When the world of Haven Online transitions from day to night, the monsters undergo a transformation. They become bigger, stronger, and much more aggressive. Even the seemingly easy-to-kill monsters turn into something deadly.

  Fenix had seen videos of fluffy, long-horned rabbits whose soft fur turned into menacing spikes, and adorable whistling squirrels that sprouted razor-sharp fangs. The beginner town was no exception to these dangers.

  So as he heard the scream as he walked along the main road back to town he didn't think much about it. After all, hearing someone scream te at night was to be expected. However, seeing someone run towards him with two grotesque creatures hot on their heels was a different matter.

  The one being chased appeared to be a boy who couldn't have been more than 10 or 11 years old.

  This wasn't surprising given that children over 10 were allowed to py with parental supervision and a guardian inside the game. In fact, many poor families encourage their children to py at a young age to generate extra income for the household.

  What was surprising was the monsters chasing the boy. They were Avahas, hideous creatures that resembled a cross between a dog and a snail. Their slimy, sickly bodies slithered across the ground with surprising speed, their bulbous eyes darting around blindly. To Fenix, they were the grossest-looking monsters in all of the beginner town.

  Despite their ck of sight, these creatures had a keen hearing and could detect the slightest movement. The mere rustle of a leaf or the faintest footsteps was enough to set them off. As long as a person stayed completely motionless, the Avahas' aggro would disappear.

  Fenix scanned the area and spotted a rge, leafy tree nearby. With his Dryad racial skill, he could easily blend in with the tree and remain unnoticed. But the sight of the young boy, running for his life, made Fenix hesitate.

  In a split-second decision, Fenix lunged toward the boy and scooped him up, muffling his cries with his hand. He then ran toward the tree as fast as he could, with the Avaha dogs nipping at his heels.

  His heart pounded as he reached the tree, activating his skill and melding with the bark. He held the boy tightly, watching the Avaha dogs sniff around the base of the tree. He wasn’t worried they would catch his and the boy’s scent since his skill made him completely one with nature.

  After what felt like an eternity, the monsters finally slithered away. Fenix canceled his skill and gently released the boy. Taking a closer look, he noticed the boy’s bck hair and two bck fur-covered ears. His green eyes still shone with residual fear, and three tails swished nervously behind him.

  The boy’s appearance was so adorable that Fenix had to fight the urge to reach out and touch his ears.

  “I owe you big time. If you hadn’t shown up, I would’ve been a goner,” the boy said gratefully.

  “No problem. But why were you fighting alone at night?” Fenix asked.

  Embarrassed, the boy scratched the back of his head and expined, “I was pying with my older cousin earlier, but then I had to log off for some real-life stuff. When I came back, my cousin had already left beginner town.”

  “Okay, but that still doesn’t expin why you're out here at night,” Fenix said.

  “I’m getting to that. I wanted to catch up to my cousin's level and take advantage of the double experience from fighting monsters at night. I just didn’t expect them to be so strong.”

  “As they say, there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Fenix chuckled.

  “You can say that again. Oh, by the way, my screen name is ChibiScker. What’s yours?”

  “I go by Chaotic Nexus. Nice to meet you,” Fenix replied with a smile.

  The boy, ChibiScker, leaned in closer and started examining Fenix from head to toe. Feeling uncomfortable with the invasion of his personal space, Fenix pushed him back slightly.

  “What are you doing?” Fenix asked quizzically.

  "Oh sorry, I just noticed that you're a Dryad," the boy confessed. "I always wanted to become one because they looked really cool. But my cousin told me not to bother because they're considered the most worthless race in the game."

  Even though Fenix knew that wouldn't be true for long, ChibiScker's words dealt a blow causing him to take on mental damage. However, he knew he had to suck it up and brush off the insult.

  After all, there would be many more like this until the update came, especially when he got his css. So if he didn't strengthen his mentality now, he would have a hard time in the future. With that thought in mind, Fenix gave ChibiScker a strained smile and left it at that.

  ChibiScker knew he had goofed up. He had basically called the guy who saved him a piece of crap, well, his race anyway. Laughing awkwardly, he tried to think of something that would help him change to another topic.

  “So… what were you going to do before you had to rescue me?” ChibiScker asked curiously.

  “Well, I was just going to check out the General Store to see what kind of items they had. I heard that items were cheaper in the beginner town than the ones you buy in one of the starting cities,” Fenix replied.

  Tilting his head in confusion, ChibiScker said, “Are you for real? I never read anything like that on the forums.”

  “Oh...well, my... uh friend told me about it,” Fenix said.

  "I see. Well, I don't feel like grinding anymore tonight, so can I come with you?" the boy asked.

  “Sure, come along,” Fenix replied with a smile. Suddenly, a notification box popped up.

  [System: ChibiScker has added you as a friend. Do you accept?]

  [System: Yes or No?]

  Fenix clicked yes and they headed to the general store together. As they walked (or rather, as Fenix walked while ChibiScker skipped excitedly and talked non-stop beside him), Fenix couldn't help but wonder if saving the kid was a mistake after all.