The forest seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. Even with the victory of defeating the boar, Alexander felt an uneasy weight pressing down on him. His 6'4" frame seemed too small in this vast, alien world. The trees towered over him, their twisted branches reaching like skeletal arms, and the forest floor was thick with moss and undergrowth. It was as if the woods were alive, watching him, waiting for his next move.
His sword hung at his side, and the fresh boar hide was wrapped in a makeshift bundle over his shoulder. The system's words still echoed in his mind—"Use the boar's hide to craft a basic set of armor." But there was no guide, no instruction on how to actually do that. Was it as simple as the system made it sound?
"Well, there's no way around it. I'll have to figure this out on my own," Alexander muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on the sword.
His feet crunching against the underbrush, Alexander found a small clearing near a stream. The water, sparkling in the eerie purple light, seemed to hum with an unnatural energy, but at least it was a resource he could use. He crouched by the edge of the stream to wash his face, the cool water refreshing against his skin. As he did so, the system pinged again, and a new prompt appeared.
Crafting Menu Unlocked:
• Boar Hide Armor: Requires 1 Boar Hide, 2 Branches, 1 Stone Knife.
Alexander looked around. Branches were easy enough to find in the dense forest, and the stone knife seemed like it would be necessary to cut through the hide. He could already feel the pressure mounting—survival meant utilizing every resource at his disposal.
The realization hit him like a freight train. He wasn't just wandering in a new world—he was part of some twisted game. The system was here to guide him, but only if he played by its rules.
Determined, Alexander stood and walked to the closest tree. His long arms and strong hands made quick work of snapping off a few sturdy branches, and he used the sword to hack at the thick boar hide. After several minutes of trial and error, he managed to fashion the crude stone knife by breaking a sharp rock and binding it to a stick using some of the vines he found nearby.
His progress felt slow, but with each small success, his confidence grew. The system remained silent for now, but he knew there were more challenges ahead. And the more he completed, the more powerful he would become. For the first time since waking up in this strange world, Alexander started to believe he might be able to survive.
Crafting Complete:
• Boar Hide Armor (Light Armor)
• Bonuses: +2 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Defense
The armor felt surprisingly comfortable for something so rudimentary, fitting snugly against his shoulders and chest. It didn't offer much protection, but it was better than nothing, and it gave him a sense of readiness.
As he tightened the straps, a rustling in the bushes caught his attention. Alexander's hand instinctively went to his sword hilt, his tall figure tensing in response to the sound.
Emerging from the bushes was a creature unlike anything he had seen before. It resembled a wolf, but its fur was a sickly green, and its eyes glowed with an eerie yellow hue. Its snout was long and pointed, and its claws scraped against the earth as it moved forward, low to the ground.
Monster Detected: Forest Direwolf
• Level: 3
• HP: 45/45
• Weakness: Fire
The system's voice seemed to echo in his mind, and Alexander's breath hitched. A monster? Already?
The direwolf growled menacingly, its sharp teeth visible as it crouched, ready to pounce. Alexander's heart raced, but his hand was steady on the sword. The system had told him he was stronger, but he had no idea if that was enough. The direwolf was smaller than a normal wolf, but it was still deadly. He had no time to waste.
The creature lunged at him, and instinct took over. Alexander sidestepped quickly, his long legs easily giving him the reach to evade the wolf's snapping jaws. He slashed with his sword, but the wolf's fur seemed to absorb the blow, only managing to scratch the creature's side.
With a snarl, the wolf spun around and attacked again. This time, it was faster. Alexander barely had time to raise his sword to block before the beast's claws raked across his chest. The impact sent him staggering back, the sharp pain burning through his body. His armor held, but the attack had still left a mark.
HP: 75/80
The system's voice chimed in as if it knew exactly what he was thinking.
Hint: Use your environment to your advantage.
His mind raced. The stream! He recalled the system's earlier mention of fire. Fire was a weakness, but he had no fire-based skills yet. His eyes darted around for anything that could help. He spotted a pile of dry leaves near the water's edge and quickly grabbed a branch to ignite them. A few moments later, the dry leaves caught fire, sending a plume of smoke into the air.
The direwolf hesitated, its glowing eyes darting between Alexander and the flame. The creature growled in frustration, but its hesitation was enough. With a roar, Alexander rushed forward, his sword raised high, aiming for the wolf's exposed flank. The direwolf turned just in time to block the strike, but it was already too late.
The sword found its mark. The beast howled in pain as Alexander's blade sliced deep into its side, cutting through its tough hide. The wolf staggered back, weak and disoriented, before collapsing to the ground with a final growl.
Monster Defeated: Forest Direwolf
• XP Earned: 30
• Items Dropped: Wolf Claws (x2), Direwolf Pelt
Stat Update:
• Strength: 6 → 7
• Agility: 6 → 7
• HP: 75/80 → 80/80
Alexander stood over the wolf's body, panting heavily. The adrenaline still surged through him, but a sense of accomplishment followed quickly. He had fought, survived, and won. His body felt stronger, more capable than ever before, and the system's rewards reflected that.
As the system chimed once more, Alexander felt something stir within him. This world was dangerous, yes, but with the system, he could grow stronger. He wasn't just surviving anymore—he was adapting, evolving. And he would need every bit of that power if he was to uncover the secrets of this strange place and find his way home.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself for what lay ahead. There was more to this world than just monsters. And the system was only the beginning.