The forest smelled different in the morning. Dew clung to the leaves, glistening like diamonds as Alex pushed through the underbrush. His wooden sword tapped lightly against his leg with every step.
"Alright, chat," he said, yawning. "New day, new me. Yesterday I almost got eaten by a wolf, but today? Today feels like a win."
Pixel chimed in with his usual chipper tone:[Pixel]: Quest reminder: 'Forage or Perish.' Please collect at least three days of food supply. Deadline: sundown.
Alex groaned. "Yeah, yeah. Don't nag me, Mom."
The chat reacted instantly:
[Viewer1]: PIXEL = STREAMER MOM CONFIRMED[Viewer2]: Bro, listen to your mom 💀[Viewer3]: Imagine getting grounded in another world.
Alex laughed, but his stomach growled again, loud enough for chat to hear.
[Viewer4]: Feed the man, he's dying.[Viewer5]: Content idea: Cooking stream?
"Cooking stream, huh?" Alex mused. "That doesn't sound too bad. If only I had… I don't know, an actual kitchen."
The River Discovery
After a few hours of wandering, Alex heard the gentle gurgle of water. He pushed through a cluster of bushes and stumbled upon a wide river cutting through the forest. The water sparkled under the morning sun.
"Yes! Jackpot!" he shouted. "Water means fish. Fish means food. Food means survival."
Pixel added:[Pixel]: Warning: wild rivers may contain magical beasts. Please exercise caution.
Alex knelt by the riverbank, cupping water into his hands. "Oh, relax. What's the worst that could—"
The water rippled. Something large moved beneath the surface. Alex froze.
"—happen?"
Chat exploded.
[Viewer6]: BRO STOP TEMPTING FATE[Viewer7]: He's about to die on stream, part 3.[Viewer8]: DON'T TOUCH THE WATER.
Before Alex could back away, a massive silver fish leapt out, nearly smacking him in the face before splashing back into the river.
Alex toppled backward, drenched. "Are you kidding me?!"
The chat spammed emojis.
[Viewer9]: HAHAHAHA WET DOG STREAMER[Viewer10]: Fish 1 – Streamer 0[Viewer11]: Clip this plz 😂
Alex groaned but then smirked. "Okay. That fish just volunteered as dinner."
Improvised Fishing
He searched his inventory and found a length of rope. Using a branch and some sharpened rock, he improvised a fishing spear.
"See, chat? I can be resourceful."
[Viewer12]: Streamer evolving??[Viewer13]: Man's doing IRL Minecraft.[Viewer14]: About to stab himself, 100%.
Alex ignored them and waded into the shallow part of the river. The water was ice cold, but his determination burned hotter. He steadied himself, watching for shadows beneath the surface.
Minutes passed. His arms trembled with the weight of holding the spear ready. Then—a flash of silver darted past.
Alex thrust the spear down. Water splashed, and when he lifted the branch, a wriggling fish hung impaled on the end.
"YES! I'm a natural!" he shouted triumphantly.
Chat exploded again:
[Viewer15]: FISH SECURED 🐟🐟🐟[Viewer16]: Streamer actually winning??[Viewer17]: This is the survival content we subbed for.
Pixel chimed in:[Pixel]: Congratulations! You've acquired [River Carp]. Edible. Restores 25 HP when cooked.
Alex grinned. "Cooked, huh? Guess it's time for that cooking stream."
Cooking Stream Debut
Back at his campfire, Alex cleaned the fish awkwardly while the chat spammed mixed reactions.
[Viewer18]: Careful, blood warning 🚨[Viewer19]: Bro cutting like it's a horror movie.[Viewer20]: GORDON RAMSAY ENTERS THE CHAT.
"Listen," Alex muttered, scraping scales off with a rock, "I never said I was a chef. You get what you get."
Pixel provided a cooking tutorial overlay in his vision. Alex followed step by step, skewering the fish and holding it over the flame. Soon, the scent of roasting meat filled the clearing.
"Now this is more like it," Alex said, stomach growling louder. He took a bite, savoring the smoky, salty flavor.
His HP bar ticked upward, but more importantly, his spirit lifted.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said dramatically to the stream, "welcome to my first-ever fantasy world cooking stream. Menu: River Carp à la Burnt Stick."
Chat lost it.
[Viewer21]: MICHELIN STAR WHEN??[Viewer22]: This is peak content.[Viewer23]: IRL MasterChef arc starting now.
The Mysterious Traveler
Just as Alex was finishing his meal, a new sound drifted through the forest—the crunch of footsteps on dry leaves.
He froze. Slowly, he turned toward the source. A figure emerged from between the trees: a tall man in a brown cloak, hood drawn low.
Alex's hand tightened on his sword. "Uh… hi?"
The figure stopped a few feet away. A low, calm voice answered. "You are… not from this land."
Chat went wild instantly.
[Viewer24]: OHHHH NPC ENCOUNTER[Viewer25]: SUS. HE'S SUS.[Viewer26]: Boss fight or mentor arc??
Alex swallowed nervously. "Uh, no. New in town. Just… streaming my near-death experiences."
The hooded man tilted his head. "Streaming?"
Pixel whispered:[Pixel]: Careful. He's not ordinary. His mana levels are unusually high.
Alex forced a smile. "Yeah, uh… long story."
The man studied him for a moment, then lowered his hood. His face was sharp, his hair dark, streaked with gray at the temples. A scar cut across his cheek.
"My name is Kael," he said. "I am a traveler… like you."
Kael's Warning
Alex blinked. "Like me? As in… from another world?"
Kael's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Not quite. But I recognize the look in your eyes—the confusion, the hunger for survival." He gestured to Alex's campfire. "May I sit?"
Alex hesitated, then nodded. Kael lowered himself by the fire, his cloak brushing against the grass.
Pixel remained quiet, though Alex could sense the AI analyzing every detail.
Kael's gaze turned serious. "This forest is not safe. You've already encountered its lesser beasts. But darker things dwell here… things drawn to outsiders."
Alex's stomach sank. "You mean that weird glow I saw last night?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "You saw it too. Then it has noticed you."
Chat exploded again.
[Viewer27]: NOTICED BY WHO?![Viewer28]: Nah bro leave the forest.[Viewer29]: Scary foreshadowing GO BRRR.
Alex frowned. "Okay, yeah, you're being vague. Who or what are we talking about?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he poked the fire with a stick. Sparks flew upward, vanishing into the air.
"Shadows," he finally said. "They come when the veil weakens. And the veil… is weakening faster because of you."
Unwanted Spotlight
Alex blinked. "Wait—me? What did I do?"
Pixel answered this time:[Pixel]: Your livestream energy generates unique fluctuations in mana. The stronger your audience, the louder the signal.
Alex stared. "So… streaming makes me a giant glowing target for monsters?"
Pixel:[Pixel]: Correct! But also… it makes you stronger.
The chat spammed emojis like crazy.
[Viewer30]: Streamer OP, but also bait 😂[Viewer31]: Bro is literally an IRL beacon.[Viewer32]: Monsters are basically subscribers now.
Alex groaned, burying his face in his hands. "So basically, I can either be famous or alive. Not both."
Kael studied him with an unreadable expression. "If you truly wish to survive… you must learn to control it. I can help."
The Offer
Alex lifted his head. "You're offering to… train me?"
Kael nodded. "I can teach you to mask your energy, to fight with purpose. But in return…" His eyes glinted. "You must show me this 'streaming.'"
Chat collectively lost its mind.
[Viewer33]: NPC WANTS TO STREAM 💀[Viewer34]: Mentor arc + streamer collab incoming.[Viewer35]: THIS IS THE CONTENT WE NEED.
Alex blinked, then burst out laughing. "You… want to stream with me?"
Kael tilted his head. "I do not know what it means. But I feel its power. If it can make you stronger… perhaps it can help me too."
Alex rubbed his temples, trying not to laugh again. "Oh my god. This world's first collab stream. You can't make this up."
Pixel's voice chimed in gleefully:[Pixel]: New Sub-Quest unlocked: 'Partnership Program.' Objective: Teach Kael how to stream. Reward: Unique Skill Upgrade.'
Alex groaned. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
Foreshadowing the Journey
Night settled over the forest again, the fire crackling between Alex and Kael.
For the first time since arriving, Alex didn't feel completely alone. Sure, his chat was always with him—but this was different. A living, breathing ally sitting across the flames.
But Kael's warning still echoed in his mind. The glow. The shadows. The danger of being too visible.
He stared into the fire, determination flickering in his eyes.
"Alright, chat," Alex muttered under his breath, "guess the adventure just leveled up."
Far beyond the clearing, in the depths of the forest, golden eyes opened once more. This time, more than one pair.
And they were all watching Alex.