《The Continental Strife》 The Beginning of New Era [Welcome to the Continental Strife.] [Each of you chosen to participate will not only represent your homeland but, perhaps, your entire race.] [This competition is a path to power, treasure, and dominance. To the strong-willed, the lucky, and the relentless¡ªvictory awaits.] [Only those with both wits and strength will endure.] [May your strife be auspicious.] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Your status is now available to view.] ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª A cold wind howled through the jagged cliffs, carrying with it the scent of pine and raw earth. The sky stretched infinitely above, a muted gray, as if the heavens themselves observed in silent judgment. Viktor stood on rocky ground, the uneven terrain pressing sharply against his boots. Towering peaks loomed in the distance, their craggy surfaces partially hidden by mist. Below, a vast sea of dark green forest stretched out, its depths unknowable. His breath came slow and measured, but his mind reeled. One moment, he had been hammering molten steel in the forge¡ªthe next, he was here. No transition, no warning. Just an abrupt shift, as if reality itself had twisted. Viktor glanced down at himself, still in his work clothes. The scent of metal and soot clung to him, a fleeting anchor in this strange place. A soft hum flickered at the edge of his vision. He turned toward it. Before him, a translucent screen floated in the air, its letters shifting into something he could understand. It was... unreal. ¡°Did I overwork myself?¡± Viktor muttered under his breath. He felt no fatigue, but maybe he¡¯d passed out in the forge. Was this some heat-induced delusion? Before he could dwell on the thought, a shadow passed overhead¡ªa massive one. An instinct deep within him roared to life. His muscles seized, and his breath locked in his chest. A pressure¡ªprimal and unrelenting¡ªpressed down on him like a weight. His steel gray eyes shot upward. A dragon. Its wings stretched across the sky, blocking out the light as it soared above the treetops. Its sheer presence, the deliberate power in its flight, sent a shiver down his spine. Viktor heart pounded. Stolen story; please report. For the first time in his life, he felt truly insignificant. The weight of its presence crushed him¡ªnot just fear, but something deeper, more visceral. His instincts whispered of prey before predator, of ember before inferno. Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the dragon vanished beyond the cliffs, leaving only silence in its wake. Viktor stood frozen. His legs ached, not from movement, but from the effort of staying grounded in the face of such overwhelming presence. He stared at the empty sky, his thoughts unraveling like brittle iron. ¡°...Fuck,¡± he breathed, his voice almost drowned by the wind. This wasn¡¯t a dream. It wasn¡¯t some heat-induced hallucination. Dragons were real. And if dragons were real, then this ¡®Continental Strife¡¯ would be nothing short of brutal. His fingers flexed at his sides, the roughness of his calloused palms grounding him once more. He didn¡¯t know where he was, or why, but one thing was certain¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just a blacksmith anymore. Shaking off the lingering weight of the dragon¡¯s presence, Viktor turned his attention back to the floating screen. It was time to learn what this ¡®Continental Strife¡¯ truly was. ¡­ Reading through the messages, Viktor learned three things. First, race and competition mattered here. Second, he had no idea where he stood in either. And third¡ªthe nature of the competition wasn¡¯t stated. The text spoke of survival, power, and status, but nothing was clear. Was it a war? A tournament? A hunt? A free-for-all? There were no explanations¡ªonly the expectation to struggle. Viktor eyes lingered on the words "represent your home, perhaps your entire race." What did that mean? He was human. That much was obvious. But was that a factor? Was everyone here human, or were there others? A flicker of unease settled in his chest, but now wasn¡¯t the time for endless questions. Answers would come later. Looking at the last screen, Viktor thought inwardly: ¡®Status¡¯ As the new screen unfolded before him, revealing information he¡¯d never seen displayed in this way. ¡­. [Status] ¡ª Name : Viktor Race : [Human ¡ª Lv. (N/A)] Innate : [ Unavailable (N/A) ] Innate Rank : [ N/A ] ¡­. [Attributes] ¡ª Health 120/120 Mana 25/25 Strength: 11 Agility: 9 Constitution: 12 Spirit : 5 Undisturbed stats : 0 ¡­. Viktor''s mind raced, trying to process the stark simplicity of the display. Level N/A? Innate unavailable? He blinked. What the hell does that even mean? His gaze lingered on the unfamiliar stats, confusion deepening. What was this supposed to tell him about himself? The numbers, the terms¡ªit felt like reading an incomplete blueprint of his own existence. He mulled it over. Then, as if on cue, a new prompt flickered into view. [Level]: A measure of a user''s race and existence, representing their growth in complexity and power. With each level-up, stats will automatically increase based on the user''s race, and additional undistributed stat points will be awarded. Viktor''s raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh?¡± He focused on the words, wondering if more details would appear. And so, he tried again. [Innate]: Upon integration with the system, all individuals gain a distinct, progressive ability. This power manifests at level 1 and grows alongside the user. [Innate Rank]: A measure of an innate ability¡¯s strength and potential. It advances at certain level intervals¡ª(10, 20, 30, etc.), unlocking greater proficiency and new applications. [Throughout all the Continental Stages, All innate skills are categorized into nine ranks: G, F, E, D, C, B, A, S, EX.] Viktor''s exhaled slowly, absorbing the information. The structure was simple yet absolute¡ªpower was earned in stages, dictated by the system. And right now, his level was zero. So, I need to level up to unlock my Innate Ability? As if in response, new text materialized. [Innate Skill] : an ability linked to the user Innate Ability, unlocked after Each ten-level milestone, categorized into nine ranks: [G, F, E, D, C, B, A, S, EX]. [Strength] : A measure of muscle power and raw physical force. [Agility] : Governs speed, reflexes, movement fluidity, and reaction time. [Constitution] : Determines stamina, endurance, bone density, and natural durability. [Spirit] : Affects five senses, thought processing speed, mana pool, and critical thinking ability. [Health = Constitution x10, Mana = Spirit x 5] After reading through the descriptions, Viktor''s gained a clearer understanding of the system and his Status. However, one crucial question remained unanswered. How do I level up? No matter how much he focused on the words, no new information surfaced¡ªonly what he had already seen. "Hm¡­ maybe¡ª" Before he could finish his thought, a new prompt materialized. And this time, a voice accompanied it. ¡­ [Dear Participants, welcome] [You have been summoned without warning, thrown into a new place¡ªa new world] [This is your chance¡ªto carve your fate, to seize strength, to rise] [The ''Continental Strife'' is a universal event, held once every era. Here, heroes are forged, and the victor takes all] [A new age has begun. The era of Strife is upon us] [We wish you all¡ªgood luck] ¡­ [The "First Step" have been listed] ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. UPCOMING NEXT -CHAPTER 2 - First Step, First Kill. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. GLOSSARY -:- [1] Status ¡ª A comprehensive view of a character''s attributes, including health, race, skills, and level. The system tracks and updates the character¡¯s progress. First Step, First Kill [The "First Step" have been listed] After the voice faded, a new screen appeared, as before Viktor''s could try to focus on it, a new section appeared. ¡­ [First Step] (Commission) - Description : Your Strife has just begun. The first step is to understand yourself and your status, but is that truly enough? Not everything is as it seems, for the world around you holds many unknowns that may soon reveal themselves. Objective : Discover the way to level up and reach level 1. Rewards: 10 Achievement Points, Unlock [Innate], [??]. ¡­ Viktor''s brow furrowed as he read through the objective. It seemed straightforward¡ªhe had to figure out how to level up. But something gnawed at him, a feeling that went deeper than the words. What exactly did ¡°getting to know yourself¡± mean in this context? And why did it sound like he was missing something crucial, something that hadn¡¯t yet revealed itself? Awoooo! A low, drawn-out howl echoed through the trees. Viktor''s stiffened. The howl cut through the silence, carried by the wind. It was close. Too close. His lips curled into a wry smile. "Right. Of course. Wolves." Instinct kicked in. His eyes swept the treeline, his stance subtly shifting as if the ground beneath him had suddenly turned hostile. His fingers twitched toward his belt, but there was no familiar weight of a hammer or dagger. Instead, his hand brushed against something small¡ªa narrow chisel tucked into his pocket. A tool, not a weapon. But right now, it was the only thing standing between him and whatever was watching from the dark. The underbrush rustled. Three shapes emerged from the gloom, their eyes glinting in the fading light. Viktor''s breath slowed. Viktor''s took an instinctive step back. They were huge¡ªlarger than any wolf he had ever seen, their dark coats blending into the night. Their glowing yellow eyes fixed on him with an eerie intelligence. Three against one. I¡¯m already Outnumbered. The wolves circled him, their growls deep and guttural, the sound vibrating through the air. Two of them¡ªthe larger ones¡ªdidn''t immediately attack. Instead, they flanked him, pacing with measured steps, cutting off any escape route. They weren¡¯t reckless. They weren¡¯t lunging blindly. They were corralling him Viktor''s brows knit together. The third wolf, smaller than the others, stood between them. Its ears pricked forward, muscles tensed. It was young, but its eyes burned with intent. It shifted its weight, pressing into its haunches. Viktor''s pulse quickened. "It¡¯s going to lunge." Viktor''s mind reeled, instincts screaming at him to move, but something made him hesitate. The two larger wolves stood firm, their focus entirely on the smaller one. Not him. Viktor''s exhaled sharply. His fingers twitched, brushing against the narrow chisel in his pocket. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was something. The young wolf¡¯s lips curled back, exposing its teeth. Then¡ª Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. It lunged. The wolf lunged with a speed that sent a shock through Viktor''s core, its jaws snapping toward his leg. "Shit¡ª" Viktor''s twisted¡ªteeth snapped shut where his leg had been a heartbeat ago. The force of the strike sent dust flying, claws gouging the earth where he had just been. His heart pounded. That was fast. Too fast. The other two wolves circled him, their eyes cold. They knew he was vulnerable. They could sense it. Viktor''s shifted his stance, trying to predict its next move. Again, the wolf lunged. This time, he managed to sidestep more cleanly, but his balance wavered against the uneven ground. The wolf landed and immediately wheeled around, snapping at him again. Viktor''s barely pulled back in time. His breathing quickened. His mind raced. This thing was relentless. It wasn¡¯t giving him a moment to react. And yet¡ª Something felt off. The way it attacked. The way it moved. The way¡ª Viktor''s eyes flickered toward the two larger wolves. The other two wolves¡ªthe larger ones¡ªdidn''t advance. They didn¡¯t snarl or bare their teeth. They simply positioned themselves at his flanks, their piercing gazes unreadable. Still. Silent. Observing. Don''t tell me¡­ Realization settled in his gut like cold iron. They¡¯re not attacking. They were letting the smaller one fight. It clicked. They were teaching their pup how to hunt. The next attack came¡ªa wild leap forward, jaws aimed high. Viktor''s mind snapped into focus. This wolf was strong¡ªbut inexperienced. It lunged without thinking. It committed too much to each attack. And that gave him an opening. Viktor''s braced himself. The wolf lunged again. He feinted left. The wolf adjusted. Then¡ªViktor''s pivoted sharply to the right. The young wolf lunged again¡ªreckless, aggressive, overcommitting. Viktor''s twisted his body just enough to let it miss, and in that split second¡ª Viktor''s struck. Crack¡ª! The chisel punched through fur and flesh, sinking to the hilt. A wet, ragged yelp tore through the night. The wolf stumbled, legs faltering, crimson soaking its dark coat. Viktor''s breath hitched. His grip on the chisel tightened. For a moment, his stomach twisted. It was young. Learning. But the low growls of the two larger wolves snapped him back to reality. The pup still bared its fangs. It still tried to stand. It would kill him if he hesitated. Viktor''s yanked the chisel free, his grip unsteady. The warmth of blood slicked his fingers, the scent sharp and metallic in the air. He took a half step back, breath hitching¡ª Then¡ª Awoooo!¡ªAwoooo! The parents. A deep, guttural growl rattled the air, sharp enough to make Viktor''s chest tighten. They hesitated¡ªonly for a second. But that second was all he needed. Viktor''s turned and ran. Rocks shifted beneath his feet, but he didn¡¯t stop. He pushed forward, weaving through the uneven terrain, lungs burning. The wolves didn¡¯t immediately chase. Their growls followed him, but their footsteps did not. Viktor''s didn¡¯t dare look back. Not until he was sure he had escaped. Not until he was sure he had survived. Viktor''s legs burned as he sprinted through the wilderness, adrenaline coursing through him. His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest tight. The sound of the wolves¡¯ growls still echoed, but the terrain thickened, and the chase seemed to slow. He didn¡¯t dare glance back. The wolves were still out there, but how far behind? He couldn¡¯t tell. All he could do was run, putting as much distance between himself and them as possible. Viktor''s stumbled into a small ravine, jagged rocks and thick underbrush offering a brief reprieve. His breath came in shallow gasps, the panic in his chest dulling as the wilderness hummed around him. Pressing against the cool stone, he slid into the shadows, trying to steady his breath. His heart still hammered, his thoughts swirling, but he didn¡¯t dare relax. Not yet. The ravine hid him, thick with vines and jagged rock. He listened. The wolves¡¯ growls had faded, but they might still be out there. Lurking. Viktor''s wiped his face with his sleeve, dirt and sweat mixing. The metallic taste of blood lingered in his mouth, the sharp scent filling the air. His pulse was still erratic, but the immediate danger seemed to have passed. He remained motionless, listening intently. The faint rustling of underbrush kept him on edge. They could still be circling. He didn¡¯t dare move yet. Pressing harder against the stone, Viktor''s tried to calm his breath. The quiet of the ravine surrounded him¡ªdistant rustling, the hum of the wilderness¡ªbut nothing else. No growls. No footsteps. He was alone¡ªfor now. Slowly exhaling, he scanned his surroundings once more. Everything was still. The wolves were gone. He had made it. Then, just as his heartbeat began to slow, a flood of prompts filled his vision. ¡­ [You have successfully defeated the Young Dire Wolf (Lv.3)] [Your race level rises by 1] [Racial Level Up Bonus: +1 Spirit, +1 Constitution] [Level Up Bonus: 2+ Undistributed Stats Obtained] [You have reached Level 1 and your Innate ability [1st] Stage has been unlocked] [Innate [Branded By Fire and Steel] has been unlocked] [Innate Skill Effects: 1+ Constitution, 1+ Strength] [Commission "First Step" Objective has been completed!] [Commission "First Step" Hidden Objective completed!] ¡­ [Your Status has been updated] ¡­ Viktor''s felt a wave of unexpected strength surge through him, washing away the exhaustion. It was as if the weight of his tiredness had vanished, replaced by a power he couldn¡¯t quite comprehend. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. UPCOMING NEXT - CHAPTER 3 - ?? ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. GLOSSARY -:- [1] Dire Wolf ¡ª A large and powerful breed of wolf, known for its formidable strength rather than agility or senses. Dire Wolves are typically much larger than ordinary wolves and are fierce hunters that rely on their strength in combat. They often hunt in packs, and their young are taught the art of hunting by older wolves. The Young Dire Wolf is a subspecies of the Mountain Dire Wolves, still learning its full potential but already showing significant power. Tense Respite Viktor''s exhaustion vanished as a surge of strength coursed through his body. He felt lighter, stronger, and¡­ different. A flood of prompts filled his vision, and as he instinctively opened his updated status screen, he saw the changes¡ªhis level had increased, his stats had improved, and his innate ability had finally awakened. ¡­. [Status] : ¡ª Name : Viktor Race : [Human ¡ª Lv.1] Innate : [ Branded By Fire and Steel ] Innate Rank : [ 1st Stage ] ¡­... [Attribute(s)] : ¡ª Health 120 ¡ú 140 + Mana 25 ¡ú 30 + Strength: 11 ¡ú 12 + Agility: 9 Constitution: 12 ¡ú 14 + Spirit : 5 ¡ú 6 + Undisturbed stats : 0 ¡ú 2+ ¡­. Innate Skill(s) : ¡ª [Man of Tempered Steel (A)]. ¡­. Viktor blinked, dumbfounded. The changes were more significant than he had expected. Critically wounding the young wolf was one thing, but actually defeating it and leveling up? That was another matter entirely. His Strength had increased by 1. His Spirit had increased by 1. And his Constitution had surged by 2 points. He pulled open the previous notifications, eager to understand what had just occurred. ¡­. [You have successfully defeated the Young Dire Wolf (Lv.3)] [Your race level rises by 1] [Racial Level Up Bonus: +1 Spirit, +1 Constitution] [Level Up Bonus: 2+ Undistributed Stats Obtained] [You have reached Level 1 and your Innate ability [1st] Stage has been unlocked] [Innate [Branded By Fire and Steel] has been unlocked] [Innate Skill Effects: 1+ Constitution, 1+ Strength] ¡­. Viktor carefully reread the notifications. At first, he had assumed that leveling up simply increased his stats. But now, the system was making something clear¡ªstats weren¡¯t distributed in just one way. There were three separate sources of stat gains: Racial Stats ¨C Automatically assigned based on race. This time, his race-level bonus had granted +1 Spirit and +1 Constitution. Stolen novel; please report. Undistributed Stats ¨C Freely allocated points he could assign however he wished. Innate Skill Effects ¨C A completely new factor, something he hadn¡¯t learned about before. Viktor frowned. Innate Skill Effects¡­? He clearly remembered the system''s level-up description: each level granted Racial Stats and Undistributed Stats¡ªbut nothing had mentioned Innate Skills affecting stat gains. Viktor exhaled, rubbing his temples. Still, now wasn¡¯t the time to overanalyze things. He had two large wolves out there, likely furious after he had just killed their pup. Pushing aside his unease, Viktor focused on the most important part¡ªhis newly awakened Innate Ability. Branded By Fire and Steel¡­ Viktor smirked. Sounds cool. A second later, he coughed, clearing his throat. Not the time to get carried away. With a sharp inhale, he concentrated, willing the system to display more details. ¡­. Innate Ability: [ Branded By Fire and Steel ] (1st Stage) ¡ª You possess an incredible talent towards metalworking, where due to your upbringings and blood, You are blessed by the flames of steel, granting you an high affinity for metal, heat, and craftsmanship. Your proficiency in blacksmithing and related craft skills is significantly enhanced, making it easier to master techniques and perform exceptionally well in any metalworking task. Any action related to blacksmithing or crafting will gain an enhanced bonus. Current Innate Skill(s): ¡ª [Man of Tempered Steel(A)] ¡­. Viktor¡¯s brows furrowed. Metalworking? He had expected something combat-oriented¡ªsomething that would help him survive. Instead, his Innate Ability seemed centered around craftsmanship. ...What the hell am I supposed to do with this? Rubbing his temples, he exhaled deeply. For a moment, he was back in his forge¡ªback home. If this was his old life, this ability would have been a gift. A chance to finally surpass his grandfather, the man who had raised him and taught him everything he knew about metalworking skills. "¡­.." A flicker of emotion passed through him. As his thoughts wandered, Viktor caught himself¡ªthis was not the time for distractions. His life was on the line, literally. Shaking off the memories, he refocused on the system. And that¡¯s when he noticed it. Hold on¡ªa skill? His Innate Skill. [Man of Tempered Steel]. ¡­. Innate Skill: [Man of Tempered Steel] (A) ¨C Your body and will, like the finest metal, has been tempered through years of work with the forge. Every callous on your hands, every burn and scar, has been a testament to your dedication. You are resistant to common burns, and stamina drains less while blacksmithing or crafting. Passive Effect [1] ¡ª Bonus: With each level-up, your strength and constitution will gain bonus stats. Passive Effect [2] ¡ª In the face of adversity, your Will becomes unyielding as iron. ¡­. "That¡¯s why¡­," Viktor muttered in realization, as he recalled how his Constitution and Strength had both increased by 1 with his level-up, in addition to his racial stat bonuses. Yet¡­ Viktor paused, confusion clouding his thoughts. Frustration slowly began to bubble within him as he mulled over the vague effects of his skill. Resistant to common burns? Stamina drains less? The first passive effect was useful, no doubt. Viktor recognized that it would significantly benefit him in the long term, especially when it came to increasing his stats, but¡­ it didn¡¯t seem as immediately useful in his current situation. And the second effect? It was¡ªutterly useless. Aren¡¯t I in freakin¡¯ adversity right now?! Viktor shouted inwardly, not wanting to alert the wolves, if they were nearby. A Rank? Isn¡¯t that pretty high for a skill rank? The second passive effect¡ªhis unyielding will¡ªfelt like a cruel joke. Where was his will to survive when his body had no way of defending itself? Viktor ran a hand through his hair in frustration. This doesn¡¯t help me survive. The sudden tension surged in his chest, the weight of his situation sinking deeper. His exhaustion had vanished, sure, but that wasn¡¯t enough. Not in the face of wolves, not with only a chisel for a weapon. But then, something clicked. The Commission. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. It wasn¡¯t just his level-up. The First Step Commission had promised rewards¡ªreal, tangible rewards for completing the task. His hand clenched into a fist. He didn¡¯t know exactly what those rewards would be, but it had to be something useful. A weapon, maybe? Some kind of tool to help him survive? The thought steadied him, like a cool breeze cutting through the fog of his panic. He still can survive. Viktor took another deep breath, refocused, and with a final glance at his updated status screen, he narrowed his eyes, willing the system to show his previous notifications. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. UPCOMING NEXT - CHAPTER 4 - A Way Out ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. GLOSSARY -:- [1] System Ranks : In the Continental Strife, everything is categorized into Nine ranks: G, F, E, D, C, B, A, S, EX. These ranks apply to skills, items, equipment, and more. G-F represent low to common tiers, E, D, C are considered average to above-average, and B, A are high-tier, reflecting exceptional power. However, S and EX ranks stand at the pinnacle. S is reserved for rare and legendary items or abilities, while EX is the highest possible rank, signifying items, skills, or equipment of almost godlike rarity and power, often considered mythical or beyond comprehension. ¡­. A Way Out Viktor took another deep breath, refocused, and with a final glance at his updated status screen, he narrowed his eyes, willing the system to show his previous notifications. ¡­¡­ [Commission "First Step" Objective has been completed!] [Commission "First Step" Hidden Objective completed!] ¡­¡­ He blinked, pausing as he processed the words on the screen. Hidden Objective¡­ Yes, a hidden requirement. Viktor clearly remembered seeing it when the notification appeared after the wolf pup died. But since it was hidden, he hadn¡¯t known exactly how to complete it. He had lucked out. Critically wounding the wolf pup, managing to escape the wrath of the parents, and now completing a hidden objective. As if it wasn¡¯t just the pup attacking alone. Hell, even one of the larger wolves attacking¡­ Viktor shuddered at the thought. I guess my luck ran out, he thought, the relief of survival quickly replaced with a cold realization. The situation could have turned out far worse. Much worse. He moved over and quickly opened the full details of the commission, eager to see exactly what had been accomplished. ¡­¡­ [First Step] (Commission) - Description : Your Strife has just begun. The first step is to understand yourself and your status, but is that truly enough? Not everything is as it seems, for the world around you holds many unknowns that may soon reveal themselves. Objective : Discover the way to level up and reach level 1. Rewards: 10 Achievement Points, Unlock [Innate], [Random Skill (G ~ E)]. Hidden Objective : Be one of the first 100 participants to reach level 1 and unlock their innate aspect. Rewards: [Basic Critical (F ~ D)] [Claim Rewards: ?] ¡­¡­ The commission had seemed straightforward at first¡ªreach level 1, unlock your innate ability. But somehow, by completing that first task just in time, he had inadvertently met the hidden requirement as well. There was no way he could have planned for that. He hadn¡¯t known that he was racing against 99 other participants, and yet, by some stroke of luck, he had found himself in the right place at the right time. Viktor thought it made sense, given the absurdity of his situation. Less than five minutes since he was thrown into this place, and already he was fighting for his life. Looking at the rewards, Viktor focused on the words, hoping for some kind of explanation. [Achievement Points]: Currency earned through various achievements, such as completing commissions, defeating bosses, exploring, discovering treasures, and more. These points can be exchanged with the Achievement Vendor for rewards. Reading through the system explanation, Viktor skipped over the achievement part. No matter how much he focused on the Vendor section, no details came. Honestly, the longer he stayed hidden in this ravine, the worse he felt about his chances. And he didn''t want to waste more time on figuring mysteries. [Random Skill (G ~ E)]: Grants a random Acquired Skill (G to E rank), offering a variety of abilities, from combat to utility. A random skill. Great. Viktor couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit of nervousness as he thought about it. It was a gamble¡ªeither good or bad. And given the way things had been going, he was certain his luck was running out. However¡­ The last reward was completely different. ¡°Haaah¡­ finally, finally something useful,¡± Viktor breathed, but even as he exhaled in relief, a sense of caution lingered. His survival up until now had been nothing more than luck, and this new reward might be his hope. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. [Basic Critical (F ~ D)]: A low-rank reward designed to provide the user with a vital tool or skill that addresses their immediate needs. This could be an item or skill that directly assists with overcoming current challenges, enhancing their ability to survive or progress in the immediate situation. Basically, a tailored made reward to survive against the chase wolves, or maybe to fight against them. Not wasting any more time, Viktor choose to immediately accept all the rewards. ¡­¡­ [Claim Rewards: ?] ''Yes'' ¡­¡­ [You have received 10+ Achievement Points] [You have received the Acquired Skill [Boost (F)] [You have received the [Blood Fang Totem (E)] Accessory.] ¡­¡­ [Your Status has been updated] ¡­¡­ Viktor felt a surge of information flood his mind, each detail about his new skill, its effects, and its limitations sinking into his consciousness. The sensation was almost otherworldly, like a spark of magic igniting in his mind. On the other hand. A small necklace materialized in his hand, the leather cord warm against his skin. The pendant, a wolf¡¯s fang, was etched with red symbols that seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive. The moment his fingers closed around it, the flood of knowledge intensified, overwhelming him for a brief moment. ¡­¡­ [Blood Fang Totem] RANK (E) : A small necklace with a pendant made from the fang of a large wolf. The fang is engraved with red symbols, akin to blood, and the necklace is strung on a strong leather cord. The totem offers protection from wolves and other dangers of the wild. Infused Skill (E) : Wolf Repulsion ¨C When worn, the totem produces a unique scent that only wolves can detect. This scent repels wolves, causing them to feel extreme disgust and discomfort. Lasts for 30 minutes. (Cooldown: 24/h) *Note: Effect is nullified if the wolf has line of sight to the wearer* ¡­¡­ THUD! Viktor slammed against the stone walls of the ravine, his breath ragged, and for a moment, he was on the verge of tears. Not from fear or pain, but from relief. The skill he''d gained wasn¡¯t a perfect solution¡ªit wasn¡¯t the best, nor the worst¡ªbut it didn¡¯t offer the immediate help he needed. But the necklace¡­ that was different. It wasn¡¯t just a reward; it was a lifeline. As the name suggested, it was critical, and for the first time since he''d been thrown into this nightmare, Viktor felt a his nerves calm. With his heart pounding, Viktor immediately shoved the necklace around his neck. He focused, activating the skill. Wolf Repulsion. The red symbols akin to blood glowed faintly, and a strange smell began to waft from the pendant. It didn¡¯t repulse Viktor¡ªrather, it was an earthy, sharp scent that felt almost like an ancient soil. He could feel the power settle into his chest, a strange warmth spreading from the totem. The faint pulse of the red markings, like the blood of a beast, was both reassuring and unnerving at the same time. No time to waste. ¡°Alright,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°I¡¯ve got thirty minutes. I need to figure out where I¡¯m going next.¡± His eyes darted across the ravine, taking in the jagged cliffs, the steep drops, and the shadows that stretched deeper into the forest. The howls in the distance gnawed at him, the wolves getting closer. The pressure in the air thickened. But standing here wasn¡¯t going to save him. If he stayed too long, he¡¯d be sitting duck. Viktor¡¯s gaze shifted toward the dense forest beyond the ravine. The shadows were thick, but there was cover¡ªthick trees, underbrush, and a higher vantage point to maybe get a better look at what was around him. His gut told him that was the way out. He¡¯d have a better shot in the forest, and maybe, just maybe, he could find some weaker creatures to level up more. The totem¡¯s faint glow still pulsed against his chest, reminding him of the precious minutes ticking away. The Forest. A small, relieved smile tugged at Viktor''s lips, the first in what felt like forever. He took a deep breath and activated his newly acquired skill. Boost His legs surged forward as his speed and agility surged. The energy hummed through him, making his every movement feel lighter, faster. The world around him blurred as he sprinted toward the unknown, the forest a looming promise of either salvation or danger. The faint howl of wolves echoed in the distance, growing louder. But Viktor, for the first time since being thrown into this nightmare, felt his heart race not with dread¡ªbut with excitement. And with that, Viktor pushed forward, into the depths of the wilderness, his heart pounding, his future uncertain. ¡­¡­ Acquired Skill : [Boost] RANK (F) ¨C Increase agility by 5 points and reflexes by 3% for 5 Mana per minute, enhancing movement and reaction speed. ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. UPCOMING NEXT - CHAPTER 5 - Shadows Beneath the Leaves ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­. GLOSSARY -:- [1] Skills ¨C Abilities that enhance the user''s attributes, performance, or potential. Skills are categorized into different types, such as Innate, Acquired, and Infused, but may also exist outside these classifications. [2] Innate Skills ¨C Abilities tied to the user''s Innate Ability, unlocked at every ten-level milestone. They are categorized into nine ranks, with their rank determined upon unlocking. Unlike Acquired Skills, they cannot be upgraded easily. [3] Acquired Skills ¨C Skills that are earned through experience, training, or rewards from the system. These skills offer versatility and adaptability, allowing users to improve through effort or specific actions. They can be upgraded based on progress or certain requirements. [4] Infused Skills ¨C Abilities granted by external sources such as items, equipment, or artifacts. These skills are activated or enhanced by the item they are tied to, and their effectiveness is often dependent on the conditions of the item or environment.