The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the land. The vibrant orange and purple hues of the sky reflected off the vast stretches of open land, leaving Kazuya with a sense of calm he hadn't expected to feel in this alien world. Despite the unknowns that lay ahead, he found some solace in the simple beauty of the landscape.
Kazuya had eaten the strange fruit and felt the initial relief of his hunger being satisfied, but now there was a new problem on his mind: the night.
The air had begun to cool, and with the setting sun, the sounds of the wilderness seemed to grow louder, more urgent. It wasn't just the rustling of leaves or the chirping of distant animals. There was an undercurrent to the noises, something Kazuya couldn't quite put his finger on. Every once in a while, a far-off howl would send a shiver down his spine, but he ignored it. If he let every noise unsettle him, he'd never get anywhere.
He leaned back against the tree, his eyes drifting across the horizon. A distant mountain range lay in the distance, silhouetted against the darkening sky. That was where he was headed. The city, or what appeared to be a settlement, was beyond those mountains. He had to get there. He had to find answers.
Kazuya stood, brushing off his clothes and looking over his shoulder at the path behind him. The creature he had followed earlier was nowhere to be seen now. It had disappeared back into the wilds, as if it had been part of a fleeting dream.
"Alright. Time to move." He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for whatever came next.
He had no idea what dangers lurked in the dark, but his stats still felt like a distant echo in his mind, a reminder that he wasn't helpless. Infinite health, speed, strength, and magic. It was overwhelming, to say the least. He wasn't sure if he should feel empowered or afraid of the responsibility that came with it. He could move mountains with his strength, but what would that even mean in this world? And what about the powers he had yet to understand? They hadn't exactly come with instruction manuals.
His hand instinctively reached to the side of his belt, feeling the hilt of the blade that had materialized out of nowhere—one of the strange perks that came with the "game-like" system. The sword wasn't anything extravagant, but it felt right in his grip. He had no experience with weapons, but just holding it seemed to grant him some comfort. A reassurance that, should something dangerous appear, he would have at least some means of defending himself.
As he began to walk towards the mountains, the moonlight bathed the world in a soft glow, illuminating the path ahead. The landscape seemed to shift slightly in the dim light, the colors muted and less vibrant than they had been earlier. The sensation of being watched lingered at the back of his mind, though he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.
Minutes turned into hours as Kazuya pressed on, his mind caught between the urge to be cautious and the need to press forward. It was when he was just about to stop for a brief rest that the first sign of danger made itself known.
A low growl pierced the night air, and Kazuya's eyes snapped toward the source. Out of the shadows, a large, beastly shape emerged—a creature with glowing red eyes, sharp claws, and long, ragged fur. Its body was massive, its movements fast, as it stalked toward him with an almost predatory precision.
Not good. Kazuya's instincts kicked in, and without thinking, he drew the blade from his side. The weapon seemed to hum in his hand as he gripped it tightly, his heart pounding. This wasn't a test. This was real. The creature's snarl broke through the silence once more, and with terrifying speed, it lunged toward him.
Kazuya's reaction was instantaneous. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's swipe, the claws just missing his shoulder. He didn't have time to think, to plan. His body moved faster than his mind, as if his instincts were guiding him. He landed on his feet, crouching low and ready to spring into action.
The creature wasn't done, though. It immediately turned around, its powerful legs propelling it back toward Kazuya. With a fierce snarl, it pounced again. But this time, Kazuya was ready.
He lifted his blade just as the creature leaped toward him. The sword gleamed under the moonlight as he swung it with all the strength he could muster. The blade met the creature's side with a sickening crack, cutting through its thick fur and flesh in one swift motion. The creature let out a roar of pain, but before it could react, Kazuya moved in again, faster than he thought possible. He drove the sword through its chest, piercing its heart.
The creature's body went limp, and it fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
Kazuya stood over it, breathing heavily, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline. The sword was still in his hand, its blade covered in the creature's blood. He couldn't believe it had happened so quickly. One moment, he had been walking. The next, he had been fighting for his life.
His thoughts were interrupted as a strange energy surged through him. The creature's form seemed to shimmer and disappear into the air, leaving behind a faint, glowing light. The glow gathered above Kazuya, and as it descended, it wrapped around him, merging into his skin. He didn't know what was happening, but the sensation wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it felt... empowering.
You've acquired a new ability from the defeated creature:
Night Stalker's Prowess
---Increased senses in the dark
---Enhanced agility during nighttime
---Temporary stealth capabilities when stationary
The message on the stats board flashed before him, and Kazuya's eyes widened. It wasn't just the creature's power he had gained. He had absorbed its essence.
He lifted his hand, feeling the new abilities welling within him. It was an odd sensation, almost as if he were wearing an extra layer of power. The realization hit him hard: the system wasn't just giving him power—it was transforming him.
He had no idea how far this could go or what other abilities he could gain, but one thing was clear—he needed to be careful. Absorbing powers from his enemies was a dangerous gift. What if the next enemy had powers that were harder to control? Or worse, what if he couldn't control this ability at all?
But for now, he had survived. He had won. And with the experience came more power.
Kazuya wiped the blood from his blade and looked toward the mountains again. The city was still far off, but now, he had an even greater sense of urgency. He needed answers, and the only way to get them was to keep moving forward.
As he turned to continue on his path, Kazuya knew that this was only the beginning of his journey. There would be more battles, more challenges, and more powers to absorb. But with every step, he would grow stronger.
And one day, he would uncover the truth of this world and what had brought him here.