The forest was unnervingly quiet, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves stirred by a hidden breeze.
It was a tropical rainforest, thick with the smell of wet earth and plants, and the air held a lingering coolness from a recent rainstorm.
Towering trees loomed around a solitary figure, their massive trunks so wide it would take several people to wrap their arms around one.
High above, their branches formed a dense green canopy, letting only slivers of moonlight filter through.
Vines hung from the branches like curtains, with strange blood-red flowers.
The petals, marked with black spots that looked like watchful eyes, gave the forest an eerie vibe, a silent warning that this place was far from ordinary.
A shadow darted between the trees, its movements quick.
Nearby, a grotesque, mutated frog sat on a mossy patch. Its distorted body shimmered faintly in the dim light, its slimy skin reflecting shades of green and purple.
Toxic secretions glistened on its surface, and three bulging eyes scanned its surroundings with sharp, unsettling awareness.
But it didn't notice the danger in time.
The shadow closed in with deadly swiftness.
Swoosh!
A blade flashed briefly before plunging into the frog's leathery skin.
The creature twitched once, releasing a soft gurgle, then went limp.
A figure stepped into the light, his breathing calm despite the effort of the hunt.
His body suit, sleek and glowing faintly with energy, fit snugly against his body. His head was uncovered, revealing messy black hair and a young face.
"Finally," he muttered, a mix of relief and frustration in his voice. "Took me all day to find one."
He knelt beside the frog, holding his palm over its still body.
A faint light pulsed from a device strapped to his wrist, casting a pale glow on his face.
[Mutated Poisonous Frog killed! Gained 1 Ether Points.]
The notification floated in his peripheral vision, displayed by the translucent device attached to his left wrist. A faint smirk crossed his lips.
[Name: Nex]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 21]
[Current Wilderness: Mutated Forest]
[Awakened Talent: None]
[Current Points: 1]
[Ether Energy Reserve: 300 PT]
[Body Condition: Fatigued]
"At least it's something," he said, though his weary tone suggested otherwise.
He reached for the frog, flipping it over with a grimace as the slimy skin clung to his gloves.
With a swift motion, he plunged his blade into its skull. The wet sound of flesh tearing made him wince.
He pried the head apart, revealing a faintly glowing crystal hidden inside.
"There you are," he said softly, his voice tinged with satisfaction.
Carefully, he pulled the crystal free.
Its faint glow pulsed rhythmically, like a tiny heartbeat.
Without a second thought, he brought it to his lips and swallowed it whole.
Warmth coursed through him, spreading to every inch of his body, easing his stiff muscles and chasing away his exhaustion.
A sigh of relief escaped him as he ran a hand through his damp, messy hair.
[Energy level increased!]
[Fatigue level decreased!]
[Warning! Avoid ingesting Ether Crystals directly. Excessive consumption may cause internal blockages.]
He smirked at the warning flashing on his wrist device. "Blockages? Just say it'll hurt when I need to take a dump."
Though his body felt better, irritation simmered beneath the surface.
"Hunting alone is such a pain," he grumbled, pushing himself to his feet. "I wasted the entire day just to take down one stupid frog. All because those jerks wouldn't let me join their party. 'Too weak,' they said." He kicked a stray pebble, watching it bounce across the mossy ground.
His gaze drifted to the dense shadows between the trees, his thoughts wandering.
"If I could awaken a talent…" His voice carried a wistful note. "I wouldn't need anyone's help. I'd have teams begging me to join them. I'd be out there, drinking fine wine and walking around in a luxury body suit."
His eyes dropped to his current bodysuit, and he let out a frustrated sigh.
"It's not bad, but I need something better," he muttered. "Those high-end suits cost a fortune."
Bodysuits were essential gear for anyone venturing into the wilderness, practically a second life.
They enhanced physical abilities like speed and strength, offered protection against sudden attacks, and shielded wearers from foreign substances. Designed specifically for exploration, the suits were as vital as weapons.
One reason these suits were so expensive and so crucial was the attachments they came with. Nex's suit had two primary features, both essential for survival.
The first was the wrist-mounted device, known as a MOD. Acting as a personal AI, it monitored the user's physical condition, providing real-time updates and alerts.
For someone like Nex, a novice in the wilderness, its vast database of knowledge was a lifeline. It could identify dangers, offer survival tips, and help navigate through hostile terrain.
The second vital attachment was the spatial pocket.
As the name suggested, it was a small storage space created using Ether materials, accessible directly from the suit. Carrying bags or backpacks in the wilderness was cumbersome and dangerous, making this attachment invaluable.
Everything he needed, supplies, tools, or loot, was stored safely in a weightless, hidden space.
These features, however, came at a steep cost. High-end bodysuits with enhanced MODs and larger spatial pockets were crafted from premium Ether materials, making them prohibitively expensive.
Nex's suit was a budget model, which barely covered the basics, and even then, it had wiped out most of his savings.
Reality pressed back in with a sigh, weighing heavy on his shoulders
"As long as I make it to the end, I'll still get something." But a small doubt crept into his mind.
People stronger and smarter than him had died in this strange, unforgiving land. How could a novice like him expect to survive, let alone succeed?
He shook his head, frustration tightening his jaw.
Slapping his cheeks sharply, he forced his focus back. The sting cleared his thoughts. "I can do this."