Episode 10: Forest of Shadows
Rhea was tired of the constant buzz of the grand market. Though her panel made it easy to stay hidden, the world outside still felt loud, chaotic, and dangerous. Orders kept pouring in, curious eyes watching from every corner, and rumors of a "hidden shop master" were starting to spread.
"I need a place," she murmured, stretching as she stared at the night sky through her private dimension window. "A real home. Somewhere peaceful… quiet."
Fizz floated lazily in the air, chewing a digital donut. "You're rich now, you know? Why not build a cute little cabin in the forest?"
Rhea blinked. "That's actually… not a bad idea."
> [Panel Command: Search for Unoccupied High-Spiritual Zone – Hidden Realm Access Granted]
Location Found: Whispering Willow Forest (Unclaimed)
She smiled. With a flick of her fingers, she teleported to the edge of the forest—a misty, ancient place where trees whispered secrets and mana flowed like wind. It was beautiful… and untouched.
Birds chirped overhead. Magic beasts watched from the trees, curious but not hostile. It was perfect.
"I'll build here."
And so, Rhea got to work—using her shop system to summon materials, construct tools, and design a wooden cottage infused with enchantments. Walls laced with protection runes. Floors made from sturdy spiritual oak. Windows that shifted opacity with a thought.
Fizz whistled. "Looks better than most mansions."
But Rhea didn't stop there. As night approached, she summoned Echo—the abyssal hound—and three more abyssal beasts that answered her silent call.
Each creature transformed into a smaller, pet-like form: Echo became a black puppy with glowing eyes, a serpent turned into a jeweled bracelet coiled on her wrist, a shadow owl perched on the roof with feathers like smoke, and a feline-like creature curled near the fire, purring low.
She looked at them with a smile. "From now on… this is home. You protect it."
> [Guarding Protocol Activated – Abyssal Beasts Set to Stealth Mode]
No one would find her here. Not trackers, not adventurers, not even the Multiversal Guild scanning for mysterious powers.
Later that night, Rhea sat on the porch, sipping tea. Fizz hovered beside her, watching fireflies dance through the woods.
"You're different, you know," Fizz said quietly.
"Hm?"
"Most people would sell those beasts. Use them to dominate the world, start a cult, go mad with power…"
Rhea chuckled softly. "They're not tools. They're my companions. Besides, I don't want power for control… I want freedom. Peace."
Fizz smiled, glowing warmly.
Suddenly, the bracelet on her wrist pulsed.
> [Intruder Detected: Attempted Magical Scan – Blocked]
Alert: Unknown Source tried to access your coordinates.
Rhea narrowed her eyes.
"So… they're looking for me already?"
Fizz buzzed nervously. "You sure it's not time to disappear again?"
Rhea shook her head. "No. I'm not running. This time, I'm staying hidden right under their noses."
She raised her hand, and the bracelet hissed softly. Her aura shifted—no longer just spiritual, but now cloaked in abyssal mystery.
> [Skill Activated: Abyssal Veil – User's location, signature, and spiritual pressure hidden from all detection methods.]
The forest wrapped around her like a mother's embrace, and her beasts formed a silent circle around the house—ready to protect, ready to fight, and loyal only to her.
Rhea leaned back in her chair, smiling.
Let the world wonder. Let the market panic. Let the guilds chase shadows.
She had found peace. And if anyone dared disturb it?
Well, they'd meet her family first.
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To be continued…