Elowen lay in a dark, dreamlike forest covered with endless leaves. The sun had set, and the darkness surrounded her completely. Only the stars in the night sky gave a little light and sound to guide her. The trees seemed alive, whispering to each other as the wind moved their leaves. She heard them singing in a woman’s voice, as if they knew the words. Along with the music, she could hear her own breathing and heartbeat—it felt too loud for such a quiet place. But nothing disturbed the peace, not even her. The quiet felt strangely calm and soothing.

  Her nine tails floated gently in the air, flowing like water in every direction. They were so long that they trailed behind her, occasionally catching on bushes and roots that seemed slightly out of place in the small forest clearing. With her eyes closed, she drifted through this peaceful dream, barely aware she was dreaming. A calming sensation ran down her spine, as if the soft breeze carried a soothing feeling for anyone it touched. But suddenly, her eyes snapped open, as if something had startled her awake. The dream vanished in an instant, and her senses came rushing back. She found herself sitting upright on the ground, looking around, trying to make sense of where she was.

  "What... what the hell is this..." she thought, her voice trembling as she stared at her nine tails. Their indigo color shimmered like a dark ocean under the moonlight. "Oh god," she whispered, panic rising in her chest. Without thinking, she bolted, running wildly through the forest. Her tails trailed behind her, moving as if they had a mind of their own, brushing against leaves and plants to keep up with her speed. They fluttered gently, almost protectively, as if trying to comfort her. Her heart raced, her feet pounded against the ground, and her fur whipped around her neck. Her teeth chattered, and her mind spun with terrifying images—visions of people being slaughtered by the woods flashing before her eyes. Fear consumed her as she ran, unsure of what was real and what was not.

  "Where did these tails come from?" she wondered, desperately rubbing her back against a tree, hoping to somehow get rid of them and make everything normal again. Her heart pounded at the thought of turning into a nine-tailed fox. But then she stopped, took a deep breath, and reality hit her hard. She couldn’t afford to panic now—her life was at stake. She needed to find help, and that meant escaping this forest. But first, she had to look human again, especially since she was in the human realm. Her mind raced as she remembered the leaf-shaped arm cuff she used to wear in Kaelith to hide her true identity. Frantically, she began searching for it, hoping it would help her blend in and survive.

  After a few minutes of searching, she finally found the leaf-shaped arm cuff and quickly put it on. Instantly, her indigo hair turned into human skin, and her nine tails disappeared, leaving only faint scratch marks on her back from where she had rubbed against the tree in her panic. It stung a little, but the pain was bearable. She let out a sigh of relief, looking exactly like she did back in Kaelith.

  "But why did my wings turn into tails as soon as I came to Earth?" she wondered, her mind racing. "In Kaelith, I was a moon spirit. Here, I became a nine-tailed fox... how?" The question lingered in her thoughts as she tried to make sense of the strange transformation. For now, though, she pushed the confusion aside, focusing on surviving and finding a way out of the forest.

  Elowen closed her eyes and shook her head, pushing aside the confusing thoughts. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on them—she needed to focus. Her first priority was to get out of the forest as quickly as possible. As she moved, her deep indigo moon thread, flecked with silver specks, coiled around her finger like a ring, guiding her forward. Suddenly, a soft, melodic hum filled the air, echoing like the distant chime of a bell. The sound blended perfectly with the forest’s whispers, creating a magical, calming atmosphere. Elowen had often felt its presence before seeing it.

  She noticed the light around her shift—the forest seemed to sparkle, and the shadows grew deeper, signaling something extraordinary. Just as she turned to look, the Moonveil Butterfly appeared in a graceful swirl, its delicate wings unfolding with a gentle rustle. It was a breathtaking sight, and for a moment, Elowen felt a sense of wonder despite her fear.

  The Moonveil Butterfly was breathtaking. Its wings shimmered with iridescent colors that shifted between deep yellow and soft silvers, like a starry night sky. Delicate patterns, resembling celestial constellations, sparkled across its wings, glowing faintly at the edges. The butterfly’s ethereal presence felt almost magical, as if it belonged to another world. With a graceful flick of its wings, it danced in front of Elowen, its soft glow lighting up the dark forest around her. The air filled with its melodic hum, creating a peaceful, enchanting atmosphere.

  As the butterfly glided closer, its glow grew brighter, preparing to deliver its message. With each word it seemed to convey, its wings pulsed with light, casting shimmering patterns that danced in the air. The sight was mesmerizing, and Elowen couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and curiosity as she watched the celestial creature.

  "__Elowen, seeker of paths unknown,

  A journey awaited where the wild winds blew.

  Follow the trail of the moonlit glade,

  And seek the lost spirits in twilight's shade.

  Gather their whispers, let their stories unfold,

  For within their tales, your purpose will be told.

  But beware the shadows where the Arachnid lay,

  A creature of darkness beneath starlit skies.

  With fangs sharp and venom that chilled to the bone,

  Prepare for the battle, for you were not alone.

  Draw strength from the whispers, the spirits you found,

  For their ancient wisdom sharpened your mind.__"

  As the butterfly spoke, it circled Elowen, its gentle light illuminating her and the ground around her, making the moment feel truly magical. Each word it conveyed seemed to resonate deeply with her, filling her with a sense of adventure and purpose. When the message ended, the Moonveil Butterfly fluttered back slightly, giving her time to absorb its words. Its shimmering presence seemed to glow with the promise of the journey ahead.

  With a final, graceful flap of its wings, the butterfly gestured toward the direction of her first quest, inviting her to begin her adventure. Elowen, however, let out a tired sigh, her voice tinged with frustration. "Oh, Seraphiel, not now! I just wanted some rest..." she muttered, rubbing her temples. Despite her exhaustion, she knew she couldn’t ignore the call. Taking a deep breath, she straightened up and began to follow the butterfly’s guidance, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

  Her heart felt heavy, weighed down by the memory of her recent punishment, and exhaustion seeped into her bones. Ever since she had arrived in this strange world called Earth, she had been running nonstop, with no idea how to return to Kaelith. For days, she had wandered, trying to stay hidden and avoid drawing attention. But every day, something strange or unexpected seemed to happen, leaving her no time to rest or think.

  Just as she tried to gather her thoughts, the air around her shimmered with energy, and the quest system activated. A soft, glowing screen appeared, floating in front of her. It displayed four quests she needed to complete before she could receive the main quest—the one that would finally allow her to leave the forest. Elowen stared at the screen, her frustration mingling with a faint spark of determination. She knew she had no choice but to push forward, no matter how tired she felt. Taking a deep breath, she focused on the first quest, ready to begin.

  [System notification]

  [Trial Quests...]

  [To get out of this forest, you must play the game...]

  [The game started...]

  [Loading...]

  [Initializing...]

  [First, complete the tutorial phase...]

  [Your choices mattered...]

  [Did you wish to proceed...?]

  [System activated...]

  [Loading active quests...]

  Elowen’s heart sank as she realized the enormity of the task ahead. She had to find nine keys, each representing a different challenge, and complete 1067 out of 1100 quests just to earn the right to leave. Closing her eyes, she summoned the holographic screen, which glowed brightly in the air, displaying her quest dashboard. The screen’s light reflected her frustrated expression, as if the quests were mocking her desire for rest and reminding her that duty came first.

  With a resigned sigh, she glanced at the Moonveil Butterfly, which hovered nearby, its gentle glow offering a small sense of comfort. Elowen knew she couldn’t afford to give in to exhaustion—she had to keep moving forward. The forest held secrets she needed to uncover, and maybe, just maybe, these quests would lead her to some answers—or even a moment of peace.

  Turning her attention back to the screen, she read through the list of four quests again, trying to decide where to begin. After a moment, she muttered quietly, "Alright, let’s get this tutorial phase over with." Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and prepared to take on the first challenge.

  Lunar Nexus Dashboard

  Character Sheet:

  Name: Elowen Ulfr

  Race: Nine-Tailed Fox [Formerly Moon Spirit]

  Class: Astral Shapeshifter

  Level: 22 /700 [1.57 quests per level]

  Progression Stats:

  XP to Next Level: 3,220/60,265,000

  HP: 1,450/35,350

  MP: 1,120/13,476,760

  XP Boost: +10% during Full Moon

  Lunar Nexus Progression:

  - Lunar Tier: 1

  - Lunar Points: 320

  - Nexus Rank: Beginner

  - Unlocked Traits:

  - Moon’s Aura: Minor boost to defense at night.

  - Lunar Intuition: Gain an instinctive sense of lunar phases, allowing better control over magic during the moon's ascent.

  Status:

  - Alignment: Neutral

  - Mood: Calm, Patient

  - Aura: Subtle Moonlight

  Attributes:

  - Strength: 145/5,569

  - Dexterity: 185/5,609

  - Constitution: 160/5,584

  - Intelligence: 250/5,674

  - Wisdom: 230/5,654

  - Charisma: 120/5,544

  Abilities:

  1. Lunar Form (Active)

  Level 2 – Transform into a smaller, more agile version of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Increases speed and evasion.

  Cooldown: 5 minutes

  2. Moonbeam (Active)

  Level 2 – Call down a beam of moonlight to deal moderate damage to enemies.

  Mana Cost: 100 MP

  Cooldown: 8 minutes

  3. Astral Charm (Passive)

  Level 2 – You have an easier time influencing lunar creatures and beings attuned to the moon.

  Effect: +10% to Persuasion and Animal Handling with lunar or nocturnal creatures.

  4. Lunar Dash (Active)

  Level 1 – Perform a quick dash that allows you to move with agility and speed, evading attacks or closing distances.

  Cooldown: 10 minutes

  5. Moonlit Healing (Active)

  Level 1 – Heal a small portion of health to yourself or allies under the light of the moon.

  Mana Cost: 75 MP

  Cooldown: 12 minutes

  6. Tail Swipe (Active)

  Level 3 – Use your tails to strike enemies in a short radius around you, dealing moderate damage and knocking them back slightly.

  Mana Cost: 50 MP

  Cooldown: 8 minutes

  7. Lunar Nexus (Passive)

  Level 1 – Minor connection to lunar powers, granting small bonuses during the night or full moon phases.

  Effect: +5% to damage and healing during night.

  Current Buffs:

  - Moonrise Blessing: +5% to healing and +10% to movement speed during night.

  - Lunar Pulse: +10% damage against dark creatures during moonlit nights.

  Active Quests:

  1. The Firefly Lantern's Glow

  Objective: Venture into the heart of the dungeon hidden in the forest and retrieve the glowing Firefly Lantern that lies within a chamber of shadows.

  Time Limit: 10 minutes

  If Elowen failed...

  Severe Punishment: Loss of 20 Experience Points, and the enchanted fireflies in the dungeon's chamber flicker out, casting the path ahead in darkness, making future quests even more perilous.

  2. The Moon Petals of the Forgotten Grove

  Objective: Deep within the dungeon lies a secret grove where Moon Petals bloom. Collect these rare flowers for the healer who resides in the dungeon's lower levels.

  Time Limit: 14 minutes

  If Elowen failed...

  Severe Punishment: Loss of 15 Experience Points, and the healer's magic fades, leaving Elowen without their aid for future quests in the dungeon.

  3. The Whispering Trees' Secret

  Objective: Within the dungeon's ancient chambers, there are sentient trees that have stood for centuries. Discover the cryptic message they whisper to those who listen.

  Time Limit: 15 minutes

  If Elowen failed...

  Severe Punishment: Loss of 25 Experience Points, and the trees' whispers turn to curses, causing them to wither and making navigation through the dungeon labyrinth more difficult.

  4. The Lost Fox of the Labyrinth

  Objective: In the winding corridors of the dungeon, a small, lost fox needs help finding its way out. Assist it and gain its trust to guide you through the darker passages ahead.

  Time Limit: 12 minutes

  If Elowen failed...

  Severe Punishment: Loss of 10 Experience Points, and the fox becomes frightened and evasive, making it harder to rely on its help in future quests.

  Complete Quests:

  1. Silverfang Hunter – Level 18

  2. Nightmare Spriggan – Level 20

  3. Lunar Hound – Level 21

  4. Moonlit Wraith – Level 19

  5. Frostthorn Pixie – Level 17

  6. Shadow Beast – Level 22

  7. Crescent Moon Nymph – Level 18

  8. Starlight Revenant – Level 20

  9. Sunset Banshee – Level 19

  10. Dreamweaver Moth – Level 16

  11. Gloomshade Ghost – Level 17

  12. Moonshadow Assassin – Level 21

  13. Eclipse Wolf – Level 22

  14. Feral Mooncat – Level 18

  15. Spectral Owl – Level 16

  16. Moonstone Golem – Level 23

  17. Lunar Shade – Level 19

  18. Nightblooming Demon – Level 20

  19. Hallowed Specter – Level 21

  20. Astral Templar – Level 22

  21. Twilight Dryad – Level 17

  22. Silver Claw Chimera – Level 24

  23. Shadowleaf Stalker – Level 19

  24. Moonfang Direwolf – Level 22

  25. Lunar Wisp – Level 18

  26. Crimson Eclipse Harbinger – Level 23

  27. Whispering Serpent – Level 20

  28. Radiant Bilemoth – Level 18

  29. Gravewood Lich – Level 20

  30. Celestial Butterfly – Level 16

  31. Moonvine Spider – Level 17

  32. Duskveil Elemental – Level 19

  33. Cross the Bridge of Shadows