The next morning, after helping Nira tend to the vegetable garden in the backyard—pulling out weeds, watering the tomato and cabbage plants with water from the well, and harvesting some carrots for dinner—then playing with the cheerful Mii and her cloth doll made by Nira, Rinoa sat on the front porch of the wooden house.
She observed the village as it began to settle from the day's bustle. The sky was adorned with a beautiful gradient of orange and gold, a sign that the sun would soon set behind the small hills surrounding the valley.
Chirp... chirp... Birds began returning to their nests in the large trees.
Moo... Moo... Cows were being called back to the barn for the night, the small bells around their necks ringing softly.
Clang... The sound of farming tools—hoes, sickles, woven baskets—being cleaned and stored in small sheds.
The strange knocking sound hadn't appeared again throughout the afternoon, but an uneasy feeling still enveloped Rinoa's heart like storm clouds that wouldn't disperse. Kirubbit seemed more alert than usual, often raising its head to listen to sounds from the distance, its crystal horn occasionally gleaming like a radar picking up signals imperceptible to humans.
There's something making it restless, Rinoa thought while stroking the small creature's soft green fur. And I'm beginning to feel the same way.
"Rinoa," Nira called out, emerging from the house carrying two clay cups of herbal tea that released warm steam—a blend of chamomile and mint leaves. "You've looked glum since earlier. Still thinking about the sounds from the forest?"
"Yes, Mrs. Nira," Rinoa answered while gratefully accepting the warm cup, her now smaller hands having to grip it more carefully. The aroma was fragrant and soothing, reminding her of the warmth of home. "I feel like something is trying to tell us something, but I don't know what it means."
Nira sat in the wooden chair beside Rinoa, her warm brown eyes gazing toward the darkening forest, the silhouettes of tall trees creating shadows that moved with the evening breeze.
"You have strong intuition, Rinoa. That's a good thing—it shows you're sensitive to your surroundings." She sipped her tea slowly. Slurp... "But don't overthink it. The forest often makes strange sounds—strong winds blowing through branches, old trees beginning to collapse from rotting roots, or nocturnal animals like owls and bats becoming active when evening arrives."
I used to overthink like this too, Rinoa recalled while feeling the warmth of the tea spreading through her chest. Always feeling something was wrong, but never brave enough to follow through.
"Mrs. Nira, have you ever heard sounds like what we experienced earlier?"
Nira fell silent for a moment, her face showing an expression as if recalling the past. Her calloused hands from hard work slowly rotated the teacup.
"Occasionally, especially during transitional seasons like now—between dry and rainy seasons. Animals are indeed more active searching for food and water before winter. Squirrels store nuts, birds migrate, even wolves descend from the mountains to seek easier prey." She looked at Rinoa with warm, attentive eyes. "But it usually doesn't last long and isn't dangerous if we don't disturb them."
"The important thing," Nira continued with a more serious tone, "if you hear or feel something unusual, never go alone to investigate. Always bring an adult like Mr. Jeren or someone else experienced with the forest. They know how to read danger signs."
"Alright, Mrs. Nira. I promise," Rinoa answered while feeling warmth not only from the tea but from the genuine care of this woman who had become like a mother to her.
They sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the warm tea and the peaceful evening atmosphere. The gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers and fresh grass beginning to dampen with dew. For a moment, Rinoa felt calm and safe—a feeling she rarely got even in Rio's past life.
But that tranquility didn't last long.
THUD!
A sudden loud impact thundered from the direction of the eastern forest, so powerful it made the ground tremble slightly and the teacups in their hands vibrate. Even the birds in the nearest tree flew away in panicked, chaotic wing flaps.
CRASH! The following sound was like a large tree breaking or falling.
RUMBLE... A rumbling like large stones rolling down a slope.
Nira immediately stood with a quick movement, her teacup nearly falling from her hands. Her face turned alert and tense, all the earlier evening's tranquility vanishing instantly.
"What was that sound?" she whispered while staring toward the increasingly dark forest, her warm brown eyes now full of anxiety.
Kirubbit jumped from Rinoa's lap and ran to the edge of the porch, staring toward the forest with fur standing on end and its crystal horn gleaming bright in the evening light—brighter than Rinoa had ever seen before. The small creature made a snorting sound that resembled a danger warning.
SQUEAK... SQUEAK... Its voice was higher and more anxious than usual, like a small alarm sounding.
From the same direction as the earlier impact, they heard something that made their hair stand on end.
GRRRROOOAAARRRRR...
A long, thunderous roar that echoed throughout the valley, so deep and powerful it made the wooden windows of the house vibrate and creak. The sound was full of rage and ferocity, unlike any bear or wolf they'd ever heard—this was far larger, more vicious, more... terrifying.
Vibration... Rinoa could feel that roar through the ground, like sound waves traveling through the earth itself.
Instantly, a notification panel appeared before Rinoa with a more serious warning.
[High Danger Warning!]
[Major Threat Detected]
[Distance: Approximately 2 kilometers]
[Threat Level: HIGH]
[Hostile Energy: Very Strong]
[Recommendation: EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY]
Oh no, Rinoa thought while feeling her body tense with a fight-or-flight response different from before—more intense, more sensitive.
"Nira! Rinoa!" Jeren suddenly appeared, running quickly from the direction of his workshop, carrying a gleaming large axe in one hand and a lit wooden torch in the other. His face was serious and his gray eyes sharply scanned the surroundings like a warrior ready for battle.
The man now wore simple leather armor over his tunic—equipment clearly not for daily work but for facing danger.
"Are you both alright?"
"We're fine," Nira answered while quickly pulling Rinoa inside the house, her hands trembling slightly from adrenaline. "But that sound... what was that, Jeren? I've never heard anything like it in my life."
"I'm not sure, but it's not an ordinary bear or wolf," Jeren answered firmly while continuing to stare toward the forest, a warrior's experienced eyes assessing the situation. "The sound is too large and too... primitive. Savage. And earlier I saw birds flying in panic from that direction in abnormal formation—they flew as if something was forcibly driving them away."
Flap... Flap... Indeed, the sound of birds flying erratically could be heard, chaotic and panicked sounds.
Luno and Mii suddenly emerged from inside the house with pale faces and widened eyes full of fear. Luno wore a simple nightshirt, while Mii clutched her worn cloth doll tightly.
"Mrs. Nira, what was that sound?" Mii asked in a small, trembling voice while hiding behind Nira's dress, her large blue eyes teary. "It's so scary... like a big, angry monster..."
"It's alright, dear," Nira said while kneeling and gently hugging Mii, her voice trying to stay calm though Rinoa could hear the tremor of anxiety in it. "Mr. Jeren will protect us all. You don't need to be afraid."
But even as Nira said this, Rinoa could see deep worry in the woman's eyes. And if adults like Nira, who were usually calm and controlled, showed such anxiety, it meant the situation was truly serious.
Jeren gripped his axe tighter, his knuckles whitening from the strong grip. The muscles in his arms tensed under the leather armor, preparing for battle.
"Nira, gather Rinoa and the children inside the house. Close all windows with wooden panels and lock the door with all available bolts. Don't come out until I say it's safe or until you hear the danger has passed."
"You're going alone?" Nira asked worriedly while looking into Jeren's eyes, her hands still hugging the trembling Mii.
"I'll gather the other men first. Mr. Willem with his wooden bow, Mr. Gareth with his spear, and the others. We'll patrol together in combat formation," Jeren answered while mounting the torch on a metal holder on the porch. The firelight danced, creating moving shadows on his stern face. "No one goes alone in a situation like this."
Jeren then looked at Rinoa with a sharp, serious gaze—the eyes of a veteran assessing the situation.
"You said you've been hearing strange sounds since morning. Do you still remember the details? Every piece of information could be useful in estimating what we're facing."
Rinoa nodded and recounted in surprising detail the rhythmic knocking sounds she'd heard since dawn—the regular pattern, then changing to the sound of large footsteps in the afternoon, and now the terrifying roar that thundered with unnatural power.
"Good. That information is very useful," Jeren said while nodding, his expression showing he was processing the information with a strategist's mind.
"It seems there's indeed something approaching the village gradually. Perhaps it's stalking, studying the village layout, looking for something specific, or..." he paused, his gray eyes glancing briefly at Rinoa, "...looking for someone."
The way Jeren said the word 'someone' with a strange tone and a quick glance toward Rinoa made the girl feel uncomfortable. As if the man was thinking about a possibility he didn't want to say openly in front of the children.
Why is he looking at me like that? Rinoa thought with uneasy feelings. As if he suspects there's a connection to me. But that's impossible... right?
"Mr. Jeren, what do you mean by 'looking for someone'?" Rinoa asked with a slightly trembling voice.
Jeren fell silent for a moment, as if considering how much he should say. Then he smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, and there was something forced in his expression.
"Ah, it's nothing. Probably just speculation. Most likely just a large animal that's lost and looking for food or new territory." He raised his axe to his shoulder with a trained movement.
"The important thing is you all stay inside the house until the situation is safe. And if you hear anything—whether it's strange sounds, knocking, or movement outside—don't open the door for anyone unless you clearly hear my voice."
He's hiding something, Rinoa thought while observing Jeren's tense body language. There's something he's not saying. Something about 'looking for someone' and the way he glanced at me...
After Jeren left with quick steps toward other houses to gather the men, the sound of his leather boots fading on the dirt road, Nira immediately locked the front and back doors with quick but careful movements.
Click... Clack... The sound of wooden locks and iron bolts being fastened one by one.
She then closed all windows with thick wooden panels and lowered the cloth curtains that were usually left open for air circulation.
Crack... thud... The sound of wooden windows being closed one by one with firm thuds.
After that, Nira lit several additional beeswax candles she had made herself, making the room brighter and warmer though it now felt more stuffy without ventilation. The candlelight danced, creating an atmosphere that should have been calming, but in this situation made the shadows on the walls appear to move frighteningly.
Flicker... flicker... Candlelight moving with the remaining air currents.
"Mrs. Nira," Rinoa said quietly when they all gathered in the central room—she, Nira, Luno, and Mii who was already getting sleepy but still frightened, "I feel Mr. Jeren is hiding something from us. Like he knows more about what's happening than he's saying."
The way he looked at me earlier... there was suspicion in his eyes, Rinoa thought while recalling Jeren's sharp gaze.
Nira sat in a wooden chair while pulling Mii onto her lap, the little girl immediately curling up with her cloth doll. "Jeren is indeed a very careful and experienced person, Rinoa. He was formerly a soldier before settling in this village, so he's trained not to make people panic before knowing the situation for certain."
"A soldier?" Luno asked with eyes sparkling with admiration despite his lingering anxiety. "Mr. Jeren was a real soldier? Like the ones who tell stories about wars against monsters at the border?"
"Yes. He once served at the kingdom's border for several years—facing attacks from beasts and sometimes bandits who attacked merchant caravans—before deciding to live peacefully in the village," Nira explained while stroking Mii's blonde hair, which was beginning to get sleepy though her small body was still tense. "That's why he knows how to handle dangerous situations and stay calm under pressure."
"But I feel there's something he's not telling us," Rinoa pressed, her high voice making the worry clearer. "Especially about 'looking for someone.' And the way he glanced at me..."
Nira fell silent for a moment, her face showing internal doubt. She looked like she was considering whether to tell something or not.
"Maybe because..." she seemed hesitant to continue, her voice becoming quieter, "lately there have been reports from passing merchants—those who trade between villages—about attacks by unusual creatures in several places. But those are still rumors; nothing can be confirmed yet."
"Unusual creatures?" Rinoa asked with increasingly uneasy feelings, her smaller chest feeling tight.
"Creatures larger and more aggressive than ordinary forest animals, but not entirely wild beasts," Nira answered in a quiet voice so as not to frighten Mii more, the little girl already beginning to doze though still occasionally startled. "They attack livestock, destroy crops, and sometimes... attack humans alone at night. But what's strange is they seem... to be looking for something specific."
Luno, hearing the conversation, joined in with eyes already showing anxiety, his voice whispering. "Like monsters with minds?"
"Don't say monsters, Luno," Nira scolded while glancing at Mii sleeping in her lap, her small body finally relaxed in the warmth of the embrace. "Mii will have nightmares."
But it was too late. Rinoa could see deep worry in Nira's eyes—the worry of a mother trying to protect her children from something that might be more dangerous than they imagined.
Kirubbit suddenly jumped onto Rinoa's lap and made a soft snort that sounded like a danger warning. Its light blue crystal horn gleamed with light brighter than usual, blinking in an irregular pattern they couldn't understand.
Ting... Ting... Ting... Crystal gleaming rhythmically like a heartbeat.
[Environmental Warning!]
[Hostile Presence Detected]
[Distance: Approaching]
[Threat Level: Medium to High]
[Negative Magical Energy Detected]
[Recommendation: Seek safe shelter]
The notification panel appeared with a more serious warning than before. Rinoa's heart began beating faster and she felt a cold sensation creeping down her spine—a more intense reaction than she'd ever felt.
Negative magical energy? What does that mean? Rinoa thought while hugging the increasingly restless Kirubbit, its small fur standing up like needles. This isn't an ordinary animal approaching.
"Mrs. Nira," Rinoa whispered with a trembling voice, at a volume barely audible, "I think there's something approaching the village. Something dangerous. We need to hide in a place safer than this."
"Why? Did you hear something again?" Nira asked while slowly standing, moving carefully so as not to wake Mii sleeping in her arms.
"More than just hearing," Rinoa answered while staring toward the door with increasingly intense worry. "I... I have a very bad feeling about this. Like something is wrong—very wrong."
Before Nira could respond, a loud banging sound suddenly thundered from the direction of the back door.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Loud, rough, and aggressive sounds very different from the gentle knocking Rinoa had heard that morning. Each impact made the entire wooden door violently shake and produce worrying sounds. The old wood creaked under pressure it shouldn't have to bear.
Creak... groan... The door vibrated on its hinges, iron bolts clashing with the wooden frame.
Mii woke with a start and immediately cried in Nira's embrace, her small blue eyes widening in fear.
Waaaah... The heartbreaking frightened cry of a small child.
"Mrs. Nira, what's that sound?" Luno whispered while grabbing a small kitchen knife he took from the kitchen rack with trembling hands—a knife for cutting vegetables that now felt very small and inadequate. "Who's knocking like that?"
"I don't know, but it's not Jeren or anyone else from the village," Nira answered firmly while hugging the crying Mii, her voice trying to stay calm though Rinoa could hear the tremor of anxiety in it. "Villagers would definitely call our names first before knocking. And something like that... is too rough for a human."
Rinoa felt her body tense in a way different from before—more sensitive, more reactive. Her heart beat rapidly in her smaller chest, making her feel like a small trapped bird.
This isn't just adrenaline, she thought while feeling a strange sensation flowing through her body. There's something in me reacting to this threat in an abnormal way.
They immediately moved quickly, sliding the wooden dining table and chairs to block the front and back doors. The sound of furniture being dragged created unavoidable noise in the simple wooden house.
Screech... thud... The sound of the heavy wooden table being pushed across in front of the door.
Clatter... Chairs being stacked as reinforcement for the barricade.
The banging on the back door didn't stop—instead it became louder, faster, and seemed increasingly frustrated. Each impact sent small wood splinters falling from the door frame.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Mrs. Nira," Luno whispered while holding the kitchen knife with both hands, his knuckles white from the strong grip, "if that's Mr. Jeren, he'd definitely call our names, right?"
"Definitely," Nira answered with a firm but trembling voice. "Jeren wouldn't knock like an angry animal. And he'd definitely say 'it's me, Jeren' clearly."
Suddenly, the knocking stopped completely. An oppressive, frightening silence filled the house. Only the sound of their anxious breathing and rapidly beating hearts could be heard.
Thump-thump... thump-thump... Rinoa's increasingly rapid heartbeat, feeling like a small drum.
Then they heard something that made their entire bodies tense.
THUMP... THUMP... THUMP...
Heavy, slow footsteps circling the house. Each step created vibrations felt through the wooden floor, showing that whatever was outside had abnormally large weight and size—far larger than a human or ordinary animal.
Creak... creak... Floorboards groaning following the vibrations of the steps, old wood unable to withstand this unusual resonance.
The footsteps moved in a regular, planned pattern—from the back door, to the left side of the house, to the front, then to the right side, as if the creature was studying the house's structure, looking for the most effective entry point, or deliberately observing.
This isn't ordinary animal behavior, Rinoa thought while feeling her hair stand on end. A hungry or frightened animal wouldn't move this orderly. This is like... like it has intelligence.
Rinoa felt strange energy flowing through her body—a warm, familiar sensation like what she felt when facing the hunters in the grasslands before. Her ability began activating automatically, providing information more detailed than just ordinary hearing.
[Skill Activation]
[Instinctive Pulse - Level 2]
[Enhanced sensory awareness activated]
The notification panel informed her that her Instinctive Pulse ability was active. Rinoa immediately felt the change: her hearing became far sharper, she could feel every small vibration in the wooden floor through her bare feet, and could even strongly sense the threatening aura from the creature outside—the aura felt dark, hungry, and full of predatory intent.
I can sense them, Rinoa thought while closing her eyes and concentrating, her smaller body actually becoming more sensitive to external stimuli. There's more than one. And they... they're not ordinary animals.
"There are two," Rinoa whispered in a voice almost inaudible, almost like breath.
"What?" Nira asked while turning toward Rinoa, her warm brown eyes full of worry.
"There are two creatures outside," Rinoa answered with eyes still closed, focusing on the sensations provided by her ability. "One is moving around the house—the large, heavy one. The other... is moving toward the roof. The second is smaller but more agile."
"How can you know that?" Nira asked with widened disbelieving eyes, her voice almost whispering for fear of being discovered by the creatures outside.
Rinoa opened her eyes and looked at Nira. "I... I don't know how to explain it. I can just sense their presence. Like there's a sensor in my body telling me where they are, how big they are, and what they're planning."
I can't tell them about the system and skills. They won't believe me, and this isn't the right time for complicated explanations.
THUD!
A loud thump suddenly sounded from above their heads. Something very heavy landed on the wooden roof with force that shook the entire structure. Dust and small wood splinters fell from the ceiling like rain.
Patter... patter... Dust and splinters falling like light rain.
Squeak... The sound of wooden beams bearing excessive weight, wood groaning under pressure it shouldn't bear.
"Good God," Nira whispered while staring at the ceiling with frightened eyes, hugging Mii tighter.
SCRATCH... SCRATCH... SCRAAAATCH...
The sound of long, ear-piercing scratching on the roof, like large claws trying to tear through the wooden shingles and straw. Each scratch produced a painful sound like long nails on a chalkboard, making them all wince and cover their ears.
Screech... Screech... The sound of wood and straw beginning to tear, roofing material not designed to withstand attacks like this.
Larger wood splinters began falling, and they could see small cracks beginning to appear in the ceiling. Moonlight began seeping through the forming gaps.
Mii began crying louder in Nira's embrace, while Luno gripped his kitchen knife tightly though his hands trembled violently. His brown eyes showed fear but also determination to protect his small family—admirable courage for a child his age.
"Mrs. Nira," Rinoa whispered urgently, her high voice making the panic clearer, "we need to get out of the house now. Before it's too late."
"What? Why?" Nira asked with a trembling voice, still hesitant to leave their shelter.
"If they succeed in getting in from above, we'll be trapped inside with no way out," Rinoa explained while glancing at the increasingly damaged ceiling, larger pieces of wood beginning to fall. "It's better if we find a hiding place outside that has more exit routes. Here we're like rats in a trap."
I used to watch horror movies and was always annoyed why the victims didn't run when there was still a chance, Rinoa recalled. Now I understand—in panic situations, the first instinct is to hide in a safe place.
Nira appeared hesitant, but the scratching sounds above grew louder and more wood splinters fell. Even Mii in her lap began coughing from the dust.
CRACK... CRACK... SNAP!
The sound of wood beginning to break—roof support beams unable to withstand the brutal load and assault.
"You're right," Nira finally said firmly, a mother's instinct to protect her children overcoming fear. "Let's go to Mr. Gareth's house. His house has a basement that's strong and safe—made of stone."
They moved slowly and carefully toward the front door, shifting the blocking furniture with minimal sound. Each movement had to be calculated to avoid attracting the attention of the creatures outside.
Scrape... scrape... The sound of the table being moved slowly, as quietly as possible.
Rinoa closed her eyes and concentrated again, using her ability to monitor the positions of the creatures outside. The sensations she received were clear and detailed—like a mental map of the threats surrounding them.
"The one on the roof is still busy trying to tear in," she whispered in a voice almost inaudible. "The other is moving to the side of the house, away from the front door. Now the front path is relatively safe for a few seconds."
Nira opened the front door very slowly and carefully, each hinge movement calculated to avoid creaking.
Creak... The sound of door hinges opening slowly, a sound that felt very loud in the night's silence.
The village street appeared empty and dark. Only the full moon's light illuminated the dirt road with silvery light providing sharp contrast between bright areas and dark shadows. Other houses appeared dark with windows tightly closed, likely other residents also hiding inside their respective homes after hearing the earlier terrifying roar.
They stepped out with very careful steps, as if each movement could invite danger. Rinoa felt the cold night air touching her more sensitive skin—her female body more perceptive to temperature changes.
Step... step... Footsteps on soft earth, each step calculated to avoid making sound.
Mr. Gareth's house was only five houses away from Nira's house, but in a situation like this it felt like several kilometers that had to be traveled through dangerous terrain. Every shadow looked suspicious, every wind sound seemed like a threat, every small movement in the distance made hearts pound fast.
When they were almost halfway down the road, Rinoa heard a sound that made her blood freeze completely.
CRAAAASH!
The sound of Nira's house roof collapsing loudly, followed by terrifying sounds of destruction. Dust and wood splinters flew into the air like a small explosion, and the sound of furniture being destroyed echoed through the night.
Rumble... clatter... The sound of debris falling, wood breaking, and straw shingles scattering.
"Run!" Rinoa shouted in a voice that could no longer be kept quiet, survival instinct overcoming caution.
They ran with all their strength toward Mr. Gareth's house. Rinoa carried the trembling Kirubbit, her smaller body making her adapt to a different way of running—faster but shorter steps, with different balance. Meanwhile, Luno helped Nira who was carrying Mii while running with gasping breath.
Thump-thump-thump! The sound of their feet running on the hard dirt road.
GRRROOOOAAARRRRR!
An angry roar thundered from the direction of the collapsed house, followed by the sound of objects being brutally destroyed with uncontrolled rage.
CRASH! BANG! SMASH!
The sound of tables, chairs, pots, and household items being viciously destroyed—like an explosion of destructive rage from a creature frustrated at not finding what it was looking for.
That creature must be very angry at not finding the prey it was looking for in the house, Rinoa thought while continuing to run, her small lungs working hard. The sound of destruction continued with terrifying intensity.
What if they realize we escaped? Panic began gnawing at Rinoa's thoughts. What if they start searching other houses? What if they follow our scent?
Finally they reached Mr. Gareth's house, which looked more solid—made of thicker wooden beams with a stronger structure. Nira immediately knocked on the door hard and quickly, no longer caring about noise because the situation was already an emergency.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Mr. Gareth! Mrs. Sarah! Open the door! This is an emergency!" Nira shouted with uncontrolled panicked voice.
A few seconds later—which felt like hours—the door opened and Mr. Gareth appeared with an iron-tipped wooden spear in his hand. His old face showed readiness to fight despite his advanced age—sharp eyes and ready posture, like a veteran who never forgot his training.
"Nira? Children?" Mr. Gareth immediately saw their panicked and breathless condition. "What happened? Why are you running around in the darkness?"
"There are strange creatures attacking my house," Nira answered while quickly entering the house, Mii still crying in her embrace. "They destroyed the roof and are now rampaging inside. We need to hide in a safer place."
"Strange creatures?" Mr. Gareth closed the door and locked it with several bolts of different sizes (a more complex security system than Nira's house). "What did they look like? How many?"
"We didn't see them directly," Rinoa answered while trying to regulate her still gasping breath, her smaller chest rising and falling rapidly. "But from the sounds, they're like large animals that can climb onto roofs. And there are two—one very heavy, the other more agile."
Mrs. Sarah, Mr. Gareth's wife, emerged from the bedroom carrying an oil lamp that illuminated her anxious face. The middle-aged woman with neatly tied gray hair wore a simple nightgown but had already prepared a small bag as if accustomed to emergency situations.
"Children, you're not hurt, are you?" she asked while checking their conditions one by one with experienced eyes.
"We're fine, Mrs. Sarah," Luno answered with a voice still trembling but trying to sound brave. "But Mrs. Nira's house... is destroyed. The roof collapsed, all the furniture is destroyed."
GRRRROOOAAARRRRR...
The loud familiar roar sounded again from the direction of the collapsed house, followed by increasingly brutal and uncontrolled sounds of destruction.
CRASH! THUD! SMASH! BANG! BOOM!
Sounds showing the creature was destroying everything that could be destroyed in great rage and deep frustration.
"Good Lord," Mrs. Sarah whispered while covering her mouth with trembling hands. "Is that an animal sound? I've never heard anything like that in my life."
"Let's go to the basement now," Mr. Gareth said in a tone that accepted no refusal, his survival and leadership instincts taking over. "Sarah, bring the emergency water and food supplies we've prepared. And get the long-lasting backup candles."
"Already ready," Mrs. Sarah answered while showing the small bag in her hand with quick movement. "I got them since hearing the first roar earlier."
Mr. Gareth opened a small wooden door in the floor of the central room that was almost invisible—hidden under a woven carpet. The door revealed stone stairs leading down, sturdier than ordinary wooden stairs.
Creak... The sound of old but still strong door hinges.
"Come on, everyone down. The room below isn't large but enough for all of us and strong enough to protect us," Mr. Gareth said while helping Nira and the children down carefully. "The walls are made of stone and compacted earth, the ceiling from thick teak beams. Any creature will have difficulty getting in."
One by one they descended into the small but very safe basement. Mr. Gareth closed the door from inside and installed several additional bolts—a layered security system showing this room was indeed designed for emergency situations.
Click... clack... The sound of locks and bolts being installed with precision.
The basement was simple but very functional and ready to use. Its walls were made of stone and compact earth, the floor of compacted earth covered with woven mats, and there were several wooden shelves containing emergency food supplies: small cans, dried bread, water in clay jugs. Mrs. Sarah lit a small oil lamp with a stable wick, providing warm, calming light that didn't flicker like candles.
Flicker... Stable and calming lamplight.
"Now we wait until Jeren and the others come," Mr. Gareth said while sitting with the spear still in his grip, his old eyes remaining alert despite being in a relatively safe place. "They must have heard the commotion and will come with reinforcements."
Rinoa sat in a corner of the basement with Kirubbit still trembling in her embrace. The small creature curled up against her chest, seeking warmth and comfort. She could still feel her Instinctive Pulse ability active, and the sensations she received made her heart increasingly anxious.
[Environmental Status Update]
[Hostile creatures: 3 detected]
[Location: Various points around the village]
[Threat level: Medium to High]
[Movement: Actively searching]
[Recommendation: Remain in safe location until threat passes]
Three creatures? Now there's one more?
"Mrs. Nira," Rinoa whispered in an almost inaudible voice, "I think there are now three creatures outside. The third one just arrived."
"Three?" Mr. Gareth furrowed his brow and stared at Rinoa intently, experienced old eyes assessing the credibility of the young girl before him. "How can you know that, young lady? Did you see them?"
Rinoa felt all eyes on her. She couldn't explain about the system and her abilities, but she had to provide a reasonable explanation without sounding crazy.
"I... I've been able to sense it since this afternoon. Like there's an ability within me to detect dangerous things around," Rinoa answered carefully.
"Maybe because of excessive fear, my senses became more sensitive. Or maybe... I have a talent that's just awakening?"
This isn't entirely a lie, Rinoa thought. This ability did just emerge, and maybe it's related to urgent situations.
Nira looked at Rinoa with an expression that was hard to read, a mixture of concern and admiration.
"An ability like that... might be a sign that your magical talent is beginning to awaken, Rinoa. An awakening triggered by an extreme situation."
"Magical talent?"
"Yes, dear. Everyone has the potential to use magical abilities, but not everyone can access them," Nira explained while gently stroking Rinoa's head.
"Usually these abilities begin to emerge during adolescence, especially in situations of extreme stress or danger. And what you're experiencing—being able to sense the presence of dangerous creatures—might be one manifestation of Aether Sense."
"So... I can use magic?" Rinoa asked with sparkling eyes, a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
"Most likely. Detection abilities like what you're experiencing are usually related to Aether affinity or sensor magic," Nira answered with a thin smile that tried to calm despite the still tense situation. "But we'll talk about this later when the situation is safe, okay? Right now the important thing is to survive."
STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!
The sound of heavy footsteps and human shouts could be heard from above, getting closer to Mr. Gareth's house. But this time the footsteps were different—more regular, more organized, and accompanied by the sound of clashing iron.
"Hey! Mr. Gareth! Is anyone home?" shouted a familiar voice—Jeren's deep and authoritative voice.
"We're here, Jeren!" Mr. Gareth answered while slightly opening the basement door, his voice relieved to hear the sound of reinforcements. "We're hiding in the basement!"
"Are you all safe? Anyone injured?"
"All safe! What about those creatures? What actually attacked our village?"
GRRRAAAHHH! SNARL! SNAP!
The sound of fierce fighting echoed from outside—the angry and desperate roar of creatures, the determined shouts of men, and the clash of weapons against claws and teeth in intense battle.
CLANG! THUD! The sound of a metal axe striking something hard and organic.
ROAR! A roar that sounded angry and in pain—the sound of a wounded creature still fighting.
"We managed to drive off two, but one more fled back to the forest!" Jeren shouted from outside, his breath gasping from physical exhaustion. "Nira's house is badly damaged, but thank God there are no casualties! Everyone is safe!"
After hearing confirmation that the situation was relatively safe, they climbed back to the surface. Rinoa immediately saw the village's condition through Mr. Gareth's house window, and the sight that greeted her was quite shocking though expected.
Several houses suffered minor damage—broken windows with glass shards scattered, doors torn from their hinges, yards in disarray with furniture lying everywhere. But Nira's house appeared to have suffered the worst damage—a large hole in the roof and walls cracked in several places, almost like a small war zone.
"Good God," Nira whispered while looking at her house's condition from a distance, eyes tearing up seeing the total destruction.
"Jeren," Mr. Gareth called as the man approached his house with heavy steps, his leather armor torn in several places and claw marks on his arm. "Did you manage to see those creatures clearly? Could you identify what attacked?"
"We managed to see two of them before they fled," Jeren answered while wiping sweat and blood from small scratches on his arm, his face showing exhaustion after the intense battle.
"Their shape resembled bears, but far larger than ordinary bears, almost the size of adult horses. Their height was almost equal to an adult person when standing on two legs, with very large muscles. Their eyes glowed red in the darkness, and their claws were very long—even capable of tearing thick wood like wet paper."
"And the strangest thing," Mr. Willem added, just arriving with gasping breath, wooden bow still gripped in his hand and arrow quiver nearly empty, "they seemed to be looking for something specific. Not just attacking randomly for food or territory like ordinary animals."
"Looking for what?" Mrs. Sarah asked with curiosity and anxiety, her voice trembling at the implied meaning.
Jeren glanced at Rinoa briefly before answering, his gaze full of unspoken meaning—an assessing and slightly suspicious look. "We don't know for certain. But they wandered around the houses while sniffing like hunting dogs, as if searching for a particular scent or trail. Not like normal predators hunting for food."
Rinoa felt her stomach churn hearing that explanation. The way Jeren looked at her with an assessing and meaningful gaze, combined with the fact that the creatures were 'looking for something specific,' made her feel there was a connection to herself.
Are they looking for me? But why? I don't even know who I really am in this world, Rinoa thought while feeling her now smaller body tense in a different way than before—more vulnerable, more exposed.
[System Notification!]
[Survival experience gained: +240 EXP]
[Survival situation successfully overcome]
[You have leveled up to Level 3!]
[Status Statistics increased]
[New skill developed: Danger Sense (Passive) - Level 1]
[Status update available for review]
The notification panel informed her that she gained significant experience from tonight's events. Rinoa wanted to immediately check her status update, but of course couldn't do it in front of others.
"Jeren," Nira said while looking at her destroyed house with teary eyes, her voice trembling from emotional impact, "we can't return to the house tonight. Can we stay somewhere else temporarily?"
My entire life was in that house, the tone of her voice implied. All the memories, everything I had.
"You can stay at my house," Mr. Gareth offered warmly, his old eyes full of empathy. "Sarah will be happy to have company to chat with, and the guest room is spacious enough for all of you. There are spare mattresses and thick blankets."
"Or you could stay at Mr. Willem's house," Jeren suggested while pointing toward the larger house at the end of the village, a wooden building that looked more solid. "His house is more spacious and has better security—windows with thick wooden panels and reinforced double doors with iron."
"The most important thing," Jeren continued in a serious tone, his gray eyes looking at everyone present, "tomorrow we must hold a village meeting to discuss this incident thoroughly. This wasn't a random occurrence."
"Village meeting?" Nira asked while still staring at her damaged house, her voice sounding distant.
"Yes. Attacks like this aren't normal for our village," Jeren answered while cleaning blood from the scratches on his arm with cloth, the practiced movements of someone accustomed to treating battle wounds. "We need to formulate a strategy to face the possibility of future attacks. And we need to find out what actually attracted those creatures to our village."
The way Jeren spoke the last sentence while glancing at Rinoa with a meaningful look made the girl feel increasingly uncomfortable. There was an implied accusation in that gaze.
He must suspect there's a connection to my arrival, Rinoa thought with gnawing guilt. What if my presence really is bringing problems to this village that's been so good to me? What if I'm the trigger for all this?
I always used to feel guilty when there were problems around me, even though it wasn't always my fault, Rinoa recalled while feeling that familiar guilt. But this time... the timing is too coincidental to ignore.
After discussing briefly with tired voices, they decided to stay at Mr. Willem's house, which was indeed larger and had better security—layered wooden panel windows and metal-reinforced doors. Mr. Willem and his family welcomed them warmly and with empathy, though everyone appeared worried and alert after that night's traumatic event.
"You can use the guest room upstairs," Mr. Willem said while showing the way with an oil lamp. "There are two beds with soft straw mattresses and warm enough. My wife has prepared thick wool blankets and extra pillows."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Willem," Nira said with a voice trembling from exhaustion and trauma, her warm brown eyes tearing up with gratitude. "We're truly grateful for everyone's kindness."
Mrs. Hana, a plump woman with gray hair and a motherly face, gently patted Nira's shoulder. "This is how neighbors treat each other, dear. We look after one another. And houses can be rebuilt—the important thing is you're all safe."
When everyone was trying to sleep despite the still tense atmosphere, Rinoa lay on the simple mattress in the guest room while hugging Kirubbit, who still trembled occasionally. She could still feel the residual adrenaline from earlier, and her new Danger Sense ability kept her half-awake, alert to every small sound.
Creak... The sound of wind making the wooden roof groan softly.
Rustle... Leaves outside swaying with the night wind.
Every small sound made Rinoa tense—her smaller, more sensitive body reacted more intensely to external stimuli. Even her faster heartbeat in her smaller chest made her more aware of her own vulnerability.
Though her ability didn't detect immediate threats, she decided to check her status update now when everyone was asleep.
"Status," she whispered inwardly while concentrating, an inner voice that still felt strange with a different tone.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Rinoa
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Class: None
Level: 3 (0/300)
Affinity: Aether (Awakening)
Titles: Reincarnated Soul
HP: 260 / 260
AP: 140 / 140
STR: 10 (+4)
AGI: 14 (+5)
VIT: 10 (+2)
INT: 15 (+3)
LUK: 12 (+2)
Skills:
• Instinctive Pulse (Passive - Level 2) - Body responds to threats automatically with high accuracy + reacts automatically when attacked
• Danger Sense (Passive - Level 1) - Can detect the presence of dangerous creatures within a 100-meter radius
??? (Locked)
Items: None
Rinoa was shocked to see the significant changes. Her level rose two levels at once, from Level 1 to Level 3. Her HP and AP increased drastically, and all her statistics increased considerably. Most interestingly, her affinity was now identified as Aether in the process of awakening.
Aether... Mrs. Nira said it's related to sensor abilities, Rinoa thought while studying her new status panel. And I got a new skill: Danger Sense. The ability to detect enemy presence within a fairly wide radius.
Besides that, she could feel physical changes in her body. Her body felt lighter, more responsive, and her mind clearer. As if that night's traumatic experience had opened the potential hidden within her—an awakening triggered by extreme situations.
But is this a good thing? Doubt began creeping into her thoughts. If my abilities grow stronger, and if those creatures really were looking for me, will my presence bring more danger to this village? Am I cursed or blessed?
I always used to overthink like this, she recalled while feeling the familiar anxiety pattern. But now the stakes are far higher. This isn't just about social anxiety or academic pressure. This is about life and death.
Kirubbit snorted softly in her embrace, as if sensing Rinoa's restlessness. Its small crystal horn gleamed gently in the darkness, providing calming light like a natural nightlight.
"Kirubbit," Rinoa whispered while stroking the creature's soft fur with gentle touch, "what's really happening to me? Why do those strange creatures seem interested in me?"
Of course Kirubbit couldn't answer with words, but the small creature rubbed its head against Rinoa's chin with a calming gesture. As if saying that whatever happened, it would stay with Rinoa with unconditional loyalty.
Outside the window, Rinoa could hear the sound of the night wind blowing softly between the trees.
Whoosh... whoosh...
But now, with her Danger Sense ability active, she could also sense that there was something out there still watching the village from a distance—a presence that stalked, waited, and observed.
[Danger Sense Active]
[Hostile presence detected: Long distance]
[Location: Eastern forest]
[Status: Observing, not approaching]
[Threat level: Low (for now)]
[Analysis: Surveillance behavior, not direct attack intention]
The one that fled earlier really hasn't gone far, Rinoa thought. It's still there, waiting, observing, looking for the right opportunity, or maybe reporting back to something larger.
And somehow, Rinoa was certain that creature was looking for her specifically. The connection felt too strong to be mere coincidence.
Tomorrow, she thought with determination beginning to harden despite her body trembling slightly, I need to talk to Mrs. Nira and Mr. Jeren about the possibility that my presence in this village is bringing problems. And I need to start finding answers about who I really am, and why those strange creatures seem interested in me.
I don't want to be a burden or danger to the people who've been so good to me. The new family I finally found after a lonely life as Rio.
But for tonight, she could only lie in the darkness, hugging Kirubbit, and hope that her new Danger Sense ability would provide early warning if any threats approached. Her smaller, more sensitive body made her more aware of every small discomfort—the way the blanket touched her skin, sleeping positions that had to be adjusted, even different breathing patterns.
In the dark, quiet night, the soft knocking sound began again from the direction of the distant forest.
Tok..... tok... tok....
This time softer, fainter, but still regular. Like a code or signal intended for someone specific—a continuous and patient message.
Rinoa closed her eyes and tried to ignore the sound, but in her heart she knew this was just the beginning. Whatever had started tonight wasn't finished. And the answers to all her questions might be waiting somewhere in the darkness of the forest, along with dangers she couldn't yet imagine.
Tomorrow will be a long day, her thoughts kept spinning before she finally fell asleep with restless sleep, filled with dreams about glowing red eyes in the darkness, sounds that seemed to call from very far away.
In the distance, in the pitch-dark forest, a pair of eyes glowing like red stars watched the village of Lirinvale with calculating attention. Waiting. Observing. Preparing.
"The time is almost here..."