“Alright, I’m tired of getting my ass kicked,” Atreo thought. “Kore’s level 2, so I can’t be far off. Although...I don’t really know how many people she’s killed before. Ten years is a long time to be a captive.”

Atreo paced back and forth, out of sight of Kore, frustration etched across his face. He pulled up his inventory again and realized with dismay that he’d lost both coins and only the Goblin Heckler card remained.

“How can I get stronger? The next boss we face might be my last,” he murmured to himself. He looked over his stats once more before making up his mind.

Atreo Level 1 (Unchosen)

Skills Known: Identify

Status:

Dexterity: 2

Strength: 3

Intelligence: 1

Luck: 3

Will: 2

Constitution: 3

As Atreo opened his stat screen, a rush of relief washed over him. His will had increased from one to two, and his luck had climbed to three. Reflecting on his recent ordeal, he suspected his rising luck had been crucial to his survival. After all, in the span of just two days, he had been pissed on, stabbed, impaled, clawed, and nearly drowned. The increase in willpower was equally intriguing, likely a testament to the mental fortitude he had shown while clinging to life.

“Time to hunt,” he thought, surveying his surroundings for the first time since their unfortunate arrival.

The forest around him was dense and teeming with life. Broadleaf trees, reminiscent of those found in Earth's deciduous forests, dominated the landscape. Their large, green leaves formed a thick canopy overhead, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Yet, this forest held a distinctive and surreal quality. Some of the tallest trees were interwoven with a metallic substance, the same peculiar material he had noticed on Abel and throughout the dungeon.

“What’s going on here? Am I noticing a theme to the dungeon?” he wondered aloud, his eyes scanning the landscape.

It took him a moment to realize that the glowing ball of light he had been staring at was not the sun. Here, in this strange place, it made sense. The light source was embedded high in the vaulted ceilings, about a mile or two up, casting a steady, artificial glow across the vast forest. This ball of energy was different. It didn’t sit high in an unreachable sky but was part of the dungeon's intricate architecture, illuminating the entire domain.

“Is that some kind of Core?” he mused, noticing faint silver streaks leading from the light source into the cave walls.

The forest stretched far beyond his line of sight, expansive and mysterious. Despite being within a dungeon, the environment felt vast and open, the arched ceilings creating a grand, almost cathedral-like space above the towering trees. The metallic trees and artificial light added a surreal, mystical quality to the scene, blending the familiar with the fantastical.

The atmosphere was both eerie and enchanting, with the artificial light casting an unearthly glow on the forest floor. The subtle hum of the dungeon and the rustling leaves created a sense of anticipation and mystery.

As Atreo took a deep breath, he was enveloped by an array of scents, both familiar and alien. The dominant smell was the rich, earthy aroma of decaying leaves and damp soil, typical of a dense forest. It was a comforting and grounding scent, reminiscent of an autumn walk through the woods on Earth.

Intermingled with the earthy smell was a fresh, slightly sweet scent. The air carried the subtle fragrance of green foliage, mingling with the faint, woody notes of bark. These natural scents created a backdrop of familiarity, anchoring Atreo in the midst of this strange environment.

However, there was an underlying metallic tang in the air, a sharp, almost sterile scent that was distinctly out of place in a natural forest. This smell seemed to emanate from the trees intertwined with the metallic substance, adding a cold, mechanical edge to the otherwise organic atmosphere.

Occasionally, Atreo caught a whiff of something faintly electrical, like the ozone-rich air after a lightning storm. This smell seemed to come from the glowing ball of energy high above, and it mingled with the other smells to create a unique sensory experience.

Atreo noticed a series of hoofprints leading off through the dense foliage. He hadn’t eaten in days, and his stomach cramped with hunger pangs. He followed the game trails through the forest, listening to the echoes of birds and wildlife. It was truly amazing, whatever had created this place. As he followed the trail, he noticed smoke on the horizon, curling up through the trees like a silent beacon.

Unfamiliar with tracking, he hadn’t realized he’d picked up a claw print interwoven with the game trails until the rising smoke forced the connection in his mind.

Kobolds.

Weaponless, he hoped the camp he was sneaking toward held only Tskatan grunts; he doubted he’d fare well against a Tskata leader. He definitely did not want to fight whatever had come through that portal either. That would most certainly lead to his death.

He came upon a bluff overlooking the camp, the kobolds nestled into a natural alcove between two rocky bluffs. The site offered them shade, reminiscent of a cave, and a strategic defensive position. The kobolds were scattered around, their crude weapons resting nearby as they tended to a fire where a partial deer was spit-roasting, its aroma wafting up to Atreo's position.

Atreo’s stomach growled, a low rumble that reminded him of his desperation. He had not eaten in days, and the sight of the roasting deer intensified his hunger pangs. His mouth watered at the thought of sinking his teeth into the tender, juicy meat, but he knew the kobolds would not give it up easily.

Carefully, he scanned the camp, counting four kobolds, all grunts. They moved with a nervous energy, lacking the confidence of those led by a Tskra. Upon closer inspection, Atreo saw they bore no clan markings. They were clanless, leaderless, and likely more vulnerable than a structured group with a commanding presence.

He had to be cautious. Though fewer in number, a direct confrontation still posed significant risk. His hand instinctively went to his side, but he remembered with a pang of regret that his spear was long gone. He would have to rely on his wits and any tools he could scavenge from the environment.

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Atreo took a deep breath, steadying himself. The smell of the deer and the sight of the kobold camp fueled his resolve. He would eat tonight, one way or another. He just had to be smart about it. His eyes narrowed as he began to formulate a plan, his mind racing through the possibilities and the risks involved.

His body tensed with anticipation, the hunger and desperation driving him forward. The kobolds had no idea what was coming for them.

Atreo assessed his surroundings, searching for anything he could use to his advantage. The rocky bluffs provided ample cover, and the dense foliage offered a chance to move stealthily. He noticed a few loose stones nearby—potential distractions or even makeshift weapons. He picked up a handful, feeling their weight and texture. They were small but could be effective if thrown accurately, as he’d already figured out when he’d slain his first kobold back in the caves.

Crouching low, Atreo moved silently along the bluff, keeping his eyes on the kobolds below. He needed to create a diversion, something to draw them away from the fire and separate them. As he crept closer, he spotted a fallen branch, dry and brittle. It could serve as a noisemaker, snapping loudly if he placed it right.

With careful precision, Atreo positioned the branch behind a boulder, then circled around to a vantage point where he could see the entire camp. He threw one of the stones, aiming for a spot just beyond the branch. The stone hit its mark, clattering noisily against the rocks which in turn caused the boulder to shift, snapping the branch. The sudden noise drew the attention of the kobolds, who immediately grabbed their weapons and moved toward the source of the

disturbance.

Two of the kobolds broke off from the group, investigating the noise with cautious steps. The other two stayed near the fire, their eyes darting nervously between their comrades and the surrounding shadows. Atreo seized the moment, creeping closer to the camp's edge. He needed to take out the kobolds one by one without alerting the others.

He found a sturdy stick on the ground, not as effective as his lost spear, but it would have to do. Holding his breath, he approached the nearest kobold, who was still peering into the darkness where the noise had originated. With a swift, silent movement, Atreo struck the back of the kobold's head with the stick. The kobold crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

The second kobold, hearing the thud, turned just in time to see Atreo. It opened its mouth to shout, but Atreo was faster. He lunged forward, tackling the kobold and forced its lizard-like mouth shut. The struggle was brief; Atreo's desperation fueled his strength. He silenced the kobold with a swift blow, then quickly dragged both bodies into the shadows.

Now, only two kobolds remained, their tension palpable. Atreo knew he had the advantage of surprise, but he needed to act quickly as they returned to the fire. He positioned himself in the shadows, waiting for the perfect chance to strike. Shaken by the newfound corpses of their comrades, the kobolds turned, looking in every direction. The smell of the roasting deer mixed with their fear, driving Atreo onward and intensifying his resolve.

With a final deep breath, Atreo lunged out of the shadows, stick in hand. The kobolds barely had time to react before he was upon them. A swift strike to the first kobold's temple sent it sprawling, and a forceful shove knocked the second into the fire. The kobold screamed, thrashing as the flames licked its skin. Atreo grabbed the nearest weapon, a crude kobold dagger, and finished the job swiftly.

The camp fell silent, save for the crackling of the fire. Atreo stood there, breathing heavily, the adrenaline slowly ebbing from his veins. He had done it. The kobolds were defeated, and the roasting deer was his. He wasted no time, pulling the deer from the spit and tearing into the meat with a voracious hunger. The warm, savory flesh was a balm to his empty stomach, giving him the strength he so desperately needed.

As he ate, Atreo kept a watchful eye on the surroundings. He knew this victory was just a small respite in the larger battle that lay ahead. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He had survived another day, and for now, that was enough.

As he returned to the camp to examine any loot, he felt a sense of accomplishment. His strategy had worked flawlessly, and he was alive. He picked through the kobolds’ belongings, finding a few more bone coins, three spears, and a well-used bow with a quiver full of arrows. These would come in handy, he thought. With a final glance, he knew it was time to move on.

As he shuffled through the overgrown vegetation making his way back to Kore, he noticed a grouping of boulders that he’d missed the first time. He’d been so focused on following the game tracks that he hadn’t really looked anywhere else but down. Probably not a good habit to build, but that was a problem for future him.

Knowing Kore was probably starving as well, he didn’t want to detour for longer than a moment, but the formation reminded him so strongly of Pride Rock that he couldn’t help but smile.

He made his way to its base and set his haul of loot down except for his bow and arrows. He’d accidentally eaten more than he should have of the small deer they’d been roasting. He hadn’t known where the rest of its body went but there had only been a leg remaining on the spit roast. If he could land some small game, he wouldn't have to return to Kore, embarrassed at his lack of control. Regardless, it wouldn’t take that long to climb; he could afford a minute or so.

As he began, he realized how truly strong he was becoming. His adrenaline had been pumping earlier when he fought the kobolds so he hadn’t realized it then, but he sure did notice it now. The task of free climbing that he would have struggled with before came easy. He felt as if he could pull his entire body weight up the rock wall with just one hand. Not only that, but he felt limber and flexible.

He topped out, sitting on top of the point and peered out into the lush grass. To his east, he could make out where the lake would be where he’d left Kore and to his west about a mile was the kobold camp where he’d filled his belly and gained a bit of loot.

Atreo didn't know what lay to the north, but he was sure that he and Kore would find out eventually. He sat there scanning the horizon, hoping for signs of edible life. The effort it had taken to summit the formation had likely scared everything off. As he sat, dangling his feet off the newly named Pride Rock, he reflected on everything he'd been through so far. He had lost his life, been thrust into a chaotic new world where almost everyone he encountered was a savage, and he had little to no idea what he was doing. He let out a deep sigh, thinking to himself, This isn’t what I thought death would be like.

Before he could succumb to his darker emotions, a large buck emerged from the brush and began grazing, oblivious to Atreo’s presence. Surprised, Atreo quickly readied his bow. He had never been hunting back home on Earth, but his father had taken him to a few archery classes on the weekends.

He placed the arrow onto the rest, nocking it securely as he had been taught. The string felt familiar under his fingers, a comforting reminder of those weekend mornings spent with his father. He took a deep breath to steady himself, focusing on the task at hand rather than the whirlwind of emotions that had brought him to this moment.

Atreo raised his bow, aligning the sight with the broad side of the grazing buck. The animal was beautifully unaware, its muscles moving smoothly beneath its coat as it nibbled on the underbrush. Atreo’s heart pounded in his ears, but he forced himself to calm, remembering his father's advice about letting the world fall away until all that remained was the target.

He exhaled slowly, letting the breath escape his lips in a steady stream, and as he reached the midpoint of his breath, he released the arrow. It cut through the air with a swift hiss, striking true. The buck jolted, startled, and then took off in a powerful sprint. But Atreo had aimed well; the arrow had found its mark just behind the front shoulder, promising a quick and humane end.

As the buck disappeared into the thicket, Atreo lowered his bow, the adrenaline slowly ebbing from his veins. He felt a surge of conflicting emotions—pride in his successful shot mingled with a poignant respect for the life he had just claimed. He knew he would have to track the animal, but for a moment, he remained still, honoring the strange, wild beauty of this alien landscape that was so unlike Earth, yet momentarily felt just as familiar.

He climbed down from the rock and began searching for the blood trail he knew would be close by. The blood created a stark contrast against the vibrant green underbrush, helping him locate the trail almost immediately. As he followed the tracks, he marveled at the distance between each splatter of blood. There were several feet between them, and he wondered how hunters back home managed this so expertly. He could easily see someone less experienced losing the trail and having to start over.

Atreo tracked the buck for about 40 yards, realizing he probably could have watched the buck collapse if he hadn’t been so eager to give chase. As he approached the buck, the hairs on his neck stood on edge. He stopped, standing next to the downed animal as it breathed its last breaths. He scanned the area and noticed what appeared to be a den sticking out of the side of a hill, covered with loose grass and lacking a visible exit. Deciding it was best not to stay close to whatever lived there, he reached to pull the buck by its front legs.

As he did, a notification appeared: Now entering Domain of Orion the Mighty. Would you like to challenge this bonus Boss?

Atreo quickly stepped back. "Oh hell no," he muttered. After his last encounter with a boss, he was in no rush to face another. He considered it for a moment longer and decided to return after leveling up. His growling stomach urged him to move on. He retrieved his arrow and, using his increased strength, shouldered the buck to carry it back to camp. A little more blood didn’t bother him—he’d been covered in it for days anyway.