Reborn in the Survival Adventure Game

Chapter 70 - 70: Moonfang Past

The sun rose slowly, casting a golden light across the village.

The hounds rested near the gate, their massive bodies curled together like a wall of breathing fur. Some of the villagers still kept their distance, unsure if they were truly safe. But no one attacked. The beasts had proven themselves.

Caelen sat near the barn where the injured pup slept. The big alpha—Silverfang—watched him in silence. They hadn't spoken, not with words, but something passed between them. A kind of quiet understanding.

Caelen leaned back, arms behind his head.

"You saw something in us," he said. "But... what happened to you?"

Silverfang stood, padded over, and sat beside him. The large beast lowered his head and let out a deep, slow growl—not a threat, but something else.

A memory.

Then Caelen heard it.

The wind changed.

Suddenly, it was no longer morning in the village.

The air smelled of blood and fire.

Caelen blinked and found himself seeing through Silverfang's memory.

Dark trees. The hounds ran fast under moonlight. Dozens of them. They hunted together, a strong pack. At the center, the pups. Behind them, the old ones. They were happy, wild, and free.

Then came the fire.

The orcs came screaming through the trees. Covered in black armor and face paint, they carried spears and strange horns.

They didn't want land. They wanted fear.

The hounds fought back, snapping and clawing, but the orcs were too many. The sky turned red with fire. Smoke filled the woods. Pups were taken. Old ones fell. Silverfang tried to protect them, leading survivors deeper into the mountains.

They ran for days. No rest. No food. Only pain and loss.

Eventually, only a few remained. A broken pack. Silent. Lost.

And then—weeks later—a new scent in the forest.

A scent of cooked food.

Warmth.

Magic.

Safety.

They followed it.

And found Caelen's village.

The vision ended.

Caelen gasped, hand on his chest.

Silverfang looked at him with tired eyes.

"...You lost everything," Caelen whispered.

Silverfang didn't move.

"You came here because you had nowhere else to go."

The big hound gave a soft grunt. A nod.

Caelen stood, slow and quiet. "You're not just beasts. You're survivors."

He looked toward the sky.

"And now... we protect each other."

Later that day, Caelen called a meeting at the town hall.

Everyone came—Zira, Elira, Garin, the dwarves, some goblins... and a few of the brave villagers who had started warming up to the hounds.

Caelen stood at the front.

"I want to tell you why the hounds are here," he began.

"They weren't just wandering. They were running."

The room quieted.

Caelen told them everything. About the orc raid. The fire. The pups that were taken. The fight that left the Moonfang pack with nothing.

"They're like us," Caelen said. "Trying to survive."

Zira crossed her arms, looking down. "I... I didn't know."

Elira looked at the door where the hounds rested just outside. "They didn't attack us. They asked to stay. That says more than words."

Garin spoke up, voice soft. "So what now?"

Caelen smiled a little. "We treat them like family."

Dorgrim raised a brow. "You mean feed them too?"

"And train with them," Caelen said. "They're fast. Strong. Smart. We could learn from them. They could learn from us."

Borin nodded slowly. "Not bad... fighting side by side with giant wolves sounds useful."

Caelen looked at each of them.

"I want this village to be more than a place to survive. I want it to be a place where lost people—and creatures—can start again."

The room stayed silent for a moment.

Then Zira nodded.

"I'll start working with the alpha. See what they understand."

Garin smiled. "I'll prep extra food. Might need bigger bowls."

Everyone laughed.

Even the dwarves.

That night, the village felt calmer.

The hounds stayed near the walls but curled beside the golems, no longer tense.

Tikka sat near the barn, drawing the hound pup in her notebook.

Caelen stood nearby, watching the stars again. The wind was softer tonight.

Silverfang walked up and sat beside him.

"You've lost a lot," Caelen said, voice quiet. "But you've still got your pride."

Silverfang let out a long breath.

"I lost a lot too," Caelen whispered. "Back in my old life... I didn't have much. I think that's why I fight so hard here."

Silverfang nudged Caelen's arm with his snout. A simple gesture.

Caelen smiled.

They didn't need words.

Not anymore.