Nick chose to stop and camp for the night when he came across a deep pocket of earth running along the side of a small hill. It wasn’t a proper cave, since the back wall was only ten feet inside, but the recess was deep enough to conceal his presence and protect his flanks.
Nick decided that it was worth taking the risk of building a fire after finding a suitable space behind an outcropping of rock. The obstruction would limit how much light leaked out and he wanted to boil some water and eat a warm meal, since he had hunted a rabbit-like animal a few hours prior. He still had time before he lost the last of the light, so Nick set up his sleeping area and got in a full workout after dinner, followed by a lengthy skills training session.
Before calling it a day, he took out his sword and engaged in an hour of shadow boxing, visualizing fighting the various animals and beasts he had encountered while crossing the bog. Ever since his breakthrough in the luxury safe room, the images conjured by his imagination were crisp and realistic.
It made Nick wonder if he had stumbled across a reliable method of training his creativity, as his ability to visualize was clearly connected to the attribute. He hoped to figure out a good way to train his mind and magic as well, adding it to his list of mid-term goals.
When he was done, he took out a rag to polish his sword. It felt like the right thing to do, even though the weapon didn’t seem to require regular maintenance. He decided that the blade’s ragged edge looked cleaner than before. That the holes etched into the metal seemed just a hair smaller. It was heavier too, as the honeycombed regions inside started to fill with additional metal.
He wasn’t sure why, but Nick was now certain that the sword was gradually repairing itself, sharpening its already impressive edge in the process. He was glad for the results, no matter what the cause. Unfortunately, the restoration seemed unable to replace the missing pommel stone, preventing the sword from being properly balanced. Something that he intended to address the first chance he got.
After setting up his alarm traps across the entrance to the cave, the shell-studded lines of cord that he’d crafted back during the tutorial, he propped his head against his pack, set his sword and wand within easy reach, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.
When he awoke, the soft patter of rain filled his ears. It seemed that a storm had broken over the bog sometime during the night. Fortunately, it was just a regular, relatively mild spring shower, nothing like the raging searstorms he had barely survived back on the island.
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He made himself breakfast while waiting for the skies to clear. Two hours later it was still sprinkling, and Nick decided that he would have to head out into it after all. He didn’t know how long the rain would last and he couldn’t afford to delay his journey to the tower any longer.
The gray skies muted the palette of the reflective pools, but the moisture coaxed the wildflowers into bloom and the insects to a fervor bordering on frenzy. Nick made good time during the early part of the day, accompanied by the chirps of bugs and the croaking of frogs, along with the soft squish of his own footsteps. He spotted a wide variety of animals and beasts as he put more miles behind him, crossing through several distinct biomes in the process.
One entire hillside was covered in bright green flowers that produced a humming sound, as if the bog itself was singing in choir. After taking a long moment to enjoy the wonderous experience provided by the magic-saturated wilderness, he continued on his way with a spring in his step.
Despite his countless worries and a dark and uncertain future looming in the distance, Nick realized that he felt… good. He was pleased with his growth and was ready to push himself to new heights over the days ahead.
After all, he had acquired an awesome new class, had new skills to train, and had found some great gear to add to his collection. More than just his gains, Nick felt alive. Filled with a sense of purpose and drive that he had never known in his old life on Earth. This was a place where his choices, his very existence, mattered. Where his blood, sweat, and tears might well lead him to an early grave, but just might shift the future of his people onto a brighter path.
He was fighting not only for himself, but for the people he loved and countless others as well. Then, for a long while, he let his mind grow still and thought about nothing at all. Savoring the strange new emotions swirling within his breast. Breathing in the wonder of exploring an alien world and his new, System-governed reality.
While he might be stuck in another hellish situation tomorrow and the future of his planet was in peril, Nick realized that he had never felt so free. Now he just needed to ensure that the rest of humanity could experience the same feeling. That the next generation would be able to grow and thrive in their new, magical reality.
As he hiked, he decided that the rain wasn’t so bad after all, especially with his temperature-regulating cloak to help keep him warm. Not long after, a message shimmered into existence in front of his face. Nick frowned as he read the words floating before his eyes. Because rather than letting him know about an opportunity for growth, this notice was the bearer of bad news.
System message: Global event.
2% of participating contestants have entered the Tower of Rizzen, triggering the first in a series of escalating threats.
Event initiated: the rising mists.
From this point on, the blackmist will be significantly more pervasive within the bog. Before long, creatures specialized in hunting within their depths will appear with increasing frequency. Hurry and enter the tower before they find you.