Chapter 2: Into the Unknown
The ground beneath the city rumbled as an earthquake shook the very foundation of Blue Sky. People scrambled for cover, unsure of what was happening. But the tremors were not the end. In the distance, beyond the towering buildings, something even stranger was unfolding.
Out of nowhere, a vast, thick forest appeared. It seemed to stretch endlessly beyond the horizon, so wide that even from the tallest building in the city, its edge could not be seen. The air was filled with tension as the citizens tried to make sense of this unnatural phenomenon.
Then, a new notification arrived:
[System Update: The Blue Sky has expanded. Its size is now 10 times greater than before.]
The people stared at the message in disbelief. The city they had once known had grown exponentially. But there was more. The notification continued:
[System Update: A new forest has appeared. Monsters inhabit this forest. The deeper you go, the stronger the monsters.]
The city, once a place of calm, was now on high alert. The government quickly followed with another announcement, urging the citizens to remain inside and avoid the mysterious forest.
[System Update: All citizens are instructed to remain indoors. The danger is unknown. Do not venture outside.]
As the city fell into chaos, soldiers quickly began assembling near the forest's edge. Their mission was clear: they would enter and investigate. But no one was prepared for what awaited them.
Hours passed, and a new update arrived:
[System Update: Soldiers have entered the forest. Some have defeated monsters and leveled up. The world now knows of these soldiers' achievements.]
The soldiers had faced combat with the monsters, some returning victorious, others barely alive. But the majority... didn't make it. The battlefield had claimed far too many.
[System Update: Only three soldiers survived the battle. The rest have fallen at the hands of monsters.]
Among the survivors, only one soldier stood tall—his body bruised and battered, but he had leveled up. The other two were on the verge of leveling, but their condition made it clear they had come close to death.
The survivors were taken to the city, where they spoke little of what they'd encountered. The government quickly issued a decree:
[System Update: The government has now given citizens the opportunity to enter the forest and fight the monsters. Those who succeed may level up and gain talents.]
Alex, like everyone else, received the message. His mind raced. The Observer's influence had to be at work here. The government's actions felt too orchestrated, too planned. But despite the underlying mystery, the opportunity to gain strength was undeniable.
Alex pondered for a long moment. Would he venture out, risk his life, and fight? Or would he wait for someone else to take the first step? What if he became a scapegoat in this world of unknowns?
Finally, Alex made his decision.
"I'll go," he whispered to himself. "I'll find my way through this."
He grabbed his belongings, checked his skills, and headed toward the forest's edge. The monsters were unknown, but he was no longer the same person who had arrived in this world. He was someone who would fight for his survival.
As Alex entered the forest, he quickly encountered the first monsters—slimes, weak and slow-moving. He fought them without hesitation, using his newfound strength to dispatch them easily. But as he ventured deeper, he knew the real challenges awaited.
The deeper he went, the more dangerous it became. Alex's instincts led him to a clearing, and as he stepped into it, he saw it—a camp teeming with goblins.
The goblins saw him too. They sneered and laughed, sensing an easy target. They saw him as nothing more than prey, a weak human who would flee in fear. But to Alex, they were not prey. They were a stepping stone, a chance to grow stronger.
Without hesitation, Alex charged into battle.
The goblins were swift, but Alex's strength, his newfound abilities, and the burning desire to survive propelled him forward. It was a battle that stretched on for hours, his body exhausted, his mind focused only on victory. The goblins kept coming, relentless, but Alex was equally determined.
After three long hours of fighting, Alex finally stood victorious. The goblins lay defeated at his feet. His body ached, but he had triumphed.
Just as the weight of the battle settled on him, a new notification appeared:
[Plunder Ability Update: You have acquired the skill "Strike Hit."]
Alex's heart raced as he felt the surge of power from his new skill. This was only the beginning.