Chapter 13: That Strange Shepherd Boy
> System Log – Host: Elric Greymourne
Age: 4 Years, 2 Months
Class: Legendary Shepherd (Sealed)
Pack:
– Twig (Deerling) – Loyalty 91
– Fangshade (Shadow Pup) – Loyalty 57
– Boneclaw (Wild Hound) – Loyalty 33
– Mossback Sprite (Plant Familiar) – Loyalty 69
– Mister Pebbles (Proto-Golem) – Loyalty 9
Skills:
– [Beast Sense I]
– [Bond Link I]
– [Summon: Nature Spirit – Basic]
Skill Progress:
– [Summon: Stone Golem] – 12%
It started with a rumor.
"Elric Greymourne," someone whispered at the bakery, "was seen riding a deer while chasing chickens."
"No, no," said the tailor, "he made the chickens follow him in a line. Like a king."
The blacksmith chimed in, "That boy's always got a beast with him. One day, he's gonna walk into town with a bear."
> Local Reputation: "Weird, but Friendly"
Adult Suspicion: Moderate
Kid Admiration: Rising
At the village well, Mira (his big sister) tried to explain.
"He's not taming them. They just… follow him."
"Why?"
"I don't know! He gives them names and shares his food. Even the angry ones like him."
That day, Elric walked into the village square with Mister Pebbles rolling beside him and the sprite floating above his head like a leafy crown.
"Hello, citizens!" he shouted. "Do not fear the rock. He is gentle."
Mister Pebbles burped gravel.
The baker dropped her tray.
> Villager Shock: +10
Beast Bonding: +2
[Summon: Stone Golem] Progress: 12% → 15%
Kale, his older brother, grabbed him by the collar. "You can't just walk around yelling about rocks with faces!"
"But he's family," Elric pouted.
Even Grandpa Riven cracked a smile at that one.
"Let the boy be," he said. "Better he makes friends with beasts than enemies with people."
---
That evening, the village chief visited their home.
He sat with Elric's mother and grandfather for a quiet talk. Elric hid nearby with his pack, listening.
"Your boy…" the chief said slowly, "he's kind. But strange. And strange things attract attention."
Mother's eyes narrowed. "He's four."
"Yes," the chief said. "And he already has a wolf, a deer, a wild dog, a plant fairy, and a rock that blinks."
Riven just chuckled. "And he hasn't even started yet."
> System Note: Observation continued
No hostility detected
Future Events: Uncertain
---
That night, Elric looked at the stars again.
"I think… I wanna help people," he whispered.
The sprite glowed softly beside him.
Twig nudged his arm.
Pebbles rolled into his lap and fell asleep.
He didn't know what kind of hero he'd be.
But the System did.
And it was watching.
> [Will of the Shepherd] +1
[Summon: Stone Golem] Progress: 15% → 17%
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