"To think all of my savings only amount this much.."
"Haha, you don't have to be sad Mr. Denver, you will be able to gather enough coin soon! so what do you think??" the storekeeper said, her beautiful smile intoxicating.
"I see that the Portalstone of Vothar's price are listed as none, does it mean i can pick that item without buying it??" I asked, pointing my finger to a specific item in the corner.
The storekeeper's lips curled into a knowing smile. "The price is not something you can predict. It's not something that can be measured in mere coin. The price, Mr. Denver, is your choice. And the consequences, too, will be yours to bear. You must know, Mr. Denver, once the Portalstone is activated, it will be destroyed. Its power can only be harnessed once. So choose carefully—whether you intend to travel physically, or sacrifice a part of your life force. Or perhaps... you wish to take another path?"
My gaze shifted back to the stone. Was this a test? Or was it a trap? Either way, I knew there was no turning back now. My hand trembled slightly as I am reaching toward the stone.
"I'll take it and please convert all of this money to coins, i'll send the money now" I said.
"It is done," she said softly, her voice carrying an unspoken weight. "Remember, once you activate the stone, you will be bound by its power. You may never return to the world you know. Are you sure of this choice?"
"I'm sure, I'll also get 5 pieces of [Scroll of quick understanding] and 5 [Rune of Silent Steps]" that leave me with 67,000 bronze coins or 6.7 silver coins.
"Thanks for your patronage! as a bonus for being the first earthling chosen to step in this store we will give you [Tongue of the Traveler] and bunch of essential survival stuff inside of this ring for free! We don't want our first customer to die the moment they left haha, We hope you have an amazing adventure, after all, you wont be able to come here anymore unless you find our store in that world" Said the storekeeper, solemnly.
Alright...here we go. What choice should i pick, Physical Travel, Soul Travel or Reincarnation? Me holding the stone wondering which one is the best option.
Physical travel will allow me to go there with my current body and memory, i must say that this is a very healthy body with an above average looks, something that i don't want to lose.
Soul travel will make me seize the body of an entity already living there, however, i can't really choose who to possess as i can't even choose what kind of world i will travel too, this is a very bad trade because what if i soul travel into an animal? a near-death?? or a disabled person? what if the one i seized is a powerful person that is in the middle of combat? to many risks for me to take.
Lastly, Reincarnation. This is one of the most surefire way to arrive there safely, but i can't guarantee that i will be reborn with my memories intact or reborn in a healthy body.
I guess I already know what i wanted.
Knowing I would soon leave Earth possibly forever, I didn't feel particularly emotional. Ever since I was a child, I lacked parental love. My mother had been a beautiful, small-time model who fell in love with the son of the wealthiest family. My father. But their affair had been a mistake. After she became pregnant, my father abandoned her. Depressed and struggling after my birth, she took her own life, unable to cope with a child who so closely resembled the man who had betrayed her. The only exception was my sky-blue eyes, a gift from my mother.
I had lived with my grandfather for a while, but after his passing, I was shuffled between relatives who saw me as a burden. I long ago stopped expecting anything from this world.
I tightened my grip on the stone, its runes glowing brighter as if resonating with his resolve.
"I'm ready."
It said that i need to crush the stone.
A black portal then opened in place where I stand, sucking my entire body. My vision blurred as I was pulled into the portal, the sensation akin to being submerged in rushing water. Colors swirled around me—deep blues, vibrant purples, and flickering golds—until i felt my feet touch solid ground.
I opened my eyes to a forest Towering trees stretched skyward, their leaves shimmering with an ethereal glow, as though kissed by moonlight even in the daylight. Some leaves were translucent, casting intricate patterns of light on the forest floor below. The trunks were massive, their bark twisting in shapes that looked almost alive—faces, animals, or perhaps spirits frozen in time.
The air was crisp and carried a faint, sweet fragrance, like blooming flowers mixed with the freshness of a passing rain. Giant mushrooms dotted the landscape, their caps glowing faintly in hues of blue, orange, and green. Wisps of light—tiny, glowing orbs—floated lazily through the air, casting a soft illumination over the area.
The forest was alive with sound: the distant call of a bird, a harmonious hum of insects, and the gentle rustling of unseen creatures moving through the undergrowth. A crystal-clear stream meandered through the forest, its water sparkling as if infused with liquid starlight.
"haaaah...it felt like drowning, definitely something i don't want to experience again" I said as my entire body filled with sweats.
Now where are we, its seems to be a forest, i need to find water source and possibly set up a camp.
I tapped twice into the ring given by the storekeeper, filled with essential survival item she said.
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1.Flashlight - Ordinary flashlight, can be recharged by putting it on sunlight
2.Food Capsule (x20) - Food capsule created by Outworld Survival Guild, each capsule can satisfy the body for 12 hours. Note: do not move rashly while eating.
3.Firestarter Kit - A small, waterproof container holding flint, steel, and dry tinder. Perfect for starting a fire without relying on matches or advanced tools.
4.Basic Cooking Set - A compact set of a small pot, pan, and utensils made of lightweight, durable metal. Ideal for preparing meals over a campfire.
5.Rope Bundle - A 20-meter length of sturdy, lightweight rope. Useful for climbing, setting traps, or securing objects.
6.Water Pouch - A collapsible water pouch made of tough material that can hold up to 3 liters of liquid. Easy to store and refill.
7.Multi-Purpose Tool - A foldable tool that combines a small knife, screwdriver, can opener, and mini saw. Simple but essential for various tasks.
8.Cloth Blanket - A lightweight yet warm blanket that can double as a sleeping mat or makeshift shelter.
9.Basic First Aid Kit - Contains bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tweezers, and a small vial of pain reliever. Covers minor injuries and infections.
10.Simple Fishing Kit - Includes a basic line, a few hooks, and small lures packed into a tin box. Designed for catching small fish in streams or ponds.
11.Lantern Oil (x2) - A small bottle of oil to refill the flashlight if needed or to create makeshift light sources.
12.Foldable Shovel - A small, collapsible spade for digging, clearing debris, or other basic tasks.
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Not bad, this will definitely help me survive.
I slung the ring back onto my finger after retrieving a few items, stuffing them into my pocket for easier access. The gentle murmur of the stream nearby caught my attention, and I decided it would be the perfect place to begin.
"I need water first," I muttered, hoisting the water pouch from my supplies. "Then maybe I can set up a temporary camp near the stream."
As I walked, the forest seemed to stretch endlessly, the trees towering over me. this is definitely not earth since most of the trees here are extremely big, far bigger than the trees on amazon forest. The ground was soft, covered in moss that muffled my footsteps. I marveled at the glowing wisps flitting lazily through the air, but my instincts told me to stay alert. This place, beautiful as it was, didn't feel entirely safe.
The sound of the stream grew louder, a comforting sign that I was heading in the right direction. However, an uneasy feeling began to settle over me. The forest, though alive with subtle sounds, seemed to grow quieter with every step he took.
Was it just my imagination?
Pausing briefly to glance behind me. Nothing. Only the shadows of the trees danced in the soft light. I shake my head and continuing forward, but the prickling sensation on the back of my neck remained.
Unbeknownst to me, a pair of glowing yellow eyes observed my every move from the shadows. Then another. And another. A pack of wolves, their sleek forms blending seamlessly with the dim forest, padded silently after me. Their movements were synchronized, a deadly grace honed by instinct and years of survival. The largest among them, a silver-furred alpha with a scar slashing across its eye, sniffed the air, its gaze locked onto me.
I crouched by the stream, filling my water pouch with the sparkling liquid. I took a cautious sip, relishing the cool, crisp taste. The unease in my chest hadn't subsided, and I instinctively reached for the multi-purpose tool clipped to my belt.
"I feel unease...something is wrong." I muttered under my breath, my eyes scanning the surrounding forest.
A twig snapped behind me.
I froze. my heart thudded loudly as my eyes darted toward the sound. Slowly, I stood up, gripping the multi-purpose tool tightly. The silence was deafening now, the forest seemingly holding its breath.
A low growl echoed through the trees, followed by another. My breath hitched as I turned around. Emerging from the shadows were the wolves—six of them. Their sleek forms circled me, their movements predatory and deliberate. The silver-furred alpha stepped forward, baring its sharp teeth, a low, menacing growl rumbling from its throat.
My pulse quickened. I backed toward the stream, my mind racing. "DAMN IT, this soon? weapon, weapon, i need a weapon!!!" rummaging through my ring, I found that I only have the knife from the multi-purpose tool, and its small, pitifully small compared to the size of these wolves.
DAMN IT, I AM NOT DYING HERE!
My breath hitched as I got a better look at the wolves. These weren't ordinary animals. Each one was massive, easily the size of a grown man. Their hulking forms moved with an unsettling grace, muscles rippling under fur that shimmered faintly in the dim forest light. The alpha stood taller than the rest, its head reaching my head even on all fours. Its paws were as large as dinner plates, each step leaving deep impressions in the soft forest floor.
Their fangs glinted like polished dagger, built for tearing through flesh. Claws as sharp as blades clicked softly against the ground as they circled, their glowing amber eyes fixated on me with unnerving intelligence. These weren't just predators—they were hunters of the highest order, perfectly adapted to bring down prey much larger and more dangerous than himself.
The alpha's growl deepened, its broad shoulders shifting as it crouched, ready to pounce. The sheer size of it made My makeshift knife feel like a toothpick in my trembling hand. I swallowed hard, realizing I wasn't up against ordinary wolves but something far more terrifying—creatures of a world that didn't play by the rules he knew.
My mind raced. My trembling hand clutched the knife, its pitiful size doing little to inspire confidence. I glanced around frantically, searching for anything that could tip the scales in my favor. My gaze landed on the firestarter kit in my ring.
"Fire! Wolves fear fire!" I muttered through gritted teeth. Without hesitation, I tapped the ring and pulled the kit out, my fingers fumbling as I struck the flint against the steel. Sparks flew, and I quickly gathered nearby dried leaves and twigs, blowing softly to coax a flame to life.
The wolves hesitated, their predatory circling slowing as the flickering light grew. I fed the small flame, fanning it until it crackled and danced, casting long shadows across the forest. The silver-furred alpha snarled, its ears flattening against its skull as it stopped in its tracks.
I allowed myself a moment of hope. The fire worked—or so it seemed.
But my victory was short-lived. A flash of movement from my blind spot sent my heart plummeting. Before I could react, a weight slammed into my back, knocking me to the ground. A searing pain tore through my left side as sharp teeth sank into my flesh.
I screamed, my voice raw and desperate, as the wolf dragged me a few inches before releasing its grip. Blood poured from the wound, staining my shirt and pooling on the ground. I twisted frantically, kicking out with all my strength, catching the wolf in the chest and forcing it to retreat momentarily.
The other wolves didn't hesitate. They advanced, emboldened by their packmate's success. I swung the knife wildly, managing to nick one of the wolves on its snout. It yelped and fell back, but the others closed in, their glowing eyes filled with a cold, predatory hunger.
My vision blurred as the blood loss sapped my strength. Every movement sent fresh waves of agony through my side. I clutched at the wound with one hand, trying in vain to stem the bleeding while swinging the knife with the other.
"This can't… be it," I gasped, my voice barely audible over the growls and snarls surrounding me. My mind screamed at me to survive, but my body was failing me.
The wolves lunged again, and My world tilted as I was overwhelmed. Teeth and claws tore at me mercilessly. The pain was unbearable, but worse was the realization dawning in my mind: I am dying.
Very well, since you all want my life, then lets die together!!
I tapped my ring and took the lantern oil, with my remaining strength, i throw it to the fire in-front of me, creating a small scale explosion, i managed to harm 4 of them but its not enough.
I guess im really dying, tough bastards.
Female Voice: "Lir'thal, hara en'tir vharin!" (Translation: "Uncle, there is someone there!")
Masculine Voice: "Thari en'laes, sil'aen tolë!" (Translation: "Talk less, shoot more.")
Female Voice: "Ahm... elaë tolë!" (Translation: "Uhm... okay!")
A burst of radiant energy illuminated the clearing, scattering the wolves. My consciousness slipped away, the last thing I saw was the silhouette of bright arrows.