Aaron advanced slowly through the forest, each step precise and controlled. His breathing was steady, his heart rate managed. Today, he was prepared. Today, he would be the hunter, no longer the prey.
The rope hung from his shoulder, and his stone knife was firmly attached to his belt. His remaining hand tightly grasped a new spear that he had carefully crafted in the morning.
His eyes carefully scanned the trees, searching for an easily climbable tree with his one remaining arm.
After a few minutes of observation, he spotted a perfect tree: a thick, sturdy branch about four meters off the ground, overlooking a small clearing. Aaron positioned himself, threw his rope over the branch, and used his remaining strength to skillfully climb up. The effort was intense with just one arm, but his well-trained physique, despite his injuries, paid off.
Once settled on the branch, Aaron looked around.
The hunting plan he had devised required him to learn to move among the trees.
This would require practice, balance, and endurance—especially considering his balance was still rudimentary since recently losing his arm.
Nevertheless, there was no fear in Aaron's eyes, only burning determination.
He quickly spotted another branch within jumping distance. He crouched slightly, flexed his knees, his eyes intensely fixed on the neighboring branch, carefully judging the distance. Every muscle in his body tightened with concentration. Aaron took a deep breath, then, without hesitation, pushed off vigorously with his legs.
His body launched into the air, legs extended forward to grasp the branch. For a brief moment, it felt as though the world slowed around him, as if time itself held its breath, suspended in anticipation.
His feet firmly grasped the rough bark, and he felt immediate relief. With superhuman effort, he swung slightly on the branch, stabilizing himself. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
He had done it.
Aaron quickly regained his balance, scanning the forest from this new vantage point. From here, he could clearly see the entire clearing, detect movements through the vegetation, and anticipate the creatures' potential movements.
He methodically continued his training, leaping from tree to tree, gaining confidence and mastery with each successful attempt. Each jump became slightly easier, each landing more precise, each movement better calculated.
Several times during training, he thought he was about to fall.
Realizing the issue was his overly smooth shoes, he took them off, preferring to move barefoot.
After several hours of intense training, Aaron finally felt he had mastered the technique enough to move on to the next stage of his plan.
Aaron slowly stabilized his body on the branch, his bare feet gripping the rough bark cautiously. He paused briefly to catch his breath, attentively observing the forest stretching beneath him. A strange calm prevailed, intensified by the total absence of natural sounds. No wind, no birdsong, no rustling leaves—only his heartbeat reminded him that time continued to flow.
A part of his mind wondered how long he could stay sane in this absolute silence before going mad. He shook his head, dismissing these thoughts.
His strategy now relied on observation, patience, and stealth. Aaron knew the slightest error could cost him dearly, but success in this hunt could grant him something precious: points. These points had become an obsession. Without them, he would be stuck without resources, unable to improve his precarious condition.
After about ten minutes of immobility, he noticed subtle movement through the branches. He squinted to see better. There, below, a familiar figure moved silently, gliding like a shadow between the trees. Gray skin, long, slender arms ending in sharp black claws—it was exactly the same creature that had nearly cost him his life days before.
Aaron felt his pulse quicken but immediately suppressed his nervousness. He had to remain focused, not letting fear alter his reflexes. He had learned from their first encounter: a frontal attack was out of the question. This time, he would exploit the monster's weaknesses.
He took a deep breath, mentally assessing his trajectory. He would need to move above the monster without ever touching the ground, then wait for the right moment to drop onto it. The creature, unable to detect movements unless he touched the ground, would be taken by surprise, giving him a decisive advantage.
Aaron silently moved from one tree to another, using sturdy branches for careful, controlled jumps. Each landing had to be perfect: any slip meant certain death.
He trailed the creature for several minutes, always remaining high and concealed by dense foliage. His heart pounded strongly, but his mind was crystal clear.
Finally, the monster slowed, strangely frozen in place. It bent slightly forward, examining a stone or branch that caught its attention. This was Aaron's opportunity.
Without hesitation, he crouched on the branch above the monster, gripped his improvised spear, and readied his body for the decisive assault. He couldn't afford to fail: his attack had to be precise, swift, fatal.
In a final breath, he lunged forward without hesitation, letting himself fall, spear aimed downward. During this fraction of a second, clarity filled him. Everything became sharp, vivid, every detail clear in his mind.
The spear tip violently struck the creature's upper back, piercing easily through the gray flesh. A terrible cry tore through the forest silence as the creature bucked violently from the unexpected impact. Aaron rolled forward immediately upon hitting the ground, quickly rising into a defensive stance.
The monster staggered, howling in pain, vainly trying to reach the spear embedded in its back. Aaron watched carefully, planning his next move. He knew the danger wasn't yet over; he needed a final blow before the creature could recover.
Without delay, he drew his stone knife and leaped forward. Exploiting the monster's confusion, he precisely aimed at its throat, where fragile skin protected a sensitive area.
The blade sank deeply, and with a violent side motion, tore open a gaping wound, releasing a torrent of dark fluid. The creature spasmed once more before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Total silence returned to the forest.
Aaron stood still, panting, covered in sweat. Adrenaline still clouded his senses, but slowly, the reality of his success became clear. He had done it. He had hunted one of these monsters alone, despite his handicap.
Cautiously, he touched the creature's body. Information suddenly appeared in his mind, strangely familiar:
"You killed a hostile creature. You earned 250 points."
Aaron smiled weakly, wiping sweat from his forehead.
250 points. 250 points he could invest in resources, and stats.
But what mattered more was the deeper meaning of this victory: for the first time since he had arrived here, he had just regained true control over his fate.
The victory had been quick, easy, and almost without risk. From now on, he knew their weakness. From now on, he had a viable plan. From now on, he could survive.
Carefully, Aaron retrieved his spear from the monster's corpse, quickly cleaned it and placed it back on his shoulder.
He looked once more at the monster's body on the ground, feeling a strange satisfaction mixed with deep relief.
The hunt had been successfully carried out.
But Aaron knew it was only the beginning. He would have to repeat this feat many more times, perfect his method, gain strength and resources.
He could no longer simply survive day by day: he had to become a true predator.
He slowly lifted his eyes toward the silent forest stretching all around him, a slight smile on his face and a hungry glint in his eyes.
From now on, he was ready to face this world.
From now on, he was ready to become stronger.
From now on, he was ready to do anything to stay alive.
Without wasting any time, Aaron had an idea.
He rushed back up into the canopy to resume his hunt. Aaron quickly hoisted himself into the branches, propelled by the excitement of his recent victory. His single hand skillfully gripped the thick branches, his balance steadier than before. This victory, far from tiring him, had awakened in him a voracious appetite for more points, for more success.
Perched once again at a height, he took a few moments to observe the forest landscape stretching out before him. The canopy offered a clear view and a major strategic advantage. His sharpened senses, now fully awakened by adrenaline, detected every rustle of the leaves, every moving shadow between the trees.
He advanced methodically through the branches, his intense concentration allowing him never to lose his footing despite accumulated fatigue. Every movement was deliberate, precise, calculated to minimize any unnecessary risk.
A few moments later, his gaze caught a shape below, slowly moving through the trees. Another creature, identical to the previous one, advanced silently, completely unaware of its new predator in the heights.
Aaron felt his heart quicken. His mind reviewed possible mistakes, catastrophic scenarios. But this time, fear was absent. In its place, a cold calm, a solid determination.
He slowly positioned his spear, adjusted his grip, then smoothly slid from branch to branch, gradually approaching the monster. He had to choose the perfect moment, the ideal spot to launch his attack. A single move would be enough to grant him another victory, but a mistake could cost him dearly.
He took a deep breath, his muscles tensed slightly, his gaze locked onto his target. The monster slowed, sniffing the ground in search of an imaginary trail. The tension rose a notch in Aaron's body.
"Now," he murmured to himself, determined.
Without hesitation, he plunged toward the ground, spear pointed with precision. He struck the creature violently in the neck, the tip easily piercing the fragile skin. A sharp cry briefly echoed through the air, quickly muffled as the creature collapsed, instantly defeated by the surgical precision of the attack.
Aaron stood up immediately, alert for any potential threat nearby, but nothing came to disturb the returning silence. His heart pounded in his chest, his hands slightly trembling from emotion and effort.
Again, the familiar sensation crossed his mind like an intangible reward.
"You killed a hostile creature. You earned 250 points."
A triumphant smile slowly appeared on his face. So this was what it meant to become the predator. Survival, once uncertain, had just become a real possibility. Every defeated creature brought him more resources, more security, more hope.
Aaron slowly stood up, recovered his spear, cleaned it quickly, then immediately climbed back into the branches. He had to make the most of his momentum, to ride this wave of success while it lasted.
He continued like this for several hours, skillfully jumping from tree to tree, meticulously tracking every creature that dared enter his now-claimed territory. With each attack, his approach became more fluid, more natural, almost instinctive. Every encounter brought him a quick, efficient, almost effortless victory.
When the day finally began to fade, Aaron was exhausted, but satisfied. He stopped to observe his surroundings from a high branch, slowly catching his breath. The tally in his head told him he had amassed a significant number of points. Enough to seriously consider concrete upgrades to his equipment, his physical capabilities—maybe even to regain his lost arm.
Returning to the clearing, dragging his body covered in dust and sweat, Aaron wore a wide smile on his face. Probably the first time since he had arrived here. And it was not without reason, because after all, his day had been very productive.
Aaron wasted no time and placed his hand on the altar, and without delay, he observed the points he had accumulated during the day.
Points: 2500.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
Aaron burst into uncontrollable, genuine, liberating laughter, breaking the oppressive silence of the forest for the first time. He hadn't felt so alive in a very long time. The emotions he had accumulated since his arrival—fear, pain, uncertainty—vanished in an instant, replaced by intense euphoria.
"Two thousand five hundred points!" he whispered as he slowly caught his breath, eyes gleaming with excitement.
A considerable number. That figure represented so many possibilities, so many ways to improve his condition. Aaron stared at the altar with a victorious smile, savoring the idea that he finally held the resources necessary to truly progress.
He closed his eyes for a moment, regaining his calm to think more clearly. His mind, now methodical and sharpened by experience, was already considering possible options to invest his hard-earned points efficiently.
He thought carefully, searched once more through the shop for a way to regenerate his arm. Without success. But he didn't let himself get discouraged.
He had hunted monsters all day without stopping because he wanted to test something. He looked at his stats.
BODY: 0.5
MIND: 0
Points: 2500
He moved 50 points into the BODY stat and confirmed.
As before, an intense heat spread through his body. He felt re-energized, then the effect faded.
He clenched his fist but noticed no difference. He tried a few punches and a few spear thrusts. But still no difference. However, he didn't let himself be discouraged; he suspected it would be like this.
Aaron quickly validated his choice, allocating all his remaining points into the BODY stat.
A moment of silence followed. Then, suddenly, his body was overwhelmed by an extraordinary sensation, like a burning wave flowing through every muscle fiber. Aaron felt his muscles contract violently, as if being reshaped by an invisible force. He fell to his knees, overwhelmed by this intense energy, breathing deeply as the transformation took place within him.
This time, it was different. He could clearly feel something happening, that a critical threshold had been crossed. Every heartbeat felt more powerful, more steady. His breathing was deeper, more regular, each inhale bringing renewed strength.
When the wave of energy finally subsided, Aaron remained still, eyes closed, listening to the steady pulsing of his heart echoing in his ears. Slowly, very slowly, he opened his eyes, observing his hands with awe.
Cautiously, Aaron stood up, his balance surprisingly stable despite the intensity of the sensation. He clenched his fists, clearly feeling a real difference this time. His muscles responded instantly, with precision and speed he had never known before. He threw a quick punch, then another, and an incredulous smile slowly spread across his face.
This time, he clearly felt the change. Every movement now seemed easy, natural, effortless. His spear felt lighter, almost weightless, as he performed a few combat moves with remarkable fluidity and ease.
Aaron set his gaze on the altar, mentally displaying his updated stats:
BODY: 6
MIND: 0
Points: 525
Aaron felt like he was beginning to understand how this system worked. The strength increase didn't seem exponential—more linear—but the cost of each upgrade rose more and more.
Considering that, Aaron took a few moments to carefully think about the best way to invest his remaining points. Now, he understood the precise impact of these improvements. He knew he would have to find the right balance between physical reinforcement and practical tools to survive effectively in this hostile world.
With his 450 remaining points, Aaron mentally browsed the shop, weighing each choice carefully. His thoughts flowed methodically:
"I'm already much stronger than before. At this stage, it would be wiser to invest in something that could boost my overall efficiency rather than simply continue increasing my physique."
A list appeared in his mind, clear and precise:
-Drinkable water (3 days) – 20 points
-Rationed food (3 days) – 20 points
-Reinforced rope (20 meters) – 50 points
-Tempered steel spear – 400 points
His eyes immediately stopped on the option "Tempered steel spear – 400 points." Aaron considered this choice with great attention. This weapon would represent a significant tactical advantage. Stronger, more durable, more effective than his current wooden spear. A long-term investment for his survival.
He nodded slowly, now certain that this was the wisest decision.
He took a deep breath and confirmed without hesitation: "Purchase Tempered steel spear – 400 points."
Immediately, a brief light emanated from the altar, materializing in front of him a spear of exceptional quality. Its dark handle, made of solid wood, was perfectly balanced and topped with a sharp, gleaming, and deadly steel tip. Aaron gently picked it up, immediately testing its grip. It felt tailor-made for him.
He now had only 50 points left. He quickly decided to keep them for later. He might need them in an emergency. Every point now had strategic value in his eyes.
Aaron looked at his new spear with satisfaction, a confident smile stretching across his lips. With his new physical power and this upgraded equipment, he felt ready to face all the dangers this world could throw at him.
The day had been exhausting but incredibly productive. He now knew he could not only survive—but thrive.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured resolutely, looking up at the silent sky.
Tomorrow, he would be even stronger, even more formidable.