Gale sat on the edge of the rooftop, knees drawn up, staring down at the ruined city below. Smoke twisted into the sky, bodies littered the streets, and the occasional screech or guttural growl reminded him that the nightmare was far from over.
He pulled up his status window, still sticky with dried blood, and focused on a single stat he rarely checked: Echoes.
Echoes: 1
It was the number he received after every regression—the world resetting, the horrors repeating, the knowledge and experience he carried forward. One point here, one chance to remember, to grow, to adapt.
Gale frowned, running a hand through his bloodied hair. One Echo. That's all? After everything?
He thought back to the chaos in the streets, the kobolds, the dire wolf, the mangled bodies. Each regression had pushed him further, sharpened his instincts, but the Echoes were finite. Limited. Precious.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the faint hum of Vine Warp, testing the tendrils. Every time I survive, every point I earn… it counts. I can't waste them. Not ever.
Ryan shifted beside him, still trembling. Gale pulled the blanket tighter around the boy and whispered, "We've survived worse. And we'll survive this too. But I need to understand more… about these Echoes."
He opened a sub-menu beneath Echoes, scanning the faint, cryptic text:
"Echoes: Memories of past regressions. Can be spent to unlock hidden potential, strengthen skills, or gain insight into future events. Limited—use wisely."
Gale's chest tightened. Every regression had been a curse… and a gift. He could feel the weight of his responsibility pressing down. Not just for himself, but for Ryan. For survival.
The ruined city stretched before him, a silent reminder of failure and chaos. And yet, in the strange calm atop the rooftop, Gale felt the first spark of determination since waking to this nightmare:
Echoes aren't just numbers. They're chances. I'll use every one I have to make sure we survive.
One Echo…
He opened the sub-menu, and a single shop option appeared:
"Memory Recall — 1 Echo"Effect: Unlocks a fragment of knowledge from a previous regression.
He hesitated. One use. One chance to gain something that could change everything. His eyes fell to Ryan, small and trembling, and the ruined city stretched endlessly below them.
Gale pressed the confirmation. A faint chime sounded, and a spectral book materialized before him. Its cover shimmered with a silvery light, etched with intricate, curling symbols.
[New Skill Acquired: Monster Codex — Rank FFF-]
Effect: Records monsters encountered. Allows basic knowledge of abilities, weaknesses, and behaviors to be stored and recalled. FFF- rank only allows limited information per monster.
Gale's eyes widened as ghostly images of monsters he had already encountered flickered in his mind—the kobolds, the dire wolf, all captured in a mental ledger. Each creature could now be studied, remembered, and used to survive future encounters.
He tucked the spectral book into his inventory carefully, flexing his fingers. Vine Warp hummed faintly in tandem with his thoughts, ready for action.
First regression, first real tool… Gale murmured. If I survive this, I'll make every monster we face count.
He pressed Ryan close, whispering, "We survive. We fight. And we learn. Every encounter is a lesson now."
Below, the ruined city stretched endlessly, bloodied and silent, but Gale had a spark of hope—a weapon born not of strength, but of memory. The Monster Codex was his first real advantage in a world gone mad.
Dire Wolf
Description:A massive predator, towering over a full-grown man at the shoulder. Its fur is matted with blood and dirt, and its eyes burn with an unnatural, predatory intelligence. Long, serrated teeth glint as it snarls, and its claws tear through concrete and wood with terrifying ease. Each step causes the ground to tremble slightly, a constant reminder of its lethal strength. Its movements are both terrifyingly fast and calculated, a combination of raw power and cunning hunting instinct.
Stats (Approximate):
Durability: 18
Strength: 20
Intelligence: 6
Speed: 16
Stamina: 15
Mana: 0
Divinity: 0
Echoes: 0
Abilities:
Savage Bite: Powerful jaws capable of crushing bone.
Pounce: Leaps great distances to close gaps or knock down prey.
Predator's Instinct: Tracks and anticipates movements of prey, slightly increasing evasion and attack accuracy.
Howl of Terror: Emits a bone-chilling howl that can frighten weaker foes.
Weaknesses:
Large size makes it easier to target for ranged attacks.
High stamina consumption when chasing agile prey over long distances.
Kobold Description:About the size of a small child, this kobold is wiry and quick. Its greenish-brown scales glimmer faintly in the light, and sharp claws extend from its fingers. Its beady yellow eyes dart constantly, revealing a cunning but cowardly nature. Though small, it is extremely agile, able to climb walls and squeeze through tight spaces, and tends to swarm in groups.
Stats (Approximate):
Durability: 2
Strength: 2
Intelligence: 6
Speed: 3
Stamina: 3
Mana: 2
Divinity: 0
Echoes: 0
Abilities:
Pack Tactics: Gains bonus to attacks when near allies.
Quick Strike: Fast slashes or bites that exploit openings in defenses.
Ambush: Hides and waits for prey, increasing critical hit chance when attacking from concealment.
Squeak Alarm: Emits a high-pitched sound to alert other kobolds or nearby monsters.
Weaknesses:
Fragile compared to larger enemies.
Relies heavily on numbers and ambush tactics.
Poor endurance in prolonged fights against a single strong opponent.
Gale – Status Panel
Level: 1Class: PlundererTitle: None
Stats:
Durability: 7 (+2 from points spent)
Strength: 5 (+1 from points spent)
Intelligence: 18
Speed: 5 (+1 from Boots of Speed)
Stamina: 4
Mana: 7 (+1 from points
Divinity: 0
Echoes: 1
Skills:
Vine Warp — FFFSummon and control two vines at a time. Can restrain, lift, or manipulate objects and enemies.
Seeker's Glance — PassiveAllows viewing other people's skill windows temporarily.
Traits:
Regressor — Locked (Active ability grants access to special classes in regressions)
Resilient — Cuts off blood flow to injured areas 15 seconds after severe wounds
Inventory / Equipment:
Worn and Torn Dagger — FFF-
Spectral Monster Codex — FFF-Records monsters encountered. Stores basic info on abilities, behaviors, and weaknesses.
Boots of Speed — FFFIncreases speed by +1 while equipped.
Bandages / First Aid Kit
Current Status:
Injured: Cuts on arms and legs (healing in progress)
Location: Rooftop over ruined city
Quest Progress:
Kobold Hunt – Thief of the Void: 4/5 kobolds killed
Reward: Kobold Skill
Gale pressed Ryan closer, the boy clinging to the blanket as if it were a lifeline. The ruined city stretched below them—blood, smoke, and shattered buildings as far as the eye could see.
"Ryan…" Gale began softly, trying to keep his voice calm, "I know you're scared."
Ryan's lower lip trembled. "I… I'm… I'm really scared, Gale…" He buried his face in the blanket, sniffing. "All… all the people… they're gone! And the blood… it's everywhere…"
Gale swallowed hard, feeling the boy's fear radiate through him. "Yeah… yeah, it's really bad. I've never seen anything like this either. But listen… I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. Not here, not now."
Ryan peeked out from the blanket, eyes wide and watery. "But… the monsters… the big wolf… it might get us!"
"I know," Gale said, his voice firm but gentle. "That's why we stay up here for now. The streets below… they're dangerous. Kobolds, big monsters… all of them. We can't go down there yet. We have to wait until it's safe."
Ryan whimpered, hugging the blanket tighter. "I don't want to go down there ever! It's all scary! I don't wanna die…"
Gale felt a lump in his throat but forced himself to stay strong. "It's okay, kid. Nobody's gonna make you go down there. Right now, we just stay up here. I'll protect you."
Ryan sniffled again, his small hands clutching Gale's jacket. "Promise?"
Gale nodded, holding the boy close. "I promise. I'll keep you safe. No monsters are getting to you, Ryan. Not today, not ever."
Ryan's eyes teared up, but a small, shaky smile appeared. "Okay… I'll be quiet. I'll stay really still."
"That's all I need," Gale said with a small, reassuring smile. "You just stay close, listen to me, and don't move too much."
Ryan pressed his face against Gale's chest. "I'm really glad you're here, Gale… you're like… my big hero!"
Gale allowed himself a tiny, wry smile despite the blood and exhaustion. "I'll do my best, kid. I'll do my best."
He tested the vines again, feeling them hum in response to his thoughts. The Monster Codex waited silently in his inventory, ready to record the next threat. The city below was a nightmare—but up here, with Ryan beside him, Gale felt the first fragile spark of hope.
"Alright, Ryan," Gale whispered, gripping the boy's hand, "we survive. One step at a time. You with me?"
Ryan's small fingers curled around his. "Y-yeah! Always!"
Gale tightened his hold, both on the boy and his resolve. "Good. Then let's figure out our next move. And remember… up here, we're safe. For now."
Gale shifted slightly, easing Ryan down behind a low rooftop wall. "Okay, kid… we're gonna stay up here for a while. You see all that mess down there?" He gestured to the streets below, littered with corpses, rubble, and moving shadows.
Ryan nodded, eyes wide. "Y-yeah… it's… it's scary…" He hugged the blanket tighter, glancing at Gale with trembling hands.
"I know it is," Gale said gently. "But up here? We're safe. You just… stay close to me, and don't move unless I tell you to. Can you do that?"
"I… I'll try!" Ryan whispered, his voice cracking.
"Good. That's all I need," Gale said. He flexed his fingers, the hum of Vine Warp echoing faintly. "See these vines?" He looped one over the edge of the rooftop. "I can use them to move, pull myself across buildings… even grab things down there if we need to. But you don't touch them yet. Got it?"
Ryan nodded vigorously. "Got it! I won't touch!"
Gale crouched, scanning the streets. "See those shadows?" He pointed toward a cluster of moving forms near a collapsed car. "Kobolds. Little guys, fast, not too smart, but dangerous if they swarm. I'm gonna record them."
He pulled out the Monster Codex, flipping to a blank page. The spectral book glimmered faintly. "Watch this."
A vine shot down, snapping toward a kobold below. Gale's hand moved in tandem with it, almost like the tendril had a mind of its own. The kobold screamed, yanked off balance by the invisible force, and Gale marked its information in the Codex.
[Monster Recorded: Kobold
Strength: 2
Speed: 3
Abilities: Quick Strike, Pack Tactics, Ambush
Weaknesses: Fragile individually, low stamina, vulnerable in prolonged fights
Ryan gasped. "Whoa… you can… see them? And write them down?"
Gale nodded. "Yeah. That's why this book's important. Every monster we see, every dangerous thing, I can record it. Next time… we'll know how to handle it. You get that?"
Ryan's small fingers gripped the blanket tighter, eyes shining with a mix of fear and awe. "I… I wanna help too! I'll watch the shadows! I'll tell you if they come!"
"Exactly," Gale said, ruffling his hair. "You keep your eyes open. You tell me if anything moves. And I'll handle the rest. We stay quiet, we stay alive."
From the streets below came a faint chitter, followed by the scraping of claws against concrete. Ryan flinched.
"Did you see it?" Gale whispered.
Ryan nodded, voice barely audible: "Y-yes… over there!" He pointed shakily at a kobold slipping through the rubble.
"Good," Gale said. "Stay like that. Keep pointing. Don't panic. We'll get through this."
He flexed his fingers, feeling the vines hum in response, and opened the Codex, ready to record the next monster.
First regression… first skill… first real chance to survive this nightmare. Gale's chest tightened, but his eyes burned with determination. And I'm not losing Ryan. Not now, not ever.
Gale pressed a hand gently on Ryan's shoulder. "Kid… I'm gonna head down for a little while, okay? I need to see if we can find supplies—food, water, maybe something to patch you and me up better."
Ryan's eyes went wide, and his small hands gripped Gale's jacket. "B-but… it's dangerous! The monsters… the streets…"
"I know," Gale said softly, kneeling to meet the boy's gaze. "That's why you stay right here, okay? I'll be fast, and I'll watch every step. You hide, stay quiet, and don't move. Promise me."
Ryan swallowed hard, his bottom lip trembling. "O-okay… I promise…"
Gale gave him a quick nod. "Good. I'll be right back."
He stepped carefully to the edge of the rooftop, scanning the street below. The ruined city stretched endlessly, smoke curling from wrecked buildings, the occasional chitter or distant howl reminding him of what lurked in the streets. He swung his vines down, feeling them anchor firmly to a nearby lamppost and broken wall. With a grunt, he descended silently, landing behind a shattered car without drawing attention.
The street was eerily quiet—too quiet—but Gale's instincts screamed that danger was all around. He stayed low, creeping along the debris-strewn road, eyes scanning for movement.
A few blocks away, the gas station came into view. The windows were cracked, the pumps splintered, and the doors hung crooked on their hinges. The smell of smoke and spilled gasoline hit him. Inside, it was a mess—shelves overturned, broken glass, and scattered corpses. Someone hadn't made it out in time.
Gale swallowed the bile rising in his throat but forced himself to focus. He moved carefully inside, dagger drawn, Vine Warp at the ready. Bottled water, energy bars, and a few medical kits lay among the chaos, some smashed, some still usable.
He stuffed what he could into a backpack, checking each item for damage. Every noise outside—a scraping, a distant screech—made him flinch. He peeked out a cracked window: shadows moved across the streets, kobolds and worse, searching, hunting.
Not a lot of time, he thought, grabbing a first aid kit and a few bottles of water. Ryan's counting on me.
A low growl echoed from the back of the station. Gale froze. The hairs on his neck stood up. Slowly, silently, he moved toward the source—careful not to draw attention. A dire wolf, smaller than the one he had faced before but still terrifying, padded among the debris. Its eyes locked on him, teeth bared.
Gale's grip tightened on his dagger. He had to distract it, keep it away from Ryan… and get the supplies.
Let's see if Vine Warp can do more than just move us around… he muttered, readying the tendrils.
The city outside was a nightmare, but Gale had a mission now: survive, scavenge, and get back to Ryan. One wrong step and it would all be over—but he refused to fail.
Gale moved carefully through the wrecked gas station, scanning the shelves for anything usable. Most of the items were smashed or rotten, but a few bottles of water, energy bars, and a first aid kit survived the chaos.
As he rifled through a cracked counter, his fingers brushed against something small and metallic. He pulled it out and examined it—a lighter, simple but intact. The flame could be invaluable: to signal, create a small barrier, or even ignite something if he needed a distraction.
Not much, but every little bit counts, he thought, tucking it into his backpack alongside the first aid kit and water.
A low, guttural growl echoed from the back of the station. Gale froze. A dire wolf, smaller than the massive one from before but still menacing, prowled among the debris, its yellow eyes locking onto him. Teeth bared, muscles coiled.
Gale gritted his teeth. He gripped his dagger in one hand, vines in the other, and eyed the wolf carefully.
Okay… distraction, quick grab, and back to Ryan. We can do this.
He glanced at the lighter in his pack. Maybe… I can use this to scare it off if it gets too close.
Every step he took was measured. Every breath silent. The ruined city outside was a nightmare, but he had supplies, a plan, and the tools to make it back to Ryan.
Just a little longer… just a little longer…
With Vine Warp ready and the lighter in his pocket, Gale crept toward the exit, prepared to face whatever was waiting for him in the ruined streets.
Gale pressed his back against a broken pillar and glanced at the streets outside. Shadows shifted among the wreckage—kobolds, debris, and the dire wolf prowling in the distance. He needed to move fast.
He flexed his fingers, letting the two Vine Warp tendrils shoot forward. One wrapped around a shattered lamppost, the other around a cracked balcony ledge on a nearby building. The vines hummed in response, pulling taut like living ropes.
With a grunt, Gale launched himself forward, vines propelling him across the street in a smooth, swinging motion. Glass and rubble flashed beneath him, but he barely noticed—speed was survival now. He twisted midair, landing on a partially collapsed car, and used the vines again to vault to a nearby building.
Ryan would have been amazed, but there was no time. Every second counted, every shadow could hide a monster, every sound might give him away.
The dire wolf growled, spotting movement. Its yellow eyes fixed on Gale as it sprinted forward, claws tearing through rubble.
Gale didn't hesitate. He shot a vine to a crumbling streetlight, another to the roof edge of a gas station across the road. Using them like a grappling hook, he swung in a wide arc, landing on the station roof with the wolf snarling beneath him.
Faster… keep moving… he muttered. The city below was a maze of ruined streets and toppled buildings, but Vine Warp let him flow above it all. Each swing, each vault, carried him farther from danger—and closer to Ryan.
He snagged a few cans of food and the first aid kit as he passed, tucking them into his pack. The lighter clinked against the side, ready if he needed a distraction.
The dire wolf leaped at the edge of the roof, teeth snapping inches from his leg. Gale swung a vine at the beast, yanking him upward as the wolf's claws tore at the air.
Landing on a higher rooftop, Gale crouched, breathing hard. The ruined city stretched endlessly below, but the vines gave him options, speed, and control.
One thing's for sure… if I had to run like this without Vine Warp… we'd already be dead.
He paused for a moment, scanning the streets for any other threats, before plotting the next swing toward Ryan's rooftop hideout. Every building, every ledge, every shadow was a potential danger—but with Vine Warp, Gale moved faster than the monsters could keep up.
With a sharp exhale, he launched himself forward. One vine shot out, anchoring to a shattered lamppost, the other latched onto a broken balcony ledge. He swung through the air, feeling the wind tear at his bloodied hair and clothes.
Below, a group of kobolds skittered over the rubble, shrieking and sniffing the air. Gale twisted midair, narrowly avoiding a toppled beam, and shot the vines forward again. A building roof, a crumbling billboard, a fire escape—each landing spot was calculated, precise, keeping him above the monsters' reach.
The dire wolf from earlier was still tracking him, growling as it leapt over debris. Gale's pulse spiked, but he didn't falter. He vaulted from rooftop to rooftop, vines snapping taut and pulling him forward like extensions of his own arms.
Almost there… just a little longer…
Finally, Ryan's hideout rooftop came into view. The boy peeked over the barricade, eyes wide, clutching the blanket. Gale swung in a wide arc, landing lightly beside him despite the blood and grime covering his clothes.
"Ryan," he whispered urgently, crouching to meet the boy's gaze. "It's me. I'm back. I got the supplies."
Ryan blinked, tears streaking his cheeks. "Y-you… you came back! I… I thought…" His voice trembled, but relief shone in his wide green eyes.
Gale ruffled his hair, still breathing hard. "I promised, didn't I? Nobody's getting you while I'm here. We're still safe—up here. For now."
Ryan hugged him tightly. "I… I was so scared… but I stayed! I didn't move, like you said!"
"You did great, kid," Gale said, giving him a small smile despite the blood and sweat on his face. He opened the backpack, letting Ryan peek at the water, energy bars, first aid kit, and the lighter. "Look… we've got some things to help us survive. We'll patch ourselves up, eat something, and then figure out our next move."
Ryan's small fingers touched the lighter, eyes wide. "Can… can I hold it?"
"Not yet," Gale said gently, tucking it back in the bag. "It's for emergencies. Right now, just keep your eyes open and stay close. You did amazing today."
Ryan smiled weakly, still trembling but proud. "O-okay… I'll help too!"
Gale flexed his fingers, the hum of Vine Warp still lingering. "Good. That's all I need from you. Up here, we plan. Down there… we survive. One step at a time, okay?"
Ryan nodded eagerly. "One step at a time!"
Gale took a deep breath, scanning the ruined city from their rooftop vantage. Vine Warp had gotten them through alive, but every shadow, every screech, every distant howl reminded him of what still lurked below.
We survived this… but we can't let our guard down.
Gale crouched at the edge of the rooftop, scanning the ruined street below. One small, child-sized kobold skittered through the rubble, oblivious to him above. Its yellow eyes glimmered with fear and cunning as it sniffed the air.
Gale flexed his fingers, and two tendrils of Vine Warp shot downward. They wrapped around the kobold with almost surgical precision. The creature squealed and struggled, claws scraping the asphalt, but the vines held it fast, yanking it upward toward the rooftop.
Ryan peeked over the barricade, eyes wide. "G-Gale… what… what are you doing?"
"Surviving," Gale muttered, his tone grim. "We need food, kid. Don't ask questions right now."
The kobold struggled, its tiny teeth gnashing, but Gale's grip was unyielding. With a swift motion, he drove his dagger through its skull. The creature went limp instantly.
He tossed the body onto the rooftop, grimacing at the smell. "Not pretty, but it's meat. We can survive tonight."
Gale set to work quickly. Using the edge of a broken metal sign as a makeshift knife, he skinned the kobold and prepared a small fire using his lighter and some scattered debris. Flames licked the cold morning air, hissing as they touched oil-stained rubble.
Ryan pressed his face into the blanket, peeking cautiously. "I… I don't wanna see…"
Gale didn't look up. "Good. You don't need to. Just know… it's food. It keeps us alive."
Minutes passed, the fire crackling and the smell of cooked meat mixing with smoke and ash. Gale cut the small pieces carefully, keeping Ryan shielded behind him. When he finally handed some to the boy, Ryan's hands shook, but he took it anyway.
"Eat," Gale said simply. "It's not pretty, but it's life."
Ryan nodded silently, biting at the meat cautiously. "T-tastes… okay," he whispered, still wide-eyed.
Gale swallowed a piece himself, grimacing at the taste but forcing it down. "Better than starving," he muttered. He flexed his fingers, feeling Vine Warp hum faintly. "We'll need more of these skills, more of this… thinking, if we're gonna survive out there."
The ruined city stretched around them, silent for a moment, the distant sounds of monsters reminding them how fragile life had become. But for now, they had food, a small fire, and the rooftop. It wasn't much—but it was enough to survive another day.
Gale leaned back against the barricade, the smell of cooked kobold still lingering. He opened his status window and saw 1 point available.
Alright… one point. Let's make it count.
He invested it into Vine Warp. The tendrils shimmered faintly, now faster, sharper, and more responsive to his thoughts.
Vine Warp — FFF- → FFF+
Can still summon two vines at a time.
Vines move significantly faster and with greater precision.
Improved control allows smoother grappling, more reliable swings, and better handling of enemies or obstacles.
A notification popped up:
Quest Completed: Kobold Hunt – Thief of the Void
Reward: Kobold Skill
A spectral book appeared in his hands, glowing faintly.
Skill Acquired: Kobold Instinct — FFF-
Passively detects nearby kobolds and small creatures.
Highlights weak points on small, agile monsters.
Can be combined with Seeker's Glance for tactical advantage.
Gale flexed his fingers experimentally. The vines hummed faster, responding instantly to his intentions. Looking down, a small kobold glimmered faintly in the street—its movements highlighted by Kobold Instinct, impossible to miss.
Ryan peeked from behind the blanket, eyes wide. "G-Gale… you look… shiny!"
Gale let out a small, tired smile. "Not shiny, kid… just stronger. These skills help us survive and make sure nothing catches us off guard."
The ruined city sprawled below, shadows shifting, monsters lurking—but with Vine Warp FFF+ and Kobold Instinct, Gale felt a sharper edge against the chaos. Two vines were all he had—but now, they were faster, more precise, and deadly in skilled hands.
Next step… grab more supplies, scout carefully, and keep Ryan safe. That's all that matters.