Kai's world ended with a screech of tires and blinding lights.
One second he was laughing at his phone screen, another level cleared in his favorite beast-taming game. The next, everything went black.
When his eyes opened again, the smell hit first: damp earth, wood smoke, and something faintly sweet, like overripe fruit. His head throbbed. He tried to sit up, but his body felt small, weak, like it hadn't eaten in days.
"Where…?" His voice cracked, hoarse.
He was lying on a pile of straw in a tiny, crooked hut. Sunlight slipped through cracks in the wooden walls. Outside, birds chirped and distant voices called to each other. This wasn't his apartment. This wasn't Earth.
Memories that weren't his flickered in: an orphan named Kai in a remote village, no parents, scraping by on odd jobs and kindness from neighbors. Everyone here dreamed of one thing, becoming a beast tamer. But Kai, the original Kai,had no talent. No awakening. He was just… ordinary.
A blue glow appeared in front of his eyes, floating like a game HUD.
[Beast Fusion System Online]
[Host: Kai Harlan (Transmigrated Soul)]
[Current Level: 1]
[Affinity: None Detected]
[First Task: Form Your First Bond. Reward: Basic Fusion Unlock]
Kai blinked hard. "A system? For real?" He almost laughed, but it came out shaky. Back on Earth, he'd read hundreds of these stories. Now he was living one.
His stomach growled loudly. Right, survive first, geek out later.
He pushed himself up on wobbly legs and stepped outside. The village was small: thatched roofs, dirt paths, people in simple clothes carrying baskets. A few kids ran past with wooden swords, pretending to fight imaginary beasts.
Near the edge of the village, by a stream, something caught his eye. A small green blob wobbled along the bank, leaving a shiny trail. It had two big, round eyes and looked… friendly? It bounced toward a berry bush, stretched an arm (?) to grab one, then plopped back down happily.
[Common Slime – Level 1]
[Traits: Absorbs water, highly adaptable, no combat ability]
[Tame Chance: High (Current Mood: Curious and Hungry)]
Kai crouched. "Hey, little guy. You look like you could use a friend."
The slime turned, eyes widening. It jiggled closer, sniffing the air, or whatever slimes did.
Kai held out his hand. The system pinged.
[Do you wish to form a bond? Y/N]
"Yes."
Warm light flowed from his palm. The slime glowed softly, then hopped right into his arms. It was cool and squishy, like jelly, but it didn't feel gross. It gurgled happily.
[Slime Bonded! Name your companion?]
"Bouncy," Kai said without thinking. It fit.
[Bouncy – Level 1 Slime]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Current Mood: Overjoyed]
Bouncy wiggled against his chest like an excited puppy. Kai couldn't help smiling. For the first time since waking up, the fear eased a little.
But then a growl rumbled from the trees.
Three gray wolves stepped out, bigger than any dog, fur matted, eyes hungry. They'd smelled the weak orphan.
Kai's heart raced. "Okay, system. Any tips?"
[No combat skills unlocked yet. Use environment or flee.]
Flee? With this body? No chance.
Bouncy suddenly stretched, wrapping around Kai's arm like a glove. The system chimed.
[First Fusion Available: Basic Concept Merge]
[Idea Detected from Host Memory: Rubber Ball Bounce]
[Fuse Bouncy with Rubber Properties? Cost: 10 Energy (Regenerates slowly)]
Kai didn't hesitate. "Do it!"
Bouncy shimmered. Its body turned slightly translucent, stretchier. When the first wolf lunged, Bouncy extended and, boing!, bounced the wolf's snout hard, sending it tumbling back with a yelp.
The other two hesitated.
Kai grabbed a fallen branch. "Come on, Bouncy! Let's show them!"
Bouncy detached, rolled like a bowling ball, and slammed into the second wolf's legs, tripping it. Kai swung the branch, crack!, hitting the third across the muzzle.
The wolves snarled but backed off, limping into the trees.
Kai panted, adrenaline buzzing. Bouncy hopped back to him, jiggling proudly.
[Quest Complete: First Bond Formed]
[Reward: Basic Fusion Unlock (Permanent)]
[Level Up! Host → Level 2]
[New Skill: Simple Concept Scan – View basic ideas for future fusions]
A warm feeling spread through Kai. He scratched Bouncy's "head." "Good job, buddy. We're gonna be okay."
But as he turned back to the village, an old woman watched from her doorway. She had kind eyes but a serious face.
"You're not the same Kai," she said quietly. "But you saved the village from those wolves. Come inside, boy. We need to talk."
Kai swallowed. Someone already knew he was different?
He followed her in, Bouncy trailing happily behind.
What secrets did this world hold, and why did the system pick him?