As the darkness lifted from Ethan's vision, he found himself staring at the vast stretch of a deep blue ocean. A salty breeze swept over him, carrying the sharp scent of seaweed and brine.
His instincts kicked in as Ethan quickly scanned his surroundings. His worn-out bag was still slung over his shoulder, its frayed edges barely holding together. Taking a moment to adjust it, he secured the strap tightly before beginning his exploration.
Spotting a sturdy stick and a sharp stone nearby, Ethan picked them up without hesitation. They weren't much as weapons, but they were better than nothing.
With his makeshift weapons in hand, Ethan began exploring the shoreline, his boots pressing into the damp sand with each cautious step.
The island that Ethan was teleported to was undeniably beautiful. Its golden sands stretched beneath a clear sky, while its waves lapped gently at the shore.
But for now, survival was Ethan's only concern. The beautiful scenery meant nothing to him if he couldn't find food, water, or a safe place to rest.
After a few minutes of searching along the shoreline and finding no signs of human presence, Ethan decided to check his status.
Taking a steady breath, he spoke into the air. "Heavenly Gate, show me my status window."
A mechanical voice responded immediately in his mind, with a flat and emotionless tone.
[Viewing participant Ethan Cross's request. Request granted. Status window opening in 3…2…1…]
———
[Name: Ethan Cross]
[True Name: —]
[Age: 45]
[Race: Evolved Human]
[Unique Powers: Evolved Organism]
[Unique Items: —]
[Missions: —]
[Description of Evolved Organism: Having been cleansed of the imperfections of your race, your body's efficiency in all its natural processes has increased by several times.]
———
Ethan studied his status window for a moment, a sliver of surprise crossing his face. Even he was shocked to discover that not only had he gained a unique power from his cleansing, but his very race had also been fundamentally altered.
Having experienced loss time and time again, Ethan was inherently suspicious of the Heavenly Gate's motives for giving him such a reward.
Thoughts like, "This reward seems too good to be true. There's got to be something fishy going on here," crossed his mind.
What Ethan didn't know, however, was that nothing suspicious was happening behind the scenes.
The process of "cleansing," as the Heavenly Gate called it, removed inherent genetic disabilities like Alzheimer's and healed participants of any physical or mental injuries they had.
While other humans who underwent the cleansing had their diseases and injuries healed—even if they couldn't endure the entire process—Ethan's experience was different. Not only were his injuries and ailments cured, but his body and soul had also evolved as a side effect of the cleansing, leading to his current state.
After a moment of quiet contemplation, Ethan dismissed the status window. He had more pressing matters to deal with than speculating about the Heavenly Gate's intentions. If he wanted to survive, he needed to find fresh water before nightfall.
———
The dense jungle canopy overhead filtered the sunlight into scattered beams, casting an eerie green glow over the forest floor. Amidst the thick trees, Ethan moved cautiously, his still-malnourished body tense as he monitored every sound and movement around him.
The air was thick with humidity, carrying the scent of damp earth and decaying vegetation. Ethan's worn-out boots crunched softly against the undergrowth as he navigated the uneven terrain, a sturdy stick in one hand and a sharp stone clutched tightly in the other.
He had been walking for hours. His stomach growled with hunger, and his throat was parched, but he pressed on. His priority was finding a freshwater source—perhaps a river or a lake—somewhere in this dense wilderness.
Ethan had suffered from drinking contaminated water before, and he knew the agony of parasites invading his body. Fortunately, the Heavenly Gate's cleansing had eradicated any past infections and healed the damage they had caused.
Still, in Ethan's mind, contaminated water was preferable to seawater. While he could boil dirty water to eliminate most bacteria and parasites, the same couldn't be said for seawater—its high salt content could be deadly.
That was why he had spent hours searching. Thankfully, the Heavenly Gate allowed items on a person's body to be teleported with them. As a result, Ethan still had his worn-out bag, which contained some rope, a few cooking utensils, and a pot—essential tools for boiling water and cooking food, both crucial for survival.
The jungle was both a blessing and a curse—a land of opportunity and danger.
Every rustling leaf, every snapping twig, set Ethan on edge. He had no idea what kind of predators lurked in this foreign environment, but he wasn't about to lower his guard.
Pushing through a thicket of vines, Ethan suddenly heard it—the faint trickle of running water. His heart leaped with hope. Water meant life, and if he was lucky, it might also mean food. He quickened his pace, following the sound until he reached a small clearing.
There, cutting through the jungle like a silver ribbon, was a river. Its crystal-clear waters shimmered under the moonlight, so beautiful that Ethan almost forgot his exhaustion.
But the moment didn't last.
As he scanned the riverbank, movement in the water caught his eye. His gaze sharpened. A pack of creatures—crocodiles.
At least a dozen of them, their scaly bodies partially submerged, their eyes glinting with predatory focus. They were massive, each easily twice his size, with jaws strong enough to crush bone. This was their territory, and they guarded it fiercely.
Ethan didn't move, his mind racing. Approaching the water now was a death sentence. He needed a plan.
After a brief moment of thought, he looked at his exhausted body and made a decision. "I'll rest tonight and act tomorrow. No matter how dehydrated or hungry I am, if I try to fight a pack of crocodiles in this condition, I'll die."
Resolving himself, Ethan glanced up at a tall tree nearby and began climbing. His drained body made the task slow and grueling, but eventually, he secured himself on a sturdy branch.
Pulling the rope from his bag, he tied it around a few thick branches and laid some logs across them. It wasn't much, but it would keep him off the ground for the night.
Satisfied with his makeshift platform, Ethan lay down and forced himself to sleep.
And so, his first day of survival in this unknown world came to an end.