Goblin Dependency

Deep in the jungle, a small clearing covered by some shrubs.

A few brown-furred Wolf Cubs, less than a month old, are playfully frolicking and rolling around, their underdeveloped milk teeth posing no threat, only mimicking the actions of adult individuals hunting, their bodies covered with grass debris.

A little further away, the mother wolf responsible for looking after the young is lying on a small hill, eyes seemingly lazily half-closed as she rests, but in reality, her wolf ears are perked up, alert to any slight rustle in the surroundings.

Further back, in the direction of the mother wolf and the entrance to the den, is a young wolf whose eyes reveal a clear brilliance of wisdom.

Compared to when he just emerged from the den, it’s noticeable that his fur is a bit ruffled.

After finally breaking away from the play and frolic of the fellow Wolf Cubs, Xia Nan very cautiously chooses a position close to the adult individual, convenient for either hiding in the den or turning to flee into the lush shrubs.

It’s not a particularly complicated maneuver, but it can to some extent increase the survival rate of this weak body.

If a Hunter were to target this litter of Wolf Cubs, whether swooping down from the sky or pouncing from the woods, they are unlikely to choose Xia Nan near the mother wolf and the den entrance.

This was his first clever thought after his mind gradually cleared.

With grey-blue Wolf Eyes, he glanced at the young wolves gathered not far away, and then lowered his head to look at his two paws on the ground.

Xia Nan leaned his fluffy body against the side of the small hill, pondering the current situation.

First, there’s one crucial point that must be clear.

Just moments ago, his consciousness finally regained clarity from the daze upon awakening.

When Xia Nan focused his attention, he found he could see two perspectives.

Like zooming webpages on a computer desktop in a past life, the main perspective is this young wolf, but with just a thought, he can see the scene visible to his human body frozen above the sea.

This means that, now, due to the light screen enveloping Stodd Island, Xia Nan, transformed into a Wolf Cub, did not enter after a physical transformation.

But rather, his spirit and consciousness have entered this space.

"So, death... is it permitted?"

Even though in his heart he guessed that the survival of this current body might not have much impact on his real body, Xia Nan obviously wouldn’t test it on himself.

His attention shifted to the real world, where he could see on the nearby coast, Half Elf Alton and some members of two adventurer teams, like himself, enveloped in blue light, suspended in midair.

Xia Nan figured those adventurers must have also had their consciousness detached from their bodies and entered this world in a similar way to himself.

"What should I do?"

"How can I escape from this Secret Realm ritual?"

He could guess that the current encounter was related to "Algae Scale" Dodd, the other probably setting the entire Stodd Island as a necessary scene for some kind of ritual.

Yet he was unaware of the other’s ultimate goal, nor could he understand the operating mechanism of the Secret Realm he’s in.

But in any case, strengthening oneself can never be wrong.

What he can do for now is to survive in this world as long as possible with this body, then wait and see how things unfold.

"Whoosh..."

A slightly cool wind blows through the woods.

Even though his whole body of fur is like a ball of yarn, the weak, young body can’t help but shiver with the cold.

Since becoming a professional, it’s been a long time since he experienced such a feeble body.

Yet Xia Nan does not feel discouraged but instead tries to adapt to this Wolf Cub’s body.

The underdeveloped short limbs alternate their strides, and the plump, rounded body wobbles and frolics on the clearing before the den.

He is testing the strength of this body in his own way.

And the result, although somewhat disappointing, is as expected.

The young wolf that his consciousness has transformed into does not seem to have any special abilities; its body strength is only at the level of an ordinary Wolf Cub.

It should be just the most common ordinary beast on the Aifala Continent, not a strong demon like "Winter Wolf" or "Dire Wolf" with a Challenge Level as an adult.

The only consolation is that perhaps due to the mastery of the skill [Teeth Hunting], which he carried over, he adapted to this body rapidly.

In just a few minutes, the stiffness when he first emerged from the den has vanished, and he is even more agile than the few other young wolves on the meadow ahead.

"Wait, [Teeth Hunting]?"

Suddenly, like remembering something, Xia Nan’s round, small body pauses.

Turning, his small padded paws slightly exerting force, he awkwardly, almost in a half-crawl half-roll yet oddly balanced, struggles up to the top of the hill.

Curious about the odd behavior of the young wolf from earlier, the adult mother wolf lying on top also turns her head to look at Xia Nan.

It was because of this that Xia Nan could see the reflection of his body in the other’s Wolf Eyes once again.

Then, in a way he’s repeated millions of times, he holds his breath and focuses.

In the next second, the semi-transparent characters representing the attribute panel appear in the reflection within the Wolf Eyes.

...

[Name]: Xia Nan

[Race] (Temporary): Forest Land Suburban Wolf

[Attributes]:

Strength: 1

Agility: 1

Constitution: 1

Intelligence: 1

Perception: 2

Charm: 3

[Specialty]:

Chopping Master, Copper Bones, Bathed in Light...