The girl's trembling hand held his, her small fingers like twigs wrapped around his own. Her wide, fearful eyes darted back toward the darkness of the forest, as if she half-expected more creatures to emerge. He could feel her pulse racing through their joined hands. The memory of the twisted beasts—those feral eyes, snapping jaws, and relentless aggression—was still fresh in his mind. This world was unforgiving; it did not give its inhabitants time to catch their breath before throwing the next challenge at them.
Elara appeared from the shadows, her expression a mix of relief and irritation. "You shouldn't have rushed in without thinking," she scolded, though her tone softened as she knelt beside the girl. "Are you hurt?" she asked gently, brushing the girl's hair out of her face. The child shook her head but couldn't hold back a tearful whimper.
"It's okay now," he reassured her, his voice firm yet kind. "The monsters are gone." His gaze flicked to the scattered remains of the creatures that dissolved into wisps of shadow and faint blue light, leaving nothing but an eerie quiet.
Elara's eyes met his, and a subtle nod passed between them. It was time to head back to the village. The girl clung to his side as they walked, the tension in her small frame easing with each step toward safety. The moonlight paved a silver path along the riverbank, and the gentle breeze carried the soothing hum of crickets in the night. But the serenity couldn't entirely mask the weight of unease that lingered in the air.
Back at the inn, the girl's mother awaited their return. She rushed forward and scooped her daughter into her arms, tears streaming down her face. "Thank the gods you found her!" she exclaimed, gratitude pouring from her trembling voice. "I don't know how I could ever repay you."
"Just be more careful," Elara said, glancing toward him. "The forest has grown restless as of late, and even common beasts seem to be... changing." There was a note of concern in her voice that was hard to ignore.
As they turned to retire for the night, the innkeeper intercepted them. "You've done a good deed for this village," he said, his gruff voice betraying a hint of admiration. "Let me offer you another night's stay, free of charge. It's the least I can do."
They accepted the offer graciously. Upstairs, the room was modest but comfortable, with a small wooden bed and a wash basin. He stared at his reflection in the water's rippling surface for a long time, contemplating his place in this world. It had only been a few hours since his arrival, but it felt like a lifetime. His body was sore from battle, his mind weary with questions. Yet, there was a stirring inside him—a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in a long time.
The familiar blue screen of the System appeared before him, delivering the latest updates.
System Stats Update:
Name: William
Level: 4
Stats:
Strength: 8 (+1)
Agility: 8 (+1)
Endurance: 7 (+1)
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 7
Bloodline: Unknown
Last Name: Unknown
Skills:
Basic Combat Dagger Mastery I
Items:
Enchanted Iron Dagger.
He felt the changes coursing through him as though his very muscles were absorbing the XP, strengthening. Each level brought a small surge of energy, a sense of progress. It was intoxicating, yet also unnerving. The System was becoming more than just a tool for survival; it felt almost alive, as if it were subtly guiding his path.
As he lay down to rest, his dreams were restless, filled with shifting landscapes and whispers that seemed to come from the shadows themselves. The night seemed to stretch into eternity.