Sunlight beamed from a deep blue sky. It was another beautiful day in a seemingly serene world.


    But the land below told a different story.


    Dried mud covered the area like scars from a battle. A patch of it began to shift, cracking and breaking as a figure pushed through.


    He pulled himself from the debris with a grunt, exhausted and aching. His face shifted from disoriented to terrified.


    “Shadow!? Come on, girl… Please be okay!”


    He frantically scanned the area, clawing at the mud with wild desperation. And then he saw them — two small, pointed, fluffy ears poking up through the sludge.


    “SHADOW!”


    He ran to her and began digging with everything he had.


    “Please, Shadow… Please don’t leave me alone again!” Tears streamed down his face as he worked.


    As the mud cleared, a shape emerged. Not a wolf — but a girl. A small, humanoid figure.


    “What the heck—?” he muttered, confused. “Whatever… I need to keep digging. This girl needs help too!”


    With effort, he pulled her out of the mud and laid her carefully on the ground. Pressing his ear to her nose, he held his breath.


    A soft exhale.


    “She’s alive!”


    He dragged her unconscious body to the river, washing away the layers of mud and dirt. It wasn’t until most of the grime was gone that he finally took a moment to look at her properly.


    She was small. Fragile. Young.


    But unmistakably not human.


    Wolf ears sat atop her head. A tail draped across her legs.


    “…Shadow?”


    Hours passed.


    They were now in a makeshift shelter — his best construction so far. His [Matter Manipulation] had improved dramatically since he first arrived in this world, and it showed in the wooden framework and leafy insulation around them.


    A small fire flickered beside her, casting a soft orange glow across her sleeping form.


    He sat by her side, watching.


    Hoping.


    Days passed. He worked tirelessly to build the new camp, keeping Shadow warm, fed, and safe. He crafted new tools: a stone-tied axe, a crude but functional shovel. His old wooden “sword” had been upgraded again, now with sharpened stone embedded along the edge.


    [Pointius Maximus] Stone Sword


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    ATK: 7?DEF: 2?SPD: 0.5


    [Matter Manipulation]: Lvl 8 – EXP: [25/1280]


    “I’m making good progress,” he muttered one night, holding the sword by the fire. “Took long enough, but hey — a wooden sword wouldn’t have helped much if I ever needed it.”


    He chuckled nervously, glancing at Shadow.


    That night, something changed.


    She stirred.


    Is she… finally waking up?


    He rushed to her side, gently lifting her head to help support her as she sat up. Her golden eyes fluttered open. Her tail gave a tiny wag.


    Then her eyes widened.


    She looked down at herself — and screamed.


    In a flash of light, her body reverted into her wolf form.


    The scream turned into a soft whimper, and a moment later… she shifted back again.


    “Be careful,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have much energy. You’ve been out for days. Take it easy. Here — I got you some water.”


    He handed her a cup. She took a careful sip, her eyes never leaving his.


    Then, curling her legs to her chest and wrapping her tail around them, she looked down.


    “I… you… don’t hate me?” she asked softly.


    “Hate you?” he echoed. She flinched at his tone.


    “Of course I don’t hate you. You’re my travel companion.”


    She looked up at him, confused. “But… you know what I am now. Nobody likes Beastkin.”


    Beastkin… That must be a race in this world? How could anyone not like that? It’s super cute!


    “I’ve never met a Beastkin before,” he said. “But if others are like you, how could I not like them?”


    She blinked, eyes wide.


    “You… really mean that? You don’t think I’m a freak because of my ears and tail?”


    He chuckled.


    “Not at all.”


    He reached out slowly and placed a hand atop her head. She flinched, then relaxed as his hand gently stroked her ears.


    “I think your ears and tail are the most adorable things I’ve ever seen,” he said. “And now that I can actually talk to you… I’m glad. I’ve been alone out here for so long. Having someone to talk to again? It’s nice.”


    Her cheeks flushed. Her tail slowly began to wag behind her.


    “I was watching you for a while before we met,” she admitted. “There was something about you that felt… kind. I guess I was right. You’re so kind, Mr… um…”


    She paused. “I’m sorry — I don’t know your name.”


    He blinked. He hadn’t thought about that.


    Do I use my real name? No… this is a new world. A new life. I should start fresh…


    He thought for a moment. Images of his favorite character, Trevor Belmont, flashed through his mind — along with the bao buns he missed so dearly.


    “Bao…mont. Baomont…”


    He nodded.


    “My name is Travis Baomont.”


    She smiled warmly. “Baomont… Mr. Baomont. It’s very nice to meet you. And… Thank you. For saving my life.”


    He smiled back, continuing to gently pet her head. This time, she leaned into his hand.


    “Oh, right,” he said. “Now that you can talk… I should probably call you by your real name, huh?”


    She shook her head.


    “I like the name you gave me,” she said shyly. “It’s a really good name. And if you gave it to me… that makes it special.”


    “Really? Well… alright then. Shadow it is.”


    They sat together in quiet peace. Shadow slowly curled up again — this time in his lap.


    As the fire burned low and the stars twinkled overhead, the night passed without incident.


    Birds began to chirp. The first light of dawn crept through the shelter.


    They both yawned and stretched, glancing at each other with sleepy smiles.


    A new trust had taken root.


    I think my adventure in this world just got a whole lot better…