Usato's gaze remained fixed on the luminescent screen, the virtual world of Eternity's Realm a vibrant escape. His avatar moved with practiced ease. The rhythmic click of his mouse and keyboard accompanied the on-screen carnage. Digital monsters dissolved into pixels. The familiar glow painted his face.

Even as he played, Usato's mind often wandered to his cultivation novels. The concept of harnessing one's energy held a deep allure. He often imagined channeling his own inner energy, a fantastical notion that provided a pleasant distraction from the mundane reality of his life.

The sudden, violent BOOM from outside ripped through his immersion, followed by the whir of helicopter blades and distant screams. Usato's fingers froze mid-click. He muted the game, the vibrant colors of the screen now a stark contrast to the sudden dread that coiled in his stomach. A knot of UNEASE tightening with each passing second.

"What the hell…?" he muttered, swiveling abruptly towards the window, his gamer chair squeaking against the floor.

He rose and approached the glass cautiously, peering through the gap in his blinds. Outside, a scene of unbelievable chaos unfolded. A helicopter engulfed in flames spiraled downwards, leaving a trail of black smoke against the afternoon sky. Close behind, a second helicopter with the stark white insignia of the US Secret Service emblazoned on its side relentlessly pursued its fiery counterpart.

A voice crackled through the distant air, amplified by some unseen speaker: "We have the target in sight. Prepare to engage."

A sleek missile detached from the pursuing helicopter, streaking through the air with terrifying speed. It slammed into the first helicopter with a deafening CRACK, the sound reverberating through Usato's apartment building. An immediate and violent explosion followed, sending a shower of fiery debris raining down across the neighborhood.

Instinctively, Usato ducked behind his desk, his heart pounding in his chest. A moment later, a heavy, metallic compartment box, likely ejected from the destroyed aircraft, smashed through his window with a violent CRUNCH, sending shards of glass flying. The heavy impact struck him squarely in the chest, knocking the breath from his lungs.

The air rushed from Usato's lungs, a searing pain erupted behind his sternum. His vision swam, the familiar outlines of his room blurring and distorting. He gasped for air, but his lungs wouldn't cooperate.

"No… no… this can't be happening…" he whispered, his voice a mere rasp. The vibrant world around him began to fade.

A cold numbness crept through his limbs, stealing the sensation from his fingers and toes. The edges of his vision darkened, closing in until the world dissolved into an all-encompassing blackness.

When consciousness finally flickered back, it was a disorienting return. Usato found himself lying on soft, green grass, the texture unfamiliar against his cheek. Towering trees, unlike any he had ever seen, surrounded him, their leaves a vibrant tapestry of greens and reds. The air was clean and crisp, carrying the scent of unknown blossoms and damp earth.

"Location: Unidentified. Designation: Nanobot System. Current objective: Initiate journey."

The mechanical pronouncements, echoing directly within his mind, felt cold and distant, a stark contrast to the organic world around him. A wave of grief washed over him as the fragmented memories of the explosion resurfaced. His old life, his games, his familiar world – all seemingly ripped away in an instant, replaced by this bewildering reality.

He sat up slowly, his head throbbing with a dull ache. A profound sense of loss weighed him down, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on his shoulders. Eternity's Realm… it feels like a cruel joke now. All that time spent in a virtual world, and now I'm in… where am I?

"SKY," he murmured, his voice hoarse and filled with despair. "What… what am I supposed to do? Where am I?"

"Current objective: Initiate journey. Survival probability increases with proactive engagement with the environment. Location analysis inconclusive."

SKY's logic was unyielding, its responses purely functional, offering no emotional comfort. Usato knew, deep down, that the nanobot was right. He couldn't stay here, paralyzed by fear and grief. He needed to move, to understand the gravity of his situation and the nature of this strange new place.

He pushed himself to his feet, his body stiff and sore from the impact. As he did, he noticed a faint tingling sensation on his arm, where the iridescent insect had bitten him moments before regaining full consciousness. The swelling was already receding at an unnatural rate. A strange, unsettling feeling washed over him – a sense of something integrated, something… more than just a voice in his head.

He took a tentative step, the soft earth yielding beneath his worn sneakers. The silence of the forest was broken only by the chirping of unseen creatures and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. It was a beautiful yet intimidating soundscape.

"Potential water source detected approximately fifty meters to the west," SKY informed him, the mechanical tone cutting through his thoughts. "Unidentified biological signatures present. Exercise caution."

Usato looked westward, his gaze drawn by the unseen promise of water. A flicker of resolve, small but persistent, ignited within him. He may not know where he was or why he was here, but he wouldn't succumb to despair. He would move forward, one step at a time. He would survive, if only to unravel the mystery of this alien world.

He began to walk towards the west, his senses on high alert, the rustling in the undergrowth making him jump at every turn. The weight of his uncertainty was heavy, but the need for water, for understanding, propelled him forward into the dense, unknown forest.

"Hello everyone!I'm OnyXuS, a rookie writer excited to share my stories with you. I'm passionate about crafting engaging tales that transport you to new worlds.As a fellow book lover, I'd love to connect with you and hear your thoughts on my work. Your support means the world to me, and I'm grateful for any feedback, suggestions, or encouragement you can offer.In the future, I'm planning to explore storylines such as:- Fantasy adventures with unique magical systems- Sci-fi explorations of distant planets and civilizations- Supernatural mysteries with unexpected twistsStay tuned for updates, and thank you for considering my work!Best regards,OnyXuS"

Chapter 2

Usato trekked through the dense forest, his senses on high alert. He had been walking for what felt like hours, the towering trees forming a seemingly endless canopy overhead. The air remained thick with the scent of unfamiliar flora, and the sounds of unseen wildlife echoed around him, a constant reminder of his isolation.

"SKY, can you give me any information about this forest?" Usato asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the sound swallowed by the dense foliage. He clutched a sturdy branch he'd found, using it as a makeshift walking stick and a potential weapon.

SKY's response was immediate and devoid of any comforting familiarity. "Negative, Host. I don't have any information regarding the specific flora, fauna, or geographical designation of this environment. My current database lacks comparative data. However, I am continuously recording sensory input, including visual, auditory, and atmospheric readings. This data will be analyzed to build a local environmental profile. Please proceed with your exploration, and I will continue to monitor your surroundings for any potential threats or resources."

Usato's brow furrowed in frustration. SKY was a wealth of information, yet it knew nothing about this place. It only served to highlight how truly alien his surroundings were. He nodded to himself, however, recognizing the logic in SKY's approach. Data collection was the first step to understanding. He pushed through a thicket of broad-leafed plants, their texture leathery against his skin, and climbed over a moss-covered fallen log.

As he walked, the silence was occasionally broken by SKY's dispassionate observations. "Host, I am detecting an irregularity in the ambient energy signatures approximately three hundred meters to the northeast. The fluctuation appears to be non-natural and potentially indicative of a sentient biological entity."

Usato's heart skipped a beat, a fresh wave of anxiety washing over him. "A sentient being? Is it… is it human?" he asked, his voice laced with a mixture of hope and trepidation.

SKY's response was characteristically neutral. "Analysis inconclusive, Host. The energy signature does not match any known human bio-electrical patterns within my database. However, the complexity and consistency of the signature suggest a high degree of neurological organization and potential consciousness. Proceed with extreme caution."

Usato's eyes darted around, scanning the dense foliage for any sign of movement. The thought of encountering another being in this strange world was both terrifying and potentially his only hope for answers. He gripped his makeshift walking stick tighter, his knuckles white. In the distance, through a break in the trees, he spotted a massive, ancient-looking tree. Its trunk was twisted and gnarled with age, its branches reaching towards the sky like skeletal fingers. It emanated an aura of stillness, yet something about it felt… significant.

"SKY, is that… the being you're detecting?" Usato asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze fixed on the colossal tree.

SKY's response was affirmative. "Affirmative, Host. The anomalous energy signature is strongest in the vicinity of that large arboreal organism."

Usato hesitated, his cautious nature warring with his desperate need for information. He was reluctant to approach something that SKY identified as having a high level of power, especially when its nature was unknown. Fear gnawed at him, whispering warnings of unseen dangers.

As he observed the tree from a distance, his attention was drawn to a peculiar sight. A small, insect-like creature, its exoskeleton shimmering with iridescent colors, was attached to the tree's massive trunk. Its long, needle-like proboscis was embedded in the bark, and Usato could almost sense a faint draining effect around the point of contact. The bark around the creature appeared duller, almost withered.

Usato's eyes narrowed, a flicker of curiosity overriding his fear. What was this creature doing? Was it harming the tree? A silent debate raged within him. Should he maintain his distance and prioritize his own safety in this unknown environment, or should he investigate this strange phenomenon?

"What's the point of helping it?" Usato muttered to himself, trying to rationalize his inaction. "It's just a tree. It's not like I'll gain anything from interfering."

But as he continued to watch the seemingly parasitic interaction, a familiar unease settled over him. The image of the slowly withering tree sparked a connection to his own feelings of helplessness and loss.

Suddenly, fragmented memories flooded his mind, sharp and vivid. He remembered his middle school days, the sting of being cornered in the hallway, the taunts and shoves of the bullies, and his own ingrained response of always running away, avoiding confrontation at all costs. The bitter taste of fear and humiliation rose in his throat.

"Why did I always have to run?" Usato whispered, his eyes welling up with a sudden rush of unwanted tears. He clenched his fists, the memory a painful reminder of his past weakness.

But then, another memory surfaced, a beacon in the darkness of his self-reproach. He remembered Akane, the beautiful and intelligent girl who had, on more than one occasion, stood up for him against those same bullies. She was everything he felt he wasn't – confident, assertive, unafraid. Her kindness had been a lifeline in his lonely existence.

"Usato, don't let them push you around," Akane's voice echoed in his memory, firm and confident. "You're stronger than you think."

Usato's eyes snapped back into focus, the image of the withering tree and the parasitic insect now imbued with a new significance. He took a deep, steadying breath, a nascent sense of resolve hardening his gaze.

"I won't run away this time," Usato said aloud, his voice surprisingly firm in the silent forest. "I'll help the tree."

SKY's response was neutral, yet somehow conveyed a sense of… acknowledgement. "Understood, Host. Please proceed with caution. Engaging with an unknown biological entity carries inherent risks."

Usato scanned his immediate surroundings, his eyes searching for anything that could serve as a more effective weapon than a simple branch. He spotted a sturdier stick lying half-hidden beneath a pile of fallen leaves, about 1-2 meters long and relatively straight. It wasn't much, but it felt more substantial in his grip.

With the stick held firmly in hand, Usato began to cautiously approach the massive tree, his eyes fixed on the iridescent insect that continued to drain its life force.

"SKY, what can you tell me about that creature?" Usato asked, his voice low and cautious, his senses on high alert for any other potential threats.

SKY's analysis was immediate. "Host, the creature exhibits morphological similarities to insects of the order Hemiptera, specifically resembling certain species within the suborder Cicadomorpha. However, there are notable deviations in its exoskeleton structure, coloration, and the apparent length and rigidity of its proboscis. Its biological functions appear to involve the extraction of bio-energetic fluids from plant life."

Usato's eyes narrowed, trying to process the technical information. "So… what does it feed on?"

SKY's response was thoughtful, piecing together the available data. "Based on its observed behavior and anatomical structure, it is highly probable that the creature feeds on the vital energy or 'sap' of plant organisms, potentially disrupting their biological processes and leading to their decline."

Usato's grip on the stick tightened. He was more cautious now, understanding that this seemingly small creature could be actively harming the large tree. The stakes felt higher than he initially thought.

As he prepared to take action, to swing the stick and dislodge the creature, SKY's voice interrupted him once more, this time with a note of… something new. "Host, your decision to actively intervene and assist the seemingly defenseless organism has triggered a passive system response. You have unlocked a latent ability: 'Resolve.' This skill allows you to draw upon your mental fortitude and past emotional experiences to enhance your determination in the face of adversity and to make decisive actions."

Usato's eyes widened in surprise, his focus momentarily diverted from the insect. Resolve? A skill? What did that even mean in this strange reality?

But he didn't have time to dwell on the implications. The iridescent creature remained latched onto the tree, its proboscis still embedded, silently draining its energy. The opportunity to act was now.

Usato tensed, the sturdy stick feeling inadequate against the unknown capabilities of the cicada-like creature. He focused on the insect, its iridescent exoskeleton gleaming in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy. Akane's words echoed in his mind, a surge of unexpected courage bolstering his resolve. He wouldn't run.

Taking a deep breath, he shifted his weight, preparing to swing the stick with all his might. This has to count

Chapter 3: Cicada's fury

Usato steeled himself, gripping the stick firmly as he prepared to strike the cicada-like creature. He took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand.

With a swift motion, Usato swung the stick at the creature. But the cicada was too fast, dodging the attack with ease. It countered with a swift jab of its proboscis, aiming straight for Usato's chest.

Usato barely dodged the attack, his heart racing with fear. He realized that the creature was much more agile and deadly than he had anticipated.

SKY's voice echoed in his mind, "Host, the cicada's proboscis contains a potent venom. If you're struck, it could be fatal."

Usato gritted his teeth, determination burning within him. He wouldn't back down now. With a fierce cry, he charged at the cicada, stick at the ready.

The battle was intense, with both Usato and the cicada exchanging blows. But the creature's venomous proboscis proved to be too much for Usato. He stumbled back, the cicada's attack finding its mark.

Usato felt a searing pain as the venom coursed through his veins. His vision began to blur, and his body went limp. He was on the brink of death.

But then, something within him snapped. The Resolve skill, dormant until now, activated in response to Usato's desperation. A blue glow enveloped his body, and he felt an explosive surge of strength.

With newfound power, Usato's body began to fight back against the venom. His muscles tensed, and he felt his heart racing with renewed vitality.

The cicada, taken aback by Usato's sudden resurgence, stumbled backward. Usato took advantage of the momentary distraction to deliver a crushing blow, striking the cicada with all his might.

The creature's exoskeleton cracked, and it crumpled to the ground, defeated. Usato stood panting, his chest heaving with exhaustion. He had won, but at what cost?

His body felt like it was on fire, his muscles screaming in agony. The Resolve skill's passive effect had amplified his strength, but it had also caused micro-tears in his muscle tissues.

SKY's voice echoed in his mind, "Host, your Resolve skill's passive effect has amplified your strength, but it's also caused damage to your muscle tissues. Fortunately, these injuries are healable."

As Usato caught his breath, SKY's voice interrupted him once more.

"Host, your body has undergone significant improvements due to the fight. Your physical strength has increased by 12%, and your endurance has risen by 15%."

Usato's eyes widened in surprise. He had expected some improvement, but not to this extent.

SKY continued, "Additionally, you have acquired a new passive skill: Basic Poison Resistance. This skill grants you a 20% resistance to poison-based attacks."

Usato felt a surge of excitement. This new skill would undoubtedly prove useful in his survival journey.

SKY announced, "Host, I have also acquired a new skill: Devour. This skill allows me to devour any organism and convert its energy into a usable form. I can transfer this energy to you, Host, or use it to create another mini nanobot."

Usato's mind reeled as he processed the implications of SKY's new skill. The possibilities were endless.

SKY asked, "Host, may I demonstrate my new skill by devouring the dead cicada? I can create a new nanobot using the energy obtained from the cicada's body."

Usato hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect. But his curiosity got the better of him.

"Go ahead, SKY," Usato replied, his eyes fixed on the lifeless cicada.

SKY's response was immediate. A tiny, glowing tendril emerged from the air, wrapping itself around the cicada's body. The tendril began to glow brighter, and the cicada's body started to dissolve into a cloud of energy.

Usato watched in awe as the energy cloud was absorbed by the tendril, which then retreated back into the air.

SKY announced, "Host, the energy obtained from the cicada's body is being converted into a usable form. I will now create a new nanobot using this energy."

A tiny, glowing orb appeared before Usato, rapidly taking shape as a small, spherical nanobot.

SKY announced, "Host,the new nanobot is now online. It will assist me in monitoring your surroundings and providing support in various tasks."

Usato's mind reeled as he processed the implications of SKY's new skill. The possibilities were endless.

As he stood there, catching his breath and processing the aftermath of the battle, his gaze unconsciously drifted towards the massive, ancient tree. Even from a distance, he could sense a strange presence emanating from it. As his eyes focused on the gnarled bark, he could almost make out a semblance of a face, its features etched into the wood. To his astonishment, despite its non-humanoid form, Usato felt a distinct impression of gratitude radiating from the old treant. A shiver ran down his spine, a mixture of awe and unease. This world was far stranger than he could have imagined.

Overwhelmed by the silent communication and his own lingering nervousness from the fight, Usato's survival instincts kicked in. Without conscious thought, he turned and fled, bolting through the dense forest. His feet pounded against the soft earth as he put as much distance as possible between himself and the sentient tree.

As he ran, a faint voice echoed in his mind, ethereal and indistinct. "W... wai... t yo....un..g wa...r..i..o..r..." But fear had taken root, and Usato, interpreting the unknown as a potential threat, only ran faster, his cowardice overriding any sense of curiosity or reason.

Exhausted but alive, Usato watched as the last remnants of the cicada dissolved into glowing particles, absorbed by SKY. The creation of the new nanobot was a fascinating display, a testament to SKY's evolving capabilities. He flexed his aching muscles, the lingering burn a reminder of the venom and the raw power of his awakened Resolve. The stat increases and the new poison resistance skill were a welcome surprise, a tangible reward for surviving the deadly encounter.

A week. It had been a week since the bizarre events in his apartment had thrust him into this vibrant, dangerous world. The initial shock had given way to a cautious exploration, each day revealing new wonders and terrifying threats. The jungle was a kaleidoscope of life, both beautiful and deadly.

With a final glance at the spot where the cicada had fallen, Usato sheathed his newly created daggers, the cool metal a reassuring weight against his thigh. He took another step forward, deeper into the emerald embrace of the alien jungle, unaware of the strange encounter that awaited him.