Elijah Merrows cast his gaze across the rolling grassland, the early morning sun glinting off the dew-coated blades. It was the second day since they had entered this new realm, and already a sense of unease warred with the joy of an open sky. He stood at the edge of the modest camp, where low tents—fabricated from drake-scale tarps and scraps of cloth—huddled in a rough circle. A short distance away, a small stream gurgled around smooth stones, offering a precious source of fresh water.

Nearby, Nora Reyes carefully packed up her belongings, the wind stirring around her feet as she adjusted the straps of her improvised leather armor. Her blade, faintly etched with synergy runes, hung at her hip. She glanced up, catching Elijah’s eye. “Gideon wants us on a scouting run,” she said. “He thinks if we follow that river, we might find whoever lit those smoke pillars we saw last night.”

Elijah nodded, picturing the faint smudges of smoke they’d glimpsed on the eastern horizon. It could be another group of survivors, or some faction of hostile natives. His mind flicked to the repeated footprints they’d found earlier—footprints that suggested bipedal beings, possibly armed. “We can’t keep wandering aimlessly,” he said. “We need information. Food and water might not stay so abundant.”

She gathered her kit and closed the gap between them. In the daylight, faint worry lines marred her brow. Elijah recognized the same tension he felt: was it safe to approach unknown groups with the entire band in tow? Or should they form a small expedition, leaving the camp partially defended?

Before they could dwell on it, Gideon Pierce arrived, spear in hand. He looked weary, though the limp from his earlier injury had lessened over time—likely due to Lauren’s healing. “We’ll form two squads again,” he said. “One led by you, Elijah, since you’re our best ranged scout. Take Nora, Vince, maybe Misha. Head downstream. If you spot trouble, don’t engage alone.” He paused to let that sink in. “Meanwhile, I’ll stay here with the rest to fortify camp. If we can’t find a stable base, we’ll have to keep moving. But I’d rather have a fallback in case we run into hostile forces.”

Elijah could sense the weight in Gideon’s gaze, as though the older man was silently asking if Elijah was prepared for the responsibility. Taking a breath, Elijah nodded. “Got it. We’ll be cautious.”

Nora rested a comforting hand on Elijah’s shoulder. “We’ll handle it. No picking fights with big lightning cats unless we have no choice.”

That earned a wry smile from both Elijah and Gideon, lightening the mood a notch. They parted ways: Gideon stayed at camp, issuing instructions to Brittany, Harold, Lauren, and several fighters who would guard the wounded and the non-combatants. Elijah set about assembling his scouting party, finding Misha, Vince Anders, Genevieve, and Oscar ready at the fringe of camp, weapons in hand. They decided it was a small enough team to move quietly but strong enough to repel moderate threats.

Within half an hour, the scouting squad was off, weaving through tall grass and skirting around low hills. The river to their right ran swift and clear, reflecting the morning sun in shimmering patterns. Vince led the way at times, his sparks held low to avoid spooking any fauna or giving away their presence prematurely. Misha moved with disciplined caution, scanning the horizon for signs of movement. In contrast, Nora’s attention often drifted skyward, as though she could barely accept the open freedom after so long in enclosed crypts.

Elijah walked beside her. He noticed she seemed distant, more so than usual. “Everything all right?” he asked quietly.

She gave a tight shrug. “Just… adjusting. The city was claustrophobic, yes, but we had a clear enemy—undead. Here, everything’s wide open. Could be peaceful or a million hidden threats.” She flicked her gaze to Vince’s back. “I keep remembering how it felt to fight. We’re strong now, but is that all our lives are going to be? Combat after combat?”

Elijah understood that sentiment keenly. He fiddled with the string of his bow. “I wonder that too. But maybe we’ll find others who know more about the System, or discover a safe zone. Not everything has to be a fight, I hope.”

Nora offered a half-smile, tension easing. “I hope you’re right.”

Their conversation ended as Misha held up a hand, halting the group. She nodded ahead, where a gentle bend in the river revealed a makeshift crossing—a line of smooth stones piled to form a narrow path across the water. Someone had obviously arranged them that way. Vince doused his sparks, stepping forward cautiously.

Genevieve bent down, studying footprints in the soft earth. “Fresh. Bipedal. They wore shoes, not claws.”

“Likely humans or something close,” Misha murmured. “We should move carefully.”

They stepped onto the stones, crossing to the far bank. Each rustle of undergrowth prickled Elijah’s nerves. He toggled Archer’s Eye briefly, scanning the brush. He saw no immediate threat, but the footprints made it clear someone frequented this place. A short way beyond, the forest thickened, tall trees weaving a canopy that filtered dappled sunlight onto a carpet of ferns.

They continued. After perhaps twenty minutes of slow progress, the group caught a faint odor of smoke—different from the crisp smell of a campfire, more pungent and heavy. Vince grimaced. “Smells like… cooking or burning something strong.”

Elijah raised a hand, urging stealth. They crept between tree trunks, slipping past tangled roots. Eventually, the forest opened into a clearing where a handful of crude tents or huts rose from the ground, formed of sticks and hides. Smoke billowed from a central pit, and several figures bustled about. Elijah took in the scene from behind a cluster of ferns. At first glance, they looked human, clad in ragged tunics or patchwork armor.

Nora tapped his arm, whispering, “They seem… normal enough?” Sure enough, the individuals appeared to be men and women, maybe a dozen total. Some carried spears or short bows. Others knelt by the fire pit, stirring a large cauldron.

Before Elijah could decide on how to approach, a sharp voice rang out from the far side of the clearing. “Who goes there?” They froze, realizing that a woman with keen eyes, perched on a low branch, had spotted them. She drew back a short bow and loosed a warning shot that thunked into a nearby stump.

“We come in peace!” Vince shouted reflexively, stepping into the clearing with hands raised, sparks crackling harmlessly at his fingertips. The rest of them followed, weapons lowered but ready if needed. Elijah’s bow remained slung, though his pulse hammered.

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A hush fell over the small encampment. The archers stationed themselves behind cover, eyeing the newcomers. One man with a narrow face stepped forward, a crude spear clutched in hand. “Peace? That’s a rare concept in this land. Who are you?”

Nora glanced at Elijah, who cleared his throat. “We’re survivors from another part of the System’s tutorial. We… overcame an undead city. We only arrived in this open realm a few days ago.”

That earned startled looks. A stout woman, possibly their leader, shoved aside the man with the spear. She wore a patch of hide over one eye and scars down her forearm. “An undead city, you say? Then you’re from the catacombs zone that’s rumored to be deeper in the tutorial. How’d you reach here?” Her tone was skeptical but tinged with curiosity.

Elijah briefly recounted the steps: fighting the undead monarch, activating a World Nexus Gate, and emerging in these grasslands. He avoided overly detailed talk of synergy or city relics, wary of revealing too many secrets. The woman listened, stroking her scarred chin.

“We’re from a band that got scattered by a savage beast further east,” she said. “We call this place the Greenwild Stage. Some talk of it as a transitional zone with its own trials.” She eyed them closely. “You must be strong if you came from a more advanced undead stage.”

Vince attempted a friendly smile. “We have experience, yeah. We’re just trying to survive. We saw your smoke and wanted to see if we could trade or gather info.”

The woman shrugged. “We’re scraping by ourselves. Game’s abundant but dangerous. The monstrous predators here can kill you in one swipe if you’re careless. We lost good people to a thunder-lizard just last week.” She considered for a moment, then extended a hand. “Name’s Ingrid. If you don’t cause trouble, we can talk.”

Elijah hesitated before shaking her hand. Her grip was firm, eyes assessing him like a potential threat or ally. Nora and Misha relaxed slightly, while Genevieve kept half an eye on the archers. The tension in the clearing ebbed a notch.

Ingrid gestured them toward the fire pit, though the rest of her band still watched warily. “We’re not big on hospitality, but you can warm up if you like,” she said. “We’ve got stew, questionable as it may be. You might want to check it with your System skill. Poisonous plants are everywhere here.”

Nora chuckled softly. “Feels like we’re back to foraging in new territory. We appreciate it.”

The two groups began a guarded exchange of information. Ingrid’s people described the region, labeling the wide river to the south, the deep forest to the east, and the mountainous region beyond. They warned of savage creatures—thundercats (like the one Elijah’s team had fought), boar-lizards, and rumored giant insects. They also mentioned other scattered survivors, some friendly, some dangerously desperate.

When Elijah explained that he and his allies had a larger camp upstream, Ingrid’s expression hardened. “If you number more than us, you could wipe us out, if you wanted.”

Elijah lifted a calming hand. “That’s not our intention. We just want to progress through the tutorial… maybe find a stable safe zone. If we can help each other, that’s better than fighting.”

Ingrid studied him. “That depends on many things. But perhaps we can come to an arrangement.”

They agreed to pass along some dried fungus and drake-scale scraps in exchange for local plant knowledge. Ingrid’s people had discovered which berries or tubers were safe to eat, which were toxic. Vince ran Identify on a small satchel of leaves, confirming they were edible. In return, Misha offered a strip of thundercat pelt, explaining its lightning-insulating properties. The bartering happened in the open, everyone on edge, but it ended without violence.

Ingrid offered a cautious parting word: “We’ll remain near this forest’s edge for the next week or so, until we can regroup with our main band. You’re welcome to pass by again if you need more trade.”

Elijah nodded. “Thank you. We appreciate it. Maybe our group can share more resources.” He hesitated. “I should warn you: bigger threats are likely in this realm than we know. Let’s all stay careful.”

Ingrid grunted. “We survived so far. Good luck.”

The scouting team left the clearing, hearts thumping at how easily the encounter could’ve gone sour. Once they were out of earshot, Vince exhaled hard. “That was tense. But maybe we made real allies for once.”

Nora peered over her shoulder at the hidden huts receding behind foliage. “Or possible competitors. Depends on how the tutorial lumps survivors together. Still… it’s better than undead ambushes.”

Elijah’s mind reeled with the implications. A second band of survivors might prove invaluable if a larger threat loomed—like a zone boss or a synergy-based puzzle. But it also introduced potential rivalry over resources. He felt the weight of decisions to come: forging alliances, deciding how to coordinate hunts, ensuring no betrayals.

They took note of the path before heading back toward their own camp. By midday, they rejoined Gideon’s group, who had erected more solid tents near a shallow bend in the river. Reports flew: Gideon’s hunters had secured a few fish and small game, Lauren tested them for toxins. Another monstrous boar-lizard had threatened a perimeter guard, but was driven off with minimal injury.

Elijah relayed the news of Ingrid’s camp. Gideon listened with folded arms, tension around his jaw. “So we have potential allies, or at least neutrals. Good. That might help if a major zone threat arises.”

Nora, standing by Elijah’s side, rubbed her neck. “I just hope we can trust them. We’re all desperate in this tutorial.”

Gideon agreed. “We’ll keep watch. But at least we’re not alone in this wilderness.”

As evening fell, the camp settled into subdued optimism. They had fresh water, a new lead on edible plants, and an uneasy truce with at least one other survivor group. The memory of the undead city’s horrors receded a notch under the open sky, though vigilant watch was still vital. Everyone pitched in to fortify the perimeter with crude spikes fashioned from local wood, and Misha set up hidden traps in case a large predator wandered in.

While the last of the sunlight lingered, Elijah joined Nora at the camp’s edge. They gazed across the gently running river, the breeze carrying the scent of damp earth. A question hovered in her eyes, something between longing and worry. He set a hand lightly on her arm. “We’re figuring this out. It won’t be easy, but… it’s better than stumbling blind, right?”

She nodded, her smile tinged with weariness. “Yes, it is. I just—” She paused, searching for the right words. “Sometimes I miss our old lives so sharply. Then I realize I’d never trade this sense of purpose, twisted as it is. We’ve grown so much.” She exhaled a shaky laugh. “Crazy, huh?”

Elijah’s chest tightened. He understood that duality: the ache for normalcy clashing with a quiet thrill at mastering synergy and forging new bonds. He offered her a small smile. “Crazy, yes. But at least we’re facing it together.”

They turned away from the river, heading back into the heart of camp where dinner was prepared—boiled fish, roots, and the last scraps of fungus from the city. Tired laughter bubbled around the cooking fire as Vince animatedly recounted how the thundercat had nearly cooked him alive with lightning arcs. Gideon smirked, half-listening while distributing tasks for tomorrow’s exploration. Brittany’s soft melody soothed nerves, weaving a calm that none had felt for months.

Under the star-laden sky, they huddled in small clusters, speaking quietly about the next steps: forging alliances with Ingrid’s group, scouting deeper into the unknown realm, maybe discovering the realm’s key boss or puzzle. A new wave of System challenges likely waited, but at least they no longer felt caged. Sleep found them in pockets, each watch shift relieved by the next. As Elijah drifted into slumber, that tension in his chest eased slightly. Surviving the undead city had proven synergy’s worth. Now, outside in open fields, synergy might evolve again—to handle not just monsters, but the complexity of forging friendships or outmaneuvering hostile survivors in a wide, unpredictable land.

Tomorrow would bring more discoveries—maybe dangers—but for tonight, they rested beneath a sky they could finally see, forging a fragile sense of hope in a tutorial that demanded unity or death.