Chapter 3 : A cmpanion
The trees fell silent.
Even the wind that had been whispering through the leaves moments ago seemed to hold its breath as the dark figure slinked closer.
Selena's heart pounded in her chest like a frantic war drum. Her scream still echoed faintly in the distance, and her fingers trembled as she clutched the nearly empty bag of jerky to her chest.
From the thick underbrush, twin amber eyes appeared—piercing, predatory, fixed on her. Then the shadows parted.
A massive black panther stepped into the clearing, its sleek fur gleaming like liquid midnight. Muscles rippled beneath its skin with each graceful step, silent as smoke, deadly as a drawn blade.
Its low growl rumbled through the earth, vibrating straight into Selena's bones.
She stumbled backward, mind racing for an escape that didn't exist.
Then—it hit her. A phrase, as clear and deliberate as if it had been whispered into her ear:
"Animals are attracted to Selena."
Her eyes widened.
The voice—what was it? She didn't know, didn't have time to question. The panther was drawing closer, its lips curling back to reveal razor-sharp fangs.
Selena's breath caught
Her fingers snapped to her side pouch, yanking out the leather-bound notebook and quill. She had gotten this book as she got the skill "Words Manifestation". The same one that gave her hope.
"Come on… come on…" she muttered, flipping to a blank page as the panther let out a low, warning snarl.
Just a few words.
With shaking hands, she scrawled across the parchment:
"Animals are attracted to Selena."
The moment the sentence was complete, a soft glow pulsed from the words. A faint chime rang in the air, subtle but undeniable.
[Skill Registered: Animal Attraction]
Selena froze. The panther stopped too.
Its ears twitched.
The beast's snarl faded into a curious sniff. It tilted its head, nose twitching, and then—shockingly—it stepped closer, no longer aggressive.
Selena's breath was still trapped in her throat, but her instincts screamed at her to stay still. Slowly, she lowered the jerky bag and, with the utmost care, pulled out a piece.
The panther's eyes followed the meat.
"Good kitty," she whispered, voice cracking.
The great beast paused… then took another step. Its nose brushed against her hand. Selena flinched—but the panther didn't attack. It sniffed again, then delicately plucked the jerky from her palm with its teeth.
It chewed. Swallowed.
Then sat.
Selena blinked.
"…No way," she whispered.
The panther licked its lips and let out a low, almost content rumble. Then, to her utter disbelief, it padded forward and rubbed its massive head against her side, nearly knocking her over.
A new window blinked into view in her interface:
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[Skill Unlocked: Animal Lover (Passive)]
Animals will now more easily trust and bond with you. Bonded beasts can become companions. Maximum companions: 1. This limit can increase with skill points.
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Another window immediately followed:
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[Congratulations!]
You have earned your first potential companion.
Would you like to register the Black Panther as your first pet?
> YES | NO
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Selena stared at the options, her fingers hovering.
A companion. A real companion. Not a summoned creature, not a tool—a living being that chose to stay with her.
She slammed her finger down on YES.
Another window opened with a shimmer of silvery-blue light:
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[New Companion Registered: Unnamed Black Panther]
Level: 25
Type: Magical Beast
Health: 3300/3300
Agility: High
Strength: High
Intelligence: Moderate
Temperament: Loyal (Pending)
Potential: Evolvable
Current Status: Calm, Curious
Name: __________
> Please enter a name:
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A name.
Selena stared into the panther's eyes—bright, ancient, filled with something beyond animal instinct. Despite its beastly appearance, there was a strange wisdom in its gaze. Something otherworldly.
"Nyx," she said aloud. "Your name is Nyx."
The panther let out a soft purr and… rolled onto its side, exposing its belly.
Her heart instantly melted, as she looked at the now absolutely adorable murder mittons infront of her.
"…You have got to be kidding me."
She knelt beside him, gingerly running her fingers along his silky fur. He nuzzled into her touch with a deep, resonating purr that vibrated through her palms. It was surreal.
Selena had always wanted a cat—something fluffy and independent, mysterious but loyal.
She just hadn't expected the universe to hand her a giant magical panther.
Another chime echoed in her mind.
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[Nyx Registered.]
Nyx now recognizes you as his companion.
His loyalty will grow the more time you spend together.
Shared experiences and victories will deepen your bond.
As a reward for your first successful bond, you receive:
• +5 Words of Power
• +3 Basic Outfit Sets (Inventory: Clothes Tab)
• +1 Minor Recovery Potion
---
Her mouth fell open.
Five more words? That was priceless. Every word in this world was literal magic to her—potential skills, abilities, and defense mechanisms. And the clothes? Her current outfit was still crusted with sweat, dirt, and dried leaves.
"Thank you," she breathed, eyes scanning the notifications again, committing every detail to memory.
Selena laid back in the grass for a moment, exhaustion finally catching up to her. Nyx curled beside her like a purring shadow, his flank warm and comforting.
For the first time since she'd arrived in this strange, brutal world, she felt… safe.
Not entirely.
But enough to exhale.
---
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, turning the forest canopy gold and crimson, Selena sat back up and opened her notebook again.
The faint glowing title across the cover still read:
"Say the Name. Write the Words."
She flipped to a new page.
"I need a plan," she murmured, tapping her quill against her lip. "Five more words… that gives me five more chances to survive, or build something useful."
Nyx yawned next to her, showing off a set of gleaming white teeth, then settled his head on her lap.
Suddenly arush of affection took over her and she hugged the cute beast infront of her.
He was soft and smooth better then anything she had ever imagined.
---
As Selene finally got to her senses.Her mind wandered to what else she could write. Could she create a shelter? A weapon? Another skill?
No, she needed to be strategic.
Selena had already learned how powerful her words were. But there had to be rules—limitations. Each sentence had to be carefully worded to avoid unintended consequences.
She scratched her chin.
"I wonder if I can write something like... 'Selena is immune to poison' or 'Selena can see in the dark.'" She looked up at the fading sky. "That second one might actually be really useful right now."
But she didn't write it yet.
Instead, she tore off a bit of jerky, gave it to Nyx—who snatched it up with a delighted purr—and leaned back against a tree.
She had a companion now.
She wasn't alone.
And even if she had no map, no allies, and no real idea of how this world worked—Selena had something just as rare.
Hope.
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