Kai woke to the sound of creaking wood, a symphony of decay and despair. The air was damp and cold, laced with the sharp scent of mildew. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light that filtered through jagged cracks in the cabin walls. Shadows danced on the decrepit surfaces, their shapes shifting with every groan of the unstable structure.
The room was small, barely furnished, with walls that seemed on the verge of collapse. A single window, its glass smeared and cracked, offered a view of the world outside—a thick, swirling fog that pressed against the cabin like a living thing. It wasn't natural fog; it moved with an unsettling rhythm, as if it had purpose.
Kai's breath caught in his throat. A primal instinct stirred within him, screaming danger. He tore his gaze from the window, feeling an inexplicable certainty that stepping into the fog would mean his end.
He sat up on the rickety bed, its wooden frame groaning under his weight. His head throbbed, and his thoughts were scattered, like fragments of a shattered mirror. Flashes of memory flickered—mundane routines, a quiet life—but none offered an explanation for why he was here.
"Where am I?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
His eyes landed on a small table near the opposite wall. On it sat two objects: a lantern filled with a dark crimson liquid and a rolled-up leather scroll. The items seemed deliberately placed, their presence unnerving in the otherwise desolate room.
Kai hesitated before reaching for the lantern. As his fingers brushed its cold surface, a sudden burst of text appeared in his mind, clear and vivid:
[This is a blood lantern. It burns with a crimson flame, fueled by the blood of the user. Duration: One hour per drop of blood.]
Startled, Kai jerked his hand back. The text disappeared, leaving his mind echoing with its ominous message.
"What the hell?" he muttered, staring at the lantern as if it might come alive. Slowly, the realization dawned that this wasn't a hallucination—it was a system, something embedded in his very consciousness.
He glanced at the scroll, half expecting another cryptic message to appear. As if on cue, glowing text surfaced in his mind:
[A leather scroll containing vital information. Open it to understand your predicament.]
Suppressing his unease, Kai grabbed the scroll and unrolled it. The leather crackled as luminous words floated from the surface, illuminating the dim room.
...
[Welcome to the Global Survival Initiative.]
[Your world has ended. This is your second chance.]
[To survive, follow these rules:]
1. The cabin is a temporary sanctuary. Do not rely on it for long.
2. The Fog is lethal. Preparation is essential before venturing outside.
3. The blood lantern repels the Fog. Use it sparingly.
4. Allies acquired through the system are loyal. Trust them.
5. Beware of the night.
6. In the Fog, there are hunters and the hunted. Choose wisely.
7. Respect the Fog. It is neither friend nor foe.
8. Your life is singular. Death is permanent.
...
Kai's grip on the scroll tightened. The glowing text burned itself into his memory, leaving a heavy weight in his chest.
"Permanent death," he murmured, the words chilling in their finality.
As the text faded, three glowing tabs appeared in his mind:
[Chat Channel]
[Task List]
[Recruit Personnel]
Curious, Kai focused on the first option. The [Chat Channel] expanded, revealing three sub-channels: [World Channel], [Regional Channel], and [Private Channel]. Choosing the [World Channel], he was immediately bombarded by frantic messages:
...
"Does anyone know what's going on?"
"Don't leave the cabin! The Fog is alive!"
"My lantern won't light. Am I doing something wrong?"
"HELP! Something's outside my door!"
"Is this a game? Some kind of sick experiment?"
...
The chaotic flood of messages painted a grim picture: he wasn't alone, but no one seemed to know more than he did. Most were struggling with the same questions—and fears.
Kai's gaze shifted to his own lantern. The text from earlier replayed in his mind: One drop of blood. He clenched his fist, considering the implications.
"Looks like I've got something they don't," he muttered. The ability to see detailed information about objects gave him a slight edge, but in a place like this, he knew even the smallest advantage came with a cost.
He closed the chat and opened the [Task List] tab. A new screen unfurled in his mind, displaying a list of objectives:
...
[Starter Task: Illuminate the Unknown]
Light the blood lantern.
Duration: One hour.
Reward: Basic Fog Map.
...
[Secondary Task: First Steps]
Open the cabin door and step outside.
Reward: Starter Kit (Weapon and Provisions).
...
The tasks were straightforward, but their implications weren't. Lighting the lantern was simple enough—assuming he could stomach the price—but stepping into the Fog felt like inviting death. Still, the rewards were tempting, and inaction wasn't an option.
Kai glanced at the crimson liquid within the lantern, then at his hand. His pulse quickened as he realized he'd need to bleed for his survival.
He exhaled sharply, shaking off the rising fear.
"Let's start with the lantern," he said, reaching for a small shard of broken glass on the floor. As he pricked his finger, a single drop of blood beaded at the tip.
Kai let it fall into the lantern's reservoir. The moment the blood touched the liquid, the lantern ignited with a soft crimson glow, casting flickering shadows across the room.
A chime echoed in his mind, followed by a new notification:
[Starter Task Complete: Illuminate the Unknown]
Reward Unlocked: Basic Fog Map
A translucent map materialized before him, displaying the surrounding area in faint, incomplete detail. Most of it was obscured by swirling gray, but a few marked points stood out—potential landmarks.
Kai's lips tightened into a grim line.
The world outside was vast, dangerous, and unknown. But he'd taken his first step.
"Whatever this place is," he muttered, staring at the glowing lantern, "I'm not going to die here."