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Chapter 11 – Whispers Beyond the Wind
The morning sky cracked open with golden light, stretching across the hills like fingers reaching for the soul of the land.
Elric stood by the wooden fence near his home, watching as Rook and Grom chased each other across the field. The pack had grown tighter. Stronger. More than just companions—they were evolving alongside him.
Behind him, his little sister Lira tugged at his shirt, holding a bucket of wild berries.
"Brother, help me pick more! Mom says if I bring a full basket, I get two sweets!"
Elric chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Alright, but only if you share one."
"No deal!" she shouted, running ahead with a laugh.
Their other sister, Freya, sat nearby with a small black cat curled in her lap—another strange animal that had recently appeared near the village. It had one golden eye and one silver, and it purred like a humming wind.
> [New Creature Detected: Whisper Cat (Unnamed)]
Rank: Unknown – Passive
Description: A creature of foresight and silence. Tends to attach itself to those who carry fate-bound destinies.
Note: This beast is observing you. Taming not possible (yet).
Elric raised a brow. "Well, that's not creepy at all."
The cat stared back—and winked.
Later that day, he met Grandpa in the woods for their usual sparring session. The old bandit had been tougher lately, pushing Elric further.
"You're getting stronger," Grandpa said, blocking a wooden sword with his arm. "But strength means little if you don't understand timing."
Elric swung again, missing.
Grandpa stepped in and flicked his forehead. "And right now, your timing's terrible."
"I'm trying!"
"You're thinking too much."
"Isn't that good?"
"Not when someone's aiming to stab your gut."
They paused to catch their breath.
Grandpa took a swig of sour fruit wine and plopped onto a nearby rock. "You're growing too fast," he said. "Not just in strength, but in the way your eyes look at the world."
Elric sat beside him. "Do you ever wish we lived somewhere else? Somewhere quiet, where there were no wars coming?"
Grandpa looked to the sky. "I used to. But I learned something when I was your age."
"What's that?"
"Trouble doesn't need an invitation. It always shows up uninvited."
A sudden pulse swept through the air—a vibration that seemed to rattle the leaves and silence the birds.
Elric stood. "Did you feel that?"
Grandpa was already on his feet, eyes scanning the distance. "That wasn't natural. Come on."
They ran together, Rook and Grom trailing behind. When they reached the eastern watch hill, they found smoke rising from beyond the forest ridge.
Something—or someone—was burning the trees.
> [System Alert]
Disturbance Detected: Invasive Scouting Ritual – Class B Spell
Origin: Unknown World Signature
Danger Level: Moderate (For Now)
Recommendation: Do Not Engage Directly. Observe and Report.
A shimmering portal flickered open for just a moment. From within it, a shadow slipped through—tall, thin, and crackling with blue sparks. It looked human, but not.
It looked… wrong.
> [Enemy Detected: Ether-Walker – Mechanical World Probe Unit]
Rank: Intermediate Construct
Purpose: Scouting and Data Extraction
Threat Level: High for Low-Rank Beasts and Unawakened Humans
Elric crouched behind a rock. "Grandpa…"
The old man held him back. "We don't fight that. Not yet."
They watched as the creature scanned the area, then dropped something small—a cube-like device that burrowed into the soil.
Then, as quickly as it came, it vanished into thin air.
Elric stood slowly. "They're here."
"No," Grandpa said, frowning. "They're watching. And that's worse."
They returned to the village quietly, not telling the others just yet. Elric didn't sleep that night. He stayed up watching the stars, thinking about the thing he saw.
> [Pack Instinct Activated]
Rook senses rising anxiety.
Grom is restless.
Whisper Cat is… staring.
By the second moon's rise, Elric felt a tug deep in his chest. A pulse from the system he barely understood.
> [System Notification]
Hidden Skill Unlocked: Shepherd's Will (Basic)
Description: As danger encroaches, the Shepherd's instincts sharpen. This skill allows detection of foreign life signatures within a limited radius (50m).
Passive Bonus: +1 Willpower, +2 Beast Affinity.
His hand tightened into a fist.
He wasn't going to let this place fall. Not his home. Not his family.
Not without a fight.
The next morning, Elric gathered a few items from his personal stash—a carved totem from a fallen beast, a few scraps of enchanted leather Grandpa gave him, and a bone whistle he'd found near the old river ruins.
"Going somewhere?" his mother asked, arms crossed.
Elric nodded. "Just into the north woods. I want to train Grom on carrying packs."
She looked at him closely. "And?"
"…And maybe find another beast or two."
She sighed and walked over, brushing his hair back. "Be careful, Elric. You've been different lately. The way you move, the way you look at things—it's like you're growing up too fast."
Elric smiled. "I have to, Mom. There's something coming. I can feel it."
"Then take this." She handed him a silver pendant with a tiny gem inside. "It belonged to your father."
He blinked. "You said he never left anything behind."
"I lied," she said, kissing his forehead. "Mothers do that sometimes."
> [Item Obtained: Memory Sigil (Incomplete)]
Type: Key Item
Description: Contains latent energy from a high-tier class user. Resonates with Shepherd-class users.
Bonus: Grants temporary shield once per day when under 25% health.
He hugged her tightly.
Then he left—with Rook, Grom, and the cat, who had now taken to riding on his shoulder like a pirate's pet.
They entered the north woods where new signs of life—and conflict—waited.
Something was stirring beneath the soil.
Something ancient.
Something hungry.
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