Jack knelt by the edge of the spring, gazing at his reflection in the crystal-clear water. For a moment, the face staring back at him felt foreign. Black, wavy hair fell to his shoulders, framing sharp, angular features that gave him a fierce, almost predatory look. But it was his eyes that held his attention: vivid emerald green with a faint ring of sky blue circling each pupil. When the sunlight hit his face just right, the blue shimmered faintly, as though alive.
"That's… me?" Jack muttered, running a hand through his hair. His voice sounded off—higher than he was used to, another reminder that this wasn't the body he knew.
A soft ding! echoed in his mind, snapping him out of his thoughts. Startled, Jack watched as a translucent wave of energy radiated outward from his chest, rippling like water. The wave spread in all directions, momentarily highlighting the trees, rocks, and bushes around him with a faint glow before fading into the air. Jack stood abruptly, his heart pounding, as the System's calm voice broke the silence.
[New skills unlocked.]
He blinked. "What… was that?"
[Radar (Upgradable): A pulse of energy emitted from your soul reveals your surroundings. Range: 1,000 feet. The Radar highlights creatures and objects within range, visible only during the pulse.]
The voice continued before Jack could respond.
[Map (Upgradable): A 3D representation of explored areas. A default 100-foot radius around the User is updated in real-time. The map does not reveal creatures or objects unknown to the User.]
A brief pause, then:
[Skill compatibility detected. Radar scans will now automatically update the map.]
Jack exhaled slowly, his initial shock giving way to curiosity. "Radar and a map, huh? That's… useful."
He glanced around, letting the jungle's stillness settle around him. During the brief moment when the pulse spread, Jack had felt something strange—like the terrain itself had become part of him. Now, as he focused inward, a glowing 3D map of the surrounding area seemed to unfold in his mind, vivid and detailed, as though etched into his consciousness.
"Alright, Koa," he said, stretching his arms. "Let's put this to use."
For hours, Jack wandered the jungle, sending out radar pulses at regular intervals. Each pulse revealed more of the terrain: dense clusters of trees, bushes heavy with strange fruits, and a narrow stream that meandered through the forest. The pulses occasionally highlighted small creatures—birds flitting between branches, tiny mammals darting through the underbrush. None of them seemed dangerous, but the constant awareness gave Jack a sense of calm.
Following the stream, he eventually found a shallow cave tucked into the base of a rocky hill. It wasn't deep—maybe 200 feet—but it looked stable. The smooth stone walls and high ceiling allowed light to filter in. Jack stood at the entrance, gripping a sturdy stick as a makeshift weapon, and peered cautiously inside.
"Koa," he whispered, tension rising. "Anything dangerous in there?"
[No creatures detected within the cave.]
Relieved, Jack stepped inside. The cool air was refreshing, brushing against his skin as his footsteps echoed softly on the stone floor. Apart from a damp smell and a few scattered rocks, the cave was empty. It felt safe enough, and he decided it would make a decent temporary shelter.
"Not bad," he muttered, stepping back out into the sunlight.
His gaze fell on a nearby rock, roughly the size of three clenched fists. Picking it up, Jack tested its weight in his hand before hurling it at the exposed stone wall near the cave. The rock struck with a sharp crack, splitting into jagged shards. Jack knelt, inspecting the pieces. One shard was small, sharp, and knife-like. The other was larger, with a rough edge that might come in handy later.
"Perfect," Jack said, tucking the smaller shard into his belt.
Over the next few hours, Jack worked methodically to prepare his new base. First, he ventured into the jungle to find vines, spotting a tree with thick, green tendrils hanging from its branches. Using the sharp stone, he sawed through the vines, coiling them over his shoulder. The blade wasn't ideal—it required effort and persistence—but it got the job done.
Next, he searched for trees that could provide sap. Scoring the bark with his makeshift blade, he collected the sticky, golden resin on a broad leaf. After several trips, he had enough sap for his plans. Back at the cave, Jack combined the vines, sap, and dry leaves to craft a crude torch, setting it aside to dry.
By late afternoon, Jack had gathered enough firewood to last through the night. He built a small fire pit near the cave entrance, arranging the logs in a compact stack. Striking the sharp stone against a dry piece of kindling, he coaxed a small flame to life. The fire crackled, sending smoke curling into the evening air.
"There," Jack said, sitting back and watching the flames. "That should keep me warm—and anything dangerous away."
As dusk settled over the jungle, Jack's stomach growled loudly. Sending out another radar pulse, he focused on finding food. The energy wave swept through the jungle, highlighting clusters of fruit and nuts. Guided by the map in his mind, Jack harvested what he could: small, red berries, strange pear-shaped fruits, and a handful of nuts.
At one point, he held up a cluster of bright red berries. "Koa," he asked, squinting at them in the fading light. "Are these safe?"
[These berries are non-toxic and provide moderate nutritional value.]
Jack popped a few into his mouth, relieved to find them tart but satisfying. By the time he returned to the cave, his arms were full of food. Sitting by the fire, Jack ate slowly, savoring the simple meal. The warmth of the flames, combined with the gentle murmur of the nearby stream, created an unexpected sense of peace.
As he finished eating, Koa's voice broke the silence.
[Lessons will begin tomorrow.]
Jack groaned, leaning against the cave wall. "Lessons? Seriously? Can't I get one day to breathe?"
[Education is essential to your survival.]
Rolling his eyes, Jack sighed. "Of course it is." He stared into the flickering flames, his mind racing. Part of him wanted to embrace the challenge, to learn the rules of this strange world. But another part—the part still mourning everything he'd left behind—just wanted to rest.
"Koa," he said softly, closing his eyes, "I think I'm done for today."
The System didn't respond, but Jack could sense its silent presence, steady and unwavering. He shifted closer to the fire, the crude torch leaning against the cave wall, drying. A neatly stacked pile of firewood promised warmth through the night.
As the jungle darkened and the stars emerged, Jack allowed himself to relax. Staring into the flames, he felt the weight of exhaustion pulling him under. Tonight, survival was enough.