Chapter 6: The Hidden Costs
Jax Ryker woke up to the sharp scent of iron in the air and the dull ache of his muscles. The previous night's battle with the Mutant Wolf had left him battered but alive, a small victory in the grand scheme of survival. As he sat up, the morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows on the ground. Beside him, Marcus and Alina were still asleep, their faces relaxed for the first time in days.
Stretching his sore limbs, Jax stood up and surveyed the area. The wolf's carcass lay a few yards away, its twisted form a grim reminder of the world they now lived in. But the sight of it also brought a sense of satisfaction—he had faced a formidable foe and survived. And more than that, the fight had triggered something new in the system.
Jax's mind drifted back to the moment after the wolf's death. The system had chimed, a clear, almost mechanical sound that resonated in his head. He had been too exhausted to fully comprehend it at the time, but now, as he focused, the system interface appeared before his eyes.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
Combat Achievement Unlocked: First Kill – Mutant Wolf
Points Earned: 500
Reward: Profession Upgrade Token (Combat Specialist)
The system had rewarded him, but there was more to it. The points, displayed in bright numerals, were a new addition to his interface. He studied the screen, scrolling through the information presented.
[Points System Explanation]
Points are awarded based on the strength and difficulty of the opponent defeated. The stronger the enemy, the more points earned. Points can be accumulated and spent on various upgrades, skills, and items within the system.
Mutant Wolf (Class II): 500 Points Grade Scale: Class I (Weaker Opponents): 100-200 Points Class II (Moderate Opponents): 300-500 Points Class III (Strong Opponents): 600-1000 Points Class IV (Elite Opponents): 1100-2000 Points Class V (Legendary Opponents): 2500+ Points
Jax raised an eyebrow at the classification. The Mutant Wolf had been a Class II opponent, a moderate challenge according to the system. He wondered what kind of monstrosities the higher classes represented. He had fought hard to take down that wolf, and the thought of something even stronger sent a shiver down his spine.
But alongside the points was something even more intriguing—a Profession Upgrade Token. Jax tapped the screen, and another message appeared.
[Profession Upgrade Token]
This token can be used to enhance your current profession, unlocking new abilities, traits, or skills. Use with caution, as upgrades are permanent and may have unforeseen consequences.
"Unforeseen consequences," Jax muttered, scratching his chin. The system had a knack for being both helpful and cryptic. He could upgrade his Combat Specialist profession, but there was no telling what changes it might bring. Would it make him stronger, faster, or perhaps more resilient? Or would it come with a price, as all things seemed to in this world?
Before he could ponder further, a rustling sound brought his attention back to the present. Marcus was stirring, blinking sleep from his eyes as he sat up. Alina was already awake, her sharp gaze sweeping the area before settling on Jax.
"Morning," she greeted, her voice still groggy. "How's the wound?"
Jax glanced down at the makeshift bandage wrapped around his arm, where the wolf's claws had raked across his skin. It throbbed, but the bleeding had stopped. "Could be worse. I'll live."
Marcus joined them, rubbing his eyes. "So, what's the plan?"
Jax hesitated. He hadn't told them about the points system or the token yet. Trust was still a fragile thing among them, and while they had started to build a rapport, he wasn't sure how they would react to the knowledge of the system's rewards.
But Marcus and Alina were smart—they'd figure out the system soon enough, and secrecy would only breed distrust. Jax decided to take the risk.
"I need to show you something," Jax said, bringing up the system interface for them to see.
Both Marcus and Alina leaned in, their eyes widening as they took in the information. Jax explained the points system, how it graded opponents based on strength, and how points could be used for upgrades.
"So, you've already earned 500 points?" Marcus asked, his voice tinged with a mix of envy and curiosity.
"Yeah," Jax confirmed. "The wolf was a Class II opponent. The system says we can earn more points by fighting stronger enemies, but it's not something we should take lightly. These fights could get us killed."
Alina nodded thoughtfully. "And this Profession Upgrade Token—what does it do exactly?"
"It upgrades my profession," Jax explained. "It could give me new abilities or make me stronger, but the system warns about 'unforeseen consequences.' I'm not sure what that means, but I'm not in a rush to find out."
Marcus frowned. "So, you're not going to use it?"
"Not yet," Jax said. "We don't know enough about this system. I'm going to wait until we have more information."
Alina seemed to agree. "It's better to be cautious. We've survived this long by being careful, not by rushing into things."
Marcus, however, looked thoughtful. "But those points… if we can earn more, we could really start making progress. We could get stronger, find better weapons, maybe even build a safe place to live."
Jax couldn't deny the appeal of that idea. The points were a potential game-changer, but they also came with risks. The more points they earned, the more dangerous their enemies would become.
"We'll need to be smart about how we use them," Jax said finally. "No point in getting ourselves killed just to rack up points. But if we play this right, it could give us the edge we need."
Alina glanced at the wolf's carcass. "So, what do we do with that?"
Jax followed her gaze. The Mutant Wolf had been a tough opponent, but it was also a valuable resource. Its meat could keep them fed for days, and its pelt might be useful for warmth or bartering.
"We skin it, take the meat, and leave nothing to waste," Jax said. "We've got a long way to go before we're safe, and we'll need everything we can get."
Marcus and Alina nodded in agreement, and together they set to work. As they skinned the wolf and prepared the meat, Jax's mind kept returning to the system. The points, the upgrade token—it all felt like a test, a challenge from whatever or whoever had created this world.
By the time they finished, the sun was high in the sky, and the warmth was a welcome relief. Jax sat down to rest, his body sore from both the battle and the work. He glanced at the system interface again, the Profession Upgrade Token still sitting there, waiting.
"Jax," Marcus said, pulling him from his thoughts. "What's the next move?"
Jax took a deep breath, considering their options. The points system had opened up new possibilities, but it had also brought new dangers. They couldn't afford to be reckless, but they couldn't afford to be complacent either.
"We need to find a safe place to rest and regroup," Jax said finally. "Somewhere we can plan our next steps without worrying about getting ambushed. We'll keep an eye out for more opportunities to earn points, but we won't go looking for trouble. Not yet."
Marcus and Alina both nodded, trusting his judgment. For now, that was enough.
As they packed up their camp and prepared to move out, Jax couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something bigger. The points system was just the beginning—there was more to discover, more challenges to face. But with Marcus and Alina by his side, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Together, they would survive. And if the system wanted to test them, they would rise to the challenge. But they would do it on their terms.
Jax cast one last glance at the system interface before closing it out of his mind. There would be time to explore its mysteries later. For now, they had a journey ahead of them, and he was determined to lead them through it.
The road was long, the dangers many, but they were still standing. And in this world, that was a victory worth fighting for.