Reon slowly opened his eyes and pushed himself up, blinking to clear his vision. Shadows draped the unfamiliar space around him, and the air was thick with a damp, earthy scent.
The atmosphere was less oppressive than the dense Shadowed Thicket, yet its silence felt weighty, almost reverent, as though the shadows themselves were guarding hidden secrets.
The rough, jagged walls bore ancient grooves, each dampened by a faint trickle of water that echoed softly, reminiscent of ageless, forgotten caves.
He realized he was in one of the many caves scattered throughout the Mystic Evergreen Forest.
Some of these caves were creations of the Supreme Dao Sect, sanctuaries carefully carved into the landscape to give disciples a space for solitude, strength-building, and contemplation.
But others, like the one Reon now found himself in, were ancient formations, shaped over countless years by nature itself.
These natural caves held treasures and mystical resources—crystals, herbs, and rare stones steeped in the essence of Heaven and Earth, their potent energy waiting to be harnessed by those who dared venture within.
In the darkness, his gaze landed on a glimmer of light filtering through an opening ahead. Drawn to its faint glow.
Reon moved forward, each step echoing softly against the cave's stone walls. As he approached, the light grew until it burst into a brilliant glow, momentarily blinding him.
When his eyes adjusted, he stepped out into a grove where sunlight pierced through tall trees, casting golden pools on the forest floor.
This was not the Shadowed Thicket, where thick trees choked out every beam of light; here, the sun filtered through freely, though less brightly than in the Outer Rim.
"This must be the Whispering Grove of the Mystic Evergreen Forest," he murmured, a frown settling over his face.
But how had he ended up here? Only Cloudia could have brought him, no one else would care to have taken the risk. But where was she?
He scanned the area, his heart quickening with a flicker of worry. Moving forward, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot broke the silence.
Then he stumbled upon a striking scene: before him lay dozens of Mid-Ranked and even a few High-Ranked Demonic Beasts, their massive forms sprawled lifelessly across the forest floor.
Atop the fallen creatures sat Cloudia, her body bloodied and bruised, yet her gaze steady and fierce, like a Beast Queen surveying her battlefield.
Her fur, once smooth and pristine, was matted with dirt and blood, bearing marks of a hard-fought battle. Reon's chest tightened, a mixture of admiration and concern blooming within him; while he had lain unconscious, Cloudia had fought fiercely to protect him.
As he stared, memories surfaced, jagged and vivid—the blood-drenched battle against the Shadow Claw Bear, the sensation of claws raking across his skin. He glanced down at himself, noticing the dried blood of the Shadow Claw Bear clinging to him like a grim reminder.
It hadn't been a nightmare; they had truly fought and survived. Judging by the state of the blood, he must have been unconscious for days, with Cloudia watching over him the entire time.
Sensing his gaze, Cloudia rose from her throne of defeated beasts and padded over to him, her fierce expression softening.
Reon stepped forward, his heart swelling with gratitude as he met her halfway. He reached out, patting her head gently, his voice quiet yet full of feeling.
"Thank you, Cloudia," he murmured, the warmth in his eyes reflecting the bond they shared. She leaned into his touch, her fierce eyes closing as she savored the moment.
With a grateful smile, Reon took a step back and, with a wave of his hand, drew the massive body of the Shadow Claw Bear from his spatial ring.
The beast's form lay massive and imposing before them, its hide glistening even in death, a fitting reward for her bravery.
"Here is your reward for protecting me all this time," Reon said softly, admiration coloring his voice. Cloudia's eyes gleamed, her fierce expression melting into one of delight, like a lady presented with her favorite chocolate.
Cloudia eagerly began savoring the flesh and blood of the Shadow Claw Bear, relishing the feast from the very creature that had once hunted them, nearly becoming their doom.
Now, it was reduced to nothing more than a hearty meal, its power and menace transformed into sustenance.
Watching her, Reon felt an unusual urge rise within him—a craving for the bear's blood that he had never known on Earth.
The sight of fresh blood had never stirred such hunger in him before rather made him disgust. He paused, a flicker of realization dawning.
"I see... I'm becoming a part of this world," he murmured to himself, a mix of acceptance and awe in his voice.
He gently patted Cloudia's head to get her attention. "Wait, Cloudia. I'll cook this first—it'll be even better that way," he said with a warm smile.
She looked up, a glimmer of curiosity in her gaze, momentarily breaking from her feast.