Chapter 2: New World, New Problems
Airen rubbed his temples as he processed the madness he had just experienced. Falling from 20,000 feet in the air was not the kind of welcome he expected from a new world, and now this system was talking back to him like it had a mind of its own.
"Alright... First things first, where the hell am I?" Airen muttered, standing up and dusting off his clothes. He felt the system's presence in the back of his mind, a subtle hum that seemed to be waiting for him to make a move.
[User is currently in the outskirts of Zone A, a moderately dangerous area inhabited by low-level beasts. Exploration is advised with caution.]
"Zone A? You couldn't have dropped me off in Zone B or somewhere safer?"
[Low-level beasts provide user with suitable training opportunities. User is advised to engage cautiously for experience gain.]
Airen groaned. "Training opportunities, huh? Just drop me in a cozy village next time, how about that?"
He opened the holographic panel again, taking a closer look at his surroundings. The landscape was rugged and dense with towering trees that seemed a little too perfect, like nature had been designed by someone who had never seen an actual forest. The air was cool, though it carried the faint scent of danger—he could sense it, instincts honed from years of survival kicking in.
"Alright, let's see what I got here." Airen brought up his skills panel, his 10 chosen skills lighting up in a faint blue glow.
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting Mastery
Expert Martial Artist
Above Average Intelligence
Calm Mind
Hard Worker and Smart Worker
The Strength of Mike Tyson
The Way of the Forest
Survival Grandmaster
Tough Body
"Okay, okay. At least I've got a decent set. System, what's the deal with these skills? They at full power or what?"
[User's skills are available at their previous life's proficiency. However, some skills may require adaptation to the world's unique conditions.]
"Great. Adaptation, huh? Just what I needed—more hoops to jump through." Airen sighed and started walking, pushing through the underbrush. "And you... What's your name, anyway? You got one, or should I keep calling you System?"
[System does not require a name. However, for convenience, user may designate one.]
Airen chuckled. "A nameless system, huh? Let's call you... Alphonse. You sound like a rigid, uptight dude. Fits you."
[Alphonse is acceptable.]
Airen raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you don't even care, huh? Could've named you Princess and you wouldn't have flinched."
[Incorrect. I would have declined that designation.]
Airen smirked. "Figures."
As he made his way deeper into the forest, his senses were on high alert. "The Way of the Forest," one of his chosen skills, was kicking in, helping him recognize subtle signs of life nearby—footprints, bent grass, claw marks on tree trunks. He crouched down and inspected the ground.
"Beasts, huh?" He whispered to himself. "Small ones, though. Shouldn't be too hard."
Suddenly, the bushes ahead of him rustled. Airen froze, his muscles tensing. From the shadows emerged a creature that looked like a wolf but had spikes running down its back and glowing red eyes.
"Okay, that's new." He clenched his fists, feeling the familiar surge of adrenaline that came with a fight. "Let's see if that 'Tough Body' holds up."
The wolf-like creature growled, baring its teeth. Without warning, it lunged at him with terrifying speed. Airen instinctively shifted his form, his muscles thickening and limbs elongating as he took on a more powerful, agile shape.
"Time to dance, Fido."
The creature came at him with claws outstretched, but Airen ducked to the side with grace, driving a solid punch into its ribs. The beast let out a pained howl, stumbling back. Airen grinned, the thrill of combat rushing through him.
"System—er, Alphonse—any tips here?"
[The creature is vulnerable at the base of its neck. A well-placed strike will immobilize it.]
"Good to know." Airen rolled his shoulders, dodging another swipe from the beast. "Let's end this quick, then."
With a burst of speed, he charged toward the wolf, landing a powerful blow at the base of its neck. The creature yelped, collapsing to the ground, twitching but no longer a threat.
"Not bad, old man," Airen muttered to himself, standing over the fallen creature. "Though I guess I'm not really that old anymore."
[User's performance was adequate. Further challenges will arise.]
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Alphonse."
He glanced around the forest, wiping sweat from his brow. The fight had been quick, but it reminded him that this world was not going to be kind to him. His life before had been tough, but this... this was a whole new level of danger.
But Airen wasn't one to back down from a challenge.
"Alright, Alphonse," he said, his voice steady with determination. "Let's see what this world has in store for me."
He took a deep breath and continued forward, eyes sharp and senses attuned to the world around him. He may have been dropped into this world unprepared, but he wasn't about to go down without a fight.