Resonant Rewrite

The System's voice lingered in my mind long after it had faded. The hint of gravity in its tone wasn't something I could brush aside easily. "Unforeseen consequences," it had said. From what? My actions? My abilities? And this attention I was supposedly attracting—who or what had their eyes on me?

I sighed, leaning back against the pillows, rubbing my temples. The pieces of this puzzle seemed endless, and yet I couldn't seem to fit even two of them together.

"So," I muttered aloud, summing up the mess. "In conclusion: first, I was unconscious for the past eight days, thanks to this Beast Resonance ability that practically fried me. Physical and mental strain, hooray for recovery." I ticked off points on my fingers. "Second, the System glitched in the last dungeon, and the quest changed out of nowhere, but no answers on why until I complete a Red Tier Gate. Third, no quests until I'm fully recovered, meaning no dungeons or gates for now—small blessings, I guess."

I exhaled, staring at the ceiling. "Fourth, my main objective is still to investigate and solve gate anomalies, which is ironic because every time I step into a dungeon, I end up in the hospital after nearly dying. And last but not least, I'm apparently drawing unwanted attention from someone—or something—and I have no idea who or why."

"Correct," the System chimed in, almost cheerfully. "You have summarized the current situation efficiently."

"Gee, thanks," I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is it just me, or are your conversation length and tone improving? Are you... developing personality?"

The System's silence was its only reply. Typical.

"Great, another silent treatment. How predictable." I rolled my eyes. "Alright, fine. It's late, and I should sleep. Goodnight, System."

No response, of course. I closed my eyes, letting the quiet hum of the hospital room lull me into an uneasy sleep.

A Week of Recovery

The following week passed in a frustrating haze of enforced rest. My body slowly regained its strength, though the lingering ache in my muscles reminded me not to push myself too hard. Evelyn hovered constantly, her presence both comforting and unnerving. She hadn't brought up the dungeon or what happened, and neither had anyone else.

I didn't press for answers, either. Part of me didn't want to. There were too many layers to this world's mysteries, and I wasn't ready to peel them back just yet. Besides, something told me that the people around me were grappling with their own questions—and maybe even fears. Whatever had happened in that dungeon, it had left its mark on all of us.

Evelyn's behavior was still strange, though. She was as attentive as ever, but there was a guardedness to her now. She avoided meeting my gaze for too long, her usual warmth tempered by something I couldn't quite identify. Guilt? Worry?

I decided to wait. Evelyn was the kind of person who would speak when she was ready, and pushing her wouldn't get me anywhere.

The morning of my discharge dawned bright and brisk, and Evelyn stood beside me as I completed the necessary paperwork. The guild had put me on leave until I was fully recovered, so there was no pressing need to jump back into the chaos of dungeon exploration—small blessings.

We made our way back to Evelyn's apartment in comfortable silence. It was a modest yet cozy space, with warm wooden floors and large windows that let the sunlight stream in. The apartment had become my temporary refuge since my arrival in this world. Evelyn had insisted on taking me in, and at the time, I didn't argue. Now, after all we'd been through, it felt like a safe haven—albeit one filled with unanswered questions.

Once inside, Evelyn made herself busy in the kitchen, preparing tea. "Take it easy today, Aria," she said. "You've been through enough."

I nodded and retreated to the small room that served as my sanctuary. It wasn't much—just a bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe—but it was enough. Tossing my bag onto the bed, I sat down and called out softly, "Onyx, Shadow Step."

From the dark corner of the room, a ripple of shadow coalesced into the form of a wolf with sleek black fur and striking amber eyes. Onyx padded over to me, his presence a comforting weight against the uncertainty swirling in my mind.

Next, I reached into my bag, pulling out a small golden orb that shimmered faintly in the light. "Aurelis, come on out," I murmured. The orb dissolved into golden light, revealing a fox-like creature with shimmering fur, delicate pointed ears, and intelligent blue eyes. He yawned lazily before curling up near my feet, his tail flicking in a satisfied gesture.

I leaned back against Onyx, letting his warmth seep into me as I opened my status window. The familiar holographic interface materialized in front of me, displaying a wealth of information. Navigating to the Beast Tamer section, I saw it had been updated significantly since the last time I checked.

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Beast Tamer Status

Name: Aria Felstone

Class: Beast Tamer

Level: 4 (EXP: 72%)

Bonded Beasts: 2

Active Skills:

Beast Resonance (Lvl 2):

Establish an emotional and mental link with beasts, guiding their trust and loyalty.

Shared Perception (Lvl 1):

Temporarily share senses with bonded beasts.

Commanding Roar (Lvl 1):

Issue a commanding roar to inspire allies and intimidate foes.

Passive Skills:

Empathic Aura:

Beasts within proximity are more inclined to trust and follow commands.

Strengthened Bond (Lvl 1):

Boosts the effectiveness of skills with bonded beasts.

Continue….

____________________________________________________________________________________

Companion: Onyx

Type: Wolf Level: 7 

Seal Level: Intermediate (Crescent Mark)

Bond Level: 60%

Attributes:

Strength: 59 Agility: 160

Intelligence: 37 Endurance: 20

Skills:

Shadow Step: Temporarily blend into shadows for stealth or swift movement. Enhanced Senses: All five senses of the Shadow Wolf are significantly stronger than those of average humans or monsters, providing heightened perception.Howling Strike: A ferocious strike that amplifies power through a battle cry.Loyal Guard (Shared Skill): Increases defensive capabilities when protecting the Beast Tamer.

Continue….

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Companion: Aurelis

Type: Shapeshifter Level: 7 

Seal Level: Intermediate (Rose-Crescent Mark)

Bond Level: 62%

Attributes:

Strength: 85 Agility: 120Intelligence: 95 Endurance: 90

Skills:

Golden Gleam: Emits a dazzling light to blind or distract enemies.

Whispering Grace: Enhances movement speed and agility for a short period.

Empathic Insight (Shared Skill): Temporarily boosts Beast Tamer's decision-making in critical situations.

Chimeric Form: Can alter its size and appearance for strategic advantage.

Celestial Veil: Uses radiant energy to obscure its presence, rendering it nearly invisible to enemies for a short duration.

Lightrend Fang: Deals a powerful, light-infused attack capable of severing corrupted energy.

Continue….

_____________________________________________________________________________

I scanned the details carefully, noting that the bond levels were steadily increasing. It was no surprise that Aurelis's intelligence stat was significantly higher than Onyx's.

But something about Aurelis's rapid level progression still didn't sit right with me. "System, why is Aurelis's bond level already this high? I tamed him, then passed out for eight days. That shouldn't be possible."

The System responded promptly, its tone crisp and neutral.

"Status: Aurelis. Intelligence attribute highlighted."

I examined the shimmering intelligence stat again, its glow catching my attention. "Is it because he's intelligent?" I ventured. "That's why he trusted me so easily?"

The System paused, then answered,

"Incorrect. Aurelis's trust was a result of Beast Resonance. By connecting with his feelings and guiding rather than harming, you formed a bond. Due to Aurelis's intelligence, the link created through this skill allowed for immediate trust."

I leaned back, nodding slowly as I processed the information. "So, the skill is the key," I murmured. "No wonder you said it was the most important one for my survival."

The System's explanation lingered in my mind as I reviewed the shared skills between my companions and me. Each of their unique abilities offered something critical: stealth, agility, insight. Together, they filled in gaps I didn't even know I had.

I chuckled softly, unable to resist teasing the ever-serious System. "You know, this is probably the most detailed and complete answer I've ever gotten from you. Why is that?"

Unsurprisingly, the System stayed silent. I grinned. "I knew you wouldn't answer."

Before I could finish my sentence, the status window shifted, highlighting a new section of Author Rewrite. It displayed my primary objective: investigating and solving gate anomalies. Below it, a progress bar glowed faintly, sitting at an abysmal 0.001%.

______________________________________________

Author Rewrite Status

Author: Rin Calloway

Name: Aria Felstone

Objective Progress

Investigate and Resolve Gate Anomalies:

Progress: 0.001%

_______________________________________________

The blinking progress bar caught my attention, and I frowned. "Well, System, you're being unexpectedly generous with your insights today. Am I dreaming?"

The System remained quiet, but I could feel its presence lingering. I studied the progress bar, trying to decipher its meaning. "So, if I make progress, your abilities improve too?" I mused aloud. "Is this some kind of seal? The more I advance, the more you'll reveal—and the more you can intervene?"

The System didn't reply, but I couldn't shake the sense that I'd hit the nail on the head.

I chuckled again, leaning back against Onyx. "You're not some kind of demon I'm accidentally unsealing, right? One of those fantasy setups where I unlock you and then get devoured?"

"No."

The single-word response was so blunt that I burst out laughing. "Oh, come on, System. That curt response makes you sound exactly like one!"

The System went quiet again, clearly unwilling to indulge my teasing. I sighed, raising a hand in mock surrender. "Alright, fine. I'm sorry. I was just joking."

The status window blinked off, leaving me in the quiet room with Onyx and Aurelis. I stroked Aurelis's golden fur absentmindedly, letting my mind wander.

"Now," I murmured, "let's see what else I got from nearly dying in two dungeons."

After studying the System's updates, I let the status window close with a sigh. Onyx melted into the shadows at my command, disappearing from view, while Aurelis padded to the corner of the room and curled up, his golden fur glinting faintly in the dim light.

"I'll be back soon," I whispered, locking the door behind me.

The faint aroma of tea wafted through the hallway, guiding me toward the kitchen. Evelyn stood by the counter, her back to me as she poured steaming liquid into two cups. The quiet clinking of porcelain was strangely soothing in the stillness of the apartment.

For a moment, I simply watched her. She looked better than she had in days, but there was still a tightness in her posture, a shadow of guilt that hadn't faded.

"Hey," I called softly, stepping into the kitchen.

Evelyn turned abruptly, startled, and then offered a small, hesitant smile. "You're out of your room," she said. "I was just making tea." She gestured toward the cups. "Care for some?"

"Sure," I said, taking the cup, she handed me.

As I accepted the tea, an image resurfaced unbidden: Evelyn in the dungeon, wracked with corruption, her body trembling with the strain of holding herself together. I remembered the mark that had flared on her arm, its eerie light mirroring the resonance I had pushed to its limit to guide her back.

I set the cup down on the counter, glancing at her. "How are you feeling?"

Evelyn blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I'm fine," she said, her voice steady. "Why?"

I hesitated before replying, unsure how much to say. "It's just... in the dungeon, that was my first time using my Guide abilities like that—and not just that, it was also the first time I used them on someone who was so far gone. I just hope I didn't... I don't know, mess something up?"

Evelyn's eyes widened, and the tea in her hands trembled slightly. She set it down, and for a moment, she simply stared at me.

"Mess something up?" she repeated, her voice breaking. "Aria, you saved me. You brought me back when I was..." She looked away, as if the memory was too painful to confront.

"When you were about to lose control," I finished for her gently.

She nodded, her hands gripping the counter for support. "I owe you an apology," she said quietly.

"For what?"

"For everything," she said, her voice trembling. "When you lost your memory, I... I wanted to protect you. To keep you safe from everything—including me."

I frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

Evelyn sighed, running a hand through her hair. "When I realized you didn't remember anything—not the past, not me—I thought maybe it was a blessing in disguise. You'd already been through so much. I thought if I stayed close, I could shield you from danger. But instead, I ended up dragging you into it."

I stayed silent, letting her continue.

"Knowing my corruption rate is high, I should've kept my distance," she said. "But I was selfish. I couldn't bear the thought of losing the only person who made me feel grounded. I thought if I handled it alone, you'd be safe. But I failed."

Her voice cracked, and she looked away, as though ashamed.

"Evelyn," I said softly, reaching out to place a hand on her arm. "You don't have to carry this alone. We're teammates—and friends, too. Aren't we? Whatever risks there are, we face them together. I might've been scared back there, but I'd do it all again if it meant helping you."

Her shoulders trembled, and she let out a shaky breath. "I was so afraid I'd lose control completely," she admitted. "And when I saw you risking yourself to pull me back..." She closed her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I was going to lose you."

I tightened my grip on her arm. "But you didn't," I said firmly. "We made it through. Together."

Evelyn looked at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

I gave her a small, reassuring smile. "You'd do the same for me."

She laughed softly, a bittersweet sound. "In a heartbeat."

A moment of silence passed before Evelyn reached for a folder on the counter. She handed it to me, her expression serious.

"This is the report from our last dungeon," she said.

I flipped through the pages, my eyes scanning the detailed notes. The anomaly, the dungeon shift, the strange corruption levels—everything was meticulously recorded. My gaze lingered on a particular section, describing the mark that had appeared on Evelyn's arm during the resonance.

"The Guild's research team is still investigating the mark," Evelyn explained. "I didn't want to overwhelm you while you were recovering, so I asked everyone to keep quiet about it."

"That's so like you," I said, shaking my head with a small smile.

Evelyn chuckled weakly. "You noticed it, didn't you? The mark?"

I nodded. "Yeah. It appeared when I was guiding you. It was like... like it was reacting to the resonance."

Evelyn's brows furrowed. "What do you think it means?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "But it felt... important. Like it wasn't just random. Maybe it's connected to the way our abilities interact."

Evelyn tilted her head, considering my words. "We should tell Guild master Vera about this. She might have some insight."

"Agreed," I said. "If anyone can figure it out, it's her."

The tension that had lingered between us for the past week seemed to dissolve, replaced by a sense of mutual understanding. Whatever guilt Evelyn had been carrying, it had started to ease, and the strain in our relationship began to mend.

As I looked at Evelyn, I couldn't help but marvel at how far we'd come—not just as allies, but as friends. She was no longer just the figure I'd once written stories about, the hero of journeys I could only imagine. She was someone I would walk besides, on the same path, carving out a journey that belonged to both of us now.