The portal's whooshing departure left Taka standing in the midst of a bustling city, its lively streets alive with activity. Towering above the landscape, a grand castle perched atop a distant mountain, its silhouette dominating the horizon. The streets teemed with players, their avatars hurrying through the crowded alleys and colorful markets.
Taka glanced behind him, but the portal had disappeared without a trace, leaving no evidence of his arrival. Turning his attention back to the city, he observed the chaos of this new world.
Nearby, a commotion caught his eye. Some players were trying to attack merchants and steal their goods, but vigilant city guards—formidable level 100 enforcers—quickly intervened. The would-be thieves scattered in fear, their plans foiled by the powerful protectors.
Undeterred by the chaotic atmosphere, Taka made his way to the city gates, his destination clear. As he approached the entrance, a glowing window appeared before him:
[Forest of the Rustling Wind]
With a mental command, he opened his inventory, revealing its meager contents: a solitary wooden sword with a durability of 10/10. Drawing the weapon, Taka inspected its blunt edges, the modest blade a humble start to his journey.
Steeling himself, he stepped through the gate and entered the forest.
The serenity of the forest was short-lived. As Taka ventured deeper, the sounds of conflict broke the stillness. Cautiously, he crept toward the source, hiding behind a thick tree trunk for cover.
Peering through the foliage, he saw three players locked in a heated argument, their voices rising above the rustle of leaves:
[BlazeStriker7]: "You think you can just waltz in here and take what's rightfully mine?"
[SwiftShadow3]: "Hey, it's a free-for-all out here. First come, first served."
[14Desimator]: "I was faster, so I got the kill. There's no point in getting angry over it."
Their exchange grew more heated, swords clashing as they quarreled over loot. Taka quickly realized they were too preoccupied to notice him. Quietly withdrawing, he left them to their bickering and pressed onward.
Suddenly, a rustling sound from the bushes drew Taka's attention. Before he could react, a Wolvish Cub leapt out, its erratic movements catching him off guard. The creature's sharp fangs sank into him, and his health bar began to drop rapidly.
Reeling from the attack, Taka tried to block with his wooden sword, but his attempts were clumsy. He swung the blade, landing a few hits, but the cub proved surprisingly resilient. Each strike dealt a mere 5 damage, barely making a dent in its health.
The battle grew dire. Taka's own health dwindled to a critical 5/20, while the cub still had 25/30 HP remaining. Though it appeared weak, the cub was a formidable foe for a level 1 player.
Desperation set in. Hearing distant shouts and clashing weapons, Taka made a split-second decision to flee toward the group of players. But upon arrival, he found them already locked in their own chaotic melee, their attention consumed by their conflict.
Thinking fast, Taka spotted a nearby tree and sprang onto it, scrambling to safety. The Wolvish Cub snarled below, frustrated by its inability to climb. It clawed at the trunk in anger, but Taka seized the high ground to his advantage.
Hanging upside down from a sturdy branch, Taka swung his sword, striking the cub for 5 damage and causing it to stagger. The cub growled and lunged, but Taka anticipated the move, shifting his position to evade. As the creature passed beneath him, Taka delivered a precise, critical strike, dealing 10 damage.
The cub's movements slowed, its health reduced to 10/30. Sensing the tide turning, Taka leapt from the branch, sword aimed at the creature's exposed form. The cub let out a final growl before Taka's blade struck true, ending its life.
With a flash of pixels, the Wolvish Cub disintegrated, leaving behind loot: a claw and a tuft of fur.
---
A notification popped up before Taka's eyes:
[You have slain a Wolvish Cub.]
[EXP +30]
[EXP: 30/50]
---
Wiping the green-colored blood from his face, Taka allowed himself a moment of relief. Though exhausted, a spark of excitement ignited within him. Unlike his usual hobbies, which he quickly mastered and abandoned, VORX NOVERA felt different. The game's challenges stirred something new in him: anticipation and purpose.
As he pressed onward, the sound of footsteps reached his ears. Taka's heart raced as he spotted three figures approaching, ominous skull icons hovering beside their names—a warning of their status as Player Killers (PKers).
[Reaper27]: "I was sure I heard a growl here."
[DarkSlayer14]: "Whoever it is should be close."
[SilentBlade8]: "Look, footprints."
One of them crouched, inspecting the ground, while another pointed to claw marks on a nearby tree.
Seizing the distraction, Taka slipped away, careful not to make a sound. As he distanced himself from the PKers, relief washed over him. Finding a secluded spot, he leaned against a tree, his health still dangerously low at 5/20.
Placing his hand on the trunk, Taka felt a strange sensation, as though the forest itself had shifted. A booming voice echoed:
"Player Taka has discovered the first Hidden Dungeon!"
[EXP +100]
[CONGRATULATIONS, YOU LEVELED UP!]
[YOU HAVE 5 STAT POINTS TO ASSIGN.]
His profile updated:
---
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Taka
Guild: None
Class: Warrior
Level: 2
EXP: 80/250
HP: 15/20
MP: 1/1
STR: 1 | AGI: 1 | DEX: 1
VIT: 1 | INT: 1 | LK: 1
Stat Points (SP): 5
Coins: 0
Equipment: Wood Sword (Durability: 10/10)
---
With a sense of accomplishment, Taka stood tall, ready to face the challenges ahead. The forest whispered of secrets yet to be uncovered, and for the first time in years, he felt truly alive.