Back at the tent, the sun was already high in the sky, indicating that it was almost lunchtime. Theo began to organize the utensils to prepare the meal, the smell of burning wood from the already lit fire filling the air. Nayun and Yeonha helped him, cutting vegetables and setting the table.
While Theo concentrated on lighting the fire for cooking, a small movement caught everyone's attention.
From inside one of the backpacks, Cappie's backpack, the weasel, with its curious eyes and snow-white fur, awoke.
Realizing it was surrounded by beings it didn't know, the little animal cowered, frightened, emitting a high-pitched squeak.
Theo, calm so as not to scare it, took a small piece of meat he was preparing and slowly held it out toward her.
The cub hesitated, sniffing the air with its little nose, assessing the danger. After a few seconds of caution, and realizing there was no threat, it timidly approached and snatched the meat, devouring it quickly.
Gradually, fear gave way to curiosity. The weasel, now more at ease, began to explore its surroundings with less apprehension.
Cappie, who watched the scene with a twinkle in her eye, slowly reached out her hand. To everyone's surprise, the little animal, after a brief sniff, allowed her to pick it up. Nestled in Cappie's palm, the baby weasel continued to stare at Theo.
While Theo skillfully chopped vegetables and Nayun lit the fire, Yeonha watched the little animal, which was now curiously exploring the surroundings of the tent. The small animal, with its agility, looked like a white blur, sniffing every corner.
Cappie, sitting a little apart, laughed softly as the weasel tried to climb a small pile of firewood, slipping and starting again with determination.
"She's so cute, will she let me hold her later?"
Nayun exclaimed with a smile as she placed a pot over the fire.
"Will she want more meat?"
Theo, without looking up from what he was doing, replied:
"Probably. Weasels are very greedy."
Yeonha, who until then had been more focused on organizing the dishes, approached the animal cautiously.
"She seems pretty comfortable now. Who knew a piece of meat would make such a difference?"
The weasel, as if understanding the conversation, tilted her head and let out a small squeak. She approached Yeonha, who slowly reached out her hand.
The weasel passed right by Yeonha and then began to stare at Theo.
"Hehehe! Hey Yeonha, looks like someone doesn't like you,"
"Hah, she must be hungry, that's all."
Yeonha retorted, trying to hide her surprise.
Theo raised an eyebrow, noticing the small white animal staring at him. The weasel took a few hesitant steps toward him, stopping near his feet. Its bright black eyes seemed full of curiosity.
"What is it, little friend? Are you still hungry?"
Theo asked, even though he knew the animal didn't understand him.
He took another piece of meat and threw it onto a bag. The weasel darted over, grabbed the food, and returned to its observation post, devouring the snack in seconds.
"I think she likes you, Theo."
Cappie said, laughing.
"She chose the food source, that's all."
Nayun corrected, with a smirk.
"She's pretty smart, I'd say."
Yeonha, ignoring the teasing, crossed her arms and watched the scene with a calm expression.
"It's a dwarf weasel, Mustela nivalis. The smallest species of carnivore in the world. It's rare to see them up close , they're usually very skittish."
Nayun looked from Yeonha to Theo.
"How do you know that?"
"Basic knowledge of fauna. There are many monsters with characteristics similar to her species in the guild archives."
Yeonha replied simply.
"But her behavior is what intrigues me. Wild animals don't approach , especially these guys."
Theo shrugged, but his eyes had a familiar gleam.
"They are curious by nature. And extremely intelligent. If they don't feel threatened, curiosity overcomes fear."
The three girls stared at him. His knowledge seemed more practical than Yeonha's.
"You seem to know a lot about them."
Theo considered for a moment, his gaze lost in the fire.
"My mother had a ferret. They're from the same family, the mustelids. Badgers, ferrets, otters... they all share that stubbornness and intelligence."
A shadow of melancholy passed over his face.
"Because he was so attached to my mother, he died a few months later because of it."
Domesticated ferrets are affectionate and playful companions who enjoy social interaction and attention, and when their (human) companion dies, it is normal for them to experience stress, sadness, and behavioral changes, such as lethargy and loss of appetite. If not cared for properly, this can even lead to death.
"They are incredible companions... Capable of feeling grief just like humans."
The atmosphere became a little awkward. Realizing this, Theo quickly changed the subject.
While they were eating, the dwarf weasel, now named "Snow" by Cappie, ventured to climb up Theo's leg. He remained motionless, allowing the curious animal to climb up to his shoulder.
There, she nestled, looking perfectly content.
"This is unbelievable."
Yeonha said, now watching with renewed interest.
"Although they are greedy, they don't usually bond so quickly. This is surprising."
"Or maybe he just looks like someone who gives out free food."
Nayun joked, but her tone was softer this time.
Theo stroked the weasel's tiny head with his fingertip.
"They're loyal. And they sense things... more than people realize."
"Hey, Snow! I found you first!"
The weasel just yawned on Theo's shoulder, completely ignoring the appeal.
Now with a full stomach, Theo looked at the girls next to him.
"Ah, I didn't want to go back now..."
"Yeah, but what can we do? We were summoned by Cube, so we have to go."
A few minutes after they finished lunch, they were surprised by a notification on their smartwatches: Cube had summoned them to Instructor Park's office at 3:00 p.m.
"Yeah, but didn't they tell us yesterday that there would be no class today? So why call us?"
Nayun couldn't understand Cube's logic. If they had canceled today's classes for fear of new djinn attacks, then why were they being summoned?
"...There's no point in thinking too much about it. We'll find out when we get there."
Yeonha, on the other side of Theo, sighed softly. Thinking too much wouldn't explain anything, so she opted for the clearer option: go there in person and find out.
"Yes, Yeonha is right..."
Theo had a slight guess as to what it might be.
"...And Cappie. Are you sure you want to take her with you? Taking care of her might be more complicated than you think."
Theo looked at the girl in the cap, who was holding little Snow in her arms, sleeping without imagining that she was about to be adopted.
His question wasn't a suggestion to leave the animal behind; he himself had no intention of abandoning the little orphaned creature.
It was a little test.
He needed to know if Cappie understood the weight of the responsibility she was so eager to take on.
"Um, leaving her here is too dangerous."
Cappie replied seriously, her gaze fixed on the little ball of white fur in her arms.
"Snow is still a puppy, so it's better to bring her with us. Whatever happens, leave it to me. I'll take care of everything."
The determination in her voice was exactly what Theo had hoped to hear.
He gave a slight nod, his expression softening for a split second.
"Okay, just don't complain later."
On the surface, she was just a cute little animal, but knowing the ferret species as he did, Theo knew how troublesome this little creature could be. After all, being energetic was her main characteristic.
"Since everything is ready, it's time to go..."
However, whether energetic or not, Theo knew that everything would be fine, because he would be there to help this perverted system when needed.
The magic of teleportation enveloped them, and soon after, the space was empty, with no soul in sight.