Sincere’s back pressed against the trunk of a tree, the growls of the Night Stalkers reverberating through the forest. His grip on the serpent fang knife was steady, but his mind churned with calculations. The creatures were hunting him as a pack, their coordination unsettling. For all their brute force, their movements reminded him of the simulated hunts he had faced in the military—ones that had honed his strategic instincts to razor precision.
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THE TRAINING SIMULATION
Sincere’s military training had been grueling. As a strategist, he wasn’t just expected to devise battle plans; he was trained to function under extreme pressure, to outthink enemies in real-time. One of the most harrowing exercises he had faced was the Survival Simulation Program (SSP)—a virtual reality designed to pit him against simulated enemies with advanced tactics.
He could still recall the chilling realism of the simulation. The forest in the program had been much like the one he now found himself in. It was eerily quiet, the simulated predators blending seamlessly with the shadows. Each time the enemies closed in, Sincere had to think three moves ahead, anticipating their patterns while conserving his limited resources.
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In one particularly brutal session, he had been tasked with defending a mock base against a squad of drones programmed to mimic intelligent pack hunters. The drones had been relentless, flanking him, using distractions to create openings. At first, Sincere had struggled, reacting instinctively rather than strategically. He had lost the scenario twice, each time overwhelmed by the drones' relentless assault.
His instructor, a grizzled veteran named Captain Rowe, had been unsparing in his critique. “Strategists don’t survive by reacting,” she had said, her voice sharp. “You survive by controlling the battlefield, shaping it to your advantage. Understand your enemy. Use their habits against them.”
The third attempt had been different. Sincere had studied the drones, analyzing their patterns, identifying their weaknesses. He had set traps, used the terrain to funnel them into kill zones, and dismantled the pack one by one. When the simulation ended, Captain Rowe had nodded approvingly.
“That,” she had said, “is how a strategist fights.”
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STRATEGIC THINKING IN ACTION
Sincere’s memories of the SSP snapped into focus as he faced the Night Stalkers in the present. These creatures, with their glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws, weren’t drones, but they were no less dangerous. Their movements were eerily similar to the pack-hunting tactics he had studied. He forced himself to calm his breathing, his mind shifting into the same analytical mode he had used in the simulations.
His eyes darted to the lake nearby, noting the way the moonlight shimmered on its surface. The creatures avoided the light, favoring the cover of shadows. That was their weakness, and it would be the key to his survival.
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THE FIGHT
Sincere crafted his plan. He picked up a stone and hurled it into the underbrush, creating a noise that drew the attention of one of the creatures. The stalker broke away from the pack, creeping toward the sound. Using the distraction, Sincere slipped closer to the moonlit clearing by the lake.
When the lone creature emerged into the clearing, its hesitation in the light was palpable. Sincere lunged, his knife flashing as he drove it into the stalker’s side. The creature snarled and collapsed, its lifeless body hitting the ground. The System chimed softly in his vision.
Enemy Defeated: Night Stalker
+150 Experience Points.
The other two creatures howled, their movements more cautious now. Sincere grabbed a burning branch from his fire and waved it in front of him, forcing the creatures to retreat. He moved toward the lake, the moonlight creating a natural barrier. The creatures hesitated at the edge of the clearing, growling but unwilling to enter the open space.
He used their indecision to his advantage. With a feint and a sudden strike, he dispatched the second creature, his knife slicing cleanly through its throat. The final stalker lunged in desperation, and Sincere sidestepped, using the burning branch to drive it into the light. The creature writhed, disoriented, and Sincere ended its struggle with a swift, decisive blow.
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VICTORY AND REWARDS
Sincere stood over the fallen creatures, his chest heaving. His arm stung from a shallow cut, but he was alive. The System chimed again, breaking the silence.
Enemies Defeated: Night Stalkers (x3)
+450 Experience Points.
The soft glow of another notification caught his attention.
Level Up!
Current Level: 3.
Attribute Points Gained: 3.
Skill Points Gained: 2.
A new menu appeared, displaying his attributes:
Attributes:
* Mind: 8 (Enhances strategic thinking and focus.)
* Strength: 7 (Improves physical power and melee damage.)
* Vigor: 6 (Boosts overall health and stamina regeneration.)
* Agility: 7 (Increases movement speed and evasion.)
* Endurance: 6 (Enhances stamina capacity and resistance to fatigue.)
* Intelligence: 8 (Improves problem-solving and System interaction.)
* Perception: 7 (Heightens awareness and enemy detection.)
The System offered a new choice:
Skill Selection Available:
Choose a new skill to aid your survival:
1. Enhanced Reflexes: Increases reaction speed in combat.
2. Combat Efficiency: Reduces stamina usage during fights.
3. Skill Creation: Unlocks the ability to craft unique, custom skills tailored to your needs.
Sincere’s gaze lingered on the last option. The chance to create something entirely his own—a skill that could adapt to the challenges of this strange world—was tempting.
The night air was cool against his skin as he considered his options. The battle had tested his resolve and reminded him of who he was. He wasn’t just a survivor; he was a strategist, someone who could adapt, plan, and thrive.
With a deep breath, Sincere made his choice, ready to face whatever Aeros threw at him next.