The oppressive heat of the jungle pressed in on Clay as he staggered to his feet, his body still trembling from the intense encounter with the Shadow Beast. His thoughts raced, piecing together the fragments of what had happened. He was alone in a world full of danger, but he had learned quickly that he couldn't survive on his own.
Just as he began to collect himself, a rustling sound from behind him caught his attention. His first instinct was to reach for the Domination skill again, but something held him back—an unfamiliar calm that spread through his chest.
A young man appeared from the foliage, his eyes sharp and alert, his hand resting on the hilt of a sword strapped to his side. He was tall, with dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail, and his clothes were worn, with marks of battle evident in the fabric.
"Didn't expect to find someone else out here," the man said, his voice low and cautious. "You don't look like you belong in this jungle."
Clay narrowed his eyes, assessing the stranger. Is he a threat?
"I could say the same to you," Clay replied, his tone defensive. "Who are you?"
The man gave a small smile, though his gaze remained guarded. "Name's Rian. I've been wandering these lands for a while now. And you? You don't look like a local."
Clay hesitated for a moment before deciding to trust him—there were few options out here. "I'm... Clay. Just arrived."
Rian nodded, seeming to understand. "Not many people arrive here unless they've been... chosen. You're one of those, aren't you?"
Clay stiffened, the words reminding him of Faith's cryptic message. "Chosen? What do you mean?"
Rian studied him for a moment before gesturing toward the trees. "Come with me. We'll talk while we move. You'll want to stay on the move if you plan to survive."
As they walked deeper into the jungle, Rian began to explain the strange world they now found themselves in.
"This place is called Eloria," Rian said. "It's a world full of beasts, monsters, and magic. Some people come here by accident, others are brought here for a purpose. Not all of them are friendly. Some are... well, you'll find out soon enough."
Clay absorbed the information, trying to piece together how this new world worked. "And you? You're... what? A wanderer?"
Rian's eyes darkened for a moment before he answered. "I was once part of a guild—one of the largest in this region. But things changed. I left after... well, let's just say I don't get along with the higher-ups anymore."
Clay nodded, sensing the tension in Rian's words. There was more to this man's past, but now wasn't the time to ask about it.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps interrupted their conversation. Rian's hand moved to his sword, his posture alert.
"Stay behind me," he whispered to Clay.
From the thick underbrush emerged another figure—this one taller, with a broad, muscular build. His skin was dark, almost like polished stone, and his eyes were like pools of liquid silver. He wore little armor, but his body was marked with strange tattoos that glowed faintly in the dim light of the jungle.
"Rian," the man said with a deep, resonant voice. "You're still alive."
Rian didn't lower his guard, but there was a hint of respect in his eyes. "Nash. It's been a while."
The man named Nash glanced at Clay, his silver eyes narrowing slightly. "Who's this? Another stray?"
"He's... new. Came here the same way I did," Rian said.
Nash studied Clay for a moment longer before his lips twitched into what could be considered a smile. "We're all strays in this jungle. You'll need more than luck to survive here."
Clay frowned. "And what exactly is it you're offering?"
Nash's gaze softened, though there was a calculated glint in his eyes. "I can teach you how to survive. The beasts here are relentless, but there's something more dangerous lurking in the shadows. You'll need allies if you want to make it."
Over the next few days, Clay traveled with Rian and Nash, learning more about Eloria and the creatures that inhabited it. The two men were surprisingly skilled—Rian in combat and navigation, Nash in tracking and survival. They taught Clay how to use his skills more effectively, though they warned him that power alone wouldn't be enough to guarantee survival. The jungle was full of threats, some far worse than the Shadow Beast.
As they journeyed through the dense foliage, Clay began to understand that the real danger wasn't just the beasts. There were factions—guilds, groups, and individuals who fought for control of resources, territory, and power. Eloria was a place of constant conflict, and Clay had unwittingly become a part of it.
But he also began to sense something else. There were whispers of an ancient force, something even more powerful than the beasts or the guilds—a hidden power that could change the fate of the entire world.
And perhaps, just perhaps, Clay had been brought here for a reason.