The sun had barely risen, casting the wilderness in a soft, golden hue. Evander found himself on the flat roof of one of the massive vehicles that were part of their convoy. A gentle breeze rustled his hair as he squinted into the distance, adjusting the scope of his high-powered rifle. From this vantage point, he could survey the entire campsite and the land beyond.

Above them, a formidable blue magical shield pulsed with energy. It bathed everything below in a soft, ethereal light. Its purpose was twofold: a beacon to ensure everyone knew where the safe zone was and a robust line of defense against any external threats.

With this shield, even the fiercest of predators won't be able to penetrate our defenses, he mused, comforted by the thought. He knew how much it meant to the women of the other group to ensure their man, Artur, was safe.

The clinking sound of boots on metal caught his attention, and he turned to see Artur climbing up, a sheepish smile plastered on his face.

Evander couldn't help but grin. "Didn't think you'd make it up here," he remarked playfully.

Artur chuckled, taking a seat beside Evander. "Well, you'd be surprised what one can achieve with a little...persuasion."

Raising an eyebrow, Evander prompted, "Do tell."

Artur looked away for a moment, his cheeks tinting a light shade of pink. "Let's just say one of the women found it in her heart to vouch for me. She made quite the compelling argument about the need for some...freedom."

Evander's eyes danced with mischief, recalling the earlier scene he'd witnessed. "Would this be the same woman who you were so closely entwined with as you departed the vehicle?"

Artur's blush deepened. "Maybe."

Evander chuckled, clapping Artur on the back. "Good for you. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to see things a bit differently, to advocate for change."

Artur looked thoughtful. "You're right. I've spent so long feeling confined, but it took just one person to challenge that. It's...refreshing."

There was a moment of reflective silence as the two men sat side by side, watching the world below them.

Relationships. Trust. Freedom. It's fascinating how they're all interwoven, Evander pondered.

The sun climbed higher, its rays scattering across the campsite, making the blue shield sparkle even more brilliantly. The camp below was a hive of activity, but up here, it felt like a separate world, one where two men could share their thoughts without judgment.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Artur asked, eager to make the most of his newfound freedom.

Evander looked at him, a glint in his eye. "Well, perhaps we could indulge in a bit of target practice."

The sun cast long shadows across the barren landscape, where occasional clusters of bizarre-looking foliage offered scant cover. In the middle of this wilderness stood Evander, holding a sleek rail gun that gleamed menacingly under the light. Artur stood next to him, eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. His heart rate had picked up ever since they decided to turn his virtual expertise into real-life proficiency.

This is not a game, Evander thought, reminding himself of the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. One wrong move, and it's not a reset button we'll be needing.

He cleared his throat, capturing Artur's attention. "This is the real deal, Artur. No respawns, no save points. You need to treat every bullet as if it's your last. Got it?"

Artur nodded, swallowing hard. "Understood."

Evander started with the basics, explaining the safety mechanisms of the rail gun, its power, its range, and its destructive capabilities. He demonstrated the correct stance, the way to hold the weapon, and the importance of keeping one's eye on the target.

It's crucial that he understands the magnitude of this, Evander thought, drilling into Artur the importance of safety. "Remember, this isn't like your VR games. The repercussions here are very real."

Artur took a deep breath, gripping the rail gun. The weight felt different, more substantial than the virtual versions he was used to. The cold metal against his palms sent a chill down his spine, reminding him of the gravity of the situation.

Taking a moment to scan the horizon, Evander's experienced eyes quickly settled on a distant creature. Towering and grotesque, it lumbered across the plains, unaware of the two hunters observing it. "There's our target," Evander whispered, handing the rail gun to Artur. "Take a deep breath, steady your aim, and remember everything I've taught you."

Artur's fingers trembled as he aimed at the creature. He missed, the shot going wide and causing a minor explosion a few feet away from the monster. It roared, alert and alarmed.

"Steady," Evander encouraged, placing a hand on Artur's shoulder. "Adjust your stance. Relax your grip. Let's try again."

With Evander's guidance, Artur took a few more shots, each one getting closer to the mark but not quite hitting the creature. The monster, now aware of their presence, began to move unpredictably, making it an even more challenging target.

After what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, Artur's patience was wearing thin. Evander sensed his frustration and decided to step in. Taking the rail gun, he aimed and fired. A clean, perfect shot. The monster collapsed, a victim of Evander's expert marksmanship. The moment felt surreal, with the distant thud of the beast echoing the silent aftermath of the shot.

Evander could feel the rush, the slight increase in his abilities from the experience gained. There's nothing quite like the real thing.

Handing the rail gun back to Artur, he said, "It's all about practice. You'll get there."

With newfound determination, Artur took aim once more. This time, another creature had appeared, even larger than the previous one. He breathed in deeply, steadying his hand and focusing intently on his target.

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The shot rang out, and the massive beast stumbled before collapsing to the ground. A direct hit.

Artur's face lit up with elation. "I did it!"

Evander clapped him on the back, grinning. "See? Told you it was only a matter of time."

Evander leaned in toward Artur, his eyes searching the younger man's for any telltale signs of understanding.

He lowered his voice, infusing his words with a conspiratorial undertone. "Can you feel anything different in your mind?"

Artur's eyes, initially a bit dazed, snapped into focus. He looked taken aback, his pupils dilating slightly. The subtle excitement building in him was palpable. "Yes... it's like a door has been opened," he murmured, his voice tinged with wonder.

Evander nodded slowly, relieved that Artur was experiencing the same phenomenon. He's finally tapped into it, Evander mused internally.

With measured words, Evander began explaining the unique system embedded within males. "Imagine a space within you, a representation of your very essence. Within this space, there are stats — categories that define various aspects of your abilities and potential."

He held up his fingers, enumerating, "Strength, which pertains to your physical prowess; Dexterity, referring to your agility and coordination; Stamina, your endurance and resilience; and finally, Intelligence, which encompasses your cognitive abilities, wisdom, and knowledge."

Artur listened with rapt attention, absorbing every word. The weight of Evander's explanation settling on him, he seemed to momentarily detach from the present, his gaze unfocused and distant.

He's accessing it, Evander thought, patiently waiting.

After what felt like an eternity, Artur's eyes refocused, shining with exhilaration. "I saw it. I was in that space. I felt the weight of my experiences, and I... I added them to my Intelligence."

Evander's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was rare for someone to naturally gravitate towards enhancing their cognitive abilities on their first foray into the system.

"And there was a skill... just one," Artur continued, a hint of uncertainty clouding his features. "It said 'Rifleman'. Is that... normal?"

Evander's lips quirked in a small smile. He kept his internal astonishment at bay, reminding himself that his journey within the system might be unique. Thousands of skills are available to me, yet he has just one.

"It's unique, Artur," Evander began diplomatically, choosing his words carefully. "Everyone's system is tailored to their own experiences and predispositions. 'Rifleman' suggests a proficiency with rifles, which ties in well with your recent accomplishments."

Artur seemed to ponder over this, turning the information over in his head. "Does this mean I have a natural affinity for rifles?"

Evander nodded. "It appears so. And with time and experience, you can enhance this particular aspect of your abilities."

The two men sat in companionable silence for a moment, the weight of their newfound knowledge settling around them. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving them bathed in twilight.

Evander leaned in, his voice low, "Listen, Artur, about the male system... there's a lot I still don't understand. I'm relatively new to it."

Artur's brow furrowed, his curiosity evident. "But you seemed so sure of it earlier. How did you even discover it?"

Evander sighed, picking at the dirt beneath his nails. "I stumbled upon it, much like you did. And while I've gleaned some understanding of its workings, the depth and scope of its abilities are still... elusive."

It's imperative that he understands the need for discretion, Evander thought.

He met Artur's gaze intently, "Which is why I think it's best we keep this knowledge between us for now. Discussing it openly or trying to unravel its mysteries without caution might invite unwanted attention."

Artur blinked in surprise. "Why the secrecy? Isn't this...power a good thing?"

Evander nodded slowly, "It can be, but with great power comes great responsibility, and possibly danger. When we're back in the city, I plan to gather some of the men I've been training with. Together, we can delve deeper and understand the limits and potential of this system."

And hopefully, we can harness its power without attracting the wrong kind of attention.

Artur looked contemplative, "I can understand the need for caution.“

Evander hesitated, his throat tightening slightly. "Some of the women I'm close to, they've been... suspicious. Not of the system per se, but they sense something has changed in me. I can see it in their eyes, the way they observe me. It's subtle but it's there."

Silence settled between the two men as the weight of their conversation hung in the air.

Artur cleared his throat, breaking the stillness. "I'll be careful, Evander. This... system, it's fascinating and exciting, but I don't want to endanger anyone either."

On top of the hulking vehicle, Evander and Artur found themselves bathed in the golden hue of the setting sun. The vast expanse of the wilderness stretched out before them, a beautiful tapestry of undulating hills, thick forests, and shimmering water bodies. It was serene, save for the occasional monstrous creature that roamed the land, its intent anything but peaceful.

Artur's exhilaration was palpable. Every time he took a shot, a childlike wonder lit up his eyes. Evander could see it — the thrill of the hunt, the joy of mastering a skill, and the satisfaction of seeing tangible results as monsters fell one by one.

To be fair, it's not often you get to hunt like this, Evander mused, especially from such a vantage point.

He watched as Artur aimed, his focus laser-sharp. The recoil from the rifle's blast pushed Artur slightly back, but his shots grew increasingly precise. Every hit sent a small rush of adrenaline through him, evident in the way his eyes sparkled and his posture straightened.

"Nice shot!" Evander complimented as Artur took down a particularly agile creature, its speed making it a challenging target. Artur grinned, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

"This is incredible," Artur exclaimed, pausing to reload. "I've never felt this... alive."

Evander chuckled. "There's something about being in the moment, isn't there? Where it's just you, the target, and the skill you're honing."

Artur nodded, his face contemplative. "It's different from the virtual reality games. This is real. There's weight to it. Consequences."

He's growing, Evander realized, not just in skills, but in understanding.

As the hours passed, their camaraderie grew. They shared stories, swapped tips, and occasionally laughed at missed shots. Through it all, the blue magical shield shimmered protectively around them, casting ghostly reflections onto the surroundings.

As the last light of the day began to fade, replaced by the soft glow of twilight, Artur looked over to Evander. "Every time I gain experience, I've been adding it to intelligence," he admitted, a hint of sheepishness in his tone. "I've always felt a bit... out of my depth when the women talk business around me. I wanted to understand, to be a part of those conversations, not just a bystander."

Evander glanced at Artur, taking in the vulnerability in the younger man's eyes. "There's no shame in wanting to grow, Artur. Intelligence isn't just about being clever; it's about understanding, analyzing, and applying knowledge."

Artur smiled wryly, "Sounds exactly like what I need."

Evander leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows. "The women in your life, they're used to a certain dynamic. But as you grow and change, that dynamic will shift. It won't always be easy."

Artur took a deep breath, gazing out at the darkening horizon. "I just want to be more... involved. To have a say, to be heard."

Evander nodded in understanding. We all want that, he thought. To have a voice, to matter.

As the stars began to appear, twinkling in the vast canvas of the night sky, the two men continued their hunt. With every shot, every creature felled, Artur's confidence grew. But more than the experience points or the newly gained skills, it was the time spent with Evander — the shared wisdom, the camaraderie — that made the day truly invaluable.

By the time they decided to call it a night, Artur's grin was wider, his steps surer. He wasn't just gaining experience for a system; he was gaining experience for life.

And as they made their way down from their lofty perch, Evander felt a warmth in his heart. Perhaps, in teaching Artur, I've learned something too, he mused, about growth, change, and the boundless potential within each of us.