Chapter 10: The Pillars of Light

Liam stood at the dungeon's entrance, taking a deep breath of fresh air. He checked the time and realized that he had been in the dungeon for five days. The thought of spending so much time underground was unsettling, but he couldn't dwell on it. There were more pressing matters at hand.

In the distance, he saw large pillars of light shooting into the sky. The pillars of light were a breathtaking sight to behold. They soared into the sky, their radiant beams piercing the heavens like celestial swords. Each pillar was a different hue, ranging from deep blues and vibrant greens to warm reds and brilliant yellows. Together, they formed a mesmerizing display of colors that painted the sky in a breathtaking spectacle.

The light emitted by the pillars seemed almost tangible, as if one could reach out and touch the vibrant rays. They pulsated with a powerful energy that seemed to resonate in the air, causing the very atmosphere to thrum with life. The pillars appeared to stretch endlessly into the sky, their origins shrouded in mystery.

As Liam approached the pillars, he noticed that they were not evenly spaced but rather clustered in small groups. Some of the beams intertwined with one another, creating intricate patterns of light that danced and shimmered like a living kaleidoscope.

Despite their ethereal beauty, there was an underlying sense of urgency and tension in the air. The pillars seemed to signal a significant event, and Liam couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anticipation as he drew closer to their source.

Despite his hunger, he noticed that he didn't feel the need to sleep, and the cold didn't bother him as it once did. These changes may be due to the Blessing of Nature he received in the dungeon, or his level increasing. He also seemed to feel overall more healthy, and felt like the effects of aging would be reduced.

As Liam walked toward the pillars of light, he couldn't help but think about the "Faith" section in his stat page. He had seen it before, nestled among the other attributes, but hadn't given it much thought until now. It seemed odd that faith would be a quantifiable attribute in this new world, and Liam couldn't help but wonder what it truly represented.

In his mind, faith had always been an abstract, personal concept—something that couldn't be measured or assigned a numerical value. Growing up in a religious family, he had been exposed to the idea of faith from a young age. But as he grew older and began to question the world around him, Liam found himself at odds with the notion of an omnipotent deity. The idea of submitting to a higher power, of relinquishing control over his own destiny, didn't sit well with him. He craved freedom, the ability to forge his own path without being beholden to anyone or anything.

Now, faced with the reality of a world where faith appeared to be a tangible force, Liam's skepticism was challenged. He couldn't help but wonder if there were indeed gods in this world, beings who held sway over the lives of mortals. And if so, what role did faith play in their interactions with these divine entities? Was it a source of power, a way to curry favor, or perhaps a means of communication?

As Liam pondered these questions, he felt a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The idea of gods in this world both intrigued and unsettled him. He couldn't deny the implications of his newfound powers and the strange occurrences he had witnessed. But for now, he decided to focus on the task at hand—investigating the mysterious pillars of light—and leave the question of faith for another time.

As Liam continued on his journey towards the pillars of light, he suddenly caught sight of a creature that sent shivers down his spine. It was an animal unlike anything he had ever seen before, even in his wildest nightmares. The creature was about the size of a large bear, but its body was a grotesque amalgamation of different animals' features.

Its skin was a mottled mixture of thick, leathery scales and patches of coarse, matted fur. The creature's head resembled that of a wolf, with large, pointed ears and piercing yellow eyes that seemed to glow with an unnatural light. Its jaw was filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth, and a forked tongue flicked in and out as it sniffed the air.

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The creature's front legs were muscular and tipped with wickedly curved claws, while its hind legs were reminiscent of a kangaroo's powerful limbs, allowing it to leap great distances in a single bound. A long, sinuous tail, covered in barbed spikes, whipped back and forth behind it, adding an extra layer of menace to its appearance.

As Liam stared at the monstrous creature, he realized that he had encountered yet another horrifying beast in this new world. A feeling of dread crept over him as he assessed the situation, knowing that he needed to act quickly and decisively if he wanted to survive this encounter.

As the beast let out a guttural growl and prepared to charge, Liam quickly scanned his surroundings for any potential weapons or cover. Spotting a fallen branch nearby, he grabbed it and activated his Weapon of Opportunity skill, turning the branch into a makeshift spear.

The creature lunged at Liam with incredible speed, but he was prepared. Using his reflexes, Liam dodged to the side just in time, narrowly avoiding the creature's snapping jaws. He thrust the makeshift spear at the beast, aiming for one of the patches of fur where its scales were absent.

The spear connected with the creature's side, eliciting a howl of pain. However, it was far from defeated. The creature whipped its spiked tail towards Liam, but he easily dodged the attack, clearly showcasing the growth he had achieved in the tutorial thus far.

Liam didn't let up his assault. He continued to dodge and weave around the creature's attacks, looking for any openings to strike. Every time he found one, he would drive his makeshift spear into the beast's flesh, slowly but surely wearing it down.

The creature's attacks became more predictable, and Liam quickly adapted to its movements. With a confident strike, he drove his makeshift spear deep into the creature's neck, severing a vital artery. The beast staggered, blood pouring from the wound, before collapsing onto the ground, lifeless.

Panting slightly, Liam surveyed the scene of the battle, realizing that the tutorial zone had indeed increased in difficulty. Despite this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in how much he had grown and his ability to handle the increased challenge.

Liam took a moment to catch his breath and recover from the intense battle with the creature. He looked towards the horizon, where the next pillar of light beckoned him. A mix of curiosity and determination swelled within him, as he knew that this was only the beginning of the challenges he would face.

With each step, he could feel the weight of his experiences in the tutorial zone so far. He had grown stronger, faster, and more skilled in this new world, and that fact filled him with excitement. He couldn't help but wonder what other challenges and rewards awaited him as he continued his journey.

As Liam made his way towards the next pillar, his thoughts drifted to his family, especially his sister. With only 50 percent of the human population remaining, he couldn't help but worry about their safety and well-being. He knew that he couldn't afford to dwell on his concerns; he needed to forge ahead and make the most of the time he had left in the tutorial.

Liam pressed forward, his eyes locked on the pillars of light rising into the sky. As he moved closer, he couldn't help but speculate about the nature of the pillars. Were they markers for important locations? Perhaps they were signals for other survivors, guiding them to safe havens or places of interest? Or maybe they were beacons of power, imbued with energies that could grant him even more abilities and strength?

His imagination ran wild as he continued his journey towards the pillars, each step bringing him closer to unraveling the mystery. Regardless of what the pillars might be, Liam knew that his path would inevitably lead him to new discoveries, encounters, and challenges that would test his limits and shape his destiny.

With renewed determination, Liam continued his journey, eager to uncover the mysteries of the world and the power that lay within him. Whatever lay ahead, he knew that he would face it head-on, ready to overcome any obstacle and become the person he was meant to be, not only for himself but also for his family's sake.

Level: 5

Race: Human

Class: Survivalist

Profession: N/A

Skills: Endurance, Weapon of Opportunity, Rapid Regeneration

Traits: Fearless

Faith:

Blessing: Nature