Several days passed.
We'd been hunting medium-strength magic beasts like Burrow Rats and Thorn-Tail Rabbits.
Experience gained was much faster than before.
I checked my panel.
[Hoarder Squirrel] [Gray]
[Level 5/25]
[Experience: 80/200]
[HP: 140/140]
[MP: 100/100]
[Strength: 12]
[Defense: 8]
[Speed: 16]
[Luck: 10]
[A rodent-type magic beast with a pocket dimension, loves hoarding various items, possesses brief spatial evasion ability]
[Traits: Dimensional Cheek Pouch, High Sensitivity, Spatial Affinity]
[Skills: Leap (Proficient), Bite (Proficient), Spatial Dodge]
Waspy and Brownie had both reached level 4.
We'd all gotten considerably stronger.
The golden plant in the space had also grown somewhat.
Its leaves became more lush, the golden light it emitted brighter.
The little garden Brownie had planted was growing well under the golden plant's influence.
The glowing mushrooms' light illuminated one corner of the space.
Vines slowly climbed along the space's "walls."
The sapling had also grown taller.
But these plants only occupied one corner of the space.
Other areas were still empty, with just some miscellaneous items and food I'd collected scattered about.
That night, we rested in the tree hollow as usual.
Brownie and Waspy had already fallen asleep.
I was also preparing to sleep.
Suddenly—
"RUMBLE—!"
Massive tremors!
The ground was shaking!
"What's happening?" I immediately jolted awake.
Brownie and Waspy were also startled awake.
"What's going on?" Waspy asked in panic.
Another tremor.
Even more violent!
The large tree we lived in began tilting!
"Not good!" I immediately reacted. "Get out quick!"
All three of us rushed out of the hollow.
Just as we emerged—
"CRACK—CRASH—!"
The tree fell!
The hollow was completely crushed!
If we'd been a moment slower, we'd have been trapped underneath!
"That was close..." Brownie gasped.
I looked toward the source of the tremors.
A massive magic beast was nearby.
I immediately checked its information.
[Iron-Claw Bear]
[Level 45/100]
[HP: 800/800]
[MP: 200/200]
[Strength: 50]
[Defense: 35]
[Speed: 15]
[Luck: 8]
[A powerful predator of the forest, front claws hard as iron, immense strength, extremely territorial]
I sucked in a breath.
Level 45!
This was the most powerful magic beast we'd seen!
The Iron-Claw Bear was destroying everything around.
It slapped a paw on a boulder—
"BAM!"
The rock shattered.
It dug through the rubble for some bugs and ate them.
Then walked toward another tree.
It hugged the trunk with both claws and pushed hard—
"CRACK—CRASH!"
The tree fell.
The Iron-Claw Bear searched the hollow and found some honey.
It hadn't noticed us at all.
Just searching for food.
But where it passed, devastation remained.
"Hide quick!" I whispered.
All three of us hid in the bushes, not daring to make a sound.
The Iron-Claw Bear was too powerful.
We were completely outmatched.
Could only pray it wouldn't discover us.
Fortunately, the Iron-Claw Bear found enough food.
It left the area satisfied.
Its massive form disappeared into the forest depths.
Only then did we dare emerge.
Returning to our original spot.
The tree had completely fallen.
The hollow was flattened.
Our home... was gone.
Brownie looked at the destroyed hollow, eyes dimming: "Our home..."
I consoled: "It's okay, at least we're all still alive."
Waspy asked worriedly: "But where will we live now?"
I observed the surroundings.
Not just our tree—several large trees had been knocked down by the Iron-Claw Bear.
This area was no longer suitable for living.
"We need to find a new place."
Over the following days, we began searching for a new tree hollow.
Found several.
But none were satisfactory.
The first hollow was too small, could barely squeeze in one magic beast.
The second hollow was already occupied by a swarm of Poison Stinger Wasps.
The third hollow's location was too dangerous, right near a Rock Scale Lizard's territory.
The fourth hollow looked good, but after staying one night, we discovered Vine Serpents active nearby.
"So hard to find..." Waspy said dejectedly.
Brownie was also tired: "Searched for so many days without finding anything suitable."
I looked at them.
Then thought of my space.
Now the space was 2 cubic meters.
Inside were plants, light sources, and fresh air.
Plus magic power was dense—very comfortable.
Much safer than hollows outside.
"I have an idea." I said.
Brownie and Waspy looked at me.
"What if... we live in my space?"
They froze.
"Live in the space?" Waspy asked in surprise.
I nodded: "You've stayed in the space before."
"It's safe and comfortable there."
"And wherever I go, you can follow."
"When we need to fight, I'll let you out."
"Whenever you want to come out, just say so."
Brownie thought: "That seems... workable?"
"The space really is comfortable."
"And with those plants keeping me company, I won't be bored."
Waspy also nodded: "Definitely better than constantly searching for hollows."
"Then let's try it."
Just as I was about to say "then it's settled"—
Brownie suddenly thought of something.
"Wait!" It called out.
"What?"
Brownie looked at me worriedly: "What about you, Gray?"
"What?" I paused.
"You can't enter your own space, right?" Brownie said.
Only then did I realize.
Right...
I could only put other things in the space.
But I couldn't enter myself.
"We'd live in the space, but you'd still have to find a place to sleep outside..." Brownie continued.
I was momentarily speechless.
Indeed.
I'd only thought about making them more comfortable.
But forgot I'd still be outside.
Waspy also realized the problem.
"That's not fair!" It said.
"We'd live in the safe, comfortable space."
"But Gray, you'd have to face danger alone outside."
Brownie nodded vigorously: "Right! I don't agree!"
I thought for a moment and began analyzing: "Listen to me."
"If we all live in a tree hollow, what happens in situations like with the Iron-Claw Bear?"
Brownie and Waspy paused.
"All three of us would have to flee, right?" I continued.
"But if you're in the space, I only need to protect myself."
"Plus, I'm very alert when sleeping—I'll wake immediately if there's danger."
"Once I encounter danger, I can release you right away to help."
Waspy thought: "That's true..."
"Also." I said. "We've gotten stronger, but not strong enough yet."
"We'll encounter more powerful magic beasts in the future and might need to relocate often."
"If we all live in hollows, we'd have to search anew each time."
"But if you live in the space, wherever I go, home is there."
"No wasting time searching for shelter each time."
Brownie nodded: "That makes sense..."
"Most importantly." I said seriously. "You're much safer in the space than outside."
"Outside has too many unpredictable dangers."
"But in the space, as long as I don't die, you'll always be safe."
Waspy and Brownie fell silent.
They were persuaded by my analysis.
Finally, Brownie said: "I understand."
"But if that's the case..."
"Then I'll make the space even better!"
"Turn the space into a real home!"
"That way at least you'll feel we have a shared home."
I smiled: "Alright."
Brownie immediately got excited.
"I'm going to collect so many things!"
"Soft moss can be beds!"
"Vines can be woven!"
"And tree bark can be flooring!"
Waspy also said: "I'll help too!"
We began collecting materials in the forest.
Soft moss, carefully peeled from damp rocks.
Long vines, cut from trees.
Smooth tree bark, taken from fallen trees.
Some pretty stones for decoration.
Dry grass for mattresses.
And some clean leaves.
Brownie was excited, searching everywhere for materials.
Waspy helped carry lighter items.
I was responsible for putting everything in the space.
Spent most of the day collecting many materials.
"Is this enough?" I asked.
Brownie nodded: "Should be! I'll start arranging now!"
I put Brownie in the space.
It began busying itself inside.
Waspy and I waited outside.
I could feel Brownie moving around in the space.
It laid tree bark on the ground as flooring.
Piled moss and dry grass together, making two soft "beds."
One for itself, one for Waspy.
Wove vines in a corner into a "nest" for Waspy.
Arranged stones around the little garden as decoration.
Adjusted the glowing mushrooms' positions for more even lighting.
Left the golden plant in the center as the "living room's" focal point.
Separated the "bedroom" area from the "garden" area.
Brownie was very dedicated.
After a long time, it finally emerged from the space.
"Done!" Brownie said excitedly.
"Well done." I said.
Though I could sense it, being unable to enter personally still left some regret.
But more than that, I was happy for Brownie and Waspy.
Brownie sensed my emotions.
It came over and said seriously: "Gray, even though you can't go inside."
"This is still your home too!"
"It's the home we three share!"
I nodded: "Right, our home."
Waspy also flew over: "When we get stronger, someday we'll find a way to let you in too!"
I smiled: "Maybe."
From that day on, we established a new living arrangement.
Brownie and Waspy lived in the space.
When they wanted to come out and move around, they'd just tell me and I'd release them.
When we needed to fight, I'd also release them.
And enemies would never expect that what looked like one magic beast would suddenly become three.
This actually became an advantage.
As for me, I found a small hollow that could only fit one magic beast as my shelter.
Though not spacious, it was just right for me alone.