Darkness enveloped Eryndis Veyra as he gasped for air, his hands trembling, his mind clouded by confusion. Moments ago, he had been walking home after another mundane day, the rain soaking his coat. Now, he was weightless, his senses adrift in an unfamiliar void.

A voice echoed from the emptiness, smooth and calculated, yet carrying an edge of malice:

"Welcome to your final trial, Eryndis Veyra. Prove yourself, or perish as nothing."

Eryndis tried to respond, but his voice caught in his throat. Before he could process what was happening, light pierced through the void, and he found himself lying on a cold, damp forest floor. The chirping of unseen creatures filled the air, mingling with the rustling of leaves in the wind.

“What the…?” he muttered, sitting up and rubbing his aching head.

A translucent screen materialized before his eyes, faintly glowing. Words and symbols unfamiliar yet oddly intuitive filled the display:

[SYSTEM INITIALIZED]

Welcome, Player.

Quest 1: Survive for 24 Hours.

Reward: Basic Equipment Pack

“What is this? A… game?” Eryndis frowned. His hands instinctively reached out, and as if responding to his intent, the interface shifted, showing his current status:

Name: Eryndis Veyra

Level: 1

Health: 100/100

Mana: 50/50

Skills: [None]

Inventory: [Empty]

Eryndis exhaled sharply. He wasn’t a gamer, but the layout was reminiscent of RPGs he’d seen his friends play. Yet, the damp forest air and the sharp pain in his side felt too real to be a game.

Before he could contemplate further, a low growl broke through the ambience. Eryndis froze, his heart pounding. From the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes emerged, followed by a lean, predatory figure.

“A wolf?” he whispered, his voice shaking.

The creature bared its teeth, saliva dripping as it prepared to pounce. Instinct took over. Eryndis scrambled to his feet, backing away. He searched the ground desperately for a weapon, a rock, anything.

[Combat Engaged]

The notification only added to his panic. The wolf lunged, and Eryndis barely dodged, the beast’s claws grazing his arm. Pain flared, and he stumbled.

“This can’t be happening!” he shouted, adrenaline fueling his movements. He grabbed a broken branch nearby, gripping it tightly.

The wolf snarled and charged again. This time, Eryndis swung with all his might. The branch struck the wolf’s side, eliciting a yelp. But it wasn’t enough. The wolf recovered quickly, circling him with predatory intent.

Health: 85/100

The system’s notification only added to his dread. Was this some twisted reality? If he died here, would he die for real?

Summoning courage, Eryndis adjusted his grip on the branch. “If this is a game, then I have to play to win,” he muttered.

The wolf leapt again, and Eryndis sidestepped, driving the branch into its exposed flank. The creature howled in pain, collapsing to the ground. Eryndis didn’t hesitate. He struck again and again until the wolf stopped moving.

[Enemy Defeated: Forest Wolf]

Reward: +10 XP

Level Up!

Breathing heavily, Eryndis dropped the bloodied branch. The sight of the lifeless wolf sickened him, but relief flooded his body.

[Inventory Unlocked]

Acquired: Wolf Pelt x1, Sharp Fang x2

The system screen expanded, showcasing his newfound items. Eryndis stared at it, a mix of awe and disbelief washing over him. Was this a blessing or a curse?

He sat down against a tree, exhaustion setting in. The interface showed that his health had recovered slightly, but his body still ached.

“Twenty-four hours,” he whispered. “That’s all I need to survive. Then I’ll figure out what the hell is going on.”

As the forest grew darker, the sounds of distant howls filled the air. Eryndis gripped the branch tighter, his resolve hardening. If this was a trial, he would endure it.

The night was a constant battle for survival. Eryndis crouched beneath the gnarled roots of a massive tree, his makeshift weapon—a bloodied branch—resting beside him. The distant howls of wolves and occasional rustling of leaves kept his senses sharp. Sleep was not an option; the system’s countdown was relentless, ticking down the 24 hours he needed to survive.

He glanced at the holographic interface floating before him.

Time Remaining: 18:42:15

Every second felt like an eternity. His stomach growled, and his throat was dry. He hadn’t found water or food since arriving, and the constant adrenaline rush was taking its toll.

Quest Update:

Objective: Collect sustenance to replenish stamina.

The words appeared suddenly, glowing faintly. Eryndis frowned. It was as if the system could sense his every need. “Convenient,” he muttered sarcastically, though part of him felt a pang of gratitude.

Pushing himself up, he scanned his surroundings. The forest was dense, its canopy blocking most of the moonlight. The air was damp, and the earthy scent of moss filled his nostrils.

He wandered cautiously, his ears straining for any sign of danger. Eventually, he stumbled upon a small clearing. A bush laden with bright red berries stood in the center, illuminated by a shaft of moonlight.

[Observation Mode Activated]

The system highlighted the berries in a faint golden glow.

Crimson Root Berries:

- Edible

- Restores 10 Stamina

- Caution: Overconsumption may cause mild dizziness.

Eryndis knelt beside the bush, plucking a handful of berries. He popped one into his mouth, the tart flavor making him wince, but the sensation of energy returning to his body was immediate.

Stamina Restored: +10

A smile of relief crossed his face. He gathered more berries, carefully storing them in the Inventory the system had unlocked.

Suddenly, the sound of snapping branches broke the tranquil moment. Eryndis froze, his eyes darting to the edge of the clearing. A shadow emerged from the darkness, hulking and menacing.

It wasn’t a wolf this time. The creature was larger, its body covered in matted fur. Its eyes glowed red, and its claws gleamed in the dim light.

[New Enemy Detected: Forest Bear]

Level: 5

Health: 300/300

Eryndis’ heart sank. He was only Level 2, and his health was still recovering from the wolf fight. “This can’t be good,” he muttered, gripping his branch tightly.

The bear roared, shaking the air around him. It charged, its massive frame barreling toward him like a freight train. Eryndis dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast’s swipe.

[Combat Engaged]

The notification felt almost mocking as Eryndis scrambled to his feet. He circled the clearing, keeping the bear in his line of sight. “Think, think!” he muttered, his mind racing. The branch wouldn’t be enough this time.

The system interface appeared, offering a list of basic combat skills he could unlock.

Available Skills:

Quick Strike (5 MP): A fast attack that deals minor damage.

Evasion Boost (10 MP): Increases agility for 10 seconds.

He selected Evasion Boost, feeling a surge of energy course through his body. The bear lunged again, but this time, Eryndis dodged with ease, his movements unnaturally fluid.

“Okay, that’s useful,” he said, a hint of confidence returning.

The fight continued in a brutal dance. Eryndis used his agility to stay one step ahead of the bear, landing small strikes whenever he could. The beast roared in frustration, its health slowly dwindling.

Enemy Health: 200/300

But the strain was beginning to show. Eryndis’ stamina was draining fast, and the branch was splintering with each blow. One misstep was all it took—the bear’s paw caught him in the side, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Health: 50/100

Pain radiated through his body as he struggled to get up. The bear loomed over him, its jaws opening wide for the killing blow. Desperation took over, and Eryndis scanned the ground for anything useful. His eyes fell on a jagged stone near his hand.

Grabbing it, he waited for the bear to lunge. At the last second, he rolled to the side and drove the stone into the creature’s neck. The bear let out a deafening roar, thrashing wildly as blood poured from the wound.

Critical Hit!

Enemy Health: 50/300

Eryndis didn’t let up. Summoning every ounce of strength, he struck again and again until the bear finally collapsed with a heavy thud.

[Enemy Defeated: Forest Bear]

Reward: +50 XP

Level Up!

The interface flashed with notifications, but Eryndis barely noticed. He collapsed beside the bear, his chest heaving as exhaustion took over.

“This is insane,” he whispered. “I’m not a warrior. I’m just… me.”

But the system didn’t care about his doubts. It simply displayed the next update:

Quest Progress: 12:30:45 Remaining

Halfway there.

Eryndis forced himself to his feet. The bear had dropped items: a Bear Claw and Thick Hide. He added them to his inventory, knowing they might prove useful later.

The forest seemed quieter now, as if acknowledging his victory. Eryndis made his way back to the tree roots where he had taken shelter earlier.

Sitting down, he leaned against the trunk, clutching the bear’s hide for warmth. His body ached, and his mind was racing, but for the first time, he felt a flicker of hope.

If he could survive this, maybe—just maybe—he could figure out what was really happening.

The sun barely pierced through the canopy, casting long shadows that made the forest seem alive with whispers and secrets. Eryndis woke early, his body sore from the previous day’s battles, but the relentless ticking of the timer kept him moving. Time was running out.

Time Remaining: 16:15:43

His body was still adjusting to the strange new world. Despite his victories over the forest wolf and the bear, every step felt like a new test. He needed food, shelter, and information. Above all, he needed to understand the system that had trapped him in this nightmare.

Gripping the branch that had now become his most trusted weapon, he surveyed the forest. The quiet was eerie, as if nature itself was holding its breath. It was only when he noticed a faint rustling ahead that his senses snapped to attention.

[Enemy Detected: Forest Fang Pack]

The notification appeared just as a pack of creatures emerged from the underbrush. They were sleek, with sharp, elongated fangs, and their glowing eyes locked onto him with predatory focus. Their movements were calculated, synchronized, like a well-coordinated unit.

Level: 3

Health: 150/150

Eryndis cursed under his breath. He was still Level 3, and while the system had granted him some basic skills and improved stats, it wasn’t nearly enough to take on multiple enemies. He quickly scanned his surroundings for a plan, but the pack was closing in.

One of the creatures lunged at him, its fangs bared, but Eryndis rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. The pack leader, a massive creature twice the size of the others, growled low, signaling an all-out assault.

[Combat Engaged]

Eryndis barely had time to react as the first fang monster came at him with a speed that took his breath away. He swung the branch, but the creature dodged effortlessly and slashed at his side. The pain was immediate, but it only sharpened his focus.

Health: 80/100

He needed a plan. He couldn’t keep dodging forever. Glancing at the system interface, Eryndis noticed the familiar list of skills—nothing new, just the basic Quick Strike and Evasion Boost. But there was something different now: an unfilled bar at the bottom of the screen, labeled Mana.

Mana? He wondered briefly. He’d never used magic before, but this was a game. Anything was possible.

The pack leader roared again, and the other monsters closed in on him from all sides. With his back against a tree, Eryndis felt a flicker of panic. Then, an idea sparked. The pack was fast, but they were relying on their numbers. What if he could use their own speed against them?

He activated Evasion Boost again, the familiar surge of energy rushing through him. With increased agility, Eryndis darted into the thick underbrush, using the trees to his advantage. His plan was simple: lure them into a trap. He needed to thin their numbers first.

As expected, the pack followed. The monsters’ speed was their strength, but in their chase, they became disoriented. Eryndis halted abruptly at the edge of a steep cliff, his breath coming fast. The pack, not realizing the danger, followed his movements, charging toward him without hesitation.

The first monster dove at him, but Eryndis sidestepped, pushing it into the open air. The creature yelped in surprise, but before it could react, it plummeted over the cliffside. One down.

The leader was the next to charge, but it hesitated. It sensed the trap. The others stopped, confused, but not for long. They were closing in on him again, and the leader was starting to circle.

This is it, Eryndis thought, gritting his teeth. He turned and sprinted toward a series of boulders near the cliff’s edge. He had to make them follow him, give them no choice.

The pack hesitated at the boulders, just as he’d anticipated. He didn’t have much time.

[Skill Unlocked: Ambush]

Suddenly, the system flashed a new skill. Ambush—a move designed to exploit an enemy’s position when they’re vulnerable. He wasn’t sure how it worked, but he had no time to think. The leader lunged at him, and he activated it.

A pulse of energy spread from his feet, sending a shockwave through the ground. The boulders nearby shifted slightly, causing a few to roll down the slope. The pack, already unsettled by the trap, now found itself caught in a cascade of rocks, their movements erratic as they scrambled to avoid being crushed.

The leader, blinded by its own rage, tried to jump over the rocks, but it was too slow. One of the boulders hit it square in the chest, knocking it to the ground.

[Critical Hit! Enemy Leader Health: 50/150]

Now, it was only a matter of finishing the rest off. Eryndis took a deep breath, his mana low but his resolve higher than ever. He wasn’t going to let a simple pack of monsters defeat him.

The other monsters struggled to regain their footing, but Eryndis was faster. With his Evasion Boost still active, he dashed in, his branch swinging like a blade. The first monster fell with a single strike. Another followed, and another.

[Enemy Defeated: Forest Fang Pack Member]

[Enemy Defeated: Forest Fang Pack Member]

[Enemy Defeated: Forest Fang Pack Leader]

The last remaining member of the pack tried to retreat, but it was no match for his speed. Eryndis struck quickly, finishing it off with a final blow to the head.

[Enemy Defeated: Forest Fang Pack Member]

Reward: +80 XP

Level Up!

Eryndis stood there for a moment, panting, his chest heaving. The Ambush skill had saved him, but it was clear that this world was dangerous—far more so than he’d anticipated. The monsters were ruthless, and the system’s cruel timer meant he had little room to make mistakes.

The forest was eerily quiet now, the sounds of battle fading into the distance. He wiped the sweat from his brow and checked the Inventory to see what he had gained from the pack.

Acquired: Fang Teeth x3, Forest Fang Pelt x2, Beast’s Claw x1

His heart sank. This was only the beginning.

Despite his victory, he knew he couldn’t let his guard down. The system wasn’t just testing his strength—it was testing his will.

Time Remaining: 14:42:12

With a deep breath, Eryndis set his sights on the next objective. There was still a long way to go.