AT THE SAME TIME
SOMEWHERE IN THE FOREST:
I had no idea why I suddenly became so good hunting rabbits. I needed more money, but now I was shocked at myself. It was second day since I begun hunting, and it keeps becoming more and more easier.
The moves, the instincts, they just came naturally, like I was meant to do this. But I couldn't exactly explain it. It wasn't like me. I wasn't a hunter. I wasn't some wild animal. I was just... me, but it helped me get some clothes and food, so I couldn't complain it about it too much. The screen flickered into view, my status popping up with a soft chime. I hadn't asked for it, but at this point, it was hard to ignore.
"Name: Xavier Blackstone, Designation: Omega, Age: 20, Orientation: Straight, Compatibility: Low, Bonding status: Unpaired, Heat cycle: Inactive. Special traits: survivalist, hunter. Physical Attributes: Strength: 4, Agility: 6, Stamina: 5, Charm: 8. Unique Skills: System adaptability: 5%, harem resistance: 95%, reproduction compatibility: 2%, survivalist: 7, hunter: 6." System said.
I scrolled through the stats in disbelief.
"Wait... what?" I muttered aloud, my finger hovering over the screen. "Survivalist? Hunter? I already did that. What the hell does this mean?"
The System didn't respond, but a second message appeared, almost like it was waiting for me to acknowledge it.
"Trait activation complete: Survivalist and hunter traits activated after successful hunting of 4 rabbits and 1 pheasant."System said.
I blinked.
"Okay... I guess that's why I feel like I could do this all day." I said, almost to myself.
I looked down at the dead animals, what had just been prey now providing me with something new: the knowledge that I had these abilities. The adrenaline rush was wearing off, leaving a sense of... clarity. It wasn't just instinct. It was skill. I had learned how to do this in an instant.
"Survivalist, huh?" I shook my head. "Guess I'm going to need more than rabbits to make it out of here."
"New Task: construct shelter. Failure to complete within 24 hours will result in negative status adjustment."System said.
I let out a frustrated breath. Shelter, of course. The next step was always the same. Build something out of sticks and leaves, probably. It wasn't even the shelter that bothered me, just the feeling of being trapped, forced to do things on a clock, like I was some kind of experiment. I glanced around the dense forest, my mind racing. I wasn't building anything out here.
"I going back to the village. I need some things."I said.
The path was clearer now, like it had been waiting for me to come this way. My heart beat a little faster as I emerged from the trees, the familiar sights of the village filling my vision: small houses, bustling streets, and vendors selling their goods.
I'd been here before, but the weirdest part was how some people already seemed to know me. I hadn't introduced myself to anyone yet there was that familiar, knowing look when I passed by. Like I was just another player in some grand scheme. I spotted a stall selling food, and without thinking, I walked up. A middle-aged man with greying hair waved at me, his smile wide and welcoming.
"Back already, huh? Found anything interesting in the woods?"He asked.
I froze for a second, unsure how to answer.
"Uh, yeah. Just... picking up supplies."I said.
"Good to see you're still around." He said, handing me a small loaf of bread and some cheese. "Not many make it through the woods without a little help. You've got a knack for this, don't you?"
I nodded, still a little unsure.
"Yeah, I guess so." I took the food, the smell of it making my stomach rumble.
I'd been so focused on the tasks the system was throwing at me that I hadn't thought about something as simple as eating. The bread was fresh, and the cheese was creamy, the taste a small comfort in this strange, chaotic world. Just as I was about to walk away, another figure approached. A woman, dressed in a simple dress and apron, smiled when she saw me.
"Xavier, right?" She said, her voice warm. "Glad to see you're back. I need a favor, actually. We're running low on some herbs for a potion, and we could really use someone to go out and gather them. Would you be willing to help?"
I blinked, her words registering slowly.
"Herbs?"I asked.
"Yes, there's a grove a little to the north of town." She explained. "We need some of the rarer plants for a healing brew. Not everyone is cut out for it, but I remember you from when you first came to town. You've got the skills, I'm sure."
I frowned, still confused.
"You know me?"I asked.
"Of course." She said, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You've been around for a day now. A bit quiet, but we all keep an eye on the new arrivals."She explained.
"Alright." I said, swallowing the last bit of bread. "I'll gather the herbs."
Her face lit up. "
Thank you. We're counting on you. Be careful in the forest, it's not as safe as it seems."She said.
I nodded, my stomach still heavy with food, but my mind already shifting back to the task at hand. Shelter could wait. Gathering these herbs could get me something useful. I turned toward the grove she mentioned, mentally steeling myself for whatever else this game had in store.
As I made my way toward the grove, the cool air of the forest wrapping around me, a sudden flicker of light caught my attention. The screen popped up again, as if on cue.
"System update: positive interaction detected. Kindness recognized."System said.
I scowled, almost annoyed at the constant interruptions.
"Really? Kindness now?" I muttered under my breath.
"Task adjustment: Due to your willingness to help the villagers and your actions within the environment, the system has evaluated your efforts and is rewarding you with a bonus task."System said.
I rolled my eyes. Bonus task? What now?
"New task: Herbalist's help. Collect a full set of rare herbs from the northern grove. Successful completion will result in increased reputation with Willowdale and provide the necessary ingredients for a future task. Failure to complete within 24 hours will result in a penalty."System said.
I gritted my teeth. Of course, everything had a time limit. It seemed like no matter what I did, there was always some damned clock ticking down on me. But this one was different, reputation with Willowdale? That sounded useful. Still, I couldn't help but feel a little disoriented. I was doing something good for once, helping people. And the system... it noticed? It almost felt like some strange, twisted form of validation, but was it rewarding me for being decent, or was it just manipulating me again? I shook it off. There was no point in overthinking this now. I had a task to do.
I wasn't sure how I was supposed to find these 'rare herbs,' but I was betting on the fact that they wouldn't be hard to spot—especially if the System was involved. My eyes scanned the ground, the trees, every patch of underbrush for anything that looked out of place. Then, as if in response to my thoughts, a small prompt appeared on the screen.
"Herbs identified: Goldenleaf, Crystalroot, and Nightshade. Location marked."System said.
The screen flashed, and a faint outline of where to find the herbs appeared detailed and precise. I shook my head, suppressing a groan.
"Well, that's convenient." I muttered, though part of me felt relieved. At least I didn't have to waste time guessing.
I followed the markers on the screen, moving deeper into the forest. The golden glow of the Goldenleaf herb was easy to spot, shining brightly against the darker foliage. I knelt down and gently plucked it, feeling a strange hum of energy through the air as I did. The system's influence, I guessed. Then came the Crystalroot, its white veins glowing faintly beneath the soil. It took some effort to dig it up, but I managed, wiping the dirt off as I added it to the small satchel I'd brought.
But when I reached the spot for Nightshade, the atmosphere seemed to change. The air grew thick, a cold chill crawling up my spine as I approached the dark patch of ground where the plant was supposed to be.
I crouched down, about to pull it from the earth, when a flash of movement caught my eye.
The Nightshade it was growing beneath a cluster of dense vines. But it wasn't the plant I was concerned about. A low, guttural growl made me freeze. I slowly looked up. A large, shadowy figure emerged from the trees, a creature, maybe five feet tall, with gleaming yellow eyes that reflected the faint light of the forest. It was more beast than man, covered in fur and with sharp claws that looked ready to tear me apart.
"Danger detected: Beast type creature, Classification: Alpha. Hostile behavior expected."System said.
I cursed under my breath.
"Great. I just had to find the dangerous herb, didn't I?"I said.
The creature that stepped into view was big too big and it looked pissed. Its yellow eyes locked on me, glowing in the dim light of the forest, and I had to fight the urge to freeze. It was covered in thick fur, muscles rippling beneath its skin as it stalked closer, each step heavy and deliberate. There was no mistaking it this thing wasn't here for a chat.
I knelt down quickly, ignoring the creature's approach as I yanked the Nightshade from the ground. The sharp scent filled the air, and I stuffed it into my bag along with the other herbs. My instincts kicked in before I could even think. I grabbed the makeshift spear I'd crafted earlier, some pointed branches tied together with rough twine, and pushed it in front of me just as the creature's claws swiped across the air.
"Steady, steady,"I muttered to myself.
I ducked low, avoiding its claws by mere inches, and then I drove the spear forward. I aimed for its chest, pushing all my weight behind it as I shoved the sharp end into its side. I twisted the spear, forcing it deeper, and with a final scream, the creature collapsed to the ground, its limbs going limp.
"Task complete: Rare herbs collected. Creature defeated. Task reward: 100 Reputation with Willowdale, Survival bonus activated."System said.
I crouched down beside the beast, inspecting the carcass. It might have been dangerous, but I could use parts of it. Furs, claws, whatever I could salvage, but for now, the herbs were the priority. I quickly shoved the last herb into my satchel, then took a long, steadying breath.
"I need this."I frowned as I really did not wanted to leave such a creature behind.
I turned my back on the beast's body before pulling the beast after me and made my way back toward Willowdale.