"GRAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!"

I quickly remove my [VeilCon] and grip my right arm while gritting my teeth. Whatever happens back there really hurts like shit! This is the last time I raised the pain threshold by 50%!

Now that I think about it... What happened back then? I recalled that I was in a [Dungeon] run with Savior and his goons to stop them from vandalizing and robbing the shrine's offerings and there were werewolves...

Oh, right! The werewolves! I accepted their invitation to become like them and I got logged out after Fenrir bit my arm, but not where I wanted him to bite. I was hoping he would aim on my upper, not my forearm!

Still, that makeshift bite might have dealt a large damage even from my [Healing Potion]. With my low [DEF] from my starter equipment and my [Insignis] race and [Magical Affinity], that would be enough to kill me in-game.

That is until I check on the LED lens of my [VeilCon].

[Currently in Sleep Mode] [The game has temporarily put your game session on sleep mode. You can log in again after 6 hours.]

Wait... [Sleep Mode]?! Does that mean I'm still alive?! No, it's not a bug. Normally, you will get the [Death Penalty] notification after you log out when you die in the game along with the number of hours you're banned from logging back in for a while. But this... It's not akin to a penalty. It's more of a comatose state. It's not clear how many hours are converted for an in-game day, but I know that 6 hours is almost a full day there. Since I was logged out during nighttime, I might wake up the day after that.

That's terrific. But at least I don't have to suffer another penalty once I log back in.

…

Oh, crap. I am still facing a penalty for my crazy stunt! There is no way David will let me go after my mutiny! At this rate, they will harass me and my friends again, and ignoring him and his goons won't help us alleviate the tension. Damn, so much for a peaceful college week again...

Calm down, Lucas. Panicking is going nowhere for you. Let's think carefully...

From my clock on my phone, it's now 10:45 PM. Bryan should still be in the game since today is Saturday and Harley is still occupied with his commission both in the game and in college. All I can do for now is leave a group DM on Discourse to inform them about David and his goons.

[MoonlightMask:

Guys, we might have a problem. Stay clear of David and his goons this Monday. I kinda made them a bit more pissed than normal. I'll explain after class...]

I pray both of them might get this DM on time. I can't imagine what will happen if they don't and encounter them before the lecture... As for the [Sleep Mode], I can't do anything about it right now. Besides, it's getting late and I still have to get back to work tomorrow despite I only need to be there for a few hours. I'll eat dinner and nod off early for tonight. Maybe I can try logging back in beforehand.

----------------------------------------

RRRRRIIIINNNNGGGG!!! RRRRRRIIINNNGGGGG!!!

Ugh... So much for a peaceful slumber... I had trouble sleeping ever since that [Dungeon] run. Whether it's the near-PK death from David or that painful bite from the werewolf, I still can't get over the events from last night. And now, a ringtone from my smartphone just turned into an annoying alarm clock. But as soon as I looked at the caller ID, I didn't throw it on the wall. Instead, I stood up and answered it with a yawn.

"Dammit, Danica! Can't you wait until I'm fully awake?!" I groaned. "I haven't got a full sleep since forever!"

"Wow. That's rare even for a lore junkie like you, Lucas."

Says the girl living in a different timezone. "Sorry. A lot has happened and I have to clock out of the game early. Though not by choice."

"Sounds like another [Death Penalty] to me, bro."

"T-That's not...!" I quickly take a deep breath. No, I can't tell her what really happened until I log back in or learn that werewolves exist in [Isekai]. She will label me as a werewolf freak like Bryan if I do. "Never mind. What is it this time? You always call me just to rant about some random stuff happening in the game."

"Well, if you have a habit of checking in the social media as often as you can, then I won't call you in the first place. But here we are." I hear a clap from the other line. "As for the news, I don't know if you got the notice the other day, but there's a [World Notice] that two players beat the hidden boss at the !"

I did hear about it and see the notice. But I didn't bother about it until now. "I'm aware of it. But what about it, Danica?"

"Well, I also heard the players are actually a [Human] and [Insignis] duo and there are rumors that it must be the same [Human] hunter and an [Insignis] mage kid from the incident."

If I recall, there were also rumors that the [Human] player is a [Guardian Player] of that [Insignis] mage. They never split off in public and the [Guardian System] is made for minors wanting to play with parents or guardians looking out for them. So that rumor is partially true based on the evidence. But to think they might be involved in the [World Notice]. There's no way they can hide it now since they are practically in-game celebrities around .

"Is that all? I get there's a chance those two might be involved. But again, it has nothing to do with me."

"Come on, is that your reaction to a big viral news in the world of [Isekai]? I mean, you've been doing [Quests] to discover some lore and setting stuff for your blog. There's no way you see this as "nothing"."

I groan while rubbing the nose bridge between my eyes. "And that's the thing. Every player has their own story, but most of them can't be revealed to the public for many reasons. No one knew about those two, but they rather go off in their private lives than let us poke our noses where they don't belong. Besides, I rather focus on my own thing than chasing viral gamers."

I can hear a sigh on the other line.

"Boo... You're no fun. But I guess I can't change your mind. You never bother me with my "secret" activities anyway. By the way, how's college?"

"Fine. But should you be busy with your activities right now? You can't spend the whole day chatting to me about random stuff."

"Right, right. I only want to hear your voice again. Considering you don't want to go back..."

I frown once she mentions that. "I rather be homeless and drop out than crawl back crying to them again. The past is in the past and all we can do is do what we want. That's all I want for both of us."

"Lucas..." I can tell from her silence that even her optimistic façade can't change our past circumstances with them. "Well... You better call or text me from time to time or else, my calls will become your new alarm clock!"

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"Fine... Fine... You better head off before they start questioning where you are."

"Okay... See you soon."

Thank, god. The call is over. Still, I'm glad she did. As much as I want to make some distance from my family, Danica is the exception. If only she cares about herself in terms of well-being than her reputation.

Anyway, I'm running on limited time here. It's a half day, but my boss will kill me if I'm going to be a second late. My [Sleep Mode] should have ended a few hours ago, so let's see what kind of damage that bite gave me. Thank god I briefly forgot to put on my glasses or putting on my [VeilCon] might be more awkward after waking up in the morning.

"[Dive In]!"

----------------------------------------

As I come to my senses after the booting, I suddenly feel a large weight coming onto my chest and head. I barely took in a few breaths before I opened my eyes. But as I did, I noticed that I was not in the boss room. I'm in some sort of a wooden cottage filled with a coffee table, two chairs on each side, several flower vases on the corners and near the front door, two windows letting in the sunlight, and a small kitchen not far from where I am. As for where I am, I'm lying on a wooden sofa filled with brown and green pillows and a white blanket placed on me. From the looks of this, it seems like the werewolves managed to carry me out of the [Dungeon] and into a safe area. But it doesn't look like it's part of , which kinda makes sense since they are... you know...

I decided to try getting up from the sofa. But then, I felt a sharp pain not only in my right forearm, I also feel it on my upper body. The pain is too much for me to bear enough to endure just to get up. Damn! What the hell is happening to my virtual body?! I quickly check my stats just in case.

[Lowry]

[Stats]

[Race: Insignis]

[Total Mastery Level: 5]

[HP: 350/350]

[MP: 470/470]

[SP: 0/200]

[Status: Weakening Sickness]

Okay, my [HP] and [MP] is back to normal. But what the hell are these crazy debuffs?! There is no way I already got a [Death Penalty] from [Sleep Mode]! But [Weakening Sickness]? That's a strange condition. What the hell is i-

[O-Oh! You're awake!]

I turn around and to my surprise, a young boy is peeking behind the door. He seems to look like a normal NPC with his villager garb. Yet for some reason, he has yellow eyes and fangs when he has his jaw drop. That aside, I try to get up from the sofa again to try talking to him.

[No! Daddy said you can't get up right now! You need to rest more until he says so. I'll call him right now.]

I watch him leave the house just like that. I'm guessing he and whoever lives here is aware of my condition. Either way, it looks like I won't be going anywhere. Not like I have to considering my limited time here. Whoever the homeowner is, I have to thank him for his hospitality.

[Oh, Lowry! Looks like you're wide awake!]

...Wait. That voice. Don't tell me that's...

[He's awake. Well, I'm glad I visit at the right time. You go ahead, Fenrir. I'll change back in a second.]

And that gruff voice...

The young boy comes back with someone following behind him. Turns out it's Fenrir, back in his human form, walking inside the house with his usual smile.

[Sorry about my kid's rough treatment. He's very worried about you since I carry you in my humble abode.]

I shake my head. [No need to apologize. It's my fault for being impatient. I appreciate your concerns about me, so thank you.]

To my relief, the boy nods his head vigorously. [I'm glad you're okay, Mr. Mark!]

I raise my eyebrow."Mr. Mark? What's he talking about?"

[Oh, right. I should tell you where you are before you start asking too many questions.] Fenrir clears his throat. [You're in the , the hidden village where [Lycanthropes] can live in peace with the other [Races]. I'm the village leader, so I have to be careful when going to the outside world to make some trades in nearby towns.]

... He did mention it before he bit me. So this is his village, huh? That would explain why I'm in [Sleep Mode] instead of logging out. If the latter happens, I might end up logging back into the Central Plaza. Which I have a feeling [Viper Fangs] might destroy my reserved stand as revenge or something.

"Hang on... You said it's where the w- I mean, [Lycanthropes] live in peace. Does that mean your kid is..."

[Yep! He's one of us!] Fenrir places his hand on the boy's head. [This is my son, Claw. He inherited my [Lycanthropy] from birth and he's training to become a guardian of the village.]

[Yeah. And after that, I'm going to become a village chief just like my Dad!] Claw declared. [If Daddy said you're cool, then I don't see you as our enemy!]

I sheepishly chuckle. Talk about an energetic wolf kid...

"So you said this village is hidden. Does that mean no one will know where I am, right?" I asked.

[That's right. This village is guarded by a special barrier created by the shrine keepers connected to the forest shrine. Since I marked you or rather, bit you to become one of us, it's best if you stay here for a while until the next full moon.]

That explains why his son called me "Mr. Mark". Honestly, transformation or not, I rather not be in the outside world for a while. Not after the stunt I pulled with Savior and his guild.

"I understand. Thanks for letting me into your village and thank you for saving me."

[After you brewed those potions for , a simple monetary reward isn't enough to give back for your kindness.] He turns to Claw next. [Thank you for keeping an eye on Lowry, Claw. You should get back to your training.]

[Okay, Dad. I'll see you later, Mr. Mark!]

I chuckle again as I watch his son run out in excitement. Guess his energetic determination overshadowed his initial shyness.

"Alright... Now that's cleared up, I want to know what's been bugging me lately. Why do I feel like I have a fever while I'm sleeping under an anvil?" I questioned.

[Oh, that. Sorry, I forgot to mention about that. Since you were bitten during a full moon, you'll be subjected to a sickness that weakens you for a few days. During this period, your body will start to change inside you from the mark, causing your physical and magical strength to wane in the process. Don't worry about it. You will regain them as soon as the sickness cures itself. It's a bothersome first stage, but I assure you it will be over before you know it.]

I sigh once I learn everything about my condition. Honestly, I'm not mad. Sure, I won't be hunting and taking [Quests] for a while. But I have other concerns to worry about in the real world.

"I think I get the gist of it. I'm okay with staying in bed for a while, but I don't know if I can adapt to the changes until the next full moon. Not only that, I will be held back from other adventurers in by the time I head back into the outside world."

[That won't be an issue.] My eyes widen when I hear those words from Fenrir. [As you continue to rest, the sickness will wane, and regain your ability to walk. However, physical activity is still out of the question for a while. So instead, you will learn a few basic lessons before you can start training with the other young [Lycans]. It's not much, but I can assure you that they will help you control your abilities much easier.]

Well, if he said it's going to help me learn about the [Lycanthropes], then there's no reason to say no. "Alright, I'll take your word for it. Right now, I need to get some sleep." And hopefully, get to my part-time job on time.

[Not until you get something to eat, kid.]

Fenrir points to my stomach and before I know it, it starts to rumble just as a new ping comes up.

[WARNING] [You are feeling peckish. Eat something to replenish your [SP] and recovery rate.]

Oh, right. I almost forgot about that 0 [SP]. I should eat something before I head out.

[Just sit tight. Lawrence will come back with some food. I'll check up on the patients until then.]

With that, he left the house, leaving me alone for a while. I guess I'm stuck in this village as part of my new [Hidden Quest]. It's not that bad. I got somewhere to stay than sleeping outside to guard my stand and I can get away from Savior for a while. But I still have a lot of questions about this strange [Sub-Race]. Like is this a hidden lore the devs hid on purpose? And why? There must be a story behind all of this and I know it's too early for me to post all of this on my blog. I should keep this all to myself once I know more about [Lycanthropes] and their origins.

[HEYO! FOOD'S HERE!]

But then, my thoughts broke once I heard that booming noise and footsteps behind the door. That must be the food Fenrir mentioned. You would think they might use their indoor voice.

Yet as I turned around, I gasped to see who was carrying it. It's a black-haired tall man with a slight muscle build, yellow eyes, and fangs on his grin. He wears some sort of a brown and black tribal vest without a shirt, black shorts, dark brown boots, and black leather gauntlets. I would say that's the only thing I'm shocked to see, but it's not.

Because on the top of his head is a green crystal floating above it. A sign that he's a player character just like me.