As my consciousness gradually returned, I found myself enveloped by the earthy scent of trees. Blinking against the dim light filtering through the canopy, I rose from the ground, disoriented and bewildered by my surroundings. Towering trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their dense foliage casting intricate patterns of shadow and light on the forest floor.
"How did I get here?" I murmured, my voice swallowed by the vastness of the forest.
A rustling sound behind me shattered the silence, and my heart lurched in my chest. Whirling around, I caught a glimpse of movement, barely dodging a massive paw that slashed through the air where my face had been a moment before. Adrenaline surged through my veins as I stumbled backward, my eyes locking onto the source of the attack—a formidable black wolf, its fur glistening like polished obsidian, its eyes glowing crimson with primal hunger.
Above the wolf, a translucent menu materialized, displaying its stats in glowing letters:
Name: Umbra lupus
Level: 20
HP: 300
STR: 25
DEX: 20
EXP: 30
Fear and panic threatened to overwhelm me as I realized the danger I faced. With a desperate surge of adrenaline, I turned and sprinted through the underbrush, the wolf's haunting howl echoing through the trees behind me.
"Of all the luck!" I cursed breathlessly, my heart pounding in my ears as I glanced over my shoulder to see the wolf's relentless pursuit.
Summoning a menu screen with trembling fingers, I frantically checked my own status:
Name: Kaizaki Sato
Class: ? ? ?
Title: ? ? ?
Level: 1
Race: Human
Age: 19
STR: 10/1000
DEX: 10/1000
STA: 10/1000
EXP: 1/1000
MP: 25,000
SP: 250
Skills:
1. Skill Forge (Active) – Lvl. 1
2. Unbreakable Bonds (Active) – Lvl. 1
With a surge of determination fueled by desperation, I allocated 50 points each to my DEX and STR stats, hoping to bolster my chances of survival against the relentless predator.
As the wolf closed in, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Drawing upon newfound strength and agility, I braced myself, delivering a precise and powerful uppercut that sent the wolf hurtling through the air.
In the aftermath of the skirmish, a flurry of notifications flooded my screen:
[You have leveled up]
[+5 was added to STR]
[+5 was added to DEX]
[+10 was added to STA]
[+5 was added to EXP]
[New Skill gained: Martial Arts (Passive) – Lvl. 1]
Breathless and exhilarated, I surveyed the aftermath of the encounter, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. With newfound confidence, I retrieved a longsword from my inventory and consulted a map to chart my course through the
"It's just like a game", I said to myself as I donned a hooded cloak which I pulled out from my inventory and set forth on my journey, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.
As I moved cautiously through the forest, the adrenaline from the encounter with the wolf still coursing through my veins, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty and danger of this new world. Every rustle of leaves, every distant sound seemed to hold the promise of adventure and peril.
Consulting the map on my HUD, I charted a course northward, aiming to reach the town of Sirius before nightfall. The path ahead appeared clear, with occasional glimpses of sunlight piercing through the thick canopy above.
With each step, my senses remained alert, wary of any potential threats lurking in the shadows. Despite my newfound skills and the weapon at my side, I knew I was still vulnerable in this unfamiliar terrain.
As I ventured deeper into the forest, the landscape began to change, the dense foliage giving way to more open terrain. The distant sounds of wildlife filled the air, mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of a nearby stream.
After what felt like hours of trekking, I finally emerged from the forest into a wide clearing. The sight of open space was a welcome relief after the claustrophobic confines of the trees.
[+10 was added to STA]
Ignoring the notification, I took a moment to catch my breath and survey my surroundings. The clearing stretched out before me, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. In the distance, I could make out the outline of a well-trodden trail leading further north.
According to the map, following this trail would eventually lead me to the town of Sirius, where I hoped to find answers and perhaps a temporary refuge from the dangers of the wilderness.
With renewed determination, I set out along the trail, the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath my feet a comforting reminder of my progress. As I walked, my mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead—new challenges, new discoveries, and the possibility of forging a new destiny in this strange and wondrous world.
But for now, my focus remained on reaching Sirius before nightfall, where I hoped to find shelter, information, and perhaps a warm meal to replenish my strength for the journey ahead.