The Kingdom of Zency was uniquely positioned among the eight kingdoms that bordered the Life Line. Though access to it was strictly restricted—marked with warning tapes and barriers—the surrounding forests were teeming with wildlife. What made Zency exceptional, however, was the rare appearance of strange, almost mythical creatures near the Life Line. This advantage made Zency's merchants the most successful across the land.
The day of the hunting trip had arrived. Armed with spears and arrows, Moner and Novamelle were ready.
Novamelle: "My father agreed! Let's go, Moner! But he warned us again and again—never cross the Life Line. That would be the end of us. First priority: deer, then foxes, then rabbits."
Moner: "Yes, but you know our real goal."
Both said in unison, eyes gleaming with excitement:
"The luminous five-winged deer, the savage ivory-toothed foxes, the invisible singing rabbits."
Novamelle: "And let's not forget the candy-laying chickens!"
Moner laughed. "They're too valuable to forget. But we need to stay focused," he said with determination. "Even if the deer have five wings, even if the foxes are beasts, even if the rabbits are invisible—once you commit to a goal, your whole body follows. Today, we will catch at least one of them. Or all of them!"
Novamelle: "Let's go!"
After two hours of trekking through thick forest, they reached the edge of the Life Cliff—Zency's final boundary before the mysterious Life Line. Beyond that point lay a world of creatures most people only heard of in whispers.
Novamelle remembered how her father used to come here to collect rare herbs. He'd never dared to hunt, though—the danger was too great.
Meanwhile, Moner sat at the cliff's edge, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him.
Why does this place feel so familiar? Like I've been here before… Like it's an escape from hell… But I'm not afraid. As long as I stay alert and don't get too close, I'll be fine.
He turned to Novamelle and smiled. "Let's go down."
For the first time, they were this close to the Life Line. It felt like breaking chains they hadn't even realized were there. They moved swiftly but silently, taking care not to disturb any lurking creatures.
Just fifty meters ahead, through the trees, Novamelle spotted it—a luminous five-winged deer glowing faintly as it stepped slowly toward the Life Line.
Moner: "Novamelle! Hurry—before it crosses! This is our golden chance!"
He had a plan: spears for the deer, arrows for the foxes and rabbits. Without a second thought, he grabbed his spear and hurled it.
Shoo!
The spear cut through the air and struck the glowing deer right in the belly. It fell, motionless, just before the boundary.
These strange creatures could somehow pass through the Life Line unharmed. No one knew why.
Novamelle, stunned: "Incredible! This is worth 5,000 silver coins! A normal deer is only worth 50! Its glowing skin never fades, and its wings never tear!"
But before they could celebrate, a rumbling echoed through the trees.
What was that?
From the darkness emerged a pack of hyenas—larger and faster than any they'd ever seen. Frenzied, and three times quicker than normal.
Without hesitation, they tore the valuable skin and wings from the deer and sprinted back, climbing up the ropes their father had secured years ago during his own expeditions.
Breathless, adrenaline high, they burst out of the forest laughing in victory.
Moner: "5,000 silver coins! That's a hundred regular deer! Amazing! The merchant life is everything. If we keep this up, who needs to be king?"
Novamelle: "But I still have that ambition. We might be better off now, but what about everyone else?"
Moner paused, her words echoing in his mind.
She's right… I've saved myself, but what about the rest of the people still trapped in poverty?
Moner: "For now, let's focus on the present."
Novamelle: "Tomorrow, we sell it at the market!"
The Kingdom of Zency was uniquely positioned among the eight kingdoms that bordered the Life Line. Though access to it was strictly restricted—marked with warning tapes and barriers—the surrounding forests were teeming with wildlife. What made Zency exceptional, however, was the rare appearance of strange, almost mythical creatures near the Life Line. This advantage made Zency's merchants the most successful across the land.
The day of the hunting trip had arrived. Armed with spears and arrows, Moner and Novamelle were ready.
Novamelle: "My father agreed! Let's go, Moner! But he warned us again and again—never cross the Life Line. That would be the end of us. First priority: deer, then foxes, then rabbits."
Moner: "Yes, but you know our real goal."
Both said in unison, eyes gleaming with excitement:
"The luminous five-winged deer, the savage ivory-toothed foxes, the invisible singing rabbits."
Novamelle: "And let's not forget the candy-laying chickens!"
Moner laughed. "They're too valuable to forget. But we need to stay focused," he said with determination. "Even if the deer have five wings, even if the foxes are beasts, even if the rabbits are invisible—once you commit to a goal, your whole body follows. Today, we will catch at least one of them. Or all of them!"
Novamelle: "Let's go!"
After two hours of trekking through thick forest, they reached the edge of the Life Cliff—Zency's final boundary before the mysterious Life Line. Beyond that point lay a world of creatures most people only heard of in whispers.
Novamelle remembered how her father used to come here to collect rare herbs. He'd never dared to hunt, though—the danger was too great.
Meanwhile, Moner sat at the cliff's edge, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him.
Why does this place feel so familiar? Like I've been here before… Like it's an escape from hell… But I'm not afraid. As long as I stay alert and don't get too close, I'll be fine.
He turned to Novamelle and smiled. "Let's go down."
For the first time, they were this close to the Life Line. It felt like breaking chains they hadn't even realized were there. They moved swiftly but silently, taking care not to disturb any lurking creatures.
Just fifty meters ahead, through the trees, Novamelle spotted it—a luminous five-winged deer glowing faintly as it stepped slowly toward the Life Line.
Moner: "Novamelle! Hurry—before it crosses! This is our golden chance!"
He had a plan: spears for the deer, arrows for the foxes and rabbits. Without a second thought, he grabbed his spear and hurled it.
Shoo!
The spear cut through the air and struck the glowing deer right in the belly. It fell, motionless, just before the boundary.
These strange creatures could somehow pass through the Life Line unharmed. No one knew why.
Novamelle, stunned: "Incredible! This is worth 5,000 silver coins! A normal deer is only worth 50! Its glowing skin never fades, and its wings never tear!"
But before they could celebrate, a rumbling echoed through the trees.
What was that?
From the darkness emerged a pack of hyenas—larger and faster than any they'd ever seen. Frenzied, and three times quicker than normal.
Without hesitation, they tore the valuable skin and wings from the deer and sprinted back, climbing up the ropes their father had secured years ago during his own expeditions.
Breathless, adrenaline high, they burst out of the forest laughing in victory.
Moner: "5,000 silver coins! That's a hundred regular deer! Amazing! The merchant life is everything. If we keep this up, who needs to be king?"
Novamelle: "But I still have that ambition. We might be better off now, but what about everyone else?"
Moner paused, her words echoing in his mind.
She's right… I've saved myself, but what about the rest of the people still trapped in poverty?
Moner: "For now, let's focus on the present."
Novamelle: "Tomorrow, we sell it at the market!"