Boyd's approach of explaining the loop while omitting the creatures was smooth, as if he had done it many times before.
Smart, Daniel thought, drying his hands on his pants. He doesn't want to scare me before I see the loop. Damage control.
It made sense. If Boyd started talking about immortal smiling monsters, any normal person would assume he was insane. It was better to let reality speak for itself.
[You did notice he's testing you, right?]
"I did. He's suspicious and wants to see how I react. Whether I panic or do something stupid, Boyd is cautious. Intelligent."
When Daniel left the bathroom, he felt the weight of Boyd's gaze on him. The sun was still high, but the sense that time was running out was strong, like an invisible clock counting down.
Hours until nightfall. Hours until the monsters came out.
He took a deep breath, filling his lungs. As night approached, the discomfort grew. But excitement, that old companion, grew as well.
This is going to be interesting.
The wind cut through the afternoon with a harsh murmur, lifting dust and dead leaves along the main street. Daniel sat back down in the same chair. Kenny went outside to watch for the family's return.
Before Boyd could ask anything, Daniel spoke first.
"Sheriff, how long do you think it'll take for them to come back?"
"About an hour, more or less," Boyd replied.
"Then I'll take a nap. I didn't sleep well last night." Daniel did not want to talk to Boyd right now. The more he spoke, the more likely he was to let something slip. He knew how observant the man was.
"That's fine. You can nap on the couch. When they get back, I'll wake you."
Daniel closed his eyes, pretending to relax. Silence filled the room. The clock ticked softly. He took a deep breath and spoke to the System.
"Show me the mission rewards."
[Hunter's Memory available for absorption. Random skill available. Attribute and skill points.]
"Explain this memory thing better."
[It belonged to a real hunter. Memories based on hunting, tracking, traps, and survival. When absorbed, you gain part of their experience and may awaken enhanced, even supernatural abilities.]
"Interesting. And the random skill?"
[It's in your inventory. A sealed card. Tear it mentally to unlock a random ability. Or keep it and live with eternal curiosity. Your choice.]
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Will the memories cause pain or influence me in any way?"
[You will feel a mild headache that will pass quickly. Due to your passive skill, the emotions within the memories will not affect you.]
"Great. Integrate the memory first."
When the memories began integrating, heat spread through Daniel's head. A dull, pulsing ache followed, along with fragments of recollection. Tracks in the mud. The smell of iron in the air. Hands stained with blood. A feeling of instinctive precision.
[New skill acquired: 🕸️Hunter's Web, Level 1 (0/5)]
Type: Active
Uses: 2 times per day
Description: Creates a trap to capture animals, as long as you have the necessary materials. Can also apply the effect to existing traps.
Effect: +40 percent chance to capture an animal.
[Now all that's left is for you not to fall into your own trap, which, honestly, I doubt.]
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[New skill acquired: 🎯Hunter's Eye, Level 1 (0/5)]
Type: Passive
Description: Improves focus and hand stability.
Effect: +10 percent accuracy with thrown or ranged weapons.
[+10% accuracy. You are now ten percent less pathetic. Almost average.]
Daniel smiled. "Not bad. The precision skill is pretty useful."
Now that he had silver coins, he opened the shop mentally. Two tabs appeared.
Supernatural: Talisman, 100 coins.
General: Everything imaginable. From groceries to weapon stores, from car dealerships to pet shops. There were even illegal drugs. Naturally, Daniel lingered on the different types of marijuana. At least the afterlife knew how to prioritize essentials.
"Why is there only one item in the supernatural tab?"
[Because you are still weak. The System evolves alongside you.]
"I prefer the term 'in a refinement phase,' thank you."
At least he could buy a talisman in case of an emergency, since with it the creatures couldn't enter houses.
He thought of the sealed card and tore it mentally. A blue flash lit the edge of his vision.
[New skill acquired: 📡Danger Wi-Fi, Level 1 (0/5)]
Type: Active
Uses: 2 times per day
Description: Emits an energy that detects creatures within a 50-meter radius. Hostile entities are marked in red, peaceful ones in white.
Effect: Creates a mini map for 1 minute.
[Congratulations. Now you know something wants to eat you. Good luck figuring out what.]
He stayed silent for a few seconds, processing. "This one is actually useful. Finally, a skill that saves lives."
Even though it was not passive, knowing he could detect something before it attacked brought real comfort. He was still scared of being in a horror world. Of course he was. But for the first time, he had a tool that could make a difference.
Daniel focused on his status screen to distribute his available points.
[HUNTER MENU]
Status: Alive [For now]
Life Level: 1 – Common Human
Strength: 12
Endurance: 11
Intelligence: 10 → 11
Speed: 11
After placing one point into intelligence to reach the threshold, he felt some hazy thoughts become clearer, nothing drastic. A pale blue glow swept across his vision, and a loud beep echoed in his mind.
[All Primary Attributes have reached Threshold 11 or higher. Congratulations!]
[Life Level increased: Common Human ➜ Peak Human]
[Reward: +1 Attribute Point, +1 Skill Point]
He still had two attribute points remaining and added both to speed.
The moment he confirmed the distribution, a warm wave coursed through his body. His muscles tightened for a second. It did not hurt, but the sensation was strange, as if every fiber were being recalibrated. His reflexes sharpened, subtle but undeniable.
In a world where monsters followed their own rules, running could be the difference between living and becoming a statistic.
Or maybe they did not run not because they could not, but because they chose not to. The thought sent a chill up his spine.
[HUNTER MENU]
Status: Alive [For now]
Life Level: 1 – Peak Human
Strength: 12
Endurance: 11
Intelligence: 11
Speed: 11 → 13
The silence inside the house was heavy. Daniel tried to understand the System's power scale.
"Why didn't I reach Level 2? If all attributes are at eleven or higher, that should be a full level up."
[You did not gain a Level. You gained a Sub-Level, genius. Think of each Life Level as a staircase with three or four steps. You were on the 'Common Human' step. Now you are on 'Peak Human,' which is the last step of Level 1. Reaching Level 2 requires a Threshold of 15 in all base attributes, which, by the way, is a cruel joke at your current state.]
He rubbed his face in resignation. "So I'm a 'Peak Human' stuck in Level 1's comfort zone. Great."
After lying there for a while, he actually dozed off.
He woke when Kenny returned, breathless, sweat on his forehead.
"Boyd." The urgency in his voice made the sheriff straighten. "The trailer is coming back."
Boyd's already tense expression grew heavier, the lines around his eyes deepening.
Daniel stood, yawning, picked up the bag leaning against the wall, and slung it over his shoulder with an almost provocative calm. Far too calm for someone who should have been scared.
"So it's now." He adjusted the strap, the leather creaking softly. "I'll see with my own eyes if what you said is true."
"Don't forget what I told you about not saying anything to them," the sheriff said as he opened the door.
Daniel nodded and walked toward the road. He stopped with one hand in his pocket and the other gripping the strap of the bag on his shoulder. Boyd and Kenny watched from the porch.
Even aware of Boyd's assessing stare, Daniel did not care. He could always claim he was used to stressful situations because of his work.
Which was true. He remembered the time he had been trapped in an avalanche, or the time he almost drowned while surfing during a storm. Daniel just had to stay alert and avoid saying anything that revealed he already knew about the place and the monsters.
The sound of the trailer approached, the old engine echoing through the empty street. It stopped in front of Daniel with a sharp squeal of brakes, kicking up a cloud of dust.
He waved and walked to the window. Jim looked visibly disoriented, hands gripping the steering wheel with unnecessary force. Tabitha seemed frightened, her pale face contrasting with the dark interior.
"Why did you come back? Did something happen?" Daniel asked, putting on an expression of feigned curiosity and confusion.
Jim scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, we probably missed the highway entrance." He glanced at the bag on Daniel's shoulder, frowning. "What happened? Are you leaving already?"
"Kenny saw you coming back and told Boyd. I took the chance to ask for another ride. The mechanic left town, and it seems the sheriff didn't know." He nodded toward the porch, where the sheriff watched in silence.
Jim looked at him questioningly, and Boyd nodded, slow and deliberate.
Julie leaned forward, her eyes shining with concern. "I don't think it's a good idea to leave Daniel here alone. This place doesn't feel safe."
Ethan chimed in eagerly. "Please, Dad. He's cool!"
Tabitha exchanged a quick look with Jim, something unspoken passing between them. Jim sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. "Fine. Get in, before I change my mind."