I awoke with a start, senses tingling like static under my skin. My body moved before thought, snapping upright in one fluid motion as my eyes swept my surroundings. Every instinct in me screamed to be alert.
And then I saw it.
Standing just beyond the clearing, half-shrouded in mist and moonlight, was a massive wolf. Its silver-white coat shimmered under the pale light, and its eyes gleamed with an ancient, chilling intelligence.
Moon-Touched Direwolf.
The first beast I'd ever seen in this strange and dangerous realm.
My muscles coiled with tension. I instinctively lowered myself into a combat stance, energy pooling in my limbs. I had no weapons. Only my fists, my resolve, and the wild instincts I'd honed in this godforsaken land.
Then it spoke.
"Calm yourself."
Its voice was low, resonant—like gravel ground under moonlight. Ancient, powerful. Intelligent.
My breath hitched. My body remained taut, nerves screaming with anticipation, but I didn't move.
"Why are you here?" I asked, voice firm, eyes narrowing.
"You need not worry," it said calmly. "I do not intend to harm you. And besides… if I had wanted to, would you have been able to stop me?"
I didn't answer immediately. My mind, though hardened by years of struggle, reeled at the sheer pressure that radiated from the beast. My body relaxed, just enough to breathe properly.
"…Sigh."
I circled back toward my makeshift camp—nothing but a small fire pit, a few stones, and the shell of a tree I called a bed. Sitting down, I watched the wolf warily.
"Then you're here for something?" I asked.
"Well, yes… and no," it replied, settling down with a regal grace that seemed out of place for something that could snap trees with a paw.
"Well, human—"
"My name is Erik," I cut in, calmer now.
The wolf's lips pulled into something resembling a smile.
"Well then, Erik. You may call me Moon. That is what the others once called me."
I gave a nod. "Moon, huh?"
A brief silence passed between us. The fire cracked softly.
"To get back to the point," I began again, "why are you really here?"
Moon tilted his head slightly. "It was not my intention to intrude. It's just… I have not seen a human in a long time."
"How long?" I asked, raising a brow.
Moon's answer was immediate. "Around 100,000 years."
"…Holy shit," I muttered. "You're hella old."
Moon chuckled, the sound rumbling through the trees. "Indeed I am, Erik."
I leaned forward, interest piqued. "Since you've been around that long, I want to ask you something."
"Go on."
"You've met other humans before. How strong were they? Compared to now, I mean."
Moon's eyes gleamed with something like nostalgia. "They were strong—very strong. But the world was different back then. The beasts were… weaker. Younger. The mana in the realm hadn't matured. If you were here 100,000 years ago, you might have reached the third level with your current strength. Back then, the strongest humans could challenge the Beast Kings and sometimes win."
My jaw tensed.
"How long did it take them to get that powerful?" I asked, the words escaping with urgency.
"Nearly 1,000 years, give or take. But keep in mind—the weakest Beast King now rivals the strongest of that age. The realm has evolved. It's alive… and it remembers."
I fell into silence.
This realm… was harsher than I ever could've imagined.
Year ten
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
The earth shuddered under the force of my fists. Each strike crashed into the monstrous bear's skull, shaking the air with thunderclaps.
"Hagh… hahh…"
My breath came in heaving gulps, sweat mixing with blood as I staggered back. The bear finally collapsed with a thunderous crash, its mountainous body twitching once before lying still.
"Finally dead," I muttered, wiping blood from my lips.
I slung the massive corpse over my shoulders and began the long trek back to my base.
Ten years.
Ten brutal, agonizing years since that first encounter with Moon.
After that day, I made a vow—to survive, and then to thrive. To become strong enough to rewrite my destiny. Moon had given me knowledge, and I used every shred of it.
That first week was hell. Every encounter is a gamble. Every breath a borrowed one.
It didn't take long for me to realize I was woefully unprepared. My stamina would drain after a single fight, and my mana—if not used with caution—left me unconscious for hours. That downtime could've cost me my life more than once.
I decided to use System shop during a period of forced rest. With a hundreds of thousands of points scraped from my mission and achievments, I bought two passive skills:
Skill Acquired (Passive): Mana Regeneration
Skill Acquired (Passive): Stamina Regeneration
I maxed them both out immediately. That same day, I hunted five beasts. From that moment on, I never stopped moving.
My base was still just a glorified cave, but I didn't care. It kept the rain off and gave me a place to collapse.
I dropped the bear's body and headed to the river nearby. The water was icy and fresh. I stripped, stepping into its cleansing embrace, letting the blood and dirt wash off.
As I bent over the water, I caught my reflection and stared.
I barely recognized myself.
Ten years ago, when my dragon slaying magic had reached level ten I went through a metamorphosis that lasted 3 hours. Now… I stood 6'7", built from pain and perseverance. Not bulky, but dense—muscles packed tight like coiled springs. My eyes were still the same shade of ocean blue, but now they glowed faintly with latent power. My hair, once short and dark, had grown into a wild, golden-brown mane that tumbled down to my shoulders like a lion's.
Scars lined my torso. Each one told a story. A lesson.
I looked into my own eyes.
"Just a little more…" I whispered. "Just a little more before I can finally get my happy ending."
My hands clenched tight.
For me.
For Hiccup.
For Dad.
For Merida.
I would not die here.
Not until I had earned the right to live free.
….