The forest around Ethan and Maya was alive with subtle motion. Shadows shifted between the tree trunks, their elongated forms just glimpses in the corner of his eye. The moonlight painted everything in silver and black, reflecting off damp leaves. Every rustle of foliage made him tense — he could feel danger before he saw it, thanks to the Minor Combat Instinct Chip pulsing faintly inside him.
Maya stayed close, clutching her arms, shivering. Her eyes darted nervously toward the treeline, and every distant howl made her flinch.
"Don't worry," Ethan whispered, louder than he intended. "I've got you. Just… follow my lead."
Her nod was almost imperceptible, but it was enough.
---
The First Threat
A growl came from behind them. Low, menacing, and unnatural. Ethan froze, senses flaring. His tracking sense — just extracted from the panel — tingled like a sixth sense. Two figures were moving silently between the trees, circling, assessing, waiting.
He could tell immediately: they weren't ordinary humans. They were somewhere between wolf and human, like Maya.
The panel pinged:
MISSION UPDATE: Threat Detected
Enemies: 2 Low-Tier Shifters
Recommended Action: Defend Maya, eliminate threat if possible
PP Reward: 100 ×10 = 1000 PP
Extraction Opportunity: Combat Instinct Chip Tier II (50 PP)
Ethan's heart pounded. This was it — his first real test.
He turned to Maya. "Stay behind me. Don't run."
"Okay," she whispered, eyes wide, voice shaking.
---
Engagement — Combat Initiation
The first shifter lunged from the underbrush. Its claws scraped the bark of a tree as it vaulted toward Ethan with terrifying speed.
Ethan reacted instinctively. His new strength and combat instincts synced with his body as if he'd been training his whole life. He sidestepped, grabbing a fallen branch like a staff, and swung in a wide arc.
The branch connected solidly with the shifter's side. It howled, staggering backward but recovering quickly.
The second shifter circled Maya, its glowing eyes fixed on her.
"Hey!" Ethan shouted, sprinting to intercept. He felt the raw power surging through his muscles — each step faster, each movement sharper than it should have been.
He grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in the creature's face, blinding it momentarily. Then he pivoted, striking with the branch again. The blow knocked it down completely.
Maya gasped. "How… how are you so strong?"
Ethan didn't answer. He didn't have time. He only had focus.
---
First Skill Upgrade
The panel vibrated. A new extraction option appeared:
SKILL EXTRACTION AVAILABLE
Combat Instinct Chip Tier II (Immediate enhancement to reflexes, attack speed, and defensive capability)
PP Cost: 50
Talent Effect Applied: ×10
Current PP: 600
Ethan tapped without hesitation. The power flowed instantly.
His reflexes sharpened further. Movements became fluid, precise, instinctual. Every swing, every dodge, every step — perfect.
The shifters attacked again, faster and more coordinated, but Ethan could read their movements. He intercepted, countered, and struck with lethal efficiency — though his goal wasn't to kill, only to neutralize.
One by one, they fell back, retreating into the shadows.
Maya's breathing was ragged. Her hands shook. But she was alive.
Ethan let out a deep breath. "We're… okay. For now."
The panel chimed.
MISSION STAGE 2 COMPLETE
Reward: 100 ×10 = 1000 PP
Current PP: 1550
New Extractions Unlocked:
- Enhanced Reflex Protocol (40 PP)
- Pack Awareness Upgrade (60 PP)
- Minor Healing Capsule (30 PP)
---
First Partner Bonding
Maya's eyes met Ethan's. Relief, awe, and something unspoken flickered there.
"You… saved me," she said softly. "I didn't think anyone could."
Ethan shrugged. "I'm just… doing what I can."
The forest was quiet again, but the tension lingered. He realized something — he wasn't just strong. He was a protector. Someone who could influence outcomes, save lives, and shape this world.
Maya stepped closer, hesitating. Her voice was small, almost shy:
"Do you… think we'll be okay?"
Ethan looked at her, then at the path ahead. "Yeah," he said, with certainty he didn't entirely feel. "As long as we stick together."
Her gaze softened. There was a trust forming here, fragile but real. A connection that might become crucial — not just for this mission, but for all the ones to come.
---
The Path Forward
They moved cautiously along a narrow trail, the panel hovering before Ethan.
Next Objective: Escort Maya Park to safe location
Threat Level: Moderate
Recommended Actions: Stealth, Combat Readiness, Skill Utilization
PP Reward: 150 ×10 = 1500 PP
Extraction Opportunity: Tracking Enhancement Module (50 PP)
Ethan tapped the extraction option. Another surge of power rippled through him. Suddenly, the forest opened to him in a new way — he could sense the movement of the shifters ahead, hear faint rustling from dozens of yards away, detect subtle shifts in the wind that might carry danger.
Maya noticed him pause and glance around instinctively.
"Wow… you can… feel everything?" she whispered.
"Yeah," Ethan said, a small smile forming. "And it's about to get a lot more interesting."
The moon shone overhead. The forest stretched out endlessly. The first mission was just the beginning.
Ethan Cross — once ordinary, always overlooked — had taken his first real step into a world of power, danger, and opportunity.
He wasn't just surviving anymore.
He was awakening.