Ian's heart thundered in his chest as he sprinted through the dense forest, the pounding of his footsteps barely masking the guttural growls behind him. The beast was fast—too fast. Every step Ian took seemed to widen the gap between survival and certain death.
Branches tore at his face and arms, but he couldn't stop. His legs burned, his breath came in ragged gasps, and still, the creature gained on him.
"Think, Ian, think!" he muttered, dodging a low-hanging branch. But his mind was blank. There were no weapons, no allies, and no idea where to go.
The glowing screen reappeared in front of him, nearly causing him to stumble.
System Alert: Combat Tutorial Activated.
Objective: Survive the Beast.
Reward: 10 XP, Basic Weapon Unlock.
Ian glanced back, catching a glimpse of glowing red eyes and sharp claws slicing through the underbrush. "Survive? That's your big tip?!" he shouted, his voice laced with desperation.
The screen shifted.
Hint: Use the Environment to Your Advantage.
Ian skidded to a halt, his mind racing. He scanned the area, noting a cluster of thick, gnarled roots ahead. A plan began to form, shaky but better than running aimlessly.
The beast lunged, its massive frame bursting through the foliage. Ian dove to the side, barely avoiding its claws as they raked the ground where he'd stood. He rolled to his feet and scrambled toward the roots, his breath hitching.
"Come on, come on," he whispered, positioning himself between two large tree trunks. The beast followed, its growl vibrating through the air as it charged headlong toward him.
At the last moment, Ian ducked and rolled away. The beast slammed into the trees, its momentum causing the massive trunks to shudder. It howled in frustration, its claws scratching at the roots as it tried to free itself.
The glowing screen appeared again.
System Update: Weak Point Detected.
Hint: Aim for the Neck.
Ian's eyes locked on the beast's exposed neck, the faint glow of a pulsating vein catching his attention. "Aim for the neck? With what?" he muttered, searching his surroundings.
His gaze landed on a sharp, broken branch nearby. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. He snatched it up, its rough edges biting into his palms.
The beast thrashed, its claws tearing chunks from the roots. It wouldn't stay trapped for long. Ian's hands shook as he approached, the improvised weapon feeling woefully inadequate.
"You've got this," he whispered, trying to steady his nerves. "It's just... a really big dog. With claws. And glowing red eyes."
The beast snarled, wrenching itself partially free. Ian had seconds.
He lunged, driving the branch into the creature's neck with all his strength. The beast roared, its howl deafening as it thrashed violently. Ian clung to the branch, pushing it deeper until he felt resistance give way.
The beast collapsed, its body convulsing once before going still. Ian stumbled back, his chest heaving as adrenaline coursed through him.
System Alert: Combat Completed.
Reward Claimed: 10 XP.
Basic Weapon Unlocked: Rusted Dagger.
A new screen materialized, and in a burst of light, a dagger appeared on the ground before him. Ian picked it up hesitantly, its blade dull but sturdy.
"That's... something," he muttered, turning it over in his hands.
The system screen flickered again.
Level Up!
> Name: Ian Carter
Level: 2
Class: None
Abilities: Locked
Ian sank to the ground, the weight of everything crashing over him. He had survived, but barely. His hands were scraped, his body ached, and his mind raced with unanswered questions.
"Why me?" he whispered, staring at the glowing screen. "What am I even supposed to do?"
The screen offered no response, only displaying a new prompt:
Next Quest: Find Shelter. Time Limit: 1 Hour.
Ian groaned, dragging himself to his feet. "No rest for the Chosen, huh?"
He glanced at the corpse of the beast, a pang of guilt tugging at him. But there was no time to dwell on it. He had a quest to complete, and he wasn't about to find out what happened if he failed.
With the dagger in hand and the forest stretching endlessly before him, Ian took his first step toward survival in a world where every moment felt like a fight to the death.