The forest air was calm, filled with the gentle hum of cicadas.Tushi walked near the river, collecting herbs with quiet focus. Her injuries were healing fast thanks to the legendary water, and she finally felt strong enough to move again.
Then—
A heavy crack echoed from behind.She turned and froze.
A massive Shadow Fang Bear emerged from the trees, its red eyes glowing with hunger.
"Not again…" she whispered, trembling as she reached for her wand.
Wind swirled around her fingertips, but her magic sputtered. Her mana still hadn't fully recovered.The bear roared, shaking the ground. She stumbled backward.
Meanwhile, inside the cave—
Pramit was snoring peacefully on the bed made of moss and fur.Beside him, the system flickered softly:
[Warning: Companion in mortal danger.][Penalty if ignored: - Luck temporarily reduced.]
One eye half-open, he squinted at the glowing words."Ugh… again with the noise…"He turned over, pulled the blanket tighter, and muttered,
"Too lazy for that… someone else can save her…"
And just like that—he drifted back to sleep.
Outside, Tushi dodged desperately, barely escaping the bear's claws. She screamed as the monster lunged forward—
Then, out of nowhere, the ground rumbled.A wall of stone rose up in front of her, blocking the attack. Flames burst through the air, engulfing the monster's legs.
The beast howled, thrashing, until the earth itself swallowed it whole.
Tushi fell to her knees, gasping for breath. The air still shimmered with heat and smoke.
"What… was that?" she whispered.She looked around, scanning the trees—But no one was there.
Only silence.
Her heart thumped faster. "Was it… him?"
She turned and ran back toward the cave, panting.
When she entered, she froze in the doorway.
Pramit was lying exactly where she left him—arms spread, one leg dangling off the bed, snoring softly.The faint glow of his system panel flickered above his head like a lazy nightlight.
He muttered in his sleep,
"Mmm… the fish's mine… don't touch it, shiny girl…"
Tushi blinked. "He's… dreaming?"
She watched him for a moment. The peaceful rise and fall of his chest, the ridiculous mumbling—it was clear he hadn't moved a muscle.
Her expression softened, then turned puzzled.
"Then… who saved me?" she whispered."Maybe… someone else was nearby… and left before I could see?"
She looked back toward the forest. The battle site was still faintly glowing from the burnt earth. Whoever did that—wasn't weak.
"Strange," she murmured. "I owe someone my life… and I don't even know who."
She sighed, sitting beside the firepit.The smell of roasted fish lingered. Her stomach growled softly.
"…I'll eat just a little," she said, trying to convince herself.
She took a bite. It was slightly burnt but edible.
Pramit turned in his sleep again and murmured,
"Oi… don't eat my dinner…"
Tushi blinked, cheeks puffing up. "You've got to be kidding me…"
She crossed her arms, glaring at him, then finally muttered under her breath,
"You can keep your secrets, lazy boy. But I'll find out who saved me… someday."
The system flickered faintly again:
[Affection +10% | Trust +20% | Reason: Believes Pramit might have helped her.]
The morning sun filtered through the leaves as Tushi packed her bag, ready to leave the cave.Her wounds had healed, and her energy was back — mostly thanks to the strange man who still looked half-asleep on the bed.
Pramit yawned, scratching his head. "You're leaving already?"
She nodded. "I should. My tribe might be looking for me. Thank you… for everything."
He waved lazily. "Mm. Sure. Just… don't go trusting strangers so easily next time. You never know who might have bad intentions."
Tushi blinked, then smiled — a small, amused curve of her lips."Oh? So you're saying I should be careful around you, too?"
Pramit stretched. "If I were the bad type, you'd be in trouble already."
She covered her mouth, giggling softly. "No, I don't think so."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why not? Because I saved you?"
Tushi shook her head, her voice teasing."No. Because you're way too lazy to cause trouble for anyone."
Pramit paused, then shrugged with a grin. "Can't argue with that."
"See?" she said, laughing more brightly this time. "You admit it yourself."
"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, flopping back down. "Now go before I fall asleep again."
As she stepped toward the sunlight, she turned one last time, smiling faintly."Thank you, Pramit. Even if you won't admit it… you're not a bad guy."
He waved a hand lazily without opening his eyes. "Whatever you say, elf girl."
The system flickered faintly:
[Affection +15% | Reason: Found his honesty and laziness "charmingly safe."]