Chapter 2: The First Test
Adam stared at the glowing words floating before him.
His hands clenched into fists as the reality of his situation hit him. The serene field he'd landed in suddenly felt far less welcoming.
"Survive? Survive what exactly?" Adam muttered, his voice tinged with frustration and fear.
"Oh, that's just great," he snapped, pacing in a circle. "First, you kidnap me, and now you leave me hanging. What am I even supposed to—"
A low growl interrupted his rant. Adam froze, turning toward the sound. Emerging from the tall, shimmering grass was a creature that looked like a twisted mix of a wolf and a reptile. Its eyes glowed an eerie yellow, and its scaled body glistened under the violet sky.
"Of course. Because why wouldn't there be a monster?" Adam muttered, stepping back.
The beast crouched, its tail lashing behind it. Adam knew what was coming next.
"Yeah, no kidding!"
Adam turned and bolted, his shoes pounding against the ground. The growls grew louder as the creature gave chase.
Adam's breath came in ragged gasps. "Stop narrating my doom and do something useful!"
"Dimensional Pull? What's that supposed to—"
Before he could finish, a glowing icon appeared in his vision, flashing insistently. Acting on instinct, Adam reached toward it. A sudden force yanked at him, and he stumbled forward as a second portal materialized ahead.
"Not again!"
With no time to think, Adam dove headfirst into the swirling energy. The beast's claws swiped through empty air as the portal closed behind him.
Adam landed hard, the breath knocked out of him. Groaning, he pushed himself up, expecting to find another alien landscape. Instead, he was back in his room, surrounded by the familiar mess of papers and books.
The words flashed larger and brighter than before.
Adam slumped against his desk, his heart still racing.
"Great. I survived. Barely," he muttered. "But what the hell was that all about?"
The system remained silent.
For the first time, Adam truly understood what he'd gotten himself into. This wasn't a game—it was life or death.