Min-jun had been traveling through the Whispering Woods for almost a week now, and his routine had become quite pleasant. Every morning, he would wake up surrounded by his growing collection of magical creature friends, eat breakfast with food prepared by his helpful pixies, and then spend the day exploring deeper into the forest.
The "monsters" he encountered were getting slightly more challenging, but only in the sense that they were higher level, not more dangerous. Yesterday he had tamed a family of Crystal Wolves - beautiful creatures with fur that sparkled like diamonds and eyes like sapphires. They were level 15, which was the highest he had encountered so far, but they were just as friendly as all the other creatures in this world.
His party now included over thirty different magical animals, ranging from his original rabbits and squirrels to the more exotic creatures he had discovered deeper in the forest. There were Rainbow Butterflies that could create small light shows, Singing Mushrooms that hummed pleasant melodies, and even a young Dragon Kitten - a creature that looked exactly like a regular kitten but could breathe tiny puffs of harmless rainbow fire.
[LEVEL UP!]Level 12 → Level 18Monster Taming Level: 25 → 40New Skill: Monster Evolution - You can help your creatures grow strongerNew Skill: Nature's Harmony - Plants and animals instinctively trust you
Min-jun was particularly excited about the Monster Evolution skill. When he used it on his original slime companion, the cute little blob transformed into a larger, more intelligent creature that could actually speak simple words and had developed basic magical abilities.
"Master good!" the evolved slime said happily, bouncing around Min-jun's feet. "Slime strong now!"
"Yes, you are strong," Min-jun agreed, patting the slime's smooth surface. "What should I call you?"
"Bounce!" the slime declared immediately. "Name is Bounce!"
And so Bounce became the first of Min-jun's companions to receive a proper name. The others seemed to like this development, and soon Min-jun found himself naming all of his regular traveling companions.
The lead pixie became Sparkle, the biggest Cuddle Bear became Huggy, and the Dragon Kitten became Flame (even though his fire was completely harmless). The Crystal Wolves formed a pack led by a magnificent female he named Luna.
As the days passed, Min-jun had grown more comfortable with his new appearance and the confidence it brought him. He walked taller, spoke more clearly, and found himself naturally taking leadership roles when interacting with other travelers they occasionally met on forest paths.
The few humans they encountered - mainly other adventurers, traveling merchants, and nature researchers - were always impressed by Min-jun's ability to command such a large and diverse group of magical creatures. Many asked if he was some kind of legendary Beast Master or perhaps a prince in disguise.
Min-jun just smiled and said he was still learning about his abilities. It wasn't technically a lie.
On this particular morning, Min-jun decided to head toward the edge of the Whispering Woods. According to his maps, there was a major trade road that ran along the forest's eastern border, connecting several large cities. He thought it might be interesting to see more of this world's civilization and perhaps learn about the political structure that governed this peaceful realm.
"What do you think, everyone?" Min-jun asked his companions as they finished breakfast. "Ready to see what the outside world looks like?"
Bounce bounced enthusiastically. "Outside world! New things!"
Sparkle and her fellow pixies chimed their agreement. "We have never traveled beyond the deep forest," Sparkle said. "It will be an adventure!"
Huggy the Cuddle Bear simply gave Min-jun a warm hug that somehow conveyed complete trust and willingness to follow wherever he led.
The journey to the forest edge took most of the morning. As they walked, the ancient trees gradually became smaller and the canopy less dense, allowing more sunlight to filter through. Min-jun could hear new sounds in the distance - the rumble of wagon wheels, the clip-clop of horses, and human voices calling to each other.
"We're getting close to the road," Min-jun announced. "Remember what we practiced - try to stay calm around new humans. Not everyone is used to seeing so many magical creatures traveling together."
His companions nodded or made sounds of agreement. Over the past week, Min-jun had been training them to be less overwhelming when meeting strangers. His smaller creatures could hide in his backpack or behind the larger ones, while his more impressive companions like the Crystal Wolves had learned to appear relaxed and non-threatening.
As they crested a small hill, Min-jun could see the trade road below them - a wide, well-maintained path made of stone blocks with grass growing along the edges. It looked exactly like the roads from Eternal Realms Online, which made sense since Admin had based the game on this real world.
But something was wrong with the scene below.
On the road, a fancy carriage had been stopped by a group of rough-looking men. The carriage was beautiful - painted deep blue with gold trim and decorated with what appeared to be royal symbols. It was pulled by four white horses, and several people in armor lay unconscious on the ground around it.
The rough men were clearly bandits. They wore mismatched leather armor, carried various weapons, and had the kind of scruffy, unwashed appearance that screamed "criminal." There were about eight of them surrounding the carriage, and their leader - a large man with a scar across his face - was shouting demands at someone inside.
"This doesn't make sense," Min-jun muttered to himself. "Admin said there was no chaos in this world. No crime, no violence, no danger. So what are bandits doing here?"
Bounce, who had climbed up onto Min-jun's shoulder for a better view, made a worried gurgling sound. "Bad men? Hurt people?"
"It looks like it," Min-jun replied grimly.
Sparkle flew up to his ear and whispered urgently, "Master Min-jun, those are not normal bandits. Look at their aura."
Min-jun focused his attention on the bandits and activated one of his newer skills - Aura Reading. Immediately, he could see a faint red glow around each of the criminals. In his experience with the game, red auras usually indicated hostile intent or evil alignment.
But that was impossible in this world. According to everything he had read, Admin had removed all evil from Aetheria. There shouldn't be anyone with hostile intent, let alone organized bandits attacking innocent travelers.
"We have to help them," Min-jun decided. "Everyone, prepare for our first real fight."
His companions immediately shifted into combat positions. The Crystal Wolves formed a pack formation with Luna at the front. The Cuddle Bears, despite their adorable appearance, revealed that they had surprisingly sharp claws and fierce protective instincts. Even the smaller creatures like his rabbits and squirrels prepared to contribute however they could.
Min-jun drew his sword and began making his way down the hill. As he got closer, he could hear the bandit leader's voice more clearly.
"Come out of there, your highnesses!" the scarred man was shouting. "We know you've got gold and jewels in that fancy carriage! Hand it over and we might let you live!"
A clear, brave voice called out from inside the carriage: "We will not surrender to criminals! The royal guard will be here soon!"
"The royal guard ain't coming, princess!" another bandit laughed. "We made sure of that! Now come out before we drag you out!"
Min-jun could see two figures through the carriage windows - both appeared to be young women in elegant dresses. One had long golden hair and wore what looked like a tiara, while the other had dark hair and clothing that suggested noble birth but not quite royal status.
The unconscious people in armor around the carriage were clearly knights who had been serving as guards. Min-jun could see they were still breathing, which was a relief, but they had been knocked out by some kind of magic or drug.
"This is our chance," Min-jun whispered to his companions. "We attack from multiple directions. Luna, take your pack around to the left. Huggy, you and the other Cuddle Bears approach from the right. Sparkle, you and the pixies provide aerial support and distraction. Everyone else, follow my lead."
"Master strong!" Bounce declared confidently. "We help!"
Min-jun had never been in a real fight before - not in either of his lives. In the game, combat had been just clicking buttons and watching animations. But somehow, with his enhanced body and the confidence that came from his new appearance, he felt ready for this challenge.
He stepped out of the trees and into the clearing where the carriage was stopped.
"Let them go," Min-jun called out in a clear, commanding voice.
All eight bandits turned to look at him, and Min-jun saw their expressions change from confidence to confusion to something that looked almost like fear.
"Who the hell are you?" the scarred leader demanded, but his voice wasn't as steady as it had been a moment ago.
Min-jun realized that his new appearance was having quite an effect. He was tall, handsome, well-built, and carried himself with natural confidence. His sword gleamed in the sunlight, and behind him, the shapes of his magical creature companions were beginning to emerge from the forest.
"I'm someone who doesn't like seeing innocent people threatened," Min-jun replied. He had always wanted to say something heroic like that, and it felt amazing to finally have the opportunity.
"Look, pretty boy," one of the other bandits sneered, "this ain't your business. Walk away and we won't hurt you."
"I'm making it my business," Min-jun said firmly.
At that moment, Luna and her Crystal Wolf pack emerged from the left side of the clearing, their diamond fur sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight. From the right came Huggy and the other Cuddle Bears, who despite their cute appearance looked surprisingly intimidating when they bared their claws and growled protectively.
Above, Sparkle and her pixie companions began creating dazzling light displays that confused and disoriented the bandits. Even Min-jun's smaller companions contributed - his rabbits had somehow armed themselves with small rocks, and his evolved slime Bounce was glowing with magical energy.
"What in the seven hells?" the bandit leader gasped, looking around at the diverse array of magical creatures that had surrounded his group.
"Surrender now," Min-jun offered, "and I'll let you walk away."
The bandits looked at each other uncertainly. They were clearly not used to encountering this kind of opposition, especially not from someone who appeared to command such an impressive array of magical allies.
"Boss," one of them whispered nervously, "maybe we should listen to him. I ain't never seen anyone with that many tamed beasts."
But the scarred leader was either braver or more stupid than his companions. "Eight against one!" he shouted, raising his sword. "I don't care how many pets he's got! Attack!"
The battle that followed was unlike anything Min-jun had expected. His video game experience had prepared him for the basic mechanics of combat, but nothing had prepared him for how it felt to actually fight for real.
Fortunately, his opponents weren't particularly skilled. These bandits were bullies who were used to picking on defenseless travelers, not trained warriors. When faced with actual resistance, especially from such an overwhelming force, they quickly proved to be much less dangerous than they had appeared.
Min-jun found himself moving with fluid grace, his sword dancing through the air as he parried clumsy attacks and delivered precise counterstrikes. His enhanced body responded to his commands perfectly, and his new confidence allowed him to think clearly even in the heat of battle.
Meanwhile, his creature companions proved to be surprisingly effective fighters. The Crystal Wolves moved like liquid light, darting in and out to harass the bandits without ever being struck in return. The Cuddle Bears used their deceptively powerful claws to disarm opponents without seriously injuring them. Even Bounce contributed by bouncing into bandits' legs at exactly the right moment to knock them off balance.
Within minutes, all eight bandits were either unconscious or had dropped their weapons in surrender.
"Please!" the bandit leader begged, on his knees with Luna's teeth at his throat. "We give up! Don't let the wolf eat us!"
"Luna won't hurt you unless you try to attack again," Min-jun said calmly, though he was breathing heavily from the exertion. "But I want to know why you're doing this. This world is supposed to be peaceful."
"Look, we're just trying to make a living!" the man stammered. "Times are tough, and robbing rich folks seemed easier than honest work!"
Min-jun frowned. These seemed like regular criminals, which was strange for Admin's supposedly perfect world. But maybe even paradise had a few bad apples.
Before he could think about it more, the carriage door opened and the two young women stepped out.
Min-jun's breath caught in his throat. Both women were absolutely stunning, but in completely different ways.
The first was clearly the princess the bandits had mentioned. She had long, golden blonde hair that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, bright blue eyes, and the kind of perfect, delicate features that belonged on a porcelain doll. She wore a beautiful blue dress that matched her eyes and a small silver tiara that marked her royal status. She couldn't have been more than nineteen years old.
The second woman was slightly older, perhaps twenty-one or twenty-two. She had rich, dark brown hair elegantly arranged, intelligent green eyes, and a more mature beauty that suggested both wisdom and strength. Her dress was expensive but less ornate than the princess's, and she wore a pendant that bore the coat of arms of what was likely a noble house.
Both women were staring at Min-jun with expressions of amazement and gratitude, but also something else that looked almost like... awe?
"You saved us," the princess said in a voice like silver bells. "We thought... we thought we were going to die."
"Are you hurt?" Min-jun asked, resheathing his sword and approaching the carriage. "Are either of you injured?"
"No, we're unharmed," the dark-haired woman replied. "Thanks to your timely intervention." She looked at Min-jun with curious, intelligent eyes. "I am Lady Cecilia Ravencrest, daughter of Duke Ravencrest. And this is Her Royal Highness, Princess Seraphina."
Princess Seraphina curtsied gracefully, never taking her eyes off Min-jun's face. "I am deeply in your debt, brave sir. May I ask your name?"
"Kim Min-jun," he replied, then realized that might sound strange in this fantasy world. "But you can call me Min-jun."
"Lord Min-jun," Princess Seraphina said, testing the name. "That's... unique. Are you from the Eastern Kingdoms?"
Min-jun decided to go with that explanation. "Something like that."
Lady Cecilia stepped closer, and Min-jun noticed that she was studying him with the kind of analytical gaze that suggested a sharp intellect. "Your fighting style is unlike anything I've seen before," she observed. "And your ability to command so many different types of magical creatures is... extraordinary."
"Who is this handsome warrior?" Princess Seraphina asked, though she seemed to be asking herself rather than expecting an answer. "I've never seen anyone quite like him."
Min-jun felt his cheeks warm slightly. Even with his new confidence, receiving such direct compliments from two beautiful women was a bit overwhelming.
"I'm just a traveling adventurer," he said modestly. "I happened to be in the area when I saw you needed help."
"Just an adventurer?" Lady Cecilia raised an eyebrow. "With that level of skill and those magical companions? I think not."
Before Min-jun could respond, the sound of approaching hoofbeats echoed through the forest. A group of mounted knights in shining armor came riding down the road at full gallop, led by a tall man with a magnificent white mustache.
"Your Highness!" the lead knight called out as he dismounted. "We came as soon as we received word of the attack! Are you safe?"
"We are safe, Sir Marcus," Princess Seraphina replied, "thanks to this brave gentleman who defeated the bandits single-handedly."
Sir Marcus looked at the unconscious bandits, then at Min-jun and his collection of magical creatures, then back at the bandits. His expression was one of professional respect mixed with bewilderment.
"Single-handedly?" he repeated. "Against eight armed bandits? And with... are those Crystal Wolves?"
"Among other things," Lady Cecilia said with amusement. "Lord Min-jun appears to be full of surprises."
The knight captain approached Min-jun and bowed respectfully. "Sir Marcus Brightblade, Captain of the Royal Guard. On behalf of the crown, I thank you for protecting Her Highness and Lady Cecilia. Your service will not be forgotten."
"It was my pleasure," Min-jun replied, trying to sound appropriately noble.
While the knights secured the bandits and checked on their unconscious comrades, Princess Seraphina and Lady Cecilia continued to study Min-jun with obvious fascination.
"You must allow us to reward you properly," Princess Seraphina said. "Perhaps you would consent to accompany us back to the capital? I'm sure my father would want to meet the man who saved his daughter."
"The capital?" Min-jun repeated.
"The Royal City of Lumina," Lady Cecilia explained. "The largest and most beautiful city in the kingdom. It's where Princess Seraphina lives, and where my father serves as one of the king's chief advisors."
Min-jun considered the invitation. He had been planning to explore more of this world and discover its secrets. A visit to the capital city would certainly provide opportunities to learn about Aetheria's political structure and perhaps uncover more clues about the System's hidden features.
Plus, he had to admit, the idea of spending more time with these two remarkable women was quite appealing.
"I would be honored," he said with a slight bow.
Princess Seraphina clapped her hands together in delight. "Wonderful! We'll have such interesting conversations on the journey."
"Indeed," Lady Cecilia agreed, though her smile suggested she had her own reasons for wanting Min-jun to accompany them.
As the knights finished their preparations and the rescued party organized themselves for the journey to the capital, Min-jun found himself reflecting on how quickly his life continued to change. Just this morning, he had been a simple adventurer exploring the forest with his animal companions. Now he was apparently a hero who had saved a princess and was being invited to meet the king.
"Master did good!" Bounce declared happily, bouncing around Min-jun's feet. "Pretty ladies like Master!"
"Quiet, Bounce," Min-jun muttered, hoping the others hadn't heard.
But Lady Cecilia's amused smile suggested that she had indeed overheard the slime's comment.
"Your companions are quite charming," she said. "And remarkably perceptive."
Min-jun wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he simply nodded and began organizing his creatures for the journey ahead.
As they prepared to depart, one thought kept running through his mind: if there were bandits operating in this supposedly perfect world, what other surprises might be waiting for him in the capital city?
And more importantly, what secrets about the System might he discover in the halls of power?
The adventure, it seemed, was just beginning.