The three Forest Wolves moved in perfect sync, their hulking bodies circling like coordinated shadows. Each step was slow, deliberate. Their amber eyes locked on Shirayuki, tongues licking teeth, their growls blending into one predatory hum.
Cian took a step back, eyes wide.
The system's voice pinged with unsettling cheer:
[System Notification]
"Surprise Party: Uninvited Guests Edition!"
Number of attendees: 3. Mood: Murdery.
Good luck, Gamer."
Shirayuki didn't flinch. Her little paws shifted in the dirt. Cian barely had time to blink before she dashed forward.
The first wolf lunged—Shirayuki met it head-on, then suddenly vanished low to the ground. She twisted under its leap with a roll so clean it looked rehearsed. Dust flew as her paws dug in, and she kicked off sideways, narrowly missing the second wolf that tried to pounce.
The third wolf snarled, flanking her from the left, snapping at her side—but Shirayuki spun, a blur of white and red. Her tiny body pirouetted, tail slicing the air, and as she spun, dozens of quills exploded outward in all directions like a sudden storm.
Shfft! Shfft! Shfft!
The quills shot forward, faster than arrows.
Three slammed into the third wolf's leg, two into its side, and one right between its eyes. It let out a muffled cry, skidded, then crumpled to the ground in a twitching heap.
Cian's jaw dropped. "Did… did she just—spin-shoot quills like a Beyblade!?"
The system responded instantly:
[System Alert]
"New Technique Discovered: Hedgehog Ballistic Ballet."
Status: Unofficial. Name: Awesome."
The remaining wolves froze, growling low but clearly shaken.
Shirayuki landed from her spin, breathing hard, one paw dragging along the ground like she was about to dash again. She gave a low grunt—her version of bring it on.
Cian wiped sweat from his brow. "You're terrifyingly cute, y'know that?"
As the last forest wolf collapsed, silence returned to the clearing—broken only by the sound of leaves falling and Cian's ragged breath.
Shirayuki stood slowly, steam rising gently from her glowing fur. The sunlight caught her silhouette just right—highlighting her elegant yet deadly new form. Quills slowly retracted into her back like blades sliding into sheaths.
Cian already knew this form.
"The evolved you… still wild as hell," he muttered, watching as she took a slow, graceful step toward him.
Her ample chest swayed softly with the movement, each breath causing the faintest bounce. She blinked up at him, expression unreadable, cheeks faintly flushed from the battle heat. A strand of silver fur stuck adorably to her nose.
She tilted her head with a curious, almost bashful look.
Cian squinted, one eyebrow twitching. "You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?"
Shirayuki didn't respond—just stood there, panting lightly.
He slapped a palm to his face. "Nope. Not falling for it. I know you just wrecked twenty-three wolves with a murder ballet, don't give me those big innocent eyes."
[System Notification]
"Congratulations! You've unlocked: 'Simpshock—Paralyzed by Cute'."
Cian pointed at the sky. "I swear, if I get nerfed because of jiggle physics, I'm suing God!"
Shirayuki slowly padded closer, then gently licked his hand—tail wagging like she was proud.
Cian flinched, looking like he just got sniped in the heart.
[System Comment]
"You've taken critical emotional damage."
He groaned and muttered, "I need a cooldown potion… or a cold shower."
Cian grunted as he hauled another forest wolf over his shoulder. "Damn, these things are heavier than they look."
Shirayuki, in her elegant evolved form, had already dragged two of the beasts effortlessly with her jaws, her tail wagging like it was a game. The quills on her back shimmered faintly as she trotted ahead, stopping every few steps to make sure Cian wasn't slacking.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming, you fluffy freight train," he muttered, adjusting his grip.
They finally reached the poor village as the sun dipped low, casting orange light across the broken huts and smoke-scarred fences. The villagers looked up with wide eyes as the duo approached—Cian covered in dust, and Shirayuki dragging corpses like a war goddess on a walk.
"Is that... meat?" one elder gasped.
"Forest wolves," Cian nodded. "Plenty for everyone."
Soon, fires were lit, and the village square filled with the rich scent of roasting meat. Cian helped skin and prepare the meat, guiding the villagers in seasoning it with wild herbs Shirayuki had sniffed out earlier. Kids peeked curiously at the glowing quills on her back, and she simply huffed, allowing them to gently touch her fur.
As the meat cooked, the village filled with laughter—laughter they hadn't heard in weeks.
Everyone sat around the fire, biting into the smoky, juicy meat, eyes wide from the taste. Even the elder with no teeth tried gnawing a leg bone.
A young man stood and bowed deeply. "You two… you saved us. Thank you."
Cian waved him off. "Tch. It's nothing. Just what a Gamer does."
[System Notification]
"Title Earned: 'Village MVP' – You're the main character in someone else's happy ending."
Cian smirked as he leaned back on a log, Shirayuki lying beside him, belly full, tail flicking lazily.
"You hear that?" he whispered to her.
She let out a soft chuff and nuzzled against him.
Cian smiled.
They had survived, and for now... they had peace.
The night air was crisp, but the steaming wooden tub in the back of the village gave Cian a moment of rare peace. He slid his back against the smooth curve of the tub, the hot water washing away dirt, fatigue, and bits of dried blood. He sighed deeply.
"Finally... a proper bath. I deserve this," he murmured, eyes half-closed.
A faint tap... tap... of claws on wood echoed behind him.
"Huh?"
He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see Shirayuki stepping around the corner, tail swishing and a very clear intent in her glowing eyes.
She let out a soft sound—half hum, half chuff—and to Cian's absolute horror and thrill, her paw lightly tugged at the white, magical cloak she wore in her evolved form... and it slipped off.
"Wha—W-Wait! Wait what are you doing?!"
She smiled—not with teeth, but with something warm and feminine—as she stepped into the tub. Her now humanoid shape shimmered in the moonlight, body curvy and divine, her hair flowing like silver silk down her back.
The water rippled as she moved closer. Chest to chest. Face to face.
Her full bust pressed lightly against his bare chest, and her crimson eyes gazed into his with innocent intensity.
Cian's brain shut down.
"I-I'm not ready for this kind of boss fight…"
[System Notification]
"Skill Unlocked: Monster Bang – Do you want to activate this skill?"
(Y/N)
Warning: Sanity stat may not survive impact.
"NO! NO-NO-NO!" Cian yelled, cheeks burning as he leaned back and bonked his head on the edge of the tub. "SYSTEM STOP—BAD SYSTEM!"
Shirayuki tilted her head, blinking cutely, then leaned in and gave him a slow lick on the cheek like nothing was weird at all.
He nearly passed out.
Cian, still flustered and dizzy from their face-to-face proximity in the tub, instinctively reached out and grabbed Shirayuki's slim waist—trying to gently push her back and create space. But instead—
"...Hyaahn~!"
A soft, high-pitched moan slipped from Shirayuki's lips, eyes wide in surprise as her body twitched. Her ears twitched rapidly, tail stiffening like a startled cat.
Cian froze. His brain went blank. Steam rose—not just from the bathwater.
> SYSTEM:
[Achievement Unlocked: Lewd Reflex]
"You grabbed the waist and triggered a critical squeak. Calm down, Romeo."
Warning: Further interaction may cause evolution in other... areas.
"W-WHAT EVEN IS THIS SYSTEM?!" Cian barked, his face redder than a boiled tomato, nearly slipping again in the water.
Shirayuki tilted her head innocently, blinking… before softly leaning closer again, as if nothing just happened.
As Cian tried to slide back in the tub, he reached out for balance—but his hand smacked straight into Shirayuki's plush, round butt.
Soft. Warm. Dangerous.
She let out a soft, high-pitched "Nnh~!" and stiffened.
Cian froze, hand still planted on her plush backside.
A moment of silence.
Then… something began to rise beneath the water like a cursed sea monster.
Shirayuki blinked, glanced down slowly—and spotted it. Her ears twitched. Her tail swished once.
Then her eyes met Cian's with a slow, smug smile that screamed "I win."
Cian's face turned crimson.
He stammered, "O-okay, listen—this isn't a weapon, it's just my... uh, survival instinct!"
System Notification:
"Beast Bond Level Up! New Status: Flustered Fool."
Passive unlocked: Embarrassment Aura – nearby females will smirk automatically.
Just as the steam thickened and Cian tried to recompose himself—still flustered from Shirayuki's smug smile and her soft, silent closeness—
From somewhere deep in the surrounding foliage, muffled beneath a thick bush…
"Hmrr?"
A tiny sound. Strange. Curious. Almost too soft to notice.
But neither Cian nor Shirayuki heard it.
The wind rustled the leaves gently, and the moment passed unnoticed.
They remained wrapped in their ridiculous bath moment, unaware that in the distant shadow of trees…
Something had just taken its first step into their story.