(Third-Person POV)
Duskwind Forest. A vast expanse of untamed wilderness, stretching far beyond what most could imagine. It was a place of danger and mystery, divided into regions, each one more perilous than the last.
The outer region, where Sam now found himself, was known for its abundance of Unranked to E-rank beasts. It was the edge of the forest, where weaker creatures roamed and newer adventurers dared to venture. But as one ventured deeper into the forest, the danger escalated. The middle region was a battleground for D-rank to B-rank monsters, far deadlier and more territorial. Few dared to step beyond the outer edges without a reason.
But the inner region? That was a place no ordinary creature or adventurer dared to enter. There, A-rank to SS-rank beasts roamed freely, the very air charged with their overwhelming presence. Even from the outer regions, one could feel the distant pull of power from the center of the forest. And at the heart of Duskwind, the central area—a place no one spoke of in detail. Rumors whispered of creatures so powerful that even the most seasoned adventurers refused to approach.
But Sam didn't care about those dangers—at least, not yet. He was still struggling in the outer region, where the weak were eaten and the strong thrived. For now, his world was confined to this edge of the forest, and the challenges he faced were more than enough to keep him occupied.
(Sam's POV)
I coiled up under the twisted roots of an ancient tree, trying to gather my strength. The fight with the Razor Hounds had taken more out of me than I realized. Every inch of my body ached, and the Basic Regeneration trait wasn't enough to heal the deeper wounds.
'Great. I'm still alive. For now.'
I flicked my tongue, tasting the damp air. The forest was quiet, but that only made me more uneasy. No sounds meant no threats, but it also meant something could be lurking nearby, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
'So, what's next? Another pack of wolves? Some other oversized creature ready to turn me into a snack?'
As I rested, though, something strange started happening. My body, though battered, began to feel… lighter. Not healed, but as if the fatigue was lifting, allowing me to push through the pain. There was a subtle pulse inside me, a new energy stirring beneath the surface.
[You have gained the trait: Enhanced Endurance (Basic).]
'Wait, what's going on here?! Did the universe decide I needed a boost? Enhanced Endurance (Basic) out of nowhere!'
Enhanced Endurance... Basic. Like, what does that even mean? Can I run a marathon now? Probably not. 'Let me check my status real quick to see if any other awesome surprises are waiting for me...'
[Status Inspection Lv 3 activated.]
[Name: Unnamed]
[Species: Predator Snake]
[Level: 22]
[Rank: F]
[Skills:]
– [Bite Lv 9]
– [Venom Lv 9]
– [Slither Lv 4]
– [Stealth Lv 5]
– [Status Inspection Lv 3]
– [Devour Lv 1]
– [Harden Lv 2]
– [Burrow Lv 4]
– [Frenzy Lv 1]
– [Fire Breath Lv 1]
– [Tail Whip Lv 4]
– [Charge Lv 1]
– [Enhanced Fangs Lv 1]
– [Quick Dash Lv 2]
– [Water Jet Lv 1]
– [Wind Slash Lv 1]
[Traits:]
– [Cold-Blooded]
– [Predator's Intuition]
– [Enhanced Sensory (Advanced)]
– [Enhanced Physical Strength (Basic)]
– [Heat Resistance (Basic)]
– [Basic Regeneration]
– [Poison Resistance]
– [Pain Resistance]
– [Water Affinity (Basic)]
– [Night Vision]
– [Wind Affinity (Basic)]
– [Enhanced Endurance (Basic)]
[Status: Focused]
[Hunger: 20%]
Enhanced Endurance (Basic):
This trait allows the user to withstand physical and mental fatigue for longer periods. It increases stamina and reduces the effects of exhaustion during extended activities.
'huh? So now I can last longer before I pass out. Great. Should've gotten that before the hounds shredded me.'
I flexed my muscles slightly, testing the trait. The pain was still there, but the exhaustion wasn't as crushing as it had been. I could move more freely now, and the dull ache in my bones had lessened. Enhanced Endurance was working. Not a miracle, but it would help in the long run.
'Well, this will come in handy. Especially if the forest decides to throw another batch of teeth and claws at me.'
I uncoiled and slithered forward, my muscles still sore but my mind sharper. The air felt heavier here, a strange scent mixing with the usual dampness of the forest. It wasn't just fatigue that weighed on me—there was something else in the air. Something… off.
I flicked my tongue again, tasting the air carefully. The scent was faint but unmistakable. It was sharp, almost metallic, cutting through the usual smells of earth and foliage.
'Great. Another mystery scent. Why do I keep doing this to myself?'
The closer I moved toward the source, the stronger it became. There was power here, dense and dangerous, lurking just beyond my senses. My instincts screamed at me to turn back, to avoid whatever lay ahead. But I ignored them.
'Whatever it is, it's stronger than me. That much is obvious. But if I want to get stronger, I'll have to start challenging these things.'
The forest seemed to darken as I moved deeper, the scent growing thicker, more oppressive. This wasn't just the scent of another beast. There was something unnatural about it, something that made the very air feel poisonous.
And then I saw it.
The trees thinned, revealing a small clearing where a tainted pond sat at the center, its water dark and bubbling slightly, like it was alive. The pond gave off a faint toxic smell, the kind that made my scales tingle in warning. It radiated danger. Whatever lived near this pond had claimed it as its own, using its poisonous aura to grow stronger.
'Because of course, a creepy poisonous pond. Why not? Let's just throw everything deadly into one place!'
But there was something else. A presence, faint but unmistakable, lurked nearby. Whatever it was, it wasn't going to let me approach the pond without a fight.
Something powerful lay ahead. I could feel it in the air, in the way the forest seemed to hold its breath. This was no ordinary clearing, and the beast that lived here was no ordinary predator.
'Great. And here I am, slithering straight into another nightmare.'
I could feel the weight of the coming battle pressing down on me, but I had no choice. This was how the forest worked. If I didn't face the dangers head-on, I wouldn't survive. But the closer I got, the stronger the pull of the pond became.
Something inside me—an instinct I couldn't ignore—told me that whatever lay ahead could change everything. I just hoped I'd survive long enough to find out.