Jack’s mind was a whirlpool of confusion and sorrow as he navigated through the remnants of the goblin camp. The death of the shaman had thrown the camp into chaos, but now was the time to confront the reality of his situation. He needed to find his colleagues, and the painful truth awaited him.

The forest was eerily silent, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant cries of goblins still disoriented by the recent upheaval. Jack moved cautiously, his senses finely tuned to detect any sign of life or activity. The remains of the food storage hut, now reduced to ashes, hinted at the dire state of affairs within the camp. His heart sank as he realized the magnitude of the destruction and the possible fate of his colleagues.

He approached the central area of the camp, where the smell of decay grew stronger. The grotesque scene before him was almost too much to bear. The goblins, in their desperate hunger, had devoured the remains of his colleagues. The bodies lay strewn across the ground, consumed almost beyond recognition. The once hopeful faces of his comrades were now marred by the horrors of cannibalism.

Jack’s stomach churned, and a wave of grief washed over him. His colleagues had been sacrificed, not only to appease the goblins’ hunger but also to fuel the spell that had located him. The women, who had been taken by the goblins, were sacrificed to power the ritual that had led Jack into this cruel game of survival. The realization was a heavy burden, one that pressed down on him with a crushing weight.

Determined to find some shred of usefulness in the chaos, Jack headed towards the shaman’s hut. The structure, once a place of dark rituals and malevolent power, now stood as a monument to his struggle. The interior was filled with the remnants of the shaman’s dark magic, with strange symbols and artifacts scattered around. Jack searched the hut meticulously, hoping to find something of value amidst the debris.

In a small chest hidden beneath a rotting rug, Jack found a bone necklace and a ring. The bone necklace was intricately carved, its patterns glinting faintly in the dim light. The ring, though simple, held an aura of power. He could feel the faint hum of mana emanating from the items, promising an increase in his mana reserves. Jack wasted no time in donning the necklace and ring, feeling a subtle but significant boost in his magical energy.

The next step was to explore the remains of the shaman’s ritual setup. The mana gate stood at the heart of the camp, its dark, arcane energy pulsating with a sinister rhythm. Jack approached it with a mixture of trepidation and determination. He had obtained a key from the shaman’s previous ritual, and it was time to put it to use.

As he neared the gate, a system prompt appeared in his vision, its words glowing with an eerie light: "Complete the gate to travel to the nearest mana portal." Jack’s heart raced. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. The gate was his ticket out of this nightmare, and he would not let it slip away.

Jack took a deep breath and began the process of completing the ritual formation. He used the key he had stolen earlier, inserting it into the gate’s core. The gate’s energy surged, and the dark symbols around it began to align, forming a coherent pattern. Jack’s hands worked deftly, guided by a mixture of instinct and the faint echoes of the shaman’s dark magic.

The air crackled with energy as the gate’s formation was completed. A swirling vortex of light and shadow appeared, beckoning Jack to step through. He hesitated for a moment, casting one last glance at the desolate camp and the remains of his fallen comrades. The realization that he was leaving behind everything he had known and the lives lost weighed heavily on him.

With a final, resolute breath, Jack stepped into the vortex. The sensation was disorienting, a rush of energy and light enveloping him. He felt himself being pulled through space and time, the world around him shifting in a whirlwind of colors and sounds.

When the vortex finally released him, Jack stumbled onto a sandy beach. The transition from the dark, grim environment of the goblin camp to the bright, sunlit shore was jarring. Jack's first instinct was to look around, to verify that he was no longer on the island. He took in the scene: the sun’s rays warming his face, the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore, and the fresh sea breeze filling his lungs.

Jack’s heart raced with a mix of fear and hope. He was unsure if he had truly escaped or if this was another cruel twist of fate. His eyes scanned the area, searching for any signs of the island's treacherous landscape. His gaze fell upon a broken sign partially buried in the sand. The letters were barely legible, but they clearly depicted the name of a coastal city from his country.

The realization hit him like a wave. He was no longer on the island. The sign confirmed that he had returned to the mainland, to a coastal city of his own country. The relief was overwhelming, though tinged with a deep sense of loss. The world he had escaped from had left scars—both physical and emotional.

Jack took cautious steps across the sunlit beach, the sand warm beneath his feet. The salty sea breeze carried with it a mix of scents—seaweed, decay, and something more pungent. He scanned the horizon, searching for signs of civilization amidst the scattered debris and broken remnants of what seemed to have once been a vibrant coastal area.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As he ventured further along the shore, the beach began to merge into a more rugged, rocky landscape. The occasional piece of wreckage or abandoned object hinted at the destruction that had swept through this place. The sky was a mix of clouds and sunlight, casting long shadows and creating an atmosphere of eerie calm.

Jack’s exploration was interrupted by a sudden, violent disturbance. From the water, a merman emerged, his scaled body glistening in the sunlight, spear poised menacingly. The creature’s eyes were sharp, and its movements were swift as it lunged at Jack with a fierce cry.

Jack’s instincts kicked in. He dropped into a crouch, his mind racing as he assessed the situation. The merman was formidable, but Jack had faced many dangers before. He waited until the creature was within range, then activated his Space Storage skill with precision. The merman’s advance was abruptly halted as Jack’s skill struck, creating a brief but decisive moment. Jack used the opportunity to target the merman’s heart, plunging a precise strike through his opponent’s defenses.

The merman’s body convulsed briefly before collapsing onto the sand. Jack approached the corpse cautiously, examining it for any signs of loot or clues. The merman’s spear, though formidable, was not something Jack could use effectively. He focused instead on gathering any useful items or information that could aid him in understanding the current state of the world.

With the merman dispatched, Jack continued his journey into the city, his senses heightened and alert. The coastal city was partially submerged, with waterlogged streets and buildings showing signs of recent conflict. The once-bustling area was now a ghost town, and Jack moved carefully, scanning for any signs of human life.

He navigated through the debris-strewn streets, noting the damaged buildings and overturned vehicles. The city had clearly been hit hard, with remnants of battles fought and lost scattered throughout. As he turned a corner into a narrow alleyway, the sounds of conflict reached his ears.

Jack's attention was immediately drawn to a scene unfolding before him. A man, desperate and ragged, was being pursued by a pair of mermen. The man’s clothing was torn, and he moved with a mixture of fear and determination. The mermen were relentless, their eyes fixed on their prey as they closed in with their spears.

Jack watched from the shadows, his mind racing as he tried to determine the best course of action. The man, sensing his peril, led the mermen into an alley where the narrow confines would limit their mobility. As the mermen followed, the man took a sudden, sharp turn, leading the creatures into a carefully laid trap.

Jack’s heart raced as he saw the trap unfold. The man had set up a series of makeshift barriers and obstacles, using debris and wreckage to create a bottleneck. The mermen, momentarily disoriented, found themselves caught in the narrow alley. The man seized the opportunity, attacking with a series of quick, desperate strikes. It was a fierce battle, with the man fighting back with a determination born from sheer survival instinct.

As the battle progressed, Jack stayed hidden, his presence unnoticed. He observed the fight with a mix of surprise and admiration. The man’s resilience and strategic use of the alleyway were impressive, and Jack began to realize that not all hope was lost in this devastated world.

The alleyway’s walls were lined with graffiti and old posters, remnants of a time before the city’s downfall. Jack’s attention was drawn back to the fight as the man managed to bring down one of the mermen, his attacks precise and brutal. The remaining merman, now facing a renewed threat, struggled to defend itself against the man’s relentless assault.

With the last of the mermen dispatched, the man stood amidst the wreckage, panting heavily and looking around warily. Jack cautiously approached, his steps deliberate to avoid startling the survivor. He remained hidden, using his Stealth skill to remain unseen as he approached the man from behind.

Jack decided to make his presence known. “You fought well,” he said, his voice calm but firm. The man whirled around, his expression a mixture of shock and suspicion. He raised a makeshift weapon defensively, his eyes scanning Jack’s figure.

“Who are you?” the man demanded, his voice hoarse from exertion.

“Someone who’s been through a lot,” Jack replied. “I’m not here to fight. I saw what happened and thought you could use some help.”

The man’s stance relaxed slightly, though he remained on guard. “Help? You think I need help? I’m just trying to survive like everyone else.”

Jack nodded in understanding. “I know how it is. I’ve seen the devastation this place has suffered. I’m looking for survivors, and I could use some information about what’s been happening.”

The man’s wary expression softened somewhat, and he lowered his weapon. “Name’s Alex. I’ve been scavenging and fighting off these damn sea monsters for weeks. There’s not much left in this city, and the mermen have been getting bolder. They’ve taken over a lot of the area.”

Jack listened intently as Alex continued to speak, detailing the current state of the city and the various threats that lurked within. The conversation provided Jack with valuable insights into the changes that had occurred since his departure from the island. The city was in disarray, with mermen and other creatures taking advantage of the chaos.

As they spoke, Jack’s mind began to form a plan. He knew that finding a way to navigate this new, dangerous world would require allies and information. Alex, with his knowledge of the city and its threats, could be a valuable resource.

“We need to stick together,” Jack said, his tone earnest. “I’ve managed to survive a lot, but I could use your help navigating this place. And if you have any information about other survivors or safe places, it would be a big help.”

Alex nodded, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. “Alright, let’s see what we can do. We might be able to find some safe spots and gather supplies. But be careful—this city isn’t what it used to be.”

With a new alliance formed and a shared goal of survival, Jack and Alex set off together, their steps echoing through the ruined streets of the coastal city. The challenges ahead would be formidable, but with their combined skills and determination, they were ready to face whatever dangers lay in their path.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the broken cityscape, Jack couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope. The journey from the island had been harrowing, but it had also led him to new possibilities. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of purpose and resolve. The city’s ruins held secrets and opportunities, and Jack was prepared to confront them head-on.