden spear. His nose twitched; he sniffed the air, then looked up directly at her.
Golden eyes again.
Her voice trembled. "You…"
It was the same presence she'd felt last night—but clearer now in daylight. His face was sharp, tanned, with faint markings along his cheeks that looked like claw strokes. He wore rough leather and fur, the color of ash bark.
For a long heartbeat, they only stared at each other—the terrified child hanging upside down, and the wolf-eyed man standing still as stone.
Then he spoke, low and even. "You ignored the warning."
Ari winced. "I—I didn't mean to! I just—wanted to see if there were people!"
He sighed softly, stepped forward, and with a quick movement of his knife, cut the rope.
Ari yelped as she fell, landing in a heap of leaves. "Ow—!"
He crouched beside her. "You're lucky I found you first. This trap wasn't meant for small prey."
"Small prey? I'm not prey!" she protested, rubbing her ankle.
He gave a slight smirk. "Could've fooled me."
His accent was strange—each syllable carrying an unfamiliar rhythm—but she could still understand him somehow, as if the System translated it halfway.
Ari's mind raced. "Are you… that person from last night?"
"I am," he said simply.
"You're… you're real?"
"I could ask you the same, little one."
She blinked, taken aback. "Little—hey! I'm not that little!"
One eyebrow lifted. "You're smaller than my youngest sister."
Ari huffed, crossing her arms, then winced when her scraped elbow touched fabric. The man noticed the movement; his expression softened slightly.
He reached out, and before she could flinch away, he caught her wrist gently, examining the scrape. "No infection. Good."
His hand was warm—rough, calloused. His scent reminded her of wood smoke and rain.
She stared up at him. "Who are you?"
The corner of his mouth twitched. "Rhen."
"Ren?"
"Rhen," he corrected, rolling the sound like a growl. "Hunter of the Stonefang Tribe."
"Stone… fang," she repeated, testing the words.
He nodded once, standing again. "And you?"
"Ari," she said. "Just… Ari."
He studied her, golden eyes narrowing. "Ari," he repeated softly, like testing the sound of it. "Strange name."
"It's normal where I'm from!"
"And where is that?"
She opened her mouth—then hesitated. Would he even believe her if she said 'Korea'?
"I… don't really know anymore," she admitted. "Somewhere far away."
Rhen's gaze lingered on her face a moment longer before he turned away. "You shouldn't be here."
"I didn't have a choice," she murmured.
He was silent for a while, the only sound the wind in the leaves. Then he said quietly, "Come. You can't walk alone in this forest. The traps are not the only danger."
Ari blinked. "You're… helping me?"
Rhen didn't look back. "I'm bringing you to the edge of my territory. After that, it's up to you."
Her heart leapt. "Then there are other people?"
He gave a short nod. "Tribes. Clans. Beasts. And things you shouldn't meet yet."
Ari hesitated, then scrambled to her feet. Her ankle throbbed, but she followed. "Wait—can I ask something?"
"What."
"Do you have food?"
Rhen paused. Then, to her surprise, a low chuckle escaped him. "Humans," he muttered. "Always hungry."
The first light of dawn slid timidly over the jagged ridges, spilling a cold silver hue across the valley. The fog had not yet lifted; it coiled lazily among the trees, whispering of beasts that prowled and shadows that lingered too long.
Ari woke with a sharp breath. Her body shivered from the damp chill seeping through her thin clothes. For a moment, she forgot where she was — the ceiling of her old room flashed behind her eyelids, warm and safe — but then the heavy silence struck. No city hum, no voices, no walls. Only the low rustle of leaves and the distant, throaty roar of something hunting.
Her heart thudded.
She wasn't dreaming. She was still here.
Ari sat up, clutching her knees. The translucent blue window blinked before her eyes again.
> [System Notice]
Vital signs: Stable.
Hunger: 34%.
Thirst: 51%.
Shelter Level: 0
Beginner survival challenge: [Build a Safe Zone].
Reward: Starter Pack Lv.1 + 100 Primitive Coins
"…Coins? What am I supposed to buy here?" she whispered weakly.
The System, of course, didn't answer.
Her small stomach growled. She had eaten nothing since yesterday — no, since before she even came to this world. She'd only found a few sour berries and some roots that looked edible but weren't. Her head ached slightly.
Ari stood, brushing dirt from her legs. Her white skirt — now torn and streaked with mud — clung to her knees. Her once neat hair was tangled, small twigs woven through it like unwilling decorations.
"Okay…" she whispered to herself, as if saying it out loud would give her courage. "Food first. Shelter after. Just like the game…"
The moment she spoke, the faint light of the interface pulsed.
> [Tip]
Recommended: Forage safely within 300 meters. Avoid beast territory.
"Beast territory?" Ari muttered. "How am I supposed to know where that is?"
Her question was answered almost immediately — a deep, guttural growl rolled across the woods to her right. Her whole body froze. Her pulse slammed against her ribs like a trapped bird. Slowly, she turned her head.
Through the drifting mist, she could make out a shape — tall, broad, and low to the ground. It moved with slow, deliberate steps. Silver fur glinted in the thin dawn light, and its eyes burned faintly gold.
A wolf.
But bigger than any wolf she'd ever seen. Its shoulders reached nearly her chest. Its fangs gleamed when it opened its mouth.
Ari stumbled backward, her breath catching. "N-no, no— stay back…"
The wolf's ear flicked toward her voice. It took another step.
Her body screamed to run, but her mind went blank. All she could do was fumble at the System window. "System! H-help— what do I do?! Give me a weapon!"
> [Processing…]
[Starter Pack Lv.0] unlocked.
Obtained: Stone Knife (D), Primitive Rope x1, Dried Meat x2, Wooden Spear (C-), Firestarter (Basic).
Ari's trembling hand reached into the air — and to her shock, she pulled out a small stone knife and a crude wooden spear from the glowing panel. They were rough and unbalanced, but solid and real.
The wolf's gaze sharpened. It growled again, head lowering.
Ari's legs shook. She'd never fought anything before. But instinct screamed that turning her back meant death.
"Stay away!" she shouted, thrusting the spear forward with both hands. Her grip was unsteady, the point wavering, but the movement startled the beast enough to halt.
It prowled in a slow circle, testing her.
She remembered something from the novel she had read — beasts in primitive worlds were intelligent. They sensed fear.
Ari took a shaky breath and forced her voice louder. "I'm not scared! D-do you hear me?!"
Her voice cracked.
The wolf tilted its head, almost… amused. Then, without warning, it lunged.
Ari screamed, raising the spear just in time — the creature's weight slammed into it, splintering the shaft halfway. Pain shot through her arms as she was thrown backward into the dirt. Her head hit a root, and for a second, stars burst behind her eyes.
The wolf was on her again, snapping jaws inches from her face. Its hot breath stank of blood and earth.
"System!" she gasped. "Anything— please!"
> [Emergency Protocol Activated]
Temporary Skill Granted: Survival Instinct Lv.1
Duration: 3 minutes.
The world sharpened. Every sound became clear — the rustle of fur, the crackle of air between them, even the beast's heartbeat. She moved before she could think — twisting sideways, slashing the knife along its flank.
A surprised snarl tore from the wolf's throat. It stumbled, more from shock than pain. Ari rolled, seized the broken half of her spear, and jabbed again.
It hit the creature's shoulder — shallow, but enough. The beast hesitated, then turned and bounded into the mist, limping slightly.
Ari lay there, panting, heart hammering so hard it hurt. Her hands trembled violently. She stared at the blood-streaked knife in disbelief.
"I… I did it?"
> [Battle Result]
Wild Silver Wolf (Juvenile) repelled.
Survival EXP +15
Skill unlocked: [Basic Combat Sense Lv.1]
Tears welled in her eyes, half from relief, half from fear. "I don't want to do that again…" she whispered, voice small and cracked.
The forest went quiet once more.
Ari slowly pushed herself up, wiping her face with the back of her muddy sleeve. Her knees hurt. Her arms ached. But she was alive.
And for the first time since she arrived, she realized how fragile that meant.
The sun had finally climbed high enough to burn away the fog, leaving streaks of gold and pale blue across the forest. Ari walked slowly, the broken half of her spear clutched tightly in her hand. Her every step was cautious — each rustle of leaves made her flinch, and every shadow between the trees felt like another predator waiting.
Her clothes were damp with dew and streaked with dirt, her once soft hair clinging to her face. The knife at her waist gave her a small sense of security, but only barely.
Her mind replayed the moment the wolf lunged at her, the gleam of its teeth, the sound of its growl. It had been so real that her heart still raced just remembering it.
"System," she whispered, glancing at the faint holographic glow near her vision. "Can you… track it? Or warn me if something's near?"
> [Detection System: Unavailable]
Upgrade required — 500 Primitive Coins.
She groaned softly. "Of course it needs money…"
The dried meat she'd pulled from her pack was hard and salty, but she chewed it anyway. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, and the moment she swallowed, she realized how parched she was. The System had said her thirst level was over half — she needed water soon.
The forest grew denser as she walked, the air thick with the scent of moss and wildflowers. Then, faintly, she heard it — the trickle of a stream. Her heart lifted.
She followed the sound until she broke through a wall of ferns and saw it: a small brook curling through smooth stones, its surface glimmering in the sunlight. Ari dropped to her knees, cupped her hands, and drank greedily. The water was cold, clear, and tasted faintly sweet.
As she drank, a faint sound carried over the wind — not animal, but human.
Ari froze.
Voices.
They were low, rough, and distant — two, maybe three of them. She strained to listen.
"…by the river?"
"…tracks here. Small… could be a cub…"
"…no, scent's wrong. Not beast."
Her blood ran cold.
They were talking about her.
Ari ducked low behind a boulder, clutching the knife to her chest. Her heart pounded loud enough she swore they could hear it. Slowly, she peeked over the rock.
Three figures emerged from the trees. They were tall — much taller than her — their bodies wrapped in fur and leather. They moved with a wild grace, muscles rippling beneath tanned skin marked with faint tribal tattoos.
The one leading them had short dark hair streaked with silver, wolf-like ears twitching atop his head. His eyes were sharp amber, scanning the ground with predatory focus.
They weren't human.
They were beastmen.
Ari's breath hitched.
The silver-haired one knelt, touching the dirt where she'd stepped. He sniffed the air lightly, his tail flicking once behind him. "She's close," he said, voice deep and calm. "The scent is strange — not like prey. And not from any tribe I know."
Another, a younger beastman with sandy hair and feline ears, wrinkled his nose. "Maybe she's an abandoned cub? A small one left behind?"
"Or bait," the third — a woman with long braided hair and dark wolf ears — said sharply. "Beasts have gotten smarter lately."
The leader stood, eyes narrowing toward the boulder. "We'll find out."
Ari pressed herself flat behind the stone, her hands shaking. What do I do? she thought desperately. If they're dangerous… I can't run, they'll catch me.
But before she could decide, a low growl came from the forest behind her — the wounded silver wolf had returned, limping but furious.
Ari barely had time to gasp before it lunged again.
Her scream echoed through the trees.
The beastmen reacted instantly. The leader spun toward the sound and darted forward — his body blurred, movements fluid and fast. In less than a heartbeat, he was between Ari and the wolf. His hand shot out, gripping the beast's throat mid-leap.
"Persistent," he muttered, tightening his grip. The wolf thrashed, claws raking the air — then he slammed it into the ground with enough force to shake the dirt.
Ari watched, wide-eyed, as he knelt and pressed a dagger into the creature's neck. A single clean strike.
It was over in seconds.
The leader glanced over his shoulder. His sharp amber eyes met Ari's.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, he tilted his head slightly, ears twitching. "…A child?"
Ari trembled, gripping her knife tightly even though she knew it was useless. "D-don't hurt me!"
The other two emerged from the trees behind him, curious expressions on their faces.
The younger one crouched, tail swishing. "She's tiny! Look at her— she's shaking like a leaf."
The woman gave him a look. "She's covered in mud. And she smells strange."
"I-I'm not strange!" Ari blurted, voice cracking. "I just… I don't know where I am…"
The leader watched her quietly for a long moment, then finally sheathed his blade. "You're not from any tribe here," he said flatly. "Your scent is… foreign. What are you?"
Ari hesitated. What should I even say? "I-I'm human."
That made all three of them blink.
The younger one tilted his head. "Human? Those are myths."
"She's either lying or delusional," the woman muttered.
The leader didn't speak right away. He crouched down, meeting Ari's eyes. Despite the sharpness of his features, his tone was softer when he spoke again. "What's your name, little one?"
"…Ari."
He nodded slowly. "Ari," he repeated, testing the sound. "I am Kael. Leader of the Wolf Fang Tribe's scouting party. You shouldn't be here alone — this forest isn't kind to cubs."
Ari blinked. Cubs?
"I'm not a cub," she said weakly, cheeks puffing slightly despite her fear. "I'm twelve."
Kael's lips twitched — the faintest hint of amusement. "Then you're a small human." He stood, glancing at the others. "We'll take her back. The Elder will want to see this."
The woman frowned. "We don't even know what she is."
Kael's gaze sharpened. "We also don't leave children to die in the wild."
Ari's throat tightened. She didn't know if she could trust them, but the thought of being alone again — of facing another beast attack — terrified her more.
"…O-okay," she whispered finally.
Kael turned, his tone calm but firm. "Stay close. If you wander, the forest will eat you before I can find you again."
Ari nodded quickly, clutching her broken spear and following them as they began to move through the forest.
For the first time since arriving, she wasn't alone. But as the shadows of towering trees stretched long before them, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just stepped into a world far larger — and far more dangerous — than she'd ever imagined.
The path wound through a forest that seemed alive in more ways than one. Strange birdcalls echoed from high branches, and the air shimmered faintly as if the mist itself held some kind of power. Ari trailed closely behind Kael, her small legs struggling to keep up with his long strides. Every few minutes she'd trip over a root or stumble on uneven ground, but each time, Kael would slow his pace without saying a word.
Behind them, the young feline-eared scout kept stealing glances at her. "She really doesn't smell like anything I know," he murmured, nose twitching slightly. "No beast scent, no tribe scent… just… clean."
The wolf-eared woman — whose name Ari learned was Sira — gave him a side-eye. "Stop sniffing her like a cub sniffing fresh meat, Rian."
Rian pouted. "I'm just curious! We've never seen a human before."
Ari stayed silent, clutching her broken spear like a lifeline. The forest path eventually opened up, revealing a stretch of open valley. She gasped softly — smoke curled gently into the sky from somewhere in the distance, and faint sounds of laughter and work carried on the wind.
"We're close," Kael said, his tone even.
As they descended, Ari's eyes widened further. The Wolf Fang Tribe wasn't a small camp — it was a sprawling settlement, hidden between cliffs and rivers. Dozens of huts built from wood, hide, and stone formed rings around a large central firepit. Tall beastmen moved about with practiced ease — some carrying baskets of herbs, others sharpening weapons or tending to tamed beasts.
To Ari, it looked like something out of an ancient fantasy painting come to life.
The moment the scouts appeared, heads turned. Curious eyes followed them — especially her.
A child, mud-streaked and small, walking behind their leader? It was a sight no one had ever seen.
"Kael's back!" someone called. "And he brought… what is that?"
"I think it's a cub!"
"No, look at her ears — she's not one of ours!"
Whispers rippled through the air as Kael led her straight toward the largest hut in the center of the village. The people parted as they passed, some bowing respectfully to Kael, others glaring warily at Ari. She lowered her gaze, cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
Inside the hut, the air was thick with the scent of herbs and incense. Furs lined the floor, and in the center sat an older beastman with snow-white hair, a heavy cloak draped around his shoulders. His eyes were pale gold, sharp despite his age.
"Elder Therin," Kael greeted, kneeling briefly. "We found this child near the western ridge. Alone. She claims to be human."
The old beastman's ears twitched faintly. "Human?" His voice was deep, yet warm — like a growl softened by wisdom. "That word hasn't been spoken here in generations."
Ari hesitated, then bowed awkwardly. "H-hello… Elder."
Therin studied her in silence for a long moment, his gaze seeming to pierce right through her. Then he smiled faintly. "You're frightened, but not broken. That's good."
He gestured for her to come closer. "Tell me, child — where are you from?"
Ari swallowed. "I… I don't know. I woke up in the forest. Everything looked strange. I-I thought I was dreaming, but…" She trailed off, clutching her hands tightly. "Then I met Kael."
Therin hummed thoughtfully. "A lost cub with no scent, no tribe, and the tongue of humans. Curious."
Sira crossed her arms. "She could be a trick. Some new type of beast that mimics a child's form."
Therin gave a soft chuckle. "If so, it's a very small trick."
Rian snorted, grinning. "She's too cute to be a trick."
Ari blinked, cheeks coloring faintly.
Kael gave them both a look that silenced them immediately. "Elder, I believe she speaks the truth. The beasts are restless lately — something is stirring. Perhaps her arrival is tied to that."
Therin's gaze shifted back to Ari. "Perhaps. The world does not move without reason." He leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing in thought. "Very well. She will stay here under your watch, Kael. Until we understand what she is — or why the spirits brought her here."
Kael inclined his head. "Understood."
Ari's eyes widened. "I-I can stay?"
The elder nodded slowly. "Yes, little one. For now, you are a guest of the Wolf Fang Tribe. But understand this—" his voice turned firm, "our world is not kind to those who cannot defend themselves. You must learn to survive."
Ari nodded quickly, determination flickering behind her nervousness. "I'll try my best!"
That earned her a faint smile from Kael. "Then we start tomorrow."
Therin chuckled softly. "She has spirit, at least."
As they left the hut, the sun was dipping low again, painting the sky in amber hues. Kael led her to a small shelter near the scouts' quarters. "You'll stay here. It's not much, but it's safe."
Ari peeked inside — it was a small hut of woven reeds and fur, with a mat on the floor and a small firepit outside. Compared to sleeping in the dirt, it looked heavenly.
She turned to Kael, bowing slightly. "Thank you… for saving me."
Kael's golden eyes softened just a little. "Rest well, Ari. Tomorrow, you learn what it means to live in this world."
He left, his tall silhouette fading into the torchlight.
Ari sat on the mat, hugging her knees, listening to the faint sounds of laughter and howling in the distance. For the first time since she arrived, she wasn't terrified.
Just… uncertain.
But a small part of her — the part that had survived alone in the wild for three days — whispered that maybe, just maybe, she could belong here.