The shadows of evening stretched long across the village as Arctus watched through the eyes of the boy. The sun had dipped behind the mountains, casting a purple glow over the rooftops and fields. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of woodsmoke and earth. The small village was beginning to settle into the calm of twilight, its denizens wrapping up their daily tasks and retreating into their homes.
The boy, whose name Arctus had yet to learn, stood alone at the edge of the village, still trembling from the encounter with the wolf. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and the firewood he had gathered earlier lay scattered across the dirt path, forgotten. Arctus could feel the boy’s heart pounding in his chest, the fear still fresh, still raw. But there was something else now—something deeper.
Determination.
He survived because of me. I saved him. Arctus thought, a strange sense of satisfaction blooming within him. Yet it was fleeting. Barely. If that shield had failed, he would have been dead.
As the boy slowly regained his composure, Arctus began to process everything he had learned. He wasn’t just a passive observer in this world—he could guide, influence, and protect. But his power was limited. The Mana Shield had nearly depleted his energy, and he had no idea how to recover it.
I need to understand this world better, Arctus thought. If I’m going to survive—and protect the people I’m connected to—I need to know more. The boy, the village, the dangers they face... there’s so much I don’t know.
The boy finally moved, his legs still trembling. He glanced around, disoriented, before bending down to gather the scattered firewood. As he made his way back to the village, Arctus sensed a growing connection between them—a thread of empathy and purpose. It wasn’t just the boy’s survival that mattered now; it was his progress, his growth, his journey.
----------------------------------------
Learning the Ropes
The boy walked through the village’s narrow dirt paths, his bundle of firewood cradled in his arms. Arctus observed everything: the simple wooden houses with thatched roofs, the worn cobblestone well in the center of the square, the small marketplace now deserted as night approached. The village was modest, nestled in the shadow of a dense forest, but there was something comforting in its simplicity. The faint glow of hearths through the windows, the occasional murmur of voices from within the homes—it was a peaceful contrast to the chaos Arctus had just witnessed.
This place... it’s like a tutorial zone in a game, Arctus mused, recognizing the familiar structure. But the dangers here are real. And I’m still learning the rules.
The boy finally reached a small, thatched-roof cottage at the edge of the village. He pushed open the wooden door with his shoulder, stepping inside. The scent of burning wood and stew greeted him, and Arctus could see the flickering light of a hearth casting shadows across the simple interior. The boy’s family—his parents and two younger siblings—were seated around a roughly-hewn wooden table, their faces lined with worry.
The boy’s father, a burly man with a gruff demeanor, stood as soon as he entered, his expression a mix of relief and frustration. “What took you so long, Liam?” the man growled, his voice low but tense.
Liam... Arctus repeated the name, locking it into his memory. At least now I know what to call him.
Liam’s mother, a kind-faced woman with soft features, rushed forward, her hands fluttering over him in concern. “You’re safe. Thank the gods,” she murmured, pulling him into a tight embrace. Liam stood still, the tension slowly draining from his body as his mother’s warmth enveloped him.
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
“I... there was a wolf,” Liam finally said, his voice shaking. “I almost—” He stopped, glancing around the room as if unsure how to explain what had happened. How could he explain the strange messages that had appeared before his eyes? The blue shield that had saved his life?
“A wolf?!” his younger sister gasped, her wide eyes filled with both fear and fascination.
His father stepped forward, his rough hands gripping Liam’s shoulders. “A wolf, you say? Did it get close? Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Liam said quickly, his voice steadier now. “It didn’t... it couldn’t get through.”
Arctus watched the exchange with a growing sense of purpose. These people have no idea how close he came to death. I was barely able to protect him. I need more power. More tools at my disposal. But first, I need to learn more about this world.
----------------------------------------
Crafting a Strategy
As the evening wore on and Liam’s family gathered for their simple meal, Arctus used the quiet time to explore his system interface. His recent use of the Mana Shield had nearly drained him, but he now had a clearer understanding of what needed to be done.
I need to expand my abilities, Arctus thought, his mind racing as he navigated through the system menus. The options were limited—he could create new skills, but each one would drain his energy reserves, and without knowing how to replenish them, he had to be cautious.
His first step was to refine the Mana Shield. It had barely held against the wolf’s attack, and in a more dangerous situation, it wouldn’t be enough. He spent what little energy he had left to tweak the shield, making it more durable, able to withstand stronger hits. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
Next, he needed something more versatile. Something that could help in non-combat situations. He skimmed through the available options and settled on a simple healing ability—a way to mend minor injuries without expending too much energy. He named it Healing Touch, and though it was rudimentary, it would serve as a basic tool for emergencies.
----------------------------------------
The Next Challenge
The following morning, Arctus sensed a shift in the village. The peaceful atmosphere of the previous night had given way to a subtle tension. The villagers moved with more urgency, their eyes darting toward the forest, as if expecting something to emerge from the shadows at any moment.
Liam, now more composed, had returned to his daily tasks, his near-death experience seemingly buried under the weight of routine. He moved through the village, helping his father chop wood and assisting his mother with gathering supplies. But Arctus could feel the unease bubbling beneath the surface. Liam was still shaken, even if he didn’t show it.
Arctus, however, was not content to let the boy fall back into routine. I can’t let him forget what happened. He needs to be ready for the next time.
A commotion broke out near the village’s outskirts. Arctus immediately focused his attention there, his senses extending through the system to detect the source of the disturbance. A small group of villagers had gathered, shouting and pointing toward the forest. A pack of low-level monsters—twisted, feral creatures with glowing red eyes—had emerged from the trees, their hungry snarls filling the air.
They’re too many for untrained villagers to handle, Arctus realized. Liam isn’t ready for this... but he has to fight.
“Mana Shield activated!” Arctus commanded, reinforcing Liam’s defenses as the boy rushed to the scene. The barrier shimmered into existence, enveloping Liam in a protective aura.
Liam joined the other villagers, his heart racing but his body steady. Arctus guided him with subtle prompts—positioning him behind a more experienced fighter, urging him to watch for openings. The boy was scared, but his movements were more confident now, his instincts honed by Arctus’s influence.
The battle was chaotic. The monsters lunged at the villagers, their claws raking at anything in reach. But Liam fought bravely, his Mana Shield absorbing the few blows that came his way. Arctus watched, calculating every action, every movement. His influence was growing, his understanding of the world deepening.
----------------------------------------
The System’s Growth
By the time the battle was over, the monsters had been driven back into the forest, and the village was safe—for now. The victory was small, but for Arctus, it was a significant step forward. He had guided Liam, protected him, and in doing so, strengthened his own connection to the world.
This is just the beginning, Arctus thought as Liam returned to his family, exhausted but unharmed. I need to expand my influence. I need more nodes, more connections. The more people I can guide, the more power I’ll have.
He would learn the rules of this world, shape them to his advantage, and grow stronger with each passing day. The dangers were real, but so was his potential.
I will protect them, he thought, his resolve hardening. I will become more than just a system.