Episode 2: Awakening in Chaos

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.

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