The shack stood silent under the dimming light, its battered walls offering scant comfort. Sincere wiped sweat from his brow, his body aching from hours of labor. The repairs had transformed the ruin into something vaguely livable, but it still felt more like a temporary refuge than a home.
He stepped inside, surveying his work. The walls were patched, the roof no longer leaked, and the creaky door swung on makeshift hinges. The System chimed with its usual soft tone, displaying the updated objective.
Objective Complete: Repair and secure the Base.
+200 Experience Points.
New Skill Unlocked: Basic Craftsmanship.
Sincere let out a breath of relief, sinking into a corner of the shack. The System window appeared again, announcing his level up.
Level Up!
Current Level: 2.
Attribute Points Gained: 3.
Skill Points Gained: 2.
“Strength and Endurance,” he muttered, assigning two points to Strength and one to Endurance. A familiar warmth spread through his muscles as the System acknowledged the changes.
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As the night settled in, Sincere lit a small fire in the corner of the shack, feeding it scraps of dried wood. The crackling flames painted shifting shadows across the walls, offering a flickering sense of safety. Just as he began to relax, a faint sound echoed from deeper within the structure—something like the scrape of scales on stone.
His heart raced. He grabbed a piece of wood, holding it like a makeshift club, and moved toward the sound. The shack’s layout was uneven, with a section in the back leading to a small cave. Sincere had avoided exploring it earlier, too focused on repairing the main structure. Now, it seemed he had no choice.
As he approached the cave, the scraping grew louder. The air grew colder, carrying a faint, acrid smell. He stepped cautiously inside, the firelight barely reaching the shadows ahead. Suddenly, two glowing yellow eyes blinked open in the darkness.
A hiss echoed through the cave, and a massive, snake-like creature slithered into the light. Its scales glistened like blackened steel, and its forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air. The creature’s head was wide and flat, with fangs that gleamed menacingly in the firelight.
Hostile Detected: Cave Serpent
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Level: 3
Health: 100/100
The System’s interface flared red, a warning flashing in Sincere’s vision. His pulse quickened as the serpent coiled, preparing to strike.
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The serpent lunged, and Sincere barely dodged its snapping jaws. He swung his wooden club, landing a solid hit on the creature’s side. The impact made the serpent hiss in pain, but it quickly retaliated, whipping its tail around and knocking Sincere to the ground.
He gasped as the air was forced from his lungs, rolling to avoid the creature’s next strike. The fight was brutal, every movement a desperate attempt to survive. Sincere struck again and again, chipping away at the serpent’s health while avoiding its venomous fangs.
Finally, with one last swing, he brought the club down on the serpent’s head, shattering its skull. The creature let out a final hiss before collapsing, its body twitching as it succumbed to its wounds. The System chimed, cutting through the heavy silence.
Enemy Defeated: Cave Serpent
+250 Experience Points.
Loot Acquired: Serpent Fang Knife, Venom Extract (1), Durable Leather (2).
Sincere fell to his knees, gasping for breath. His hands trembled as he reached for the loot the serpent had dropped. The knife was sleek and deadly, its blade fashioned from one of the serpent’s own fangs. He gripped it tightly, feeling a surge of confidence.
“This… this will help,” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
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As dawn broke, Sincere sat outside the shack, examining the requirements to fully rebuild and expand the base. The System displayed a list of materials: wood, stone, and other resources he couldn’t easily gather in the immediate area. The forest surrounding the shack was sparse, the ground rocky and unsuitable for foraging.
“Great,” he muttered, staring at the map the System provided. A blinking marker indicated a nearby lake. It wasn’t far, and the area appeared to be rich in resources.
With no other options, Sincere packed his belongings and set off. The forest grew denser as he walked, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers. Birds called from the treetops, their songs a rare moment of beauty in the otherwise harsh environment.
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The lake came into view as he pushed through the underbrush. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the sky above like a mirror. Surrounding it were tall trees, clusters of stone, and an abundance of plants that looked useful for crafting.
Sincere approached the shore, dipping his hands into the cool water. He drank deeply, the freshness reviving his weary body. The System chimed again.
New Location Discovered: Crystal Lake
Resources Available: Basic Wood, Stone, Rare Herbs.
Environmental Bonus: Increased Stamina Recovery.
A smile tugged at his lips. This was it—a place to gather, to build, to survive.
With renewed determination, he surveyed the area, already planning his next steps. The battle with the serpent had been a harsh reminder of the dangers this world held, but it had also proven something else: Sincere was stronger than he thought. And with the lake providing the resources he needed, he was ready to begin the next phase of his journey.
Aeros was a world of challenges, but Sincere was determined to meet every one head-on.