The next morning, Little Life woke up early. The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, painting the sky with soft orange and pink. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and stretched his arms. The inn room was quiet. Only the soft waves of the ocean in the distance could be heard.
He looked at the bucket of fish he bought yesterday. Most of them were still alive, splashing softly in the shallow water. He hadn't even checked all of them last night. He sighed. "This was a waste of sword coins," he muttered.
Still, something didn't sit right with him. There was definitely a spiritual aura. He had sensed it not once but twice. "Maybe I missed it... or maybe that beastman took the right one," he said with a bitter smile.
He gathered the bucket and left the inn. He walked slowly to the nearby beach. The sky had turned brighter, and the morning breeze was gentle. He placed the bucket down near the rocks and squatted beside it.
"These poor things don't belong in a bucket," he whispered. One by one, he gently picked up the fish and released them into the sea. Most swam away immediately. A few paused for a second, then darted off.
As he picked the last one—a shiny silver fish with red-tinted scales—he felt a strange vibration run through his fingers. "Huh?" He held it up close.
The fish shimmered under the sun. Its eyes looked too intelligent, and... there it was again. That aura.
Little Life's eyes widened. "You… you're the one!" he exclaimed softly.
The fish struggled weakly in his hand. Its gills moved slower than normal. He noticed a thin metal hook stuck in its mouth, old and rusted.
"No wonder," he murmured.
With gentle fingers, he removed the hook. The fish twitched as if in pain, and a drop of blood trickled down its scales. Feeling pity, Little Life pressed his hand over the wound and poured his Light Element into it.
But something strange happened.
The light didn't stop flowing. It was being sucked. His body trembled as the energy drained rapidly.
"W-What's going on?!" he cried. "Stop! That's enough!"
But it wouldn't stop. The fish glowed faintly, and suddenly it leapt from his hand into the water.
Little Life fell to his knees, pale and gasping. His limbs were numb. He'd lost nearly a third of his spiritual energy in a few seconds.
He tried to stand, but his legs gave out. "That… was not normal," he mumbled. "What kind of fish is this?"
Just then, a soft glow came from the ocean.
He squinted his eyes.
The same silver fish flew out of the water and floated in the air, slowly circling him. "You can… fly?" he whispered.
The fish didn't answer, of course, but it hovered gently, as if observing him. Then it opened its mouth and spat out a small frozen drop of blood. The drop hovered in the air before pointing toward him.
He reached out and grabbed it.
The moment his fingers touched the icy blood, it melted and rushed into his palm.
A wave of pain exploded through his entire arm.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" he screamed, clutching his chest.
The pain spread through his veins like fire. His body glowed as the blood merged with him. People near the beach turned their heads toward the sound, but no one dared approach a cultivator screaming in agony.
He rolled on the sand, his teeth clenched. "Wh-What kind of blood… is this?!"
The fish hovered silently, watching him suffer.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the pain stopped. His body collapsed on the sand, soaked in sweat and breathing shallow.
Somehow, he dragged himself back to the inn, nearly crawling. The fish followed him like a pet, floating silently behind.
He reached his room and collapsed on the bed, not even bothering to undress. His vision blurred, and he passed out.
---
The next morning, a beam of sunlight crept through the window and touched his face. He groaned and sat up.
Something felt… different.
His body felt stronger. More balanced. He could sense a new power inside him. He checked his cultivation core and gasped.
"Split Soul Peak Stage?!"
He'd broken through during his sleep?
Then, he touched his head and froze. "What the…?"
His fingers brushed something smooth and hard on top of his head.
He ran to the mirror.
"GOAT HORNS?!"
Two small, curved horns—pure white with golden veins—had grown on his head.
He panicked, rushing around the room in circles. "No no no no—this can't be happening! Why goat horns?! Am I cursed?!"
Then, a calm voice echoed in his mind. "You can hide them at will. Calm down."
"Who said that?!" he looked around, panicked.
"Look up."
He turned his gaze upward.
The silver fish was floating near the ceiling, watching him.
"You?! You can talk?!"
The fish bobbed gently. "I'm not just a fish. I'm one of the few beasts in this world who can cultivate."
Little Life narrowed his eyes. "You tricked me! You gave me horns!"
"You saved my life. I returned the favor," the fish replied calmly. "Now you can blend in anywhere on this continent."
"I don't want horns!" he shouted.
"You can hide them," the fish repeated. "Try it. Just think about hiding them."
With a deep breath, Little Life focused his thoughts. A second later, the horns vanished.
He blinked. "That… actually worked."
"See?" the fish said. "Now stop whining. You're stronger than ever. My blood gave you the body of a Beastman."
Little Life sat down, exhausted. He looked at the fish and asked, "Who are you, really?"
The fish floated lower, perching at the edge of the bed like a dog.
"I'll tell you later. For now, rest."
Little Life sighed. "You're really strange, you know that?"
The fish didn't answer.
He stared at the ceiling, then glanced at the fish again. "Are you male or female?"
No reply.
"Fine. Keep your secrets. But since you're following me now, don't cause trouble, okay?"
The fish bobbed once in agreement.
A small smile appeared on his face. "Alright then… weird flying fish. Let's go cause some trouble."
---
Later that day, Little Life used his new Beastman appearance—complete with hidden horns—to approach the gate of the main Beast Country.
The guards glanced at him and saw his Beastman features. Without much questioning, they let him through.
Inside, the main country was bustling. Beastmen of all kinds—leopards, wolves, bears, even snakes—walked the streets in clothes suited to their tribes. Some rode on giant spirit beasts; others bartered in open markets.
He walked slowly, amazed by the city's beauty and wild energy.
But as he turned a corner, someone bumped into him.
"Watch it!" growled a tall leopard beastman, his sharp eyes glowing.
Little Life stepped back and bowed lightly. "Apologies."
"You smell like a human," the leopard sneered. "Are you a spy?"
Before he could answer, the leopard beastman attacked.
Little Life dodged and summoned his light energy. Thanks to the beast blood inside him, his light flared brighter than usual.
He parried the first strike, then released a wave of light that blinded the leopard for a second.
The fish flew in and flicked its tail, creating a shockwave that threw the beastman off balance.
Little Life seized the chance and kicked the enemy into a nearby wall.
The crowd stared in surprise.
The leopard groaned and stood up. "Tch. You're strong."
He backed away and disappeared into the crowd.
Little Life exhaled. "That was close…"
He looked at the fish. "Thanks."
The fish swirled in the air proudly.
Back in his room, he asked again, "What do you want from me?"
The fish floated quietly for a while, then whispered, "I don't need anything. Just let me stay with you. I won't hurt you."
He nodded. "Fine. But you better not run off."
The fish circled above his bed before settling at the corner again.
Little Life closed his eyes.
Somehow, this strange fish made him feel… less alone.
---[To Be Continued]---