Ethan Cross's last memory was the cold steel of the subway track pressing against his back and the glaring light of an oncoming train. He'd slipped. Or had he jumped? He wasn't sure anymore. Life had lost its meaning long before that moment, but he hadn't thought his end would come so suddenly—or painfully.
When his eyes opened, however, there was no darkness. No hellfire or pearly gates awaited him. Instead, he found himself lying on the soft ground of an otherworldly forest. Towering trees with glowing blue leaves stretched high into a star-filled sky, their ethereal light casting a soft glow over the unfamiliar terrain.
"Where… am I?" Ethan muttered, sitting up. His voice sounded distant, as though he were hearing it from someone else's mouth. His body felt weightless, as if gravity had loosened its grip on him.
Then it happened. A chime echoed in his ears, clear and sharp, like the sound of a bell. A translucent screen appeared before him, floating in midair.
**[System Notification: Welcome, Summoned Hero. The Trials Begin Now.]**
Ethan froze, staring at the screen. The words pulsed with a faint glow, and as he blinked, they dissolved into the air, replaced by a new line of text.
**[Tutorial Initiated. Accessing Core Functions...]**
"What the hell is this?" Ethan whispered. He reached out to touch the screen, but his hand passed through it as if it weren't there. Despite his confusion, a sense of clarity settled over him, as though this bizarre interface were the most natural thing in the world.
**[System Core Unlocked: Hero Rank - Initiate.]**
**[Abilities Available: 1]**
**[Quests: Active Quest Added.]**
Another chime followed, and a small icon appeared in the corner of his vision—a glowing diamond with the word "Quest" beneath it. Tentatively, Ethan focused on it, and a new screen popped up.
**[Quest: Survive the Wilds]**
Objective: Defeat the Forest Wraith (Minor Boss).
Reward: Unlock Basic Combat Skills.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Survive? Forest Wraith? What kind of nightmare is this?"
A rustling noise broke through his thoughts. He turned, scanning the dense forest. The glowing leaves cast eerie shadows, and the underbrush seemed alive with movement. For the first time, Ethan noticed how vulnerable he felt. He was still wearing the jeans and hoodie from his old life, and his only weapon was a broken branch lying nearby.
Another chime interrupted his panic.
**[System Notification: Warning—Hostile Entity Approaching.]**
A figure emerged from the shadows. It was tall and spindly, its limbs unnaturally elongated. Its glowing yellow eyes pierced through the darkness, locking onto Ethan. The creature let out a low, guttural growl.
"Is that… the Forest Wraith?" Ethan whispered. He took a step back, gripping the branch tightly.
The creature lunged.
---
Ethan's first encounter with the Forest Wraith was nothing short of chaotic. The creature's speed and ferocity overwhelmed him, and his attempts to fight back with the branch were laughable at best. Each swing missed its mark, and the Wraith's claws left deep gashes in his hoodie.
Just as Ethan thought it was over, a new notification appeared.
**[Emergency Skill Activated: Repulsion Wave.]**
A burst of energy erupted from Ethan's body, sending the Wraith flying into a tree. The creature screeched in pain but quickly recovered, its yellow eyes burning with fury.
Ethan staggered back, breathing heavily. The burst of power had drained him, but it had also bought him a few precious seconds. He needed a plan, and fast.
"Come on, think!" he muttered, glancing at his surroundings. The Wraith was circling him now, its claws digging into the ground as it prepared for another attack.
Another notification appeared.
**[Hint: Use the environment to your advantage.]**
Ethan's gaze shifted to the glowing trees. Their branches were sturdy and covered in vines. An idea formed in his mind.
Ethan Cross's last memory was the cold steel of the subway track pressing against his back and the glaring light of an oncoming train. He'd slipped. Or had he jumped? He wasn't sure anymore. Life had lost its meaning long before that moment, but he hadn't thought his end would come so suddenly—or painfully.
When his eyes opened, however, there was no darkness. No hellfire or pearly gates awaited him. Instead, he found himself lying on the soft ground of an otherworldly forest. Towering trees with glowing blue leaves stretched high into a star-filled sky, their ethereal light casting a soft glow over the unfamiliar terrain.
"Where… am I?" Ethan muttered, sitting up. His voice sounded distant, as though he were hearing it from someone else's mouth. His body felt weightless, as if gravity had loosened its grip on him.
Then it happened. A chime echoed in his ears, clear and sharp, like the sound of a bell. A translucent screen appeared before him, floating in midair.
**[System Notification: Welcome, Summoned Hero. The Trials Begin Now.]**
Ethan froze, staring at the screen. The words pulsed with a faint glow, and as he blinked, they dissolved into the air, replaced by a new line of text.
**[Tutorial Initiated. Accessing Core Functions...]**
"What the hell is this?" Ethan whispered. He reached out to touch the screen, but his hand passed through it as if it weren't there. Despite his confusion, a sense of clarity settled over him, as though this bizarre interface were the most natural thing in the world.
**[System Core Unlocked: Hero Rank - Initiate.]**
**[Abilities Available: 1]**
**[Quests: Active Quest Added.]**
Another chime followed, and a small icon appeared in the corner of his vision—a glowing diamond with the word "Quest" beneath it. Tentatively, Ethan focused on it, and a new screen popped up.
**[Quest: Survive the Wilds]**
Objective: Defeat the Forest Wraith (Minor Boss).
Reward: Unlock Basic Combat Skills.
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Survive? Forest Wraith? What kind of nightmare is this?"
A rustling noise broke through his thoughts. He turned, scanning the dense forest. The glowing leaves cast eerie shadows, and the underbrush seemed alive with movement. For the first time, Ethan noticed how vulnerable he felt. He was still wearing the jeans and hoodie from his old life, and his only weapon was a broken branch lying nearby.
Another chime interrupted his panic.
**[System Notification: Warning—Hostile Entity Approaching.]**
A figure emerged from the shadows. It was tall and spindly, its limbs unnaturally elongated. Its glowing yellow eyes pierced through the darkness, locking onto Ethan. The creature let out a low, guttural growl.
"Is that… the Forest Wraith?" Ethan whispered. He took a step back, gripping the branch tightly.
The creature lunged.
---
Ethan's first encounter with the Forest Wraith was nothing short of chaotic. The creature's speed and ferocity overwhelmed him, and his attempts to fight back with the branch were laughable at best. Each swing missed its mark, and the Wraith's claws left deep gashes in his hoodie.
Just as Ethan thought it was over, a new notification appeared.
**[Emergency Skill Activated: Repulsion Wave.]**
A burst of energy erupted from Ethan's body, sending the Wraith flying into a tree. The creature screeched in pain but quickly recovered, its yellow eyes burning with fury.
Ethan staggered back, breathing heavily. The burst of power had drained him, but it had also bought him a few precious seconds. He needed a plan, and fast.
"Come on, think!" he muttered, glancing at his surroundings. The Wraith was circling him now, its claws digging into the ground as it prepared for another attack.
Another notification appeared.
**[Hint: Use the environment to your advantage.]**
Ethan's gaze shifted to the glowing trees. Their branches were sturdy and covered in vines. An idea formed in his mind.