Ren led the group to the cave, his hand throbbing as he adjusted to the missing fingers. The healing had closed the wound, but the pain still lingered in his bones. He glanced back at the three newcomers trailing behind him—a girl with bright eyes who had healed his hand, a tall, lanky boy carrying a stick as if it were a spear, and another boy who kept scanning the surroundings with a wary gaze.
Once they reached the cave, Ren motioned for them to make themselves comfortable. "Stay here," he said. "I'll go find us some more food."
The healer girl looked worried. "Are you sure you can manage on your own? You're still hurt."
Ren managed a grin. "Nothing I can't handle."
With that, he grabbed a makeshift spear and disappeared into the forest. After a while of scouting, he spotted an eagle circling high above. It glided gracefully, its wings catching the morning light, and Ren knew that this catch would be challenging but worthwhile. He took a deep breath, steadied his aim, and hurled the spear with all his might. The spear soared upward, piercing the bird in mid-flight with a satisfying thud. Ren sprinted forward, his body charged with a rush of Adrenaline, ready to finish the job.
Just as he closed in, the eagle gave an ear-piercing screech and vanished, disappearing into thin air. Ren's eyes widened, and suddenly, a sharp pain flared at the back of his neck. The eagle had reappeared and was pecking him relentlessly, its sharp beak drawing blood with each jab. He staggered, trying to shake it off, but the creature was relentless, its attacks growing faster and more furious.
"Enough of this!" Ren hissed, clenching his eyes shut to focus. He listened, tuning out the chaotic flapping of wings and the pain. A slight rustle from his left—there! He lashed out with a powerful punch, and his fist connected with something solid. The eagle materialized, sprawled on the ground, stunned. Without wasting a second, Ren lunged for his spear, driving it into the bird's head. Its body went limp.
Panting, he wiped the blood from his face and began the arduous task of dragging the eagle's body back to the cave.
When he arrived, the others were already gathering firewood for a campfire. Their eyes lit up when they saw the eagle.
"Dinner's here," Ren announced, dropping the bird on the ground.
Working together, they set up the campfire and started skinning the eagle. The healer girl took the lead, showing surprising skill with the knife she'd fashioned from a rock. They washed the meat at a nearby pond and returned to roast it over the flames. As the scent of cooking meat filled the cave, the group sat around the fire, a sense of camaraderie building among them.
As they ate, one of the boys, his eyes shining with excitement, spoke up. "You know, when I ate, I felt... something. Like a strange energy building inside me."
The healer girl nodded thoughtfully. "I think we're gaining more than just strength from eating these creatures. We might be able to develop new skills."
Ren's interest piqued. "Like some kind of power system," he mused, taking another bite. The idea reminded him of the games and shows he used to watch, but now he was living it.
Just then, a notification flashed before his eyes: +10 Health, +1 Defense. Ren grinned, his mind racing with possibilities. If eating and fighting made him stronger, then he would need to keep pushing himself to the limit.
He looked around at his new companions, feeling a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in a long time. "If we're going to survive out here, we need to get stronger. Together."
The others nodded, their faces filled with determination. They might have come from different places, but in that moment, sitting around the fire with their newfound strength, they felt like a team.
And in the dangerous world beyond the cave, they would need every bit of strength they could get.