A Wolf's Loyalty and the Road Ahead
The first thing I truly felt in this new world was hunger. It wasn't just physical—it was primal, gnawing at the edges of my mind as I cradled my frail body in the middle of the wasteland. My cries had gone unanswered, my human caretakers long gone, their hatred for me carved into the ruins they left behind.
But I wasn't alone.
Silverfang, the wolf I had tamed—or rather, the wolf that had chosen to follow me—stood protectively by my side. His glowing eyes scanned the horizon, ever watchful for threats, while his massive body shielded me from the biting wind.
He wasn't just a wolf. I could feel the connection between us, pulsing like a heartbeat. It wasn't just loyalty—it was something deeper. I could feel his emotions, his instincts. He was ready to fight and die for me, a bond forged not through years of trust but through the strange power of the curse and the system.
[Companion Status: Silverfang (Tier 1)]
[Attributes: Enhanced Strength, Keen Senses, Pack Leader Instincts]
[Skills: Intimidating Roar (Level 1), Night Vision (Level 2)]
The system provided me with details as if it were second nature, the information flooding my mind in clear, concise fragments. Silverfang wasn't just a guardian; he was a partner. And if the system was to be believed, he was only the first of many.
But for now, he was all I had.
The first challenge wasn't finding shelter or battling monsters—it was surviving the hunger that clawed at my insides. As a baby, I had no strength to fend for myself. My body was weak, useless. Without Silverfang, I would have been dead within hours.
But he didn't let that happen.
The wolf disappeared into the shadows, his movements swift and silent. When he returned, his jaws carried a fresh kill—a rabbit, still warm. He dropped it in front of me and nudged it with his nose, his glowing eyes urging me to eat.
It was messy. There was no fire to cook the meat, no utensils to make the process clean. I tore into the rabbit with the desperation of a starving animal, my tiny hands stained red as I devoured the meal. It wasn't dignified, but it kept me alive.
And as I ate, something strange happened.
[You have consumed raw beast flesh.]
[System Analysis in Progress…]
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Beast Affinity (Level 1)]
[Effect: Increased energy and minor healing upon consuming beast-based sustenance. Strength and speed slightly enhanced for 30 minutes.]
The pain in my stomach subsided, replaced by a warmth that spread through my body. My limbs felt a little stronger, my vision a little clearer. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep me going.
I stared at the blood on my hands, my thoughts racing. This wasn't the life I imagined when I thought about reincarnation. There were no kind villagers, no wise mentors to guide me. Just a cursed child and a wolf, alone in a hostile world.
And yet, I wasn't afraid.
Silverfang's presence gave me a strange sense of reassurance. The bond we shared was more than companionship—it was power. Every time I looked at him, I could feel it, like an ember waiting to ignite into something far greater.
But power alone wasn't enough. I needed answers.
"Why me?" I thought bitterly, staring up at the dark sky. "Why give me a second chance if it's just going to be like this?"
The system didn't answer, of course. It remained silent, its messages appearing only when triggered by specific events. But I wasn't going to wait for it to spoon-feed me information. If I was going to survive—if I was going to thrive—I needed to figure this world out for myself.
I glanced at Silverfang, his ears twitching as he listened to the distant sounds of the wasteland.
"We can't stay here," I murmured, my voice weak but determined. "We need to move. Find food, water… answers."
The wolf tilted his head as if understanding my words, then rose to his feet. Without hesitation, he began to walk, his movements fluid and purposeful. He wasn't just wandering—he was leading.
And so, I followed.
The wasteland stretched endlessly in every direction, a barren landscape dotted with jagged rocks and the occasional patch of scrubby grass. The air was dry, the sun relentless. But I kept moving, my tiny legs stumbling behind Silverfang's steady gait.
Hours passed. Maybe longer. Time blurred in the heat and exhaustion, but I refused to stop. Every step was a reminder that I was still alive, that I wasn't going to let this curse break me.
Eventually, the landscape began to change. The flat expanse of the wasteland gave way to rolling hills, and in the distance, I saw the faint outline of trees. A forest.
Relief washed over me, and for the first time since my rebirth, I felt a flicker of hope.
But that hope was short-lived.
The moment we entered the forest, Silverfang's ears perked up, his body tensing. A low growl rumbled from his throat, and his glowing eyes scanned the shadows between the trees.
Something was watching us.
I froze, my heart pounding. The system activated again, its cold, mechanical voice cutting through the tension.
[Warning: Host is being targeted by hostile entities.]
[Enemy Detected: Forest Stalkers (Pack, Tier 1)]
[Recommendation: Engage with caution. Utilize companion's skills.]
"Forest Stalkers?" I whispered, fear creeping into my voice.
As if on cue, shadows began to move between the trees. Sleek, feline shapes with glowing yellow eyes emerged from the darkness, their movements graceful and predatory. There were five of them, their bodies low to the ground as they circled us.
Silverfang growled, stepping protectively in front of me.
This was it—my first real battle in this world. I had no weapons, no strength, and no experience. But I had Silverfang.
And I wasn't going to die here.
The curse had given me this life, this power. Now, it was time to use it.