Flynn stirred, and Cilian noted he’d been squeezing his dog and that was Flynn’s polite way of asking him to stop. Cilian smirked and shook his head at Flynn. Let’s see what this system is going to give us.
System:
“Quest Complete: Eliminate Bjorn. Rewards available.”
Cillian stared at the screen, blinking in front of him, his chest still heaving from the fight. His mind raced as the adrenaline slowly ebbed. The cave floor around him was littered with what remained of Bjorn, the stench of death still thick in the air. His body tingled with the strange energy that had rushed into him after the bear’s death. He felt... stronger. Much stronger.
Another screen popped up.
System:
“Select your reward:
1. Wand
2. Sword
3. Axe
4. Bow
5. Cestus.”
Cillian glanced at Flynn, who sat quietly beside him, panting but unharmed after the fight. The screen’s options flickered before him, and he reached out, hovering his hand over the choices. An image came to view while hovering over each option. Cilian pictured himself with each choice. A wand must mean there is magic in this tutorial. A sword is pretty basic, good for attacking and defending, but I know nothing of magic. In close quarters, the sword could have its downsides as well. Actually… Cilian glimpses down at his hands that are still covered in blood. I remember the cestus were used for boxing back in the Roman times, as far as close quarters go, that would be the right choice. If I know anything, it’s fighting with my fists.
Cilian recalled the countless fights he got in with his 4 brothers. We’d beat the hell out of each other. Shaking his head to rid the thoughts, he decided while looking back to Flynn. The cestus felt right—something versatile, something that could amplify his strike’s and make sure Flynn isn’t the only one getting in close.
With a deep breath, Cillian selected the cestus.
System:
“Reward received: Cestus.”
The weapon appeared right on his hands, its grip rough but solid. Cillian threw some punches. It’ll take some getting used to. He opened his hand and closed it realizing grappling anything would be tough. He focused his attention towards the next screen.
System:
“Level gained: +10 to all base stats.
Free points gained: 50.”
Cillian’s muscles rippled with newfound strength. He could feel the power surging through his limbs. A glance at his character screen confirmed it. His stats had jumped, and he now had 50 free points to allocate. He paused, knowing he needed to distribute them carefully. He decided to focus on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, aiming for survivability and power. I need to take some hits if I'm going to get in close. I need to also make room for Flynn. Let’s do 26 into strength, 13 in dexterity and constitution. As soon as he thought about it, the numbers began to rise. The feeling of power grew all throughout his body.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Once his own screen was settled, Cillian knelt beside Flynn, patting the dog’s head.
Cillian: “Let’s check your stats, boy.”
With a mental command, Flynn’s screen appeared before him. Cillian’s eyes widened as he scrolled through the details.
Companion
Name: Flynn
Level: 10
Experience: 0/100
Heritage: Life of Puca - touched by this ancient bloodline, carries the gift—and the curse—of its magic, forever walking the line between man and beast
Ability: Wildform (Unlocked - Bear Form)
Cillian blinked. Life of Puca? That was new. He tapped on the ability, bringing up the full description.
Wildform: Flynn can transform into various powerful animal forms. The first form, Bear, has been unlocked.
Cillian laughed under his breath, rubbing Flynn’s ears. “A bear, huh?”
Flynn barked, his tail wagging excitedly.
Cillian: “It’s not just the bear, though, right? This world has more in store for you, too.”
Flynn wagged his tail harder, as if agreeing. Cillian took one last glance at the screen, noting Flynn’s Life of Puca Heritage. He couldn’t help but wonder what other forms might be in Flynn’s future. But for now, a bear was more than enough.
The final screen appeared in front of Cillian.
System:
“New Quest Accepted: Locate the Door.
Clue: The door lies hidden where the earth rises and the trees sing.
Reward: Trial 1 Key received.”
A small, intricately designed key materialized in Cillian’s hand. It was lighter than he expected, and something about it pulsed with energy. He pocketed it, the key disappeared as soon as it entered his pocket. Startled, Cilian tried to find it, and it materialized in his hand. Whoa, so that’s how the inventory works. Unsure of the key's significance yet, he put it away again. If there was one thing he’d learned so far, it was that nothing in this world was without purpose.
The new quest intrigued him, though. Locate the Door? And the clue... it wasn’t much to go on. “Where the earth rises and the trees sing.” It was vague, sure, but something about the wording nagged at the back of his mind.
He looked around the dim cave, thinking. They’d have to leave here soon. The door wasn’t going to find itself.
Cillian: “Looks like we’ve got another mystery to solve, Flynn.”
The golden retriever barked once more, nudging Cillian’s leg as if ready to move forward.
Cillian pushed himself to his feet, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The fight with Bjorn had left him stronger, more prepared, and now he had a goal. His fingers gripped into a fist, feeling the solid weight of it grounding him in this strange, twisted world.
He didn’t know what awaited him beyond this cave, but for now, he had the one thing he’d always trusted: Flynn by his side.
Cillian: “Alright, let’s get out of here.”
Together, they made their way toward the mouth of the cave, the wind whistling through the trees beyond. Flynn trotted ahead, stopping just outside to glance back at Cillian, his eyes bright with determination.
Cillian stepped out into the sunlight, squinting up at the sky. Somewhere out there, a door was waiting for him to find it, and with the key in hand, he knew their journey had only just begun.