Shadow

Ethan leaned back in the carriage, his heart pounding from the whirlwind of events. The summoned wild cat sat beside him, its sharp eyes surveying its surroundings with an eerie calm. He couldn't help but chuckle under his breath, a mix of nerves and giddy relief.

He reached out tentatively, half expecting the cat to hiss or claw at him, but instead, it allowed his hand to graze its sleek fur. The sensation was warm, real. This wasn't some glitchy hologram or illusion. It was alive—or as alive as something brought back from death could be.

Ethan decided to name it. A pet deserved a name, even a summoned one. "Shadow," he said, testing the word aloud. The cat perked its ears as if it understood, its tail flicking once in acknowledgment. It then licked his hand and purred softly.

"Shadow it is," Ethan smiled, leaning back and watching the trees blur past through the open window of the carriage. The weight of the day's events was beginning to settle on him now, but with Shadow sitting calmly at his side, he felt a strange sense of comfort.

For the first time since waking up in this strange world, Ethan felt like he wasn't completely powerless. Sure, he had a long way to go, and summoning a wild cat wasn't going to make him king of the jungle, but it was a start.

"Maybe I could get lucky again and find more roadkill along the carriage path?" Ethan kept his eyes peeled for any signs of wounded beasts on the way.

Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. The rest of the journey was pretty much eventless. But just a few minutes later, the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

Huh? Ethan became puzzled as he watched the driver jump out of the carriage and shuffle toward a tree. He then started unbuckling his trousers and proceeded to relieve himself against the tree. The sound of trickling water broke the stillness of the forest, mingling awkwardly with the rustling leaves and chirping insects.

After he was done, the driver buttoned up and ambled back to the carriage. He shot Ethan a look that said What are you gawking at? before rummaging through his seating area and finding a parcel. "We will be taking a break here for a bit."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, watching the driver retrieve the parcel and settle back on the edge of the driver's seat. "A break? Here?" he asked, glancing around at the dense woods surrounding them. It seemed like an odd place for a pit stop.

The driver grunted. "Horses need rest, lad. So do I. Unless you plan on pulling this carriage yourself, best get used to these stops."

Ethan sighed and leaned back into his seat. Shadow stretched lazily beside him, its claws lightly scratching the wooden floor of the carriage. "Fine. How long?" he asked.

The driver smirked, unwrapping his parcel to reveal a modest meal—bread, cheese, and dried meat. "Long enough to eat and let the horses recover. You can stretch your legs if you like."

"Okay. I will do that then." Ethan got out of the carriage and started walking around. Unlike the other forest that bordered the small settlement, this one seemed a lot safer. If carriages used this route, didn't it have to be safer?

His question was answered when he heard the man shout out a warning. "Don't wander too far. These forests are not for the weak."

"Ya. I know." Ethan retorted back, not wanting to act like a stranger. He took a short stroll and then decided to try something. "Shadow, can you run around on the tree branches and see if you can find anything small and harmless? Maybe a dog?"

Shadow perked up at Ethan's voice, its ears swiveling forward as if it understood the task. Without hesitation, the sleek cat bounded toward the nearest tree, its claws gripping the bark effortlessly as it ascended into the branches. The movement was swift and silent.

Ethan crossed his arms, glancing back toward the carriage where the driver was still enjoying his meal. The man didn't seem particularly concerned about what he was up to.

He focused back on the tree where Shadow had vanished, scanning the branches for movement. Moments passed, and then he saw it—a flicker of black darting from one branch to another. Shadow was on the hunt, its sleek form weaving through the canopy like a shadowy blur.

"Wow, she is fast," Ethan murmured under his breath. "Wait, is it a she or a he?" He realized he had never checked the stats for the cat and quickly tried to will it open. Immediately a blue screen flashed in front of him.

[Shadow]

Wild Cat Lvl 0

Gender: Female

Race: Feline

Health: 40

Mana: 10

Strength: 5

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 3

Will Power: 2

Skill: Fury Claw

Ethan couldn't believe his eyes. Shadow actually had a skill and mana to boot. So she wasn't a simple ball of fur?

Interrupting his thoughts, he heard a small purr. He looked up and saw something bloody drop from the tree.