Echoes of Thirty Thousand Years

[Complete draft in progress, currently at 240,000 words. I’ll post it once it’s finished]

Once, amid the ruins, a young person asked an elder a question.

“Doctor, is the path of our evolution the right one?”

The elder saw the uncertainty in the young person’s eyes. Her gaze swept across the desolate plain, and the cold morning breeze brushed her graying hair. Just as she had ten years ago, she gave a firm, unwavering answer.

“Of course.”

This was the path humanity had chosen, a path paved with the flesh and blood of countless people. Countless people had fallen along the way, yet countless others had still chosen to join them.

Evolve or die. Humanity would have its back to the wall.

“You only need to follow this river, step by step. Don’t lose your way, and don’t be afraid. I and so many others will meet you again at the river’s end.”

“How long will I have to walk, Doctor?” the young person asked.

“Measuring time is meaningless, child,” the elder replied.

“But what should I do when I miss you all?” the young person insisted.

“Then reach for that ray of light. Once you grasp it, you’ll have reached the end of the river.” The elder bent down and kissed the young person’s black hair, bidding them a final farewell.

“We’ll meet again in the New Era.”

“All right. Goodbye, Doctor.”

“Goodbye, Savior.”

They walked across the boundless ice fields, walking on and on, until the first snow of deep winter drifted down. In the sudden glow of dawn, they listened to the echo that had flowed through their blood for thirty thousand years.

On August 31, 2362, the final night of summer vacation, students still drowning in their summer homework deadlines wailed across the land.

But the very next second, heaven and earth shattered, and mountains and rivers toppled.

The Mountain Lord awoke from a dream of freedom without regret, shook out his fluffy fur, and stretched mightily.

A few things to know before reading:

1. This is not a power fantasy about a superwoman. The protagonist’s path isn’t smooth sailing. Both the heroine and the hero are little animals and will never turn into humans. The animal friends around them are the same.

2. There is exactly one male lead, and he has a strong presence from early on. There isn’t much romance, but beyond being romantic partners, they are also reliable comrades and family to each other, soulmates who support one another. Their relationship is platonic in spirit.

3. Neither the heroine nor the hero is cold-blooded or selfish. There may be plotlines about saving people and the world, so please don’t read if that bothers you.

4. The story takes on a slightly larger ensemble cast later, but the heroine still occupies most of the plot.

5. The good characters include both men and women. Please don’t read if that bothers you. No need to tell me if you drop the story.

6. The story may include people from one country eating people from another, or protected animals fighting each other. This doesn’t mean the author supports eating protected animals. Protecting wildlife is everyone’s responsibility. (I’ve covered my bases, so now you can’t yell at me.)

7. Sending hearts and kisses to everyone who likes this story.

Synopsis finalized on 2026.02.13

Steadfast, motherly big-cat Savior × resilient, clever little boy-mouse tech genius

Theme: Idealism is the ultimate romance of all living things