Chapter 4 – The First Rescue
The morning sun filtered through the jungle, scattering the mixture of golden,red and yellow light across the damp earth. Damian wiped the sweat from his forehead, his chest heaving as he forced himself through another round of push-ups.
"One hundred one… two… three—ugh…"
His arms shook, burning, but he gritted his teeth and kept going. The AI's calm voice echoed in his head.
"Muscle stimulation confirmed. Physical endurance increased by 0.7%. Continue."
"Yeah, easy for you to say,"
Damian muttered, collapsing onto his back with a groan. He raised the spear beside him, spinning it slowly in his hand. His movements were clumsy at first, but the more he practiced, the more natural it became. Each swing, thrust, and spin built not only strength, but confidence.
"Observation: Creator's physical power and synergy with crafted weapons is rising steadily. At this rate, combat efficiency will multiply."
Damian smirked slightly.
"Good. I'll need it."
He didn't know what this world truly held, but he knew predators were everywhere. That wolf-beast had nearly killed him. Next time, he wouldn't let fear paralyze him.
Just as he was about to start another set, a faint cry drifted through the trees.
"—Help!"
Damian froze, eyes narrowing. The sound was followed by the clash of steel, the guttural growls of beasts, and shouts of panic.
"Multiple life signatures detected. Threat level: mid-tier."
Gripping his spear, Damian dashed toward the noise. Branches whipped past him, his heart racing faster than his footsteps.
When he broke into a clearing, his eyes widened.
A small group of adventurers—four of them, armored in leather and cloth—were desperately fending off a pack of wolves. Their blades flashed, their shields strained under snapping jaws, but the numbers were against them. The wolves circled, snarling, coordinated like hunters.
And standing behind them was something bigger. Their boss. A wolf nearly twice the size of the others, its fur streaked with crimson black, his red eyes glowing with malice.
It roared, charging forward. The adventurers' line broke instantly. One fell by the force of attack by the wolf, his shield shattered; another cried out, narrowly dodging a killing bite.
Damian's grip tightened on his spear. His chest pounded—not with fear, but with a strange determination.
"Decision point: retreat or intervene."
"…As if I'll run now."
He sprinted from the treeline, spear raised.
Damian:- "Haay!"
The wolves turned at once, ears flat, fangs dripping. The adventurers looked up in shock at the stranger charging straight into the fray.
Damian's body screamed in protest, but his creation thrummed with power in his hand. He thrust the spear forward with all his momentum—piercing the first wolf clean through and slamming it into the ground.
The others snarled, rushing him, but Damian didn't back down. He swung wide, his weapon cutting arcs of air, durable enough to withstand every clash. Each strike, each kill made him feel lighter, faster, stronger.
Synergy… it's working.
Then came the boss. The massive wolf leapt, jaws snapping for his throat.
Damian planted his feet, raised his spear—then drove it upward with every ounce of strength he had.
The weapon pierced through the beast's chest, its momentum carrying it over him before it crashed lifeless into the earth.
For a moment, silence hung heavy. Then the remaining wolves, seeing their leader fall, scattered into the jungle.
The adventurers staggered to their feet, eyes wide with disbelief. The one who seemed to be their leader, a young woman with short brown hair with a dented shield, stepped forward.
"You… saved us."
Her voice trembled between exhaustion and gratitude.
Damian lowered his spear, panting hard. He gave a crooked grin.
"Guess I was in the neighborhood."
"New achievement unlocked: Protector. Social pathways initiated."
The adventurers gathered around, offering hurried thanks. They introduced themselves as a rookie team who had taken on a mission far beyond their ability. If Damian hadn't intervened, they would've been slaughtered.
"We're heading back to town,"
the leader said.
"You should come with us. It's dangerous out here alone."
Damian hesitated. A town… a city… Civilization. The thought stirred something in his chest—fear, curiosity, and a spark of hope.
He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Lead the way."
As they started their journey back, Damian glanced once more at the fallen beasts, gripping his spear tightly.
He was no longer just surviving.
He was stepping into the wider world—where his path as a creator would truly begin.