Chapter 2: First Steps
The river's surface stilled once more, leaving my reflection to stare back at me with those unfamiliar eyes. My chest rose and fell as I forced myself to breathe, to calm down. The fear that had seized me began to fade, replaced by a heavy, gnawing uncertainty.
I splashed a handful of water on my face, its chill grounding me in this strange reality. This is real. I'm not waking up from this.
With effort, I pushed myself out of the shallow water and climbed up the bank. My hands sank into damp soil, cold and grainy between my fingers. The rough texture of moss clung to my skin as I dragged myself onto solid ground.
For a moment, I just sat there, catching my breath. My rags clung to me, wet and heavy, sticking uncomfortably to my skin. The rope around my waist felt tight, like a reminder of chains that were no longer there.
Around me, the forest breathed. Birds chirped in high branches, their voices sharp and strange compared to the city sparrows I once knew. Leaves rustled with the wind, and somewhere far off, I heard the distant cry of an animal I couldn't name.
I placed my palm against the earth, steadying myself as I stood. The ground was uneven, littered with fallen branches and roots that snaked like veins across the soil. Above, the canopy broke in places, letting shafts of sunlight scatter like golden spears across the forest floor.
It was beautiful wild and untamed but that beauty only reminded me how far I was from the life I knew. No bars, no streets, no neon lights. Just wilderness stretching in every direction.
My stomach gave a faint growl. Hunger. A human weakness that didn't care if I had just died and been reborn.
I clenched my fists and whispered, as if saying it aloud would make me believe it: "I have to survive."
I took a shaky step forward, my bare feet pressing against the damp earth. Every sound in the forest seemed louder now the buzzing of insects, the rustle of unseen creatures moving through the undergrowth.
The hunger in my belly twisted tighter with every step. Back on Earth, food was always just a convenience store away. Here, there was nothing but trees, plants, and the possibility of danger hiding behind them.
I scanned my surroundings. Some bushes nearby bore clusters of small, red berries. My throat tightened with temptation, but something deep inside told me better. I had no idea if they were edible or poison. I backed away, forcing myself to ignore the craving.
The air grew heavier, the silence broken only by the occasional bird call. Then, I heard it branches snapping. Not close, but not far either. My body froze, instincts kicking in like when I patrolled dark alleys during night shifts.
I crouched low, eyes narrowing toward the sound. The hairs on my neck stood on end.
Another snap. A heavy thud against the earth. Whatever it was, it wasn't small.
My fists clenched uselessly. I had no weapon, no armor just the strength of my body and the will to survive. My heart pounded against my ribs as the noise drew closer, rustling through the brush.
Then, through the foliage, I saw a glimpse shaggy brown fur, moving between the trees.
A beast.
My mouth went dry.
Then something strange flickered at the edge of my vision.
A faint, glowing square hovered at the bottom corner of my sight like some kind of digital icon. At first, I thought I was hallucinating. But no matter how I blinked or rubbed my eyes, the little box remained.
My breath hitched. Slowly, I focused on it.
The moment my attention locked, the box expanded, unfolding like a screen opening in midair.
Lines of glowing text appeared:
[System Initialization] Collect points to access store functions.
I staggered back, my mind spinning. A… system?
It was impossible. Yet here it was, floating before my eyes as if I'd stepped into one of the online novels I used to skim during night shifts.
The beast in the woods growled, dragging my attention back. The sound was low, guttural, and far too close.
The system screen pulsed faintly, almost like it was urging me offering a choice.
With trembling fingers, I touched the glowing square again. Three faint lines appeared in the corner like a menu button. On instinct, I pressed it.
The screen shifted, lines of text unfolding before my eyes.
[System Rules]
Kill any being to earn points.
The stronger the being, the greater the points.
Points may be exchanged for gold.
Points may be spent in the store to purchase items, weapons, and skills.
Points may also be used in gacha draws to summon allies, beasts, or rare abilities.
I read them twice, my lips moving silently.
Kill… to get points?
A chill ran through me. It was brutal, simple, and terrifyingly direct. The system was pushing me toward bloodshed as a way to survive.
Still in shock, my finger hovered over the glowing interface. Even so, I confirmed the pop-up.
Another window appeared immediately.
[Newbie Bonus Granted]
Weapon: Dagger (F-rank)
Skill: Stab (F-rank)
Points: +200
1 Random Gacha
My eyes widened as the words shimmered in the air. A weapon, a skill… even points? This wasn't just a system—it was preparing me for something.
"What the hell is F-rank? I muttered, staring at the glowing words in front of my eyes.
As if in response, a small dagger appeared in my hand. Its blade was plain, nothing fancy more like a tool than a weapon. Suddenly, the system blinked and a window popped up:
[Item: Dagger – F Rank] Type: Weapon (Low rank) Damage: 14
I tightened my grip around the dagger's hilt. So… it's weak. But at least it's something.
Then another thought came to me. What about the skill? F-rank too… so it must also be weak, right?
I stood in front of a tree and activated the skill. My body moved on its own my arm shot forward in a precise thrust.
Thud!
The blade buried itself halfway into the bark, deeper than I expected. I stared at it, surprised. Not bad…
But before I could admire it further, the sound of footsteps reached my ears. Heavy. Fast. Getting closer.
The bushes ahead rustled violently before a massive boar emerged. Its body was twice the size of a normal pig, tusks sharp enough to pierce through flesh.
A system window popped up at once:
[Beast: Mutated Boar – F Rank] Strength: 18 Agility: 12 Skills: Strong Bite, Tusk Dive
"What? I can see its stats?" My eyes widened. "Eighteen strength… twelve agility… it even has skills? Then what about me?"
As if answering my question, another window appeared:
[Player Status] Name: Aren Title: None Class: None Health: 100 Mana: 90 Strength: 16 Agility: 15 Stamina: 10 Luck: 3 Potential: ? Points: 200 Skills: Stab (F Rank)
I barely had time to process before the boar lowered its head and charged.
Whoosh!
The beast's tusks grazed past me as I stumbled back, heart hammering. My agility was higher just enough for me to dodge by the skin of my teeth.
It turned and lunged again. I kept stepping back, dodging left and right, the dagger trembling in my grip. "Damn it… I have to use the skill!
I steadied my breath, waiting. The boar roared and lunged once more.
At the last second, I sidestepped, slashing at its front leg. The beast stumbled, letting out a pained grunt. I didn't hesitate I lunged forward, activated my skill, and drove the dagger deep into its neck.
Warm blood sprayed across my arm. The boar staggered, its eyes rolling before it collapsed with a heavy thud.
A system notification appeared before me:
[You have slain Mutated Boar – F Rank] Points Earned: 75
I froze, panting, my dagger still buried in its flesh. Then a laugh escaped my lips, shaky but real.
I actually killed it.
For the first time since waking in this strange world, I felt something spark inside me fear, yes, but also exhilaration.
"So this is how I'll survive… by killing."