The forest was alive with activity. Birds chirped overhead, and small creatures scurried through the underbrush. James followed the direction indicated by his HUD, trying to make sense of his new reality. The ground was uneven, and he had to navigate around dense thickets and fallen logs.
He stopped briefly to take in his surroundings. The forest was unlike anything he had seen on Earth. The trees were taller, their leaves a deep shade of emerald, and the air was filled with a sweet, floral scent. It was both familiar and alien, a mix of comfort and uncertainty.
As he walked, he tried to make sense of the information his HUD provided. The only thing it displayed were his own basic stats and the direction to the dark elf village.
Name: James Hollaway Race: Dark Elf Class: Village Manager Level: 1Level Cap: 5
Stats:
Strength: 10 Dexterity: 12 Intelligence: 15Wisdom: 14Constitution: 11Health: 100Mana: 50
Location: Dark Elf Village 4.5 miles south of your location
"Okay, that's not much to go on," James muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. "But at least it's something."
As he walked, he thought about the village he was supposed to manage. Dark elves? He had read about them in fantasy novels, but the idea of actually meeting them was surreal. What kind of trouble were they in? And why had Dionysius chosen him, of all people, to help them?
James tried to get more information from his HUD. "Analyze," he said, hoping for some additional data. Nothing changed. He frowned and tried again, this time thinking the word as hard as he could. Still nothing.
"Okay, think like a game. What else could I try?" he muttered to himself. He stopped walking and concentrated, trying different commands. "Stats. Map. Inventory." Each word brought the same result—nothing.
Frustration began to build. "Alright, let's try something else. Directions to Dark Elf Village," he said aloud. His HUD displayed the same vague direction as before. He sighed. "Well, at least I know which way to go."
As he continued walking, his mind wandered back to the events of the past hour. The surreal experience of waking up in a new body, meeting a disinterested god, and being given such a peculiar role. The more he thought about it, the more surreal it felt.
Lost in thought, James almost missed the movement in the bushes ahead. He froze, heart pounding, as a large, wolf-like creature emerged. Its fur was a mottled mix of grey and brown, standing up in sharp ridges along its back. Its teeth were bared, sharp and menacing, and its eyes glowed with a predatory light.
James's HUD flickered, highlighting the beast in red. Above the creature, the display read: (Name), ??? (Level), ??? (Health)???. The sight of the unknown status only increased his panic.
Instinctively, James took a step back, his mind racing. He had no weapons, no training in combat. He was just an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary situation. The creature snarled, baring its teeth, and James felt a surge of panic.
This isn't a game, this is real life. I could die here, he thought, his fear intensifying. I was an idiot for thinking this would be like a game. Life isn't fair. The creature lunged at him, claws outstretched.
James turned to run, but not fast enough. He felt a sharp pain in his leg as the wolf's claws raked across it. He stumbled, the pain shooting through his body. I'm going to die here, he thought, desperation taking over.
Why did I ever think this would be fun? he cursed himself. Life isn't fair. This isn't a game. I need to survive.
In desperation, he looked around for somewhere to hide. He spotted a wide opening in the rocky hillside nearby, a large cave that might offer some protection. Without another thought, he sprinted towards it, diving into the cave just as the creature lunged again.
James scrambled to the back of the cave, panting heavily. He could hear the creature snarling outside, but it didn't enter. The cave was dark, the air damp and cold. James tried to calm his racing heart, listening to the creature pacing back and forth outside.
Why isn't it coming in? he wondered, his mind a whirlwind of fear and confusion. He stayed still, his breath shallow, waiting for the creature to leave. Minutes felt like hours, but eventually, the sounds of snarling and pacing faded. The creature had given up, at least for now.
James allowed himself to relax slightly, though his mind was still racing. Why had the creature been afraid to enter the cave? He glanced around, but the darkness revealed nothing. He could only hear the dripping of water and his own heartbeat.
James finally looked down at his leg. He saw that his health had dropped by 12 already and continued dropping with what looked like a bleeding effect. His dark elf skin was marred by deep gashes, and blood was trickling down. The pain was intense, but he knew he had to do something to stop the bleeding. He tore a strip of fabric from his shirt and tied it around the wound as a makeshift bandage.
"I need to find a way to heal this," he thought, wincing as he tightened the fabric. He leaned back against the cool cave wall, trying to gather his thoughts. His HUD was still displaying basic stats, but there was no information on how to heal injuries.
I have to find that village, he reminded himself. Maybe they'll know how to help me. As he sat there, the weight of his new reality began to sink in. He was in a strange world, in a new body, with no idea how to survive. But he had to try. He had to find a way to make this work.
James's breathing began to slow as the immediate danger subsided. He noticed the air around him seemed to shimmer slightly, and ancient runes on the cave walls began to glow faintly. The light was soft, casting an eerie yet mesmerizing glow around the cavern.
"What is this place?" he whispered, his curiosity piqued despite his pain.
He slowly stood up, careful not to aggravate his leg injury, and began to explore the cave. The glowing runes seemed to pulse with an ancient energy. As he moved deeper into the cave, he stumbled upon something incredible—a large chamber filled with treasure. Gold coins, jewels, and artifacts were scattered around, glinting in the dim light.
In the center of the chamber was a giant bed of gold coins. James's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who could live here?" he wondered aloud, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space.
He suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. The realization hit him hard. A dragon. Only a dragon would hoard this much treasure and have a bed made of gold.
James's heart pounded in his chest. The wolf-like creature outside seemed far less threatening compared to the possibility of encountering a dragon. He needed to think fast and figure out his next move before anything worse happened.