Chapter 37 - Beastfolks

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Luke made a deliberate choice to put the enigmatic transformation aside. With a sense of seriousness, he directed his attention towards more pressing concerns.

Engaging in a solemn exchange, he conversed with the two young ones, seeking to understand the intricacies of their circumstances.

Enticed by Luke's offering of sustenance, the two children opened up about their life journeys, their countenances carrying an air of innocence.

Amidst their narratives, they took a pause to introduce themselves – the younger girl identified as Mira, while the older boy took on the name Kai..

Their lives had carried on peacefully within the embrace of the capital city, until an unforeseen disruption shattered their tranquility: their mother ceased to awaken from a seemingly endless slumber. With a solemn countenance, the two children depicted their father's daily sorrow, a heavy burden he carried.

Despite the weight, they remained steadfast in their conviction that their mother would stir from her repose. In their innocent optimism, they continually reassured their grieving father, believing that their mother's awakening was imminent. They shared their earnest hope that their comforting presence would eventually coax a smile back onto their father's face.

Upon hearing their story, a profound sense of pity washed over Luke. It became evident that the two children were unfamiliar with the concept of death, clinging to the unwavering hope that their mother would reawaken.

A little over two weeks back, their father had gently placed their slumbering mother within a sizable black container and carried her away. Leaving them with the promise of returning with food, he departed. Regrettably, however, he never did return.

Mira and Kai speculated that their father might have been embarking on a quest to find a means of awakening their mother. Despite the uncertainty, their confidence remained unshaken; they firmly believed that once their father discovered a solution, he would come back to them with their mother in tow. Until that time arrived, they resolved to endure and persevere independently, navigating the challenges that lay ahead.

In moments of hunger, their recourse was to trade some of the cherished flowers from their mother's garden for sustenance. Initially, this tactic yielded results, enabling them to secure food. However, as time progressed, interest in the flowers waned, and the sales dwindled.

In a moment of vulnerability, Kai admitted to resorting to theft from a questionable merchant to provide food for his sister. Upon hearing his confession, Mira's countenance shifted to one of guilt, perhaps reflecting a shared sense of responsibility or understanding.

As these endeavors persisted, the task of obtaining sustenance grew increasingly challenging. The difficulties mounted over time, leading up to the present moment when their paths converged with Luke.

With their narrative concluded, Luke lapsed into a state of profound contemplation. Wrestling with uncertainty, he pondered whether their father had deliberately abandoned them or met an unfortunate fate elsewhere.

Simultaneously, a sense of responsibility surged within him. Recognizing the children's vulnerability and the potential for misguided actions if left to their own devices, Luke felt an imperative to provide them with education and guidance.

Lost in his contemplative thoughts, Luke released a sigh before finally voicing his decision.

"You can stay with me and help out in my shop. I won't let you go hungry," he declared, his gaze unwavering and determined.

"Really? That's incredible, handsome brother!" the children exclaimed, their faces lighting up with excitement.

The realization that the children lacked a sense of vigilance struck Luke. He couldn't help but acknowledge that it was fortunate he bore no ill intentions.

In a heartwarming moment, Mira's joy-filled voice broke the contemplative air.

"Handsome brother, we're truly grateful. You can have my ring," she exclaimed, presenting the ring on her finger toward Luke.

"What? Sister! Mom said we should never take our rings off," Kai interjected with a hint of panic.

Mira, however, reassured him, saying, "It's okay. The handsome brother is kind."

Kai hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded in agreement. He extended his ring toward Luke as well.

Observing the two with warmth in his eyes, Luke couldn't help but appreciate their heartfelt attempt to express their gratitude, despite their innocence.

Gazing at the rings adorning their fingers, Luke observed the bronze bands, slightly tarnished by time. His attention was drawn to their resolute expressions. 'I understand,: he thought, recognizing that these rings held a significant sentimental value, likely left behind by their mother.

However, practical concerns surfaced as well. He pondered the potential risks of wearing rusty rings, considering the possibility of infections.

After a brief moment of consideration, he made a decision. He would have the rings polished to their former glory and then return them to Mira and Kai at a more suitable time.

As Luke took the rings from their fingers, an enchanting occurrence unfolded before his eyes. Almost immediately, a transformation began to take shape. Their heads seemed to sprout peculiar ear-like formations — more specifically, dog-like ears.

To his astonishment, he also noticed tails emerging from their backs.

"Eh? What is this!" Luke exclaimed in sheer surprise, grappling to comprehend the magical transformation that was unfolding before him.

[ SCAN ]

Luke applied his skills to comprehend the perplexing situation unraveling before him.

[ "Mirage Shifter Ring" — a magical ring that can create illusions, much like a mirage, and has the ability to shift or change the wearer's appearance. ]

He found himself utterly taken aback by the unexpected ability that the rings possessed.

Shifting his gaze, he directed his attention towards the two children, his eyes seeking to understand their altered forms.

His astonishment only deepened as he observed their transformed appearances. Mira and Kai, once adorned with disheveled black hair, now possessed locks of shimmering golden amber. Their ears bore an uncanny resemblance to those of a dog, evoking memories of a golden retriever. The scene unfolding before him was nothing short of astonishing, a sight he had never encountered before. The thought crossed his mind that perhaps there was a dog heritage in their lineage, though the notion left him incredulous.

Scanning them, he pieced together the situation and finally comprehended the reality before him.

[ Name: Kai

Age: 9 y/o

Race: Beastfolk ]

[ Name: Mira

Age: 7 y/o

Race: Beastfolk ]

The two children observed Luke's reaction with caution, anxiety evident in their eyes. They braced themselves for the possibility of his negative response upon seeing their transformed forms. However, their fears were quickly dispelled as they noticed that Luke's initial surprise gave way to a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Upon discerning his acceptance, the children's apprehension dissolved. Their tails began to wag involuntarily, a clear sign of their relief and delight in being embraced without judgment.

Luke's excitement was palpable, his curiosity overriding any concerns about their altered appearance. With a profound understanding that the world was inhabited by various races, he had already assumed the possibility of encountering unique individuals. Even without the need for a scan, he welcomed them as he would any other race.

However, it was their dog attributes that truly stirred his enthusiasm. Their dog-like ears held a charm he couldn't resist. Being a dog lover himself, he was drawn closer to them by the shared trait. Fueled by this connection, he extended his hand, patting their heads in a gesture of genuine excitement and affection.

The texture beneath his touch was surprisingly smooth and delightfully fluffy. As his hand made contact, a pleasant sensation enveloped his fingertips.

Initially taken aback by Luke's sudden gesture, the children's surprise quickly transformed into comfort as they experienced the gentle pats. Feeling at ease, they instinctively snuggled closer to him, basking in the warmth of his presence and the simple joy of the moment.

Moved by a surge of empathy, Luke extended his embrace to envelop the two children. With heartfelt sincerity, he said,

"You've both faced challenging weeks. But fear not, from tomorrow onward, you'll find a home with me at my shop. Of course, there will be tasks to take on, but your efforts will not go unnoticed. And don't worry, your hard work will be rewarded!" He concluded with a light-hearted chuckle, trying to infuse the moment with a touch of positivity.

As Luke's words sank in, the two children responded with fervent nods, their eyes glistening with tears that welled up involuntarily.

Amidst the embrace, Luke couldn't help but notice their tails behind them, wagging rapidly in a display of joy and relief.

Witnessing this scene, his own eyes shimmered with excitement, excited by the prospect of welcoming these unique youngsters into his life.