Gabriel was dreaming peacefully—until boom!
His body crashed through the sky like a falling comet, tearing through the treetops before slamming into the ground. Branches snapped, leaves scattered, and his lungs gasped for air.
"Ugh… what the hell?" he groaned, pushing himself up.
He was in the middle of a dark green forest. The strange black cloak he picked up earlier was still wrapped around him. Gabriel tugged at it, trying to remove it, but no matter how hard he pulled, it clung stubbornly to his body—like it had fused with him.
"Great. Guess I'm stuck with this thing…"
Alone in the vast forest, Gabriel's stomach growled. He needed food, shelter, and fire—basic survival. As he wandered, rustling ahead caught his attention.
Six goblins trudged through the undergrowth, carrying bundles of raw meat and fruit. Gabriel's eyes sharpened. Food.
Hunger gnawed at his gut. He didn't have a choice. He needed that food.
Quickly, he dug a large hole ahead of their path, covering it with branches and leaves. Then, sneaking behind the trees, he let out a noise to lure them closer.
The goblins snarled and shuffled forward. One by one, they stepped onto the camouflaged ground—
—and fell straight into the pit.
Without hesitation, Gabriel lifted a heavy rock. "Sorry, but I'm starving." He dropped it. The goblins' shrieks ended in a sickening crunch.
Breathing hard, Gabriel pulled their supplies from the pit. Among them was chicken-like meat, fresh but uncooked. He carried it into the deeper woods and found a small clearing, safe enough to build a fire.
Smoke curled upward as the aroma of roasting meat filled the air. His stomach rumbled louder, mouth watering. But then—
Crack.
A branch snapped behind him.
Gabriel spun around, heart racing. A tall figure stepped into the firelight, clad in a full set of armor. The helmet glinted, face hidden.
"What are you doing here?" Gabriel demanded, tense.
The stranger tilted their head. When they spoke, the voice was soft, almost feminine, though it carried a deeper tone beneath.
"Uhm… I can't seem to find any food around here. May I ask… could you spare some of the meal you hunted, sir?"
Gabriel froze. He had been sure he was alone in this strange forest. Yet now—someone else had appeared.
And perhaps… a partner for survival.
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(End of Chapter 1)