Ethan stood at the temple's entrance, his mind swirling with thoughts about the mysterious player he had just encountered. The concept of others being part of this strange "game" gnawed at him. It had always been about surviving this hostile world, but now it was about more—competition, strategy, and alliances.
As the sun sank lower on the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, Ethan checked the system interface again.
[Quest Update: Mountain of Trials Objective Unlocked.]
Time Limit: 44 hours
Reward: Skill Tree Unlock.]
He frowned. Despite the eerie encounter, the mountain was still his main goal, and the timer wasn't going to slow down for him. Every second counted.
Pushing his confusion aside, Ethan began the trek toward the looming peak in the distance. The terrain was treacherous, far worse than the dense forest he had passed earlier. The path soon became steep, littered with jagged rocks and hidden crevices. His agility was put to the test as he scrambled over obstacles and avoided deadly drops.
His senses remained heightened, scanning the environment for traps or other potential threats. After his run-in with the mysterious player, he had learned to be on guard. The system, too, seemed to warn him that the real test was just beginning.
After a few hours of relentless hiking, Ethan found a small clearing near a cliff's edge. The view was breathtaking—miles of forest stretched below him, and the mountain's summit glowed faintly in the fading light. But there was no time to admire the scenery. He needed to rest and prepare for whatever lay ahead.
As he sat on a flat rock, the system interface appeared once more.
[Player vs. Player Mode: Enabled in Restricted Zones.]
Ethan's heart raced. PvP Mode? His thoughts returned to the mysterious player. Could they be nearby, waiting to ambush him? He scanned the surroundings, but saw no sign of movement. Yet, the tension in the air was palpable.
Suddenly, a new notification flashed.
[First Challenge: Test of Endurance Initiated.]
Objective: Survive the Night.]
Rewards: Endurance Skill Enhancement, Bonus Exp.]
Ethan's blood ran cold. Survive the night? He glanced at the sky. The last traces of sunlight were gone, leaving the world bathed in darkness. The temperature plummeted, and the eerie silence of the mountain was broken by faint, distant howls. The air seemed to grow thicker, more oppressive, and the shadows began to move in unnatural ways.
His instincts screamed danger.
With no shelter in sight, he knew staying out in the open was a death sentence. Grabbing his gear, Ethan hurried along the cliff's edge, his eyes scanning for a place to hide. The howls grew louder, closer, and the ground seemed to tremble beneath him.
Without warning, a massive creature burst out from the underbrush. Its eyes glowed with malevolent intent, and its claws shimmered under the moonlight. A giant wolf-like beast, twice the size of a regular wolf, blocked Ethan's path. The system blared with urgency.
[Enemy Detected: Mountain Direwolf. Level: 10.]
Ethan cursed under his breath. A Level 10 creature? He wasn't sure he could handle something that strong. His fingers twitched toward the sword at his side, knowing that a confrontation was inevitable.
The wolf snarled, its hackles raised, as it charged at him with terrifying speed. Ethan barely had time to react. He sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the beast's deadly jaws. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline fueling his every movement.
Quick Dash Activated.
His body moved on instinct, propelling him just out of reach of the wolf's claws. But he knew he couldn't just keep dodging. He needed to go on the offensive. Drawing his sword, he prepared for the next attack.
As the wolf lunged again, Ethan focused his mind and activated his new ability.
Mana Infusion: Active.
A surge of energy flooded his limbs, and he felt the power of the system flow through him. His sword glowed faintly with blue light, infused with mana. With a single, powerful strike, he swung at the wolf's side. The blade connected, leaving a deep, glowing wound in the creature's flank.
The wolf howled in pain, stumbling back.
But it wasn't over. The beast recovered quickly, its eyes burning with rage. It circled him, more cautious now, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Ethan knew this fight would come down to endurance—both his and the wolf's.
Time stretched as the two combatants clashed again and again, the night air filled with the sound of steel meeting claw and the snarls of the Direwolf. Each of Ethan's attacks drained his mana, but he couldn't afford to hold back. His survival depended on it.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Ethan saw his opening. The wolf lunged once more, but this time, its movements were sluggish—worn down by the damage Ethan had inflicted. Channeling the last of his mana into his sword, Ethan leaped forward and drove the blade deep into the creature's chest.
The wolf collapsed with a final, pitiful whimper, and the system chimed in.
[Challenge Complete: Test of Endurance Passed.]
Rewards: Endurance +1, 300 Exp.]
Ethan dropped to his knees, gasping for breath. His muscles ached, and his mana reserves were depleted. But he had done it—he had survived the night. As the Direwolf's body faded into nothing, a sense of grim satisfaction filled him. He was stronger now. More prepared for whatever the game would throw at him next.
But as he rested, another thought crept into his mind. If the game could pit him against creatures like the Direwolf, what other horrors lay ahead? And how many more players were out there, preparing for their own challenges?
Ethan stood, wiping the sweat from his brow. He still had a long way to go, but he was determined. This world might be a game, but he wasn't going to be anyone's pawn.
With renewed resolve, he resumed his climb toward the Mountain of Trials, knowing that the hardest part of the journey was still to come.