I was sinking.

My eyes, closed, caught a glimpse of a bright flash.

Something was blinking.

I opened my eyes and found myself in water, with my screen blinking nearby.

It displayed: "LEVEL 2! CHOOSE WHERE TO ALLOCATE YOUR TALENT POINTS!"

I didn't have time to dwell on the message; I was running out of air.

I swam with all my strength towards the surface.

My arms felt light, and I no longer felt any pain.

I kept my left foot still, afraid of the pain, but quickly realized it had healed.

I ascended to the surface, taking a deep breath.

I coughed and spat out water that had infiltrated my throat and nose.

As I turned my head, I saw the shoreline nearby.

About twenty Yards away, roughly.

I started swimming as fast as I could.

I was afraid of encountering an underwater creature.

In a matter of minutes, I was back on land, a small gravel beach.

I was about ten Yards away from trees, but I had no intention of approaching them.

I began touching my ankle. I couldn't believe it; it was completely healed.

My fatigue had also vanished completely.

Leveling up reset everything? It was an incredible discovery!

I caught my breath and looked at my screen.

I had three points to allocate to increase my stats.

My health and stamina had gone from 40 to 42.

But now, my experience bar required 120 points, and my debt bar required 105.

"A 20% increase is huge!" I thought.

I noticed that I had gained 60 XP from the angel dive and 35 XP from discovering the 'Blue Lake.'

I already had enough experience points to reach level two, with 40 points!

But the calculation seemed dubious.

So, I requested to see the history of my experience gains.

For the first time, a list appeared, explaining all the actions that had led to my gains.

DISCOVERY OF EUB VALLEY: 35 XP!

FIRST 10 MILES TRAVELED: 10 XP!

DISCOVERY OF THE BLUE LAKE: 35 XP!

FIRST JUMP OVER 50 YARDS: 60 XP!

I had already forgotten that I had earned points by walking.

I counted on my fingers, and the count was correct.

"At this rate, I'll reach level 10 quickly!" I thought.

Level 10.

At level 5 or even level 10, something significant must happen.

My disappointment at the lack of significant novelty upon reaching level 2 didn't dampen my optimism.

If not at level 2, then maybe at level 3... Level 5 or 10 would do.

My initial mistrust had given way to the excitement of the unknown.

I still didn't know what to make of this screen and the idea of being a player, but I felt good.

It was the only tangible thing I could hold onto for now, and I didn't hesitate to do so.

"Well, I have 3 points to allocate, but I have no idea where to put them," I pondered.

I was still sitting on the gravel, staring at my screen.

I decided to ask for more information about the different statistics.

STRENGTH: HIT HARDER! RESIST BETTER!

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

DEXTERITY: BE MORE ACCURATE! BE MORE AGILE! BECOME MORE STEALTHY!

SPEED: MOVE FASTER! ACT QUICKER! IMPROVE DODGING!

PERCEPTION: SEE FARTHER! SEE IN THE DARK! DETECT THE PROFILES OF OBJECTS AND PLAYERS AROUND YOU!

CHARISMA: TRADING BONUSES! BONUS AGAINST WEAK-MINDED!

PSY-CONTROL: INCREASE MAGIC ATTACKS! REDUCE MAGIC DAMAGE TAKEN! LEARN BETTER SPELLS!

"Trading bonuses? What's that? And magic attacks?" I pondered.

Those were the two elements that caught my attention the most.

This list made all the statistics potentially interesting, but I still didn't know what to choose.

Magic attacks interested me, but I knew nothing about magic.

The idea of seeing the profiles of other players seemed the least interesting, but at the same time, that was precisely why I had wanted to level up—to obtain more information.

And besides, it confirmed the presence of other players. It was important information, but why hadn't I seen any yet?

The more I learned about this world, the more new questions arose.

I decided to get up and follow the small beach that seemed to encircle the lake.

Night was approaching, and the threat could come from anywhere.

I walked while keeping an eye on the trees in the distance, lining the beach.

Were they ordinary trees or hidden monsters?

"Show me the map," I said to the screen.

Suddenly, I realized that I had access to the topography of the lake and, more importantly, the area surrounding it.

It was entirely surrounded by forests, except for one point—a kind of clear path that seemed to lead north.

The map ended there, and I couldn't see where it led. Perhaps it wasn't even a path, just a clearing.

Regardless, it was my only chance.

I checked the time: 7:25 PM.

The sun was almost gone, and its light was fading.

"If I'm in danger, I'll allocate all my points to speed and run," I thought.

I had no idea what an additional 3 points in speed could accomplish, but the idea was reassuring.

.

After about twenty minutes, I finally reached the path.

It was several yards wide and seemed to provide enough space to be out of reach of roots.

I proceeded cautiously.

I had already noticed that my fatigue had disappeared, but now I realized my hunger and thirst had vanished as well.

If I kept leveling up, I might never have to stop moving.

The more I discovered, the more experience I gained, and the higher my level became, allowing me to discover even more.

"And if I decide to allocate all my points to speed, I could do everything even faster," I thought.

It was an enticing idea.

I found all sorts of reasons to allocate my points to speed.

I couldn't imagine being able to fight, but running, that I was capable of.

.

I had been following the path for a while when I finally reached a crossroads.

I had the choice to turn left or right.

Both sides looked similar, and the map didn't provide any additional information beyond what I could see.

Randomly, I decided to go right.

I had barely taken a few steps when the ground beneath my feet gave way.

Instead of solid ground, I had stepped onto a straw-covered trapdoor.

It sank under my weight, and I fell several Yards.

My body made a dull thud as it crashed onto the earthen floor.

My back hurt, and so did my tailbone.

I lifted my head and saw the violet-tinged sky, signaling the approaching night, disappear as the trapdoor closed by itself.

I had fallen into a pit, a trap.

I tried to climb out, but there were no handholds.

The pit was at least 5 yards deep.

.

After about fifteen minutes, I gave up on the idea of escaping this hole.

I still had the option of using my 3 points to increase my strength in the hope of being able to climb.

But I didn't feel desperate enough to risk misusing my points.

It was nighttime, not the right time to venture out anyway.

In the end, this pit might be a blessing.

I was safe for the night.

I just had to get some sleep, wait for the early hours of the day, and try to escape again, even if it meant using my points.

.

But even after several endless hours, I couldn't sleep.

I was anxious.

I heard noises just above my head.

Sounds of breathing, footsteps, chilling cries.

I had no idea what was happening above, but I prayed that nothing would fall into this hole with me.

I had my screen open right in front of my eyes.

It provided some reassurance.

I stared at my stats.

As if an answer that had eluded me until then would suddenly appear.

But nothing happened.

.

After a few excruciating hours, the noises ceased.

I slowly got up, ready to attempt another escape.

I saw a few rays of sunlight piercing through the straw.

That allowed me to plan my ascent.

Before I could come up with an idea, the trapdoor opened.

I stepped back, pressed against the wall, my heart pounding.

Then, a figure emerged.

It stared at me for a moment, assessing the situation.

Then it stepped back, and the trapdoor closed.

I stood there, heart pounding and breathless.

A few moments later, it reappeared, and a rope dropped down to me.

I felt relieved.

Until I looked up.

The figure held a branch-shaped spear and pointed it menacingly at me.

"Climb up and don't try anything stupid," he said in a low, cold voice.

I had no choice but to obey. I grabbed the rope and started climbing.

With some effort, I managed to reach the surface.

That's when the figure transformed into a short man.

He had numerous scars on his face, a scruffy beard, and thinning hair.

He looked to be in his forties.

He still held the spear in his hand and threw a pair of handcuffs at me with the other.

"Put these on!" he spat out the words.

I thought about running, but as if he had read my intentions, he added, "A level 2 with 4 in speed? Don't even think about running; I'll catch you in an instant!"

I looked up at him, eyes wide open.

He knew my stats.

Moreover, he wasn't looking at me.

His gaze was fixed on my feet.

No, he was looking at his own screen!

This man was a player, a player with a much higher level than mine!