Aria woke to the sound of high-pitched squeaks and the soft patter of tiny paws scurrying across the snow.
She blinked, her sharp blue eyes narrowing as she looked around her hollow. The Frost Mink was darting back and forth, chittering animatedly to the group of blue-furred minks that had seemingly moved in overnight.
Her fur bristled.
"What… is this?" she growled, rising to her paws. "Did I miss the invitation to a mink convention?"
The Frost Mink squeaked happily, bounding over to her with an almost smug look. It was as if the tiny creature was saying, Look, I brought friends!
Aria groaned, her tail flicking in irritation.
"Friends? No. This is not a thing. This is my territory, not a mink daycare!"
The minks ignored her, scurrying around the hollow as if they owned the place. One of them started digging at the snow near the rocks, while another darted up to the stream and began splashing water everywhere.
"Unbelievable," Aria muttered, her claws scraping against the ground. "I fight off predators, secure this hollow, and now it's being overrun by fluffy freeloaders."
---
Aria spent the next hour trying—and failing—to wrangle the minks.
"Get away from the stream," she snapped at one of them, only to turn and find another burrowing under the rocks.
"No, you can't dig there," she growled, chasing it off. "This isn't your playground!"
The Frost Mink squeaked happily, bounding around her legs as if it found her frustration amusing.
"Of course you think this is funny," Aria muttered, glaring down at the tiny creature. "You're the ringleader, aren't you?"
The mink tilted its head innocently, but Aria wasn't fooled.
"I should've left you with the Abyssal Bear," she grumbled. "You're more trouble than you're worth."
Despite her irritation, she couldn't bring herself to chase the minks away. They were small, harmless, and surprisingly endearing—when they weren't driving her insane.
"Fine," she muttered, flopping onto the snow. "Stay if you want. But if you attract another predator, you're on your own."
---
Her words proved prophetic.
The peaceful chaos of the hollow was shattered by a deep, guttural growl that echoed through the snow-covered trees.
Aria shot to her paws, her fur bristling as her sharp blue eyes scanned the horizon.
"Hostile detected: Frostscale Lizard (Beast Awakening Stage, Advanced Phase). Threat level: High."
Her stomach sank.
"An advanced phase predator?" she muttered, her claws flexing. "Fantastic. Just what I needed."
The Frost Mink squeaked nervously, darting behind her for cover. The other minks quickly followed, clustering around her legs as the massive lizard emerged from the trees.
Its icy blue scales shimmered in the pale light, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto the group of minks with predatory intent.
"Oh, no," Aria growled, stepping in front of the tiny creatures. "You're not eating them. They're annoying, but they're mine."
The Frostscale Lizard let out a low hiss, its long tail swishing through the snow as it crouched, preparing to strike.
Aria activated Lunar Veil, her shimmering form blending into the shadows.
"Alright," she thought, her muscles coiling. "Let's see how tough you really are."
---
The lizard lunged, its sharp claws slicing through the air. Aria darted to the side, her Agility II skill sharpening her movements.
She struck the lizard's flank with her claws, drawing a furious roar as its icy scales cracked under the force of her attack.
"Lunar Veil: 60% Progress."
The lizard whipped its tail around, narrowly missing her as she phased through it with Spirit Step.
"Spirit Step: 45% Progress."
Aria reappeared behind the lizard, her claws raking across its hind leg. The creature snarled, turning to face her with blazing eyes.
"Fast for something so big," she thought, dodging another swipe. "But you're not faster than me."
---
The fight was brutal and relentless. The Frostscale Lizard was a formidable opponent, its icy breath and razor-sharp claws forcing Aria to stay on the defensive.
But her speed and precision gave her the edge. She struck from the shadows, wearing the creature down with calculated attacks.
The lizard's movements grew sluggish, its roars turning to desperate snarls as it struggled to keep up.
Finally, with a well-timed strike, Aria brought the beast down.
"Quest Complete: Defend Territory. +40 EXP earned. Minor Attribute Boost applied."
---
Aria collapsed onto the snow, her chest heaving as the adrenaline coursed through her.
The Frost Mink scurried over to her, its bright blue eyes filled with concern.
"I'm fine," she muttered, glaring at the tiny creature. "But this? This is why I didn't want you here."
The mink squeaked softly, nuzzling against her leg.
Aria sighed, her sharp blue eyes softening. "Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to this."
---
The other minks gathered around her, their soft squeaks filling the hollow. Despite her exhaustion, Aria couldn't help but smile.
"Alright," she muttered, curling up beneath the rocks. "You can stay. But you'd better start pulling your weight."
The Frost Mink squeaked happily, curling up beside her.
As the snow began to fall again, Aria closed her eyes, her exhaustion giving way to a faint, contented warmth.
"Maybe having company isn't so bad," she thought, drifting off to sleep. "Even if it's a bunch of annoying fluff balls."