Ethan ran through the deserted streets, heart hammering in his chest. Every step echoed against the ruins of the city.
The countdown on the blue screen hovered in his vision: 09:50… 09:49… 09:48…
He glanced back. The monster wasn't slowing down. Its glowing red eyes fixed on him with terrifying precision.
[Skill Available: Dash]
A small menu appeared in the air before him. "Dash… what's this?" Ethan muttered. Hesitating even for a second felt like a lifetime.
The monster roared.
Ethan pressed the glowing icon instinctively. Instantly, his legs propelled forward with a speed he never knew he had. He barely dodged the creature's claws, which smashed into the asphalt behind him.
[Quest Update: Survive 10 minutes — Progress 5%]
"Progress… 5%?" Ethan whispered. "Wait… does it actually track me?"
The system interface displayed more details he hadn't noticed before:
Health: 100%
Stamina: 100%
Level: 1
Experience: 0
"Level? Experience? Is this some kind of game?" Ethan said under his breath.
The creature roared again and charged. This time, Ethan had no choice. He pressed the Dash skill repeatedly, zigzagging through debris and overturned cars.
[Skill Unlocked: Basic Attack]
A new icon appeared, glowing faintly. Ethan hesitated. "Attack? With what?"
Instinctively, he picked up a metal pipe lying on the ground. As he swung it at the approaching monster, the system flashed:
[Damage Dealt: 15]
[Experience Gained: 10]
The pipe barely scratched the creature, but a small number appeared in his vision. Ethan's eyes widened.
"This… this actually works!"
The monster roared louder, clearly irritated. It lunged again, faster this time. Ethan's mind raced. He had only seconds to react.
[Skill Unlocked: Quick Strike]
He clicked it. His body moved on instinct, delivering a rapid strike to the creature's leg. Another number flashed: Damage: 30.
The monster stumbled. For the first time, Ethan felt hope.
[Quest Update: Survive 10 minutes — Progress 30%]
"Okay… I can do this," Ethan whispered, gripping the pipe tighter.
Minutes stretched as he fought and dodged, learning the system in real time. Every strike, every move, added numbers to his stats.
Then the countdown blinked: 01:00 remaining.
Ethan's chest heaved. The monster roared one last time before retreating into the shadows.
[Quest Complete: Survive 10 minutes]
[Reward: 500 Experience, 1 Basic Skill Point]
A small icon blinked in his vision. "Skill Point?" Ethan muttered. Hesitating only for a moment, he clicked it and a new menu opened:
Health Boost (Unlocked)
Stamina Boost (Unlocked)
Quick Strike Upgrade (Unlocked)
"This… this changes everything," Ethan said, staring at the interface.
For the first time, fear was mixed with… excitement.
Outside, the city was quiet again. But Ethan knew this was only the beginning.
Something deep in the sky panels glimmered faintly. A feeling of danger far greater than the first monster settled in his chest.
And Ethan Vale realized… surviving today was just the first quest of a much bigger game.