The glowing eyes of the three beasts bore into Lin. His hands shook around the glowing wooden stick, and his heart pounded like it wanted to escape his chest.
"Swing it! Or do you plan to die staring at them like a stunned goldfish?" Crystal barked, her voice sharper than usual.
"I'm… I'm trying!" Lin stammered.
Elara stepped forward gracefully. "You'll need to strike, dodge, and—most importantly—think. If you panic, you're done for."
Lin swallowed, nodding. Okay. Think. Not panic. Not die. Simple.
---
Learning Combat Properly
The first swing was weak. The beast swiped its paw, sending him tumbling into a tree. Mud, leaves, and what might have been a frog stuck to his hair.
"Death count: 102. Congratulations. You're officially a mess," Crystal remarked.
Lin groaned. "I don't even care anymore…"
"You should care," Crystal snapped. "Or do you want to be dinner number 103?"
Elara tossed Lin a small, sharp dagger. "Try hitting the side of the beast. Aim for the gaps in its movement."
With trembling hands, Lin jabbed the dagger. The beast yelped and stumbled back. A small victory.
"Finally! You actually hit something!" Crystal's voice was a mix of excitement and sarcasm. "I didn't think it was possible."
Lin's face lit up. For the first time, he felt a tiny spark of hope.
---
The System's Secret Advantage
"System notification: Basic Combat Skill upgraded."
Lin blinked. "Wait… upgraded?"
"Yes, genius. You hit your first enemy. Your attacks now have a slight power bonus and better accuracy."
"Even I can hit something now?" Lin exclaimed.
"Yes. Even a weakling like you can be useful… sometimes."
Crystal smirked.
---
First Quest Unlocked
As the beasts recovered and circled them again, a glowing exclamation mark appeared above Elara's head.
"System notification: Quest Available – 'Hunt of the Jungle Beasts'."
Lin squinted. "We have… a quest? Now?"
"Yes. Kill the beasts, survive, and gain experience. Or die trying. Your choice," Crystal said.
Elara's eyes sparkled with determination. "If we survive this, I'll show you some tricks to navigate this jungle. Deal?"
"Deal," Lin said, gripping his stick tighter. He had no choice—he had to survive.
---
Teamwork (and Comedy)
The plan was simple: Elara distract the largest beast, Lin attack from the side, and Crystal… well, she mostly insulted him while occasionally giving helpful hints.
Lin swung, missed, slipped on mud, and rolled under a tree.
"Graceful as ever," Crystal commented.
Elara ducked elegantly under the beast's paw and slashed at its side, making it roar in pain.
Lin jabbed his stick—this time it connected. The beast staggered.
"Wow… maybe you're not completely hopeless," Elara said, smirking.
Lin blushed under mud and sweat. "I… I'm getting better!"
Crystal snorted. "Getting better? You're barely functional, but sure. Let's pretend that counts as progress."
---
The First Victory (With Pain)
After what felt like hours, the three beasts finally fled, nursing their injuries. Lin collapsed, gasping for breath.
XP gained: Enough to unlock Dodge Skill.
Health low, body aching, but alive.
Elara approached him, handing a small vial. "Drink this—it's a healing potion. Only enough for minor injuries."
Lin gulped it down. Warmth spread through his body. For the first time, he felt capable of surviving this world.
Crystal chimed in, mockingly: "Drink that and try not to die on your way back to the camp. I'd hate to clean up another mess."
---
A Quiet Moment… Before Chaos
As Lin and Elara walked deeper into the jungle, the sun setting behind them painted the sky red.
Birds screeched, insects hummed.
The quiet was unsettling.
Lin glanced at Elara. "So… how do you survive out here every day?"
Elara smiled faintly. "By learning the jungle's rules—and avoiding idiots like you. You'll get there eventually… I hope."
Lin laughed weakly. "I'm… trying."
Crystal's voice cut in with finality: "Trying is cute. Surviving is harder. And, spoiler, tomorrow's lesson is brutal. Bring a helmet… or a coffin. Your choice."
---
Cliffhanger Ending
A sudden rustling came from the bushes.
Something large was approaching, faster than anything Lin had faced before.
Lin froze, gripping his stick. "What is that—?"
Crystal's voice dropped into a tone Lin hadn't heard before: serious, sharp, and slightly excited.
"Oh… this is going to be fun."
The silhouette of a towering, armored jungle predator stepped into the clearing. Its claws gleamed, eyes glowing red. It growled—a sound that shook the ground.
Lin swallowed hard, glancing at Elara. "We… fight it?"
Elara nodded, dagger in hand. "We survive it. Together."
The predator roared. Lin raised his glowing stick… and the battle began.
To be continued…