It was so dark, nobody could see the pit even without a light, it felt like drowning in the ocean. Clearly, this must be what death feels like? Drowning endlessly, not knowing what there is or when they could land on, how deep he could reach. The young man who was at verge of death, reaches out to that light because he was afraid of death.
He wanted to survive even at the point where he could never return to the surfaces but everything ends at some point.
[System acknowledges a player]
Even though he was surrounded by darkness, a voice came up and started to talk to the young man's ears.
[Do you want to live?]
The voice continued to question the young man, his motives, his desires, and his end yet he couldn't give an answer. He simply wanted to rest at some point, it got him to think that maybe death isn't so bad.
[Do you desire to be strong?]
The voice that calls itself, The System asked a different question this time. It began asking if it wanted power, did he have the greed to be more strong than anyone, the young man questioned the system.
[Player refuses to answer questions, questions shall be changed]
[Do you want to survive?]
The young man opened his eyes in the endless darkness he was falling into. Instinctively as he realised his own situation, he opened his mouth and air left his lungs. The adrenaline kicked, his instinct to survive rushed through his veins and made him swim up. To the light in which is the end goal. As long as his desire to survive is there, he will win, no matter the adversaries or pain that may cause this young man.
As long as he wants to survive, he can be strong. The young man swam hard enough while his hand continued to reach for the light, for the surface.
[DO YOU WANT TO SURVIVE, PLAYER?]
"YES!!"
The bright light shines on the young man's eyes as he slowly opened them, only to see himself at a world he couldn't recognize. A forest where little bit of the sunlight can shine, he was surrounded by oak trees. He was in a world that would depict itself as a fantasy setting, he was certainly in a different world than the one he used to be in.
"Where am i?"
The young man looked at his surroundings then at himself, his hands were rough, there were signs of calluses. He could tell that his body is different, it wasn't his and that something inside him is growing.
A weird looking screen is right Infront of his face, a system panel like the ones you see in games. Alex was dumbfounded as he tried to touch the screen but his hand went through, it seems like it's only for view. Regardless it seemed to him that things are now different, the common knowledge he has is differs to the ones that is known in this unknown world.
"Well then, what's our next stop?"
Alex wondered as began scouting his surroundings, while he is most likely lost in the forest, going forward was something he decided. Then he was attacked by wolves, rather great wolves considering their size and level that is over twenty.
This is a world like game and in this world, you can level up by fighting. However, Alex isn't someone who fights or have the ability to head on and face danger. Alex was a human being born in a world where these things don't exist. So his obvious response was to shake in fear and not move, while the pack of great wolves growl and surrounds him like a predator playing with it's prey.
"Ah....Ahhh....AHGHH!!!!"
Thus Alex went with whatever he felt right, he ran as fast as he could but because these are great wolves. They managed to catch up to him, one managed to scratch his back, injuring him and bleeding him out. Alex screamed as the excruciating pain rushed through his brain.
This was the very first time he felt such intense pain, tears formed in his eyes as his throat hurt from screaming. By then, the wolves could already smell the blood and meat that came from Alex, this made them act to kill him and feast on him as intended.
[ Quest Log: Level up!
Survive and fight. Don't be the prey and be the predator, feed on the weak and trample the strong.
: Great Wolves Eliminated 0/3 ]
Upon seeing the system panel, Alex was questioning himself. Why was he reincarnated just to die again?
He was heavily injured and he was bleeding out, what can he do with this situation?
Regardless of these thoughts, one thing that always sticked inside his head and his heart. To survive, he must fight, to survive, he must win, to survive, he must be strong that no one and nothing can hurt him again. Just to survive and live again, his desires to grow strong made him lift himself and reach for a tree branch. While one of the wolves pounced at him. He managed to dodge enough and stabbed it by the neck with greater force than applied.
As he pierced the skin of the wolf, he screamed as the adrenaline rushed through his veins.
Panting, he looked at the other wolves. He quickly took a stone and rushed at them with an adrenaline rush, his screams turned to a roar, he began beating one wolf with stone in his hand. Receiving injuries while injuring them in return, he didn't care about the wounds, he wanted to survive.
After managing to kill two wolves, he leveled up while his stats increased five times. He received a skill called "Survivor's Rage". A skill that gives him strength and endurance stat buff, making him a bit stronger than his level, a berserker buff in simple words.
A dark aura engulfed Alex's body, giving him additionally strength and endurance, regardless of being tired. The wolf who tried to attack him, he took it by the neck and crushing it with his bare arms. He didn't let go no matter how much the wolf tried to shake him off.
He snapped it's neck while screaming his heart out.
Completing the quest, the temporary dark energy left his body, blood dripped from his body. His breathing turned ragged as he collapsed at the pool of wolf blood.
[ Quest Log: Level up!
Survive and fight. Don't be the prey and be the predator, feed on the weak and trample the strong.
: Great Wolves Eliminated 3/3 ]
Status: Complete!
Reward: 5+ all stats, Rare Skill ]
After that horrible fight, Alex found himself in a shelter, a home that he doesn't recognize. While laying down, he turned his head and looked around but no one could be found. His body was covered in bandages, someone treated his wounds and took him somewhere safe but he shouldn't let his guard down. He slowly sat up, wincing as he felt the pain grow. He panted while leaning on the bed frame. He looked around as he saw clearly that his house is well-kept and not abandoned.
It was a cabin of some sorts, ragged but a stable house. He got out to look for the owner of the house, only to find himself alone.
As he got out of the house, he saw himself surrounded by the ocean and while the forest he was before as just beside the house. Nobody would expect anyone to live anywhere near the forest. It felt like a good hiding spot, a dark forest and a beach at both sides. It seemed like a joke but he really is in a another world. Though his first event in such a fantasy world was to be eaten by mad dogs.
That's how he knew, that this isn't just a fantasy but also now his reality. He can get injured, he can die and he knows there aren't any second chances. It wasn't like any of the books he read during his childhood days, or the movies he watched during his hospital days.
"You're up."
A husky yet firm tone came behind him, a man who may look past thirties appeared behind him. He gave no kind or considerate impression but he was looking at Alex's condition, especially the bandages.
"So, who are you and why are you in the forest? almost dead too, did you fight those wolves?"
Of course, he did. He was about to die and be eaten when he just came to this world but he couldn't just spat that out. Rather, he could say anything at all, his throat seemed dry.
The man before him passes a water jug.
"I...I don't remember, only my name and that I only woke up at that forest surrounded by wolves"
Alex said timidly.
"Well you better rest up more. Do you have any plan?"
The man stood up and tended his garden, watering them with great care. Alex stayed silent, of course he had no plan. What exactly is he supposed to do in an unknown world? Though his first thought was to get to a city, maybe try and learn about the world and how he should live. As he explained that, the man stayed silent for a while then spoke again while looking at Alex.
"So, how exactly will you be able to leave the forest without dying?"
The man studied Alex with a sharp gaze, as though weighing his words carefully. "You don't look like much of a fighter, kid. But those wolves didn't kill you, so maybe there's something in you worth salvaging."
Alex frowned, still clutching the bandages on his side. "I... I just want to survive. That's all."
The man let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Surviving's not enough in this world. You'll need to fight, grow stronger, and make yourself useful—or you'll end up as prey again." He jabbed a thumb toward the forest. "Those wolves? Child's play compared to what's out there."
Alex gulped but held his ground. "Then... teach me."
The man raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Teach you? And what do I get in return, boy?"
For a moment, Alex faltered. He had nothing—no gold, no belongings, not even a grasp of this world's rules. But then, the system's familiar voice echoed in his mind:
[New Quest: Learn to Fight
Objective: Convince the man to train you.
Reward: Basics Combat skills, ???.]
Alex clenched his fists. He wasn't going to fail another quest. "I'll do whatever it takes. Just give me a chance."
The man smirked, then turned toward the forest. "Fine. Let's see what you're made of."
The man led Alex to the forest's edge, where the ground sloped downward into a dense thicket. He gestured toward the trees with a casual wave. "There's a small nest of goblins down there. Nasty little creatures, but weak enough that even you might stand a chance. Bring me back proof that you killed one."
Alex stared at him, incredulous. "Ogres? You want me to fight ogres? I barely survived the wolves!"
The man shrugged. "If you can't handle ogres, you'll never make it out of this forest alive. Your choice."
Before Alex could argue, the system chimed in again:
[Quest Updated: Eliminate 1 Ogre
Reward: +5 Strength, +3 Agility.]
Alex's heart pounded. He wanted to refuse, but the memory of his fight with the wolves—and the desire to survive—pushed him forward. He took a shaky step toward the trees.
"Wait." The man tossed him a crude dagger, its blade chipped and dull. "Don't lose it. Or do. Your problem, not mine."
Alex creeps into the ogre nest, the darkness swallowing him whole. The sounds of guttural laughter and scraping metal echo around him, sending shivers down his spine. Gripping the dagger tightly, he takes a deep breath and prepares to attack...
To be continued.