Ian trudged through the forest, his breath still ragged from the fight. The dagger, though rusted, was a small comfort in his hand. The forest seemed alive, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs putting his nerves on edge.
The system screen floated beside him, the quest ticking down mercilessly:
Next Quest: Find Shelter. Time Limit: 45 Minutes.
"This place is insane," he muttered, scanning the dense trees for anything resembling safety. "What kind of world throws you to the wolves—literally—five minutes after you show up?"
The sky above was darkening, the faint twilight giving way to a deep, oppressive blackness. Ian's stomach churned at the thought of being caught in this forest after nightfall.
---
After what felt like an eternity, Ian stumbled upon a small clearing. In the center stood a crumbling stone structure, overgrown with moss and vines. It looked ancient, its purpose long forgotten, but it was still standing.
"That'll do," Ian said, quickening his pace.
As he approached, the system screen updated:
Objective Updated: Investigate the Ruins.
Ian hesitated at the entrance. The air around the ruins was colder, the shadows deeper. He gripped the dagger tighter and stepped inside, his footsteps echoing faintly against the stone walls.
The interior was small, barely more than a single room. Broken stone benches lined the walls, and a crude altar stood at the far end. A faint glow emanated from the altar, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat.
"Great," Ian muttered, approaching cautiously. "Nothing ominous about a glowing altar in the middle of nowhere."
As he neared, the system screen flared to life:
New Objective: Activate the Altar.
Reward: System Upgrade.
"Activate it? How?" Ian asked aloud, his voice trembling slightly.
There was no answer, as usual. Sighing, he reached out, his fingers brushing against the glowing surface. The moment he touched it, the light intensified, filling the room.
---
The world around Ian seemed to dissolve, replaced by a vast expanse of stars. A familiar, otherworldly voice echoed in his mind.
"Welcome, Chosen. You have taken your first step toward ascension."
Ian spun around, but there was no figure this time—just the endless void. "Who are you? What is this system? Why am I here?"
"All will be revealed in time," the voice replied. "For now, the system has been upgraded. Use it wisely."
The stars vanished, and Ian found himself back in the ruins. The glow from the altar had faded, leaving only a faint warmth beneath his hand.
The system screen reappeared with a new prompt:
System Upgrade Complete.
New Features Unlocked:
Inventory: Store and manage items.
Status Page: Track health, stamina, and other stats.
Skill Tree: Unlock and upgrade abilities.
Ian's eyes widened as the words sank in. He quickly accessed the Status Page, and a new window opened before him:
> Name: Ian Carter
Level: 2
Class: None
Health: 85/100
Stamina: 50/100
Abilities: Locked
"Okay, this... this could actually be useful," Ian said, his mind racing with possibilities.
His relief was short-lived. The faint sound of movement outside the ruins snapped him back to reality.
---
Ian crouched low, gripping his dagger tightly. The sound grew louder—footsteps, deliberate and measured. Whoever it was, they weren't trying to hide.
A figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the moonlight that spilled through the crumbling roof. It was a man, tall and lean, wearing patched leather armor and carrying a sword. His eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto Ian immediately.
"Well, what do we have here?" the man said, his voice smooth but laced with menace. "Another stray, lost in the forest?"
Ian didn't answer, his grip on the dagger tightening.
The man chuckled, stepping closer. "Relax, kid. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have heard me coming."
"What do you want?" Ian asked, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his gut.
The man raised an eyebrow. "Straight to the point. I like that. Name's Garrick. I'm a... scavenger, let's say. And you're in my territory."
Ian's mind raced. Garrick didn't look friendly, but he also hadn't attacked—yet. "I'm just passing through," he said. "I didn't know this place was... yours."
Garrick smirked, glancing around the ruins. "Not much to claim, is it? But you've got something I want."
Ian tensed. "What are you talking about?"
"That little glowing trick you pulled," Garrick said, gesturing to the altar. "I saw the light from a mile away. Whatever it was, it's valuable."
"I don't have anything," Ian said, taking a step back.
Garrick's expression darkened. "Don't play dumb, kid. Hand it over, or I'll take it by force."
Ian's heart pounded. He glanced at the system screen, hoping for guidance, but it remained blank. He was on his own.