After narrowly escaping the bear-beast, Ryu spent the better part of an hour huddled in his rocky hiding spot, still shaken. Survival is a lot harder than vending machines, he mused wryly, resting until his Stamina bar felt a bit more forgiving.
When he finally poked his head out, he sniffed cautiously, his new Sharp Sense skill letting him catch the faint traces of nearby creatures and warn him of potential threats. The world around him felt so alive, so… immersive. Gotta give them credit, he thought, this is next-level VR if that's what it is… though dying probably wasn’t part of the design.
A persistent gnawing hunger reminded him he needed to find food. But this time, he wasn’t eager for another harrowing battle. Instead, he decided to explore and observe. He trotted through the trees carefully, adjusting his pace and steps to avoid tripping—a surprisingly difficult feat when your feet didn’t quite feel like your own.
As he padded along, Ryu noticed an unusual sound: a faint, rhythmic tapping echoing from somewhere to his left. Curiosity got the better of him, and he crept toward the noise, parting the dense ferns and brambles with his snout.
In a clearing, he saw a strange scene: a small creature with a shell—a forest pangolin, maybe—was rhythmically banging its claws against a rock, seemingly sharpening them. Ryu tilted his head, wondering if it was worth approaching. Not exactly a high-level snack, he thought, but maybe I can learn something here.
His instincts flared as he took a cautious step forward, activating Sharp Sense again. Something about this creature felt off. There was a faint shimmer around it—subtle, but unmistakable. Was it using a skill?
Suddenly, the pangolin froze, its tiny eyes snapping up to meet his gaze. For a second, they locked eyes, and Ryu could have sworn he saw a flash of intelligence in the creature’s beady stare. Then, in an abrupt motion, the pangolin let out a high-pitched snort and scampered up a nearby tree, its claws digging deep into the bark.
Ryu watched in mild disbelief as the creature effortlessly scaled the trunk and disappeared into the canopy above, leaving him alone. He sighed, feeling an odd combination of relief and disappointment. There goes lunch.
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STATUS SCREEN UPDATE
* Observation Skill Unlocked: Natural Camouflage (Tier 0) – Observing the pangolin taught you the basic instinct of blending in with your surroundings. Greatly reduces the chance of being detected when you remain still.
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A grin stretched across his muzzle. So I can learn just by watching? The possibilities ignited his curiosity. If he could pick up skills without necessarily killing, he could widen his abilities and maybe survive longer in this unforgiving wilderness.
Continuing his trek, Ryu wandered deeper into the forest, intent on testing his new Natural Camouflage skill. He found a shady area beneath a canopy of low-hanging leaves, sank into a crouch, and focused on staying perfectly still. He tried to make himself look less like a predator and more like just another shadow on the forest floor.
Before long, something strange happened. The noises of the forest seemed to dim slightly, and his vision adjusted, making the vibrant colors of his surroundings blend with his own fur. For the first time, Ryu felt like he truly belonged here, blending seamlessly with the world around him.
Well, that actually works, he thought, feeling both thrilled and a bit unnerved by how seamlessly his instincts kicked in. This might just come in handy.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
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As the hours passed, Ryu’s exploration took him through a variety of strange and dangerous terrain. He wove through clusters of thorny vines, scrambled over mossy stones, and finally stumbled upon a small, clear brook. Thirst clawed at his throat, and he took a few tentative licks of the icy water. He could feel it refreshing him instantly.
Just as he started to relax, his Sharp Sense alerted him to movement further upstream. There, drinking from the same brook, was another creature: a wolf-like beast with sleek, dark fur and glowing red eyes.
The wolf creature lifted its head, sniffing the air cautiously, then turned its attention toward him. Ryu’s pulse spiked. This wasn’t some helpless prey—this beast looked experienced, confident, and worst of all, hungry. He tensed, ready to bolt at the first sign of aggression.
The wolf tilted its head, seemingly appraising him. It didn’t charge; instead, it took a few slow steps forward and sniffed the air. Ryu mirrored its movements, hoping to appear confident. They circled each other cautiously, each beast testing the other’s reactions.
Then, the wolf did something surprising: it sat down, its ears perked but relaxed. Ryu, unsure of what to do, did the same, studying the creature carefully.
Without warning, the wolf opened its jaws and spoke.
“You’re not from here, are you?”
Ryu’s jaw dropped open. He hadn’t expected to hear language, much less from another monster. He swallowed, struggling to find words that didn’t betray his shock.
“N-no,” he stammered, his voice coming out as a gruff growl. “I… I’m new around here.”
The wolf huffed in amusement, as if it knew exactly what was going through Ryu’s mind. “I’m called Keira,” it said, curling its tail around its paws. “And I’m guessing you’re still figuring things out?”
“Uh… yeah,” Ryu admitted. “Name’s Ryu.”
Keira looked at him with a hint of sympathy in her red eyes. “Let me guess: you’ve seen the Status Screen?”
Ryu nodded. Keira snorted, her gaze softening. “Thought so. Look, if you want to survive in these parts, it’s best to understand the basics: stay out of the Inner Forest if you value your life, keep an eye out for humans, and, if you’re lucky, maybe find a group.”
“A group?” Ryu echoed, intrigued. The idea of allies hadn’t occurred to him; he’d assumed that, as a beast, he was doomed to be a lone hunter, constantly battling others for survival.
Keira gave a low growl, her voice laced with bitterness. “Strength in numbers. Most who wander alone here don’t last long.” She shot a quick glance over her shoulder. “That’s all I’m giving away for free. The rest, you’ll have to figure out yourself.”
With that, she stood, gave him a final appraising look, and trotted off, vanishing into the shadows.
Ryu stood there, processing what he’d just learned. Keira’s words left him with an unexpected sense of comfort—and caution. Stay out of the Inner Forest. Watch out for humans. Find a group.
After another drink from the brook, he resumed his exploration. His thoughts drifted back to the Status Screen and his potential for growth. He checked it, hoping to glean some new insight.
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STATUS SCREEN
* Name: Ryu
* Species: Lesser Dire Beast (Juvenile)
* Level: 2
* Health: 14/14
* Stamina: 10/10
* Skills:
* Sharp Sense I – Enhanced senses for detecting nearby creatures.
* Sprint Burst I – Brief surge of speed for rapid escape.
* Natural Camouflage I – Improved ability to blend into surroundings when still.
* Evolution Requirements:
* Dire Beast (Advanced) – Reach Level 5, Obtain at least 3 skills.
* Dire Beast (Adapted) – Reach Level 5, Consume a unique beast material.
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The screen flickered, revealing a new piece of information:
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Quest Unlocked!
* Quest: Find an Ally
* Objective: Form an alliance with another creature for increased survival chances.
* Reward: +20 Experience, Skill Synergy Potential.
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So it’s encouraging me to make friends now? Ryu chuckled, amused at the irony of a system rewarding teamwork in a world so cutthroat. But Keira’s words about groups lingered in his mind. Maybe he’d find allies who could help him navigate the mysteries of this forest and beyond.
The thought gave him renewed purpose, and he set off into the wilderness, determined to grow stronger, unlock his potential, and, just maybe, find someone—or something—worth trusting.