Kaito’s lungs burned as he gasped for air, his body crashing onto the cold, damp ground. The scent of earth and fresh leaves filled his nostrils, and his ears rang with a sharp, lingering hum. Groaning, he rolled onto his back, staring up at the sky.
The sun was high, yet the light filtering through the trees carried an unnatural hue. A soft breeze rustled the dense foliage above, casting shifting patterns of shadow across his vision.
Where am I?
The last thing he remembered was the blinding headlights of an oncoming truck, the screech of tires on wet pavement, and the sickening realization that he had no time to react.
Yet, he was not dead.
His breath quickened. He pushed himself up on weak arms, his body trembling as a rush of panic flooded his veins.
"This… this isn''t right." His voice cracked as he looked around frantically. "What the hell is going on?"
Towering trees stretched impossibly high, their dark trunks disappearing into a thick canopy. Their leaves were a deep shade of emerald—unfamiliar, almost unnatural.
Then, without warning, a voice echoed in his mind.
<hr>
[Welcome to the World of Eldoria.]
[User: Kaito Arata]
[Race: Human]
[Level: One]
[Titles: None]
[Abilities: None Acquired]
[Mission: Survive the First Hour]
[Mission Time Remaining: Fifty-Nine Minutes]
<hr>
A glowing, translucent screen materialized before him, floating in midair. His heart pounded, his throat dry as he stared at the floating text.
"What… what the hell does that mean? Survive?" His voice trembled.
He tried to wave his hands through the screen, but it remained untouched, the words glowing faintly before shifting.
[Fifty-Eight Minutes Remaining.]
Panic clawed at his chest.
"Survive?! Survive what?!"
His breathing grew erratic, his mind racing.
"Is this some kind of joke? A nightmare? A coma-induced hallucination?" His voice was hoarse, rising in pitch. "No… no, this isn''t possible."Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
He slapped his face hard. The sting jolted his senses.
This wasn’t a dream.
He was awake. He was here.
"But how?" He ran his fingers through his hair, gripping it tightly. "How did I even get here? What happened to me?"
The words on the screen taunted him.
[Survive the First Hour.]
His stomach twisted.
Something was coming.
A rustling noise snapped his attention toward the underbrush.
Kaito stilled.
The sound was subtle at first, like shifting leaves. Then it grew.
Heavy footsteps. A low growl.
A presence lurking just beyond the trees.
Slowly, red eyes emerged from the darkness.
A massive, wolf-like creature stepped forward, its fur black as midnight, muscles tensed beneath its thick hide. Its fangs gleamed as drool dripped from its maw, its hungry gaze locking onto Kaito.
His blood ran cold.
A game-like screen appeared in his vision.
<hr>
[Direfang]
[Level: Three]
[Threat Level: Moderate]
<hr>
His breath hitched.
"A wolf?! A freaking giant wolf?!"
The beast let out a guttural snarl, the sound vibrating through Kaito’s chest.
I don’t have a weapon. I don’t have armor. What the hell am I supposed to do?!
The Direfang crouched, ready to pounce.
His instincts screamed at him.
Move!
His body hesitated, fear rooting him in place.
The beast lunged.
Kaito barely managed to roll to the side, dirt flying as the Direfang’s claws tore through the ground where he had been moments ago. His heart pounded as he scrambled to his feet, his breath ragged.
"I need a weapon!" He frantically scanned the forest floor.
Amidst the fallen leaves, something caught his eye.
A rusted sword, half-buried in the dirt.
He lunged for it, fingers wrapping around the hilt just as the Direfang charged again. With no time to think, he swung wildly.
The blade connected with the beast’s shoulder, but the rusted edge barely cut into its thick hide. The Direfang snarled and retaliated instantly, swiping its claws at him.
Kaito barely dodged, stumbling backward. His hands trembled around the sword.
"This thing is stronger than me..."
The Direfang lunged again, faster this time.
Kaito tried to sidestep, but the beast was too quick. Claws raked across his side, burning pain erupting through his ribs. He cried out, stumbling to his knees.
His vision blurred. Blood seeped into his torn shirt.
Pain. It was real. Too real.
The Direfang didn’t stop. It lunged again.
Kaito barely managed to raise his sword in time. The blade scraped against the beast’s fangs, stopping it inches from his throat.
His arms trembled under the pressure. The Direfang snapped its jaws, forcing him lower, its breath hot against his face.
"No! Get off me!" He roared, kicking at its stomach.
The blow did little, but it gave him just enough space to roll away.
Gasping, Kaito pushed himself up. His grip on the sword tightened.
"I’m not dying here," he growled, wiping blood from his lip.
The Direfang lunged again. This time, Kaito didn’t dodge.
He stepped into the attack.
Twisting his body, he drove the rusted sword forward with everything he had.
The blade plunged into the Direfang’s neck.
The beast let out a strangled yelp, blood spurting from the wound. It crashed onto the ground, its momentum sending Kaito stumbling backward.
Panting, Kaito stared at the lifeless body, his hands shaking.
<hr>
[Direfang Defeated.]
[Experience Gained: 100]
[Level Up: One ? Two]
<hr>
His body felt lighter, a strange warmth coursing through him. Was this what leveling up felt like?
Before he could process it, another notification followed.
<hr>
[Additional Mission Objective: Kill the Direfang Alpha.]
[Reward: Predation, Unique Skill.]
<hr>
Kaito’s breath hitched.
The rustling in the bushes returned.
More glowing red eyes.
Then, from the darkness, a massive figure emerged.
<hr>
[Direfang Alpha]
[Level: Five]
[Threat Level: High]
<hr>
A deep, guttural growl rumbled through the clearing, sending a shiver down his spine.
The Direfang Alpha stepped forward.
Kaito’s body ached. His wounds stung. His lungs burned.
But there was no escaping this.