Ian's grip on the rusted dagger tightened as he faced the woman. Her piercing green eyes seemed to see through him, as if dissecting his very thoughts. The tension in the air was palpable, and every instinct screamed at him to run—or fight.
But she hadn't drawn her blade. Not yet.
"What do you mean, 'reek of the divine'?" Ian asked cautiously.
The woman's faint smile lingered, but there was no warmth in it. "Exactly what it sounds like. The power you carry... it's not subtle. Every creature within miles can sense it, including me."
Ian frowned. "Great. That explains why everything out here wants to kill me."
Her smile widened, a glint of amusement flashing in her eyes. "Not everything. Yet."
Ian's patience was wearing thin. "Who are you? What do you want?"
She studied him for a moment, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her blade. "You can call me Lyra," she said finally. "And as for what I want... let's just say I have a vested interest in anyone carrying a Resonance Shard."
Ian stiffened. "How do you know about that?"
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Because I've seen others like you before. Fresh arrivals, chosen by the gods—or what's left of them. Most don't last long."
Ian's chest tightened. "What happened to them?"
Lyra's expression darkened. "Some were killed by beasts. Others by people like Garrick. The rest... well, the system has ways of weeding out the weak."
---
Ian's mind raced. Lyra's knowledge of the system and her calm demeanor unsettled him, but she hadn't made a move to attack. Yet.
"And you?" Ian asked. "Where do you fit into all this?"
Lyra shrugged. "I survive. That's all anyone can do in this world. But sometimes, survival means making alliances."
Her eyes flicked to the dagger in Ian's hand. "You've made it farther than most. That's impressive. But you're still a long way from being a threat to anyone—or anything."
Ian bristled at her tone but held his tongue. She wasn't wrong. Without the system's boosts and a heavy dose of luck, he wouldn't have lasted this long.
"What kind of alliance are you talking about?" he asked warily.
Lyra stepped closer, her movements deliberate but unthreatening. "You have something I want: potential. And I have something you need: experience."
Ian frowned. "Experience?"
Lyra gestured to the forest around them. "This world is a labyrinth of death traps. Every step you take could be your last if you don't know what to look for. I can teach you how to survive, how to fight, how to use the system to your advantage."
"And in return?"
Her smile turned sharp. "When the time comes, you'll help me with something. A task I can't complete alone."
---
Ian considered her offer. Trusting anyone in this world felt like a gamble, but Lyra's knowledge and confidence made it clear she wasn't bluffing. If she wanted to kill him, she would've done it already.
"What's the catch?" Ian asked.
Lyra's expression softened, though her eyes remained guarded. "The catch is that alliances don't last forever. When our paths diverge, you'll have to fend for yourself. But for now, it's mutually beneficial."
Ian hesitated, his mind churning with doubts. But the truth was, he needed help. If Lyra could teach him how to survive, it might give him the edge he desperately needed.
"Fine," he said finally. "I'll take your help."
Lyra nodded, a hint of approval in her gaze. "Smart choice. First lesson starts now."
---
Lyra led Ian deeper into the forest, her movements swift and silent. She explained how to identify edible plants, avoid poisonous ones, and spot the subtle signs of predators.
"Pay attention to the tracks," she said, pointing to a faint set of claw marks in the dirt. "Fresh. That means it's close."
Ian swallowed hard, scanning the shadows around them. "How close?"
Lyra glanced at him, her lips curving into a smirk. "Close enough that we should keep moving."
---
As they traveled, Ian couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Lyra navigated the terrain. She moved like she belonged here, like the forest was an extension of herself.
"Where did you learn all this?" he asked, struggling to keep up.
Lyra's expression darkened. "Trial and error. Mostly error."
Ian didn't press further. Something about her tone warned him not to pry.
---
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the forest in shadow. Lyra motioned for Ian to stop, her eyes scanning the trees ahead.
"Something's wrong," she murmured, her hand resting on her blade.
Ian's pulse quickened. "What is it?"
Before she could answer, a low growl rumbled through the air. Ian's blood ran cold as a pack of glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness.
"Wolves," Lyra said grimly, drawing her blade. "Get ready."
The system screen flickered to life, displaying a new prompt.
Threat Detected: Forest Wolves (Pack).
Level: 4.
Objective: Survive the Ambush.
Reward: 50 XP, Bonus Skill Unlock.
Ian gripped his dagger tightly, his heart pounding. "Any tips?"
Lyra smirked. "Yeah. Don't die."
---
The wolves lunged, their snarls filling the air as they closed in. Ian barely managed to sidestep the first attack, the creature's claws raking the ground where he'd stood.
Lyra moved like a whirlwind, her blade flashing in the moonlight as she struck down two wolves in quick succession.
"Focus!" she shouted, blocking another wolf's attack.
Ian forced himself to move, his rusty dagger feeling woefully inadequate against the snarling beasts. He slashed at the nearest wolf, the blade slicing into its side. The creature yelped but didn't fall.
The system screen flashed.
Divine Pulse Available.
Ian didn't hesitate. He activated the ability, and a surge of energy exploded outward, knocking the wolves back and illuminating the clearing with a blinding light.
When the light faded, two of the wolves lay motionless on the ground, while the others hesitated, their glowing eyes filled with caution.
Lyra seized the moment, striking down another wolf before the pack retreated into the shadows.
---
Ian collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving as the adrenaline faded. The system screen reappeared.
Objective Complete: Survive the Ambush.
Rewards Claimed: 50 XP, New Skill Unlocked—Quickstep.
Ian opened the new skill's description:
Quickstep:
Effect: Enhances movement speed and agility for a short duration.
Cooldown: 3 Minutes.
"Nice work," Lyra said, wiping her blade clean. "You're not completely useless after all."
Ian glared at her, too exhausted to respond.
"Get some rest," she said, sheathing her blade. "You'll need it. The hard part hasn't even started yet."
Ian sighed, leaning back against a tree. As much as he hated to admit it, Lyra was right. This was only the beginning.