Connor Hayes

Godric of Weldrake rose from the tavern table like a man summoned by fate. His sharp blue-gray eyes, which had been warm moments before, now carried the weight of duty.

“It seems my time is up,” he said, securing the sword at his side. “Stay safe, Connor. Perhaps our paths will cross again.”

I gave him a nod, trying to muster some semblance of gratitude. “Good luck out there.”

He smiled faintly, then strode toward the door with a confident gait that made me wonder if I’d ever look that composed in my entire life.

The tavern felt quieter without him, the hum of conversations blending into an indistinct murmur. I looked down at the mug of ale he’d bought me. It wasn’t even half-finished, but I didn’t have the appetite for it.

I pushed the mug away and left the tavern, the chill evening air greeting me like an unwelcome guest.

The city was alive with its own rhythms, lanterns casting flickering light on cobbled streets as merchants packed up their wares and children darted home before curfew. The smells of roasted meats and fresh bread wafted from food stalls, mingling with the acrid scent of horses and wet stone.

As I wandered, the realization of just how broke I was hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn’t have a single coin to my name, and while the knight’s charity had been appreciated, it was a one-time thing.

The idea of begging made my stomach twist. Stealing? Out of the question.

The city gate was the only way forward. I couldn’t stay here.

The guards at the gate greeted me as I approached.

“You again, traveler?” one of them said, his tone friendly. He was a middle-aged man with a thick beard and a slightly weary air. “Didn’t think we’d see you leaving so soon.”

“Yeah,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Didn’t work out the way I planned. Thought I’d, uh, head into the woods for a bit.”

The other guard, younger and leaner, chuckled. “The woods? Hope you know what you’re doing. The beasts out there don’t take kindly to wanderers.”

“Thanks for the warning,” I said, my voice dry.

The older guard gave me a thoughtful look. “You’ve got nothing with you. No pack, no weapon. Are you sure about this?”

I hesitated. “I’ll manage.”

He shrugged but didn’t press further. “Suit yourself. Just keep to the main trails if you can. They’re less likely to get you killed.”

With that, they stepped aside, letting me pass through the towering wooden gates.

The open fields beyond the city stretched out like a patchwork quilt, dotted with clusters of trees and crisscrossed by narrow dirt paths. The woods loomed in the distance, their dark silhouettes stark against the fading light of the evening sky.

I followed a winding trail that led toward the forest, my steps uncertain but deliberate. The cool evening air carried the faint chirping of crickets and the rustle of leaves, a stark contrast to the bustling noise of the city.

The woods seemed both inviting and menacing as I drew closer, their shadows lengthening with each passing minute.

“Alright,” I muttered to myself. “You’ve seen survival shows. How hard can this be?”

By the time I reached the edge of the forest, the sun had disappeared completely, leaving only the faint glow of starlight to guide me. The air was cooler here, thick with the scent of pine and damp earth.

I wandered deeper into the woods, the sounds of nocturnal creatures growing louder with every step. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted, its cry echoing eerily.

Eventually, I found a small clearing surrounded by dense underbrush. It wasn’t much, but it felt secluded enough to be safe for the night.

“Guess this is home,” I muttered, brushing aside some fallen leaves to clear a spot to sit.

I gathered a few twigs and dry branches from the surrounding area, arranging them in a haphazard pile.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my lighter—the only thing I still had from my old life. With a few flicks of the wheel, a small flame sparked to life, catching on the kindling. The fire grew slowly, casting flickering shadows across the clearing.

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I sat back, the warmth of the flames washing over me. It wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing.

As I stared into the fire, a soft chime broke the silence.

My head snapped up, and I froze as a translucent screen appeared in front of me, glowing faintly in the dim light.

Welcome, Adventurer!

Your class has been assigned: Ranger.

Your Current Stats:

* Strength: 3

* Agility: 4

* Endurance: 3

* Intelligence: 2

* Charisma: 2

* Mana: 1

I blinked at the screen, my mind racing. Ranger. The word felt oddly appropriate—someone who survives in the wild, who uses their wits and skill to navigate the unknown.

Before I could fully process it, the screen shimmered, revealing a new message.

Race Selection Unlocked!

Choose your race:

* Human: Balanced stats, adaptable, and versatile.

* Sylvan: Increased Agility and Intelligence, but reduced Endurance. Known for their affinity with nature.

* Ironblood: Increased Strength and Endurance, but reduced Agility. Hardy and resilient.

* Shadowkin: Agile and elusive, with bonuses to stealth and perception but reduced Charisma.

I considered the options, my heart pounding. Sylvan and Shadowkin sounded appealing, but I didn’t want to give up endurance or charisma—I needed every edge I could get.

“Human,” I said aloud, my voice steady.

The screen shimmered again, and a wave of warmth coursed through me. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it was enough to make me feel…different. Stronger. More grounded.

The stats updated.

Updated Stats:

* Strength: 3

* Agility: 4

* Endurance: 3

* Intelligence: 2

* Charisma: 3

* Mana: 2

Another message appeared, offering a choice.

Starting Perk Unlocked! Choose one:

1. Keen Senses: Improved perception and tracking abilities.

2. Survivalist: Take reduced damage from environmental hazards and gain bonuses to shelter building.

3. Rapid Recovery: Recover stamina and minor injuries faster.

I read through the options carefully, my fingers twitching with anticipation. Keen Senses seemed the most useful for someone alone in the wild.

“Keen Senses,” I said, and the screen flickered in acknowledgment before dissolving.

For a moment, I just sat there, staring into the fire. Whatever this was—this world, this strange system—it was real. And it was mine to figure out.

“Alright,” I muttered, leaning back against a tree. “Let’s see where this goes.”

The fire crackled softly, the warmth a small comfort in the cool night air. I stared at the spot where the glowing screen had disappeared, my mind racing to catch up with what I’d just seen.

“Ranger,” I muttered, rolling the word around in my mouth like a foreign taste. “Stats, perks… what is this, a game?”

Before I could dwell on it, another chime rang out.

A new screen appeared, this one labeled Tutorial.

Welcome to the Adventurer’s System!

The Adventurer’s System is designed to assist you in navigating the world, improving your skills, and surviving its many challenges. Below is an overview of its key features:

Main Features

* Stats: Represent your physical and mental capabilities. These can be improved through training, leveling up, or acquiring special items.

* Strength: Physical power and ability to carry heavy loads.

* Agility: Reflexes, speed, and balance.

* Endurance: Stamina and resistance to physical strain or injury.

* Intelligence: Cognitive ability, magical knowledge, and problem-solving skills.

* Charisma: Social skills, influence, and ability to negotiate.

* Mana: Your capacity for magical energy.

* Class: Your role in the world. Each class grants unique abilities, perks, and spellcasting options. You are a Ranger.

Ranger Overview

Rangers excel in survival, exploration, and ranged combat. Your class abilities will develop over time, enhancing your skills in tracking, crafting, and combat.

Abilities Unlocked:

* Keen Senses: Your heightened awareness allows you to detect nearby threats and track creatures with ease.

Leveling Up

Gain experience (EXP) through exploration, combat, and completing objectives. Each level increases your stats and grants you a new perk.

Inventory:

You can access your personal inventory to store items, gear, and resources. This feature allows for convenient item management, even in the heat of battle.

Combat:

Your abilities as a Ranger are geared toward precision and strategy. Utilize traps, ranged attacks, and environmental advantages to overcome enemies.

Quests:

Dynamic tasks will appear in your Quest Log, guiding you toward challenges and rewards. Completing quests grants EXP, gold, and other valuable items.

A small pop-up at the bottom of the screen blinked:

Would you like to enable in-depth tips?

I stared at the glowing text, a mix of excitement and disbelief bubbling up inside me. This wasn’t just some random hallucination. It was real—tangible, even if I didn’t fully understand it.

“Sure, why not,” I said aloud, tapping the Yes option with my finger.

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The Tutorial screen dissolved, and a new notification appeared:

Quest Unlocked: First Steps

Objective: Survive your first night in the wild.

Reward: +50 EXP, Beginner’s Survival Kit.

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“Survive the night,” I muttered, glancing at the dark forest around me. “Great. Like I wasn’t already planning on that.”

The screen faded, leaving me alone again with the flickering firelight.

I leaned back against the tree, my thoughts racing. A part of me wanted to laugh at how absurd it all was—stats, perks, quests—but another part couldn’t help feeling a thrill of excitement.

For the first time in years, I wasn’t just drifting through life.

I had a purpose, even if I didn’t fully understand it yet.

“Alright, System,” I said, staring up at the stars. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”