Opening her eyes, Elena was momentarily blinded by the sun's warm light streaming down on her.
The soft blades of grass tickled her skin, reminding her that she had dozed off without leaving the space.
Elena realized she needed to gather materials to build her own house, or she could also hire someone to create a portable home.
She was in a daze about the prospect of creating a little village, market area, etc., inside her space.
As she glanced at her watch, Elena jolted upright. She needed to head to the warehouse today to pick up the supplies she had ordered.
She immediately makes her usual breakfast of bread and milk. Afterward, she drove to her rented warehouse.
When she arrived, she saw the people already waiting for her. She was amazed at how efficient they were.
After 12 hours of hard work, the employees finally moved everything into her warehouse. The products piled up like a mountain.
"All goods have been safely delivered, Miss Elena."
"Thank you so much."
She anxiously waited for evening to store everything in her space.
As she stored the pile of products, a sudden dizziness hit her. She hadn't expected that putting them away in her space would drain so much spiritual energy from the golden tablet.
She really needed to buy more jades and antiques at the market.
Once she secured everything in her space, she decided to head home.
But first, she stopped by a restaurant to order some ready-to-eat meals. She repeated this process until late evening.
*****
The police received a tip from locals about a strange beast seen on the south side of Willow Village.
Knowing that the beast was lurking around, the police officer investigated but found nothing in there. Disappointed, they returned to their camp and prepared to leave for the city.
Hours passed, and panic set in among the officers as they realized there was still no news from the chief's team. Their chief and his subordinate disappeared.
Meanwhile, in a hidden, dense area, Ethan and his loyal military dog, Poochi, tracked the trail of the beast's sticky saliva on the ground.
Ethan wanted to collect a sample, but Poochi wouldn't allow it. Whimpering in distress, he tried to warn his master that the saliva was dangerous.
"Aww~awww~awwwww"
Ethan felt Poochi's worry as he tried to take some samples. They had been together for nearly seven years, sharing a bond that needed no words. Poochi understood him like no one else could.
"Don't worry, I'll just take some samples."
After taking some samples, they resume investigating.
As they approached the bushes, Poochi suddenly stopped and growled fiercely at a massive tree. Ethan followed his gaze and saw a beast looming around.
It stood nearly ten feet tall, its skin was slick, mottled mess oozing with yellow-green slime. One eye was swollen and clouded, and the other glared fiercely, showcasing jagged teeth dripping with dark saliva.
Ethan's heart raced with alarm; his guts screamed that this beast was too dangerous for them.
"Stay sharp, Poochi!" Ethan commanded, ready to shoot his gun. Ethan tried to aim, but the creature was too fast.
One shot rang out, but it only enraged the beast.
With a roar, it charged.
Ethan switched to his baton, swinging desperately as Poochi darted in and out, trying to distract the beast.
The fight was intense. Ethan and Poochi worked together seamlessly, striking with all their might whenever they saw an opening.
But the beast was quick—dodging their attacks and countering effortlessly.
Tired from fighting for too long, the beast got an opportunity and landed a brutal blow that sent Poochi sprawling.
"Get up, Poochi!" Ethan yelled.
In a moment of distraction, the beast lunged and clawed Ethan's shoulder, leaving a deep gash. Blood flowed down, but thankfully, it wasn't fatal.
They fought back, but the beast's strength was overwhelming.
Realizing they were outmatched, Ethan gritted his teeth.
"Fall back!"
They retreated into the thick underbrush, but the beast followed them relentlessly.
It was furious and enraged by their dodging and moving despite their injuries.
With no choice left, Ethan jumped into the river, hoping the water would wash them away.
They expected the beast to stop chasing them, but it stayed on their trail, roaring furiously as it moved along the riverbank.
As Ethan swam, he felt Poochi's weight in his arms. The dog was unconscious, exhausted, and covered in wounds.
Ethan struggled to reach the nearest riverbank, nearly losing consciousness from blood loss.
But his will and military training pushed him forward.
When he finally reached the land, he gasped for air, only to see the beast on the opposite side, waiting for its chance.
Ethan couldn't hold on any longer and suddenly passed out.
He was awakened by Poochi's soft whimpering. Dazed, he blinked at the morning light. Realizing it was already late morning.
Seeing Poochi lay nearby, hurt and whimpering from a deep claw wound in his stomach. Ethan felt a wave of distress from his dog's severed wounds.
"Stay with me, buddy." Ethan said, comforting his dog.
He was injured, too, with wounds on his shoulder and legs that made it hard to move.
As he reached to tend Poochi, he was shocked to see the beast still there on the opposite side, its eyes gleaming with madness.
Ethan wanted to escape with Poochi, but his leg throbbed painfully. He wrapped Poochi's wound first with his suit and calmed himself down, trying to save energy to leave soon.
He wondered if the beast had some intelligence.
Why was it waiting?
After a moment, he realized the water was slowly receding. The beast wanted to cross to his side.
Ethan knew he had to swim again, but with their injuries, it would be tough.
Poochi watched his distressed master. Barking softly, he urged his master to escape alone.
"Aww! Aww~ Aww~"
Ethan felt sadness wash over him. They had been together through thick and thin—Poochi was his loyal friend.
"No, just be good and rest for a bit. We'll make it through, buddy,
He refused to leave him behind.
But Poochi barked again, demanding him to leave now.
"Aww~ Aww~"
But Ethan ignored Poochi's demand.
He focused his attention on the beast, who was ready to make its final move as the water fell.
With determination, Ethan readied himself to fight. He stood shakily, blood flowing again, preparing for the beast's charge.
When the water was almost gone, the beast roared and lunged at him.
But midway across, a massive stone suddenly fell, crushing the beast.
Ethan stared in shock as he turned to see his wife, Elena, standing on the riverbank.
Was he dreaming? Was this a hallucination?
Elena was distressed seeing her injured husband, tears flowed on her cheeks as she called him.
"Ethan"
"Elena, my wife."
He replied as his consciousness faded once again.