The forest grew darker as the night deepened, the moon's silver light only barely cutting through the canopy. Aril followed closely behind Lira, trying not to stumble over roots or snap twigs underfoot.
Every sound seemed louder in the stillness—the hoot of an owl, the rustle of leaves, his own too-quick breathing.
"Slow your breath," Lira muttered, never once turning to look at him.
"I—I'm trying," Aril whispered back.
"You sound like a dying boar."
Aril winced. Why do I feel like she's insulting me every chance she gets?
Suddenly, a low growl came from the left. Aril froze. From the shadows, two pairs of glowing red eyes appeared.
Not again…!
The beasts stepped forward—wolf-like creatures with pitch-black fur and jagged fangs, bigger than anything Aril had ever seen back on Earth.
Lira drew her twin blades in silence, her stance fluid, elegant. "Stay back."
But before she could move, the System's voice echoed inside Aril's head:
[Quest Update: Fight or Die]
At least one beast must be killed by the Host to complete Tutorial Progress.
Failure: Death.
"What?!" Aril hissed under his breath.
The screen blinked again:
[System Assistance Available – Combat Mode Initiation]
Would you like to activate?
Yes / No
Aril didn't hesitate. "Yes!"
Suddenly, warmth spread through his limbs. His vision sharpened, his heart pounded—but instead of fear, adrenaline surged through him.
Lira glanced back at him briefly, her crimson eyes narrowing. His aura… it shifted?
One of the wolves lunged. Aril acted on instinct, sidestepping faster than he thought possible. The beast's claws missed him by a hair.
He grabbed a fallen branch, swinging wildly—
Crack!
The wolf yelped as the branch struck its skull, staggering it.
Aril stared at his hands in disbelief. I… I actually dodged that?
The second wolf lunged at him. This time, Aril ducked, thrusting the branch forward. By sheer luck—or maybe system assistance—the sharpened edge pierced into the beast's throat.
The creature collapsed, blood pooling into the dirt.
[Congratulations! First Kill Achieved.]
Reward: +1 Strength, +1 Reflex.
Bond Progress (Lira): +10%.
Aril stood frozen, chest heaving, as the glowing text faded. He had killed something—no, someone, a living being. The reality of it crashed into him all at once.
His legs trembled, but Lira's voice cut through his haze.
"…Not completely useless, then."
Aril blinked at her. She had already slain the other wolf with a single precise strike, her blades clean as though she hadn't even fought.
She wiped her sword on the grass and sheathed it. "If you want to live three days here, you'll have to do better than swinging sticks."
Aril nodded weakly, gripping the bloody branch. "I'll… I'll try."
Lira's crimson eyes studied him for a moment longer than necessary. Then she turned away.
"…Don't fall behind.
Aril stumbled after her, the System's screen flashing again in front of him.
[Tutorial Quest Progress: 1/3 Days Survived]
[Side Quest: Earn Lira's Trust – 15% Complete]
For the first time since he'd arrived in Magiria, Aril felt something spark inside him. Fear, yes—but also determination.
He wasn't just running anymore. He was fighting.