The first thing Ari noticed when she woke up was warmth.
Not the kind of warmth that came from her old bed or a soft blanket, but from the faint flicker of fire outside her hut — the smell of roasted meat, the hum of quiet conversation, and the rhythmic clatter of tools.
Her eyelids fluttered open. For a moment, she forgot where she was. The woven roof above her looked nothing like home. Her fingers brushed against the rough fur mat beneath her, and memories of yesterday came flooding back — the forest, the wolf, Kael, and the tribe.
She sat up slowly, blinking at the pale morning light spilling through the doorway. Outside, voices called to each other in a strange but melodic tone — a mix of harsh consonants softened by lilted endings. She didn't understand every word, but her System quietly helped her interpret them.
> [Translation Module Activated]
Partial comprehension available for Wolf Fang dialect.
"…morning patrol returned safely."
"Bring the hides to the tanning racks."
"Elder-nim asked for more herbs by noon."
Ari's eyes widened. "You can translate?"
> [Affirmative. Limited accuracy. Additional comprehension may unlock through social contact.]
"Social contact?" she whispered. "You mean… I have to talk to them?"
> [Correct.]
She groaned softly, pulling her tangled hair over her shoulder. "Easy for you to say. You don't have to worry about accidentally insulting a wolf person."
Still, her curiosity was stronger than her nerves. She pushed herself up and peeked outside.
The tribe was alive.
Dozens of beastkin moved gracefully between huts. Some carried baskets of roots and herbs, others sparred in the open clearing, their movements swift and precise. Children chased each other through the dust, their tails wagging or swishing in excitement. Smoke curled lazily from cooking fires, carrying the scent of roasted meat and something sweet — berries, maybe.
It was… beautiful, in a wild, untamed way.
Ari hesitated at the edge of her hut until a soft voice called out, "You're awake, little one?"
She turned quickly. Sira, the sharp-eyed wolf woman from yesterday, stood nearby with a bundle of dried hides slung over her shoulder. Her long braid shimmered silver in the light, and her expression was less stern this morning — if only slightly.
"Y-yes," Ari said timidly, bowing a little like she'd seen others do. "Good morning."
Sira raised a brow. "Polite. Hm." She gestured toward a nearby firepit. "Eat. Kael-seon said you'll need strength before training."
"Training?" Ari echoed weakly.
Sira smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."
Ari followed the scent of food, her stomach already rumbling. Around the central fire, several beastkin were roasting thick cuts of meat over glowing coals. The one tending the fire — a large man with a foxlike tail — noticed her approach and grinned, flashing sharp teeth.
"Ah! So this is the strange cub Kael brought home!" he said cheerfully. "Tiny thing, aren't you? Sit, sit! Eat before the warriors take it all."
Ari blinked at the unfamiliar friendliness. "T-thank you…"
He tore off a chunk of roasted meat and handed it to her on a leaf. "I'm Kiro. Cook, leatherworker, sometimes hunter — depends who you ask. You?"
"Ari," she said quietly. "I'm… not sure what I am here yet."
Kiro laughed heartily. "Then today, you're a guest. And guests eat first."
She smiled faintly and took a careful bite. The flavor hit her instantly — smoky, rich, and just a little spicy. "It's… so good."
"Of course," Kiro said proudly. "We don't serve bad meat here. Kael would chew my tail off."
Sira, passing by, muttered, "You mean Elder Therin would."
Kiro grinned wider. "That too."
Ari giggled softly before covering her mouth. The two beastkin glanced at her — surprised, then amused.
"Cute," Sira said simply, before walking off.
Ari blinked, unsure if that was a compliment or not.
After eating, she wandered closer to the training field. Kael stood there, speaking with several warriors. Morning light gleamed off his silver-streaked hair, and his posture was effortlessly commanding. He noticed her immediately.
"Good. You're up," he said, voice calm but firm. "Did you eat?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes. Thank you."
"Good. You'll need it." He gestured to the clearing. "This is the tribe's heart. Every morning, we train — young or old, hunter or healer. Even cubs learn to fight before they can count to ten."
Ari's eyes widened as she watched several children — no older than herself — sparring with wooden sticks. They moved fast, their animal instincts lending grace to every swing and dodge.
"Do I… have to fight too?" she asked softly.
Kael's lips twitched slightly. "Not yet. Today, we see what you can do."
He turned to a young wolf-eared boy carrying a bundle of wooden staves. "Rhoan. Bring one for her."
Rhoan approached curiously. He looked maybe thirteen, with ash-gray hair and sharp green eyes. His wolf ears perked up as he studied her. "She's smaller than I thought," he said frankly. "Will this even fit her?"
Ari puffed her cheeks slightly. "I-I can try!"
He grinned, handing her a smaller stick. "Then show me later, human girl."
> [Social Bonding Detected]
New contact added: Rhoan — Wolf Fang Tribe (juvenile).
Affinity: Neutral (+3 curiosity).
She blinked at the System notification, trying not to smile.
Kael gestured toward a marked circle on the ground. "You'll practice stance and balance first. Then we'll test your awareness."
"My awareness?"
Kael nodded. "You survived alone in the wild three days before we found you. That means you're not helpless. Show me how."
Ari swallowed hard, stepping into the circle. Her hands trembled slightly around the wooden staff. The other trainees watched curiously — some whispering, others snickering quietly at the sight of a small, human-looking girl in their training field.
Kael's gaze softened only a fraction. "Breathe. Focus."
She took a slow breath. The forest around the tribe echoed faintly — rustling leaves, the creak of wood, the whisper of wind. The sound grounded her.
> [Tip: Focus enhances system synchronization. Minor stat bonus applied: +1 Perception.]
A faint shimmer flickered at the edge of her vision.
Kael moved suddenly. His hand darted forward, fast — faster than she could react — and tapped the stick from her hands. It clattered to the dirt.
Ari blinked in shock. "I—!"
He didn't scold her. He just said, "Pick it up."
She did.
"Again."
He moved again — this time slower. Ari caught the motion out of the corner of her eye and stepped back. His hand missed by inches.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Kael's mouth quirked into the faintest hint of approval. "Better. Again."
They continued for several minutes — slow, deliberate tests of reflex. Each time, Ari improved slightly, her movements less hesitant, her focus sharper. Sweat began to bead on her forehead, but she didn't stop.
By the end, Kael finally said, "Enough."
Ari stood panting, clutching the stick tightly.
Kael's tone was calm, but his eyes held quiet respect. "Not bad. You listen. You learn fast."
"R-really?" she asked, brightening.
He gave a small nod. "Yes. But you still hold your weapon like a frightened rabbit."
Her cheeks puffed again. "I'm not a rabbit!"
Rhoan snorted from the sidelines. "You kinda look like one, though."
"Rhoan," Kael said without even turning his head.
"Sorry, Kael-seon," the boy said quickly, though his grin didn't fade.
Ari couldn't help but laugh softly.
By midday, Ari had learned basic stances and how to hold her staff without tripping over it. Kael left her in the care of a few young trainees to rest while he reported to Elder Therin.
Two girls about her age approached — one with short white hair and bright fox ears, the other with soft brown fur along her arms and catlike eyes.
"Hi!" the fox-eared girl chirped. "You're the human, right? I'm Liri!"
"And I'm Sena," the cat-eyed one added shyly.
Ari blinked at the sudden friendliness, then smiled. "I'm Ari."
Liri plopped down beside her. "You're smaller than I thought."
Sena elbowed her. "Don't say that! You'll scare her."
"I'm fine," Ari said, laughing quietly. "I guess I am small."
Liri grinned. "You talk funny. But it's cute."
> [Social Bonding Detected]
New contacts added:
Liri — Fox Fang Tribe (juvenile).
Sena — Wildcat Branch (juvenile).
Affinity: +5 (friendly).
"Fox Fang?" Ari asked curiously.
Liri nodded proudly. "Our tribes are allied. We trade food and guards. Kael-seon lets us train here sometimes."
Ari listened, fascinated. The way they spoke carried hints of Korean structure — honorifics like "-nim" and "-seon" mixed with their tribal hierarchy. It was strangely comforting, even in this alien world.
As they talked, Rhoan joined them, sitting cross-legged on the grass. "So, human girl," he said, teasingly. "How long before you can beat me in sparring?"
Ari smiled nervously. "Maybe… a few years?"
He chuckled. "Honest. I like that."
Liri smirked. "He says that because he's lazy."
"Am not!" Rhoan retorted, his tail flicking indignantly.
Ari giggled again, feeling warmth spread through her chest.
For the first time since arriving in this world, she wasn't scared or lonely. Just… content.
> [System Notice]
Emotional stability achieved. Bond synchronization increasing.
Hidden Trait unlocked: [Adaptive Spirit Lv.1].
She blinked, startled. Adaptive Spirit?
> [Trait Description: The user's body and mind adjust faster to foreign environments and cultures. Small boost to learning and physical recovery.]
A small smile tugged at her lips. "Thank you," she whispered softly.
> [You're welcome.]
The quiet reply almost made her laugh.
When Kael returned that afternoon, he found her still chatting with the other children. Their laughter echoed lightly through the clearing — a sound almost foreign in a place that prided itself on discipline.
He stood a few steps away, arms crossed, watching silently.
Sira appeared beside him, her expression unreadable. "She fits in faster than I thought."
Kael nodded slightly. "She's adapting. That's good. She'll need it."
Sira's eyes flicked toward the forest. "The beasts near the western ridge have grown restless. Elder Therin suspects a disturbance. If that's true, the girl's arrival may not be coincidence."
Kael's gaze lingered on Ari's small form — laughing softly between her new friends.
"No," he said quietly. "It never is."
Ari stayed near the training circle long after Kael left to speak with the Elder. The sun had climbed higher now, filtering through the treetops in shimmering patches of gold and shadow. She traced idle lines in the dirt with her staff, her small fingers dusted with soil.
Liri was sprawled across the grass beside her, chewing on a piece of sweetroot. "So," she began, glancing at Ari with a mischievous grin, "what's a human like you doing here, anyway? You don't look like a wanderer."
Ari blinked. "I… don't remember much," she admitted softly. "I woke up in the forest, and Kael found me."
Sena's ears drooped slightly. "You don't remember anything at all?"
"Just bits and pieces," Ari murmured. "Like… flashes of light, voices, and a feeling like falling."
The other two exchanged a look — half curiosity, half unease. Even in their world, falling stars and strange arrivals were omens.
Liri shrugged after a moment. "Well, you don't feel cursed, so that's good."
Ari blinked. "Cursed?"
Sena shot her friend a glare. "Liri!"
"What? I'm just saying!" Liri protested. "Last time someone fell from the sky, it was cursed."
Ari's face paled. "W-what happened to them?"
Liri tapped her chin, thinking. "They exploded. But don't worry! You're too cute to explode."
Sena groaned. "You have no sense of tact."
Ari laughed nervously, but her heart was still pounding. "I really hope I don't explode…"
The air was heavy with heat as the afternoon stretched on. The tribe moved in rhythm — hunters returned with their catches, smiths worked on sharpening bone blades, and children carried baskets of herbs to the healers. Every role flowed like water around the heart of the camp, a living system of strength and survival.
Ari watched with fascination. Every movement seemed purposeful. Even laughter here had weight — a small spark of light in a world that demanded endurance.
"Stop staring and move," Rhoan called from a few meters away. He was balancing a long spear across his shoulders, tail flicking lazily. "Kael said to keep you active."
Ari blinked. "Me?"
"Yeah, you," Rhoan said, walking toward her. "You said you wanted to learn, right?"
"I… did," she said hesitantly, standing and gripping her staff again.
"Then come on," he said, leading her toward a narrow path behind the huts. "If you're staying here, you need to know how to walk quietly. We're not rabbits."
She puffed her cheeks again but followed.
The path curved through dense undergrowth, the smell of pine and moss thick in the air. Sunlight pierced the canopy in faint streaks, casting the forest in shimmering green and gold.
Rhoan moved silently, his steps light and deliberate. Ari tried to imitate him — heel first, then the edge of her foot, placing each step carefully. The first time, she snapped a twig. The second time, she tripped on a root.
"Again," Rhoan said patiently.
"I'm trying," she whispered, cheeks flushed.
"I know. Try softer."
"Try… softer?" she echoed, confused.
He grinned. "Yeah. Think less. Feel more."
Ari frowned slightly, then closed her eyes for a moment. The world hushed — just the whisper of wind, the chirping of insects, and Rhoan's faint breathing. She exhaled and took another step. This time, no sound.
Rhoan smiled. "Better. You're learning."
> [Skill Progression: Stealth (Basic) +5%]
[Perception +1]
Ari's eyes widened slightly at the faint shimmer in her vision. "I… did it?"
"Yeah," Rhoan said, surprised by her genuine excitement. "You did."
They continued practicing for nearly an hour. Ari's steps grew lighter, her movements smoother. Eventually, she began to notice things she hadn't before — the subtle tremor of leaves when a squirrel darted past, the faint hum of insects under a log, the change in air pressure when a bird took flight.
Everything here felt alive. Connected.
> [Environmental Awareness increasing. Trait 'Adaptive Spirit' evolving... progress 37%.]
When they finally returned to the camp, her legs ached, but a faint pride bloomed in her chest. She had learned something — no matter how small.
Kiro greeted them with a wave when they passed his cooking pit. "Back already? Thought Rhoan would lose you in the woods."
"She nearly lost herself," Rhoan teased, plopping down beside the fire.
Ari frowned. "I didn't!"
"Almost," he said, grinning.
Kiro laughed. "Don't tease the cub too much, boy. She might cry."
"I won't!" Ari said quickly — though her voice came out higher than she meant it to, earning another laugh from Rhoan.
Sira approached then, tossing a bundle of herbs into the fire pit to burn off insects. "You three are loud," she muttered, but there was no real bite in her tone. "Ari, come. Elder Therin wishes to see you."
Ari blinked. "M-me?"
"Yes. Move," Sira said simply.
Rhoan's grin faded slightly. "Don't worry. He's not that scary."
Kiro coughed into his hand. "He's terrifying."
Ari froze mid-step. "...Huh?"
Sira sighed. "Ignore them."
The Elder's hut stood near the center of the camp, carved partly into the roots of a massive ancient tree. Its trunk rose so high it seemed to pierce the clouds. Moss and luminous vines crawled across its bark, glowing faintly like veins of light.
Inside, the air was cool and thick with the scent of herbs. Crystals hung from the ceiling, pulsing faintly.
An old wolf-man sat near the center, his fur white as snow and his eyes pale silver, almost blind. Yet the moment Ari stepped in, those eyes turned toward her with piercing clarity.
"So… this is the girl," he said slowly. His voice was deep but steady, carrying the weight of countless winters.
Ari bowed quickly. "Y-yes, sir. I mean— Elder-nim."
Therin chuckled softly. "Polite. Good. You may rise."
She straightened carefully, clutching her staff for comfort.
Kael stood nearby, silent as ever, his presence steady but protective.
The Elder's gaze lingered on Ari for a long moment, studying every inch of her face. Then, almost gently, he said, "You do not carry the scent of our world."
Ari froze. "I… don't?"
"No," the Elder murmured. "You carry something older. Something faint, but powerful. The forest itself listens when you breathe."
Ari swallowed hard, unsure how to respond.
Kael spoke then. "She appeared after the storm. Near the old ruins."
Therin's expression darkened slightly. "The ruins… have been stirring. If the seals are weakening again, this may not be coincidence."
The old wolf reached forward slowly, placing a single clawed finger beneath Ari's chin. His touch was surprisingly gentle. "Child. Tell me — when you close your eyes, what do you hear?"
Ari hesitated, then obeyed. The world seemed to fall silent for a moment… then—
Whispers. Faint, melodic, echoing deep beneath her consciousness. Like wind through stone, like memory.
"I… hear voices," she whispered. "They're not words. More like… songs."
Therin's eyes gleamed faintly. "Then the forest has chosen you."
Kael's jaw tightened. "That could mean danger."
"Or destiny," the Elder said calmly. "Either way, we must watch her closely."
Ari's pulse raced. "Chosen me? For what?"
Therin smiled faintly. "For survival, perhaps. For purpose, certainly."
He turned his gaze toward Kael. "You will guide her. Teach her as you would your own."
Kael nodded, though his eyes betrayed the faintest flicker of uncertainty. "Understood."
Therin leaned back slowly. "That will be all for now. Rest, little one. The forest's eyes are upon you."
When Ari stepped outside, the evening wind greeted her with a cool touch. She exhaled shakily, looking up at the towering branches above the camp. Fireflies drifted lazily between leaves, glowing like tiny stars.
Kael walked beside her in silence for a while. Finally, she asked quietly, "Was… was that bad? What the Elder said?"
He shook his head. "No. But it means your path will be heavier than most."
"My path?"
Kael looked down at her, his eyes softer than before. "You may not be a warrior yet, Ari. But the forest chose to keep you alive when it could have swallowed you whole. That means something. Never waste that chance."
She lowered her head slightly, gripping her staff tighter. "I'll… try not to."
He nodded once. "Good. That's all anyone can do."
As they walked back to the firelit clearing, the sounds of the tribe surrounded them again — laughter, music, the crackle of flames. Somewhere, Kiro was singing an old hunting tune. Rhoan and Liri were arguing about who could climb trees faster.
And for the first time since she arrived, Ari felt like she belonged.
> [System Notice]
Emotional Resonance: +12%
Trait "Adaptive Spirit" – Progress: 62%
New Quest Unlocked: Echoes Beneath the Roots
Objective: Investigate the forest ruins with Kael. (Locked until Level 2)
She smiled faintly, whispering to herself, "Maybe this world isn't so scary after all."