The forest around Lina felt alive, as if it was breathing with her. The rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the occasional snap of a twig echoed in the cool air. Despite the initial shock, Lina quickly realized that standing still wouldn't help her survive in this strange new world.
She checked the floating screen in front of her again. Her health bar had a small dent from the goblin's attack, but nothing too serious. Below that, her character stats glowed softly, each number representing her strength, agility, and other attributes. She was painfully weak—a level one player, just like when she first started *Demons and Dungeons*. But unlike in the game, there were no respawns here. Every step she took had to be calculated.
As she surveyed the area, Lina noticed a small pathway leading deeper into the forest. It wasn't much, just a narrow dirt trail, but it was better than wandering aimlessly. She cautiously started walking, keeping her senses alert for any potential threats.
"First things first," she muttered to herself, "I need to find some shelter and figure out where I am. There's got to be a village or something nearby."
The path twisted and turned, leading her through dense foliage and over small streams. As she walked, Lina couldn't help but marvel at the world around her. Everything felt so real—the cool breeze on her skin, the crunch of leaves beneath her feet, and the distant hum of life all around. It was both terrifying and exhilarating.
After what felt like hours of walking, she spotted smoke rising in the distance. Her heart leaped in her chest. Where there was smoke, there were people. Maybe she could find someone who could explain what was happening or at least point her in the right direction.
As she approached the source of the smoke, Lina noticed it was coming from a small campfire in the middle of a clearing. A group of people—two men and a woman—sat around the fire, talking in hushed voices. They were dressed in simple, rugged clothes, and each had a weapon within arm's reach.
For a moment, she hesitated. She had no idea if these people were friendly or if they'd see her as a threat. But she didn't have many options. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the clearing.
"Hello?" she called out, trying to sound as non-threatening as possible.
The group immediately tensed, their hands moving to their weapons. One of the men, a burly figure with a scar running down his cheek, stood up and faced her.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice rough. "And what are you doing out here?"
*They speak my language? That's a relief,* Lina thought as she exhaled, relieved they could understand her.
Lina raised her hands in a gesture of peace. "My name is Lina. I'm… lost. I just need some help, maybe directions to the nearest village?"
The man eyed her suspiciously, his gaze lingering on her odd clothing. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Lina shook her head. "No, I'm not."
The woman, who had been silent until now, stood up and approached Lina. She had sharp, intelligent eyes and carried a bow slung across her back. "You don't look like a threat," she said, her voice calmer than the man's. "But this forest is dangerous for someone like you. What are you doing out here alone?"
"It's… complicated," Lina replied, not wanting to dive into the whole 'I got sucked into a video game' explanation. Like anyone would believe that.
"I'm just trying to survive and find a way out of this place."
The woman nodded thoughtfully. "We're heading to the nearby village ourselves. You can come with us, but you'll have to pull your weight. It's not safe out here, and we can't afford to babysit you."
Lina quickly agreed. "I understand. I'll do whatever I can to help."
The burly man still seemed wary, but he didn't object as the group began to pack up their camp. As they prepared to leave, the woman introduced herself as Ming, a hunter who knew the forest well. The other two men were Garret, the scarred one, and Finn, a younger man who didn't say much but had a keen look in his eyes.
As they walked, Ming explained a bit about the world they were in. It was called Eldoria, a place filled with magic, monsters, and different factions constantly vying for power. The village they were headed to was called Ashborne, a small settlement that had managed to survive despite the dangers lurking in the surrounding wilderness.
"Stick with us, and you might just make it," Ming said with a faint smile. "But be careful. Not everyone in Ashborne is friendly, and there are plenty of people who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of someone like you."
Lina nodded, grateful for the advice. As they continued their journey, she couldn't help but wonder what her role in this world would be. She had been thrust into a life-or-death situation with only her gaming knowledge and a powerful skill to rely on. But as the forest began to thin out and the silhouette of Ashborne appeared in the distance, Lina felt a surge of determination.
This was her new reality, and she would find a way to not just survive but thrive. She would rise in this world just as she had in *Demons and Dungeons*, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
As they approached the village gates, the wooden walls standing tall against the darkening sky, Lina couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of her adventure. The Damage Reflection skill had already saved her once, and she knew it would be her ace in the hole. But there was so much more to learn.
She glanced at the translucent screen still hovering in her peripheral vision. Her stats were low, her level insignificant, but she had something far more valuable—knowledge and determination.
"Welcome to Ashborne," Ming said as they entered the village, the gates creaking shut behind them.
Lina took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next.
This was her world now. And she was ready to conquer it.