Chapter 1: Guardian of the Forest

Morning light filtered through the gaps in the monastery's giant mushroom canopies, casting dappled shadows across Nicole's white eyelashes. She curled up in Sylas's embrace, her small head resting against her senior brother's shoulder, purring contentedly.

"Senior brother's embrace is the warmest~" She squinted her eyes, beast ears pressed against her head, like a lazy little cat.

Sylas gently stroked her white hair, his silver-gray wolf ears drooping tenderly: "Little lazy cat, time to get up. Today we're going deep into the forest to distribute food."

"Hold me just a little longer~" Nicole nuzzled his neck coquettishly, "Senior brother has such a wonderful pine scent!"

Such morning moments were utterly ordinary for them. Ever since Nicole first entered the monastery, Sylas had cared for her like a real big brother. Whenever Nicole had nightmares, he would stay by her side all night; whenever she felt lost because she couldn't remember her past, he would patiently comfort her; whenever she was troubled by others' bloodline rhetoric, he was always the first to step forward and protect her.

"Alright, alright, time to get up." Sylas tapped her nose tip gently, "Today we're delivering dried carrots to the little rabbits and sweet fruits to the deer cubs. You love seeing them happy, don't you?"

At the mention of the little animals, Nicole's eyes instantly lit up: "Oh right! We also need to bring ointment for that injured little squirrel! Its paw should be almost healed by now!"

She jumped up from Sylas's embrace and planted a firm kiss on his cheek: "Senior brother is the best! Nicole loves senior brother the most!"

Sylas blushed at her sudden affection, but his eyes were full of doting laughter: "Silly girl..."

After completing their morning prayers in the sanctuary, they organized the supplies they would distribute that day. Nicole was responsible for counting the food for the small animals, while Sylas prepared herbs and daily necessities for the beastfolk villages.

"Senior brother, why do some people always talk about boring topics like bloodline purity?" Nicole asked while organizing packages, "Forest Mother says all beings are equal. Who can decide their own bloodline? Isn't what matters who we are now?"

Sylas's movements paused, his expression becoming complex: "Nicole... some things are more complicated than we imagine. But you must remember, no matter what others say, in my heart, you are the most innocent and kind Nicole."

"Mm!" Nicole nodded vigorously, "Senior brother is also the best, best senior brother! Always will be!"

This seemingly simple promise made Sylas's eyes flash with pain, as if this trust was some kind of heavy burden for him.

The two left the monastery along vine-woven suspension bridges, stepping onto the path leading deep into the forest. The beautiful scenery of the Forestsea Cosmos unfolded before their eyes: towering ancient trees stood like giant pillars supporting a green canopy, colorful mushrooms emitted gentle light, and the air was filled with Forest Ripples—that life energy that made one feel refreshed and delighted.

"Senior brother, look!" Nicole pointed to a meadow ahead blooming with colorful flowers, "Those flowers are waving at us!"

"That's just the wind, little silly." Sylas said gently.

"No way! They're welcoming us!" Nicole skipped toward the flower bed, extending her hand to caress the petals, "Hello there, beautiful flowers~"

Sylas watched her innocent smile, complex emotions surging in his heart. This purity and kindness was exactly what he most wanted to protect...

"Lord Sylas."

A low voice came from beside the path. A figure cloaked in dark robes emerged from the shadows of an ancient tree, hood obscuring their face.

Sylas instantly became alert: "You are...?"

The cloaked figure made an extremely secretive gesture to Sylas.

"There's an urgent matter requiring your attention." The cloaked figure's voice was very low, but the tone carried an undeniable urgency, "Private discussion."

Nicole sensed the change in atmosphere and stopped her "conversation" with the flowers: "Senior brother, what's wrong?"

Sylas forced a smile, but Nicole keenly caught the unease in his eyes: "Nicole... there's a bit of an urgent situation I need to handle. Can you go to the western area alone? I'll come find you very soon."

"Eh? We have to separate?" Nicole's small face was written with reluctance, "We've never separated when coming out before..."

She walked to Sylas's side, standing on tiptoes to nuzzle his chin with her forehead: "Senior brother, is it something very important?"

"Yes... very important." Sylas gently stroked the top of her head, his voice somewhat hoarse, "Nicole must be careful, if you encounter any danger, return to the monastery immediately, understand?"

There was a hint of gravity in his tone.

Though reluctant, Nicole was always obedient: "Okay! Senior brother must be careful too!"

She took out a small embroidered flower from her pack and tucked it into Sylas's chest pocket: "This way senior brother won't forget Nicole! See you later!"

Watching Nicole skip away and disappear down the forest path, Sylas clutched the small flower at his chest, his eyes full of pain and struggle.

"She shouldn't be dragged into these matters..." he said in a low voice.

The cloaked figure replied coldly: "Orders are orders. Today at 3 PM, there will be large-scale action in the western area. Your task is to ensure that girl... cooperates."

Nicole walked alone on the path leading to the western area. Without her senior brother's company, the forest seemed much quieter, but she still hummed a little tune, her mood cheerful.

"Little bunnies, here I come—"

As soon as her voice fell, several fluffy forest rabbits hopped out from the grass. Then came deer cubs, followed by various small birds and squirrels. Soon, Nicole was surrounded by a group of small creatures.

"Didn't senior brother come today?" a small deer asked.

"Senior brother has important matters to handle." Nicole smiled while distributing food, "But Nicole can take care of everyone all by herself!"

Just as all the small animals were immersed in the joy of delicious food, heavy footsteps suddenly echoed from all around the forest. Not from just one direction, but from all sides.

The birds were first to sense danger, taking flight one after another. Rabbits perked up their ears, deer cubs nervously huddled together.

"What's wrong?" Nicole stood up, her keen beast ears catching the unusual sounds.

The sound of metal scraping came through the air—in this plant-dominated world, this was an extremely rare and ominous omen.

More than a dozen hunters completely encased in special metal armor charged out from bushes on all sides, wielding capture net launchers that flickered with blue light.

"Area A cleanup begins!"

"Capture all targets! Prioritize live captures!"

"Pay special attention to those cubs, they have higher market value!"

Nicole's pupils dilated instantly from shock. These hunters weren't specifically targeting her—they were conducting indiscriminate captures of the entire area. Their targets were all beastfolk and rare animals.

"Run! Everyone run!"

Nicole shouted, using her body to shield the small animals beside her. But the hunters were well-trained, the encirclement had tightened, leaving no chance for escape.

Capture nets whistled through the air. Nicole barely managed to push away a small rabbit, but was struck solidly herself.

Electric current instantly coursed through her entire body. She collapsed to the ground in pain, her vision beginning to blur. In her final moment of consciousness, she saw the small animals being captured one by one, deer cubs crying in despair.