Eteria's world was a vast, colorful place where magic and mystery were commonplace. A world in which growth was solely determined by one's desire and willingness to obtain it. Where different races, cultures, and beliefs coexisted, as did a plethora of hostile and non-hostile, magical and non-magical creatures. A fantasy land where mana was common, and so gifts from the world of Eteria itself that would bestow a creature such inconceivable talents, which the inhabitants of this world named... Skills.
The enormous woodland of Etveya. a luxuriant woodland on the northern and eastern borders of the human kingdom of Meirhan. This area was home to a wide variety of animals and vegetation. To find plant and animal parts for their quests, adventurers from neighboring towns had traveled to this woodland. Etveya's enormous forest was well known as a haven for adventurers, but due to its immense size, it had not yet been fully explored. Aside from not being thought of as one of Eteria's most dangerous by adventurers and kingdom residents, this forest was also not thought of as one of its safest.
In one area of the forest, a vast meadow could be found in between the heights of the enormous trees that surrounded it. The small retreat was filled with the tranquil sound of the nearby river flowing. Even the distant roaring of animals like wolves, monkeys, and boars could not disturb the peaceful music filling the area, which was accompanied by the chirping of birds of all sizes.
Then the unanticipated guest arrived. surrounded by white light. Finally, the dazzling light that had briefly disturbed the scene disappeared. What was left was a young man, his eyes squinted, standing in the center of the grassland. The teenager from Earth who had been sent to this realm for a crucial task. Gideon Brangwen.
Gideon stood still for a few seconds as he evaluated the bizarre surroundings he had been placed in. The first thing he saw was the dense forest that surrounded him. He swung his body around and put his hand on his brow to deflect the sun's harsh rays. But no matter how far he peered, he was unable to see the edge of the enormous forest. There were no indications of a nearby civilization. The only sounds in the region were the tranquil sounds of nature and the far-off roars of danger.
"Oh wow, I'm in the middle of nowhere in a strange world. What a way to start an adventure. It appears I'm required to 'Jumanji' my way out of this place," he said, admitting that he had seen more than enough. He looked to the nearby river and took his first steps in this new world. "At least there's a river nearby, so I won't run out of water for the time being."
He noticed a variety of unusual noises as he approached the river. the sound of slimy objects scraping against the river's edge debris. And he was greeted by beings he had never before seen in flesh. They were soft, spherical creatures that moved by slightly jumping with just enough force to move them a few centimeters. They were nearly transparent, almost water-like jelly creatures. They lacked limbs and a face. They had homes both above and below the surface of the river. Among the fauna of Eteria's most prevalent species. The River Slimes.
Gideon's eyes became big as he fixed them on the familiar yet odd beings in front of him. He was speechless, and his jaw began to droop. However, the creatures he was observing disregarded him and continued with their activities. They were rubbing the stones with their bodies.
"They don't seem hostile," he said to himself, trying to find something to say to calm himself down. However, as he moved his gaze to the opposite bank of the river.
He caught a glimpse of a large, long object diving into the river. It was unclear what he saw, but the huge, black and scaled serpent tail he caught a sight of drove him off the stream into the woods. He sprinted into the woods, hiding behind the trees as he cast a quick glance back in his direction of travel. He held his chest, trying to catch his breath.
"What the hell was that?"
Once more, the beasts' distant roars could be heard. His current position, already inside the forest, made the sounds more audible and clear. Gideon kept an eye out for any danger that might come his way as his sight roved the damp and shaded location he was in. Instantaneously, overwhelming fear began to take hold of him.
He stood up straight, his eyes were shivering, as were his arms and shoulders, but his face was determined. But when he heard another howl, he rubbed both of his hands over his eyes, chasing his own breath. "Calm down, Gideon, you'll make it out of here alive," he told himself in a crack voice. He inhaled and exhaled repeatedly before removing his hand from his eyes and smiling optimistically. "Okay, time to get out of here; that river is off limits for the time being... I'd end up being a delicious meal before I could even take a sip on that river," he muttered to himself as he walked deeper into the forest. "Yep, go deeper into the dangerous forest, as if I had a choice. Keiram, you bastard... I understand you have faith in me, but at least send me somewhere I can survive."
For a few minutes he moved through the thick jungle with nothing but his resolve. He knelt down and made an effort to be quiet as he moved. Hide in every tree and watch out for any danger. Every howl he heard made him change his course in an effort to steer clear of the creatures creating the sounds.
He was forced to halt his travels, nonetheless, by a particular set of growling noises. He fled quickly and took cover under the tree. He let his eyes wander as he hid behind a huge tree. from above the treetops to the ground, and everything in between. And he found a magnificent but dreadful beast in the final place he looked.
Despite being on all fours, the majestic gray-furred monster was at least as tall as Gideon. It went about with its red eyes, its white fangs showing, and its savage growls audible. The only thing that distinguished it from other wolves on Earth was its solitary gray sharp horn on its forehead and its enormous size. The Unicorn Wolf.
When Gideon came into the Unicorn Wolf's line of sight. The chest of Gideon, who was hiding behind the tree, rose and fell rapidly as he covered his mouth with a hand. The nearby Unicorn wolf howled, and he could hear it running away from him. This caused his shoulders to tense up.
As the footsteps disappeared. Gideon's quivering hands fell to the ground as he cast a shaky stare downward.
"What kind of world is this?"