Ren's vision blurred as the crystal cave around him shimmered and dissolved. A faint, rippling veil stretched across the air like liquid glass. Then, with a sudden rush, it lifted entirely, revealing the world beyond.
He blinked, and the forest stretched before him. Sunlight flickered through the canopy, dappling the flowing river at his feet. The air smelled of wet earth and moss. The transition had been abrupt yet gentle, as if the world itself had peeled back a hidden curtain, placing him softly on the riverbank.
His body protested violently. Every muscle ached, his arms and chest still stung from the deep claw marks inflicted by the Alpha and Beta Wolves. He sank onto the grass, letting the river's gentle sounds calm his ragged breathing. Thirty minutes passed in near silence, his body slowly recovering, the only noises the soft lapping of water and distant birdsong.
Finally, Ren forced himself to sit up and opened his system tab.
[Map: Revealed Area – Limited]
Most of the surrounding forest was still a blur, but a small white dot flickered faintly a short distance into the woods—not far, but clearly not immediate. Curiosity and caution urged him forward. He picked up his branch and carefully made his way through the underbrush, stepping over roots and fallen logs, until he reached the source of the dot.
The white dot revealed itself to be a small cave nestled in a hillside, partially hidden by trees and undergrowth. As he approached, the ground in front of the cave shifted slightly, and a massive bear emerged, its fur matted, muscles taut, and amber eyes glaring at him. It growled low, warning him to stay back. Ren froze. He hadn't wanted a fight, but the system's cold voice rang in his head:
[Task Assigned: Subdue Bear]
[Reward: 6 Points]
[Punishment: Replay Trial Zone – 30 Minutes]
Ren's chest tightened. Subdue, not kill. How could he force submission on a bear stronger than himself while still sore from the Alpha Pack? He swallowed and tightened his grip on the branch. The bear stepped forward, claws scraping the earth, its growl vibrating through the clearing.
The fight began.
The bear lunged first. Ren rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a swipe that could have torn his arm apart. Pain shot across his torso as his sleeve caught on a jagged root, tearing deeper into his already sore shoulder. He swung his branch, striking its flank. The bear yelped but barely flinched—its sheer strength was overwhelming.
Ren rolled under another swipe, the earth shaking with the bear's movements. He darted behind rocks and logs, using the terrain as leverage, each strike precise, calculated. Martial Arts instincts guided his body. Every dodge was a gamble; one mistake could end him.
A deep claw ripped across his left arm, another across his chest. Blood mixed with sweat, dripping onto the forest floor. Ren gritted his teeth and pressed on, striking the bear's flanks with sharp, targeted hits. The beast countered, swiping, lunging, forcing Ren to retreat, pivot, and strike again.
Minutes passed like hours. The bear's raw strength made it lethal, but fatigue began to show. Its swipes grew slower, movements slightly less precise. Ren feinted, rolled, and used rocks and uneven terrain to his advantage. Finally, after thirty grueling minutes, he landed a precise strike, forcing the bear to collapse heavily in front of its cave, severely injured. Its chest heaved, breathing ragged, claws dug into the dirt. It was beaten but alive—a powerful and imposing adversary.
[Task Completed: Subdue Bear]
[Points Gained: 6]
Ren dropped his branch, leaning heavily against a tree. Muscles screamed, wounds stung, chest heaved. He glanced at the bear, now lying sprawled on the dirt outside its cave, breathing heavily. It was still alert, but clearly defeated.
A system prompt appeared.
[Option: Click to Form Pact]
Curious and cautious, Ren clicked. A pulse of energy surged between them. The bear's amber eyes softened. Slowly, it rose slightly, then lowered itself fully, acknowledging the bond. Ren had successfully formed a pact with the bear.
He approached the cave carefully. The interior was dark, damp, and littered with debris, leaves, and broken branches. Despite his exhaustion, he did a quick cleanup, clearing a small area near the entrance where he could rest. The bear watched silently, still breathing heavily, wounded but calm.
Night fell. Ren huddled on the dirt floor, muscles still aching, wounds stinging. He tried to sleep but remained cautious, aware of the bear nearby. Every sound made him flinch. Slowly, exhaustion overtook vigilance. His body ached, his mind was weary, and finally, he drifted into a restless sleep.
The bear remained lying near the entrance of its cave, wounded but quiet, breathing deep and steady. Ren awoke briefly during the night, muscles stiff, watching the bear. Despite its injuries, it made no aggressive move. By dawn, he awoke fully, sore but alive.
[System Update: Pact Formed – Bear]
[Points: 6 Added]
Ren stretched carefully, still wary of sudden movements. The forest lay before him, mysterious and dangerous, but now he had a powerful ally. Survival in this world required strength, strategy, and alliances. With the bear by his side, Ren felt a flicker of hope.
Whatever lay ahead, he would endure—and grow stronger.