The quiet horror of the first human kill quickly dissipated, replaced by the demanding, cold logic of survival. Leo and Lara efficiently gathered the valuable resources from the fallen Solarii Hunter. The Recurve Bow felt balanced and powerful in Leo's hands, a massive leap in capability from the scrap pipe.
"We need to get back, now," Lara urged, her tone tight. She was clearly struggling with the necessary brutality, but her focus remained absolute. "If there's an outer patrol, they'll notice this man is missing."
They moved swiftly back to the bunker, using the high ground Leo's Meta-Strategist had established. The flask of clean water—a true treasure—was immediately administered to Reyes, who managed to swallow a few sips, the pure liquid sparking a flicker of life in his eyes.
Leo stood guard at the bunker entrance, the Recurve Bow nocked and ready. The system was chiming for his attention.
[Host Level Up! Level 2 Reached!]
[New Attribute Points Available: 3]
He had gained the level from the fight, but hadn't allocated the points during the heat of the moment, a lapse he immediately corrected.
Current Stats:
* Strength: 6
* Dexterity: 8
* Stamina: 6
* Mind: 6
Leo analyzed the upcoming challenges. The next major objective was the first transmitter tower—a difficult, muddy climb that often ended in a major ambush by a large group of Solarii. To navigate that, he needed Endurance and the capacity to sustain combat.
[Attribute Allocation Log]
* +2 Points to Stamina. Rationale: Immediate focus on Endurance. Stamina governs resistance to injury, prolonged running, and overall health. Essential for the grueling ascent and recovery.
* New Stamina: 8
* +1 Point to Strength. Rationale: To increase the power of the Recurve Bow. The bow requires higher strength to maximize its stopping power, and a single point will push his melee damage just high enough to be reliable.
* New Strength: 7
The surge was less dramatic than the initial transfer, but the effect was immediate. His muscles felt tighter, his lungs deeper, and the exhaustion from the morning's intense work vanished completely. He felt primed for a marathon.
[Attribute Allocation Complete!]
[New Base Stats:
[Strength: 7]
[Dexterity: 8]
[Stamina: 8]
[Mind: 6]
Just as the notification subsided, a new, massive panel unfolded, dominating his vision. It wasn't just a stats sheet—it was a full-fledged Skill Tree.
[System Integration: Primary Skill Tree Unlocked!]
[Tree: SURVIVOR]
Focus: Environment, Utility, Resilience
[Tree: HUNTER]
Focus: Ranged Combat, Stealth, Tracking
[Tree: BRAWLER]
Focus: Melee Combat, Defense, Close-Quarters Control
[Skill Points Available: 1]
[Available Skills (Tier 1):]
* SURVIVOR:
* Enduring Will: (+10% Stamina regeneration when below 25% Health.)
* Resource Sense: (Highlights edible plants/clean water sources in a small radius.)
* HUNTER:
* Steady Hand: (Reduces bow sway and increases arrow velocity by 10%.)
* Silent Takedown: (Allows instantaneous, non-lethal knockout of stunned targets.)
* BRAWLER:
* Crude Block: (A simple defense that reduces incoming melee damage by 15%.)
* Melee Finisher: (Grants a high-damage follow-up strike after a successful parry/dodge.)
The sheer volume of choices—and the strategic implications—took Leo's breath away. He had a single Skill Point. He had to make it count.
He immediately dismissed BRAWLER. That was Lara's specialty; his job was to be the ranged support and strategist.
Between SURVIVOR and HUNTER, the choice was clear. The immediate future involved a lot of shooting and sneaking.
He allocated the point.
[Skill Point Allocated to HUNTER Tree!]
* Steady Hand: (Reduces bow sway and increases arrow velocity by 10%.) Rationale: Maximizes the effectiveness of his new Recurve Bow, transforming his shooting from 'accurate' to 'lethal' at range.
A faint, tingling sensation spread through his arms and back, stabilizing his shoulders. He felt an innate understanding of the bow's physics, a microscopic precision that made aiming effortless.
"Leo?"
Lara's voice was sharp, pulling him from the System interface. He quickly blinked, clearing the screen.
"I need to check the area," he said, rising. "I just heard something. It's time to move Reyes to a better shelter before the big storm hits. I know a place: a dilapidated temple ruin up the mountain. It's ancient, defensible, and might have a larger supply cache."
He used the word 'temple' deliberately. That was the magic word for Lara Croft.
"A temple? Ancient structure?" Lara's curiosity immediately overtook her tactical caution. "You've been here before, haven't you, Leo?"
"No," Leo lied, meeting her gaze steadily. "But I've studied the region intensely. Legends talk about the temples. I'm following a pattern."
Lara studied him for a long moment, then nodded, accepting the half-truth. "Fine. A temple is better than a bunker. We move, but we move like ghosts."
Moving Reyes up the mountain was the hardest challenge yet. The ground was steep, slick with mud, and laced with treacherous roots. Even with Leo's elevated Stamina (8), carrying the limp weight of the survivor proved nearly crippling.
Lara was a powerhouse. Her natural athleticism and intense grit allowed her to find footing on impossible angles, her determination a palpable force.
They ascended slowly, painstakingly, using the Animal Hide taken from the Solarii to create a crude sling to help pull Reyes.
As they gained elevation, the air grew colder and the terrain transformed. The dense green jungle gave way to treacherous rock formations and massive, weather-beaten stone structures—the ruins of an ancient civilization swallowed by the mountain.
Finally, they reached their destination: a cracked, monolithic stone structure partially hidden by a waterfall—the Coastal Forest Temple.
"Perfect," Leo breathed, resting his bow against a mossy wall. The temple provided a large, dry cavern. The natural rock formations and collapsed pillars created excellent choke points and cover.
They laid Reyes down in a dry corner and immediately set about fortifying the position. Leo, now a true HUNTER, used the Recurve Bow and his Steady Hand to eliminate several small, game animals (a rabbit and a pheasant) from a distance, providing their first source of raw meat.
While Lara used the last of the clean water to start a broth, Leo focused on the final phase of securing the base: defense.
He discovered the expected reward inside the temple ruins: a small, forgotten crate tucked behind a crumbling statue of a stylized, bird-like warrior.
Inside the crate, covered in cobwebs, was a Pry Axe—rusted, but solid.
System Notification!
[Item Acquired: Pry Axe (Level 1 Tool)]
Description: Essential for opening sealed doors and used as a durable utility weapon.
[Host Level Up! Level 3 Reached!]
[New Attribute Points Available: 3]
Leo had leveled up simply by acquiring a crucial tool! The game world was generously rewarding resourcefulness. The Pry Axe in his hand instantly felt like an extension of his own Strength (7).
"Lara! Look at this!" Leo called out, displaying the axe. "This is what we needed. We can use this to harvest tougher materials, and it's a backup weapon."
Lara's eyes widened at the tool, recognizing its practical value instantly. "An axe... that changes the game. We can cut down thicker wood, maybe build a real shelter."
"Exactly," Leo confirmed. "But first, we check the defensive perimeter."
He grabbed the Pry Axe and, using his improved Dexterity (8), began to quickly chop down the thick vines and thorny brush surrounding the main temple entrance, creating a natural deterrent and funneling potential attackers toward the choke point.
Lara, meanwhile, used the fire to heat stones and placed them around Reyes to slowly raise his core temperature.
Leo knew the next wave of danger wasn't far off. The acquisition of the Pry Axe signaled that the Solarii would soon swarm the temple entrance, led by a stronger, named enemy—a classic early boss encounter.
He leaned against the cold stone, the Pry Axe resting on his shoulder, and took a deep, steadying breath. He was Level 3, armed, and ready. The Recurve Bow was slung across his back, and the Pry Axe felt heavy and reassuring in his grip.
Three more Attribute Points to allocate.
Leo smiled, a predatory gleam in his eye that would have looked utterly alien on the weak boy who died in the hospital. He was no longer just the survivor; he was the Hunter.
Chapter End.