Tharia stood before the mission board, arms loosely folded, scanning the wooden plaques with a growing grin she couldn’t quite kill.
‘Fetch this. Carry that. Try not to die. Repeat.’
One listing made her ears perk and her cheeks puff in pure mischief.
Escort supply carts to the Northern Relay Outpost.
Estimated danger: minimal.
Compensation: modest.
“Minimal danger. Right,” she muttered, flashing a sharp little grin. ‘Because that’s never code for “we expect you to die but don’t want to pay extra”. Perfect.’
She tapped the plaque. “I’ll take this one.”
The attendant gave her the look of a man watching someone sign their own death warrant. “First time heading out alone?”
“First time they’re letting me,” she replied, flashing him a bright, toothy grin.
He grunted. She didn’t wait for translation.
System:
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Mission Accepted: Supply Escort (Northern Relay)
Danger Level: Minimal (Allegedly)
Note: The System suggests bringing backup.
Secondary Note: You're going anyway, aren't you?
[collapse]
'Obviously. What's the worst that could happen?’
The System, predictably, stayed silent.
…
The supply group assembled at the sect gate. Three outer disciples, two hired porters, two ox-drawn carts.
Tharia took point near the front, already tasting freedom. ‘No Kaela. No rules. No one telling me I’m doing it wrong.’
Her ears tilted forward, and said to no one. “This is going to be amazing.”
One porter eyed her like her tail might bite him. “Miss… you sure you should walk ahead by yourself? The forest is—”
“Full of beasts, yes,” she cut in, flashing a cheeky grin. “That’s why I’m walking ahead.”
He shut up. 'Good.'
A stocky boy with an oversized sword gave her a sideways glance. “You’re the fox girl, right? The one who fought the wolf?”
‘Oh good. My reputation precedes me. And by reputation I mean “the naked incident no one will let me forget.”’
“That’s me,” She puffed her cheeks, flashing a bright, toothy grin. “Professional beast fighter. Part-time disaster. Full-time fabulous.”
He blinked. "...What?"
"You'll figure it out."
They started walking.
The forest path twisted between ancient trees, roots clawing across the dirt like greedy fingers. Mist curled low around her ankles. The air smelled of damp earth, moss, and something faintly sweet she couldn’t place.
‘This is nice. Quiet. Peaceful. No one’s trying to kill me yet.’
She let out a slow, content breath.
Mei — lanky spear girl — jogged up beside her. “Tharia, right? Didn’t expect you on escort duty.”
"It beats laundry."
Mei laughed. “Fair enough. I’m Mei. Looks like you’ve already got fans.” She jerked her chin toward the stocky boy.
“Wolf. Robe malfunction. Many poor decisions.”
“Sounds fun.”
“It was not.”
They walked on, the forest humming with distant life.
Tharia's nose twitched. The air smelled like damp earth, moss, and something faintly sweet she couldn't place.
'Probably not dangerous… Probably.'
She scratched the side of her nose, eyes narrowing.
System:
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Ambient Qi Density: Rising
Spirit Beast Activity: Moderate
Likelihood of Incident: 67%
Note: Stay alert.
The System is aware you are already ignoring this advice.
[collapse]
'I am alert. My ears are literally rotating. What more do you want from me.'
…
Midway, the temperature dropped. Mist thickened until she could barely see her own hands.
'Okay… new... And not good.'
Panic rippled behind her.
"Is this normal?! This is too thick!"
"I can't see my own feet—"
Tharia lifted a hand. "Quiet. Stay where you are."
Silence fell.
She pinched the air, weaving soft golden lanterns strand by strand. They bloomed into existence — warm, steady, real enough to trust. They drifted along the path like obedient fireflies.
The porters stared, wide-eyed.
"Those look real..."
"Are they real?"
“Real enough to follow,” she said, cheeks hurting from the smug little grin she couldn’t suppress. ‘Look at me. Being useful.’
The fog no longer smothered. It shimmered faintly, refracted in colors that soothed rather than frightened.
System:
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Illusion Proficiency: +1%
Note: You are showing off.
Secondary Note: The System approves.
[collapse]
'Damn right I am.'
Then came the rustling; low, circling, getting closer. Distant growls rolled through the fog.
Tharia’s ears shot forward. “Something’s moving.”
Behind her, the porters froze.
She pinched the air and wove a second set of illusions just beyond sight: towering predator silhouettes, bigger and meaner than anything local, paired with deep rumbling growls that vibrated through the mist.
The real spirit wolves went silent. The rustling faded.
Mei stared at her. “Did you just scare off a whole pack?”
Tharia flashed a smug little grin. “They’re easier to fool than people.”
'Also they don't ask stupid questions. Win-win.'
Mei laughed. "You're terrifying."
"Thank you."
The group exhaled in relief.
Right after — a sudden, panicked crash of branches.
Ghhhrraaaah.
A massive mist horn boar exploded out of the underbrush, tusks glowing with qi, eyes wide with terror. It was fleeing something. The wolves had driven it straight into their path like a living battering ram.
Tharia's ears shot up.
'THERE IT IS.'
"Move!" she barked.
The boar charged the nearest cart. Blind panic. Her illusions snapped. ‘Shit—’ Fresh phantoms flared. The boar barreled straight through them
‘New plan. Stab it. Stab it until it stops moving.’
Chaos Qi surged wildly. A phantom copy of herself leapt sideways. The boar turned, and she struck. Steel sliced its flank. It roared and spun on her.
‘OH GOOD. IT’S MAD. LOVE THAT FOR ME.’
She pivoted hard. Tail lashed for balance. Blinding qi-light exploded into its eyes. She ducked under slashing tusks.'NOT DEAD YET. WHY ISN'T IT DEAD YET—'
The other outer disciples finally moved.
Mei hurled her spear. It clattered against the beast's hide, barely scratching but forcing its head to turn.
The stocky boy shouted warnings, pulling a porter out of the way.
The third disciple tried to channel qi into a barrier. The glow flickered weakly, then shattered under the boar's weight like wet paper.
'VERY HELPFUL. THANK YOU ALL. I'M FINE. TOTALLY FINE.'
Their efforts bought her seconds.
Seconds mattered.
Her dagger slashed once. Twice. Cutting shallow lines across its throat.
The beast bucked wildly, trying to shake her off.
She clung to its side, tail braced against the ground, teeth gritted.'Stay on. Don't fall. If you fall you die. DON'T FALL—'
She drove the blade upward into the tender gap under its jaw.
The boar shrieked.
Thrashed.
She twisted hard and felt the resistance give way.
Its legs buckled.
The body crashed to the ground, shuddered once, then lay still.
Silence.
Tharia stood there, breathing hard, dagger still gripped in both hands.
Her arms trembled. Her ears rang. Her tail was puffed to twice its size.
'I'm alive. I'm alive. Holy shit I'm alive.'
Then the voices came.
"You killed it..."
"Alone..."
"That was a spirit beast!"
Tharia exhaled slowly, wiping her blade on the grass.
Her hands shook.
She forced them still.
'Composed. I am composed. I am a dignified princess who definitely didn't just scream internally the entire time.'
Her tail was still puffed.
She chose not to address this.
"Stay alert," she said, voice steady despite the adrenaline still flooding her veins. "There might be more."
But none came.
System:
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Combat Performance: Chaotic (Effective)
Spirit Beast Defeated: Mist Horn Boar (Tier 2)
Chaos Essence Gained: +15
Illusion Proficiency: 37% (+2%)
Note: You survived by sheer stubborn refusal to die.
Secondary Note: The System is mildly impressed.
[collapse]
Tharia's ears twitched.
'Fifteen? For almost dying? That's... actually pretty good… I want my roulette!’
Her tail slowly deflated.
‘Still hate you, though.’
…
The rest of the trek passed without further incident. By the time they reached the Northern Relay Outpost, the sky had dimmed to dusky purple. Lanterns flickered along the wooden walls as relay staff inspected the crates and handed out small pouches of spirit stones.
Tharia pocketed hers, the weight strangely grounding.
'First mission. First kill. First time not dying horribly.'
Her tail flickered once.
Mei clapped her on the shoulder, grinning wide. “You saved our asses back there.”
The stocky boy nodded. “Fought better than I expected. A lot better.”
Tharia gave them a quick, lopsided smile and puffed her cheeks. “Don’t make it weird. I just didn’t want to fill out paperwork for dead porters.”
They laughed. She didn’t.
‘Their words matter less than the fact they saw me fight… and didn’t see me panic. Win.’
On the walk back, exhaustion finally caught up. Her legs felt like wet stone. Qi reserves scraped the bottom. Sweat cooled on her back and made her illusion robe cling in annoying places.
But her tail still gave the occasional satisfied swish.
'I did it. Solo mission with no protection. Complete.'
One of the disciples fell into step beside her, voice quieter. “You saved us. I won’t forget that.”
Tharia’s cheeks warmed. She scratched the side of her nose, avoiding his eyes. “Don’t make it weird.”
He laughed softly.
They walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence as the sect gates came into view, warm lantern light spilling across the courtyards like a welcome.
…
By evening she slipped back into her cave, set the pouch of spirit stones on the small shelf, and dropped cross-legged onto her mat. The day’s weight pressed down on her shoulders like wet blankets, but she forced herself to train anyway.
‘One more cycle. Then sleep.’
Qi threads stirred sluggishly, reluctant after the boar fight. She pressed harder, teeth gritted, cheeks flushed with effort.
‘Move. You moved yesterday. You’ll move today. Move, damn it—'
Sweat beaded at her temples. Her heart thudded in her ears.
Finally, a thin thread of warmth spread through her meridians. Small. Stubborn. But there.
‘There. See? Not dead. Still progressing.’
She exhaled, long and shaky, then flopped backward onto the bedding, cheeks still warm from effort.
That warm little bubble of satisfaction popped the second the System box appeared.
System:
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Illusion Proficiency: 38%(+1%).
Qi Circulation: Vein resonance threshold - 16% (+1%).
[collapse]
‘Sixteen percent. Sixteen measly percent after all that’. Tharia puffed her cheeks, ears drooping. ‘At this rate I’ll be an old fox before I even open my first vein properly. Kaela would laugh her perfect ass off.’
She let out a long, frustrated breath through her nose.
Before sleep could drag her under, curiosity bit her anyway. She summoned the System interface with a lazy flick of her fingers.
System Status:
Host: Tharia | Age: 18
Status: Healthy
[TECHNIQUE ANALYSIS]
Illusion Proficiency: 38%
Chaos Stability: Fragile (Improving).
Qi Circulation: Vein resonance threshold - 16%.
Achievement: 'Style Over Substance'
Traits: 'The Reluctant Royal' (Passive). ‘Willing Exposure’ (Passive)
Passive Techniques: 'Shame-Guard' (Passive)
Module: 'Path of the Unseen'
Active Techniques: Illusory Raiment (Rank: D)
Chaos Essence: 65.
Status: Duskwind Sect - Outer Disciple.
Active Quests: Exceed Vein resonance threshold 50%.
SHOP.
[collapse]
She narrowed her focus on the glowing word that kept taunting her lately.
Chaos.
The overlay shifted.
System:
[SYSTEM ACCESS ATTEMPTED]
Access to Training Path: DENIED
Hint: Chaos is ### of ####'s main ####
User's body is not yet able to handle its power
Recommendation: Acquire higher training material to pursue Chaos integration.
[collapse]
Tharia stared at the censored blocks, ears drooping, cheeks puffing in frustration.
‘Censored. Of course it’s censored. Can’t just tell me what I need. No, that would be helpful.’
The locked words glowed like a deliberate taunt.
“Fine. I’ll find it myself.”
She let the interface fade and flopped an arm over her eyes.
“Tomorrow, I’ll push further.”
Her breathing slowed.
‘One step at a time…After I sleep for twelve hours.’
Her tail curled tighter around her legs.
‘Maybe fourteen.’