Sam scratched his head, staring at the revolver in his hand, deep in thought. How was he supposed to use mana? He didn't even know what mana was, let alone how to manipulate it. The armory, now his makeshift training ground, echoed with his frustrated sighs as he sat down on the cold floor.
Day one. He gripped the revolver tightly, his eyes fixed on it as if sheer willpower could trigger the Auto Reload ability. Hours passed, his stare unyielding, but nothing happened. He set the revolver down with a sigh, no closer to understanding mana.
Day two. This day was a lesson in humility. Sam tried everything he could think of, from whispering to shouting commands at the revolver. "Activate mana!" he yelled, feeling foolish. "Mana, obey my will!" His voice echoed through the armory, but the revolver remained inert. By the end of the day, he was exhausted and embarrassed.
Day three. Defeated, Sam spent the day doing nothing productive. He munched on beef jerky, drank water, and rolled around on the floor with his eyes closed, feeling utterly lost.
Day four. With renewed determination, he decided to meditate. He spent hours sitting still, trying to find a connection with the elusive energy he believed was mana. The process was slow and frustrating, but he felt it was a step in the right direction.
Day five. Sam began to understand mana better. He realized it was an invisible energy, like the wind, it's present but not seen. He theorized that he needed to absorb this ambient energy and convert it into mana within his body. It was a breakthrough of sorts, giving him a new perspective on what he was trying to achieve.
Day six. He tried absorbing the surrounding energy, hoping to convert it to mana. When this yielded no results, he switched tactics. Maybe mana was already within him, waiting to be harnessed. He meditated again, this time focusing inward. After hours of concentration, he felt a smooth, subtle energy flowing throughout his body. A smile crept across his face, he had found his mana.
Day seven. His water supply was almost gone, making it his last day in the armory. Sam meditated, revolver in hand, guiding his newly discovered mana towards it. Time became irrelevant as he focused solely on the task. Suddenly, he heard a satisfying click. Opening his eyes slowly, he saw that the revolver was fully loaded. He had done it, the Auto Reload ability had activated, triggered by his mana.
Sam lay back on the floor, drenched in sweat but filled with a sense of achievement. He had finally managed to control his mana, sort of at least.
Still laying on the floor, his steadied his breath and he began to rack his brain, planning his next move. Staying in the secret facility was out of the question. When the slumbering monster awoke, the sticky black goo-like humanoid monsters, and the creatures lurking in the ceiling, would likely get stronger. He had a gut feeling about it, and he wasn't going to stay here like an idiot. But what to do next?
"Hmm... What to do.." Sam muttered under his breath.
He could hide until everything was over, but he doubted it would be that simple.
After a long thinking session, he decided he would check up on his friends, well, not all of them. He just wanted to see how Jason and Rebecca were doing. And there was one more thing: he needed new clothes. He couldn't just go around with tattered bloodied leather tunic and at this point he's almost naked.
So, Sam searched around the armory, hoping for a uniform or something to wear. A few minutes passed, he found it.
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[Standard Combat Uniform (Common)]
-This uniform is designed for versatility and accessibility, with no level requirements for use. It is suitable for anyone, from seasoned soldiers to novice adventurers, providing basic protection.
Made from high-quality, durable materials, the uniform is designed for comfort and ease of movement. The fabric is breathable yet sturdy, ensuring the wearer remains comfortable during extended periods of wear, whether in training or on the battlefield.
The uniform also includes multiple pockets and compartments for carrying essential gear and supplies. Reinforced stitching and sturdy fastenings ensure durability, even in harsh conditions.
Enhancements: Auto repair. Increased durability.
Requirements: N/A
He found a combat uniform with a pattern similar to the white birch trees on Earth, and, thankfully, it didn't require any level to wear. He changed into the uniform immediately, finding it surprisingly comfortable.
He slid the revolver into the side pocket of his new combat uniform and held the M1 Garand Rifle with both hands. Killing the monsters outside the armory wasn't an option since it would make him level up. Instead, he planned to do what he did before he reached this place: rush out of the right corridor, dodging all the attacks from the ceiling to the best of his ability, and head straight for the stairs leading out of the secret facility.
With a deep breath, Sam steeled himself. He couldn't afford to hesitate now. He stood up, flexing his fingers around the rifle, and prepared to make his escape. He would check on Jason and Rebecca, find a safe place, and figure out his next steps. But first, he had to get out of this facility alive.
Sam took a deep breath, steadying himself before making his move. He bolted out of the armory and down the right corridor, every muscle tense with anticipation. As he sprinted forward, the sticky black goo-like arms lashed out at him from the ceiling. He dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding a swipe aimed at his head, then ducked to avoid another strike. His reflexes were sharp, but not perfect. A glancing blow hit his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through his body, but he pushed through, refusing to slow down.
He zigzagged through the corridor, evading most of the attacks but taking a few hits. None were life-threatening, though each added to his growing list of injuries. The relentless pursuit of the creatures above only fueled his determination to escape. Finally, he reached the end of the corridor, bursting through and heading straight for the stairs.
Sam didn't stop running as he ascended the stairs two at a time. The library of the abandoned house came into view, and a wave of relief washed over him. He had made it out of the secret facility alive.
Emerging from the stairs, the musty air of the old library greeted him. He took a moment to catch his breath, then made his way through the dusty shelves and out of the abandoned house. The moonlight filtering through the dense canopy of trees was a stark contrast to the dimly lit corridors he had just escaped from. He paused at the edge of the forest, glancing back at the house one last time before venturing into the woods.
Sam began to wander deep into the forest, determined to find his friends. The cool, fresh air helped clear his mind as he navigated through the underbrush. He hoped they were safe, but there was no time to lose. He had to find them and wanted to warn them about the dangers that lurked beneath the surface. With a resolute look on his face behind his smiling white mask, Sam pressed on, ready for whatever lay ahead.
[Tutorial Panel]
Duration 12 days & 09:24:13
Tutorial Type: Survival
Completion Criteria: Survive the duration of the tutorial
Tutorial information: The Evernight World is filled with danger and opportunities for the fledgling. Beasts are roaming around hunting for prey. Kill the beasts to acquire Survival points (SP) while gaining strength. Be warned, excessive killing or destruction will alert the sleeping G'rath...
Survival points (SP): Killing a beasts will gives you SP but if you're in a group the SP will be split equally amongst the contributors.
Final rewards is based on SP and the Number of Survivors
Total survivors remaining: 235/500
SP Collected: 37,452
May the twilight blessing be with you survivor, good night and good luck.