The night had fallen over the forest, and the campfire was not enough to dispel the shadows that seemed to slowly draw closer. Everyone sat around the fire, except for Helen, who stood at a distance, guarding the group. The silence was heavy, broken only by the occasional sound of the soft wind and the sound of Kieran carefully sharpening his sword.
Ethan sat a little away from the heroes, avoiding their gaze. He felt like he was being watched, not just by the group, but by the forest itself.
---
Tension Among the Heroes
"I can't believe we let him travel with us," Alex said, glaring at Ethan with a mocking look. "His presence here makes us an easy target."
"Enough complaining," Liana snapped, waving her hand as sparks of magic flickered around her. "If he's useless, we'll find out soon enough. The shadows don't let anyone hide."
Ethan felt uneasy, but he tried to stay calm. "I'm just here to save my life, like everyone else."
"Like everyone else?" Alex laughed mockingly. "I doubt you're like us. We were born with abilities, but you... you look embarrassingly weak."
Kieran raised his hand, cutting off the conversation. "Enough. We don't know him yet, but he's proven capable of fighting."
---
The Mysterious Message
Before anyone could respond, the sound of the wind grew stronger. Everyone felt something strange, as if the air itself was carrying a hidden message. Liana suddenly turned, her glowing eyes widening.
"What is this feeling?" she said, raising her hand, trying to sense the energy in the air.
Ethan felt a sudden headache. The whispers carried by the wind were in a language he couldn't understand, but they felt strangely familiar. It was as if he knew these words without being able to translate them.
"There's strange magic here," Liana said, concentrating harder. "It's... a message."
"A message?" Kieran said coldly, standing up and grabbing his sword. "A message from whom?"
Liana closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly. "The message says: The stranger holds the key."
Everyone turned sharply toward Ethan, who looked just as bewildered as they did.
"The stranger?" Alex said with a sarcastic smile. "No need for guessing. I think the answer is pretty clear."
---
The Shadows Return
Before anyone could continue talking, a new shadowy creature appeared between the trees. It was different from the previous monsters: its body was larger, its red eyes burning with rage, and its limbs seemed like blades.
"Get ready!" Kieran shouted, raising his sword quickly.
The group immediately moved, each taking their position. Kieran advanced to the front to block the first attack, while Liana cast a fiery spell that struck the monster's side.
Ethan grabbed his bow but hesitated for a moment. "This is different… it's stronger."
The beast leaped toward Kieran, who managed to block the attack with difficulty, but he was forced back several steps. "This is no ordinary monster!" he yelled.
Ethan finally decided to act. He fired an arrow, but missed the target. The beast wasn't just strong; it was unnaturally fast.
"Fire again!" Helen shouted, trying to stab the beast with her spear.
Ethan gathered his focus and shot another arrow. This time, he hit the creature in the shoulder, but it wasn't enough to stop it.
"We can't keep this up!" Liana screamed, her spells barely affecting the beast.
---
The Sudden Transformation
In a moment of desperation, a message from the system appeared before Ethan:
> "You have gained a new ability: Flash of Vision (Automatically activated)."
Ethan felt something strange in his head. Suddenly, everything seemed to move in slow motion. The monster, which had been charging toward him, now seemed frozen in time.
"What is this?" he muttered as he raised his bow.
Thanks to the Flash of Vision, he was able to aim with a precision he had never known before. He shot an arrow that struck the monster directly in the eye, causing it to pause for a moment before vanishing into the air.
> +20 points
Ethan quickly glanced at the message. Not only had he survived the beast, but he had also earned a new reward.
---
The System Reveals the Secret
After the battle ended, everyone stood looking at Ethan with clear astonishment.
"What just happened?" Helen asked, staring at him.
"He... moved strangely," Alex said, his eyes narrowing. "How did you do that?"
Ethan didn't know how to answer. "I... I don't know. I felt something strange for a moment, like time slowed down."
While the others were discussing, another message appeared before Ethan's eyes:
> "System Explanation: As long as you stay within the main events of the story, you will gain abilities and points based on your role and influence. Flash of Vision is an automatic ability granted to fit the needs of the story."
Ethan read the message in silence. "So... as long as I stick to the main storyline, I'll get stronger? But does this mean the system controls me? Or do I have a choice?"
---
Investing the Points
While everyone rested after the battle, Ethan quietly opened the system. He now had 40 points. He could no longer ignore the need to develop himself.
"Alright..." he murmured to himself. "If I want to survive, I need to invest wisely."
He decided to allocate the points as follows:
20 points into Speed: To move faster, whether for escaping or maneuvering during combat.
20 points into Precision: To improve his archery skills further.
As soon as he spent the points, he felt energy flow through his body. His steps became lighter, and his eyes could now notice the tiniest details.
---
The End of the Beginning
As Ethan sat, trying to process what had happened, Kieran spoke in a calm yet firm voice: "The stranger holds the key... and perhaps we'll learn why soon enough. But until then, you'll have to prove you deserve to stay with us."
Ethan nodded, but didn't say anything. He knew that the challenges a
head would be tougher, and that this world, which he thought he understood, was hiding far more secrets than he had ever anticipated.