Episode 3: The Forest of Fangs

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.

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