In one months time

Flaring her hands in the air, she blows out a deep breath, then turns on her heel after finishing bandaging the boy. She gathers the scattered herbs, tucking them back inside her sack.

"What a weird boy," she murmurs softly, a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

"You care for him?" I ask, curiosity piqued. "He's the last person from the Genesis era here with you."

"I..." she hesitates, her thoughts gathering like clouds before a storm. "Yes, I care for this boy. The only person from the past." Her gaze shifts back to me, steady as always. "What are you going to name him?"

"Huh?" I look at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"When he wakes up, he'll need a name. Since you claimed him in your ring, that makes you his owner, his master," she says, brushing off her hands with a flick. She rises gracefully, moving closer to the fire in a measured, deliberate way.

"I don't know," I say, glancing at the boy. "I still have no idea about his species or how he survived the wiping. Can you tell me more?"

"Monstag is the last name of a wolf species," she replies, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Talking about the past seems to stir something within her. "They transform into large wolves at a certain age, but he's a direct descendant of the pack's head. That means he's born with a special power."

"Nethril Frost," I say, the name resonating with familiarity.

"Exactly, ice that's a fusion of reality and magic, bending the very fabric of the universe." Her palms hover over the flames. "That curse, Frost Slumber, is passed down through the future heads. They sleep for two years, gathering power to take the leader's position from the current alpha. But his slumber began when the war broke out, and he was put to sleep."

"An anomaly," I add, seeing where this is going.

"Right. My body absorbed the life spans of everyone around me just as my own was about to be taken. It cost me my sight and dulled my senses. With him, the system caused friction—he couldn't grow or die, so his power kept accumulating. Now, he's an overflowing pool of endless energy."

"That's impossible." I glance at the boy, lying peacefully on the floor, his moonlit hair spilling across the ground. His fair skin is still stained with blood. "He was easy to defeat unless…"

"He was holding back," she says, her voice firm. "Because of me. I let my emotions get in the way and told him everything. It triggered a mana blockage, locking away the power he had gathered. So, in a sense, he didn't hold back—he just needs to unlock the rest of his strength."

"I see." I exhale, my mind racing. "This is a lot to take in. I didn't know I'd be playing this role."

"You're different," she says, watching me. "I can see the worlds falling." Her words are cryptic, like a seer unveiling hidden truths.

"That's if I don't fall first," I reply with a dismissive scoff. Standing, I brush the remaining dirt from my cloak and make my way outside.

Passing through the narrow tunnel, I step out into the night. The black grass beneath me blends with the starry sky above. After scanning the area, I spot Avidia crouching behind a rock, her stealthy black clothing blending into the darkness.

I approach quietly, then ask, "What are you doing?"

She yanks me down to the ground, pointing toward the valley. Below, more people rush past—a small army of twenty, perhaps more. They don't pay any mind to the fallen bodies scattered around them.

"At least five passed before this group," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "They must have teleportation stones leading them close by."

"Maybe," I whisper back. "From the looks of it, we're nowhere near their level."

These are high-level fighters, likely after the same prize: godhood. That leaves me with a pressing question. "How long until the tournament?"

"One month," she answers immediately. "We have one month to become strong enough to win."

"Yes," I nod, though my thoughts are racing.

I want to ask her more—about the tournament, about what happens if we come up against each other. But for now, my resolve is clear. If it comes down to it, I'll fight her. No matter what, I'll give her the weapon.

But what about the boy?

_________

[System]

The boy has awakened: Choose name...

_________