VIP System

He lost his balance and tumbled forward, a cry escaping his lips as he prepared for the painful impact. Suddenly, he felt himself being lifted, suspended in mid-air.

"Feeling adventurous now, little one?" came a familiar voice. It was Amanda. She had somehow appeared just in time to catch him. He felt her sweaty body pressed against him, the result of her hard work in the fields. Despite the sweat, she still smelled sweet, like morning flowers.

Her cheeks were flushed, and she breathed heavily from the exertion. Amanda’s gaze softened as she looked down at him, her usual warmth tinged with a flicker of worry. She wasn’t angry—just relieved that he was safe. But beneath her calm exterior, Eman sensed a deeper awareness, a vigilance that never left her, even in moments like this.

He noticed her dress, clinging to her skin from sweat, making her silhouette more defined.

Amanda moved with quiet confidence, ignoring the leering gazes from the men and the sharp stares from the women. She had long grown used to their judgment, letting it roll off her like rain. Her focus remained on her work—and on protecting the little one in her arms.

Anger flared in his chest, not just for Amanda, but for the helplessness that had plagued him in both lives. He had been powerless before—no more. He would grow stronger, master magic, and make sure no one ever looked at Amanda—or anyone he cared for—with anything less than respect.

He owed her that much, and more. This was his new purpose, and he would dedicate his life to it.

As Amanda carried him back inside, she whispered gently, "You gave me quite a scare, little one. But I'm glad you're safe." She smiled warmly, a smile that reached her eyes, and Eman felt a deep sense of gratitude and determination.

But before they even approached the door an ominous shadow crept across the field, stretching slowly, swallowing the light inch by inch. The wind stilled, and even the workers paused, their laughter fading into uneasy silence. For a moment, it felt as though the world itself held its breath—then came the crash. The ground trembled under the force of the impact, sending vibrations through the soles of their feet.

Dirt clouds mushroomed into the air, accompanied by a spray of tools and debris flying in every direction.

One such tool, a rusty old hoe, spun dangerously towards them. Eman's tiny heart raced, his babyish instincts screaming for him to cover his face, but his limbs wouldn't cooperate quickly enough. Just when the collision seemed inevitable, a faint clang rang out, and a spark flickered right in front of them.

To Eman's astonishment, the hoe was halted mid-air, inches from them. He turned his wide eyes up to Amanda, who stood calm and unflinching, her hand subtly lowered from a deflective gesture.

Amanda's gaze sharpened, her hair whipping around her like a silver storm. There was no panic in her eyes, only a calm, practiced focus, as though she had faced dangers like this many times before. In that moment, Eman realized there was much more to her than the gentle caretaker she appeared to be.

So, she's not normal! he thought with a mix of awe and pride. In that moment, she was as powerful as the magic he had only dreamed of.

The air crackled with an unseen energy, raising the hair on Eman's neck. A metallic taste filled his mouth, and he sensed Amanda's muscles tensing beneath him. Something was coming—something that made even the brave Amanda wary.

A deafening roar shattered his daydream, shaking the very air around them. Eman’s eyes snapped to the field, where a massive form loomed amidst the debris. What he saw chilled his blood despite the warmth of Amanda's proximity.

The ground rumbled beneath them, and the air seemed to still, heavy with the weight of something terrible. And then, from the chaos of debris and dust, it emerged—a colossal beast with eyes like burning coals, black fur rippling in the wind, and claws that could tear through earth itself. Its presence was so overwhelming that even the air seemed to shudder in fear. If not for its multiple swishing tails, it could have been mistaken for a grizzly bear of mythical proportions.

Above, the creature floated a bizarre apparition—a label of sorts that read: "Level ???: Black Os." Eman gurgled and pointed, his baby voice unable to contain his excitement or fear.

"Ooohh!" he exclaimed, drawing a glance from Amanda.

His mind raced. A level system? Just like in games! He tried to focus, wondering if he could see similar labels for Amanda or himself, but the overwhelming presence of the Black Os made it impossible to concentrate on anything else.

Seeing the thrill in his eyes, Amanda realized this moment was as much a revelation for him as it was a threat. "I guess he is your son after all," she murmured under her breath, her voice a mixture of wonder and resolve.

She looked down at Eman, their eyes meeting for a moment. Despite the danger, a small smile played on her lips, and Eman felt a surge of affection and protectiveness. In that instant, he knew he'd do anything to keep her safe, just as she'd done for him.

Without hesitation, she scooped Eman up and sat down on the wooden stair step, positioning him on her lap so he could see the field. Her arms encircled him protectively, yet her grip remained loose enough to allow for quick movement if needed. Amanda's breath was steady against the top of his head, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding before them.

"Watch carefully, little one," she whispered, her voice tense but controlled. "This is the world you've been born into."

The Black Os loomed in the distance, its massive form casting long shadows across the once-peaceful fields. As the creature took a thunderous step forward, Amanda's body tensed, ready for whatever might come next.