Beast Realms: Trapped in the Game

"By the way, speaking of your weapon—do you even remember how to wield one?" Terr asked after Wein told them the weapon he wanted.

Wein scratched his head and shook it awkwardly.

Alfa and Terr exchanged glances and sighed in perfect unison.

"This is going to be a real headache," Alfa muttered.

It was finally settled—Wein would stay with Terr temporarily while learning basic combat and weaponry skills.

Terr was renting a small place nearby and hadn't hesitated to offer him shelter.

"Thank you so much, brother," Wein said sincerely. "I'll pay you back for everything once I can stand on my own."

Terr waved him off with a playful grin. "It's fine! Just don't forget me when you return to your family."

Wein's mouth twitched. That's… impossible. I'm not related to them at all.

Still, he gave Terr a polite nod. "Of course."

Alfa had lent Wein a cloak to hide his hair, but after they left the shop, Terr insisted they stop at a clothing store as they originally planned.

"You can't keep walking around in those weird clothes, younger brother. Let's get you something decent."

As they walked, Terr explained the currency system. "Beast crystals are the currency, which can be obtained from the beasts in the realms. Every monster has a beast crystal. The number of crystals depends on the monster's level. First-level monsters have one crystal, second-level monsters have two, and so on. Up to the tenth level, where each monster drops ten crystals."

Wein's eyes widened. "So you can tell a monster's level based on how many crystals it carries?"

"Exactly," Terr nodded. "But starting from level eleven, it resets. Monsters at that level only drop one crystal again—but it's way bigger, purer, and worth a fortune. This goes on for the other levels."

That's good to know, Wein thought, tucking the information away.

From their Ratcha hunt, they'd caught sixteen in total. After selling the meat and splitting the loot, each of them ended up with twelve beast crystals.

The clothing set cost three crystals. Wein picked out three sets, plus shoes and a few basic personal items. In total, Terr spent fifteen beast crystals on him.

When Wein hesitated at the cost, Terr waved it off. "Don't worry. I'll cover the extra for now. You can pay me back later."

Wein scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. This was the first time someone else had bought his personal belongings—besides his brother.

He and his brother had grown up as orphans. His brother was the only family he ever knew. He was a firefighter. Unfortunately, he died in an explosion when Wein was only fifteen.

Terr reminded him of his brother. Maybe that's why I trusted him so quickly.

Even though Terr played it off like it wasn't a big deal, Wein quietly promised himself that he'd repay him as soon as possible.

Terr also lent him a spare space bag—a small enchanted pouch that could store much more than it appeared. The inside was roughly the size of a cabinet.

"I'm not really using this one anymore. You can borrow it for now."

That night, they settled into Terr's modest place. Over dinner—grilled meat and soft, lightly sweet bread—Terr finally opened up about his past.

"I come from a pretty well-known family," Terr began, his voice carrying a trace of bitterness. "We're nowhere near the level of the Elite Families, but we're respected. My grandfather's a councilor in the Central Alliance."

He stabbed his fork into the meat like it had personally wronged him. "My grandfather has two sons—my father and my uncle. From the outside, it looks like we're a peaceful family, but the rivalry between them runs deep. That competition got passed down to me and my cousins."

Wein listened quietly.

"I'm the eldest grandson. My grandfather pinned all his hopes on me. He poured resources into my training, determined that I'd carry the family's future. But when I was nine, I had an 'accident.'"

The bitterness in his voice made it obvious that he was schemed at.

"I was paralyzed from the waist down for nearly seven years. By the time I could walk again, I was already far behind everyone else. Now I'm eighteen and still untitled. Even my younger brother has surpassed me."

His words were bitter, but he forced a crooked smile.

Wein frowned. "What matters is that you got better. I know you'll catch up to them soon. I saw how you handled that Ratcha—you're skilled. Honestly, you're already better than most. Besides, you're way ahead of me. I'm only Level One."

Terr blinked, then let out a dry laugh. "I know you're just trying to comfort me, but hearing that actually makes me feel a little better—especially the part where I'm better. You're right—being ahead of a Level One is still something." He smirked playfully.

Asshole. I was trying to comfort you. Wein sighed but let it slide.

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, until Wein finally voiced the question that had been eating at him.

"Brother Terr… I've been meaning to ask. How do you get a spirit beast?"

In the game, spirit beasts could be obtained by slaying monsters. If you were lucky, they would drop a spirit that you could bind.

Terr thought for a moment. "You have to form a contract with one. If the beast accepts you, its soul will bind to yours."

Wein's heart skipped a beat.

So… does that mean there's a chance I can find Midnight again?

Midnight—that was what he named him, is his spirit beast from the game. 

He had been Wein's favorite companion, his most trusted mount.

If he could find his location. That means he can form a contract with him again?

"Is it hard to form a contract?" Wein asked carefully.

"Very. Spirit beasts aren't pets. They'll only submit if they think you're worthy."

Wein's determination hardened.

That night, as they made plans for training and ways to earn more beast crystals, for the first time since arriving in this world, Wein felt something beyond fear and confusion.

He felt excitement.

Maybe… just maybe, this won't be so bad after all.

He would climb the Beast Tower.

He would survive.

And if fate allowed—he would find his way home.

—

Atop a gigantic tree, a nest was hidden between the two branches, shielded from the sunlight.

Inside, a black-feathered crow rested quietly, its form tucked into the shadows.

Suddenly, as if hearing someone's call, its eyes snapped open—glowing, sharp, and blue.

It stared into the distance, fixated on the direction of the gate.

Without hesitation, it leapt out of the nest, its four wings unfurling as its claws gripped the bark for balance.

It let out a piercing shriek before launching into the sky, soaring swiftly toward the gate entrance.

Its figure vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.