The wetlands stank of sulfur and old blood.
Thick vines clung to twisted trees. The water was ankle-deep in some places, knee-high in others. Bugs buzzed in clouds. Mist rolled like smoke.
Ash pushed through it, branch in hand, every sense on edge.
> [SYSTEM: Terrain classified – Hazard: "Venom Marsh"]
Status effects possible: Poison (Minor), Disorientation, Bleed
[Target: Bogscale – x2 Detected – Range: 60m]
Riven crouched ahead, his smaller frame barely rustling the reeds. He moved like he'd done this a hundred times.
"This place's cursed," Riven whispered. "Bogscales drag prey under then rip 'em apart slow. Don't let your legs disappear."
"Right," Ash muttered. "Fun neighborhood."
He tightened his grip on the ironwood branch. No sword. No armor. Just one chance to not die.
> [Stat Sync: Pre-Battle Passive Ready – 50% transfer enabled]
Note: Synchronization will occur upon initial threat detection.
A low hiss rolled across the water.
Ash froze. A ripple slithered through the swamp, then two.
The first Bogscale rose from the muck—long, reptilian, armored in wet moss and bone. Its eyes glowed with toxic green light. The second flanked them from the right, jaws slowly opening to reveal needle teeth.
Riven didn't wait.
He sprinted forward, a blur of steel and mud. The boy slashed upward, slicing across the first beast's snout.
The Bogscale recoiled, hissing.
Then the second lunged straight for Ash.
> [ALERT: Combat Initiated]
[STAT LEECH – Engaging Target 2…]
Time snapped.
Ash didn't move. The world did.
The system flowed into him—raw speed, power, instinct. His legs responded before his thoughts. He ducked the creature's jaws, rolled to the left, and drove his makeshift weapon into the beast's side.
> [Critical Impact: +22% force]
[Status: Shallow puncture – minor bleeding]
The Bogscale thrashed, tail swinging. Ash jumped—too slow.
The tail clipped his side. Pain bloomed.
> [Damage Taken: -16 HP]
[Overload Risk: 23%]
He gasped but held his ground. Power still surged through his bones. He could feel the creature's strength. Not enough to master it—but enough to use it.
Ash screamed and drove the branch into the creature's throat as it turned again. The wood cracked—but the Bogscale choked and buckled.
Then Riven was there—his sword sunk deep into the first creature's underbelly, tearing through to the spine.
Both monsters collapsed within moments of each other.
The swamp quieted.
> [Target(s) Eliminated]
[STAT LEECH Terminated – Returning to Baseline]
[Trial Complete – Temporary Tag Unlocked]
Bonus: System Core Integration Level 1 Achieved
New Feature: Passive HUD Overlay unlocked
[Stamina Surge installed. Cooldown: 4 Hours]
Ash dropped to a knee, panting.
Riven sheathed his sword and looked back. "Still breathing?"
"Barely," Ash wheezed.
The boy grinned. "Then we're making progress."
Ash looked up at the twisted trees and felt something shift.
For the first time since the lightning, since the screen appeared, since the lie about his name—he realized something.
He didn't want to go back.
This world was insane. Dangerous. Brutal.
But he was surviving.
And the system?
It was evolving with him.
---
INVENTORY:
Ironwood Branch (Broken)
Trial Adventurer Token
2x Bogscale Claw (Quest Item)
7 Silver Pieces (Riven's split)
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