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Wu Ken knelt like a startled chicken, staring at the glowing woman floating above his courtyard. Her hair shimmered like moonlight, her eyes like two judgmental lanterns. He had no idea what he'd done, but clearly, he'd done something.
"Oi, brat," she snapped, arms crossed. "You've got some nerve waking me up. I was in the middle of a dream about roasted duck and foot massages."
Wu Ken blinked rapidly. "I—I'm sorry, Senior. I didn't mean to disturb your… um… duck?"
Zang Ai snorted. "Duck, nap, peace of mind—whatever. You poked the wrong ring, and now I'm here. Floating. Glowing. Annoyed."
He bowed low, forehead nearly kissing the dirt. "I didn't know it would wake anyone! I just touched it because it looked… shiny."
"Shiny?" she echoed, voice rising. "You touched a glowing artifact because it looked shiny? What are you, a magpie?"
"I'm a farmer," he mumbled.
"Figures."
She floated a little closer, inspecting him like a suspicious cabbage. "Well, congratulations, Farmer Ken. You've awakened me. And now I'm stuck with you until you either die or become slightly less useless."
Wu Ken swallowed hard. "Senior… may I ask your name?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Zang Ai. Remember it. Etch it into your brain. Or don't—I'll remind you every time you mess up."
He nodded quickly. "Yes, Senior Zang Ai."
Her gaze swept over him, and he felt like a worm under a magnifying glass. "Hmm. You're not completely hopeless. That stunt with the bandits—reckless, stupid, and mildly impressive. You've got guts. I like guts."
Wu Ken blinked. "You… liked that?"
"Don't get cocky," she said, floating back. "You still fight like a drunk chicken. But you didn't run. That counts."
A strange warmth bloomed in his chest. Praise wasn't common in Sunstone Village. Praise from a glowing, sarcastic spirit? Practically divine.
Zang Ai sighed. "Alright, listen up. You've got potential. Raw, messy, and probably smelly—but it's there. What I'll do with you… I'll think about it later."
"I did see a ghost," he whispered.
"Correction," she said, smirking. "You saw a very tired, very cranky spirit lady who's now your personal nightmare."
With a flick of her wrist, she vanished, leaving behind a faint echo: "Don't touch shiny things unless you're ready for consequences, magpie."
Wu Ken stood alone, heart pounding, head spinning. He had no idea how he'd disturbed her sleep, but one thing was clear—his life was no longer normal. And his new "Senior" was going to make sure of that.
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