TIME: ???
LOCATION: ???
The wild is a place of unrelenting danger, where safety is a luxury that doesn't exist. To call it merely "dangerous" would be an understatement it's cruel, harsh, and unforgiving. Beasts lurk in the shadows, ready to pounce at any moment. Insects hide in every crevice, and even the plants can kill you with a single brush. For fragile humans, survival is only possible when they band together, sharing knowledge and wisdom to build something greater, 'civilization.' A strong fence, a sanctuary forged from their collective struggle.
Within the walls of civilization, humans find relative safety. But with safety comes a new kind of conflict, not with wild animals, but with each other. Differences in culture and language spark accusations of savagery, often escalating into violence. Yet, despite these clashes, civilization remains a refuge, far safer than the untamed wilds. But has this safety made us complacent? Has it dulled our instincts, leaving us vulnerable in ways we never anticipated?
Ironically, within the bounds of civilization, there are those who are worse than beasts. After surviving the wild and returning to the so-called safety of society, I've encountered people who commit acts so vile, so inhuman, that they defy comprehension. What do you call such individuals? Human trash? Waste? Monsters? Whatever the label, I have my own term for them:
"You. You're not even a beast."
For those who lack even the decency of a wild animal, there's only one response:
Pain, in this context, is a kind of medicine. I know this because I've lived it. Being socially disadvantaged doesn't bother me. Without connections, background, or relationships, I bear the weight of my actions alone. After all, I am a 'wild man,' someone who entered the fence of civilization after surviving the untamed wilderness.
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PRESENT
In novels, whether they're about transmigartion or reincarnation, there's an unwritten rule: the story begins in civilization. It doesn't matter if it's a rural village or a bustling city. The protagonist is born among people, interacts with them, and grows to become a member of society.
Which is why the scene before my eyes is so jarring.
"What the f*ck."
It's the only phrase that captures my current state of mind. I have no idea how I ended up here. Just yesterday, everything was normal. I came home from my part-time job, checked in with my parents, played a game, and went to sleep. But when I opened my eyes, I was greeted by an endless expanse of green.
Trees everywhere. Trees to my left, trees to my right. Trees draped in vines, trees cloaked in moss. This isn't where I'm supposed to be. If I had to be dropped somewhere, why not a city? Why a forest?
I pinched my cheek, hoping this was just a dream, but the sharp pain confirmed it was all too real.
"What is this?"
And then there's the hologram. A translucent status window, like something out of a game, floated before my eyes:
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[???]
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Health: 10
Mana: 10
Luck: 10
Faith: 10
[Possessed Attributes]
None
[Possessed Skills]
None
[Possessed Abilities]
None
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It was a pitifully simple status window. I stared at it for a while, trying to make sense of it. But there was nothing to decipher, just a bare-bones display of mediocrity.
"What about my clothes?"
I hadn't even noticed until now, but I was barely dressed. A single piece of cloth covered the essentials, leaving the rest exposed. This wasn't some Tarzan-inspired fashion statement. If this were a colder climate, I'd have frozen to death already.
'But was my skin always this white?'
As I glanced down, I noticed how pale my skin was unnaturally so, like it had been dusted with powder. It was unsettling, but I had bigger problems to worry about.
'Wait… this feels familiar.'
I'd played a game before bed one known for its extreme freedom in character development. You could raise stats, learn skills, and even choose a profession. There was a mechanic called 'birth,' where you'd select a starting class and build from there. I'd created a character just before falling asleep. Could this be that character?
But there was a glaring issue. In the game, you'd always start at an academy, no matter your class. You'd never be dumped in the middle of the nowhere like this.
"f*ck."
The more I thought about it, the worse it got. The forest's humidity clung to my skin as I trudged forward. I needed to find a way out or at least figure out where I was. If I ran into a wild animal, I'd be done for.
"ROOOOOARRRRR…"
"…"
'f*ck. Speak of the devil.'
Before I could take more than a few steps, a fierce sound echoed through the trees. I turned slowly, my neck creaking like an unoiled hinge.
"GRRRR…"
"A… squirrel?"
The creature before me was unmistakably a squirrel. It was small, even cute, like a yawning kitten. But that thought vanished the moment it lunged at me.
"BOOM!"
The squirrel's tiny body collided with my stomach like a freight train.
"AHHH?!"
The impact sent me flying, my body crashing into a tree before crumpling to the ground. Pain exploded through me, and my vision began to blur.
Just before I blacked out, I realized what that squirrel was. This wasn't just any forest it was a high-level zone, a place where even the smallest creatures could kill you. And I'd been dropped right in the middle of it.
'f*ck…'
As darkness took me, I prayed that when I woke up, I'd be back in my room.
"Ugh…"
No such luck. I woke up to the same forest, my body aching like I'd been hit by a truck. And to make matters worse:
"This sh*t… for real."
That damn squirrel had left poop on my face and peed on my body a mocking sign of its victory. In gaming terms, it was the ultimate tea bag. At least it hadn't killed me. This particular monster was known for playing with its victims giving them a second chance. Survive, and you live. Die, and… well, you're done.
[Survived the fatal blow! Your stamina will increase!]
"f*ck. Thanks a lot."
I laughed bitterly, though the pain made it hard to even smile.
"Ouch."
This was going to be a long, painful journey.